Kasey Swiers & Nolan Klinkhammer

When: Saturday, July 16th, 2011

Where: Community Center, Bejou, MN
1st Dance Song: "Then" by Brad Paisley

Today's temperature got up to 162*F.  Or at least very close to it.  Thankfully the city hall here in Bejou is air conditioned  Oh, wait.  It's not.  Nuts.  That's fine when it's just me setting up but once 150 people pile in here and start moving, sweet mollases, it's hot.  We were dying by 9pm, but couldn't open up the doors until after sunset, or we'd be trading intense heat for swarms of mosquitos.

I'm only here for the dance.  Nolan and Kasey had their dinner at the church in Mentor, where they were married.  She didn't bring a toss bouquet, so I supplied one of mine (what?  You don't keep a few spare toss bouquets in your van?).

These guys were definitely ready to dance.  It would have taken a pretty bad DJ to clear these folks off the floor.  I got to play almost anything you can think of.

To the left is the result of a concrete floor and spilled drinks on a wedding dress.

Ericka Erdmann & Garret Kollin

When: Friday, June10th, 2011

Where: Shooting Star Casino, Mahnomen, MN
1st Dance Song: "Then" by Brad Paisley

The reception hall was set for more than 500 people.  The room was as long as a football field.  Quality sound for that size room with that many people is tough, but if you do it right, everyone can easily hear the speeches, the room is full of sound, but not too loud, except on the dance floor which is loud enough (and that is one heckuva run-on sentence).

While Ericka and Garret wanted to recognize their mom and dad (respectively) with a dance each, she did let me shorten them.  I created digital edits of their first dance song, her dance with her dad, and his with his mom so that all three songs lasted about eight minutes instead of the full twelve.  The songs still sound intact instead of the old, awkward fade down halfway in.  Instead of another slow song for the weddng party, Ericka had me play "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz.  Something upbeat and fun can work, just warn your wedding party in advance and get them onboard.  In our case, it was also after 9pm and a bit easier to get people going.

No dollar dance, but we did toss the bouquet, and a scavenger hunt to give away the garter.  Out of left field, Ericka asked if I could do something I haven't in a couple of years, and even then it was at a Christmas party: the frozen t-shirt contest.  Five guys race to put on t-shirts that have been soaked and frozen.  Fantastic for it's silliness, definitely something you do late, in our case, 11pm.