"Shredding" At The Wedding

Karen & Jamie
July 5, 2008
Desmond Hotel & Conference Center
Malvern, PA
Web Site

This was a "high octane" wedding! Not to get too far ahead of myself, but the title is a pretty good description of what was going on all night on the dance floor.

First things first... The Desmond recently has undertaken a truly transforming renovation to their already decadent facility! It is very near completion, with an entirely new area for guests to enjoy the cocktail hour under a glass ceiling. At night, it looks absolutely amazing!

Since it was Independence Weekend, I decided to surprise Karen and Jamie by bringing star gobos to project on the wall. As you can see in the photo on the right, it definitely added to their first dance.

So what do I mean by shredding"?

Check out the photo on the left... Jamie possesses the uncommon ability to play a professional-grade leg guitar. It sparked a slew of imitators, but no one could replicate Jamie's "Angus Young" intensity.

When we wrapped up the night by playing a dedication to Jamie mom, the song "Mother" by Danzig (a first for me at a wedding), I don't think his right foot touched the ground for more than 10 seconds after the song began!

Congratulations, Karen & Jamie!

Click here to see some photos from their event!

Agenda

5:30-5:55 PM Ceremony

6:00-6:55 PM Cocktails

6:55 PM Grand Entrance
Bridal Party: "Go Daddy-O" by The Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Bride & Groom: "Notre Dame Victory March" by The Notre Dame Marching Band

7:00 PM First Dance
"To Make You Feel My Love" by Garth Brooks

7:05 PM Blessing & Toasts

7:10-8:15 PM Dinner

7:45 PM Bride & Father Dance
"My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw

7:10 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban

8:15 PM Cake Cutting
"Love You Madly" by Cake

8:20 PM-11:00 PM Open Dancing

Click here to read more...

An Independence Day Wedding

Jessica & Steve
July 4, 2008
Columbia Station
Phoenixville, PA
Web Site

There is nothing more festive than a Fourth of July wedding! How can you beat having free fireworks going off nearby your reception?

Jessica and Steve had really lucked out since the Borough of Phoenixville had decided that this year's fireworks display would be moved closer to the city's main artery, Bridge Street.

Jessica and Steve's friends and families were a complete class act, enthusiastically celebrating the great day without getting "out of hand".

Something I have noticed recently is that guests seem to be getting a little more inebriated than in the past, causing minor situations to escalate pretty quickly. Thankfully, I have not been involved when things go awry, but it can be a bit disappointing to witness when people seemingly forget the reason why they're attending the celebration.

Again, the guests at this wedding were awesome and a lot of fun!

I am very thankful to have had the privilege to entertain such a great family. To be honest, I didn't have to do much in the way of entertaining, since they were almost completely content and easy-going to begin with!

I wish all my events had guests like this event did!

Congratulations and Happy Independence Day, Jessica & Steve!

Click here to see some photos from their event!

Agenda

6:30-7:25 PM Cocktails

7:25 PM Grand Entrance
Bridal Party: "Love Train" by The O'Jays
Bride & Groom: "Beautiful Day" by U2

7:30 PM First Dance
"Love Serenade" by The Waifs

7:35 PM Blessing & Toasts

7:40-8:45 PM Dinner

8:00 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong

8:15 PM Cake Cutting
"Love You Madly" by Cake

8:20 PM-11:00 PM Open Dancing

Click here to read more...

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Ganss!

Congratulations to my friend, Jeremy Ganss for tying the knot yesterday in Pittsburgh!

I hope you have a great time on your honeymoon! I look forward to hearing about it when you get back!

Click here to read more...

Happy Fourth of July!

Here's to a happy and safe Independence Day!

A special thank you to all the soldiers and veterans who help and have helped to make this day possible!

Click here to read more...

A Reception At Radnor Hotel

Elizabeth & Louis
June 28, 2008
Radnor Hotel
St. Davids, PA
Web Site

I love the Radnor Hotel.

The lush gardens, the stately architecture, the precision of the service, the gracious nature of the staff... the attentiveness to perfection.... It's one of the very best locations around, period.

Before I get started in describing their day, I must point out that the Radnor Hotel is very fortunate to have a team like Steve, Brandon, and Melissa to make sure everything is running smoothly and without a snag. They fly around the room almost invisibly, ensuring every event is perfect. They are great to work with!

Originally, the cocktail hour was to take place out on the Garden Terrace, however a combination of rain and brutally hot and humid weather forced the first hour into the Garden Room. I can safely say that everyone appreciated being indoors where it was cool and comfortable.

When the dance floor opened, we started out playing some Oldies for the older crowd and later moved into some Classic Hip-Hop and Dance music. I must admit, I can't remember the last time I played "California Love" at a wedding (see the video below).

Congratulations, Elizabeth & Louis!

Click here to see some photos from their event!

Agenda

6:00-6:55 PM Cocktails

6:55 PM Grand Entrance
"Do Your Thing" by Basement Jaxx

7:00 PM First Dance
"Feels Like Home" as performed by Chantal Kreviazuk

7:05 PM Blessing & Toasts

7:10-8:15 PM Dinner

7:35 PM Bride & Father Dance
"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

7:40 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong

8:15 PM Cake Cutting
"Love You Madly" by Cake

8:20 PM-11:00 PM Open Dancing

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Elizabeth & Louis' comments about their wedding entertainment: "I have been to several weddings where Steve was the entertainment director. All of our friends have used him!! He is great and an awesome DJ!! He goes out of his way to make sure the bride and groom are catered to and all is well!! I have nothing but great things to say about my wedding and Steve was a huge part of it!"Click here to read more...

The Groom can get to stompin' in his Air Force Ones...

Heather & Eric
June 20, 2008
RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve
Oaks, PA
Web Site

The RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve is one of my favorite locations to entertain an elegant event. From their palatial ballroom housing a giant dance floor and beautiful furnishings to the outstanding and attentive focus and passion for the satisfaction of everyone in the room, RiverCrest Golf Club is, in my opinion, the measurement for all Chester County ballrooms.

Because Heather & Eric met in Wildwood, NJ, guests entered the beach-themed cocktail area, they were greet with a glass of wine and a smile. I think it is the small things a facility does that helps guests feel completely catered to.

After entering the ballroom and sharing in their first dance, dinner began with salads and a side of slideshow.

One of Heather and Eric's friends prepared a great collection of photos from the bride and groom's childhood, including college friends and extended family. Very nice!

The wedding slideshow is something that has recently been gaining a lot of momentum. I've been seeing one out of every five weddings including this sort of visual treat just as dinner begins.

Eric and all his groomsmen showed up to the reception wearing brand-new, immaculate-white Nike Air Force One Wildwood sneakers. This might be a dumb question for me to ask, but I wonder if they realized the shoes they were wearing shared the name of the town where Heather and "Greedy" first met?

From start to finish, it was an enjoyable evening for everyone there. I mean, considering the number of "high fives" I seemed to be continuously receiving throughout the night, I think everyone had a great time!

Congratulations, Heather & Eric!

Click here to see some photos from their event!

Agenda

7:30-8:25 PM Cocktails

8:25 PM Grand Entrance

Parents & Grandparents

Heather's Parents: "Ants Marching" by The Dave Matthews Band
Eric's Parents: "Staying Alive" by The Bee Gees
Eric & Heather's Grandparents: "Stir It Up" by Bob Marley & The Wailers

Bridal Party

Alicia & Brad: "Let's Get It Started" by Black Eyed Peas
Lynn & Billy: "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" by Jay-Z & Beyonce
Kristen & Shawn: "Celebration" by Kool & The Gang
Micha & Brian: "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ Eazy Rock
Danielle & Ian: "Sexyback" by Justin Timberlake
Sara & Erik: "Me And My Gang" by Rascal Flatts
Shannon & Jared: "Bust A Move" by Young MC
Donovan & Emma: "Barbie Girl" by Aqua
Stephanie & Don: "Bring 'Em Out" by T.I.

Heather & Eric

"I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross
into "Mo Money Mo Problems" by Notorious B.I.G.

8:30 PM First Dance
"I Do" by Paul Brandt

8:35 PM Blessing & Toasts

8:40-9:50 PM Dinner

8:50 PM Bride & Father Dance
"My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw

8:55 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"The Man You've Become" by Molly Pasutti

9:50 PM Cake Cutting
"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" by James Taylor

9:55 PM-12:30 AM Open Dancing

Click here to read more...

Long Island Comes To Philadelphia

Candace & Benjamin
June 15, 2008
Manor House at Commonwealth
Horsham, PA
Web Site

In my humble opinion, The Manor House at Commonwealth is one of the most underrated facilities around. Housed in a humble, yet stately 18th century fieldstone farmhouse, the service and cuisine never seems to fall short of guests' high expectations.

Despite the rustic exterior, the interior is has a contemporary design, holding spacious and beautiful rooms for hosting the most elaborate events.

Candace and Benjamin's day began with a beautiful outdoor ceremony, with Candace and Ben standing nearby the pond at the Manor House.

After the ceremony and cocktail hour, the bridal party excitedly entered the ballroom. Candace and Ben shared the first dance, Candace danced with her father, then Ben danced with his mother to a unique song.

When Ben was a little boy, his father (a recording artist) was playing a song which Ben decided to join in on. The result was a very moving song, with Ben's father singing in harmony with a six year-old Ben! Awesome!

It was a real honor having the opportunity to provide entertainment for what seemed to be a very close-knit group of family and friends. It was hard to determine where one family ended and the other began!

Congratulations, Candace & Benjamin!

Click here to see some photos from their event!

Agenda

4:30-5:25 PM Cocktails

5:25 PM Grand Entrance
Bridal Party: "Get The Party Started" by P!nk
Bride & Groom: "Let's Get Married" by Jagged Edge feat. Run-DMC

5:30 PM First Dance
"Hallelujah" as performed by Bon Jovi

5:35 PM Bride & Father Dance
"Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on The Roof

5:40 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"What I Did For Love" as performed by Ben and his father

5:45 PM Blessing & Toasts

5:50-6:50 PM Dinner

6:50 PM Cake Cutting
"When I'm Sixty-Four" by The Beatles

6:55 PM-9:30 PM Open Dancing

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Candace & Benjamin's comments about their wedding entertainment: "Steve Croce was a really super nice guy and totally got our party excited. He was very organized and made things work smoothly all night. Thanks, Steve!"Click here to read more...