Kathryn Schleisman & Jesse Bergstedt

When: Saturday, August 29th, 2009
Where: A Touch of Magic, EGF, MN
1st Dance Song: "Me and You" by Kenny Chesney
Special Song: "A Bride's Prayer" by Kathryn Schleisman

Yes, that last song above is a live recording by Katie (right click and 'save target as' to download). For her speech, she wrote and sang a song for Jesse. It was a complete suprise. My role was to rent and setup a full keyboard and mic out on the dancefloor without Jesse noticing. That was shockingly easy. The song along with all the speeches and two videos (two!) brought quite a few people to tears. One video was the picture slide show you'd expect, the other was from her dad, and was comprised of home videos as he'd let you know what was happening.

Well, something new with the garter. We did a raffle, brought up four contestants competing by fetching items in the room. When I asked them to bring back a person wearing a boutinierre, Gary, our winner, wheeled over grandma in her wheelchair. She did not see the humor in it. He did, however, win.

I'm legally required to play "Jesse's Girl" at this wedding, aren't I?

Some random compliments from the evening: "You make it so personal." and "I have never seen a DJ put so much into it." Those are two of my favorite to hear because that is exactly what I strive for.

Coolest part of the entire day was being able to play Kathryn's song as our last slow song of the night.

Samantha Bopp & Chris McEntee

When: Saturday, August 8th, 2009
Where: Grand Forks Guesthouse Townhouse
1st Dance Song: "Your Song" by Elton John

Never let it be said I won't do almost anything for my clients. Tonight I gave the blessing, dismissed tables for the buffet, and tracked down some cornstarch in the kitchen (for the dance floor, to slicken things up just a little).

Chris and Sam kept things simple, made their own programs and guest book. Some floral centerpieces alternating with candles. No decorative cake, just sheets. Their Catholic ceremony meant an early start to the reception - the dance was seven to 11. Trust me, when you're day starts at 8 am (hair and makeup), 11pm isn't early. Again, tonight, we added the wedding party half way through their first dance song to kick things off quickly.


The groom-to-be for September 5th, Mr. Josh Windsor, is in this wedding party. Their wedding will be at the same location. With the same DJ. Umm.... here's hoping to impress. I did talk to his fiance during and we made some notes (likes and dislikes) for their night.

During the dance, I got a request for the Chicken Train by Ozark Mountain Daredevils. There isn't much to the song, but everyone gets in a circle, stomps the feet or hands, and a single dancer partners with a broom in the middle, passing the broom every so often. Not sure which part is best, the dancing with an inanimate object, or the people terrified of said dancing (if you come near them, they will flip out, like you just asked them to diffuse a bomb).

Rebecca Starr & Rich McFarlane

When: Friday, August 7th, 2009
Where: EGF Touch of Magic
1st Dance Song: "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton

Rebecca and Rich are both teachers which meant tonight was an unusual combination of family, friends, and students from their respective schools. Rich teaches theater (and SPA) at Red River and the kids in attendance were pretty enthusiastic. Along for the ride were some faculty I knew when I attended, Doc Brown (the mayor, not the guy from Back to the Future), and some past clients' parents: the Wakefields (the DJ's earplugs courtesy Wakefield Hearing Center, conveniently located in Grand Forks) and Wingers (grandparents to the cutest fist-bumping baby you'd ever see).

Since the reception was at A Touch of Magic, I wasn't allowed there during the social and dinner to help (the facility places a lot of restrictions). I arrived in time to assist with the slide show and speeches, though, which led us directly into their first dance song. One problem was the video setup (provided by Touch of Magic). Turns out Magic runs your DVD player (yes, its provide your own) into a VCR (which causes the volume to be very quiet). Then the video kept going dim (either a bulb or cord on the fritz). It definetely put a damper on things.

Getting things going and keeping it that way was very big with Rich and Rebecca, so only their first dance song (with the wedding party, too) before inviting guests to join them. The only break to the dance was the bouquet toss. No garter, no dollar dance, no problem. My job was to shut up and play good music.

The most unusual item for the night was a pair of dance instructors. Friends of the couple, they came in from Minneapolis. We announced a few times they were available to help guests learn some dances. Very cool. I've always wished we had that available locally.

Katie Tallackson & Ryer Stark

When: Saturday, August 1st, 2009
Where: Minto Community Center
1st Dance Song: "Amazed" by Lonestar

The Minto Community Center, in a town of 650 people, is one of the nicest places I've ever worked. Yeah, surprised me, too. It was built and opened July 5th, 2008 and is pitch perfect. It was very easy for me to patch into their sound system - that made announcements and speeches very easy to hear in the large room filled with 400 guests. A large retractable screen graces one wall. One cord and I had video and sound ready to go for their slide show (which they had me make with a photo from their wedding day dropped in).

The poor ushers. They were feeling so left out that they grafitied the limo/bus. Then I skipped them in the introductions. Sorry, guys, but you just aren't going to be treated as well as the groomsmen.

Actually, poor Shawn. His girlfriend revealed to me (and, as a result, everyone) his secret love for the Kelly Clarkson song, "My Life Would Suck Without You." Not a good move for him. Hilarious for the rest of us.

Noah (Katie's nephew) is probably the youngest wedding guest I've ever played for, though I can't say he was really enjoying the music. A little too loud for the one month old.