The couple asked Jeff to perform a piece called “Love Dreams” on acoustic guitar for Trina’s walk down the aisle.  The song was written many years ago by John’s grandfather; in order to pull this off, John had to sneak the sheet music from his mother, then have a friend learn it and record it on Youtube for Jeff…all while keeping the big secret.  No easy feat!

John made special mixes of “Paradise City” by Guns ‘N Roses for the bridal party’s introduction and “Hot For Teacher” by Van Halen.  (Since Trina is a beautiful teacher, it seemed the obvious choice.)  More surprising, after the newlyweds were announced, John pulled an apple from his pocket and with a flourish, offered it to his lovely bride.

They wrote romantic love letters for each other and John’s made mention of the first Metallica concert they attended together.  Well, we just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to sneak in some of John’s favorite band, so we played a few bars of “Master of Puppets.”  ROCK ON!

THE DETAILS:  The bridesmaids wore beautiful teal dresses and carried pink and white bouquets.  Since John is a classic Oldsmobile collector, each table was named after a different model.  Guests received CD favors with a picture of the groom’s Olds on the front, all displayed beside a license plate, “Trina and John Just Married” and the lyrics to “In My Merry Oldsmobile.”

The personal touches were amazing, the love was undeniable.  Trina and John, thanks so much for letting us be a part of it!

Villa Borghese

Photos by Majestic Studios *Photos in this blog courtesy of Kat from Majestic Studios.

Video by Artistic Images

They are a sweet, lively bunch who are like family to each other…and to us, too.  As the Commodore expressed in her speech, “I asked my granddaughter on Thanksgiving Day who was the oldest member of our family.  And she asked back, ‘Out of just the people at the table or everyone from Chelsea Yacht Club?’”

One of the past Commodore’s stood up to accept his award and say thanks.  “I always forget to thank my wife,” he admitted.  “Not because I forget my wife, but because she’s such an integral part of my life that I couldn’t do anything without her.”

The group boasts several adept ballroom dancers who love to waltz, foxtrot, rhumba and tango.  What a treat to watch them work the floor!  In a group whose median age is 61, they sure know how to enjoy themselves.

One of my favorite moments of the evening was watching the oldest member of the club, a spry young gentleman in his 90’s, tentatively join in to the Electric Slide.

It’s about family, fun and trophies for all that hard work.  Thanks for inviting us again, guys!

Villa Borghese

Photo by Steph

These two are born romantics who transformed the Garden Room with classic American songbook selections, jazz and ballroom standards.

DonnaMarie and Ed shared their First Dance to “The Anniversary Waltz” performed by Connie Francis, a graceful waltz around the dancefloor with eyes locked on each other.  It was simply lovely.

THE DETAILS:  The couple’s love for romance carried through in the details of their wedding day.  Their parents wedding photos graced the cake table and their cake topper was a glass cube containing photos on each of four sides: DonnaMarie as a child, Ed as a child, then two beautiful photos of the two of them together.

DonnaMarie and Ed each dedicated songs to each other, springing to the dance floor as they were played.  “That’s All” performed by Sarah Vaughn and “Making Memories of Us” by Keith Urban.

Photo by Steph

Our night incorporated fox trots, waltzes and swing…with lots of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Andrea Bocelli.  I don’t recall ever seeing the Garden Room done up in such classic elegance, so full of nostalgia and love.

Beautifully, tastefully done and a true representation of the love and personalities of DonnaMarie and Ed.

The couple is off for a month long honeymoon in Italy.  Bravo!

Villa Borghese

Photos by Lori O’Toole

Dylan was handsome is his gray suit and Krystal’s beautiful dress with its soft gray sash matched it in perfect elegance.  The bridesmaids’ burgundy dresses reminded me that fall wedding season is well underway.  My favorite!  (Of course, Jeff and I were married on October 27th.)

Krystal and Dylan read the vows they had written for each other just before their First Dance, an intimate moment shared with their guests.  They spoke in hushed tones, eyes glistening as they looked at each other.  Their First Dance?  “Everything” by Alanis Morisette.

Later on, Krystal danced with her father to “Blue Does” by Blue October.  Love this song!  Then she surprised him with a mid-way segue into “Love Shack,” a song they’d danced to when she was a child, and the whole family joined in.

COOL TWIST ON ANNIVERSARY DANCE:  We did an Anniversary Dance, inviting all the married couples up to the dance floor to eliminate them by how many years they had been married.  In a cool twist I’d never seen before, Dylan handed roses to the woman in each couple as they left the dance floor.

Krystal added a last minute dedication to her mother of “The Best Day” by Taylor Swift.  “And Daddy’s smart and you’re the prettiest lady in the whole wide world…” as Krystal and her mother danced together.

Guests were treated to wedding cake, cherries jubilee and a candy buffet of chocolate and peanut M&Ms, sour fish, Starbursts and delicious chocolates to take home as favors.  It was a finale every bit as sweet as Krystal and Dylan.

Villa Borghese

Photos by Michael Polito

Cake by La Deliziosa

COOL MOVIE DETAILS: The wedding programs were typed up like screen plays, complete with Cast Bios and outtake photos for the bridal party. Each table was named after a movie and decorated with its movie poster: High Fidelity, Casablanca, Love Actually, Brokeback Mountain and more. The favors were CDs of “Sara & Craig’s Movie Soundtrack” and guests were challenged to movie trivia.

Each member of the bridal party entered to their own carefully chosen song, from Madonna’s “Material Girl” and the theme from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Kenny Loggins’ “Dangerzone” and the Contra video game theme.

Sara and Craig even started off the dancing with “Johnny B. Goode,” a tribute to Back To the Future.

We sampled hits and B-sides from the 80’s throughout the night. It took me back to my elementary school days…yep, I admit to wearing a red pleather Michael Jackson jacket. No gloves, though, I swear. No gloves.

Dinner snuck in the couple’s faves by Radiohead, Air, Mogwai and the Postal Service.

Sara and Craig did an amazing job blending movie memories and music into an unforgettable experience. Kudos! The Oscar goes to you.

Villa Borghese

Photos by Jaqueline Pfeffer

Well, at Kathleen and Nik’s wedding last weekend, I was standing on the right…with a clear view of Kathleen’s face.

I watched the emotions play across her face: shy, overwhelmed, excited, ecstatically happy and “I can’t believe this is happening!”  It was truly an amazing and moving experience.

In Kathleen’s words, her wedding was “a dream,” and she floated through it, beautiful and happy.

This group was all about the PARTY.  Kathleen’s bridesmaids wore light green dresses and carried yellow flowers in their arms as they were introduced to Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.”

Music ranged from Frank Sinatra to a double shot of the Ramones and Billy Joel’s “Downeaster Alexa” for the Long Island family.  We even snuck in a little Beastie Boys for the groomsmen.

Jeff and I worked with photographer Joe Minella…who I discovered was also one of my elementary school teachers!  It is a small world.

Have I mentioned that one of the coolest parts of being a Hudson Valley DJ is that we meet the most fun, creative  people?  The perks are endless!

Villa Borghese

Photos by Joseph Minella

Ashley and Chris married in the Garden Room of the Villa Borghese, a beautiful ballroom with a window looking out over the soon-to-be blooming garden outside.  Jeff performed his original piece, “Union,” on acoustic guitar for Ashley’s walk down the aisle.  Her father drew the veil back from her face when they reached Chris at the end of the aisle, and Ashley and Chris couldn’t take their eyes off each other, laughing, smiling, blushing.

And that kiss!  The newlyweds smooched throughout their entire First Dance to Edwin McCain’s “I Could Not Ask For More,” and Chris even dipped Ashley with his lips still pressed to hers.

The guests moved into the Villa’s Grand Ballroom for the reception.  I’ve captured a few of the details on video so that you can see Ashley’s colors: red and white, with black accents.  Check out the black shoes and gloves on the bridesmaids.

Ashley and Chris’ wedding was a blend of North meets South, reflecting their different families and backgrounds.

Chris’ brother and Best Man, Michael, summed it up in his toast.  “Ashley used to say, ‘How come you get married so young in the South?’  Then she met Chris, and she knew.”

NEW MOTHER-SON SONG ALERT: Chris and his mother danced to “On This Day” by Steve Zucarello.

Ashley took a special moment to dance with her mother to “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion.  If you’re debating a Mother-Daughter dance…but you’re not sure how it fits in with “tradition”…let me tell you, the guests loved it.  It was one of the sweetest moments of the entire night and they had me ask all the guests to join in.  If you’re tight with your mother, sharing a dance with her or dedicating a song to her is something she’ll never forget.

Ashley’s girlfriends arranged a surprise send-off for the end of the night, guests lined up outside with a corridor of sparklers and well-wishes as the newlyweds climbed into the limo.  Next stop for Ashley and Chris, skiing in Colorado!

Villa Borghese

Photography by Kathleen Hertel – We met Kathy and her assistants Colleen and Elizabeth for the first time.  Kathy shoots in Florida, Maryland, and New York (quite the traveler!) and was a pleasure to work with.

Cake by La Deliziosa Pastry Shoppe

We partied with them for the first time last year, and we had a BLAST.

This is one of the nicest, most fun-loving groups in the Hudson Valley…like a family only without the “drama”…and they are NOT shy about dancing!

The festivities began with the formal introduction of the newly appointed Commodore Sharon Herring and her husband to “Rock the Boat” by Hues Corporation.  (That’s a little subtle nautical humor, in case you didn’t catch it.  Jeff actually admits owning– and loving–the 45 way back when.)

The Commodore’s five grandchildren were in attendance to receive their Junior Youth Sailing awards, and it was a pleasure to witness the next generation of Hudson Valley sailors coming up the ranks.

Did I mention that these folks can dance?

We played rhumbas, waltzes, foxtrots, cha chas and even a tango!  One distinguished gentleman tangoed with is lovely wife, a flower in his teeth, rewarded by the enthusiastic applause of the guests.

One of my favorite moments was watching the younger guests learn “The Stroll” line dance from those members of the CYC who learned to love it in the 50’s.  It’s a slow, shambling sort of line dance.  Jeff says it reminds him of Night of the Living Dead…then again, watching too many zombie movies has poisoned his mind.

Greeting our friends at the Villa Borghese in mid-winter was a pleasure.  Gotta make sure none of us get rusty!

Wedding season will be upon us soon enough…and SPRING!

Villa Borghese

We partied with them for the first time last year, and we had a BLAST.

This is one of the nicest, most fun-loving groups in the Hudson Valley…like a family only without the “drama”…and they are NOT shy about dancing!

The festivities began with the formal introduction of the newly appointed Commodore Sharon Herring and her husband to “Rock the Boat” by Hues Corporation.  (That’s a little subtle nautical humor, in case you didn’t catch it.  Jeff actually admits owning– and loving–the 45 way back when.)

The Commodore’s five grandchildren were in attendance to receive their Junior Youth Sailing awards, and it was a pleasure to witness the next generation of Hudson Valley sailors coming up the ranks.

Did I mention that these folks can dance?

We played rhumbas, waltzes, foxtrots, cha chas and even a tango!  One distinguished gentleman tangoed with is lovely wife, a flower in his teeth, rewarded by the enthusiastic applause of the guests.

One of my favorite moments was watching the younger guests learn “The Stroll” line dance from those members of the CYC who learned to love it in the 50’s.  It’s a slow, shambling sort of line dance.  Jeff says it reminds him of Night of the Living Dead…then again, watching too many zombie movies has poisoned his mind.

Greeting our friends at the Villa Borghese in mid-winter was a pleasure.  Gotta make sure none of us get rusty!

Wedding season will be upon us soon enough…and SPRING!

Villa Borghese

Sheila and Bryce were married in April on a Hawaiian beach at sunset, a place that had been special to the groom and his family for years. Afterward, they wanted a party for their friends and family who couldn’t attend to celebration their union…and they invited us to be a part of it.

Sheila met Bryce when she was working as a dental hygienist. Bryce’s mom told me the story: “Sheila had her back turned to the door when Bryce came in, so she couldn’t see him. And as soon as she heard his voice, she said, ‘I have to meet that man.’”

That was the beginning, five years earlier.

Instead of one First Dance song, the newlyweds each dedicated a song to each other, swaying in an embrace as Sheila wiped the tears from her face. Sheila dedicated “Leather and Lace” by Don Henley and Stevie Nicks to her new husband; then Bryce dedicated Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful To Me” to his new wife.

Guests visited a wedding scrapbook Sheila had made of photos from their Hawaiian wedding day. Sheila and Bryce with leiis around their necks during the ceremony as the sun set over the water behind them, their kiss, a photo of them playfully running into the surf.

They brought a little bit of Hawaii with them to the Villa Borghese that day with the unseasonably humid, warm weather and Israel Kamakawo’oole’s “Over the Rainbow.”

Villa Borghese

Cake by La Deliziosa Bakery