I was back at the Cotton Room to DJ another wedding for the second day in a row, this time for Kim and Will on July 28th.  I LOVE The Cotton Room and was thrilled to be back.

Kim and Will’s ceremony was held along the far wall with floor to ceiling windows.  They had Reverend Ed Sansbury to officiate.  He always does such a wonderful job!  The Parents through their children walked down the aisle to “Arioso” by Bach.  Kim and her Father entered to “Canon In D”.  After a short service that included readings by all 4 of the children, they recessed to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”. Ed invited the 50 guests to the social hour in the back of the room and I started a mix of rock, county, standards and classic soul.

After pics were done by Photographer Megan Kime, the white linens opened to reveal the ballroom and I invited guests to their seats for dinner.  I introduced just Will and Kim to “On Top Of The World” by Imagine Dragons and they came in for their first dance to “Thinking Out Loud”. Her Father joined her on the floor for their dance to “What A Wonderful World”. Will escorted his Mother to the floor after that for their dance to “Like Jesus Does” by Eric Church.  His Uncle Mike blessed the meal and the family style southern dinner came out.  During dinner I played more soft rock, country, soul and standards.

After dinner we had a toast by Will’s childhood friend Trey and an anniversary dance to “Unchained Melody”. I opened the floor for a while with some Motown and top 40 before pausing for the Ambrosia Cakes cutting to “How Sweet it is” by James Taylor. While the staff served the cake, I opened the floor again with some top 40 and hip-hop (and The Git Up” twice for Kalee, the cutest little flower girl!!).

We ended the night with a last dance to a minute of “Wonderful Tonight” then a surprise mix into ”Shut Up and Dance” to end the night.

Thank you Kim, Will and Chris!!  I was honored to DJ for you!

Photos courtesy of Megan Kime Photography

I never met Hailee and Anthony until their wedding day, but I was thrilled to be their DJ at The Cotton Room in Durham, NC on July 27^thjust from our initial phone call.

Their ceremony was held in the middle of the room with the back and sides draped from ceiling to floor with white linens.  I provided a lapel mic for their officiant, Cam, as well as a wireless hand held mic for their singer Natalie. She sang 3 songs accompanied by her Mother Jennifer on piano, who also played the pre-ceremony music and recessional beautifully.  It was such a wonderful touch to have musicians from their church provide music!!

After a short service the 130 guests made their way to the back of the rom for a social hour while the staff flipped the room for dinner. During the social hour I had a mix of soft rock, country, classic soul and standards playing.  After pics were taken by photographer Danielle from Blissmore photography and video by Stuck In Love Films, the white linens opened again and guests found their seats.  The tables looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Tre Bella.

I left music playing and lined the wedding party up for intros with help from planner Katharine with Katharine Mann Events. I introduced the Parents to “Celebration” and wedding party to “Bring Em Out”.  They lined up in front of me and Hailee and Anthony came in to “Hey Look Ma, I Made It”.  They had their first dance to “Eyes On You” by Chase Rice, Hailee’s Father welcomed everyone and Cam blessed the meal.  The buffet opened and I continued the same music mix.

After dinner we had the toasts and Cinda’s Cake cutting to “How Sweet It is” (I had the chocolate!! So good!!!). The Parents dances followed while the staff cut the cake and served it.  Hailee and her Father’s dance was to “I Loved Her First” and Anthony and his Mother’s to a Dean Martin cover of “Always”.  I LOVE that song, but had never heard it by Dean until they asked.

I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and 70’s that filled it for the next 2 hours!  We paused for the bouquet toss to “Man, I Feel Like A Woman” and a risqué garter toss to ”Bump & Grind”.  After the garter toss I played “Thunderstruck” for the wedding party’s drinking game, then back to dancing to top 40, a couple line dances, some hip-hop and sing a long songs.

We ended the night with “Shout” and “Bye, Bye, Bye”.  I invited everyone outside for a sparkler exit. After everyone was gone Hailee and Anthony had one last private dance to the piano version of “Then” by Brad Paisley. I LOVE when. Couples do this last “private dance”!

Thank you Hailee, Anthony and Katharine!!  This was an epic wedding reception!!

When Sarah and Joey told me they envisioned a ‘Swing and oldies” themed wedding reception at The Cookery in Durham, NC on July 26th, I was THRILLED that they wanted me as their DJ!!

Their ceremony was held at The Divinity School’s Goodson Chapel on Duke Campus.  After the ceremony the 150 guests made their way over to The Cookery where I was for the reception.  As the guests arrived for the social hour I had a mix of swing and Jazz as well as 50’s and 60’s hits playing.  I LOVED the playlist!  Guests enjoyed refreshments and passed hors d’oeuvres by caterers Donovan’s Dish while photographer Brian and Rebecca from Brian Mullins Photography got some shots at the Chapel.

When Sarah and Joey arrives I introduced them with help from planner Cody from Cherished Occasions Production and they had their first dance to an edit I made them of “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole.  The Parents dance followed that started with Sarah and her Father to “Beautiful In my Eyes” by Joshua Kadison.  This was the song that came on the radio as soon as her Father saw her after she was born and he got in the car.  So perfect!!  After a minute Joey and his Mother joined and then towards the end the parents joined with their spouses and Joe and Sarah danced together.  Loved that so much!!  Her Father welcomed everyone and blessed the meal.  He invited the guests next door to the banquet hall for dinner where I had a speaker and another playlist of oldies and swing playing.

After dinner we had the Arielle Tessinari cake cutting to “How Sweet it Is” and I invited guests to enjoy Two Roosters Ice Cream and join us back in the front room for dancing, coffee and cake.

After the front room was full and guests had had their ice cream, we had an anniversary dance to “You Make Me Feel So Young” by Frank Sinatra with the winners married 57 years. I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown, oldies and swing that kept you and old dancing for the next hour. The adorable little flower girl danced hard the whole time!! We ended the night with a last dance to “Save The Last Dance For Me” by Michael Buble.

Thank you Sarah, Joey and Cody!  I had the best time!!

I was so glad that Alexis and Stephen had me for their wedding DJ on July 13^that The Rickhouse in Durham, NC!  When I first met them in February I knew this was going to be a fun time!!

The ceremony was held at Immaculate Conception Church earlier in the day.  The 80 guests had a little bit of a break before heading over to the Rickhouse for the reception.  When they started arriving I had a mix of rock, country, standards and classic soul playing.  I even had music playing on the back patio that overlooks the old Durham Bulls Stadium. The room looked beautiful with candles everywhere and floral arrangements by Tre Bella.

When Alexis and Stephen were ready for intros, I invited the guests to their seats and lined the wedding party up with help from planner Amanda with A Swanky Affair. They came in to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and Alexis and Stephen to “Shut Up and Dance”. They took their seats and Stephen welcomed everyone.  Her Father blessed the meal and the salads came out before the Rocky Top buffet opened. During dinner was same music mix as cocktails.

After dinner we had the toasts and Nothing Bundt Cakes cutting to “Sugar” by Maroon 5. The formal dances followed.  For their first dance they chose the brand newacoustic version of ”Speechless” by Dan + Shay.  It was so sweet!!  Alexis and her Father had their dance to “My Little Girl” and Stephen and his Mother to “Humble & Kind”.  The mini bundt cake display opened as did the dance floor to some oldies and Top 40 that filled it.  I even played a special edit I made of the Bills version of “Shout” for all the guests from Buffalo!!  I know photographers Shaun and Danielle from Visual Rituals got some great shots of that.

For the next 2 hours guests danced, enjoyed the s’mores station outside and taco station inside.  We ended the night with some sing a longs before the last dances to “Sweet Caroline” and finally “Bye, Bye, Bye” by N’Sync.

Thank you so much for everything Alexis, Stephen and Amanda!!

I was honored to be NY Jets long snapper Thomas and Christina’s wedding DJ on June 22^nd at The Cookery in Durham, NC!

Their ceremony was held at Duke Chapel and the 150 guests made their way over to The Cookery for the reception after.  As they arrived for the cocktail hour I had a mix of rock, top 40, light EDM and classic soul playing.  Guests enjoyed passed hours d’oeuvres, signature cocktails and the Zim Zoom photo booth.

After the cocktail hour in my room, I invited guest to the banquet room next door for dinner with help from planner Jayme from Hazel Weddings And Events. The tables looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Tre Bella! After everyone was seated I introduced the Parents to ”Celebration”, wedding party to “This Girl” by Kungs Vs Cookin’ on 3 Burners and Christina and Thomas to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”. She looked amazing with hair and makeup by WINK and dress by Alexias Bridal! They came in to loud applause and took their seats at the sweetheart table.  Christina’s Father welcomed everyone and the Durham Catering buffet opened shortly.  During dinner I had a mix of classic soul, standards and soft rock & pop playing.

After dinner we had the toasts in the banquet hall and cake cutting to “I Can’t Help Myself” by The Four Tops.  The donut station opened and I invited guests to the Two Roosters ice cream truck for dessert. After everyone had their fill of donuts and ice cream, I invited the guests back to the main room for dancing.

We started with Thomas and Christina’s first dance to “You’re My Best Friend” covered by The Once. It is such a beautiful version of the song and extra sweet when they were singing it to each other! Christina danced with her Father next to “My Little Girl” and Thomas and his Mother to “I Hope You Dance”. I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and Top 40 that filled it instantly. For the next hour and a half I played lots of top 40, EDM and Hip-hop before the last dance to “Home” by Phillip Phillips and a glow stick exit. I can’t wait to see the pics and video from Sara Ozim Photography and Toast Wedding Films!

Thank you Christina, Thomas and Jayme!  I will never forget this wedding.

Header photo courtesy of Sara Ozim Photography

I have had fond memories of The Museum of Life & Science in Durham since the last wedding I did there back in 2012. Rebecca and Avery’s wedding on June 9^thjust added more great memories!!

Their ceremony was held under a tent next to the Butterfly House where the cocktail hour would later be. I ran a mic for Avery’s Sister, Zoe who was also their officiant and she did a great job!!  As the 100 guests arrived I had a mix of acoustic guitar covers playing.  The Grandparents and Parents entered to an instrumental of “Carolina In my Mind” and Groomsmen to a guitar cover of “Here Comes The Sun”. The Bridesmaids entered to “You’ve Got A Friend” and Rebecca and her Father to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by an acoustic guitar. After a short service with vows written by Rebecca and Avery, they recessed to “Rockelbel’s Canon In D” by The Piano Guys. Zoe invited guests inside the butterfly House for cocktails and I had a mix of classical music playing inside.

After the cocktail hour, the guests were invited to the Aerospace Room of the Museum by planners Something Perfect for the dinner and dancing.  I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up for introductions.  I introduced them to “Celebrate” by Ingrid Michaelson and Becky and Avery to “Crave” by Parachute.  They had their first dance to “Buy You A Rose” by AJR followed by the Parents dances. Rebecca and her Father dance to “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart and Avery & his Mother to “You Are My Sunshine” by Elizabeth Mitchell.  It’s such a great version of this classic song!!

The Rocky Top catered food station opened and passed hors d’oeuvres came out shortly.  During dinner I had a mix of indie rock and soft classic rock playing.  After dinner we had toasts and the cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is” by Michael Buble.  After Rebecca cleaned her face off (thanks Avery!!LOL), we had the bouquet toss to “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme” By Abba and an anniversary dance to “Still The One” by Orleans. I love that song!!!

I opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” and some Motown, top 40 and 80’s that instantly filled it for the next 1.5 hours.  We ended the night with a last dance to “What A Wonderful World” and a private last dance to “If I Tremble” by Front Porch Step before a paper airplane exit.  I can’t wait to see moire pics from J.P. Lord Photography!

Thank you Rebecca, Avery, Lauren and Ashley!  That was a great wedding!!

Photo courtesy of J. P. Lord Photography