Looking for a premier wedding DJ in the Puget Sound area? Click Here!
My second wedding of the weekend was for Ryan & Nicole Welander, a couple I had met with at multiple wedding shows. Ryan was a very laid-back gentleman, and Nicole was an absolute perfect bride to work with – I couldn’t ask for a better couple (but don’t get me wrong, I love all my couples! 
)
I was asked to provide sound for both the ceremony and reception at Kensington Gardens, a venue that I have been booked to perform at six times over the course of 2009. Using my new Bose L1 Compact, I was able to mic both Ryan and Ray, their officiant, for the vows – and as Kensington Gardens has an outdoor ceremony location in a residential area, I ensured that volume levels were appropriate. Very important – my lack of volume control and monitoring will never be the reason why a venue or event is shut down early.
Nicole and Ryan desired a classy, yet fun and lively atmosphere for their wedding reception. It was to be noted that everything was kept in good taste and nothing sexual was presented, as Ryan’s conservative parents would not appreciate nor tolerate such. Obviously, Nicole and Ryan had seen a prior wedding DJ do this – and believe me, they are definitely out there. As well as DJs who cannot equalize a system correctly – making announcements and toasts virtually inaudible – something Ryan and Nicole also noted in their “wedding vision”.
So with all this in mind, I created a reception that included tradition, class, their style, and fun all into one. I was very pleased with the end result. One thing I must add, timing at Kensington Gardens is critical. Fortunately, I made a very detailed itinerary and kept on top of the clock and the coordination behind the scenes. Guests were in a relaxed, social setting – but not too casual where interest was lost.
For their wedding party entrance, we did brief introductions of the couples and their relationship to Ryan and/or Nicole, followed by a brief synopsis of their relationship history. During and after dinner, we gave away the centerpieces via “The Dollar Pass” and Nicole and Ryan did their best in the “Shoe”lywed Game – it started out rough, but they caught on fire near the end! After toasts and cake cutting (which featured the traditional cake topper that has been passed down throughout the family), we tossed the Bouquet and Garter. Nicole added a Starbuck’s card to her bouquet, and Ryan an autographed baseball by him and Nicole.
After the tosses, Nicole and Ryan shared their first dance to “Feelin’ Good” – performed by guest Michael Trittin. And I must say – Mr. Trittin absolutely nailed it. I was floored and more than impressed – I would have him sing at my wedding if I could! After that magical moment, Ryan and Nicole’s wedding party and family shared a dance to Garth Brook’s “Friends in Low Places”.
Our final formality was the “Longest Married Couple” – this time done in reverse. Starting at zero, I worked my way up to 65 years (our longest married couple) inviting guests onto the dance floor as the number of years announced surpassed their length of time together. This was done in reverse to put people on the dance floor – and then when we opened the dance floor to all guests for the remainder of the night – they were already there and ready to dance! Music from every genre was played as guests of all ages partook some time on the dance floor.
And to end the night? All of Nicole and Ryan’s friends and family circled around them on the dance floor - swaying back and forth, urging the newlyweds to kiss. At the end of the night, I announced their congratulations, thank yous, and sent them off on their honeymoon to Cabo, Mexico!
Simplified Itinerary
Ceremony
Cocktail Period
Grand Entrance
Ryan’s Welcome & Thank You to Guests
Dinner
Centerpiece Giveaway
“Shoe”lywed Game
Toasts
Cake Cutting
Social Interlude
Bouquet & Garter Toss
First Dance
Wedding Party Dance
Longest Married Couple Dance
Open Dancing
Last Dance
Congratulations & Farewells
Sorry, no pictures.
Uncategorized
"Shoe"lywed Game, gig harbor dj, Gig Harbor Wedding DJ, kensington gardens, Seattle Wedding DJ, Tacoma Wedding DJ, Wedding Giglogs
