Katie Pankonin & Jeremy Curran

When: Saturday, July 25, 2009
Where: Grand Forks Masonic Center
1st Dance Song: "Then" by Brad Paisley

"Robert-we can't thank you enough for a wonderful time at our wedding reception and dance. The first time we met with you we knew we would have a full dance floor! Our slide show was perfect and the night flowed so smoothly. We will recommend you to anyone! Thanks again!"

As much as I love the Masonic Center once its decorated, I will warn you that it is surrounded on all sides by, respectively: Police Department, county jail, the mission, and the back of a brick building. Once inside its beautiful, with a double grand staircase leading down to the reception area.


I was responsible for creating and playing the video slide show. Original photos came to almost 15 minutes. An extra day with me and we were almost down to ten and it flowed noticeably better.

I've never seen anyone turn "Thriller" into a line dance before, but sure, why not?

Pretty typical evening, events-wise: Dollar dance; bouquet; garter raffle. Unusual items: the party bus they hired provided a certain.... energy (see video) which I used in their entrance/introductions; the toasts were excellent; I played Ricky Martin (had to? Got to? Can't decide)




I also got to work with Brian of Brian's Photography. The man was the gold standard when I started DJ'ing in 1998 and is still great to work with. I'm DJ'ing his assistant's wedding Ocotober 2010. Shockingly, I had very few usable photos from my camera (somehow my picture taking was worse than usual) so I'll have to wait and hope to snag from photos from Brian.

Kathryn Stephan & Grant Korsmo

When: Friday, July 24, 2009
Where: Grand Forks Celebrity Ballroom
1st Dance Song: "Heaven" by Bryan Adams
Special Performance: "Folsom Prison Blues" by Grant Korsmo & Chambers

Tonight's entire attitude was a bit different because the couple was actually married months ago in Hawaii, so no ceremony today. That won't stop us from kickin' up our feet, though. That special performance above is the direct audio recording of Grant's karaoke song, and quite a crowd pleaser. Enjoy part of it in the video, click to listen, or right click and 'save link as' to download for posterity.

No dollar dance, no bouquet toss, no garter. We did a few special dances, including Kathryn with her grandfather. Some requests that were interesting: a friend, Jackie, who could not attend, actually texted her request in (yes, Jackie, we did play Bel Biv Devoe). Also in the playlist were Rolling Stones' "Beast of Burden," Marc Cohn's "Walking in Memphis," and Boyz II Men's "MoTownPhilly."

While the catering job by Bob Kincaid and his crew from 'Quality Catering' was impressive, I'll guess the taco grinders served at midnight actually appreciated most. Sorry, Bob. Cool centerpiece, though (photo left).

Most of Kathryn's bridsemaids are from Kodiak, Alaska, where she grew up. One even brought a paper fan, explaining, "it's cold in Kodiak, it's hot here (North Dakota)." First time I ever heard North Dakota described as hot, but I guess it's all relative (Friday's temp in Kodiak: ).

Last item is pretty unusual for our area (though its common in some parts of the country). We gave away the centerpieces at the end of the night. Anyone who wanted one, could have one.

Sarah Thoreson & Jeff Krumwiede

When: Saturday, July 18, 2009
Where: Grand Forks Hilton
1st Dance Song: "Grow Old With You" by Andi Thoreson

Yes, that's a recording of their first dance song, performed live by her sister. Its the love song from the "Weddingsinger" movie with Adam Sandler. Andi did a wonderful job dispite my recording (not really what I'm setup for, but I try). Right Click and 'Save Link As' to download it.

And if Andi hadn't done that, this would have been my favorite moment: the ceremony recessional was Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us." (apparently a reference to her childhood passion for "Mannequin.") I even caught a little of Jeff's brother, Jason, singing it for us all. Enjoy that in the video clip along with me trying to fix her bustle with my safety pins.

The great news is that the only mishaps the entire day were earlier, before the ceremony. There was a chemical spill and fire at the UND Engineering department that diverted traffic, making arrival at the ceremony site difficult. Then the limo was two hours late, so never took Jeff or Sarah to the ceremony. However, when they left, there were two. The one they actually hired, and a second, from a company Jeff had called, but never booked because they were already full. Apparently not.

Photographer Katie Miller can tell you all about me running into things... and people. A hostess, a little boy, and Andi (the singer) all fell victim to my clumsiness tonight. Sorry guys.

Sarah's only request, her only input for the music at all.... please don't play the Chicken Dance. Everything else was entirely up to me, as long as guests were having fun.

Nicole Jorissen & Paul Shanenko

When: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Where: Valley City Sabir's Restaurant
1st Dance Song: "Forever" by Ben Harper

Sabir's is a great restaurant in Valley City with a heck of a view out the back. The dinner was inside, then we moved outside for the dance on a wooden deck. This meant I setup my gear outside, and my backup system setup inside to provide wireless mic and music during dinner.


The original version of their first dance song has a 60 second instrumental in the middle, so Nicole had me trim that out.

While we skipped a dollar dance and garter toss, we were supposed to toss the bouquet. However, there was no toss version. Rather than my artificial backup I always carry, I tied together the loose flowers around the cake with ribbon and ta da! (picture left)

Great news! The deck was built sturdy enough to withstand at least 75 people jumping up and down on it. I wasn't really worried, but the concern had popped into my head when I first saw everyone out on the dance floor.



I can't praise Nam Sabir and his restaurant staff enough. They did so many things that other banquet facilities ignore that added to the evening. Soft lighting, a fire pit, mosquito traps plus spraying made a very comfortable night outside. Drink service all night, including outside, meant people didn't have to wait in line at the bar.