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!

Hailey & Dustin at the Grove at Southcreek

Had another extraordinary event at The Grove at Southcreek a few weeks back. As you might notice from other blog entries, I truly enjoy the people and professionalism at The Grove. They really help a bride and groom realize their wedding day dreams.

Hailey and Dustin are a great couple. They have that youthful exuberance that is ready to take on and take in the world together and it was great to be a small part of their day and evening. Dustin is a member of our armed forces and it was especially gratifying to be able to give something back to him  for all the sacrifices he makes for us. I really enjoyed Hailey's processional as she picked "At This Moment" by Shania Twain, and then really picked a perfect moment in the song to emerge from the doorway and down the aisle to her wedding. Beautiful bride, dress, and moment in time!  When all the "I do's" had been said, kisses kissed, and newlyweds introduced, the happy couple left the ceremony with Blake Shelton's "God Gave Me You" punctuating their recessional. Just a beautiful ceremony on one of those days photographers love- a bit cloudy for that special lighting.

Speaking of lighting, I was able to try out a new fixture I had acquired at Mobile Beat 2014 this past spring. It is a moving head fixture that really gives me a lot of options for lighting effects and allows me display a personalized gobo monogram if the brides and grooms want that extra little personalization. This was theirs up above me at The Grove. I moved it all around throughout the evening and I was impressed by the colors and brightness. Very fun and a great option for those brides & grooms that want that little something extra.

The happy couple soon returned from pictures and were welcomed to their reception as Kool & the Gang's Celebration punctuated their Grand Entrance. Dinner was served immediately thereafter and everyone enjoyed the deliciousness that emerged from The Grove's kitchen. As plates were being pushed away, the Best Man Robert opened up the toasts with a funny video of Dustin singing while driving a Humvee that got everyone laughing and cheering. The Maid of Honor Whitney then had her own touching toast and Dustin & Hailey then toasted everyone who had come to share in their day. Edwin McCain's "I Could Not Ask For More" then started up and I had the honor of introducing them for their first dance as husband and wife. So awesome!

More special dances followed: a Mother/Daughter dance with Carrie Underwood's "Mama's Song", a Mother/Son dance featuring "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts and then a fun Money Dance. After that we just let loose for a while dancing to country, hip hop, Motown and even a bit of EDM (many thanks to the groomsman who turned me on to Disclosure). Before long however, I noticed that there was a very healthy rivalry between the bridesmaids and the groomsmen and with a few strategic requests, they engaged in a spirited sing-off! I declared the ladies the winner after a few songs each which was very controversial (amongst the guys). Super fun! What a great crowd!

Cutting the cake!

I little while later they were cutting their cake with Toy Story's "You've Got a Friend in Me" in the background and then they were tossing the bouquet and the garter to Beyonce and LMFAO. The rest of the night was filled with tons of dancing and we went into overtime. I want to thank Kathleen and everyone at The Grove for such a phenomenal job. They are so accommodating, professional and thoughtful with both their guests and even with the lowly DJ. I have to say that the Grove is my favorite venue to work with, and the Reno/Tahoe area is filled with exceptional venues and staff.

Thanks most of all to Hailey and Dustin. Just a magical afternoon and evening and I was so lucky to have been able to be a part of it. Best of luck to you two and thanks again for your service Dustin!

Carly & Chris at the Grove at Southcreek with Reverend Dave Beronio

Another fabulous wedding at The Grove this past weekend!  Chris & Carly were married and celebrated the night away with a great bunch of family and friends who included me in their happiness for the newlyweds. I had met with Carly back in January right before the American Heart Association's Fantasy Bridal Faire.  I love doing the AHA event as all the proceeds go to fight heart disease and raise awareness.  I told Carly to look me up if she came to the Faire, and she did, so I gave her my Bridal Faire special and we were good to go.  Carly & Chris also saved money with me and with many of their other expenses by planning a Sunday wedding.  Many wedding professionals will give discounts and/or extras for events falling on non-Saturdays, and they had chosen their Sunday wisely- the Sunday before Memorial Day!  So they got great deals and their guests still had a day to sleep in afterwards. Exceptional planning!

It was a gorgeous day, and the ceremony was held in the outside patio at The Grove.  As a DJ I love the flexibility The Grove allows their clients to have their ceremony either inside or out.  I could have set up inside and taken care of the ceremony music and amplification as well as the later reception however I like to be able to watch everything in case I need to cue music or change volume on a mic, so I usually set up just outside and then move inside after the ceremony.  It is only a matter of about 12' but I think I do a better job when watching the ceremony, and it is always an honor to witness a couple's vows.

This was certainly the case with Carly & Chris.  Their officiant was Dave Beronio Jr.  I have witnessed many ceremonies officiated by Dave Beronio Sr. who does an outstanding job and about whom I blogged about here:

          

http://allaboutthemusicdj.blogspot.com/2012/06/brandon-kate-in-reno-with-lake-tahoe.html

However, if you read that blog you'll find I was very impressed with Dave Sr's son Dave Jr, who really helped make that ceremony go off without a hitch.  As they say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and Dave Jr. really did a great job both officiating and making the Chris & Carly feel at ease.  I liked the fact too that he made sure that the clip-on mic I rigged him up with picked up Carly & Chris's vows so everyone could hear them.  We are so lucky in the Reno-Tahoe area to have such outstanding officiants and it is great to know that another Beronio has joined this auspicious group.

I really liked Carly's choices for ceremony songs.  Her bridal party entered to a great version of Pacbel's Canon, and then she appeared with her dad Gary and walked down to the Vitamin String Quartet's version of "1000 Years".  When Dave pronounced them husband & wife they exited to the famous version of the same by Christina Perri.  I always appreciate the help coordinating the couples that the coordinators at The Grove provide.  Teresa was amazing as always all throughout the day and evening as was the entire Grove staff- truly the friendliest and most professional team in Reno.

After the ceremony the guests went inside for drinks and conversation while Chris & Carly posed for pictures.  They had a slideshow presentation that played on The Grove's state-of-the-art projection and monitor system.  I was enthralled especially by scenes from the Nevada outdoors that showed the happy couple enjoying hiking & hunting, and gorgeous pheasant and other game that they hunt together.  I thought when I met them that they were a fun couple, attuned to each other, and to see that they share so many interests and hobbies really makes me think they are in for a long lifetime of things that they will discover and do together.  When they were finished with pictures they and their bridal party entered and were introduced while "My Kinda Party" by Jason Aldean played, and that song really just set the tone for the evening.

As soon as they entered dinner was ready and Executive Chef Shakka had amazing beef and salmon along with delicious sides ready for the attendees.  Even though it was a buffet, at The Grove it always feels more like full service.  There are always waiters hovering to check if you need anything, removing used glasses and plates and pouring champagne and cider for the toast.  They are efficient and friendly and really take pride in where they work.  After dinner, Carly's dad Gary started the toasts followed by Chris' dad Rick and everyone from the bridal party.  Each toast was heartfelt and had a different perspective on the day and on the bride & groom.  Just like toasts are supposed to be.  Carly & Chris then started the dancing with their first dance, "She's Everything" by Brad Paisley.  Gary and Carly then followed with "I Loved Her First" by Heartland and LouAnn and Chris followed with "In My Life" by the Beatles.  I loved the fact that Chris & Carly had the other fathers & daughters and then mothers & sons come up after they had danced for a minute or so.  It is really a classy way to extend that sentiment with your guests, and those guests really appreciated being able to share that moment of parent and child.

First dance!

What didn't I play that evening?  Chris & Carly did not have a "do not play list", although they gave me  a dozen or so songs to include, and with those songs and with many requests from the guests, the dance floor was never empty.  I did have a groomsman come up and request that I didn't play "Thriller".  I thought, sure, I have lots of other MJ tunes if asked for.  But then several bridesmaids came up and requested it.  What is a DJ to do?  For his sake I tried to talk them out of it, but they were adamant.  So I buckled and "Thriller" came on, and that groomsman did the most awesome dance and basically copied MJ's moves perfectly.  Everybody went crazy cheering for him and trying to imitate his moves.  I talked with him afterwards and he was cool with it- I think he doesn't want to seem like he is showboating, but wow!  I've seen groups do "Thriller" better but never a single dancer as good as him.  Very cool!

All the Dads & Daughters!

A Money Dance and Anniversary Dance were also danced that night and when they tossed the bouquet & garter some great snatches from mid-air were made.  Dancing continued all through the night with all different genres and tempos.  I really liked how they responded to old-school hip/hop so I played some deep cuts from that genre as well as motown, country, rock & roll and the latest pop hits.  A very well-rounded evening of music with enthusiastic dancers- what more can a DJ ask for?  Thanks to Teresa, Shakka, Marco and everyone at The Grove.  Thanks again to Rev. Dave Beronio for starting us off so well, and finally thanks to Carly & Chris for sharing their special day with me.  Wishing them many years of health, happiness, music and love.  Congrats you two!

Brandon & Jillian at the Grove at Southcreek with Rev. Mark Frady and Mix Cupcakes

  It is great when you know some of the family and friends of a bride & groom before you even meet them or do their wedding.  This is the case with Jillian & Brandon's wedding which I was so happy to be a part of this past weekend.  I have had the absolute pleasure the last couple of years to DJ Brandon's mom Rita's work holiday party and have had a blast doing so.  It is not a large crowd, but they are super fun & friendly and dance all night long and it is always one of the highlights of my Christmas season.  This past holiday season I met the future bride & groom at the party and was pleased when they decided to have me at their big day at The Grove at Southcreek.

  It was one of those beautiful spring days in  Northern Nevada where the temperature is perfect but clouds come in and out, and you wonder if a thunderstorm is in the works.  Thankfully no rain was forthcoming but the sun coming into and out of the clouds really made the light perfect for those professional photographers out there- the pix I took, well you can see why I'm a DJ and not a photographer. 

Jillian, Rev. Mark Frady, Brandon

  I am always happy to see Reverend Mark Frady at a ceremony.  He is one of the best & most experienced officiants in the area, and he has an unflappable wit and huge smile that puts brides & grooms instantly at ease.  He is not afraid to deviate from his script, making it a personal experience for everyone there, and his ability to roll with changes and soothe nervous almost newlyweds is unmatched.  I threw him an unintentional curve ball when the lapel mic I equipped him with started to cut in and out.  I immediately began running up towards the dais with a backup mic, but he just asked if everyone could hear him without amplification, waved me off, and continued with his hearty reverend voice. A true professional.  His service is always a perfect blend of familiarity, love, commitment, and inspiration and  the guests and bridal party were completely immersed in his words and the moments he perfectly framed with them.  Jillian walked down the aisle to "I Cross My Heart" by George Strait, bringing a tear to Brandon's eye (First Looks have nothing on seeing your bride for the first time coming up the aisle).  When Rev. Frady pronounced them husband & wife, they departed down the aisle to "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not" by Thompson Square to the cheers of everyone.  A perfect ceremony.

First Dance

  While family and the bridal party stayed outside for pictures, everyone else moved inside to the beautifully decorated Grove for cocktail hour.  Jillian & Brandon had a picture-filled guestbook and also a thumbprint tree for their guests to sign (and press) and a slideshow of the two of them through the years was on the big screen as well as the bar & fireplace monitors.  A candy table occupied many of the younger guests as well as many who were just young at heart.  When pictures were through, the bridal party entered to cheers while "Long Cool Woman" by the Hollies played in the background.  Brandon & Jillian entered last and made their way to the dance floor for their first dance, "Cowboys & Angels" by Dustin Lynch.  As soon as the last note was played, and the clapping & cheering subsided, Julie, the Grove's event coordinator informed me that dinner was ready.  That is what I love about the Grove- such attention to detail and timing!  The Grove served the bridal couple at their sweetheart table and everyone else went through the delicious and quick buffet line.  I know I've typed about him in the past, but executive chef Shakka's food is always extraordinary.  People were going back for seconds and thirds.  I love how his simplest foods are over-the-top good.  Like sauteed veggies and real mashed potatoes with herbs or perhaps leeks that make them so delicious.  Needless to say the guests were not disappointed.  After some great toasts by the Best Man, Maid of Honor, dad and groom, the newlyweds moved over to the cake table.  They cut a small cake and didn't mash each other too badly, but the dessert highlight were the many different cupcakes piled all around the cake.  I found out it was Mix Cupcakes of Reno, and though I don't know them or haven't had their cupcakes before, I am a fan!  The many flavors and the sheer beauty of the cupcakes really sets them apart, and later when the dancing was in full swing and everyone had had their fill of them, I wandered over to the cake table and picked a Reeses-topped cupcake that was absolutely fantastic.  Yum!

Rita and Brandon

  Speaking of dancing, Jerry danced with his daughter Jillian to "Just Fishin" by Trace Adkins to start off the night.  Then Rita danced with her son Brandon to Lynryd Skynyrd's "Simple Man" followed by a great money dance. The Black Eyed Peas started the fast dancing and it never really let up except for slow songs to let them catch their breath and an Anniversary Dance and the Bouquet & Garter.  I played a lot of country, but also a lot of newer pop and hip-hop along with many of everyones favorite novelty and line dances.  One guest requested "Billie Jean" and proceeded to start an MJ dance-off that really fired up the crowd.  What a great group!  Easy for a DJ when practically everything you play is enthusiastically danced to.  All too soon the evening wound down, with Brandon & Jilly exiting to sparklers and off to their honeymoon.  I can't thank them and Rita enough for allowing me to be a part of their special day.  Thanks also to Reverend Mark Frady and Julie, Roberto & Shakka and everyone else at the Grove that took their day and evening to the next level.  Congrats Brandon & Jillian!

Haley & Spencer at the Grove at Southcreek with Follow Your Heart Photography

Haley and Spencer had an amazing reception this past Saturday at The Grove which I was privileged to be a part of.  It was fun, heartwarming and reinforced a pillar of service that I always strive for- arriving early at the venue.

It doesn't sound like much or too terribly important.  All your professionals will be at the venue well beforehand, right?  Not always the case unfortunately.  Even if you allow yourself enough time to arrive and set up, things can always go wrong.  In nearly 1000 events I've done over the years, I've nearly been late only twice- once because I was rear-ended on the freeway and once because I slid off the road in a blizzard and had to be towed out of a snowdrift.  In both cases I was able to arrive at the event and set up my gear without being late because I gave myself extra time to begin with.  My minimum arrival is an hour before I am supposed to play.  If it is a venue I haven't been to before, or if it is farther away, or if the weather is iffy I give myself even more extra time for travel and setup.  I would rather be set up with an hour to go than stressing about being ready in time.

With Spencer & Haley's reception I arrived an hour before I was scheduled to begin playing even though The Grove is five minutes from me and it takes 15-20 minutes to set up there.  I would rather take my time and perhaps talk with Julie and her great crew at The Grove a bit and not worry about the time.  I had an amazing helper as well that evening, Vickie Musni, president of Weddings of the West and co-owner of Ever After Creations who wanted to see the deejay side of things at a reception and I began showing her my setup procedures.

Soon thereafter, about 35-40 minutes before I was scheduled to start, guests started arriving, the offsite ceremony having concluded earlier than expected.  As I was there early and ready to go, I started the music and the reception started earlier than we had planned.  Some wedding professionals might be flustered by this but I looked at it as an opportunity.  How often do you get extra time during a reception?  Usually the ceremony goes off late and everything gets bumped a bit further in the evening. Julie and The Grove rolled with the changes perfectly as well, even having dinner ready 15 minutes earlier than planned.  Good things happen when you are early and ready to go.

The bridal party entered shortly thereafter to "Forever" by Chris Brown and then the happy couple arrived to "Love Story" by Taylor Swift to thunderous applause and a few tears.  Spencer had played that song for Haley in the background as he proposed, so it will always hold a special place in their hearts.

First Dance!

Dinner then followed- the usual amazing cuisine by Shakka.  After toasts by the bridal party and parents, Haley and Spencer went into their first dance which started with "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz but soon faded into "La La La" by LMFAO.  Everyone cheered their choreographed moves and they soon settled back into Mraz for the ending.  What a great first dance!  Father-Daughter and Mother-Son dances then followed with JT's "Suit & Tie" starting off some lively dancing.  

After a nice long fast set of music they moved into the Anniversary Dance, with Haley's grandparents being the final couple on the floor, having celebrated 61 years of happily married life together.  What an inspiration!  I was able to play them a couple more songs that evening including the "Tennessee Waltz" and "Laura's Theme" from Dr. Zhivago.  I hope I'm still dancing like they did when my wife and I celebrate 61 years as well.

It is great to work with such amazing professionals like Julie from The Grove and Vickie helping me spin the tunes, but most of all it is so important to work in concert with great photographers, and two of the best were capturing images all night: Tiffany and Dean from Follow Your Heart Photography.  I always am happy when I see them at an event.  Not only are you getting two amazing shooters with unique perspectives and styles but they are just great people who are happy to be doing what they are doing and always are striving to give 110%.  Some wedding professionals seem jaded or burned out doing what they do.  These are the people who should move on to another profession.  Tiffany & Dean genuinely love what they do and are able to preserve amazing moments for their brides & grooms.  It is a calling and a privilege to be a great wedding photographer or great wedding deejay and Tiffany & Dean have the same fire for their photography as I do emceeing and spinning tunes for people.  It helps too when you embody the love and commitment of marriage.  It comes through in your work and several times I've seen them steal a slow dance when all the events are finished and portraits taken.

Love is why Haley & Spencer married and had all their closest friends and family around them throughout the night.  Love is being married 61 years and getting up to dance at your granddaughter's wedding.  Love is playing a special song when you propose and having it played at your Grand Entrance.  Love is your photographers lost in a slow dance at the end of the evening.  Love is your friends and family serenading you singing "Don't Stop Believing" at the top of their lungs at the last song.  All of these things and countless more contributed to a special night for Spencer and Haley.  When there is that much love in the air, it can't help but solidify the bonds of the bride and groom and all the couples that witness it.  Good luck to Haley and Spencer and thanks for including me in your celebration.  I love my job!

Jenn & Dennis at the Grove at Southcreek with The Decorated Bride

Before the "I do's"

Is it possible to plan a fantastic wedding in two weeks?  Yes!  Especially if you have great family support and vendors willing to go the extra mile, and Jenn & Dennis had both.  It was the last beautiful day before the cold weather hit the Truckee Meadows and they decked The Grove out in fall colors, both outside and in.  I had received a call from Jenn's mom just two weeks prior telling me that the couple had just booked The Grove and was I available?  I met Jenn, Dennis and Jenn's Grandma Patricia between a dental appointment and tux fittings down in Carson City and knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of their day.  We hammered out the ceremony music, the order of events and the music for the reception in an hour or so and nine days later I was playing "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder as their recessional.  Jenn looked ethereal in her beautiful dress and with make up by my favorite artist, Corey from The Decorated Bride.  The ceremony was beautiful- warm and only a bit breezy and with a heartfelt and loving ceremony officiated by "Pop", Jenn's grandfather.  As the guests filed into The Grove for cocktails, the bridal party posed for pictures as the wind steadily increased.  It was the edge of the cold front rushing in, and the timing for the ceremony was perfect, as was the rest of the evening.

The 1st Dance, Van Morrison's 'Into the Mystic'

Teresa and her whole crew at The Grove are absolute professionals.  They give impeccable service and make everyone feel special.  Teresa is always in the background, helping guests, lining up the bridal party, and just making sure everything runs perfectly. The bartenders Jay & Amanda are fun and always have a smile on their faces.  Waiters Roberto and Marco are efficient, happy, and by far my favorite waitstaff in the area.  And Shaka's food is always outstanding- a real treat compared to the cookie-cutter food that some places offer.  I had to complement him on his shallot mashed potatoes- absolutely sublime!  Even the presentation is outstanding.  I normally don't take pictures of food, but the chicken was so delicious, and when I went back for seconds I realized that it isn't just thrown in a pan for the guests to fish out.  It was arranged artfully.  It just illustrates the time and quality they put in to everything they do there.

Not perfectly symmetrical  because the DJ has already removed a slice or two...

Jenn & Dennis finished their pictures and I announced them for their Grand Entrance to the chords of "Home" by E. Sharp and then faded into their first dance surrounded by bubbles the guests were blowing.  Jenn is a huge Van Morrison fan, so I played several songs by him throughout the reception.  After the delicious dinner, their Best Man and Maid of Honor toasted them and then the newlyweds toasted all their guests.  Both the BM and MoH are in the Navy serving our country, and both took leave and flew thousands of miles to be there, despite the short notice- one from New York and one from Japan.  Very cool.  Dancing started up again, with a great Father/Daughter & Mother/Son dance in which the B&G invited all the moms and dads and their kids up.  That is always a classy gesture.  The Anniversary Dance was fun as well, with Patricia and Pop (the grandparents) being the last couple on the floor, having celebrated 50 years of marriage!  What outstanding role models for the B&G!  Indeed, I was amazed they'd been married so long as when I met Patricia at the consultation I thought she was Jenn's mom, not her grandma. 

They had cupcakes instead of a traditional cake, and while that isn't all that unusual, the number of flavors was.  They had eight or nine flavors- each looking absolutely mouth-watering.  Normally I see 2-4 flavors... Just another example of the thought and planning they achieved in two short weeks.  They cut their cupcake to "Better Together" and then tossed the bouquet & garter to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and "Legs" respectively.  After that it was solid dancing for the rest of the night.  For a smaller crowd, they were fun on the dancefloor, especially during the group dances.  I even snuck a Metallica song in for Dennis, as they are one of his favorite bands.  All in all, I was sorry to see the night end, but again they did it up.  Teresa had sparklers ready for the guests and Jenn & Dennis left through a sparkling archway.  What a special evening!  Thanks for letting me be a part of it Dennis & Jenn!  Your family & friends were amazing and of course The Grove crew was outstanding, as usual.

Congrats!

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!

What Could Go Wrong?

The Victorian House is holding its monthly 'Save the Bride' event today and the theme is "What Could Go Wrong?"  After close to 650 weddings, I've seen miscues and mistakes galore, and for the most part, it hasn't mattered a bit.  When you bring together the various ideas, vendors, and people that a wedding combines, you are bound to have some things that don't go to plan.  But that can be a beautiful thing!  You want your day to be unique- to almost have a life of its own.  If you prepare for the big things that my go wrong and don't sweat the little ones that do, your day will be like no other wedding day, as unique and memorable as the love that you and your future husband or bride have for each other!

Samantha Duran of The Grove at Southcreek wrote down the following possible issues and advice to alleviate them, and it is great advice from a coordinator who deals with things like these week in and out:

·       The little things:  Hair out of place; minor spills?  Solution:  These problems are easily manageable when your maid of honor, mother, groomsmen or wedding coordinator provides an EMERGENCY WEDDING KIT.   Having bobby pins, tide bleach sticks, matches, tissues, deodorant, Tylenol, tape, bottled water, band-aids, etc handy could save a “bridezilla” moment…or two J

·       Bride feeling faint:  Brides need to remember to EAT in the morning.  Of course feeling too full or bloated is never good before trying to slip into a wedding dress, but plain, nutritional food is essential in getting through a long day of hair, makeup, photos and dancing (and of course, that whole marriage thing!).   Examples: smoothies, light breakfast foods, salad, and WATER.

·       Décor disasters:  When the bridal party is spending all day getting ready, it is easy to miss the vendor deliveries if there is not a wedding coordinator present or someone at the venue to greet them and double check that everything is ok.  Sometimes, even if incorrect orders are caught, it is too late to change anything.  If a cake turns out more blue that it should, or the caliliies end up being daisies, this could be a potential disaster.  Preparing ahead of time by triple checking orders when made, having a point of contact handle the deliveries with ample time to fix a problem should it arise are a few ways to steer clear of disaster.

·       Weather, oh weather:  The solution to the outdoor ceremony fear of bad weather is always PLAN B.  Can the ceremony be moved to an inside location?  Can a tent be rented in enough time as the forecast predicts? 

·       The overall riding solution to what could go wrong is to have the attitude that NOTHING IS PERFECT.  Weddings should be, and are, perfectly imperfect.  Someone sneezes during toasts, Uncle Bob had one too many martinis, or the flower girl cries the whole way down the aisle.  At the end of the day, all that matters is that vows are exchanged and that a new life together was created; no matter the surrounding circumstances.

Samantha Duran- The Grove at South Creek