Alicia & Chris's Wedding Reception at the Columbia Station

Alicia & Chris shared their special day on Saturday, April 16th 2011. After a ceremony in a Valley Forge church, Alicia, Chris and their guests traveled to  Robert Ryan Catering's Columbia Station to celebrate and enjoy all the amenities they had to offer. Despite the heavy winds and on-going torrential downpoars through out the day, Alicia and Chris could not have been happier! With a few planned suprises in store, the night was sure to be a memorable one. Rochele from Photography by Ro was capturing all the excitement!

 Here's how Alicia & Chris's evening went:

4:45pm - Guests arrive at the Columbia Station
5:00pm - Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres
5:45pm - Guests enter the grand ballroom

6:07pm - Parent & Bridal Party Introductions

                "I'm Too Sexy" - Right Said Fred

                "How Sweet it is" - James Taylor

                "I Gotta Feelin" - Black Eye Peas

6:11pm - Alicia & Chris's grand entrance

                 "Let's Get it Started" - Black Eye Peas

6:12pm - Alicia & Chris's First Dance

                 "Bless the Broken Road" - Selah

6:16pm - Blessing

6:17pm - Maid of Honor & Best Man Toast               

                 (and a suprise rendition of the"Green Acres" theme
                   song sang by the Maid of Honor & Best Man)

6:23pm - Dinner Served

6:50pm - Centerpiece Giveaway

7:51pm - Bride & Father Dance

               (Alicia had me make a custom remix of 8 special songs

                 for her and her Dad to do a choreographed dance to)

7:56pm - Groom & Mother Dance

                "My Wish" - Rascal Flatts

8:00pm - Cake Cutting

                "Sugar Sugar" - The Archies

8:03pm - Open Dancing

8:49pm - Bouquet & Garter Toss

               Bouquet Toss: "Single Ladies" - Beyonce

               Garter Removal: "Oh Yeah" - Yello

               Garter Toss: "Funky Cold Medina" -

                                          Tone Loc

8:53pm - Open Dancing

9:53pm - Last Dances

               "Grow Old With You" - Adam Sandler

               "Save the Last Dance for Me" - Michael Buble

10:00pm - Reception Ended

Congratulations Alicia & Chris! 

Here's a short video from their reception:

Monica & Kyle's Wedding Reception at LaMassaria at Bella Vista - April 2nd 2011

My first LaMassaria at Bella Vista wedding in 2011 turned out to be an amazing one! It was a pleasure meeting Monica & Kyle and I really enjoyed entertaining their families and friends. As always, walking into LaMassaria is always like a breath of fresh air for me. Brad and his staff are always so welcoming, and each and every reception is always a memorable one! Monica & Kyle's Victorian-style wedding decor blended great with the rustic yet elegant restored barn at LaMassaria. I had the opportunity to again work with Photographer Vida Carson after meeting her at a wedding this past October. Party Booths brought an awesome photobooth which was setup in the main vestibule.

Here's how Monica & Kyle's reception went:

5:00pm-6:00pm - Cocktail Hour in the 1st Floor Banquet area
5:50pm - Guests begin to enter the Ballroom
6:17pm - Bridal Party Introductions "VooDoo Child" - Jimi Hendrix
6:21pm - Introduction of Monica & Kyle
                    "Say Hey, I Love You" - Michael Franti
6:22pm - Monica & Kyle's First Dance -
                        "Me & You" -  Kenny Chesney
6:26pm - Matron of Honor & Best Man Toast
6:31pm - Blessing
6:33pm - Salads served
6:55pm - Bride & Father Dance "Walk With You" - Edwin McCain
6:59pm - Groom & Mother Song "A Mothers Song" - T.Carter Music

7:04pm - Dinner served

8:11pm - Cake Cutting "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" - Pat Benetar

8:14pm - Open Dacing

8:56pm - Bouquet Toss- "PYT" - Michael Jackson

              Garter Removal- "Danger Zone" - Top Gun Theme

              Garter Toss- "Sharp Dressed Man" - ZZ Top
9:56pm - Last Dance of the evening-"I'll Stand By You"-Carrie Underwood

              

Congratulations Monica & Kyle!.

Here's some footage from their reception:

Melania & Doug's Wedding at The Inn at Leola Village

It's always a great privilege to to be a part of a couples wedding day. It's even a bigger privilege and honor to provide services for a fellow wedding professional on their special day! Melania is an extrodinary wedding photographer and it was a pleasure to entertain her family and friends at her wedding. You can check out some of her work at Melania Marta Photography. Although April Fools Day marked the date of Melania & Doug's wedding, they decided to stay away from the jokes and pranks. Instead, Melania & Doug marked their tables with names like "Cliff Lee" and Roy Halladay", in which April 1st, 2011 also hosted the Philadelphia Phillies opening day of baseball. This was my second visit to The Inn at Leola Village in the past few months, and my first Lancaster County wedding of 2011. The Casa di Fiori room at the Inn hosted Melania & Doug's 147 guests, and is where they exchanged their wedding vows and celebrated with family & friends. I provided music for their ceremony, as well as entertainment for the reception. Dan & Rebekah from Simple Life Portraits took care of capturing all the photos for Melania & Doug, and Abby from Abbey Bradshaw Photography was snapping shots at the photobooth (which was a HUGE hit!). I also had the pleasure of working with Heather & Ben from Sugar Leaf Films and they have already put together an AMAZING preview video! (check it out at the bottom of this post).

Here's how Melania & Doug's wedding day went:

5:30pm - Guest Arrival
6:00pm - Wedding Ceremony
              Bridesmaid's Processional - "Cannon in D" - Johann Pachelbel
              Bride's Processional - "Just the Way You Are" - Bruno Mars
              Recessional - "Beautiful Day" - U2
6:28-7:30pm - Cocktail Hour
7:39pm - Bridal Party Introductions

               Parents - "Celebration" - Kool & the Gang

               Bridal Party - "Party Up in Here" - DMX

               Melania & Doug - "Bring Em Out" - T.I.

7:44pm - Melania & Doug's First Dance "You & Me" - Lifehouse

7:47pm - Blessing

7:48pm - Maid of Honor & Best Man Toasts

7:59pm - Dinner Served

9:36pm - Cake Cutting - "Sugar Sugar" - The Archies

9:39pm - Open Dancing

10:45pm - Dollar Dance

11:55pm - Last Dance - "The Time (Dirty Bit) - Black Eyed Peas         

12:00am - Reception ended

        

Be sure to check out Sugar Leaf Films !

Congratulations Melania & Doug! 

Here's a short clip of some dance floor footage:

Sarah & Andrew's Wedding at The Stirling Guest Hotel

Sarah & Andrew chose the elegant Stirling Guest Hotel to host their Wedding and Reception on Saturday, March 26th 2011. The Stirling is a "Chateauesque-styled mansion" , and an amazing place to get married and celebrate in Berks County. Sarah & Andrew's 102 guests packed the Stirling, excited to experience their marriage ceremony and celebrate with family and friends.

Here's How Sarah & Andrew's Wedding Day Went:

3:30pm - Guest Arrival at the Stirling
4:00pm - Ceremony
               Seating of Mothers - "Fljotavik" - Sigur Ross
               Processional - "Illgresi" - Sigur Ros
               Recessional - "Inni mer sungur" - Sigur Ros
4:32pm - Cocktails & Hors d'oeuvres

5:50pm - Parent & Bridal Party Introductions -
               "Grow Old With You" - Adam Sandler
5:54pm - Sarah & Andrew's First Dance - "Be Mine" - David Gray
5:58pm - Best Man Toast
6:01pm - Blessing
6:02pm - Dinner Buffet
7:19pm - Cake Cutting - "When you say you love me" - The Rhine
7:24pm - Open Dancing
9:55pm - Last Dance of the evening "The One I Love" - David Gray

Congratulations Sarah & Andrew!

Here's a video clip from Sarah & Andrew's Reception:

Abby & Brian's Wedding Reception - March 19th 2011

Abby & Brian shared their special day on Saturday, March 19th 2011. After exchanging their nuptials at a local church, Abby, Brian and their 146 guests arrived at the Barn at Flying Hills in Reading, PA to celebrate. I've done a few weddings in the past at the Barn, and enjoy the "rustic" atmosphere in the building along with the original hardwood floors. The Barn is located in the center of a Golf Course Village in Berks County. I went to High School with Abby, and it was an honor to be chosen to entertain her friends and family. Abby & Brian wanted their guests to have plenty of time to dance and socialize, so they decided to omit some of the "wedding traditions" like the cake cutting and the bouquet toss. Abby & Brian put their faith in me, and didn't make me a playlist for the reception. I had no problem playing tunes that catered to their guests off all ages, and packing the dance floor through out the entire evening. Martin Miller Photography was capturing all of the action, and Moyer's Catering (seriously.... no relation) made sure no one left hungry.

Here's how Abby & Brian's Wedding Reception went:

5:30-6:30  - Guest arrival & Cocktail Hour
6:30pm - Parent & Bridal Party Introductions "Footloose" - Kenny Loggins
6:35pm - Bride & Groom Entrance "Signed,Sealed,Delivered - Stevie Wonder
6:37pm - Abby & Brian's First Dance - "Look After You" - The Fray
6:41pm - Toast by Matron of Honor & Best Man
6:45pm - Dinner Buffet

7:35pm - Bride & Father Dance - "Father & Daughter" - Paul Simon
7:39pm - Groom & Mother Dance - "I'll Stand By You" - Pretenders
7:43pm - Open Dancing
11:25pm - Last Dance "Don't Stop Believing" - Journey



Here's a short video from Abby & Brian's Reception:

Lisa & Calvin's Wedding Reception - October 30th 2010

Lisa & Calvin shared their special day on Saturday, October 30th 2010. They tied the knot at a local church and celebrated at The Reading Country Club in Exeter, PA. Since their wedding day fell the night before Halloween, we did a few things that you wouldn't see at your typical reception. During the introductions, the Bridal Party wore various Halloween masks, as well as Lisa & Calvin. I also used fog and strobe lighting effects when each "couple" walked through the entrance way.....It really set the tone for the night. Jeanne from Photography by Dennis L. McDonough was all over the place snapping photos for Lisa and Calvin. Jason from the Phoenix Media Group had a 2 cameras taking video footage of all the dance floor action.

Here's how the night went:

5:00pm-6:00pm - Cocktail Hour

5:50pm - Guests enter Ballroom

6:05pm - Parents & Bridal Party Introduced

                "Monster Mash"
6:10pm - Introduction of Bride & Groom
                "Highway to Hell" - AC/DC

6:11pm - Lisa & Calvin's First Dance

                "Can't Help Falling In Love" - Elvis

6:15pm - Best Man Toast

6:19pm - Dinner Served

7:29pm - Bride & Father Dance

               "I Loved Her First" - Heartland

7:33pm - Groom & Mother Dance

                "Mama" - Boyz II Men

7:38pm - Cake Cutting

                "Eye Of The Tiger" - Rocky Theme

7:40pm - Open Dancing

8:45pm - Bouquet & Garter Toss

8:50-10:00 - Open Dancing

Congrats Lisa & Calvin!!

Here's some video from their reception:

Erin & Dustin's Wedding - October 24th 2010

Dustin & Erin shared their special day in the Skippack Village at the Parc Bistro on Sunday October 25th 2010. The facility was an absolutely stunning 2 story restored barn. They exchanged vows outside (the weather was awesome!) and then celebrated indoors. Here's some photos courtesy of Teri Klinger Photography.......and I few that I took.

Tara & Scott's Wedding Reception - October 23rd 2010

Tara & Scott shared their special day on Saturday, October 23rd 2010. They exchanged vows at a nearby church, and celebrated in Blue Bell, PA at The Mermaid Lake Paddock Room. I have worked outdoors at Mermaid Lake for large corporate events, but never inside for a Wedding Reception. The Paddock Room had a very "rustic" look, and went along very well with the pumpkins and hay bails that Tara & Scott used to decorate for their Fall Wedding. I knew I was going to have a challenge later in the evening when the Phillies/Giants NLCS game started.........and the fact that there was a TV placed in the corner of the room didn't make my job any easier! I managed to keep the dance floor packed until the Reception ended, and I will admit...... I did step over to the TV a few times to check the score. Here's how Tara & Scott's Reception went:

4:30-5:30pm -  Cocktail Hour
5:32pm - Parents & Bridal Party Introduced
              "Bring Em Out" - T.I.
5:35pm - Bride & Groom Introduction
5:36pm - Tara & Scott's First Dance
          "Only You Can Love Me This Way" - Keith Urban

5:40pm - Maid of Honor & Best Man Toast

6:02pm - Dinner Buffet
7:15pm - Bride & Father Dance
              "Stand By Me"Ben E. King
7:19pm - Groom & Mother Dance
              "Through The Years" - Kenny Rogers
7:24pm - Cake Cutting
               "Sugar Sugar" - The Archies
7:26pm - Open Dancing

8:24pm - Bouquet & Garter Toss

8:30pm - 10:00pm - Open Dancing

Congratulations Tara & Scott!

Brianna's Sweet 16 Party - October 15th 2010

I normally skip blogging about Birthday Parties and School Dances....but decided I would share Brianna's Sweet 16 Party for anyone that thought I only did Wedding Receptions. Brianna & her friends partied downstairs at LaMassaria at Bella Vista in Gilbertsville, PA. The party started at 7 and the dance floor was packed from the minute Brianna's friends entered the doors. The party was supposed to end at 11pm........ let's just say there was a line of cars and sleepy parents in the parking lot outside until 11:30. Brianna was happy to compile a request list of her favorite songs which included Top 40 hits and hip-hop. Here's a few photos and a short video of some dance floor action: (The sound on the video is a little distorted thanks to my 18" Yorkville subwoofers)

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