Caitlin & Steve at West Shore Cafe with Photography by Monique

For my 100th blog post I couldn't have written about a more fun couple and wedding than Caitlin & Steve's ceremony and reception on Lake Tahoe last month.

Technology is amazing! The first time I met these two in person was on their wedding day yet through FaceTime/Skype we were able to meet several times prior to they Big Day and we really connected, plotting musical selections, timelines- fleshing out the general vibe they were trying to achieve on their day. They have definite musical points of view and we were able to weave these throughout the ceremony, cocktail and dinner hour, and into the dancing. I love it when I can play special songs and create an absolutely unique experience that reflects the bride & groom. The whole day and evening seems to become even more special and magical.

The bridal party enters

A large part of the magic that night was the exceptional group of family and friends gathered in a beautiful forested meadow overlooking Lake Tahoe being served professionally by fantastic servers and bartenders- everything seemed to click perfectly. The venue they chose is fast becoming one of my favorites, the West Shore Cafe & Inn. It is a unique destination that has a myriad of possibilities for weddings and events. There is a gorgeous lakeside restaurant, patio and dock that is also a working Inn so the bride and groom and other VIPs can stay right on the property if they so choose. There is an adjoining grove/meadow that is just shaded enough by some towering pines to make an outdoor wedding and reception a comfortable and gorgeous affair without a need for a tent or covering. Finally they have a bar across the highway where your after party can continue well after midnight.  Add those perceptive, friendly and efficient staff members and you have a stellar venue that is easily one of the best on the Lake.  Throw in some of their fantastic food and drink and you don't need to look anywhere else.

I was particularly indebted to Natalie and Hoke from West Shore Cafe.  Natalie helped coordinate everything and did it with professionalism and a fantastic attitude. Not only does she make all of the guests feel right at home, but also the wedding professionals like me who are just coming in for a couple of weddings a season. Hoke (if I'm spelling that correctly) helped me several times with different issues and was a great example of the type of people that make up the WSC family.

Madeline & Luke

The ceremony site is on the eastern edge of the grove and overlooks the gorgeous Lake. The weather was perfect that afternoon and I had a non-musical role in providing microphones and amplification for the officiants and for the two young guitarists providing the seating and ceremony music. Family members Luke and Madeline provided exceptional background and processional guitar music as the bridal party made their way from the back of the grove to the ceremony area. It is a beautiful walk through the trees to the Lake and to watch Caitlin and her dad come in was spectacular for all present... especially Steve :)

The ceremony itself was presided over by two officiants, David & Eric, who I thought did a fabulous job- serious yet tinged with happiness and fun. They alleviated Caitlin & Steve's nervousness through a bit of humor and you could just tell they were so happy and honored to have been chosen to do this for the soon-to-be newlyweds.  When Steve & Caitlin had kissed and been presented to everyone as husband & wife, Luke & Madeline played them out to much applause and happy cheers.

First Dance!

Monique from Photography by Monique is always great to work with and she soon had various family members posing with the newlyweds while everyone else enjoyed the spectacular views along with equally spectacular cocktails and yummy appetizers. Soon the pictures were done, and I gathered up the bridal party for the Grand Entrance. Everyone came in dancing with a unique twist to TI's "Bring Em Out" and Steve and Caitlin followed and went directly into their first dance, "Dance With Me Baby" by Ben Rector.  Fantastic moment!

BM Kevin leading off the toasts

Caitlin & Steve wanted more of an informal vibe so they had two food stations then open up for everyone, without calling up tables by number or what have you. Everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner at their leisure and soon it was time for the toasts. The best man and brother of Steve, Kevin led off the toasting with a funny yet touching tribute to his brother and his new bride and the same came next from Caitlin's sister & MoH Emily. By the time Caitlin's dad Dave came up, I was thoroughly impressed with how the two families had welcomed and loved their new addition- Caitlin or Steve- and how much fun they seem to have when they get together. Very cool families!

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance

Following the bubbly, Dave and Caitlin made their way to the dance floor to start the Father/Daughter dance. They danced to Adele as I then introduced Steve and his mom Jocelyn who joined them on the floor as "Here Comes the Sun" by the Fab Four started. Soon after that I invited, on Steve & Jocelyn's and Caitlin & Dave's behalf, all the fathers & daughters and mothers & sons up to join them. I absolutely love when the bride & groom do this!  It makes one more special moment that will be remembered the rest of everyone's lives- including the guests and other family in on the most sentimental dance of the evening.  Why have an ordinary reception?  Have a reception that everyone will judge all receptions to follow by.  Including your guests in on certain events is one way to make this happen, and Steve & Caitlin's reception was indeed a reception that everyone will set their bar by.

Dancing then began in earnest and I really enjoyed the crowd. They rocked the dance floor all night. Steve & Caitlin had an amazing dessert bar set up, with brownies, cookies and other goodness and so a formal cake cutting wasn't really done. They also did not throw the bouquet or garter but no one missed it and it was great to make their vision of their day and evening come to life.  After sunset pix and some phenomenal dancing, a surprise that Caitlin's parents Dave and Joanne engineered was sprung on the newlyweds.

I announced over the mic that "we'd lost Kai", one of Caitlin's younger brothers and apparently one who has a history of getting separated from the family. Kai himself then appeared, introduced himself, and then brought his parents and siblings out where they proceeded to do a choreographed dance routine much to the surprise of Caitlin & Steve and the rest of the crowd.  A great surprise and some great dancing!

We danced until 10pm (the usual stopping point for amplified music around the Lake) and then the guests and bridal party migrated across the street to an after party at that bar that I am sure went deep into the night and early morning hours. Such a fun group!

Thanks to Natalie and Hoke and everyone from West Shore Cafe for their hard work and big smiles. Thanks to Monique from Photography by Monique for her professionalism and ease to work with. Thanks to Madeline & Luke for the tremendous job they did with the ceremony guitar music and to Eric & David for their fun officiating.

Finally thanks most of all to Steve & Caitlin for including me in their exceptional day and evening. I had a blast and will remember your wedding and reception for a long time to come. The best of everything, always you two!

Katy & Justin at the Chism House with Reno Photobooth, Fig Tree Catering and Photography by Monique

Some DJs have trouble sticking to a music list prepared by the bride & groom. I see posts by DJ's on DJ boards and Wedding Wire telling their brides to pick "10-15 songs max" so they can feel free to take requests and use their usual mixes of the same music they played last weekend. They cannot adjust to new music or thinking outside their box. They complain if popular songs are marked as "do not plays" and when a DNP song is requested they hold out that list like a "get out of jail free" card and blame the B&G. Good DJs make the experience all about the bridal couple. They encourage songlists and input from the B&G so that the couple will feel like it is their event, an event as special and fun as they are. I love couples that have a strong point of view. Katy & Justin fit that bill perfectly.

They had seen me deejay at Heather & (a different) Justin's wedding last year (see blog). It was a phenomenal event at Rancho San Rafael that really was special and unique. This wedding was to be  just as unique and fun. After a couple of meetings we were able to really bring out their personalities and love of music with the selections they made for the ceremony and reception events. Katy gave me an extensive music list with around 90 songs for cocktails, dinner and dancing and then told me to take no requests- just use the songs off the list. No worries! Her picks were well-thought-out, with something for everyone and really reflected her and Justin's musical likes. Again, some DJs view this as an obstacle, but I look at it as an opportunity. I have a list that is golden in regards to the newlyweds. That means they are going to dance to them which is a huge catalyst for the guests getting up and doing the same. My job is to read the crowd and group those songs together so people will stay on the dancefloor. (BTW if you haven't figured it out, playing weddings is an absolute blast and I actually get paid to do this!). But the music was only one component of this special day.

First Dance

They chose to have their ceremony & reception at the Chism House. This is a unique venue near the Truckee River in West Reno that really gets better and better every time I play there. For the last couple of summers, it has been under new management, and they really are a class act and are continually upgrading the gardens and the house itself. If you want an outdoor wedding in a beautiful garden setting just a few blocks from downtown, then look into the Chism House. Tina was their coordinator from  the Chism House and she did a tremendous job from beginning to end. No issue was too small for her attention and she kept everything going with a minimum of fuss and always with a big smile. Great to work with other exceptional vendors such as Jo from Reno Photobooth, Monique & Scott from Photography by Monique, and the great staff from Fig Tree Catering. Jo kept the guests and bridal party busy all evening with her booth and her great personality. To have a photo booth can really boost a party.  To have a photo booth run by Jo, that is a party in itself!  Monique & Scott were professional, unobtrusive, and just flat-out great to work with. Their work will knock your socks off as well. Fig Tree were their usual selves- delicious food and service with a smile. But let me tell you about the ceremony...

Bridal party watching their first dance as husband & wife

When I was changing clothes prior to the nuptials, I spent a little time with the groomsmen doing the same. However one member of the party didn't have a tux or suit- he had a set of dress blues of the USMC. Lloyd was not only a fine example of a patriot but he was also the officiant and friend of the B&G. He had never officiated a wedding before, but he did an outstanding job and received many compliments throughout the evening. Justin & his folks entered to "Blackbird" by the Beatles and the BP came down the aisle to "With a Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker, and then Katy appeared, taking everyones breath away (especially Justin's) and walked down the aisle to a beautiful rendition of "In My Life" by Johnny Cash. After a nice ceremony and a reading by Amy, Lloyd pronounced them married and they kissed and exited to "Lucky" by Jason Mraz. The guests were off to  drinks and delicacies while the BP took their pictures around the beautiful grounds.

Katy & her dad Jeff

The Bridal Party entered the reception a little while later to Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" which was immediately followed by Justin & Katy's first dance, "I'll Be There For You" by Boyce Avenue. I liked the fact that the bridesmaids & groomsmen stayed standing while Katy & Justin danced- a simple but elegant gesture that I don't always see. The toasts followed a delicious dinner buffet and then the cake was cut, with Marvin Gaye playing in the background. Dancing then resumed with Katy and her father Jeff dancing to Heartland's "I Loved Her First" followed by Justin and his mom Lori doing the same to Good Charlotte's "Thank You Mom". That song was new for me and I thought it was a great choice. Dancing followed and the floor was busy all night long. Again, a happy bride & groom = happy guests which means the whole level of the party goes up a few notches. By playing their list, I made them happy, comfortable, and above all, special. It is all about the bride & groom! 

The guys are getting carried away, literally!

Okay, I did stray from their list once. When the songs slowed down and people got romantic for a moment or two I slipped in Heather & (the other) Justin's first dance song, "Smile" by Uncle Kracker. I love being able to instantly take a couple back to their first dance whether it be one or sixty-one years ago. It is a nod to a previous wedding which makes the current one even that much more memorable. Celebrating love & marriage is what the day is all about.

Heather & Justin from last year :)

When it was time to toss flowers & lingerie, David Guetta's "Where Them Girls At" was the soundtrack for the bouquet, and a moment later Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" punctuated the garter removal.  When Justin tossed it, the theme from "Baseball Tonight" framed the catch, a great idea Justin had that his boys really liked. Again, these little touches really amplify the reception.  Katy is a teacher who teaches autistic kids- probably the most difficult teaching there is. I was happy to extend her an Educator discount, as I appreciate what she and others like her do every day for the kids in our community.

The bridesmaids were a fun group!

When it was time to end the evening, Led Zeppelin's "Thank You" was the last song to be danced to and then the guests grabbed sparklers and formed a pyrotechnic tunnel for the newlyweds exit to, accompanied by Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home." I was happy to be able to be a part of Justin & Katy's amazingly special day. J&K- Thanks for allowing me the privilege & pleasure to be a part of your day! Many, many happy years!