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!

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!

Travis & Amanda at The Grove with Zinser Photography & Photobooth and Tiers Of Joy

Amanda & Travis saying "I do"

I was thrilled to be a part of Travis & Amanda's wedding and reception at The Grove in Reno yesterday.  The weather was beautiful as the guests gathered on the patio for the ceremony and then moved inside for cocktails and appetizers.  While Evan Zinser took family and bridal party photos, the guests inside watched a video tribute of the the bride and groom that he had made for the occasion, and Trevor, his assistant ran the Zinser Photobooth.   After a while (and many cool photos) the bridal party re-entered the reception with a fun Grand Entrance.  They all donned props and hats from the photobooth and made their way to the dancefloor while "Walk It Out" played.  Then Amanda & Travis entered and went right into their first dance, "I Love You This Big" by Scott McCreery.  As they finished their dance, the Grove began serving the delicious dinner.

Anniversary Dance!

Dinner was delicious and the service was stellar.  Shaka & Samantha worked tirelessly to make the evening perfect for the newlyweds and their guests and the waiters, led by Roberto, were friendly and efficient.  You can tell they enjoy what they do and are good at it as well.  I can totally relate to that! ;)

Toasts and dancing followed dinner and the rest of the night was extremely fun.  I especially enjoyed the special dance Amanda had for her grandparents, Don & Pauline, who had celebrated their 61st anniversary the previous week.  Don was a great guy to talk with.  He and Pauline had met at a dance 63 years ago and that night he told his mother that Pauline would be his wife.  They got married and then he got drafted, sent to Korea, and served with the First Cavalry in those first months of the war.  As the 1st Cav criss-crossed the entire Korean peninsula he was in the trenches and was wounded and sent home where he recuperated and enjoyed a long career in the aerospace industry.  He was so proud of his granddaughter and new grandson, and to tell you the truth I was proud to be able to speak with him and tell him thanks for his service.  He & Pauline danced to Anne Murray's "Could I have this Dance?" and many other songs that night and served as an example to the amazing thing marriage can be.

Grandparents Don & Pauline

The amazing Tiers of Joy cake was cut along with an extra grooms cake that looked like a motorcross rider on a dune.  An Anniversary Dance was followed by a great Money Dance and lots of other dancing which was ranged from country to hip/hop to big band to rock.   It was a great party and I had a lot of fun filling requests and getting everyone up dancing.  Thanks to Shaka and company at the Grove and thanks to Amanda and Travis and their family and friends who really made me feel like a guest instead of just one of the help.  Congrats you two and have fun in Costa Rica!

Doing the Dougie

Alisha & Josh at the Grove with Tiers of Joy

Beautiful Bride Alisha and her Tiers of Joy cake

Alisha & Josh were married at the Grove yesterday and I was privileged to be a part of their day.  Leigh Anne & Tesla from Tiers of Joy delivered the beautiful and super-delicious cake and it was really a hit with the guests (and the DJ) but I'm getting ahead of myself...

Josh & Alisha say "I do"

The Grove is a special venue.  Shaka and his staff are very attentive, the food is delicious, and the venue is modern and stunning- you feel like you are in the Rockies yet you are in the middle of Reno.  The patio is perfect for an outdoor ceremony, and Josh & Alisha made the most of an early Fall afternoon and said their vows under the arch.

After their Grand Entrance, Jake played keyboard through my DJ system and sang to the bride & groom.   Jake is an amazing singer, and Josh & Alisha danced their first dance as he sang their song.  After a delicious dinner and toasts, the happy couple cut their cake (mmmmm- peanut-butter & chocolate) and we danced into the night.  I was so pleased to be a part of their day- just a super couple!  Congrats Josh & Alisha!