Melissa & Alden at Edgewood with Video Quest Productions and Hall Creations Photography

My first wedding of the 2016 wedding season and it was a blast.  Two people, deeply in love. Two exceptional families.  One of my favorite venues.  A crowd ready to party.  And two phenomenal wedding professionals recording it all.  What a way to kick off the season!

Alden and Melissa.  What can I say about these two?  Absolutely head over heels in love.  Fun to work with from day one.  From families that exemplify love, commitment, and unwavering faith, they exude an aura of purpose and of life, and most importantly love for one another.  There were so many moments that I choked up a bit- watching their total commitment to one another.  It makes me want to be a better husband and reminds me of those moments in my life that are so important and indelible.  Maybe the best word to describe their love and wedding is "exuberant".  A special couple having their day and evening in a special place.

Edgewood.  Definitely special.  One of my favorite venues.  The uplifting architecture and gorgeous setting is punctuated by the best service and staff on the Lake, and probably in the entire area.  Many of their employees have been with Edgewood for over twenty years and one I spoke with one yesterday who just passed 35 years. And the food!  Not your ordinary fare!  Dinner was plated/served and the guests chose from prawns, fillets, and pheasant.  I had the pheasant and it was fantastic!  Servers are efficient and friendly yet unobtrusive and they make my job so easy because of all these qualities and because of their vast experience.  It's a well-oiled machine that I am always happy to be a part of.

The weather was a bit iffy with some drizzle, so the decision was made to have the ceremony inside instead of out on the green.  Normally, this would be quite a disappointment but not so much at Edgewood.  The building, with its glass and wood and stone already has an ethereal vibe, and in the center it is almost cathedral-like, and that is where the efficient staff seamlessly placed chairs and moved furniture to make the ceremony happen on time.  I played Alison Krauss's "I Will" when the parents and grandparents were escorted in, and then "Tonight" by Secret Nation for the Bridal Party. An absolutely radiant Melissa and her dad Israel then entered to "I Do" by Jessie James Decker.  I looked at Alden when she came up the stairs and he was so full of emotion seeing his bride in her dress for the first time- it reminded me of my same moment 29 years ago.

Capturing all these moments were Jason of Video Quest Productions and Angie of Hall Creations Photography.  They are true professionals who worked well with each other, the staff, the bride & groom and myself all throughout the evening.  I don't think I've worked with Angie prior to last night but I'd love to work with her again.  Jason is a consummate professional when I've had the pleasure of working with several times and his work is unbelievable.  He showed me a few shots during the evening and I know Alden & Melissa will be so happy with his record of their day and evening.  Look up his work on his website. Stunning.  And a great introduction to the beauty at Edgewood.

After Melissa and Alden kissed and exited their ceremony to Justin Moore's "Til My Last Day", we all moved to the gorgeous North Room for cocktails and appetizers.  After photographs, the Bridal Party entered, each pair to their own song- everything from Avicii to Kygo; from Drake to Justin Timberlake.  When Alden & Melissa were ready to enter, I played a snippet from "Tombstone", Alden's favorite film and then Jason Aldean's "Lights Go On" and they came in to thunderous applause.  Very fun!  In a minute or two- no longer- salads were being served by the ultra-efficient Edgewood staff and dinner was on!

"I Love You This Big..."

Following some great toasts by the dads and by the Bridal Party and finished up by Alden himself, they started the dancing with their First Dance, "I Love You This Big" by Scotty McCreery.  The joy and love between the two newlyweds was palpable as they slowly swayed, singing the lyrics to one another.

Melissa found a perfect song to dance with her dad Israel- "Daddy" by Addy Anderson.  It was my first time playing it and I know it won't be my last.  What a great song!  Alden and his mom Julie followed with another favorite of mine, "A Mother's Song" by T. Carter Music.  A Money Dance followed and then dancing began in earnest.  I played lots of fun songs for an enthusiastic crowd, starting with Major Lazer and ending the night with Drake.  Lots of Old School, lots of Country, lots of happy dancers :)

Midway through the dancing they cut the cake to George Strait's "It Comes Natural" and then tossed the garter and bouquet. "Hey You There" by Soulja Boy got the girls amped up and then "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins did the same for the guys when Alden removed the garter.  But what was best about the garter was the toss.  I played the NFL theme and the guys went crazy!  Literally there were 7-8 guys in midair fighting for the garter, and an injury or two in the aftermath!  What a great group!

I really could not have asked for a better way to start off my 2016 wedding season.  Thanks to everyone at Edgewood- such a pleasure as always!  Thanks to Angie and Jason- so great to work with you two!  Finally, thanks to Melissa and Alden.  The whole planning process was fun and it was so great to be a small part of your magical day and evening.  All the best you two!

Last Dance!

The Importance of Being Early

As a wedding DJ, I take on a special responsibility for my clients and their guests when I agree to be a part of their day and evening.  I have to not only meet but exceed their expectations throughout the event.  I would not want a wedding professional involved in my wedding who did not have this goal in mind.  Why settle for ordinary when your love, your celebration, and your party are anything but?

I accomplish this with the utmost professionalism and with an attitude that lends itself to the success of the event.  There are countless ways I make this happen: I get to know the bride & groom.  I dress and act professionally at all times.  I use only top-notch equipment and have backups handy, just in case.  I make sure I have all their music on at least three different devices.  And maybe too easily overlooked by some but very important nonetheless- I always arrive early to the venue.  I'm not punctual.  I am early.

It seems simple, right?  Show up well before you are scheduled to play.  Unfortunately many don't strictly follow this rule and their performance suffers.  I do not want the bride & groom, their families, other wedding professionals etc to worry one moment about "Where is the DJ?"  My job is to facilitate the event, to head off problems before they impact the timeline, and to seize opportunities as they come up to make their day even more spectacular.  For me, being early sets me up to accomplish these goals.

Being early, I don't typically have to worry about loading or parking issues, and if I do I have plenty of time to work around them.  Sometimes the layout of a room has completely changed since talking with the clients or venue representative and the extra time allows for innovative problem solving if the new setup is less than ideal.  Power sources and positions for lighting and speakers can be tested and changed so that the set up is optimal.

Arriving early allows me to calm an overtaxed mother of the bride or a nervous groom.  It allows me to meet and get to know the bridal party and officiant and discuss pertinent details of the day.  I can speak with the venue rep, the caterers, the cake people and pick up valuable details while being a calming influence, showing them I will be a productive and cooperative partner in the upcoming festivities. Through this I am making connections that will not only serve me well in this event but in future events as well.

Finally, arriving early allows me to keep my personal stress level down.  I am not watching the clock, hurrying to accomplish something but instead taking my time to make sure that every little detail is correct.  I am a rock for my clients and the other wedding professionals, keeping things level and fun  which only magnifies the vibe of the entire event.

Personally, if I am not at the venue and unloaded an hour before I am supposed to play, I get antsy.  And this is at a venue that is close by and one that I have played before.  If the venue is further away, I always add more and more time depending on the circumstances.  I have to allow for traffic, for weather, for flat tires- basically anything that can happen I need to be prepared for.

In almost 800 weddings now, along with several hundred other events, I have had three close calls.

Once, in Southern California, I was rear-ended on the freeway on the way to a Holiday party. I had to wait for the CHP to come and make a report and even though it took up far more time than I would have liked, I was still at the venue and set up in time for cocktail music.

Another time, up at Lake Tahoe, I arrived early at a beach for a ceremony (the reception was in another spot and I had already set up there).  No sign of the bridal party but the officiant and a dozen family members were looking around, kind of confused.  It turns out they (and I) had been told the wrong beach by the coordinator!  The real beach was several miles away! Being early and inquisitive, I had the time to talk with the family members and officiant and I knew something wasn't quite right.  A quick call to the groom and we were off to the real ceremony site with time to spare.  Instead of "Where's the DJ?" I received gratitude for correcting an issue that would have affected their day.

Finally, the only other time I became worried about my arrival time was a winter wedding up in Incline Village.  It was snowing and I allowed for lots of extra time to get over the pass.  It's a good thing I did!  As I reached the top of the pass under whiteout, 15mph conditions, the road in front of me suddenly cleared up!  I was ecstatic until I drove off the highway into a shallow depression... The clear area was where the snowplow had just turned around. Aargh!  My vehicle wouldn't budge.  I immediately called AAA and awaited rescue. The tow truck showed up 45 minutes later and I had him take me all the way to the venue- I wasn't taking any more chances!  I did not make much that day- the tow charge and the healthy tip cut drastically into any profit but most importantly I was on time and the ceremony went off nicely.  I told my photographer friend what had happened and he laughed because he had passed me as the tow truck was hooking me up but didn't realize it was me.  So even in dire, blizzard conditions I had given myself that extra cushion of time and it had paid off immensely.

So what I am trying to say is a wedding is not a 'gig' or just another job.  It is a sacred trust you are entering into by accepting a contract, and every aspect of your preparation or lack thereof reflects on you and on your reputation.  Being early is one of those things that is well within the control of even a novice event professional, and all the little things you do to prepare add up and make a difference.  Don't be 'on time'!  Be early and your clients and your reputation will thank you.

My expensive hook up :)

Sandy & Jorge at Edgewood with Blake's Floral Design

For my last wedding of 2015 I could not have picked a better setting than beside Lake Tahoe while snow showers accentuated the winter wonderland all around us.  That was the case yesterday up at Edgewood.

Sandy and Jorge wanted a winter wedding: somewhere their friends and family from the Bay Area could easily travel to and somewhere special.  Of course Edgewood fit the bill.  As this winter has been a good one for snowfall so far, the beach and golf course were covered in a foot of snow and the sleet became flurries which became snow showers as the day wore on. Most of my weddings at Edgewood have been during the summer, and they are glorious with the distant mountains across the Lake, the greener than green links, and the expansive views seen through the unique architecture of glass and wood, but a winter wedding there is maybe even more breathtaking. The windows allow you to feel a part of the wintery scene while still being warm and dry inside. Just a fantastic venue anyway, and with it punctuated by the snowfall- magical.

I really loved Sandy's whole plan for her wedding- simple yet elegant. She had so many great ideas!  One of my favorites (coming from a family with a famous quilter in it) was that instead of a guestbook, everyone signed quilt blocks which are to be made into a memory quilt after the wedding. Another idea I thought really unique was the favors she gave out to her guests. There was a nice laser inscribed wood ornament tied to a beautiful poem and a pair of mittens.  The guests absolutely loved them!

Her flowers were spectacular, and totally fit in with her winter color scheme.  Sharon at Blake's Floral Design, a fellow Weddings of the West member really hit a home run, and Sandy kept talking about how she was so pleased with how her bouquet looked- just as she envisioned.  Sharon always arrives super early to arrange her flowers and deliver the bouquets so she really never sees her work in context- with a beautiful bride in her dress and holding her handiwork, so I took a picture during the reception.  Great job as always Sharon!

Jorge and Sandy were married at a church offsite and they arrived and were able to take some pictures before all the guests got to Edgewood.  After some amazing appetizers and cocktails, I introduced the bridal party to Kool & the Gang's "Celebration" which Jorge and Sandy had picked.  Soon after that, Father Carl was saying a benediction before the meal and then Sandy & Jorge were hitting the fabulous brunch buffet.

Fabulous is an understatement.  If you have read other blog entries of mine, you know I am a fan of Edgewood and of their chefs :)  This buffet was one of my favorites ever!  Here is a (probably incomplete) list of the offerings of the buffet:

Several types of really great rolls & butter.

Their decadent pasta salad (my favorite- I'm drooling thinking of it right now).

A beautiful green salad.

Their fruit platter with ripe everything- my favs were the raspberries, blueberries & blackberries.

A hot pasta dish.

Fantastic cubed squash with herbs (drooling again!).

A kind of breakfast mashed potato dish (yum!).

Mounds of top-notch bacon,

Chicken breasts in sauce.

Eggs Benedict.

Hollandaise sauce.

Carved ham (drooling again!)

Carved tri-tip.

Plus a full omelette station with all the fixings and a chocolate fountain with pineapple, pretzels, poundcake, rice krispie treats and marshmallows to dip into the chocolatey goodness. Wow!

Debbie and her crew were fantastic, as always.  Edgewood (and the Grove down in Reno) are how I judge service at all the venues I play. The service is efficient, friendly, and professional and sets the standard.  I love how Edgewood could just rest on their beautiful surroundings, fabulous architecture and sterling reputation and not worry so much about service and food. But no, they strive for excellence in every facet and it shows. And that is the dedication and experience you want for a wedding and reception.

After brunch, toasts were made and the cake was cut (accompanied by Plain White T's "1-2-3-4") and dancing began with Jorge and Sandy's first dance, Jason Mraz's "I Won't Give Up". Roberto, Sandy's dad then danced with her to "Wind Beneath My Wings" followed by an Anniversary Dance that they picked, Dan Fogelberg's "Longer".

The rest of the afternoon we danced to Cupid Shuffle, Usher, Flo Rida and lots of other songs.  I especially loved the guests (and bride and groom) stepping outside for a momentary picture in the snow flurries. Lots of great pictures with big snowflakes in their hair. Pretty magical.

I want to thank Jorge and Sandy for inviting me to be a part of their amazing day- you two really are a special couple!  Thanks to Sharon at Blake's Floral Design for her usual exceptional floral artistry.  And thanks to Debbie and all of the crew at Edgewood from the servers to the cooks to the people putting tables up and taking them down at the end of the day. Just a solid bunch of professionals. Edgewood should be very proud of them all.  Here's to a amazing 2015 and looking forward to many more tremendous weddings in 2016.  

Happy Holidays and New Year everyone!

Caitlin & Steve at West Shore Cafe with Photography by Monique

For my 100th blog post I couldn't have written about a more fun couple and wedding than Caitlin & Steve's ceremony and reception on Lake Tahoe last month.

Technology is amazing! The first time I met these two in person was on their wedding day yet through FaceTime/Skype we were able to meet several times prior to they Big Day and we really connected, plotting musical selections, timelines- fleshing out the general vibe they were trying to achieve on their day. They have definite musical points of view and we were able to weave these throughout the ceremony, cocktail and dinner hour, and into the dancing. I love it when I can play special songs and create an absolutely unique experience that reflects the bride & groom. The whole day and evening seems to become even more special and magical.

The bridal party enters

A large part of the magic that night was the exceptional group of family and friends gathered in a beautiful forested meadow overlooking Lake Tahoe being served professionally by fantastic servers and bartenders- everything seemed to click perfectly. The venue they chose is fast becoming one of my favorites, the West Shore Cafe & Inn. It is a unique destination that has a myriad of possibilities for weddings and events. There is a gorgeous lakeside restaurant, patio and dock that is also a working Inn so the bride and groom and other VIPs can stay right on the property if they so choose. There is an adjoining grove/meadow that is just shaded enough by some towering pines to make an outdoor wedding and reception a comfortable and gorgeous affair without a need for a tent or covering. Finally they have a bar across the highway where your after party can continue well after midnight.  Add those perceptive, friendly and efficient staff members and you have a stellar venue that is easily one of the best on the Lake.  Throw in some of their fantastic food and drink and you don't need to look anywhere else.

I was particularly indebted to Natalie and Hoke from West Shore Cafe.  Natalie helped coordinate everything and did it with professionalism and a fantastic attitude. Not only does she make all of the guests feel right at home, but also the wedding professionals like me who are just coming in for a couple of weddings a season. Hoke (if I'm spelling that correctly) helped me several times with different issues and was a great example of the type of people that make up the WSC family.

Madeline & Luke

The ceremony site is on the eastern edge of the grove and overlooks the gorgeous Lake. The weather was perfect that afternoon and I had a non-musical role in providing microphones and amplification for the officiants and for the two young guitarists providing the seating and ceremony music. Family members Luke and Madeline provided exceptional background and processional guitar music as the bridal party made their way from the back of the grove to the ceremony area. It is a beautiful walk through the trees to the Lake and to watch Caitlin and her dad come in was spectacular for all present... especially Steve :)

The ceremony itself was presided over by two officiants, David & Eric, who I thought did a fabulous job- serious yet tinged with happiness and fun. They alleviated Caitlin & Steve's nervousness through a bit of humor and you could just tell they were so happy and honored to have been chosen to do this for the soon-to-be newlyweds.  When Steve & Caitlin had kissed and been presented to everyone as husband & wife, Luke & Madeline played them out to much applause and happy cheers.

First Dance!

Monique from Photography by Monique is always great to work with and she soon had various family members posing with the newlyweds while everyone else enjoyed the spectacular views along with equally spectacular cocktails and yummy appetizers. Soon the pictures were done, and I gathered up the bridal party for the Grand Entrance. Everyone came in dancing with a unique twist to TI's "Bring Em Out" and Steve and Caitlin followed and went directly into their first dance, "Dance With Me Baby" by Ben Rector.  Fantastic moment!

BM Kevin leading off the toasts

Caitlin & Steve wanted more of an informal vibe so they had two food stations then open up for everyone, without calling up tables by number or what have you. Everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner at their leisure and soon it was time for the toasts. The best man and brother of Steve, Kevin led off the toasting with a funny yet touching tribute to his brother and his new bride and the same came next from Caitlin's sister & MoH Emily. By the time Caitlin's dad Dave came up, I was thoroughly impressed with how the two families had welcomed and loved their new addition- Caitlin or Steve- and how much fun they seem to have when they get together. Very cool families!

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance

Following the bubbly, Dave and Caitlin made their way to the dance floor to start the Father/Daughter dance. They danced to Adele as I then introduced Steve and his mom Jocelyn who joined them on the floor as "Here Comes the Sun" by the Fab Four started. Soon after that I invited, on Steve & Jocelyn's and Caitlin & Dave's behalf, all the fathers & daughters and mothers & sons up to join them. I absolutely love when the bride & groom do this!  It makes one more special moment that will be remembered the rest of everyone's lives- including the guests and other family in on the most sentimental dance of the evening.  Why have an ordinary reception?  Have a reception that everyone will judge all receptions to follow by.  Including your guests in on certain events is one way to make this happen, and Steve & Caitlin's reception was indeed a reception that everyone will set their bar by.

Dancing then began in earnest and I really enjoyed the crowd. They rocked the dance floor all night. Steve & Caitlin had an amazing dessert bar set up, with brownies, cookies and other goodness and so a formal cake cutting wasn't really done. They also did not throw the bouquet or garter but no one missed it and it was great to make their vision of their day and evening come to life.  After sunset pix and some phenomenal dancing, a surprise that Caitlin's parents Dave and Joanne engineered was sprung on the newlyweds.

I announced over the mic that "we'd lost Kai", one of Caitlin's younger brothers and apparently one who has a history of getting separated from the family. Kai himself then appeared, introduced himself, and then brought his parents and siblings out where they proceeded to do a choreographed dance routine much to the surprise of Caitlin & Steve and the rest of the crowd.  A great surprise and some great dancing!

We danced until 10pm (the usual stopping point for amplified music around the Lake) and then the guests and bridal party migrated across the street to an after party at that bar that I am sure went deep into the night and early morning hours. Such a fun group!

Thanks to Natalie and Hoke and everyone from West Shore Cafe for their hard work and big smiles. Thanks to Monique from Photography by Monique for her professionalism and ease to work with. Thanks to Madeline & Luke for the tremendous job they did with the ceremony guitar music and to Eric & David for their fun officiating.

Finally thanks most of all to Steve & Caitlin for including me in their exceptional day and evening. I had a blast and will remember your wedding and reception for a long time to come. The best of everything, always you two!

Sarah & Matt with Angelina Ellis with The Entertainer and Fig Tree Catering

I am enjoying a fantastic wedding season so far- the best ever in 27 years of being a wedding DJ, and it is because of the amazing couples I am privileged to work with, the fun guests that attend the events, and the fantastic vendors that help make it all possible. I could not have asked for a better couple, crowd, and group of wedding professionals as I had earlier this month at Matt & Sarah's reception.

I have to say, first and foremost that Sarah & Matt are such an fantastic couple. From the moment I first met with them I loved their energy, fun ideas, and oh-so-apparent love for each other and I was so excited and honored to be chosen to be a part of their day and evening. I love meeting with clients. We are able to discuss all kinds of aspects of their day and make their vision a reality. A couple's excitement about their day is infectious and it makes me strive even more to go above & beyond their expectations. I don't want a reception to be ordinary- it should be extraordinary; one that everyone compares any other reception to from that point onward, and Matt & Sarah's reception was a highlight of an already stellar wedding season.

They had a church ceremony and then everyone headed to a private home off Mount Rose Highway for the reception. It was a perfect afternoon and evening amongst the lush grounds of this home: grapevines in the front, a patio and sizable pond on the other side of the house, and then a huge leveled area complete with a fantastic tent, bar area, and very sophisticated and clean mobile restrooms- not your average backyard wedding. The property's owner owns a landscaping company so the flowers and landscaping were park-like and perfect for the 200+ guests.

If the beautiful manicured surroundings weren't amazing enough, Angelina Ellis and her team from The Entertainer in Gardnerville really wowed everyone with their decorating and coordinating skills. I don't usually take many photos of the decor but Angelina's touches, both big and small were everywhere. The pics I took are a small sample of the thought and effort she put into making the grounds a wedding wonderland. I am so impressed with her skill and outstanding work ethic! In my experience, wedding coordinators are a mixed bag. Some are great at decor but no so much at coordinating. Others are good at day-of coordination but have average planning skills and little decorating vision. The majority of coordinators fall into one of these two categories. There are a few though that are outstanding in all aspects. I can count on one hand those I think excel at everything- those that I can recommend without hesitation. Angelina is a part of that elite group.

When you have an outdoor estate wedding, possible complications are multiplied. Things normally taken for granted like electricity, restrooms, lighting, and prep areas become possible challenges and must be planned for and dealt with. I was amazed at the lack of issues considering the number of guests and fantastic detail put into the evening. This was largely because of Angelina's preparation and the combined vision of the bride & groom, coordinator, and the property owner. When there were issues Angelina dealt with them quickly and efficiently and no one was the wiser. I especially loved the fact that even with 200+ guests, there were a myriad of things for them to do during the reception. I was pleased by the numbers of people just touring the grounds, looking at the plants, flowers and decorations so artfully grown and placed. Appetizers and cocktails were on the shady patio, a picture station was near the photogenic pond, lawn games actively played on the lush lawn, and many signs and stations directed the guests to all the happenings. There was a memory table for those who had passed on but were there in spirit. There were parasols and four types of lip gloss for touring the grounds while still remaining safe from the bright sun. Signs with their hashtag were put up so that their guests could post pictures instantly- several people were watching them as they were hash tagged. Angelina and her staff continually patrolled the large area smoothing out small details and making sure everything went smoothly.

After everyone had explored the grounds and settled in with a cocktail and appetizers, Matt & Sara arrived. I started up "Timber" and introduced the bridal party and when they had all entered I switched to a certain spot in at the Rudy soundtrack for Matt & Sara. They came in to thunderous applause and the huge smiles on their faces really just set the tone for an extraordinary evening. Everywhere people picked up on their exuberance and the energy level never subsided.

Instead of a guestbook, everyone signed a wooden leaf- very cool!

Soon Fig Tree Catering was in the spotlight as those 200+ people were served dinner. I especially thought that the bartenders were extraordinary, serving that many people without much of a wait. As people finished dinner, Angelina and Fig Tree began pouring champagne for the toasts and Sara's dad Alan started off with a funny yet heartfelt toast that set a high bar for the next toasters. After much bubbly was hefted and sipped, Matt & Sara moved to the dessert table and cut their cake as "Build Me Up Buttercup" played in the background. As the cake was cut and as guests came up for various goodies, Matt and Sara strode to the dance floor for their first dance.

FoB Alan giving the first toast

Now I haven't said much about them yet. I've told you about the spectacular grounds and Angelina's art and expert coordinating but the real stars behind the planning and countless details were Matt & Sara. So many were their great ideas they had and made happen. They gave me six pages of favorite songs spanning everything from cocktail hour to dinner to dancing. They encouraged me to go outside their choices though, taking requests and trusting me to put in songs that were perfect for the moment. I like a couple that has a musical point of view, and they do, making it easy for me to play songs that exuded their personalities and moods. Crafting a phenomenal dance mix is a balance of the likes of the bride & groom, the requests of the guests, and the discretion, knowledge and experience of the DJ and as a consequence the dance floor was full all night long.

Unbeknownst to everyone but the bridal party and myself, we had crafted a first dance mix of Keith Urban's "Making Memories of Us" into Andy Grammer's "Honey, I'm Good". Everyone enjoyed the slow, sweet Urban song and then "Honey I'm Good" hit. Sara & Matt began a coordinated dance routine that blew everyone away! If that wasn't enough, bridal party members then tried to cut in and Matt & Sara playfully waved them off as they danced. By the time we segued back into the last bit of "Making Memories" everyone was cheering. Just a fantastic way to start the dancing!

Lots of happy dads & daughters!

Then came the most sentimental dances of the evening. First Sara and her dad Alan danced to "Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle. After a minute or two I invited all the fathers & daughters up on the dance floor to join them- always a special, unexpected highlight for those dads and their girls.

Then Matt brought up his mother, Lisa, and they had a moment as "My Wish" from Rascal Flatts played. Soon more moms and sons joined them and then the dancing was off and running :)

After a great jam-packed set we stopped the dancing for a moment to toss the bouquet & garter. Sara chose "Dear Future Husband" by Meghan Trainor to pump up her girls for the toss, but Matt and I had a secret for his retrieval of Sara's garter. Instead of a background song, Matt and his boys donned sunglasses and sang "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" right to the surprised and happy bride! Very cool! Her smile is big and bright anyway, but I don't think she laughed and smiled more than that moment. Matt pulled off a special moment that will vividly live in his beautiful bride's memory forever. Such a great couple!

"You've lost that loving' feeling...

Whoa oh that loving' feeling..."

An Anniversary Dance followed that (Ben E. King's "Stand By Me") and then the rest of the night was filled with laughter and dancing. I really enjoyed every second of the evening- to weave a mix for such a fun and dancing crowd, to help bring an amazing night together, and most of all, honor a special couple on their most special day- this is why I do what I do, and it couldn't have gone any better. Matter of fact despite shuttles coming and going, most everyone stayed until the end and actually we went into overtime. Such an amazing night!

Thanks to Angelina from The Entertainer- you really knocked it out of the park in every aspect of coordination. Thanks to Mike for his beautiful home and perfect grounds- it was a perfect setting! Thanks to Fig Tree Catering. Finally, thanks to Matt & Sara. When I first met with you two, I saw how in love you are, how fun you are, and I knew it was going to be a monumental event that I wanted to be a part of.  Thanks for making me a part of your day! I wish you all of the best in your life together! Congrats you two!

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!