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!

Kelly & John at the West Shore Cafe & Inn with Liane McCombs Wedding & Event Planning & Marielle Hayes Photography

Lake Tahoe is ideal for an outdoor wedding and reception. There are really few places like it in the world, and with the variety of services and venues available, the clear alpine Sierra skies are the limit. I have done dozens of weddings and events up at the Lake and every now and then I get to experience a new venue, and with the help of John & Kelly I was able to play at the West Shore Cafe & Inn at Homewood, at the western edge of Tahoe.

Kelly & John had definite ideas and a vision for their day that incorporated their personalities and tastes, and they really hit a home run with their guests (and their vendors, especially this DJ). First they found this fantastic venue- normally a restaurant with a few rooms on the upper floors for visitors, but when a wedding is planned they shut down the public restaurant and give the bridal party and guests exclusive access to the property. The Inn is as much situated outside as in, and its large deck, private dock, and side gardens give the guests an unfettered chance to roam and experience the fabulous views of the lake and of the party and Inn from the dock. Nicole and her staff were exceptionally friendly and super competent, and they set up furniture, heaters and cafe-style seating all around the deck and dock and put up chairs in the side garden for the ceremony. I heard so many compliments about the staff and the venue all night long- on a lake with many gorgeous venues, this one is truly special and unique.

To help document their day in the finest way possible, they had Marielle Hayes as their photographer. Her work is superb (see the link to real pics of the wedding, not cheesy DJ ones) and her dedication was extraordinary, as she was in her third trimester! She did super, and to help her second-shoot she had Kaylynne Kroshus who is becoming one of my favorite photographers as well. Two amazing artists capturing every moment! I am in awe of their photographic talent, as I have none myself...

Finally, adding to the venue, the photographers (and a mighty good DJ lol), John & Kelly had Liane McCombs of Liane McCombs Wedding & Event Planning as their coordinator. I've written about Liane before. She is a force in the local wedding world and her knowledge of events and how to keep them running smoothly is encyclopedic. With Liane on the case, I can relax as she is constantly monitoring the event and a myriad of details, both small and large. I really cannot remember any hiccups or missteps during the entire event, and a great majority of that is due to Liane's diligence. 

The ceremony was officiated by Kelly's brother Brian, who I thought did a great job marrying his sister and new brother-in-law. A grandfather was under the weather and could not attend the ceremony or reception, but with technology as it is, there was no reason for him to be left out of the day. A family member had a iPad and used Facetime to transmit the entire ceremony and some of the reception so Grandfather could witness it in real time. After the ceremony, I could see him congratulating the newlyweds through it. Very cool! Just one more amazing touch to a special day.

When the ceremony concluded everyone moved to the deck while the bridal party posed for pictures. Kelly & John, instead of a sit-down dinner had various stations set up with delicious salads, veggies, hors d'eurves, and skewers of chicken and beef. It was a casual, but gourmet-casual!  Servers passed delectable little bites around and kept wineglasses full. In just a little while, the bridal party returned from pictures to "Bring Em Out" by TI and we welcomed the newlyweds accompanied by the Beastie Boys' "Make Some Noise" and the great party atmosphere kicked into high gear and never really diminished all night. Soon we were toasting Kelly & John as they stood at the foot of the dock surrounded by friends and family. The dancing started with Steve dancing with his daughter Kelly to "Father & Daughter" by Paul Simon, which led in to John and Kelly's first dance. They started with a couple of verses of Ben E. King's classic "Stand By Me" but then surprised everyone when Rob Base's "It Takes Two" suddenly cut in. Everyone jumped in to dance with the bride & groom and the dance floor never emptied the rest of the evening. I played from an extensive playlist they had given me and took requests off the floor and people danced to everything from Icona Pop to Stealer's Wheel; from the Beatles to the Black Keys, and from Michael Jackson to Zac Brown Band. A diverse and fun playlist. As night set over the lake, they tossed the bouquet and garter, had a brownie bar for dessert instead of cake, and had a photobooth up and rocking inside the Inn. It was truly a memorable evening, one that the guests and this DJ won't ever forget. Perfect day, perfect venue, perfect crowd and above all, a perfect couple! Thanks to West Shore Inn, Liane McCombs, Marielle Hayes, and Kaylynne Kroshus for all your superb help and hard work. What a team! But thanks most of all to Kelly & John for sharing their day and evening with me. Congrats you two!

Mato & Amy at The Old 1862 Ranch with Take the Cake Events, Kaylynne Kroshus Photography and Men Wielding Fire

There are many benefits to being a wedding DJ.  You get to meet people from all over, from all walks of life, and all backgrounds. You get to help make an amazing couple’s most special day that much more memorable and fun. You get to work in fabulous settings and venues. And you get satisfaction knowing your efforts were an integral part of the overall experience of the bride & groom and of their guests.

The ceremony

You could attach all of these benefits to wedding coordination as well. There are some coordinators who embody the same spirit and love for their work as I do, and I was fortunate to be a part of a day and evening with a fabulous couple, their family and guests, and my favorite coordinators, Cassie and Pattye from Take the Cake Events.

Lawn games

The couple’s marriage we all were so happy to be a part of was that of Mato and Amy. They are head-over-heels in love and wanted everything about their day to celebrate their love for each other as well as the love for their families and guests.  They had a very clear vision for their day- from the venue to the food to the look of the whole thing. They made sure the day would be perfect- perfect for them and for their guests and it certainly was.

The bar

The venue they chose is really unique. It was the first time there for me and it really exudes the atmosphere that Amy & Mato wanted to bring out- country gorgeous. It is called The Old 1862 Ranch, and it has been an active ranch from that date, lovingly restored by its owners Jan & Jim. Two nicer hosts I cannot remember. They helped out all throughout the evening and talked with guests about the history of their beautiful spot in the rolling Long Valley northwest of Reno. The ranch has extensive acreage and several outbuildings evoking simpler times gone by. They had set up a tent and dance floor on the wide lawn and the ceremony and reception surrounded the stately ranch house.

Dining tent, dance floor, and ranch house

The ceremony was simple yet beautiful. The natural arch of a tree branch provided the arbor for the focus of the event with views of green fields, livestock and distant mountains making for a perfect backdrop.  The bridal party entered to a great version of “Fireflies” by Jurgen Johannes followed by a radiant Amy entering to one of my all-time favorites, Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic.” The ceremony itself was fairly quick, perhaps quicker than it should have been as the officiant forgot the “I do’s” and was about to pronounce them married!  Everyone, especially the bride & groom had a chuckle as someone brought it to his attention and it was soon rectified. I loved how Mato & Amy and their bridal party just rolled with it and enjoyed the moment. I knew then that it would be a fun and happy group that evening. It will be something they can laugh about for years to come. I would rather have a memorable moment if it turns out fine than a ceremony that fades quickly from memory. Their ceremony, with the beautiful bridesmaids and bride, the gorgeous backdrop, and the love that encapsulated everyone will never fade from people’s memories.  They exited to “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne to rousing applause and were off on the wonderful grounds of The Old 1862 Ranch for pics with Kaylynne from Kaylynne Kroshus Photography.

Kaylynne is a fantastic photographer. I have had the pleasure of working with her several times and she always has an easy-going vibe with the other vendors as well as the bride & groom and guests. She really captures the feel of the moments and events she photographs, and her work is stunning. Follow this link to see how a real photographer documents a day through her talent and artistic eye. Much better than the pictures I take for my blog... :)

Toasts!

Speaking of music, I really loved the choices Amy & Mato made for their ceremony and reception.  They live in Austin Texas, probably the greatest city for progressive music in the country, and their selections reflected their high music IQ and eclectic tastes. When a bride & groom give me specific songs not just for events but for cocktail hour, dinner and dancing, they are putting themselves into the mix. They gave me a songlist that ranged from Louis Armstrong to Ghostland Observatory, from Johnny Cash to Cake, and from Cat Stevens to the Wheeler Brothers. Many guests complimented me on the selections- I was quick to let everyone know that Mato & Amy had programmed the majority of the songs. It is a day all about them, but they included songs that were special to family and friends and when the dancing started, they encouraged requests. A recipe for a fun night as the dance floor was always humming.

First Dance!

While the happy couple roamed the grounds for pictures, their guests enjoyed a fun bar area and a whole variety of lawn games. They had cornhole, croquet, bocce ball and two sets of mega-Jenga using 2'x4's. The guests that weren't inclined to play wandered around the ranch and sat on the porch and laughed and talked. When Amy & Mato were ready to rejoin the reception, Cassie came over and let me know, and within a few moments we were welcoming them with their Grand Entrance. Men Wielding Fire catering provided the BBQ that followed and soon everyone was enjoying dinner.

All during this time, and well before everyone started to arrive, Cassie & Pattye from Take the Cake Events scurried around solving problems big and small and preparing for the guests and their needs. It is hard to know where to begin describing what a good wedding coordinator does, let alone a great one, and two great ones to boot! They prepared beverages, placed fans, fixed flowers, drove down the road to affix a sign for directions to the wedding, met with all the vendors and helped them with their setup and the schedule, assisted the bridal party, found missing items, figured out where and how things should be displayed or placed, and welcomed the guests and family as they arrived. These and another couple hundred things that I haven't mentioned. They are always the first vendors to arrive and the last to leave, after cleaning up, organizing linens, collecting gifts and making sure the people coming for chairs, tents, and tablecloths the next morning would find all of their items quickly and organized. I can't say enough about them. They went above and beyond with a goal, like mine, to do everything possible to make the bride & groom's day better than they even imagined, and they succeeded with flying colors. When Cassie & Pattye are at an event where I am deejaying, my stress level immediately drops down to almost nothing, allowing me to concentrate on the music and emceeing. Many coordinators can be imperious and bossy. You want them to be assertive, as they are trying to get things done and solve issues that arise, but while being assertive the girls at Take the Cake Events are also friendly and cooperative- just the sort of coordinator you want interacting with your guests and loved ones.

Father & Daughter

Lori and Jenny, Amy's sisters, led off with a pair of tremendous toasts as dinner concluded, and John, Ray and Steve followed up with great ones of their own. Then Mato and his bride started the dancing with their first dance, using "I Can't Believe You're in Love With Me" by Hot Club of Cowtown. They had a few moves to wow the audience with, and their loving enthusiasm warmed the already attentive crowd. Ray then danced with his daughter in the Father-Daughter dance using the appropriate "Daughter" by Loudon Wainwright.  Next Judy danced with Mato for the Mother-Son dance with "I Will" by the Beatles capturing the moment perfectly. Everyone joined the newlyweds for the dancing that followed and it never really let up except when it was time to cut the cake (they also had cupcakes) and toss the bouquet and garter. As the summer night darkened, the lights around the tent and ranch house came on (and a couple of lights from yours truly) and the dancing took over. I played many great requests mixed in with Amy & Mato's playlist, sprinkled with a few choices of my own. I couldn't have asked for a friendlier or active bunch of dancers- it was like the whole day was magical and they were trying to capture some of that magic forever by dancing and having fun alongside the B&G.

Mother & Son

I sure enjoyed the entire experience. Like I said, there are so many positives to being a wedding DJ, you don't mind the load-in or out, especially with a bride and groom like Amy and Mato and their family and guests. I was honored to be a small part of the magic.

Dancing begins!

Thanks to Kaylynne from Kaylynne Kroshus Photography, Men Wielding Fire, Cassie and Pattye from Take the Cake Events for all their help and hard work and a huge thank you to Jim & Jan for opening up The Old 1862 Ranch for the evening. It is a special place, and they do only a very limited amount of events each summer, and it is really an undiscovered gem. But most of all, thank you Amy and Mato. I truly enjoyed your day and I am so happy for you as you discover the world together.  Magical...

Congrats Amy & Mato!

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!

Ken & Melissa at the Chism House in Reno

I had the pleasure to be a part of Melissa & Ken's beautiful day at the Chism House in Reno recently.  If you haven't considered the Chism House for your outdoor, garden wedding and reception, it is well worth a look.  It is just west of downtown Reno- a tranquil oasis in the midst of suburbia.  The house dates from the 1800's and has quaint dressing rooms and plenty of great picture opportunities.  But the garden is the main attraction.  They have a lawn and pond where most ceremonies take place, and a permanent tent set up on the other side of the property complete with a dancefloor and tables and chairs.   A huge plus is that you can bring whichever vendors you'd like to go with the venue, which is not always the case at other venues.  Another plus is that it is just a couple of minutes away from all the downtown hotels, and many brides & grooms arrange for shuttles and rooms, keeping the party going all weekend.  Jerrine is one of the Chism House coordinators and she worked hard all evening making sure every little thing went smoothly.  I was so appreciative of all her help.

It was a warm Friday, but the ceremony by Russell was fun, very personal and quick.  Melissa and her bridal party all entered to Josh Radin's "Today" and the newlyweds exited to "Hey Soul Sister" by Train, with everyone singing along!  It was a fun group.  As the bridal party and families posed for pictures, the guests headed back to the tent and tree-shaded western end of the property where they enjoyed cold drinks and some big band and crooners that Melissa & Ken had selected for cocktail hour.

When pictures were through, Melissa & Ken had their Grand Entrance through the archway with "Damn it Feels Good to be a Gangster" playing them in.  Very fun couple!  Everyone was soon enjoying a BBQ dinner in the gorgeous evening air.

Cutting the cake!

Cake and Toasts soon followed, and then the dancing began.  I love that this young couple really knew their music and picked "Our Love Is Here To Stay" by Louis Armstrong as their first dance.  Never will I hear that song again and not think of them.  And that is the idea- pick a song and make it yours, and they certainly did.

Dancing to Satchmo...

The rest of the night was filled with laughter, dancing and music.  Melissa & her dad danced to Seal's "Kiss from a Rose" and Ken & his mom danced to "Simple Man" by Skynyrd.  "Unchained Melody" was the Anniversary Dance, and I loved their playlist had things like Kool & the Gang (there was a special dancer for "Hollywood Swingin"), Elvis, the Doors and Wiz Khalifa.  Really a wide variety which kept everyone happy.  When the limo arrived and it was time for the last song, Melissa & Ken exited the party with Josh Turner's "Time is Love" playing them out.  Just a fantastic evening under the stars.  Thanks to Jerrine at the Chism House and most of all thanks to Ken & Melissa for having me play their big day.  Congrats you two!

The Happy Couple!