Stephanie Wilson & Trevor Anderson

When: Saturday, August 6th, 2011 Where: DoubleWood Inn, Fargo, ND 1st Dance Song: "Then" by Brad Paisley Three different wedding receptions going on here, at the Doublewood, tonight, causing a little guest confusion in the halls.  It also meant that, while we did our toasts, the room next door was blasting music already.  Not cool.  We were alright, but no one should have to give a speech with a muffled, but still loud, version of 'Shout' playing in the background. We did some different things with our opening songs.  For her dance with her dad, Steph made up a mix: start with 'Cinderella', which suddenly rips into.  The wedding party started out fast with Usher's "DJ Got Us Falling in Love."  I followed up quickly with a surprise black light dance.  I handed out 30 or so pairs of white gloves, turned down the rest of the lights, and made it glow.  Check out the video for what I mean.  It's a great effect when used for the one song (and doesn't turn your wedding dance into a night club). For the garter, we sold raffle tickets, then brough up eight winners who competed via musical chairs.  Cutthroat business.  Ashley won by disqualification when the other three guys all sat down without the music stopping.  They thought the music had stopped because, ironically, I got on the mic to warn them not to sit down without the music stopping.  The crowd voted them out. Things fired right back up after the bouquet/garter, so I did a stroll:  everyone forms two lines, facing each other.  The couple on one end dance on down the middle (see the video).  You only attempt this while things are going great.  It's not really something guests will do until they trust you to be fun.

Elva Perez & Brandon Frank

When: Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

Where: Community Center, Wyndmere, ND
1st Dance Song: "Then" by Brad Paisley

Things are looking up.  Temperatures have returned to relative normal and this community center has AC.  I also setup decorative up lighting.  This room has those giant floruscent lights every school gym has, which means, with the lights, it's either all or nothing.  With the up lighting around the room, we were able to leave the floruscents off. 

I've never seen a staff serve so many people so quickly in a buffet.  150 guests in some 12 minutes.

Photobooth tonigh was provided by Black Tie Photobooth.  If you are looking for one, he's easily the first and only I'd recommend.  Not only was his equipment top notch (HQ photo prints in about 12 seconds), he seems to do everything the right way, but he is as cheap or cheaper than anyone else I've seen.

A slight change in tradition.  Elva danced with her dad first, who handed her off to Brandon.  From there we quickly added the wedding party, all married couples for an anniversary dance (48 years was our longest marriage).

A rare moment tonight, the Chicken Train (by groom's request).  A big circle forms, one person in the middle has a broom as a dance partner, and everyone gets a turn.  It's silly but who cares.

Gina & Josh Wagner

When: Saturday, July 2nd, 2011

Where: Teamsters, Fargo, ND
1st Dance Song: "Love of a Lifetime" by Firehouse

Tonight was marred by some delays.  You wouldn't know it, but having only a single stall bathroom for a reception of 250 people can really slow things down as wedding party members are forced to stand in line for their turn.



Hello to some old clients, the Wagners, married about three years ago and guests at (what feels like) many, many weddings.  Pictured here is their new baby boy with their uncle Josh.

No song list from Gina and Josh.  Just after the dance started they snuck outside to finish their pictures (an open shutter, then drawing a heart using sparklers).  This made for a slow start to the dance.  Once they came back in, the requests started and we got rolling right until everybody was disappointed it was time to go, three hours later.

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)

Brooke Melicher & Tim Hanson

When: Saturday, June11th, 2011

Where: Holiday Inn, Fargo, ND
1st Dance Song: "Grow Old With You" by Adam Sandler

A night opposite from last, this one with about 140 guests, in much more modest ballroom (the Holiday Inn is great, it's just not the size of a football field).  Brooke, Tim, and the wedding party arrived via clydesdale drawn hay ride (and I missed pics).


To involve the guests quickly (and give the photographers a better background), we brought up all the guests to form a circle around Brooke and Tim for their first dance song.  Not an issue since the song is only 90 seconds long.  The second song, Brooke and her dad, Paul, danced to a minute long version of "You Never Can Tell" by Chuck Berry (most recognizable these days from Pulp Fiction).

No dollar dance, bouquet, or garter tonight.  The only interuption to the dance was when a young lady, Destiny, asked to sing "The Way I Am."

One amusing moment: a guest from the wedding next door came over to request a song... for next door.  Turns out that DJ didn't have "Into the Mytic" by Van Morrison, so I got it for him on an mp3 player I use for backup.