Kathryn Stephan & Grant Korsmo

When: Friday, July 24, 2009
Where: Grand Forks Celebrity Ballroom
1st Dance Song: "Heaven" by Bryan Adams
Special Performance: "Folsom Prison Blues" by Grant Korsmo & Chambers

Tonight's entire attitude was a bit different because the couple was actually married months ago in Hawaii, so no ceremony today. That won't stop us from kickin' up our feet, though. That special performance above is the direct audio recording of Grant's karaoke song, and quite a crowd pleaser. Enjoy part of it in the video, click to listen, or right click and 'save link as' to download for posterity.

No dollar dance, no bouquet toss, no garter. We did a few special dances, including Kathryn with her grandfather. Some requests that were interesting: a friend, Jackie, who could not attend, actually texted her request in (yes, Jackie, we did play Bel Biv Devoe). Also in the playlist were Rolling Stones' "Beast of Burden," Marc Cohn's "Walking in Memphis," and Boyz II Men's "MoTownPhilly."

While the catering job by Bob Kincaid and his crew from 'Quality Catering' was impressive, I'll guess the taco grinders served at midnight actually appreciated most. Sorry, Bob. Cool centerpiece, though (photo left).

Most of Kathryn's bridsemaids are from Kodiak, Alaska, where she grew up. One even brought a paper fan, explaining, "it's cold in Kodiak, it's hot here (North Dakota)." First time I ever heard North Dakota described as hot, but I guess it's all relative (Friday's temp in Kodiak: ).

Last item is pretty unusual for our area (though its common in some parts of the country). We gave away the centerpieces at the end of the night. Anyone who wanted one, could have one.

Sarah Thoreson & Jeff Krumwiede

When: Saturday, July 18, 2009
Where: Grand Forks Hilton
1st Dance Song: "Grow Old With You" by Andi Thoreson

Yes, that's a recording of their first dance song, performed live by her sister. Its the love song from the "Weddingsinger" movie with Adam Sandler. Andi did a wonderful job dispite my recording (not really what I'm setup for, but I try). Right Click and 'Save Link As' to download it.

And if Andi hadn't done that, this would have been my favorite moment: the ceremony recessional was Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us." (apparently a reference to her childhood passion for "Mannequin.") I even caught a little of Jeff's brother, Jason, singing it for us all. Enjoy that in the video clip along with me trying to fix her bustle with my safety pins.

The great news is that the only mishaps the entire day were earlier, before the ceremony. There was a chemical spill and fire at the UND Engineering department that diverted traffic, making arrival at the ceremony site difficult. Then the limo was two hours late, so never took Jeff or Sarah to the ceremony. However, when they left, there were two. The one they actually hired, and a second, from a company Jeff had called, but never booked because they were already full. Apparently not.

Photographer Katie Miller can tell you all about me running into things... and people. A hostess, a little boy, and Andi (the singer) all fell victim to my clumsiness tonight. Sorry guys.

Sarah's only request, her only input for the music at all.... please don't play the Chicken Dance. Everything else was entirely up to me, as long as guests were having fun.

Nicole Jorissen & Paul Shanenko

When: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Where: Valley City Sabir's Restaurant
1st Dance Song: "Forever" by Ben Harper

Sabir's is a great restaurant in Valley City with a heck of a view out the back. The dinner was inside, then we moved outside for the dance on a wooden deck. This meant I setup my gear outside, and my backup system setup inside to provide wireless mic and music during dinner.


The original version of their first dance song has a 60 second instrumental in the middle, so Nicole had me trim that out.

While we skipped a dollar dance and garter toss, we were supposed to toss the bouquet. However, there was no toss version. Rather than my artificial backup I always carry, I tied together the loose flowers around the cake with ribbon and ta da! (picture left)

Great news! The deck was built sturdy enough to withstand at least 75 people jumping up and down on it. I wasn't really worried, but the concern had popped into my head when I first saw everyone out on the dance floor.



I can't praise Nam Sabir and his restaurant staff enough. They did so many things that other banquet facilities ignore that added to the evening. Soft lighting, a fire pit, mosquito traps plus spraying made a very comfortable night outside. Drink service all night, including outside, meant people didn't have to wait in line at the bar.

Denelle Dilulo & Don Doescher

When: Sunday, June 28th, 2009
Where: Grand Forks Clarion Inn
1st Dance Song: "Another Side of You" by Joe Nichols

This is actually my third wedding this same weekend, and only my second wedding on a Sunday in my 11 years. This weekend also saw my first Thursday night, and Friday delayed by a tornado.

The last time I saw Denelle before today was July of 2006, at her Matron of Honor Erica Speidel's wedding, catching the bouquet. A photo (left) I was more than happy to dig up from the archives. Side note: At the wedding this photo was taken at, the toss bouquet was missing at the reception and we used the spare I had brought.

The wedding party was huge. I announced a total of 20 people into the room for the Grand March.


Once I had dismissed all the tables for the buffet we got Denelle & Don over for their cake pictures. Rather than worrying about him smashing her face with the cake, she should have worried about crumbs. Apparently a chunk of the cake fell into the bustier of her dress and had to be fished out.

We started our dance a bit differently. Rather than Don and Denelle themselves, it was Denelle and their son Trey (Photo: Right. Before he got too cranky - it was past bedtime), and Don with his mom, Gloria. Then Denelle and Don got to dance together. We also had songs to recognize Denelle's dad, her mom, and, of course, Don's two little girls.

Jenny Newcomb & Tim Curry

When: Friday, June 26th, 2009
Where: Grand Forks Alerus Center
1st Dance Song: "Stay With You" by John Legend

I worked Jenny's sister's wedding a couple of years ago. The same wedding where Jenny met Tim. Heavens, that is one good looking couple.


Hmmm, where to start, where to start.... how about, the second the wedding party arrived we were all ushered into the space below the main arena's bleachers just in case the tornado bearing down on Grand Forks decided crush us like bugs. Yes, that seems like a good thing to bring up.

We had our and another wedding's guests under the bleachers for protection (the Alerus is the city's emergency shelter, if you didn't know) for about 90 minutes until we finally got the all clear. Apparently the Alerus' emergency plan didn't dictate for anyone to update us, so, yeah! I got to do it. Trust me, you don't want to have to give continously bad news to large groups of hungry and cranky people. Its like training them to dislike you.


Once we got the all clear we retuned everyone to the ballroom and headed straight into: Grand March; prayer; dinner service; video; toasts; and the dance. All on a slightly truncated timeline. We skipped the dollar dance. I did get a really good stroll in. Plus, I got to play "Poison" by Bel Biv Devoe. I don't know if any request has ever made me so happy (maybe "Now that We Found Love" by Heavy D and the Boyz last December). OK, yes, I love bad 90's music, but that's exactly why you don't ever tell a DJ "just play whatever you like".

To the right, a photo of Jenny during the dance. I couldn't not share this. The look is priceless.

Margi Driscoll & Zack Yanish

When: Thursday, June 25th, 2009
Where: Grand Forks Alerus Center
1st Dance Song: "Then" by Brad Paisley

A wedding on a Thursday, while not terribly uncommon, is unusual to be so large. When I asked Margi & Zack about why a Thursday, her family does a reunion every year on this weekend, so everyone was already getting together. The result was about 250 guests partying til midnight before heading to the lake the next day.


The first thing you'd notice walking into their reception was the assigned table seating and RSVP'ed dinner entree (3 choices). Common in some parts of the country, I've only had about six receptions (out of about 400) do this. The host couples have the sheets for everyone to check in and to remind them what they ordered (very important).

To the left, one table was the beneficiary of some kids giving out shoulder rubs. Lucky folks.


Each of the first three dances (Margi & Zack; Margi and her dad; Zack and his mom) were brief. I created two minutes versions (in advance) by cutting out a verse and chorus. This meant each got their own song, but the entire beginning was still only seven minutes long. Also different was during the bride and her dad's dance, we invited all dads to bring their daughters up and join us. Same for mothers and sons for Zack and his mom. Wonderful turnout. The only negative was clearing the floor of fathers and daughters for Zack and his mom's dance but it wasn't a big deal and we did fill the floor right back up.

The rest of the night was reasonably typical except the guy who won the garter raffle was under two years old and at one point Margi got a little light headed. We got her setup with water and salted peanuts and she felt better soon, though. She and Zack did sneak out a little early (about 20 minutes). They were pretty tired and didn't want to break up the party before the rest of us wrapped up about midnight.

To the right, daughter of a bridesmaid and a flower girl herself, Bella, wearing the apron grandma made for her.

Rachel Hillhouse & Cary Osowski

When: Saturday, June 20, 2009
Where: Grand Forks Eagles Crest Patio
1st Dance Song: "You & Me" by Lifehouse

Rachel and Cary farm just north of Oslo. I posted some pictures of them earlier this year taking a boat over the eight miles of overland flooding surrounding their home to get to a truck and a functioning road. Never the less, things came together for them today. The weather was gorgeous, they looked wonderful, and we got to the cakes before the frosting melted in the heat.

Their reception was on the patio at the Eagles Crest grill and overlooked the 18th hole of the golf course. An awning protected guests and, fortunately, the bugs didn't come out at all til late (and even then were pretty light).

We drew from the RSVPs for an example kiss each time the guests clinked their glasses. This led to me picking on a few of the trouble makers who kept starting things. I kept picking the same names over and over.

The video slide show was quite a challenge. Sunlight can make it difficult to see projector screens so I had a big screen handy just in case. I scanned the photos for Rachel (just over 300 of them) and used about 120 to craft a nice little nine minute film.

My favorite moment had to be when Cary's son got all the boys together and did a dance to Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Jump on It." Oh, did I mention I have video? Just a nice little 30 second clip here, but if anyone wants the full video, email me and I'll be glad to send it along.

Abby Emter & Chris Gergen

When: Saturday, June 13, 2009
Where: Jamestown Gladestone Inn
1st Dance Song: "Then" by Brad Paisley

Some totals for the weekend: 480 miles (round trip), 9 hours in the car (two asleep), 3 V8s, 3 liters of water, and a breakfast pizza from Fargo Stamart (normally, no, but great on the road at 8am).



To bad Chris and Abby weren't there yet to see it, but apparently, somebody (*chough* Abby *cough*) forgot to pull their homemade punch out of the freezer this morning. The result was the behemoth to the left (as flower girl Katie looks on).

Always follow up! Abby's uncle Bob prepared the video, brought the player, all he needed was a screen. Except, that's not all he needed. He had some trouble with his laptop, so we switched to my player (always have it with, along with my projector, just in case). The video was wonderful and funny. Not too long and plenty of great photos.

We gave away their garter a bit differently. We drew four winning raffle tickets. Once I had those four guys we did a nice elimination game. Last one to bring me what I ask for is out. A woman's shoe; some flowers, and a piece of turtle cheesecake.

Rather than a traditional wedding cake, mini cheesecakes adorned the tables for dessert. Abby did sneak in a groom's cake (to the right) for Chris.

I almost forgot to mention the polkas and waltzes. At most weddings I play a few, but not here. Abby's family has their own music theater and polka CDs. They passes two of the CDs along to me in advance. I played four different sets of two waltzes and two polkas. Or was it five? Its hard to remember these things.

For the second night in the row the couple added overtime, right up until the hotel allowed 12:30, before bidding their guests goodnight.

Lindsey Lommen & Jesse Kadrmas

When: Friday, June 12, 2009
Where: Moorhead Marriot
1st Dance Song: "Then" by Brad Paisley

Whoops! Always double check everything before you leave! I got about 20 minutes behind schedule when I realized 2 miles out of Grand Forks that I didn't have my tux (construction meant I had to go 7 more miles before turning around). This meant I was setup and ready to go right on time (always leave early, kids!).

We had some fun with the wedding party introductions when they arrived. The sound of 180 people clapping and stomping their feet can be quite something. Lindsey also had me bring some karaoke. We let some of the guests (wedding party, mostly) sing about four or five songs throughout the night. Some.... noticeably better than others.

To the left are Cierra & Matt. I DJ'ed their reception last August 15th (I almost didn't recognize her as a blonde!).

A little side note, the roses Lindsey and Jesse were to give to their moms at the church were found at the reception. They suggested it was another item in a list and they weren't terribly satisfied with their wedding coordinator. I'd think not.

I'm short on pictures since my dear photographer friends Shawna and Kory were stuck working with me, again and I simply plan on poaching some of their photos since, you know, they'll look good.

Sarah Lappegard & Matt Abentroth

When: Saturday, June 6, 2009
Where: Grand Forks Clarion (formerly Holiday Inn)
1st Dance Song: "My Best Friend" by Tim McGraw

Tonight went well most of the time. It can be difficult to be heard with 325 people in an odd shaped room... well, two rooms actually. Sarah & Matt had some nice touches, both in the room with the favors (boxes with Chippers), colorful cupcakes on the tables and a putting green by the head table. If you wanted to get Sarah & Matt to kiss, you had to sink a putt. Miss, and you kissed someone yourself. Video at the bottom, left hand side.

The best news (for me) was the photographers, Shawna Noel and Kory. You can see their photos below (you can tell which, because they're actually good).

A little birdie let me know that the Pastor had referenced "Turn, Turn, Turn" by the Byrds in his sermon at the ceremony so I played it immediately after the blessing.

Since Sarah & Matt were a bit shy about being the center of attention we altered their first dance song a little. Sarah provided the photos of them and I got a screen and projector. The net result was a backdrop of photos that looked great, but also drew a little attention away from the nervous couple. Video is below, on the right. The wonderful photo to the right is courtesy photographer ShawnaNoel.com

The remainder of the evening was pretty typical except for an impromptu dance contest between two of the guys. It went on for almost five minutes and was amazing. That led us up to a very tired couple making their except at 12:30 before I had to stop per Clarion Inn rules.

These photos courtesy Shawna Noel