The B-Sharp Entertainment Blog

I’m really starting to think that this is THE year for great wedding receptions – and here’s the best part – there are still five months left in 2010, two of which are the most popular months for weddings here in Southeastern New England.  Although I did have quite a few events in July, most were for other types of events, including a road race, two anniversary parties, and a birthday.

I’ll admit that I was somewhat anxious in the days leading up to Pam and Shane’s wedding.  Not for any specific reason, just because I truly care about the success of my clients’ events.  Even though I’ve done a number of events at LeBaron Hills Country Club this year, this was the first time someone had requested my piano playing talents during the cocktail hour there.  It was also the first time that my services had been included as part of LeBaron Hills’ Grande Wedding Package, along with photography by Through The Lens and videography by Silver City Video Productions.  Needless to say, I wanted Pam and Shane’s reception to be the absolute best.

Pam and Shane are somewhere in Italy as I type this, but I’m sure they’d agree that it was.  You simply couldn’t have asked for anything better.

Cocktail hour began at 5:00 on the patio.  Shortly after 6:00, guests were asked to take their seats.  For introductions, Pam and Shane had requested an assortment of Michael Jackson songs to be played, one for each couple being introduced.  Things like this have to be pre-produced, but I was happy to oblige.  It’s the details like this that make my receptions unique and memorable.  And when Pam and Shane entered to the sounds of “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”, everyone knew that this was going to be an amazing party.  The bride and groom entered the room dancing… and kept on dancing once they reached the dance floor.  I was hesitant to fade into their actual first dance song, as they were clearly enjoying every second of MJ.  In fact, by the time we reached the chorus, the entire wedding party had joined the bride and groom on the dance floor.

After dinner and cake, the dance floor quickly filled.  Pam and Shane had given me a list of only ten songs to play – all great choices, ranging from “Jump Around” to Wyclef Jean’s “We Trying To Stay Alive” to one of my current favorites, David Guetta’s “Gettin Over You”.  I mixed these with a number of current hits, like Usher’s “OMG” and another of my favorites, Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite”, and also included a few tried-and-true party favorites.  A highlight of the night was Shane’s rendition of “Friends In Low Places”.  It’s something he’s been singing at friends’ weddings for a number of years, so he definitely wanted to sing it at his own wedding.

The evening wrapped up with a return to the Michael Jackson theme – “Thriller”.  However, with a packed dance floor at the very end, I was happy to play a couple of extras.  Those two, “Mo Money Mo Problems”, and Usher’s “Yeah”, made for a fun ending to an outstanding reception.

Congratulations, Pam and Shane!

First Dance: “Smile” – Uncle Kracker
Song Played During The Cake Cutting: “That’s Amore” – Dean Martin
Bride/Father Dance: “Because You Loved Me” – Celine Dion
Groom/Mother Dance: “Danny Boy” – John McDermott
Bouquet Toss: “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) – Beyonce
Last Dance: “You Are So Beautiful” – Joe Cocker
Farewell Song: “Thriller” – Michael Jackson

Our setup at LeBaron Hills Country Club

Pam & Shane's First Dance

The dancefloor filled very quickly.

The chair cover ties became the night's most popular fashion accessory.

Just before 10pm

An impromptu Conga line broke out towards the end of the night

The last dance.

January may not be the most popular month for weddings here in Massachusetts, but Jennifer & Stephen had a great reason to choose the coldest month of the year for their wedding: they got married in Jamaica!  Although I wasn’t invited to the ceremony (which took place one week earlier at an all-inclusive resort in the presence of their immediate family), I was thrilled when they asked me to be part of their reception here in New England.

The party took place at Jones River Trading, a one-time tack mill with a history dating back to the Civil War era.  The venue is as unique as can be, with a bar imported from Ireland, an array of antiques, furniture and artwork, and an assortment of items that you just don’t see in most venues (including, but not limited to, a huge wooden kayak that spans the length of the dance floor).   This was my first event at Jones River Trading, and my first time working with photographer Elizabeth Horne, who provided the images shown below.

The reception began at 6:00, with the newlyweds arriving for photos and guests arriving for cocktails.  Music selections for the first hour included reggae, salsa and latin styles, to set a festive tone throughout the room.   After the introduction of members of the wedding party,  Jen & Steve walked into the room to cheers and applause, and then began their first dance, a choreographed Salsa routine to Tito El Bambino’s “El Amor”.

After dinner, a cake cutting and parent dances, I invited all of Jennifer & Stephen’s guests to the dance floor, and from there it was a non-stop celebration until the very last dance at 11:00  .    In addition to great music ranging from Stevie Wonder to Shakira, Fergie and Kesha, I also provided lighting to add a wash of color to the venue’s wood floor.  This definitely helped make the space more inviting for dancing, and Jennifer & Stephen loved it.

Introduction Music: “Get The Party Started” – Pink
Jennifer & Stephen’s First Dance: “El Amor” – Tito El Bambino
Song played during the cake cutting: “Pour Some Sugar On Me” – Def Leppard
Last Dance: “Turn Your Lights Down Low” – Lauryn Hill
Farewell Song: “Send Me On My Way” – Rusted Root

Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Horne Photography

Tables were named after Jennifer & Stephen's favorite vacation spots.

The wedding cake featured a seashell theme.

Introducing the newlyweds...

The First Dance

Jones River Trading is truly a one-of-a-kind venue.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Dance Fever

Jennifer shows off her best moves.

Congratulations, Jennifer & Stephen!

It’ll be a few weeks before I recap their wedding, but I want to share a clip of Bryan & Lauren’s first dance – I was the DJ at their reception last Saturday night at Venus De Milo in Swansea MA. What a great way to kick off the reception!

How do you pick a favorite wedding when you get to work for so many great couples? It’s pretty much impossible. However, if I had to come up with a few nominees, I’m confident that Jen & Trevor would make the list. Their wedding reception was perfect.

The reception, at Hawthorne Country Club, was attended by 200 guests. The bride and groom hoped to have lots of time for dancing, and I’m happy to report that the Hawthorne staff timed the cocktail hour and dinner service just right. Some of my selections during dinner included Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore”, Stevie Wonder’s “For Once In My Life”, and Ben Harper’s “Steal My Kisses”.

Once the dancing began, there was no stopping. In fact, we had over three hours of dancing, which gave me plenty of time to please the entire crowd. What made this reception especially fun for me was Jen’s request list – it was four pages long and covered just about every musical genre, and it also included a number of songs that I haven’t played in a number of years. Remember “I Wish” by Skee-Lo? It still keeps the dance floor moving, as does Madonna’s “Lucky Star” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Congratulations, Jen & Trevor!

Wedding Party Introduction Music: “It’s Not Unusual” – Tom Jones
Jen & Trevor’s Introduction Music: “Another One Bites The Dust” – Queen
Jen & Trevor’s First Dance: “Every Time I Close My Eyes” – Babyface
(this really was the first dance – the first song they ever danced to, 13 years ago)

Song played during the Cake Cutting: “Everything” – Michael Buble
Bride/Father Dance: “I Loved Her First” – Heartland
Groom/Mother Dance: “My Special Angel” – Bobby Helms
Last Dance: “Grow Old With You” – Adam Sandler
Farewell Dance: “Save The Last Dance For Me” – Michael Buble

I left the photography to the professionals this time… these shots were provided by Adriano Batti. Check him out at www.photographyboston.com.

A view of the room before guests arrive.

A mailbox served as the holding place for cards, and looked great on the gift table.

The bride and groom during their first dance...

Everyone was ready to party!

This is my favorite picture - it truly captures the moment!

The second weekend in October was my busiest, with three weddings taking place. First up was Eric & Becky’s reception at Independence Harbor in Assonet. What a great party! Eric & Becky found me through Dana Pierce, who was outstanding to work with, as always.

Eric & Becky did such a great job with making their day a special one. The reception started with the introductions of their wedding party – the announcements were done by some of their younger family members, and they were perfect! When the bride and groom were introduced, they walked in to overwhelming applause and were smiling right up until the very last dance of the night. Their music selections were very cool – it’s not often that the must-play list that I receive includes “Baby Got Back”, Bust A Move” AND “The Humpty Dance” (and those were just the must-plays!). All of the guests enjoyed the music, including the elderly couple that came out to dance to “Money Ain’t A Thang”. Note to other DJs: Never underestimate your audience!

Congratuations, Eric & Becky!

Wedding Party Introduction Music: “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
Eric & Becky’s Introduction Music: “Mo Money Mo Problems” – Notorious BIG
Eric & Becky’s First Dance: “You And Me” – Lifehouse
Song played during the Cake Cutting: “Baby I Love You” – Aretha Franklin
Bride/Father Dance: “What A Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong
Groom/Mother Dance: “Can’t Smile Without You” – Barry Manilow
Last Dance: “Ever The Same” – Rob Thomas
Farewell Dance: “Two Tickets To Paradise” – Eddie Money

The Wedding Cake

In addition to featuring wedding pictures of their ancestors, Becky's grandmother's wedding dress was on display.

One of Independence Harbor's elaborate veggie platters.

The dining room. I brought in a couple of red uplights to give the dance floor area some color.

Another packed dance floor = another successful event!