The Tony Schwartz Weddings Blog

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On a beautiful Puget Sound Sunday in April, Brittney and Luke were wed at Lake Union Cafe in Seattle, Washington.  As I have blogged before, Lake Union Cafe is a beautiful, romantic venue that is perfect for a couple looking for an intimate, elegant wedding.  And of course, we made it fun for Brittney, Luke & their closest family and friends.

After a beautiful ceremony ran by Jeff Lee, Brittney and Luke enjoyed some personal time with their family and friends while we had a brief cocktail period on the main floor.  When it was time to introduce the wedding party, “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men set the mood as we roasted the wedding party members with jokes supplied by Brittney and Luke.  After giving everyone a second to catch their breath, I narrated Luke & Brittney’s “Love Story” as they entered to a standing ovation.  Supplied with a microphone in advanced, Luke thanked everyone for coming out – and even had a few jokes of his for his family & friends!

After dinner, cake cutting, and toasts, we allowed Brittney and Luke to socialize with their guests – sometimes during the dinner portion of the night, there simply isn’t enough time.  When ready, Luke and Brittney shared a special first dance, and then Brittney danced with her father, while Luke and his mother late joined them mid-dance.  After tossing the bouquet and garter – it was time to open the dance floor.  I felt it best approriate to start with a slow dance – and from there, we turned it up a notch and everyone danced and socalized the night away!  From hits from the 60s, 80s, and today’s pop music – we mixed and mashed with a little bit of club DJ style (Brittney’s Man of Honor is a club promoter and Brittney would often go to his events) until it was time for the final dance.

During our planning consultations, we discussed how we would end the night – and after their honeymoon plans had changed – we rehashed those ideas and came up with two ideas of how to end the night – depending on how many people were still there at the end of the night, being as it was a Sunday wedding.  With nearly every guest still in attendance – we went with the “Circle of Love” exit – where Brittney and Luke would share the final dance as guests circled around – and on their cue, they would go around to each guest and thank them for coming out.  Some beautiful photos were taken by Marv Heston, their photographer, and it was the perfect intimate ending for their wedding.  It fit the venue, it fit the client’s guests, and it fit the end of a perfect day for Brittney and Luke.

Vendors:

Dann – Lake Union Cafe – www.lakeunioncafe.com
Marv Heston – Photographer – www.hestonweddings.com
Kendra Yaple - Loves Me Flowers – Florist – lovesmeflowers@yahoo.com
Robbi Broussard – Cakes – 253-859-2812
Jeff Lee – Officiant

Simplified Itinerary

Ceremony
Cocktail Period
Grand Entrance
Welcome & Thank You To Guests
Dinner
Cake Cutting
Toasts
First Dance
Father/Bride & Mother/Son Dance
Bouquet Toss
Garter Toss
Open Dancing
Last Song of the Night
Farewell & Congratulations!

Photos:

Giglogs Lake Union Cafe, Seattle Wedding DJ, Wedding Giglogs

Looking for a premier wedding DJ in the Puget Sound area?  Click Here!

What a weekend at the Seattle Wedding Show, and what a way to end the weekend with Bob & Jennifer’s wedding at Lake Union Cafe in Seattle!

Lake Union Cafe is becoming one of my favorite venues, Dann and his staff do an amazing job at providing a very upscale venue – the food is great, the atmosphere very romantic, and the staff is always friendly!  If you are looking for a romantic, intimate wedding venue – take a look at Lake Union Cafe.

Bob & Jennifer are lawyers – so naturally, the party was full of lawyers – and they have no problem with drinking, singing, and dancing the night away!  We began the night with Bob & Jennifer’s ceremony, I mic’d the vows and provided sound reinforcement.  Following the ceremony, we had a brief cocktail period as the LUC staff reset a portion of the room.  Bob & Jennifer were very specific on their playlists for cocktail, dinner, and dancing – and I followed them as expected.  After a nice grand entrance to Europe’s “The Final Countdown”, we began the evening’s dinner buffett.  Switching from classical to crooners, there was a definite feel-good vibe in the room.

Bob & Jennifer had a lovely cheesecake buffett – and I overheard several guests comment it was much better than wedding cake.  Wedding party memebers had each made a cheesecake – I sample a couple chocolate cheesecakes and they were delicious!  Also, two of the wedding party members performed Edwin McCain’s “I’ll Be” before we began the toasts for the evening.  Bob & Jennifer elected to open the mic up to all, however, we quickly worked through the room and began our only formal dance of the evening – Bob & Jennifer’s first dance.  They had also planned a wonderful surprise – stopping mid-dance to grab their parents and invite their wedding party members to join them.

After the first dance, it was time to open the dance floor up for dancing and socializing – and for the next three hours, that is what everyone did.  I rotated the dancefloor often in the first hour – trying to get as many people onto the dance floor as possible.  This was well recieved and many of the elder guests got a chance to get out and dance.  The final two hours of the night were full of party classics and today’s hits – and at night’s end, it was time for Journey’s “Don’t Stop Beleiving” and a rousing cheer for Bob & Jennifer Langbehn!

Simplified Itinerary

Ceremony
Cocktail Period
Grand Entrance
Dinner
Cake Cutting
Wedding Party Performance
Toasts
First Dance
Open Dancing
Last Song of the Night
Farewell & Congratulations!

Sorry, no pictures.

Giglogs Lake Union Cafe, Seattle Wedding DJ, Wedding Giglogs

Looking for a premier wedding DJ in the Puget Sound area?  Click Here!

While many were finishing their Black Friday shopping trips, I was providing music and entertainment services for Sean & Pamela’s friends and family at their wedding at the Lake Union Cafe in Seattle – and everyone was having a great time burning off the feast from the night before!

A very simple and elegant party, Sean and Pamela kept DJ interaction to a minimal – but we worked very closely on picking the right music for Sean and Pamela’s soundtrack.  Throughout the night, we progressed from Soft Classic Rock to Adult Contemporary to Christmas music to upbeat dance music featuring 80s, 90s, classic rock, and hip-hop.  It was great to not only see friends and family smiling and enjoying the music – but also to see Pamela & Sean smiling as they heard their favorite songs play.

Simplified Itinerary

Ceremony
Cocktail Hour
Grand Entrance
Buffet Dinner
Toasts
Cake
First Dance
Bouquet & Garter Toss
Open Dancing
Last Song of the Evening

Sorry, no pictures.

Giglogs Lake Union Cafe, Seattle Wedding DJ

Looking for a premier wedding DJ in the Puget Sound area?  Click Here!

Aloha!  This was the theme for Kyle & Elizabeth’s wedding reception on May 29th, 2009 at the Lake Union Cafe in Seattle!  Since Kyle and Elizabeth had already gotten married in Hawaii, guests were encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts, shorts or khakis, and sandals!  And so we did!

Lake Union Cafe is a very posh place for a wedding reception – a huge dancefloor, a romantic atmosphere, and a very nice staff.

I was fortunate to run in to my 2008 clients, Phil and Emily Miller, who had referred me to Kyle and Elizabeth.  We laughed as we recalled some of the best memories of their wedding – it’s always a pleasure to run into my clients!

This was a very simple wedding reception – exactly as Kyle and Elizabeth wanted.  Unfortunately, a combination of 90 degree heat and no air conditioning left for undesirable conditions for dancing.  However, those that did dance enjoyed a nearly two hour dance floor set ranging from 80s to Classic Rock to Oldies.

Simplified Itinerary

Cocktail Hour featuring Hawaiin Accoustic Band
Dinner
Cake Cutting
Toast
First Dance
Father/Bride Dance
Mother/Groom Dance
Open Dancing
Last Dance

Sorry, no pictures – I forgot my camera.

Uncategorized Lake Union Cafe, Lake Union Cafe DJ, Lake Union Wedding, Lake Union Wedding DJ, seattle wedding, Seattle Wedding DJ

This weekend, I met with one of my clients for a site visit at their venue – the classy Lake Union Cafe in Seattle, WA.  Amongst other things, we had a conversation on lighting for the dance floor – and whether or not to use it for this venue.

Before I reveal what this couple decided on – which I agreed with them – two things to address with dance floor lighting.

1. Dance Floor Lighting isn’t Always Cheesy.  In fact, some light shows, even at a wedding, can be down right awesome and get more guests on the dance floor than not.  Fixtures such as moving heads and scanners – think of the moving, colorful spotlights you see at concerts – mixed with a little bit of haze – add to the overall atmosphere effect.  In addition, I know a lighting setup can seem out of place and obtrusive at a classy venue – but it’s all in the presentation of the gear.  Yes, that matters.
2. Lighting Can Affect Guests Willingness to Dance.  This is obvious but overlooked (obviously overlooked? LOL): People are subconsciouly aware of how people see them in visible light.  Especially, when they are dancing.  Even in a dimly lit room with candles, they still might be hesitant to dance to their favorite dancing songs.  Put a few dance lights in room, and suddenly it seems “darker” and they are more inclined to dance.

So there are two things to consider when it comes to deciding on lighting for the open dancing.  Personally, I love my lighting for the dance floor – and I will sit down with my clients and personalize a package for them based off their package, their selected venue and their wants and needs.

But what did my Lake Union Cafe couple select?

We actually all agreed that no lighting was necessary.  Now, granted, there would be about 400 candles lit throughout the room – but based off the venue and their wants, they didn’t desire lighting because it would take away from the venue.  But here was the kicker – I was the DJ for their friend’s wedding, and just about every single guest was out on the dance floor having a great time – and many of these friends will be at this wedding.  Since these guests come ready to party, dance floor lighting would have little impact on creating that atmosphere for dancing – and thus, the dance floor will be full all night long - candle-lit room and all.

And suddenly, I can’t help but laugh as I realize, those candles might be up in the air waving around as we play Journey’s “Faithfully”.

Wedding Ideas dance floor lighting, Journey, Lake Union Cafe, Seattle Wedding DJ