Zane & Rachel at The Grove at Southcreek with Celadon Events and Reno Photo Booth

I had the pleasure of being a part of Zane & Rachel's big day this past December at the always amazing Grove at Southcreek. If you know The Grove, you know that even without decoration it is a spectacular venue, with the stonework, wood, and gorgeous windows- it reminds me of a lodge in the Montana Rockies, but Rachel & Zane had a vision for using and decorating the space that really took it to the next level. They had Celadon Events come in and The Grove was transformed, inserting an indoor chapel without the distraction of the dinner tables or dance floor. A giant flowing curtain partitioned the space, while another bedecked the fireplace, punctuating where everyone would stand for the ceremony. Ornate chairs and square tables finished off the unique vibe that Rachel & Zane had envisioned and it really made The Grove into their own creation for the evening.

Here come Rachel & Bob (followed by the ever-attentive Teresa) 

As guests arrived I played seating music and then "Marry You" by Bruno Mars to let everyone know we were getting close. Rachel & Zane really chose songs that amplified the moments while keeping with their personalities. John Mayer's "XO" helped usher in Zane, the parents, and grandparents and then the bridal party began their entrance with a really great (and until then unknown to me) song by Sleeping at Last, "Dear True Love". What a fantastic song! It is already on my list of preferred songs to recommend. I love being a DJ as my knowledge of music is ever-expanding due to the phenomenal brides & grooms I am lucky to work with. Everyone rose to their feet as Rachel entered to a sweet acoustic version of "Give Me Love". I liked how the curtain really punctuated her arrival. I love the outdoor weddings at the Grove, but this setup really went above and beyond in creating an intimate indoor ceremony for those cold wintery days.

Married!

Soon the two were exiting the ceremony area as husband & wife to Hall & Oates "You Make My Dreams" and the guests began enjoying drinks and appetizers while people from Celadon quickly took down the curtain. Roberto, Marco and the rest of The Grove's impeccable staff finished the transformation of the space back to a grand dining and dancing ballroom, and Jo from Reno Photo Booth entertained the guests with her bubbly, welcoming ways as they had their pictures taken for fun and for posterity.

Shortly thereafter, I introduced the bridal party to the upbeat strains of "Eye of the Tiger" and then had the privilege of introducing Rachel & Zane to the assembled guests while the Temps crooned "My Girl". They received a tremendous welcome to their reception and immediately headed to the dance floor for their first dance, Ed Sheeran's "Kiss Me".

First Dance!

As soon as they were through and people had cheered and dried their eyes, fabulous Teresa, our hostess at The Grove was serving the newlyweds dinner and releasing tables for the always fantabulous buffet. I like the fact that even though many of the events at The Grove choose the buffet over a plated meal, the bride & groom are always accorded special treatment and delivered a plated meal and waited on like the royalty they are for that day. Just another small but important touch The Grove does so well in so many ways.

I also appreciate the fact that champagne and cider is always poured without any fuss or need for me to remind them to do so. You'd be surprised at the number of times I have to step in and get the bubbly started at other venues. Teresa and her staff are always one step ahead of me, not only with the champagne but also with coordinating the bridal party for the ceremony, for the Grand Entrance and countless other moments that make the whole event run that much more smoothly. I am thankful every time I have the opportunity to play there :)

Bob & his daughter :)

The MoH Hayley & BM Suede gave nice toasts followed by dads Lorne & Bob, and then we were watching Rachel dance with Bob to "My Little Girl" for their Father-Daughter dance. After a little kleenex and a lot of cheering, it was Zane's turn to dance with his mom Michelle to "I Hope You Dance", followed by a great Anniversary Dance- Ray LaMontagne's "Hold You In My Arms." General dancing then ensued, and the dance floor never emptied the rest of the evening, except for maybe when they did their cupcakes, accompanied by a great rendition of "Let's Stay Together" by Maroon 5. Again, another inspired song choice by the newlyweds.

Michelle & her son :)

Dancing included everything from Jason Aldean to Elvis; One Direction to Brad Paisley; Etta James to Los Lonely Boys (for Bob). I had a sheet full of requests and managed to play every last one. Meanwhile Jo was busy manning her booth all night long and after the cupcakes came out, so did a hot chocolate bar- a great idea for a chilly December night.

All too soon we came to the last dance, Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" and soon we were ushering Zane & Rachel off to Stevie's "For Once in my Life". Really a fantastic couple. Combine that with super fun & friendly family and friends, a bevy of the best wedding professionals, and the striking decor and ambiance, and you get a very memorable event. That's what you want when you have a wedding- one that people will remember with joy and compare other weddings to. Rachel & Zane accomplished this and more.

Thanks to Jo at Reno Photo Booth. Thanks to Celadon Events for providing the magical backdrop. Thanks to everyone at The Grove at Southcreek for exceeding everyone's expectations on so many levels, as usual :) And of course thanks to Zane & Rachel for allowing me to be a small part of your wonderful day and evening. All the best!

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!

Matt & Karleigh at The Grove at Southcreek with Reno Photobooth

Had an absolute blast last night at The Grove at Southcreek being a part of Karleigh & Matt's fantastic ceremony and reception.  What was not to like?  A great, fun, amazing couple.  Welcoming, happy, tremendous family & friends.  And one of the best venues & staffs in the Reno-Tahoe area- it all added up to a very memorable night.

The wedding was performed by Rich, the bride's uncle, who had never officiated at a wedding before!  He was a natural, however, and gave the ceremony insight, emotion and a reality that could only come from a close member of the family.  He should do more weddings!  Karleigh's vows were sweet and I especially liked the part when she added "frustrate" to the list of love, cherish, care for etc.  Very funny & heartfelt!  Then Matt spoke his vows which were carefully made up of lyrics from Journey tunes (his favorite band). Super unique and fun, and the sentiment from those words he made his own.  Some of the best vows I've ever had the privilege of witnessing!  Oh, the music!  

Karleigh came in to Vitamin String Quartet's version of 'Faithfully' and had their recessional accompanied by the theme from the Big Bang Theory followed by VSQ's 'Don't Stop Believing'.  I told you they were Journey fans!  I liked how they picked Friday the 13th for their wedding date.  For them it is special.  Their first date was a Friday the 13th forty nine months prior (and Matt is a HUGE 49'er fan) so in this case the 13th was extremely lucky for the two of them.

Pinwheel centerpiece

While the BP and families had pictures taken, the guests went inside and were treated to a slideshow of pics from Matt & Karleigh's life together along with some of Shaka's amazing hors'deurves.  Karleigh is a school teacher and she had some very innovative ideas for decorations and favors.  I really liked the pinwheel centerpieces, and even more than that they had keepsake programs made into those 'cootie catchers' that the girls used to make in school when I was young.  You open one flap and it has the parent's names, the next the bridal party etc.  Very unique!  The always fun Jo from Reno Photobooth Company was there with one of her booths for the guestbook.  The guests would pile in, get some fun shots that they could take home, and sign a small card.  Later, the B&G will marry up their copy of the pics with the card for a unique keepsake guestbook.  What a great idea!  Finally, they had some brochure-like cards made up inviting their guests to brunch the following morning and softball later that day, complete with maps to the aforementioned places.  What a great idea to keep the weekend going!

The rest of the evening was magical.  The BP entered the reception to 'Stone in Love' and were soon enjoying a delicious dinner from The Grove's master chef Shaka.  I have spoken of his talents before, but he makes a simple buffet dinner memorable.  The chicken picatta and the almond vegetables were amazing as was everything else.  With Julie overseeing everything and efficient staff members like Roberto keeping everyone happy, The Grove is a real class-act.  Karleigh & Matt had a great first dance with 'Faithfully' by Journey and soon the place was rocking!  Later Karleigh danced with her father to the 'Theme from Summer Place' and Matt with his mom to 'Simple Man' by Skynyrd.  The cake was just a small one to cut, as they had hundreds of cupcakes in four different, delicious flavors.  The Anniversary dance had lots of couples over 20 years up, with the last couple having been married 44 years!  I was happy to be able to play lots of songs from the 60's, 70's and 80's as well as some current favorites, and the dancing never paused, keeping the DJ busy & happy all night long.  Karleigh & Matt ended the night with more Journey, as they were whisked off in their limo as everyone cheered and clapped.  What a job I have!  Great people, great music, great food, and a couple celebrating their love. Thanks to Matt & Karleigh- I wish you many, many happy years filled with love & music!

The happy couple!