Photo by Steph

they told us that autumn and winter are totally “them.”  They couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful fall wedding day!

Jeff performed acoustic guitar for the cocktail hour and the more adventuresome guests enjoyed freshly rolled cigars in the crisp, autumn air out on the deck.

Lisa and Drew picked an awesome 80’s song for their introductions.  Do you remember the movie, RAD?  Check out this song, “Thunder In Your Heart.”  Total 80’s goodness.

Their first dance song was, “Free,” by the Zac Brown Band.  I suspect this love song is going to be a popular wedding song in the next year or so.  Beautiful!

The Details

Lisa was beautiful, full of energy and just beaming with happiness so that it warmed my heart.  The bridesmaids wore knee length gray gowns (with pockets!) and chunky beaded necklaces.  They carried bouquets of deep purple calla lilies that complemented Lisa’s bouquet of white calla lilies with deep purple centers.

The table settings were amazing!  Purple orchids in water with floating candles alternated with tall, stunning arrangements of purple orchids and white calla lilies, surrounded by mini pumpkins and votives.  Guests ate off beautiful pewter plates and received maple syrup favors.

The wedding cake, made by the Hollow Brook’s chef, was a chocolate butter cream beauty decorated with orchids.  “It looks exactly like the picture we gave him!” Lisa told me.

Photo by Steph

Since Lisa and Drew met four years earlier at their friends’ wedding, they decided to dedicate their wedding song, U2’s “All I Want Is You” to them and invite their bridal party to dance.

There were lots of memorable moments on the dance floor (remember doing the cockroach, Drew?) but I got such a kick out of watching Lisa, her girlfriends, and her father dancing and singing along with “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson.

I know how much thought and attention went into making this wedding the awesome experience that it was.  Nicely done, Lisa and Drew!  Thanks for letting us in on the fun.

Hollow Brook Golf Club

Photos by Michael Polito

Flowers by Engaging Floral Designs

Heidi had been planning her Westchester wedding, “since she was 13,” (according to her sister) and all that planning paid off in an experience full of amazing detail served up with a generous sense of humor.

In case you’ve never been there, the Hollow Brook has a stunning view, and the autumn foliage made it even more gorgeous.  Guests enjoyed cocktails and cigars on the tiered decks.

Setting their Celtic tone, Heidi and Mike were introduced to the rockin’ “Cadence to Arms” by Dropkick Murphy.  Heidi was beautifully radiant, with a beaming smile and, yes, Mike wore a kilt.

(Heidi had us play, “The Scotchman,” during dinner, a song that asks the age old question, “I wonder if it’s true what he don’t wear beneath his kilt.”)

The Details

The fall themed floral arrangement incorporated grapes, apples and leaves as well as hand-picked mini pumpkins.  Guests received favors of candied apples with an “H & M” tag matching the printed menus.  Instead of champagne, guests toasted with traditional Celtic mead.

It’s never an easy thing to celebrate an occasion as important as a wedding day when you’re missing a loved one.  But Mike and his family found the perfect way to honor his mother.  Mike converted his mother’s favorite version of the song, “Daisy a Day” from vinyl to mp3 and email it to us.

Mike’s father explained, “Since Mike’s mother couldn’t be here to dance with him, we had to find a substitute.  And it couldn’t be me because I don’t dance with men who wear skirts.”  Instead, Mike shared that dance with his three sisters in honor of his mother.

Ah, the joys of the Smiths, the Clash and the Cure!  We added some New Wave touches to the Celtic vibe, along with a healthy dose of some of the newlyweds’ favorites by Sting and the Police.

Cool Idea for the Bride and Groom

Heidi and Mike chose four songs to dance to throughout the night; they vowed that when each song was played they would meet on the dance floor, no matter what they were doing.

From their thoughtful, fun loving song choices…“Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” by Cake for the cake cutting, “2001 Space Odyssey” for the garter removal with Mike holding up his prize is triumph and grinning ear to ear, to name just a few…Heidi and Mike did an awesome job.

Now Heidi and Mike are off to London and Dublin.  Thanks so much for having us!

Hollow Brook Golf Club

Photos by Bella Photo *Photos in this blog post courtesy of Charity De Meer

The ceremony on the waterfront enjoyed a view of the river, the boat pier and the Tappan Zee Bridge in the distance. Jeff performed “In My Life” by the Beatles and then “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton on guitar for Emily’s walk down the aisle.

As guests filed out after the ceremony, Jeff played, “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty. On the balcony above Emily and Anthony gazed out at the water while photographer Aaron Almendral snapped a romantic portrait.

THE DETAILS: The hint of autumn without any overpowering notes: the bridesmaids wore wine colored gowns and carried bouquets of majestic red and variegated peach roses that matched the floral arrangements. The cake was decorated with maroon lilies and tendril and thistle-like flowers that added texture and uniqueness.

Emily’s father picked out a surprise song for their dance together. He had changed his mind twice in the weeks before the wedding (very cute!) before finally setting on “Every Breath You Take” by The Police. He and his wife gave each of their daughters a song when they were born and this was Emily’s.

Even with the stunning view and bright sunshine to distract them, the couple’s guests danced the afternoon away. Not any couple can pull off a beautiful, flawless wedding with a packed dance floor during the day, but Anthony and Emily made it look easy.

We loved it, guys! Thank you for having us and enjoy Italy!

The View

Photos by Aaron Almendral *Photos in this blog post courtesy of Aaron.

with an elegant blue and white theme.  The view from the deck and reception space featured the lovely rolling hills of the green, woods stretching into the distance.

Jeff played a beautiful Jewish song called “Erev Shel Shoshanim” on acoustic guitar for Kate’s walk down the aisle.  She was radiant in her gorgeous gown as she walked toward Dave, escorted by both her parents.  When they met, both bride and groom circled each other seven times according to the Jewish tradition, then stepped beneath a chuppah made from a white tablecloth with blue flower accents that had belonged to Dave’s grandparents.

The rabbi told the story of how it had taken Kate and Dave seven (and a half) years to come to their wedding day, tying it in to the mystical significance of the number 7.  At each part of the ceremony, she explained the Jewish symbolism, a thoughtful touch that included Kate’s non-Jewish family and added a rich depth of meaning.  As the rabbi expressed, “After seven and a half years of managing a long distance relationship while Kate and Dave went to colleges across the country, Yale, Harvard, John Hopkins, God said, ‘This is doable.’”

Our new photographer friend Todd Matarazzo took gorgeous portraits of the newlyweds on the green, while guests enjoyed the relaxing view.  Afterward guests danced, sang and ate inside the rustic lodge…then gorged themselves on a tempting dessert pie buffet.

THE DETAILS:  The bridesmaids wore dark blue green gowns and carried wildflower style bouquets of roses and irises.  Floral arrangements of white roses with blue accents and blue napkins graced each table.  The couple displayed their blue and white ketubah throughout the ceremony and gave guests vials of jellybeans as favors.

We snuck in a few ska songs for Dave and his buddies, who pinballed around the dance floor with their elbows tucked in, mosh-style.  One of my favorite moments was when Dave dedicated the song, “Bad Case of Lovin’ You” to Kate, in honor of her graduation from medical school, and called up all the guests to dance with her.

What a celebration!  They’d both earned it.  Thanks so much for having us, guys!

Hollow Brook Golf Club

Photos by Todd Matarazzo of TJM Photography *Photos in this blog post courtesy of Todd Matarazzo.

Blurry photo by Steph

wonderful things about this couple!  They are smart, talented, funny and their wedding day combined all these traits into an amazing celebration.

Helen was a gorgeous bride.  She wore a beautiful white wedding gown for her ceremony, then changed into a red chi pao for the Chinese tea ceremony, then changed again into her wedding gown.  A whirlwind of wardrobe changes, but Helen didn’t look winded in the least.  And Ying looked like, “a Chinese James Bond,” to quote the minister’s words.

As Helen and Ying prepared to make their entrance to the reception, guests sounded their Chinese hand drums in anticipation until the couple was finally introduced to, “Everlasting Love” by Carl Carlton.

Here’s their beautiful first dance song, “I Will” by Leona Lewis.

In addition to the tea ceremony, Helen and Ying wrote love letters to each other.  Helen’s even contained a limerick!  The show stopper was Ying’s performance of a Chinese love song…his first time singing in public.  A photo montage of the couple through the years came later.

But the highlight of the reception was probably the live broadcast of a Skype toast from Kenya!  Wedding guests were able to watch and listen as Ying’s friend Steve proposed his toast as it was projected onto the screen.

And what a toast!  In it toast Steve revealed Ying’s 5 Special Abilities, which include the ability to sleep standing up (something that came in handy in med school) and being a “natural ballet dancer.”  Hysterically funny and heart felt, I was amazed to witness the magic of technology that brought Africa right into the wedding.

As the skies cleared that afternoon, guests enjoyed spectacular views of the Long Island Sound from the deck outside.

It was a gorgeous wedding filled with love and fun.  Jeff and I are so happy we were a part of it.  Thanks, Helen and Ying!

The Surf Club

Photos & Video by Ron White

Photo by Steph

Guests were offered cotton handkerchiefs “for happy tears” and warm apple cider as they made their way out to the brick pavilion for the ceremony.  The aisle was strewn with cream colored rose petals and beyond the chuppah, the Hudson River and the splendid autumn foliage beyond.

The bridesmaids wore dark purple dresses with a blush sash tied at the waist and carried purple, white and green bouquets.  Ross beamed as his parents walked him down the aisle.  Three flower girls in matching purple with white sweaters giggled and tossed rose petals.

A hushed silence fell over the group as Bekah arrived, beautiful in her 50′s style strapless dress with a diamond brooch at the waist tied into a bow at the back and a ballet length veil.  She walked down the aisle to Ross and circled him with a small smile, dress in hand.

Throughout the day, toasters made reference to the role J Date had in their union, and how Bekah and Ross’ long distance romance had blossomed while he was deployed in Afghanistan.  The photo montage the couple shared with their guests at the close of dinner aroused laughter and tears.

Photo by Steph

Dancing!  Celebration.  Connection.  An energetic hora lifting the newlyweds onto chairs…the women doing the Hand Jive to the Black Eyed Peas, “I Gotta Feeling.”  (That was new to me!)  It was an amazing experience to watch the beginning of Ross and Bekah’s journey as husband and wife.

Thanks so much for having us, guys!

Tappan Hill Mansion

Photos by Michael Polito

Video by Double G Productions

Our wedding adventure with Melissa and Jeff started two years ago when Melissa was the Maid of Honor for her cousin Kimberly’s Silo Ridge wedding where we were the DJs.  As soon as she booked her date at the Villa Barone in Westchester, she called us.

Not only did we recognize half this Poughkeepsie crowd, our former newlyweds Kimberly and Brett were there, just two days shy of their two year anniversary.  The group was warm, friendly and VERY ready to party.

The newlyweds set the tone right with their introductions.  The Bridal Party came in to “Let It Rock” by Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne…and they were diggin’ it.

Then the big moment as Melissa and Jeff were introduced into the beautiful high-ceiling ballroom with crystal chandeliers and marble dance floor…to “Enter Sandman” by Metallica.

Jeff was totally shocked and delighted; Melissa told him she’d chosen another song and decided to surprise him at the last minute with his favorite Metallica song.  Let me tell you, it ROCKED, perfect for their dramatic entrance into the ballroom.

(I was very pleased to play my tiny role in a wedding surprise Melissa gave her new husband.)

I can’t even begin to list the songs that packed the dance floor last night.  Some of my favorite moments prompting air guitar and featuring Jeff with his boys locked arm and arm or bumping chests occurred during “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “Summer of ’69″ and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”  Oh, and the ladies were no slackers, either.

I should take a moment to talk about the details, because they were truly lovely.  The bridesmaids wore beautiful bright blue dresses and carried wildflower bouquets with white, blue and fuschia blooms.  The boxes containing the favors had matching blue ribbons.  The flowers in the centerpieces were all white roses and accents.

It was our first time visiting Villa Barone and we were thoroughly impressed.  The staff gave meticulous attention to every detail: directing guests to their seats, ornate salad appetizers, pouring the champagne in a choreographed Champagne March.  And the desserts were some of the most elaborate we’ve ever seen, with bananas foster, creme brulee, cordials and cappuccinos, and ice cream sundae bar…in addition to cake and cookies at the tables.  Whew!  It was all I could do not to stuff my face.

Even though I was deprived of those decadent desserts, all the reward I needed was Melissa’s beaming face at the end of the night as she and her new husband Jeff set their sights on their Bahamas honeymoon.

Villa Barone

Photos by Steve Planck of Blue Sky Photography

Video by Best of Times Video

Flowers by Marianne’s Floral

Jelly beans.

It all started with jelly beans.

It was a Westchester wedding Jeff and I DJ’ed at the charming stone house addition of the Westchester Rennaisance Hotel last June.

I walked from table to table, admiring the floral centerpieces.  I noticed that our couple, Megan and Jeff, had given their guests bags of jelly beans as wedding favors.  I thought it was a cute and smart choice.  Inexpensive and edible, it was something everyone could enjoy.  A perfect choice.

It wasn’t until later on that I understood why.

After Megan and Jeff shared their first dance, the Maid of Honor stood to propose her toast.  “I knew early on that Megan and Jeff were meant for each other,” she said.  “It was back in our first year of college.  We were home for winter break and it was New Year’s Eve.  Do you remember?”

The Maid of Honor smiled at Megan who blushed in response.  “Well, Megan was really missing Jeff.  And her family had this tradition that if you made a wish on grapes on New Year’s Eve at midnight, that wish would come true.  Only that year we were out of grapes.  So instead of making a wish on grapes, we decided to use jelly beans.”

The Maid of Honor held up one of the jelly bean favors for everyone to see.  “Megan took her jelly bean, closed her eyes, and made a wish.  ‘I wish for Jeff,’ she said.”

The entire room was silent.

“Jeff is her jelly bean wish come true.”

And just like that, that cute little jelly bean favor became meaningful.  A simple bag of jelly beans came to represent Megan and Jeff’s budding romance.

If you can find your “jelly bean” story…a story to share about the uniqueness of your love and relationship…and if you share it with your guests, the response will be unbelievable.  It will be something you and your guests will never forget.

So I challenge you to find your “jelly bean” story.  What makes you unique?  Leave me a comment and share a bit or send me an email if you’re not sure how to find it.

Everyone has a love story. And when you share it, your wedding is transformed from beautiful to UNFORGETTABLE.

Cat and Scott told me they were “making fun of the whole wedding thing,” but I had NO IDEA what that meant until their wedding day. They did “make fun,” but not in a mocking sense; that fun consisted of zany antics, love, and absolute sweetness.

Scott, the groomsmen, and even Cat’s father wore black and white Keds to the ceremony. As Cat was walked down the aisle by her father, he gave Scott a high five and fist bump as he placed her on the arm of her fiance.

Scott and Cat had a photo booth for their guests to take pictures of themselves wearing an assortment of funny hats, scarves and props. As the bridal party lined up for introductions, each choose a hat to wear. There were feather boas, gangster fedoras—even the Cat’s mother wore a Groucho Marx moustache and glasses.

The newlyweds were introduced to “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen, Scott wearing a king hat and Cat with a block of cheese on her head. They ran back and forth underneath their bridal party arch several times before settling into their First Dance, a beautiful version of “Make You Feel My Love” performed by Adele.

As Cat danced with her father to Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” her father pulled out a bright red handkerchief and wiped at his eyes in dramatic mock weeping, until the guests were laughing so hard they were close to tears.

Cat and her bridesmaids changed into their Keds after the introductions, and the dancing began. They were dancing and singing along to Billy Joel, Bon Jovi and “Paradise By the Dashboard Light.”

COOL IDEA: Cat and Scott had bobbleheads of themselves as cake toppers, custom-made from photographs, and bought bobbleheads for their entire bridal party.

It’s easy to see how much fun Cat and Scott had from beginning to end in these pictures courtesy of our friend Mark of Majestic Studios. He had so much fun shooting them—Scott even posed hovering over a toilet! (Fully clothed, of course.)

Greentree Country Club

Photos by Majestic Studios