Jessie & Colin at Montreux Golf Club with Tiers of Joy Cakes

Montreux's Ceremony Site

Wow.  A ceremony and reception at the Montreux Golf Club is a special thing and I was privileged to be a part of Jessie & Colin's big day there this past weekend.  When you combine the beauty of the property, the professionalism of the staff, and add in an amazing couple with their incredible families and friends, you know a fun evening is ahead!

Colin & Jessie are one of those couples that you know when you meet and talk with them that their day will be a memorable and a fun one.  The miles traveled for their friends and family to attend must be right up there with any weddings I've ever done.  Practically everyone came in from somewhere else with New York & Montana claiming the most but with many other states close behind.  What a great bunch of folks on a gorgeous day!

It was my first time at Montreux and it was all I've heard it would be- a great place to celebrate your wedding day.  As I had never been there before professionally, I arranged a meeting with Billie Doyle, the events manager at the Club and she graciously zipped me around in a golf cart, showing me the ceremony site and where everything would be set up and then taking me over to the reception tent.  She is a true professional, always hovering around to make sure everything goes very smoothly before and during the event.  Her staff are some of the friendliest people in the industry, going above and beyond all evening with ever-present smiles on their faces.  It is obvious they enjoy people and what they do, and they provided happy and efficient service throughout the event.

The DJ's view

The ceremony site is unique in that it overlooks the golf course's practice hole which is immaculately groomed- birds singing in the pines; bees buzzing amongst the flowers- the whole shebang.  Wonderful setting- it reminds me of some of my favorite places in Montana.  Hard to believe you are just minutes from Reno but you truly are immersed in the natural beauty here.

For a DJ, it requires a bit more preparation as the site requires a generator, but it is so worth the extra effort.  Make sure you get a quiet generator, as the site is serene and you wouldn't want something marring the whole magical effect.  My new Honda ran perfectly and noiselessly, providing power for microphones and music for seating & the ceremony.  The bridal party walked down to "Canon in D" by Jurassic 5, a fun modern twist on the Pachbel's original, while Jessie entered to Vitamin String Quartet's cover of "Only Time".  I played "Me & You" by Kenny Chesney during their sand ceremony, and when they kissed and were pronounced husband & wife, they and their party exited to "Signed Sealed Delivered I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder.   As I was packing up to move to the reception site I heard several guests singing along with Stevie  :)

The Reception Site

The reception was held back at the Clubhouse.  The guests arrived and enjoyed drinks on the deck while down in the tent everything was being made ready for the arrival of the bride & groom.  The guests moved to the expansive and beautifully decorated tent, and to the strands of "Eye of the Tiger" the bridal party made their Grand Entrance.  Jessie & Colin headed to the dance floor and danced their first dance to Blake Shelton's "God Gave Me You" and then made their way over to the double-sided buffet line where Montreux had a delicious BBQ-themed dinner spread out for everyone complete with chicken, ribs and even prime rib.  Another thing about Billie & her crew: they are super-efficient.  Many places say dinner will be at so-and-so but it actually arrives a bit later.  Everything was anticipated and ready- you won't mess up the timeline because of this venue. Well before the toasts, they were popping bottles and pouring glasses just to be ready to pass them out when called for.  A real pleasure to work with this group!

Yummy Cake from Tiers of Joy 

After some great toasts by the best man, maid of honor and Jessie's dad, the B&G cut into an always extraordinary cake from Tiers of Joy.  Many cakes look beautiful but taste like sheet cake.  Leigh Anne & Tesla from Tiers of Joy make beautiful cakes from scratch that are also delicious.  What a concept!  Cakes that look and taste amazing- why is that so difficult for some bakers?  The Montreux staff quickly had the rest cut up and distributed while Jessie and her dad Craig danced their Father-Daughter dance.  They started with Tim McGraw's "My Little Girl", a great Father-Daughter song, but about a minute in I faded into LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It" and Jessie & her dad surprised the guests with some amazing moves.  I will never think of "Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle" the same again!  After 30-40 seconds I faded back into "My Little Girl" and Colin and his mom Maryanne joined Jessie & her dad, and then after a few more moments invited everyone up to join the dancing.

The Bridal Party does some Shuffling...

After some dancing, a Money Dance and then an Anniversary Dance followed, with a lot of couples in the 30-40 year range.  The last couple up had been married 46 years... wow.  Dancing went on all night long, with quite a large and diverse bunch of requests making up the vast majority of songs I played.  Great crowd!  Good dancers and just nice people who were extremely happy to be sharing Colin & Jessie's special moments.  I was so pleased to be able to be a part of their day, from the beautiful ceremony all the way through the last dance.  I love my job!  Congrats to Colin & Jessie: may your all your days be filled with music and love.  :)

Taleah & Dom, June 2nd at the Cottonwood Room at Lazy 5 Park

One of the best things about being a deejay is connecting with people on their special days. It is an honor to be a part of a moment in time that they will remember for the rest of their lives, and when you start to get repeat clients from the same families, you know you are doing something right.

Such is the case with Taleah & Dom and their families.  I had the pleasure of deejaying Taleah's sister Tasheena's wedding two years ago down in Carson City and when it came time for Taleah to be married I was asked to be a part of her wedding as well.

Taleah & Dom are a great couple.  They have been together for many years and they seem like a pair that will only grow together in marriage, making anniversary milestones left and right.  They have a good example in Tasheena & Mark, who are about to celebrate two years and are expecting a boy in October.  What is it with brides & grooms I have deejayed for in 2010?  Five couples are currently expecting from that timeframe.  It was a very good year.

Dom & Taleah and Tasheena & Mark (I love the vests!)

The Cottonwood Room at Lazy 5 Park is a very nice venue for a reception and ceremony. Being a part of the Washoe County Parks system, it has a beautiful setting, very reasonable cost, and allows you to bring in your own caterer and other wedding professionals with you in control of every aspect of the day. There are other venues in the Washoe Parks system that are beautiful and easy on the budget as well, and they can be a great choice for your wedding or other event.

Dom & Taleah brought in all of the decorations and drinks, and catered a great BBQ lunch and with the help of their families they transformed the room into a beautiful ceremony and reception site.  Marty Barlease presided over a wonderful ceremony, and his presence and guidance was also felt throughout the day with a benediction before the meal and a very heartfelt toast to the bride and groom.  After the ceremony, the bridal party and family went outside amongst the willows and cottonwoods for pictures by Alan Wong, who did a great job with the photography all day long.

Dom & Taleah's first dance

The bride & groom entered to "The Imperial March" which was fun and the meal that followed was delicious.  When the dances and events began, I was privileged to be a part of a couple new ones for me.  Taleah & Dom are Native American and during the money dance, they laid a blanket down where everyone laid their money down before dancing.  It sure is a better system than pins or even a silk purse and when everyone had danced, Tee & Dom picked up the blanket together, which was a nice touch.  

But for me the highlight of the day was the Round Dance that everyone danced celebrating their heritage.  There was a feeling of unity and strength that was incredibly palpable that I was honored to witness and to be a small part of.  To have your friends and family all around you, confirming your heritage and their love and caring for you as a group is a powerful thing and it makes me think that when Taleah & Dom have difficulties and triumphs in their life together, they will have a community that will help them when they are down and celebrate with them when they are up.  No one could ask for more.  Congrats Tee & Dom!

The Round Dance

Selecting Songs for your Wedding & Reception

  There are many good lists online that will give you ideas for music selections for your big day.  However here are some my thoughts & advice attained through well over 600 weddings that may make those selections easier and help make your day unique and special:

Ceremony

Seating music 

You want something evokes the mood, that prepares your guests for the upcoming ceremony.  Classical music, new-age like Enya, light jazz- all these will work well but I have used Motown, country songs and even the Beatles depending on the bridal couple’s preferences.

Bridal Party Processional 

There are many good choices and in this digital world they are not limited to the standard classical songs.  Pacbel’s Canon is a one of those that I use a lot, as the cadence is perfect and the mood is uplifting.  Ideally you want something that the bridal party, nervously trying to walk perfectly, will find an easy rhythm or cadence to settle into.  There are a lot of contemporary songs that work very well, and if you like a song but think that the pop vibe is a bit much, chances are that there are piano and string quartet versions on iTunes that will work perfectly.  Time can be a consideration here if you have a large bridal party, shy ring bearers or flower girls, and/or a long way to walk.  I can and have looped a song to go longer to accommodate all the people coming down the aisle, so it is usually not a big deal. Sometimes you may want a different song for the kids than for the rest of the bridal party, maybe a Disney theme for the flower girls fading into something else of the maids.

Bride’s Processional

Many brides have always dreamed of walking down to “Here Comes the Bride” (Bridal Chorus), and if that is what you envision, then great!  However many brides are choosing songs that have some special meaning or just ones that are beautiful and worthy of the most momentous steps they’ll ever make.  I am a believer that if you can find a song and make it your own, then you should do it.  When the “Bridal Chorus” is played, it is hard to separate the many brides you’ve seen use the song from each other, whereas your song will immediately transport you back to that moment without fail.

Candle or Sand Ceremonies

Some couples have a ceremony within the ceremony pouring sand or water together into one receptacle or perhaps lighting a single candle from two separate ones.  Songs that work well are typically instrumentals or light vocals, sometimes with religious connotations, sometimes not.  "The Wedding Song (There is Love)" is one I have used in the past but other songs will work just as well.

Bride & Groom’s Recessional

The traditional recessional is the “Wedding March”, and many couples still use this.  It is something that punctuates the ceremony and puts an exclamation point on the end.  However you can easily use another song to put your own spin on it and have some fun.  Typically you want something that sentimentally says something about the two of you or something upbeat that celebrates your new life together.   An example of the sentimental type song would be “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer while something like “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” would be an upbeat example.  The sky is the limit, and unlike the prior two, cadence is not usually an issue.  Think of a song that makes you happy- that’s what you want.

Reception

Grand Entrance

Grand entrances vary from couple to couple.  Some have everyone in the bridal party, maybe some family and the bride & groom announced.  Some just have the bride & groom.  There is no right or wrong way. Whatever you envision, we’ll make happen.  Sometimes I’ll just play a song for everyone. Sometimes just for the bride & groom and sometimes each person or pair will have their own theme song to walk in to.  That can be a bit of a hassle to figure out, but if the people are into it then it can be very fun.  If you want to do that, ask your bridal party etc. to pick a song that they like.  Sometimes it references what they do or who they are or their background.  Sometimes it is just a favorite song to dance in to.  For them or for the bride & groom, the same ideas as the Recessional apply: sentimental and/or fun and upbeat.  My favorite story to tell is of the couple who liked Star Wars, so for the Recessional they used the ending music of the first (IV) movie and for their Grand Entrance they came in the “Imperial March” from the next movie which is very imperious and dark.  Everybody loved it.  So, like in all these songs, the more you tailor the music to you, the better it will work out.

Toasts

Usually music isn’t played during the toasts as it interferes with hearing and the toaster’s train of thought.  In the few times where the B&G have wanted some music, I have played something innocuous and low to set the tone they are trying to achieve without disrupting the speakers.

Cake Cutting

Typically you want some nice background song to punctuate the cutting.  I will usually play something like “Love & Marriage” by Sinatra or “Marry Me” by Train, but the sky is once again the limit.

1^st Dance

This is not as easy to give advice about.  The first dance should be personal- something between the bride & groom that means something to them.  There are thousands of songs to choose from and if you are stuck you can always listen to artists or genres you like together to begin to find the perfect one.  If it is quirky or a little too fast, don’t disregard it offhand.  If it is special to you we can make it happen.  Some couples do elaborate dances they learn and then the song also has to be something that will accommodate the dance style.  More popular now is the mixing of two or more songs together to match choreography, like starting with a slow song, jumping into a fast fun song, and then maybe ending back in the original.  Most people however just cling to each other for their whole song, the rest of the world fading to the background as they share their moment.

Father/Daughter

When I started deejaying in the ‘80s, there were a few songs that everyone associated with a dad dancing with his daughter.  Now there are dozens that fit the bill and more come out all the time.  If you don’t know what you’d like, ask Dad!  He may have a song he has dreamed about dancing with you since you were a little girl.  If there are artists that you and your dad enjoy together or maybe sung together in the car, perhaps think of using one of them to dance to.  It is nice if everyone gets the sentimentality of a song, but really all that matters is you and your dad.

Mother/Son

Very similar to Father/Daughter, although there aren’t as many songs out there as there are for dad.  I tend to see more songs that mean something to mom and her son.  A wedding I did last summer used “Wild Thing” by the Troggs; not a typical Mother/Son song but it was special to the two of them and everyone loved it.

Anniversary Dance

The Anniversary Dance celebrates not only your marriage but all those married family and guests, acknowledging their vows whether they were a half a year ago or half a century.  Usually a good song is something that cuts through all the ages present, like “At Last” by Etta James or “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole. 

Bouquet Toss

This song is all about the girls.  You want something that is fun and that fires them up.  “Single Ladies” by Beyonce or “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” are just a couple of examples but there are many possibilities.  What does your crowd get crazy to?  That may be the perfect song.

Garter Toss

This is similar to the bouquet song but for the guys.  As you are maybe sliding a garter off a leg, you may want to add a playful twist to it, by playing the “Stripper” or “Legs” by ZZTop to bring up the level of risqué.  Many times it is just a fun guy song.

Last Dance

Some couples like to program a last song of the evening.  Maybe it was a close runner-up to you 1^st Dance choice or maybe another version of your 1^st Dance.  Maybe it is something fast & fun and guaranteed to get everyone up one last time.  Maybe it is sentimental to the moment, like Semisonic’s “Closing Time”, Sinatra’s “Last Dance” or even Green Day’s “Time of Your Life.”  Sometimes it is just better to go with the flow and cap off a great dancing night with something on the fly, a request off the floor, or a last minute idea from the B&G.  Either way, if the newlyweds are on the floor, everyone will want to join them regardless of the song.

  Even if you don't pick many or most of the songs for your events, we'll be fine.  I have done so many different scenarios of each event that I can pick something that will work well.  However, why not personalize it?  The day is all about the two of you, shouldn't that apply to the music as well?

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   

'Save the Bride' at the Victorian House: "What could go wrong?"

Wedding season is heating up and I just wanted to let you future brides & grooms out there know about a great resource that the Victorian House provides each month: our 'Save the Bride' events.  The idea behind  'Save the Bride' is to make your planning & your big day less stressful and as amazing as you can envision!  

Every month we have a different theme and this upcoming month's is "What Could Go Wrong?"  Putting together a wedding and reception is a big task and inevitably things don't always go as planned.  No worries!  With some helpful advice, great wedding professionals, and a bit of planning you can ensure that your day remains the best day of your lives and the standard to which your friends and family compare future weddings to!

I'll be speaking about "What Could Go Wrong?" and how to overcome and even embrace the unexpected on your wedding day.  Come and visit the Victorian House, see what we are about and meet the team of dedicated professionals that excel at & love what they do!

Scott & Allison at Camp Richardson with Zinser Photography, Tiers of Joy Cakes, & Alexander's Catering

Maid of Honor Becca, beautiful bride Allison, and dad Don before "I Do"

What a fantastic time I had up at Camp Richardson this past Saturday at Ally & Scott's reception!  They are a super couple and I was really looking forward to their day and it did not disappoint. 

The weather was beautiful and they had rented out the entire lodge for their family and friends so when I arrived everyone was getting ready for the ceremony down at the boathouse.  Scott and all the guests headed to the ceremony site and only Ally, her dad, and Becca remained, waiting for their ride to the wedding.  I took maybe the last pic of the unmarried Allison!

Dancing starts!

It is great to work with professionals who know what they are doing, take pride in their work, and put the Bride & Groom's desires above everything else.  Adam from Zinser Photography, Leigh Anne from Tiers of Joy Cakes, and Alex from Alexander's Catering are all such amazing professionals.  Adam was everywhere that evening getting great shots and never missing a moment.  Leigh Anne brought delicious pies that had everyone swooning with joy (towards the end of the night one family member was digging into a whole pie without utensils, they were that good!), and Alex and his crew went above and beyond all night in very tight quarters and still delivered delicious food, drink & exceptional service throughout.

"Put your hands in the air...hands in the air..."

The reception was an absolute blast!  The bridal party arrived and were announced and went into dinner followed by some very memorable toasts, especially by Becca and by Scott toasting his bride at the end.  Then Scott & Allison danced to "Si Tu Quieres" by Elefante followed by the Father/Daughter & Mother/Son dance and then by Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight" for the Anniversary Dance.  After that, the dancing only stopped for the Pie Cutting and for the tosses.  The rest of the night the floor was packed with enthusiastic dancers.  We started at 4pm and I was scheduled to play until nine.  Nine became ten.  Ten became 10:30, and when I finally said good night it was past 11:30.  What a crowd, what a crowd, what a crowd!  

Scott in the middle of a Reggaeton circle

Scott & Allison left the party around 10ish and usually when the bride and groom take their leave, the party begins to fizzle.  Not so for this group!  Another hour and a half after the bride & groom exit?  What a party!  Thanks to Scott & Allison for including me in their day. Thanks to Don & Nancy and Rocky & Laurie and all the bridal party and guests for making me feel so welcome and for dancing the night away!  Thanks to Leigh Anne for introducing me to her fabulous family. What a way to start 2012!

One last dance for Ally & Scott (complete with bubbles!)

Save the Bride at the Victorian House- Maximizing your Bridal Fair Experience

Please join us at the Victorian House in Reno on Saturday January 21st from 2-4 pm for a free "Save the Bride" Event.  You can meet the Victorian House wedding professionals and learn about making the most of the sometimes chaotic wedding shows and bridal faires.  Then join us at the American Heart Association's Reno Fantasy Wedding Fair on Sunday January 29th at the Grand Sierra Resort and put your new strategies in practice!