Brent & Crystal at Redhawk with Delicious Designs and the Traveling Photo Booth

Brent and Crystal. Crystal and Brent. One of my favorite couples ever. From our first consultation I knew that I had to be a part of their day. They exude togetherness and an ease with one another that tells everyone around them that they are a couple. A relationship that is tempered and perfected with glowing affection, wonderful children, and life experiences that only come when you overcome previous difficulties and realize that all of these things have brought you to this person- the one you were meant to spend the rest of your life with. This is what you find when talking with and watching the two of them together. 

They selected the Redhawk Resort for their ceremony and reception venue. They made a great choice. Chardonnay and her crew were exceptional all afternoon and evening. She unobtrusively hovered in the background throughout the event, taking care of small issues and making sure things ran smoothly. She was great to work with from the DJ perspective as well. She brought the lights up and down various times for the optimum photo opportunities balanced with dancing atmosphere. She checked on the guests continually, and the DJ as well. I felt warmly welcomed and well taken care of, so I can imagine what the guests thought :)

It was a spectacular day for the first of April, and the ceremony was framed by the wetlands and golf course. The entire wedding party came in to "1000 Years" by Cristina Perry: five bridesmaids, five groomsmen and Cassidy, Emily, Jake & Cayden (B&C's children) followed by Crystal. I was so proud of the children especially- they took their duties very seriously and were just a fun and well-behaved quartet the entire day and evening. Blake was a bit nervous officiating the ceremony but he had some great lines and was genuine and funny. I was really impressed with Emily (or was it Cassidy?) who had a reading in the midst of the ceremony and was on point with her delivery.

When Blake had pronounced them married, they left to a George Harrison song, "What is Life" which I thought was a cool and fitting song for the moment. I love that album and now when I hear that song I'll think of them. That's the magic of a great song paired with a great moment :)

Cocktails and pictures then commenced. They had a new (to me) photo booth company, The Traveling Photo Booth up and running when the guests arrived inside. Jesse and his helper were very friendly and everyone liked the booth's features. I saw people there multiple times, which always means that it is a fun booth and vibe.

Chris Brown's "Forever" serenaded the bridal party in for the Grand Entrance and shortly thereafter a buffet dinner was served. I got several requests from Crystal and the head table for songs during dinner and everyone was just in such a happy and fun mood. Not hard to imagine though. If you are friends or family with those two, chances are you are pretty cool and fun. Redhawk put out a fine buffet with chicken and beef but what I liked the most was this huge mound of fresh vegetables that were sautéed/steamed. I'm a sucker for fresh and well prepared veggies! As I mentioned, great service from Chardonnay and her crew and before everyone had even been through the line, champagne was poured and served for the toasts.

Lonnie was my favorite person in attendance besides Crystal & Brent. He was their Best Man and he was just a great guy all during the afternoon and evening. Fine choice for Best Man! He started the speeches off and gave a great, heartfelt toast. Crystal's sister and Maid of Honor Deanna followed him with an emotional speech that epitomized sisterhood and their unbreakable bond. What was that? A bit of a tear? Maybe... Then the gentleman that introduced the couple spoke and finally Crystal and Brent. Brent had an idea to start up the "hurry up" music like at the Oscars in the midst of his speech, so I did and everyone enjoyed the moment. 

The cake cutting was next. They had placed glass jars near the entrance of the ballroom- one for Brent and one for Crystal. The guests could then vote via a dollar or two on whom would be smashed by the other. Brent won. Or lost, depending on your viewpoint lol. Crystal smashed him in the face! Not too badly, but I loved this and their other ideas throughout the evening. Fun ideas from fun people. 

The cake was delicious! Delicious Designs, that is. Actually Leigh Anne makes cakes that live up to her company's name. They taste different than other cakes. The fresh ingredients and flavors really come through. Brent and Crystal opted for a chocolate raspberry top and a champagne strawberry bottom. The latter is my favorite of Leigh Anne's but both were wonderful. The true test of a cake is when it is portioned correctly, are there lots of leftover slices? The answer was no. I saw people come back again for a taste of the other or just another piece no matter which flavor. The small box that included the leftovers at the end was the size of a pie box, and it included their cake top. Delicious is right...

When Brent had cleaned up frosting from his visage, I introduced them for their First Dance. They chose "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts, which I thought signified their lives apart and now together perfectly. They "Danced on a Cloud" which means that I put about 15 pounds of dry ice into a special Nimbus machine and out came clouds of water vapor to punctuate the dance. The kids especially loved the effect, chasing stray wisps around the edge of the dance floor. It was a magical moment and always a favorite time in a reception for me. The bride and groom have been doing so many things all day, and while they are together during the ceremony, the First Dance is a moment almost frozen in time. It allows them to almost be alone together in the midst of all of these happy onlookers. They can talk and laugh, sing to one another- just enjoy each other in a pure moment. Time seems to stand still, then before you know it, the song is over and everyone is cheering. I love weddings (if you can't tell lol)!

Last song

The rest of the evening was filled with dancing with a small break for tossing the bouquet and garter. Crystal chose "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" for her toss and Brent "I Want to Sex You Up" for his, which got lots of cheers and applause when he started singing and dancing. Super fun! I took many requests and had a happy bunch of dancers and we ended the night with another Brent & Crystal favorite, MJ's "Will You Be There".  It was a perfect ending to a fantastic afternoon and evening.

Thanks to Chardonnay & staff at Redhawk, Jesse at The Traveling Photo Booth, and Leigh Anne from Delicious Designs- you all rock!  But thanks the most to Crystal and Brent for inviting me in to their special day and amongst their fantastic friends and family. I really am honored to do what I do, especially for couples like you two. Best of everything, always!

The Importance of Being Early

As a wedding DJ, I take on a special responsibility for my clients and their guests when I agree to be a part of their day and evening.  I have to not only meet but exceed their expectations throughout the event.  I would not want a wedding professional involved in my wedding who did not have this goal in mind.  Why settle for ordinary when your love, your celebration, and your party are anything but?

I accomplish this with the utmost professionalism and with an attitude that lends itself to the success of the event.  There are countless ways I make this happen: I get to know the bride & groom.  I dress and act professionally at all times.  I use only top-notch equipment and have backups handy, just in case.  I make sure I have all their music on at least three different devices.  And maybe too easily overlooked by some but very important nonetheless- I always arrive early to the venue.  I'm not punctual.  I am early.

It seems simple, right?  Show up well before you are scheduled to play.  Unfortunately many don't strictly follow this rule and their performance suffers.  I do not want the bride & groom, their families, other wedding professionals etc to worry one moment about "Where is the DJ?"  My job is to facilitate the event, to head off problems before they impact the timeline, and to seize opportunities as they come up to make their day even more spectacular.  For me, being early sets me up to accomplish these goals.

Being early, I don't typically have to worry about loading or parking issues, and if I do I have plenty of time to work around them.  Sometimes the layout of a room has completely changed since talking with the clients or venue representative and the extra time allows for innovative problem solving if the new setup is less than ideal.  Power sources and positions for lighting and speakers can be tested and changed so that the set up is optimal.

Arriving early allows me to calm an overtaxed mother of the bride or a nervous groom.  It allows me to meet and get to know the bridal party and officiant and discuss pertinent details of the day.  I can speak with the venue rep, the caterers, the cake people and pick up valuable details while being a calming influence, showing them I will be a productive and cooperative partner in the upcoming festivities. Through this I am making connections that will not only serve me well in this event but in future events as well.

Finally, arriving early allows me to keep my personal stress level down.  I am not watching the clock, hurrying to accomplish something but instead taking my time to make sure that every little detail is correct.  I am a rock for my clients and the other wedding professionals, keeping things level and fun  which only magnifies the vibe of the entire event.

Personally, if I am not at the venue and unloaded an hour before I am supposed to play, I get antsy.  And this is at a venue that is close by and one that I have played before.  If the venue is further away, I always add more and more time depending on the circumstances.  I have to allow for traffic, for weather, for flat tires- basically anything that can happen I need to be prepared for.

In almost 800 weddings now, along with several hundred other events, I have had three close calls.

Once, in Southern California, I was rear-ended on the freeway on the way to a Holiday party. I had to wait for the CHP to come and make a report and even though it took up far more time than I would have liked, I was still at the venue and set up in time for cocktail music.

Another time, up at Lake Tahoe, I arrived early at a beach for a ceremony (the reception was in another spot and I had already set up there).  No sign of the bridal party but the officiant and a dozen family members were looking around, kind of confused.  It turns out they (and I) had been told the wrong beach by the coordinator!  The real beach was several miles away! Being early and inquisitive, I had the time to talk with the family members and officiant and I knew something wasn't quite right.  A quick call to the groom and we were off to the real ceremony site with time to spare.  Instead of "Where's the DJ?" I received gratitude for correcting an issue that would have affected their day.

Finally, the only other time I became worried about my arrival time was a winter wedding up in Incline Village.  It was snowing and I allowed for lots of extra time to get over the pass.  It's a good thing I did!  As I reached the top of the pass under whiteout, 15mph conditions, the road in front of me suddenly cleared up!  I was ecstatic until I drove off the highway into a shallow depression... The clear area was where the snowplow had just turned around. Aargh!  My vehicle wouldn't budge.  I immediately called AAA and awaited rescue. The tow truck showed up 45 minutes later and I had him take me all the way to the venue- I wasn't taking any more chances!  I did not make much that day- the tow charge and the healthy tip cut drastically into any profit but most importantly I was on time and the ceremony went off nicely.  I told my photographer friend what had happened and he laughed because he had passed me as the tow truck was hooking me up but didn't realize it was me.  So even in dire, blizzard conditions I had given myself that extra cushion of time and it had paid off immensely.

So what I am trying to say is a wedding is not a 'gig' or just another job.  It is a sacred trust you are entering into by accepting a contract, and every aspect of your preparation or lack thereof reflects on you and on your reputation.  Being early is one of those things that is well within the control of even a novice event professional, and all the little things you do to prepare add up and make a difference.  Don't be 'on time'!  Be early and your clients and your reputation will thank you.

My expensive hook up :)

Matt & Maddie at the Tannenbaum with Delicious Designs, Ciprian Photography & Fig Tree Catering

One of the benefits of being a wedding professional is that you meet, get to know, get to laugh with, and ultimately be a part of a fantastic couple's most important day of their lives. I can't tell you how much it means to me to do this. Every couple I have the chance to work with is unique and their love burns brightly, but I think Maddie & Matt are one of my favorite couples ever. Let me tell you why... 

Matt is a member of the Army- one of those professionals that leave on a moment's notice and put themselves in harms way so that we are all safe & sound back here in the States. He has deployed numerous times and that means that it takes a woman with special patience and love to deal with those separations. That woman is Maddie. They are perfect for one another. He is dark & handsome, with a quick wit and kindness that exudes from everything he does. She is blonde, gorgeous, smart and has a teasing gleam in her eye that keeps Matt on his toes. To hear them banter with each other is like watching a prize fight- witticism after witticism all balanced with a love for one another that is almost visible. I am certain if I could see just a little bit into another spectrum, I'd see their love burning brightly- probably brighter than most. When we first met, I knew immediately that they were deeply in love and I was honored to be chosen to be a part of, and have looked forward to, their big day ever since.

They chose Tannenbaum to be the site of their fantastic day and evening. I have done many events there and I am always pleased with it as a venue- beautiful grounds and trees, lots of room inside and out, and flexibility to choose your own vendors and decor. Kiley & Sasha were the Tannenbaum coordinators for Matt & Maddies' event and they did a great job throughout, helping out in innumerable ways. Just great people.

Their choices for their wedding professionals were inspired as well. I was setting up and saw Leigh Anne from Delicious Designs arrive. My favorite wedding vendor! If you don't know Leigh Anne, you should get to know her! A more enthusiastic and talented baker I have yet to encounter. Leigh Anne's cakes, cupcakes, and cookies are delicious and her decorating is amazing. She loves what she does and it shows. Here is what she made for Matt & Maddie:

Champagne cake with lemon curd & raspberry filling.

Pistachio cupcakes with pistachio buttercream frosting.

Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache.

Vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting topped with vanilla bean sea salt.

Guinness stout spiced cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting.

Phenomenally decorated butter cookies.

(plus lots of Oreos and M&Ms that she didn't make but displayed with her goodies).

Compared to the picture I took of the desserts, there was very little left at the end of the night :)

Taking pictures all throughout the event was Ciprian from Ciprian Photography. I have had the pleasure of working with him on several occasions and he is a consummate professional- easy to work with and continually snapping shots.  I would have to say he is one of the top photographers in the area both for his ability, professionalism, and his finished work. Again Maddie & Matt hit a home run.

Their choice of caterer and the food served was inspired as well. Fig Tree Catering did the appetizers and dinner, and it was an eclectic mix of M&M's favorite foods. There were shots of soup, gourmet mac & cheese, hand-dipped corn dogs and a sandwich station with carved pork loin and beef with 5 or 6 sauces. All of these were at different stations- not a typical buffet setup. I was amazed how efficiently everyone was served, and how much everyone enjoyed the atypical fare. It another unique aspect to Matt & Maddie's day and yet again another hit with everyone- including the DJ who had to go back for a second corn dog :)

Maddie & Matt did a "first look" and while I am sure Ciprian got much better pictures, I took a few with my cheap camera from up on the deck. Pretty magical. More and more people began to arrive and after a bit the Bridal Party was entering to a piano version of One Republic's "Feel Again". Maddie and her dad Bob then came down the aisle to "Jubel" by Klingand and soon Tom was officiating their union. Right after Maddie arrived however, Matt grabbed a mic that I had secreted nearby and welcomed and thanked everyone for coming. A nice touch to a beautiful ceremony. When all was done, Maddie & Matt exited to the American Author's song, "Best Day of My Life" which was very fitting.

Dee & friends dancing to Madonna on the deck :)

Pictures then ensued. I stayed outside on the deck playing from a list of cocktail music they had selected. When they moved over to the old chimney for more pix, I happened to play a Madonna song off their list and the girls started singing and dancing as they posed. Maddie's mom Dee then appeared on the deck beside me with several of her girlfriends dancing along to the song. Dee told me that she loved Madonna and when Maddie was small they sang and danced to all of her songs together. Dee said the first word that Maddie wrote was "Madonna" so it is in her genes. I played a Material Girl mix from that moment onward until those pics were finished. Very fun!

We then moved inside and I introduced the Bridal Party to Bruno Mar's "Uptown Funk" and they all danced as they came in. When I announced the bride & groom I played more of "Jubel"- a song that really resonated with M&M. That is what it is all about- making the event match the bride & groom. Fig Tree then had the stations for dinner manned and ready and everyone began to enjoy the food. Toasts followed dinner, then cake cutting (with Joe Cocker's "Feelin Alright" punctuating the moment). Then it was time to dance :)

Maddie & Matt danced their first dance (although they cheated a bit and danced to "Jubel as they entered for their entrance beforehand) to Billie Holiday's "Come Rain or Come Shine"- just an amazing moment for them and for all of us watching. 

Ciprian at work

Bob then came up to dance with his daughter. We had all met and planned the week prior to play another song for his dance with Maddie, but when he left the room Maddie then told me instead to play "White Bird" by It's a Beautiful Day. It is his favorite song, and a week later he was so happily surprised when it began to play that he hugged Maddie even tighter. Just a great moment- it makes my eyes glisten just thinking about it. Another case of Maddie & Matt choosing things to make their reception that much more personal and special.

Matt and his mom Kathy then danced to Cole Porter's "Night & Day" sung by Frank Sinatra. It was a perfect lead into their Money Dance which went about 4 songs and then we were all dancing starting with "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon. The dancing was great- M&M had picked some great music and I filled in the sets with songs I knew would kick butt and had some great requests from the audience.

Etta James slowed us down for the Anniversary Dance followed by the tosses. The girls danced to Meghan Trainor's "Dear Future Husband" as they fought for the bouquet and then the guys gathered around Matt as he removed the garter from Maddie to "Shakin" by Eddie Money. The theme from MNF then punctuated the toss.

I loved every minute of the day and evening. Matt & Maddie's family and friends were almost as fun as M&M themselves and the fun energy never let down. There were many special moments but one of my favorites was when the last couple standing for the Anniversary Dance turned out to be Danny & Shondell. Danny had come up to me earlier and asked if I had "Love Me Tender" by Elvis. He asked if I could dedicate it to his lovely wife Shondell sometime during the evening. It was their wedding song. Absolutely! I told him. Nothing like celebrating 53 years of wedded bliss! So when they were the last couple up I announced how long they had been married and that Danny dedicated the next song to Shondell. When it started up she immediately had a tear and they danced to much cheering and applause like they were teenagers again. So special. Yet special was routine at Matt & Maddie's wedding and reception.

So thankful to be able to work with Sasha & Kiley at the beautiful Tannenbaum- such an extraordinary venue! Leigh Anne from Delicious Designs- your creations were delicious and gobbled up by everyone- you rock! Working with Ciprian from Ciprian Photography is always a pleasure. A true professional. And Fig Tree Catering- you really helped Matt & Maddie make the food delicious and fun, thanks for all your creativity and hard work!

Finally thanks to Matt & Maddie, Bob & Dee, and all the family and guests that welcomed me and made me feel more like a guest than a hired hand. Matt- thanks for your service- we all owe you so much- much more than your humble nature will admit. Maddie, thanks for being such a fun bride! Your smile was infectious and your enthusiastic presence on the dance floor made me strive to give 200%.  Best of everything, always you two!

Viel spaB in Deutschland!

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!

Stefanie & Jeff at Somersett with Belinda Grant Photography and Los Mariachis Viajeros

I had such a good time at Stefanie & Jeff's wedding and reception a couple of weekends ago! I knew it would be a blast when I was communicating with Stefanie back and forth about her timeline and songs. She really had a complete vision as to how her day would enfold, and it was so gratifying to see it come to life and to be a part of it.

I usually don't post a lot of pictures, especially of decor and the small touches that go into a reception, but I think I should with this wedding. Stefanie really thought of everything and put her own spin on her day.

First she chose Somersett. Somersett is a planned community in northwest Reno nestled between hills with a golf course threading through the community and great views of the surrounding Sierras. In the middle of the property is the community center complete with a clubhouse, community pools and sports facilities, and a commercial area with several shops and restaurants. I have had the privilege of deejaying their community holiday swim parties and it is a well-run organization with great people making sure everything runs smoothly. This day was no exception.  They had their ceremony out on a golf tee with the mariachi group Los Mariachis Viajeros providing the seating music. When the time came, I played the processionals- "Sweet Child of Mine" by Vitamin String Quartet for the bridal party and a beautiful version of the "Bridal Chorus" (Here Comes the Bride) for Stefanie and her dad. When Stefanie and Jeff were married and had kissed and been introduced by Pastor Dan to everyone, I played "Happy" as their recessional. After that, the guests went into the clubhouse for cocktails and more Mariachi Viajero music while I moved across the street to the upstairs reception room, the Loft.

Up in the Loft I really appreciated all the work Stefanie and her sisters and friends had put into the room. Near me, right beside the dance floor they had baskets of flip-flops for their guests so they could ditch the high heels and dance the night away. The bar had a great selection of tequilas, Mexican beer, and Mexican bottled coke and other sodas to lend an authentic flair to the evening. Better yet, there was a bucket of coozies with Jeff & Stefanie's names and date on them as a special remembrance of the evening. Very cool!

They had a photobooth, a candy table that was very well stocked, and everywhere the decor matched the red roses placed all around the room.

Finally the favors to take home (not including the coozies) were small little cacti and other succulents. So unique yet so fitting for occasion.

As the guests began to arrive from the clubhouse, traditional Mexican appetizers were served- several types of ceviche, home-made salsas, and chips and quesadillas. Yum!  The guests enjoyed themselves while the bridal party finished up pictures with Belinda Grant. Belinda is a phenomenal photographer who I am always excited to work with. She has a very journalistic style as well as taking stunning posed shots. She'll see something happening on the dance floor or at a table and rush over to capture it. A great example of this was as Stefanie and Jeff were walking downstairs towards the reception, she saw a geometric pattern in the pavers below and had them pose as she took pix from the balcony above. Spontaneous but really cool! I tried to get the same shot on my iPhone watching her, and you can imagine how much better her shots are!

Right after that we all welcomed the bridal party in to the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feelin" and then Stefanie and Jeff entered as "Timber" by Pitbull played. The Mariachis Viajeros then took over the music for a while and I was impressed by their ability. The best mariachi group in Reno by far. They moved around the room and played while the dinner buffet was being readied. Uriel, Stefanie's father was such a cool host and dad. He was constantly checking that everyone was having fun and he requested some music from the Viajeros that I realized was all about northern Baja California. Being from San Diego myself I asked him about it, and it turns out that he is from Mexicali, a border town very near my family's camping spot that I have been going to since I was small. We talked about the area, music, and San Felipe and I really felt so at ease with Uriel and Stefanie's family. He even helped sing a Norteno song below and really got the crowd into it. Such fun!

Uriel and Los Mariachis Viajeros!

The buffet line then began, and Belinda Grant has a great specialty shot that I really like: as I released a table, those tablemates  would come up to the dance floor and get a picture taken by Belinda before they joined the buffet. Such a fantastic idea! Here are the bride & groom & head table starting it off- I know Belinda's shot was 1000% better than mine. That's why I'm a DJ and not a photographer...  :)

After dinner, Maid of Honor and Stefanie's sister Jocelyn led off the toasting with an emotional and funny tribute. Dads Uriel & John and other bridal party members gave nice toasts as well and right after that they cut their cake. After enjoying a few bites Jeff & Stefanie then started off the dancing with "Crystal Blue Persuasion" by Tommy James & the Shondells. Such a unique and inspired choice!

First Dance!

Uriel then came up to dance with his daughter for the father-daughter dance. Unlike most of these dances I see, they chose a fast song, Elvis's "Jailhouse Rock" and it brought the crowd to their feet. 

Soon thereafter we were dancing non-stop with a huge variety of music, from Elvis Crespo to Avicii to the Beatles and Pitbull.  At the first slow break we had a perfect Anniversary Dance, with Antonio and Maria the longest married at 40 years. Other than the bouquet and garter tosses, the dancing never let up. Such a fun crowd, so much so that we went an hour over our original stopping point :)

Thanks to the terrific people at Somersett for all their hard work. Thanks to Belinda of Belinda Grant Photography, a true professional and just a great person to work with. Thanks to the talented Mariachis Viajeros. And finally thanks to Jeffanie (Jeff & Stefanie) for letting me be a part of their memorable day and evening. Felicidades you two!