Lacie Fogelson & Casey Hanson

When: Saturday, June25th, 2011

Where: Avalon Events Center, Fargo, ND
1st Dance Song: "You Make Me So Very Happy" played live

Today's ceremony was also at the Avalon, and I took care of sound for that, too.  This meant a mic for the pastor, reader, singer, and inputs for a cellist and guitarist.  It didn't go the way I had planned but went well and that is all that matters.

Our singer (Andi Thoreson who also sang at her sister's wedding two years ago), the cellist and guitarist also performed the first dance song for us.

Some interesting touches tonight.  The guest book was plates (china) guests signed with a silver pen.  This will let Lacie mount these on the wall later.  The Avalon held two receptions tonight.  To make sure guests knew they were in the right spot, a front door, painted with chalkboard paint, had Lacie and Casey's names on it.  I also received a request list made by guests who listed songs on their RSVPs.

Or only real issue was that it appears Lacie and Casey were both struck with food poisoning from something they ate during pictures.  They ducked out about 11pm, a little over an hour early.

As usual, more great work by wedding photographers Shawna Noel and Kory Wallen.   Well, I guess I don't actually know that... we haven't seen the pictures yet, but history suggests it will be more outstanding work on their part.(no, these aren't their pictures.  Their pictures are good)

Amy Lewis & Ryan Knudson

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When: Saturday, February 26th, 2011

Where: Avalon Events Center, Fargo, ND
1st Dance Song: "Look At You" by Chris LeDoux

"Robert, thank you so much for all the hard work you did at our wedding.  We were so pleased with the way the reception & dance went, and you really helped us to have a great night.  You did a great job of keeping the night moving & keeping us informed.  Everyone had a blast on the dance floor and we will recommend you to all of our friends!  Thanks again,"  -Amy & Ryan

Amy is sister to the wonderful Fargo photographer Katie Lewis, whose pictures you see here.

It was my first real opportunity to show off my new decorative up lighting (back ground below).  I kept it simple, with their wedding color blue behind the head table and by the cake, gifts, and front door.

The Avalon is a beautiful space, but the acoustics on the second floor are murder for a DJ.  Normally I would run additional speakers out away from the dance floor to keep a good, clean sound for speeches, but here there were so many guests and doorways that I couldn't.

Amy and Ryan were married three weeks prior in a ceremony on the beach.  Today's reception had me setting up a screen to show pictures from the ceremony (difficult in the limited space but I got it), then a six minute video after dinner.

One group of guests kept requesting 80's music, like Lionel Ritchie's "Dancing on the Ceiling," and "I Wear My Sunglasses at Night," by Cory Hart. 

Kiley English & Jason Cossette

When: Saturday, September 19th, 2009
Where: Avalon Events Center, Fargo, ND
1st Dance Song: "I Don't Know Much" by Aaron Neville & Linda Ronstadt

I got to put their slide show together and its was my favorite in years (see video below). As soon as I saw the pictures Kiley sent me I knew exactly what to do. The final result is to the right and, at only 3 minutes, it clips along nicely and even includes Kiley singing when she was, at most, two years old.

Kiley's dad put together a fun little quiz for the guests in lieu of a speech (How many times has Kiley seen New Kids on the Block Live? Three.). Both our Best Man Jon and Maid of Honor Hillary did very nice speeches, but Jason's was excellent. His was a great example to other grooms.

Apparently "for the night" means something different to the photographer, when asked how late he'd be here. If you're gonna pack up after the first dance, just say so. Otherwise I'm be looking all over trying to find you so you can get pics of the bride's brother performing his guitar live. At least I got the video and recorded the audio straight off the mixer (to download his song, right click this link and 'save link as' or 'save target as'). I also got CD recordings of her brother and dad in a band covering "One" by U2.