A Home Away From Home

Stephanie and Samuel
September 4, 2009
Cairnwood
Bryn Athyn, PA
Web Site

It seems as though I have been spending a lot of time in Bryn Athyn lately. The other day, I joked on my Facebook page that I was considering opening a P.O. Box in that town.

To be honest, I would not mind living in Bryn Athyn. The town is lined with historic buildings, trees as far as the eye can see, and the best part of all... Not too much traffic.

Stephanie and Samuel's day began with a beautiful outdoor ceremony, set in the luxurious gardens of the Cairnwood Estate. As you can see in their photo gallery, the soundtrack for their ceremony (and cocktail hour) was provided by a harpist.

After their guests had an opportunity to stroll around the mansion, enjoying cocktails and hors d'œuvres, everyone gathered in the Great Hall to enjoy Stephanie and Samuel's first dance as husband and wife.

Despite having the guests in several different rooms for dinner, it was not difficult at all to get a "party ready" crowd into the Conservatory for two hours of dancing.

Everyone really enjoyed the music, especially some songs that I haven't heard in a LONG time. For example, check out the video below. I think the last time I heard that song, it was in a Swiffer commercial.

Congratulations, Stephanie and Samuel!



Click here to see some photos from their reception!

Agenda

6:30-6:55 PM Ceremony

6:55-7:55 PM Cocktail Hour

7:55 PM Grand Entrance
"I Gotta Feelin'" by Black Eyed Peas

8:00 PM First Dance
"Sideways" by Citizen Cope

8:05 PM Blessing & Toasts

8:10 PM-9:45 PM Dinner

9:45 PM Cake Cutting
"(How Sweet It Is) To Be Loved By You" by James Taylor

9:50 PM Bride & Father Dance
"You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" by Stevie Wonder

9:55 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong

10:00 PM-12:00 AM Open Dancing

11:55 PM Final Song of the Night
"Hit The Road, Jack" by Ray Charles

Montgomery County DJs - Steve CrocePermalink

Well... That was fast!

Click the image above to start the slideshow!

Here they are! Some GREAT SHOTS as provided by Rick and Maria at Blanco Photography. Thanks, Maria (and Rick)!Permalink

Married In Montgomery County

Sara & Mark
August 29, 2009
La Massaria at Bella Vista
Gilbertsville, PA
Web Site

La Massaria is one of my most favorite facilities to entertain in. They offer imaginative menus and original, cutting edge event planning and production. Their careful attention to every detail enables you to enjoy being a guest at your own wedding reception! As a matter of fact, I like to joke with Brad Williams (La Massaria's Wedding Specialist) that he is "too efficient" and "provides his clients with WAY too much dancing time".

I also had the pleasure of working with Rick Blanco. You should check out his web site. They take some outstanding sparklers photos! I just got off the phone with Maria at Blanco Photography, who said she'll be sending some photos for my blog. Stay tuned for them to appear!

I also had the pleasure of working with another true professional, Steve Bonetz of Absolute Video. In addition to keeping me humble, I enjoy the times I get to work with Steve because of his unobtrusive approach to capturing an event.

Sara and Mark's guests were AMAZINGLY friendly! I was really struck by how they were not only really nice when they came up with requests, but EVERYONE seemed to have "PermaSmile". Everytime I looked up, the dance floor was filled and every face had a smile on it! Awesome!

Check out the video below, by the way. I decided to test some new lighting for the dancing hours. What do you think?

Congratulations, Sara & Mark!



Click here to see some photos from their reception!

Agenda

5:30-6:25 PM Cocktail Hour

6:25 PM Grand Entrance
Parents: "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley & The Comets
Bridal Party: "Got To Be Real" by Cheryl Lynn
Bride and Groom: "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" by Will Smith

6:30 PM First Dance
"Angel Of Mine" by Monica

6:35 PM Blessing & Toasts

6:40 PM-7:30 PM Dinner

7:10 PM Bride & Father Dance
"The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra

7:15 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"In My Life" by The Beatles

7:30 PM Cake Cutting
"(How Sweet It Is) To Be Loved By You" by Michael Buble

7:35 PM-10:25 PM Open Dancing

8:35 PM Bouquet Toss
"Man! I Feel Like A Woman" by Shania Twain

8:40 PM Garter Removal
"Can I Get A..." by Jay-Z

8:45 PM Garter Toss
"Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" by The Offspring

8:50 PM Garter/Bouquet Union
"Another One Bites The Dust" by Queen

10:25 PM Final song of the night

Montgomery County DJs - Steve CrocePermalink

Lighting Up The Brandywine Valley

Stefanie & James
August 28, 2009
Mendenhall Inn
Chadds Ford, PA
Web Site

There are very few ballrooms in this area that you could truly consider as "palatial". The Grand Ballroom at Mendenhall Inn is one of those rooms that has a distinct "WOW" factor. When your friends and family walk into this gigantic ballroom, with it's distinct architecture and very courteous and efficient staff, even the "hardest to impress people" can't help but stand in awe for a moment.

I had the opportunity to work alongside two of the most talented photographers around: Pete Malone and Jennifer Childress, two of the six founding members of the Philadelphia Wedding Project.

Stefanie and James' wedding was "off the hook"! I cannot believe how quickly people sprinted to the dance floor to get the party rocking! Want to see what the dance floor looked like all night? Check this out.

Because I am having an OVERWHELMING August and September, the blog posts are falling behind, I know... COMING SOON: Sara and Mark's wedding at La Massaria at Bella Vista Golf Course.

Congratulations, Stefanie & James!



Click here to see some photos from their reception!

Agenda

5:30-6:00 PM Ceremony

6:00-6:55 PM Cocktail Hour

6:55 PM Grand Entrance
Bridal Party: "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas
Bride and Groom: "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ EZ-Rock

7:00 PM First Dance
"Lost In This Moment" by Big & Rich

7:05 PM Blessing & Toasts

7:10 PM-8:20 PM Dinner

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

7:40 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"A Song For My Son" by Mikki Viereck

8:20 PM Cake Cutting
"(How Sweet It Is) To Be Loved By You" by Michael Buble

8:25 PM-10:55 PM Open Dancing

10:55 PM Final song of the night

Delaware County DJs - Steve CrocePermalink

A Wedding With Wilmington's Finest

Betsy & Paul
August 15, 2009
Brantwyn Mansion
Wilmington, DE
Web Site

Imagine your dream wedding. Is it an intimate affair or a grand event? Is your reception going to be traditional and elegant or distinctive and filled with flair? Have you ever considered having a team of specialists dedicated to the comfort and overall success of your wedding day? Everything you are dreaming about can be found in the du Pont Wedding Collection.

The Brantwyn Estate is a member of the great du Pont family of properties and is seemingly designed for a relaxing affair in Georgian mansion surroundings. Betsy and Paul's friends and family moved from room to room for dinner and dancing throughout the night, but the celebration began with a decadent cocktail hour and a first dance shared outside on the well-manicured terrace.

After a fabulous meal, the guests all made their way first to the foyer for the cutting of the cake, then progressed back to the Music Room for some dancing that did not stop all night long.

Again, guests were able to come in to enjoy all their favorite song requests, but if they wanted to step out on the plantation-like ground for a stroll under the stars, the venue was without boundaries.

I must admit, this location is extremely difficult for anyone providing entertainment. Given the multiple rooms that require sound coverage, a DJ could run miles of wires from room to room, or you could have done it my way. Wireless. Clean, rich, sharp.

It was a great event that I was truly honored to be a part of. Don't forget to check out the pictures!

Congratulations, Betsy & Paul!



Click here to see some photos from their reception!

Agenda

6:00-6:55 PM Cocktail Hour

6:55 PM Grand Entrance
"I Got You (I Feel Good)" by James Brown

7:00 PM First Dance
"Stick With Me Baby" by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

7:05 PM Blessing & Toasts

7:10 PM-8:20 PM Dinner

8:20 PM Cake Cutting
"Ice Cream" by Sarah McLachlin

8:25 PM Bride & Father Dance
"Little Miss Magic" by Jimmy Buffett

8:30 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" by Stevie Wonder

8:35 PM Groom & Stepmother Dance
"Stand By Me" by Aaron Neville

8:40 PM-10:55 PM Open Dancing

10:55 PM Final song of the night

Wilmington DJs - Steve CrocePermalink

This Weddin' Was A Teed Baw

Lauren & Christopher
August 7, 2009
Merion Tribute House
Merion Station, PA
Web Site

"This weddin' was a teed baw!" is an old Scottish saying that basically means: This wedding was a success from the start. Take a look at the photos and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

As Lauren and Christopher's guests pulled up the driveway to the Merion Tribute House, they were greeted by an authentic Scottish bagpiper playing his pipes loudly and proudly.

The Merion Tribute House is setup like the first floor of a castle. Guests were able to move freely around the building, enjoying food and drink in the Legion Room, relaxing on plush furniture in the Lounge, sharing conversation in the Hall, or taking in some fresh air or a cigar on the terrace.

The night was filled with not only the music you usually hear at weddings, but if you check out this video, you'll see there was some Scottish music, too! Click here to hear the song they were dancing to (in the video) a little better.

It was a great night!

Congratulations, Lauren & Christopher!



Click here to see some photos from their reception!

Agenda

7:00-7:55 PM Cocktail Hour

7:55 PM Grand Entrance
Parents: "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge
Bridal Party: "Thuderstruck" by AC/DC
Bride and Groom: "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" by The Darkness

8:00 PM First Dance
"Lucky" by Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat

8:05 PM-8:20 PM Open Dancing

8:20 PM Blessing & Toasts

8:30 PM-9:30 PM Dinner

9:00 PM Bride & Father Dance
"My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw

9:05 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"Fly Me To The Moon" by Frank Sinatra

9:30 PM Cake Cutting
"Love You Madly" by Cake

9:35 PM-12:00 AM Open Dancing

10:25 PM Bouquet Toss
"Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison

11:55 PM Final song of the night
"The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank SinatraPermalink