Bizzy Slavens & Tyler Burslie

When: Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Where: Valley Clubhouse, EGF, MN
1st Dance Song: "The Nearness of You" by Norah Jones

The life threatening cold temperatures are gone, and replaced with rain that will surely freeze and create streets of ice tonight, when I'm trying to drive the 30 miles home. More importantly, this limited guests who were largely from MacIntosh and so that an already relatively small reception (125) shrank down to almost half size. Fortunately, weather isn't enough to stop a good time.


The ceremony was earlier, 1pm, to allow pictures and a field trip afterwards. Bizzy and Tyler met when they both worked at Sam's Club so long ago and made a stop there today. The first song Bizzy and Tyler ever danced to was Taylor Swift's "Love Story," which is unfortunate (it references Romeo & Juliet, which, I'd point out, is a tragedy, not a love song). Bizzy chose Norah Jones because, well, it wasn't Ella Fitzgerald. See, she was at a wedding a year ago with that song by Ella. She loved the song but didn't want to copy the other couple. Subtle.
The guest book was a custom book of photos from Shutterfly.com. Favors were cute little buttons with their name and date on them. Cake was a single top tier with cupcakes for the rest. Wine and champagne was made available for everyone.

Katelyn Hurley & Josh Salwey

When: Friday, January 8th, 2010

Where: Ramada Inn, Grand Forks, ND
1st Dance Song: "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes

Another freezing day in North Dakota. The evening high was -18F. Ugh. This is cold enough to take hot or boiling water, throw it in the air, and it instantly turns to snow. Go ahead, google it. It's pretty cool. Fortunately, I had another great couple to celebrate with, my friends, the photographers Shawna Noel and Kory Wallen. Even my mom, Kathy Benda, provided the chair covers. Decorations (table runners, candles, and flowers) by Just Add Water (Miss Brooke Roche).
Katelyn wanted them introduced into the room to Hall and Oates' "Make My Dreams Come True." You might recognize it if you ever watched the movie "The Weddingsinger."


Another good set of speeches. Best of all was the grooms. As a surprise, his band, Yellow Stripe, played the music for the slide show. We kept this from everyone until we brought out the instruments. Not bad considering we had no time for a proper sound check or even a proper setup for live music on my part. I had to rent a mixer to handle all the instruments and extra microphones.

We tossed the bouquet and garter at the same time, and then segued into a dance for the groom. Once, many years ago, he did the dance for NSYNC's "Bye, Bye, Bye" on a bus trip to Washington, D.C. Katelyn has never forgotten it and had me play it for him again. Enjoy.

Kristen Vanek & Justin Carlson

Kristen Vanek & Justin Carlson

When: Saturday, January 2nd, 2010
Where: Ralph Englestad Arena, Thief River Falls, MN
1st Dance Song: "Making Memories of Us" by Keith Urban

"Justin and I wanted to send a big thank you for going above and beyond for us on our wedding day. You did a wonderful job and we could not have asked for a better reception. We have heard countless times from our guests about how great of a job you did and how your work and personality made the evening so enjoyable. Also thank you for making all of our requests happen! No chicken dance!! ;) We are VERY pleased with how it all turned out! Thanks again!" -Justin and Kristen Carlson

First off, it was -33F at the start of this day. The good news, it didn't seem to affect the Carlsons or their guests because we hit 95% of the guest count for the reception. That excellent photo to the right is courtesy photographer Megan Sugden, http://www.meganphoto.com/.

The introductions into the room were simple. Kristen and Justin first, then he called out each group (guys and ladies) to their themes (Who Let the Dogs Out, and Single Ladies by Beyonce, respectively).


We drew numbers for which table went up to the buffet. That was fine. The real issue was only two lines for 400 people. It took about 70 minutes to serve everyone. Not the worst, but folks were getting cranky after a bit. Remember kids, 1 buffet line per 100 people or so keeps things moving along. One table offered me $5 to pick them next. Hmmm.... nope.

Their cake had charms baked in. The bridesmaids each pulled one out via its ribbon, each charm representing something in their future.

Very different was the beginning of the dance and video. I'm a big proponent of 'your video is too long.' Kristen solved that by combining the first three dances with the video. She and her uncle danced while her pictures appeared behind them, then Justin and his mom during his pics, finally Justin and Kristen during their couple pics. It worked perfectly.


For the garter, we sold raffle tickets. The drawing brought up a couple of guys who then competed. I called out something, they went out into the room and brought it back.

Lots of requests, but one stuck out. Johnny Prine's "In Spite of Ourselves." No, I didn't know it either. All the groomsmen do. They sing it when out hunting (which seems like it would scare away the deer, but what do I know).

Tera Bahl & Greg Paulson

When: Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Where: Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND
1st Dance Song: "Then" by Brad Paisley

Happy New Years! Whoot!

Tonight was noticeably different from normal, at least for me. I was roommates with the groom back in college. Or, rather, back when I was supposed to be in college (sorry, mom). I knew all kinds of fun info on Tonka (Greg's nickname). More fun was what I learned. Like their first date was at Sam's Club. Hmm. I couldn't resist (see the video). I also got to be at the ceremony and brought my gal with.

Scored some Bavarian Almonds from concessions. They were open because First Night had events down the hall. Sweet.

To the left, our best man had his Halloween costume along (from the movie Dumb & Dumber). Sadly (or wisely) he did not wear it over to the church. Greg, meanwhile, is on his second tuxedo here. His first, from the rental company, was completely the wrong size... way too big in the coat and the pants were three inches too short.

Most importantly, we got to do the new year countdown before we wrapped it up. Always nice with 200 friends and family (nice for them, though I was with my gal).