Celena & Anton at The Hyatt Regency Incline Village with Belinda Grant Photography and Blake's Floral Design

We are blessed in the Reno/Tahoe area with beautiful natural surroundings, first-class hotels and dining, and top-notch venues that really attract destination weddings. Many couples spend time together skiing nearby or enjoying Lake Tahoe and want to share these surroundings with their guests. Some grew up here and still have family and friends and have no hesitation when planning to pick one of our amazing venues for their special day. This really is telling when you hear where these couples are from or live now. We sometimes take the area for granted, but when these couples choose the Lake, the Valleys or the Sierras I am so honored to be chosen to be a part of their celebrations.

One such couple is Anton and Celena. Anton's folks live in the area but he is a lawyer who met and fell in love with another lawyer, Celena, working in NYC. They now live in Brooklyn and both work as public defenders or for the state, dedicating their talents to the noble cause of a court system that represents all people equally and fairly. I was impressed with the two of them from the get go when we first met. Extremely bright, deeply in love, and conscious of the legacy they are creating, both in the public arena and in the life and family they were joining together. I immediately wanted to be a part of their special afternoon & evening.

They were planning the whole thing very quickly and though our initial visit was brief, I was honored to be chosen to be a part of their vendor team. Throughout the rest of the time between then and the big day we stayed in touch though phone calls, through Skype, and through quick emails & texts. We were able to formulate a plan for the music and events and last Sunday it all came together up on the shores of Lake Tahoe in beautiful Incline Village.

The Hyatt's Kendra straightening Celena's dress just before she walked down the aisle

They picked the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort on the beach at Incline Village. I like the Hyatt because it is truly a one-stop resort with cabins, hotel rooms, a casino, and most importantly gorgeous areas on the Lake to be married and celebrate in. The ceremony was held in the beautiful Lakeside Cottage Green- a stunning meadow within the Lakeside Cottages that looks right down the entire Lake. I was appreciative of the Hyatt staff, especially Kendra the coordinator and Guillermo one of the helpful workers who made my job easy while setting up and while later moving. I played some classical and string quartet selections as guests began arriving for the nuptials.

Beautiful setting for the ceremony!

When everyone was ready, Derrick, our officiant and Anton stepped up and awaited the bridal party. I played "All You Need Is Love" while the BP walked down the aisle and then a string version of "Can't Help Falling in Love" for Celena's entrance. The ceremony was really well done by Derrick (I believe it was his first one) and included a couple of readings that spoke well of the commitment and love that Celena and Anton share. When all was said and done, they kissed and were pronounced husband and wife and they made their way back up the aisle to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by the Funk Brothers. Pictures and cocktails then ensued with me being able to play lots of Motown and classic rock & roll that they had picked for their guests.

Beautiful bridesmaids & flowers :)

I have to say that not only were the bride & bridesmaids glowingly pretty, but the flowers and bouquets by Sharon Buckley at Blake's Floral Design were amazing! I took a pic of the bridesmaids because I thought the dresses with the bouquets were spectacular, and I don't usually notice these things! 

Speaking of pictures, one of my favorite photographers, Belinda Grant of Belinda Grant Photography was snapping pictures all throughout the afternoon and evening. She and her crew were constantly at work posing shots, getting candid images and running a photo booth at the reception. Belinda is so talented and innovative- the shots she frames are unlike anything anyone else does- she is always looking for unique angles and perspectives while being so personable and fun. There are many photographers with talent and experience. There are many that are super friendly to be around and work with- that connect with the bride & groom on a personal level. Most photographers have a good deal of one but are missing the other. Belinda is one that achieves all of these characteristics and at a high level. I am always happy to see her at a wedding because the professionalism and just the pure fun factor goes up a bunch of notches :)

First Dance!

I was kind of sorry to leave the Cottage Green- the guests were swaying to the music and enjoying the fantastic weather and views but dinner was about ready so we went inside to the Lakeside Ballroom where the views and party continued. Soon James Brown was doing double duty in the background as I introduced the bridal party to "Get Up Offa That Thing" and then Anton & Celena to "I Feel Good". They then went into their first dance, "All of Me" by John Legend and after that Anton's parents Dimo & Dora welcomed everyone to the reception.

The distances and diverse places the guests came from was really inspiring. Anton's family comes from Bulgaria and Celena's family is Puerto Rican and Irish. Add a bunch of guests from both coasts and lots of places in between, family from Bulgaria, and a Jamaican bridesmaid and you have an outstanding and fun group of people that gathered from all over to celebrate with Celina & Anton. Nothing can beat that.

Dora & Anton

Anton then danced with his mom Dora to Lennon's "Beautiful Boy", an inspired choice. The first of three courses then was served and dinner was on. As the final course was being finished the toasting was started, and three exceptional toasts really set the tone. Omar, the best man, talked about friendship, college and law school and about Anton's character & humanity- what a great way to start off! Keisha, a fellow lawyer and colleague of Celena gave a poignant speech about what a force Celena is, how she does her job so well yet still exemplifies motherhood and family. Finally, and I may have this out of order, Celena's sister and MoH Caitlin spoke. She really hit a home run, and considering her fellow toasters' oratory skills, she even outshone them. Just totally from the heart, talking about the importance of family to Celena. Such great toasts!

The bouquet was thrown with the Weather Girls providing the vibe while the garter was removed to "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and then caught to "All I Do is Win". Very fun!

Bulgarian Horo dance

We started open dancing right after that, and the crowd was fun and involved the rest of the evening. There were many special moments in this special night- I was able to welcome Anton's aunt and uncle to the United States in Bulgarian (with a little help from Dimo!) and then we played a horo, a traditional Bulgarian folk dance. It reminded me of Greek horos, but while the Greek songs start slow and gradually get faster, this horo started fast and never let up! 

Another phenomenal moment was when Anton surprised Celena by singing "Wonderful Tonight" to her. She had expected the song but not him singing it to her :)

I was also able to get an East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry going through their suggestions of Biggie vs. 2Pac- very fun! I ended playing a little of everything- from Funk to Reggaeton; Hip Hop to Dancehall; Electronic to the 60's. We ended a great dancing night with Beyonce and then Nina Simone's "Feeling Good", and we all were.

Thanks to everyone at the Hyatt Regency!  Thanks to Sharon from Blake's Floral Design for your fabulous flower artistry! Thanks to Belinda and Leanne from Belinda Grant Photography- always amazing working with you! 

Finally, thanks to Celena & Anton. I love your dedication to one another and to your friends & families- that happiness that emanates from your two is so contagious! Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your special day a& evening.  Nazdrave!

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

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

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

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

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

Champagne cake with lemon curd & raspberry filling.

Pistachio cupcakes with pistachio buttercream frosting.

Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache.

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

Guinness stout spiced cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting.

Phenomenally decorated butter cookies.

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

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

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

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

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

Dee & friends dancing to Madonna on the deck :)

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

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

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

Ciprian at work

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

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

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

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

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

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

Viel spaB in Deutschland!

Jill & Zach at the Corner Barn in Graeagle with Longboards Bar & Grill Catering, Courtney Aaron Photography, and XOXO Video

This wedding season is still young but it has been already filled with fantastic nuptials and receptions- every one seems a bit better than the one before it. Superlatives don't do these couple's special day justice- I am continually inspired by my brides & grooms, their amazing venues, and their fun-loving crowds who dance the night away- I cannot wait for the next event!

"See the pyramids along the Nile..."

Such was the case with Zach & Jill's recent wedding and reception up in Graeagle at the Corner Barn. I had been talking to Zach for many months- touching base every so often as he was away at SDSU (go Aztecs!) getting his MBA. As we got closer to the big day I met with Jill and we finalized the timeline and music selection. I was excited to play at the Corner Barn- I had driven by it many times on the way to other venues but until Jill & Zach's day had never performed there. It is hard to miss, at the crossing of Hwy 89 and Hwy 70 and is truly a great barn venue with modern amenities. It was a large crowd (280+) and everyone was accommodated everyone nicely inside. Indeed, as the weather was a bit sketchy the ceremony was also moved inside and again the Corner Barn worked out perfectly. Jill & Zach and their friends & relatives had decorated it, adding so many special touches I was really in awe of their skill and ideas. A bridesmaid, Alice I believe, is a graphic designer and the various signs she had made were the best I'd ever seen. A large bar area towards the front door was stocked with cases of libations, and a neon sign with their last name lit up the other side of the door area highlighting several areas where the cake, gifts, and video guestbook were positioned. I like the fact that unlike many barns I have performed in, the floor is solid concrete and there are plenty of electrical outlets with modern wiring- makes my job so much easier :)

As the guests arrived and were seated we got closer & closer to the appointed time. Soon the parents & grandparents entered to Mick McCauley's "Serenade" followed by the bridal party accompanied by a great rendition of "500 Miles" by Sleeping at Last. Finally Jill and her dad entered to a really great selection Jill had made, "You Belong to Me" by Carla Bruni. You know how you associate songs with important moments in life? That song, whether by Bruni or whomever will now always evoke memories of Jill's dramatic entrance. The Carla Bruni version is stripped down musically, full of life and breathy lyrics that just screams to be made for such a special moment in time, and I thought Jill really set the bar high for other brides walking down the aisle- just a perfect moment in time where everything slowed down for a a moment and all of us witnessing it almost forgot to breathe. That special.

First Dance!

Uncle Patrick presided over the ceremony and did a great job for his first ever officiating gig. I really liked their vows and also a trio of readings, poems, and passages given by some special family members. It really made the ceremony personal and soon they were pronounced husband & wife, kissing each other, and exiting to the classic Crystals song, "Then He Kissed Me." While pictures were being taken, the guests enjoyed appetizers and cocktails and explored the Barn. Zach & Jill gave me an eclectic list of songs for both cocktails and dinner as well as a dozen or so for dancing later. I liked their musical tastes: everything from Milky Chance to Van Morrison; from Gerry Rafferty to the Kinks; from Alabama Shakes to Hall & Oates. Soon we were welcoming them back to their reception  with Mika's "Love Today". They then went into their first dance, Queen's "Best Friend" which got the crowd even more pumped and we segued into a delicious family-style dinner prepared by the great people at Longboards Bar & Grill from nearby Plumas Pines Golf Resort.

Which brings me to my fellow wedding professionals. I performed at a wedding in Longboards at Plumas Pines for Mark & Georgia about a year ago and it was a huge hit, and a great deal of the credit went to the food, atmosphere, and staff there. This evening, Longboards came to us and I was again impressed by the people and that the quality of the food was maintained miles away from their home kitchens. Their prep work was efficient and they were able to feed a barn-load of hungry people quickly and with friendly professionalism. Jill & Zach made a great choice picking them to be a part of their day.

Jill and her dad 

The photography and video departments were more than ably filled by Courtney of Courtney Aaron Photography and Sky Rondenet of XOXO Video. Courtney had a second-shooter and both of them were everywhere, capturing moments and were super easy to work with. Sky was feeling a little bit under the weather but you wouldn't have known it from her energy and skills. I loved the fact that she is a take-charge type of person and I had a lot of fun working with her. I am in awe of photographic & cinematographic artistry and both Courtney & Sky exemplified this. I saw them work and I know the end results will be ridiculously fantastic.  I hope to work with both of them again in the future.

Zach and his mom

Toasts followed dinner, and with the toasters having personalities as big as the dance floor, the toasts were both funny and heartwarming. Adam, one of the best men and Zach's twin brother started and set the bar pretty high (and sometimes low) but Chelsea (MoH) and Trevor (other best man and brother) were up to the task. After Zach & Jill thanked everyone for coming (and refuted some dubious testimony from the toasts), Jill stepped into the spotlight with her dad Mark for their Father-Daughter dance, the classic "Wonderful Tonight" by Slowhand himself, Eric Clapton. Sherry then joined her son Zach up on the dance floor for their special dance, "Love Me Like a Rock" by Paul Simon.

Best. Thing. Ever.

For me though, the coolest moment of the evening was a special surprise that the Bridal Party had for Jill. They sat both Jill & Zach down at the edge of the dance floor. I cued up "Sugar" by Maroon 5.  They then, in complete choreographed unison, danced and sang to the B&G. As different lyrics came up, one of them would peel off and sing them directly to the bridal couple. That was cool enough, but all of a sudden, when the lyrics were at "I want that red velvet" or so, Zach jumped up and sang to his new bride! He fit right in to their choreographed moves and needless to say the Corner Barn went berserk as Jill was speechless!  So freaking awesome. I have done over 750 weddings and have seen a lot of cool things: grooms surprising their brides with guitars & songs; a Maid of Honor rapping her speech to DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince; a dad surprising his daughter in the midst of their dance with "In Da Club" and the list goes on. The practice & enthusiasm that this bridal party and Zach put into this particular moment puts it right up there with some of my all-time favorite moments as a wedding DJ. I cannot wait to see XOXO's video  :)

"Well you're pretty good old son..."

The rest of the evening was just as fun and fantastic. The crowd was enthusiastic and ready to dance the night away- just the kind of crowd every DJ hopes for. I started the dancing with Walk the Moon's "Shut Up and Dance" and it just escalated from there.  I played a little and lot of everything, had a bunch of fantastic requests, and was able to weave a mix that pleased everyone. Some special moments included a huge family singalong to "Devil Went Down to Georgia" with Zach smack in the middle of a huge circle, a long and tight Motown mix, and quite a few Garth songs as many in the BP had just saw him in concert. "Footloose" was requested and I swear this guy had the Kevin Bacon moves down perfectly.  It was also great to see Kelly & John, a couple whose wedding day I had the privilege of being a part of in 2013. I dedicated a little Rob Base to them :)

I liked that the little touches never stopped. Taxis were provided later in the evening for those who had imbibed a bit too much (I was the last person to leave the Barn and there were a dozen or more cars parked in the lot whose drivers had taken the cabs). Lots of pizzas arrived around 10pm and were a huge hit as the active dancing crowd had begun to work up another appetite. I had a young man come up to me as the dancing was going, interested in how I picked & mixed songs. His name was Pierce and he was very polite, serious but friendly, and eager to learn so I put him to work. He spun a set of tunes (under my supervision of course) and even scratched a bit and got quite a few cheers from the crowd. I hope in 6-8 years he puts himself through college spinning tunes at fabulous weddings like this one. He's got potential, smarts, and the beginning of some skills- there is always room for another great DJ  :)

As the evening came to its conclusion, I played the last few requests and then surprised Zach with an extra last song, "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift. Taylor is his guilty musical pleasure (as she is for many of us) and it was a perfect high note to end perfect day and evening.

I want to thank Sky from XOXO Video and Courtney from Courtney Aaron Photography- both true professionals and fun to work with to boot! Thanks to the Corner Barn- what a fun venue! I know where I'll recommend when a bride asks me if I know a good barn for weddings. Thanks to Longboards Bar & Grill for fantastic food and service. Finally thanks so much to Jill & Zach. I am truly blessed to be able to do what I do and doubly blessed to be a part of a night like yours. In a career of spectacular parties, this was one of the best ever, and that is saying something :)

Congrats Jill & Zach!  Have a blast in Spain, run really fast in Pamplona, try the pimientos de padron (my fave) and wash them down with lots of Mahou and Sangria. Felicidades!

Stephen & Juliette at Plumpjack Squaw Valley Inn with Bijoux Events, Camelot Party Rentals & La Tavola Fine Linens

If you have read previous blog posts of mine, you know that I absolutely love what I do, where I get to do it, and above all, whom I get to do it for.  Every wedding seems to be the best one yet- I thrive on all that enthusiasm and excitement, and my phenomenal brides and grooms just shine on their day. Such was the case this past weekend up at Squaw Valley with Stephen and Juliette.

When I met with Stephen & Juliette I knew immediately I wanted to be a part of their wedding. They are fun, easy to get to know, and the love that they have for one another is always apparent, even in a conversation with their DJ. It is an easy fluidity with which they speak, always mindful of the other,-that loving glow of happiness tangibly there. They were funny, full of life, and had some definite ideas on how they wanted their day and evening to look, feel, and sound. I am 100% all about that. I love to tweak the music, events, and the general vibe to match that vision that they have in their minds, hopefully surpassing their expectations. You don't want your wedding and reception to be ordinary- you want it to be the one that others want to emulate, and this one was extraordinary.

First off, they chose Plumpjack as their venue. Plumpjack Squaw Valley Inn is a special place near the tramway at the edge of the Village up in Squaw Valley. It is its own complete venue and the general Squaw Valley visitors, even numbering in the thousands as they did that day (it was Squaw Valley's Earth Day celebration) seem miles away. There is a outdoor creekside spot for ceremonies, an intimate pool area with outdoor bar, grill and lights strung between trees and cool granite stones for cocktails, and two stories of available reception space. The food is always delicious, the servers friendly and efficient, and all my parties there have rocked the upstairs dance floor to the point that I am thankful I don't run turntables and vinyl anymore :)  Spectacular venue, and it was a beautiful April day that seemed more like a day in June or July.

To further differentiate & accentuate their day, there were countless decor and style touches put in place by Jessica from Bijoux Events out of Santa Barbara. Jessica, who is also Juliette's big sister, really went above and beyond in so many ways. There were fantastic chairs from Camelot Party Rentals and spectacular coverings from La Tavola Fine Linen. There were flowers everywhere & lots of chalkboard signs around the property to guide guests to the various events. There was a very unique setup upstairs for both dinner and dancing. So many small touches that just multiplied the special feeling of the evening. And her organizational skills were top-notch. Her communication with Bonnie and the rest of the Plumpjack staff left nothing to chance, and she was always ahead of the events, making sure that the next one was already coordinated and set to go off perfectly. She was a true professional to work with and made my job so much easier. Yet she was also able to enjoy the wedding & reception as a member of the bridal party and sister to the bride. And late that night, when I was finally packed up and leaving, there was Jessica taking care of umpteen details of cleanup and takedown. Fantastic job Jessica!

The ceremony was in that outdoor spot that seems to have the mountains surrounding it in all directions and a brook busily babbling beside it. I played "First Breath After a Coma" by Explosions in the Sky for the bridal party entrance and then the Piano Guys' version of "1000 Years" for Juliette's walk down the aisle. Officiating was PJ, Jessica's husband, and his friendly voice almost cracked a few times as he presided over his sister-in-law's nuptials. It was his first time doing a wedding, but it did not show. He did a great job and it added yet another personal touch to the day.  Stephen & Juliette read vows to one another that had everyone smiling & sniffling a bit, and then they were kissing and being pronounced husband & wife. Juliette had me keep the recessional song a secret from Stephen, and when it played it seemed to perfectly punctuate the moment: Taylor Swift's "Love Story".

Cocktails

DJ in training :)

I had set up a small system for cocktails and soon everyone was enjoying drinks and appetizers around the pool. Juliette & Stephen had some specific artists in mind for the mood they were trying to achieve, and I got many compliments about their choices and my expanding on that vibe. The newlyweds only took about 30-40 minutes for the after ceremony pictures, so they were able to enjoy the cocktail reception as well. I couldn't resist though... Stephen is an IRS agent so I had to play "Taxman" by the Beatles which got a lot of smiles and people singing along. Very fun!

First Dance!

Soon we all were headed upstairs for dinner and the rest of the reception. When everyone was seated, I introduced Juliette & Stephen and they danced their first dance to "Drunk on You" by Luke Bryan. When they had finished and the cheering had subsided, I handed the mic to Juliette's dad Tom and played a couple of curious requests- first an EFX track featuring cows mooing and cowboys calling. Then I mixed in a snippet of the William Tell Overture (the theme from the Lone Ranger) and that surprised and got a big smile from Tom. He then proceeded to tell the guests in his welcome speech that the song has a special meaning to his family at their summer secret camping spot. Another fantastic way that a moment was made even more unique and poignant.

Dinner was a buffet and was delicious- Plumpjack always does such a great job. Soon Bonnie and her team were bringing champagne around to the tables for the toasts which were lead off by Stephen's dad Mike, followed by his brothers Danny & Brian and ended by our coordinator/MoH Jessica. Tom had kept the next song, "Sunrise/Sunset" a secret from his daughter, and everyone loved their father daughter dance. Next Nina, Stephen's mom, came up and took the mic for a moment. She wanted everyone to know that the Mother/Son song she had picked out was perfect except for one thing- the word "friend". She said the song said everything she wanted to relay to Stephen, but she wanted everyone to replace "friend" with "Mom" when they sang along.  So I started up their song, "That's What Friends Are For" by Dionne Warwick and everyone sang along, emphasizing "Mom" every time. Just another magical moment amongst many. Did I tell you I love what I do?

Dancing started up with "Bang! Bang!" which Stephen & Juliette knew would get everyone up in a hurry. It then continued non-stop the rest of the evening. It was an enthusiastic crowd and every song seemed to get them more fired up. Juliette & Stephen had picked a few songs but most of the rest of the evening I was inundated by great requests and was able to craft some very fun mixes. I liked the fact the the newlyweds had specific "no plays"- after all, it is their day and they should be able to hear  what they love or not hear what they don't. They did not want any organized or line dances such as Cupid Shuffle, YMCA, Cotton-Eye Joe etc. For some DJs this can be a problem. Many DJs have sets they rely one no matter the crowd, and those songs tend to get people up onto the floor. They are fun, but kind of cliche so many brides & grooms are nixing them for their reception. I personally like the challenge of not using those songs to fuel dance floor participation. It makes my choices and mixing much more important and the mix becomes a living, breathing, dancing entity that everyone responds to. Matter of fact I did not have one request for a song on their "no play" list. To me, that means I was hitting on all cylinders :)

An Anniversary Dance highlighted the first slow break- I was cool that there were multiple couples still up after I reached 40 years. Just a great feeling and inspiration to Stephen & Juliette and to all of us. I also loved the fact that right afterwards I played a request for "Moon River" by Andy Williams and the dance floor remained packed- even the younger couples were feeling the vibe. After a great oldies set, Brian and Danny, Stephen's brothers, led everyone singing a Sto-Lat, a traditional Polish song celebrating happy moments. It apparently means 100 years of happiness, and though I am part Polish I hadn't seen this before. Very cool moment!

The rest of the evening was spent on the dance floor playing everything from the Gap Band to Bruno Mars; from Sweet Caroline to Gold Digger; and from Sam Smith to Garth Brooks. I loved that Juliette & Stephen had sneakily found out some of their family's and friends' favorite songs and had me dedicate and play them. Jason Mraz serenaded Brian & Shawn. Linda (Juliette's mom) rocked to Bob Seger with Tom, and our officiant/coordinator duo PJ & Jessica had a moment of their own amidst all that they had helped bring together that day with a little Coldplay.  When at last the clock conspired against us, I played a last song request of Juliette, "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers. Everyone went crazy though when I mixed in and reprised "Love Story" right at the end. Stephen & Juliette had one more perfect moment in a day & evening full of perfect moments.

If I was a better photog, this pic would be spectacular- even so it is my fav :)

Thanks to Plumpjack for everything. Thanks x 1000 to Jessica at Bijoux Events for all of her hard work and artistry- a true labor of love. Thanks to PJ for a fantastic ceremony. Finally, thanks to Stephen & Juliette for allowing me to be a part of your amazing day and evening. So much fun! Congrats you two!

Last song... "Baby just say Yes"