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)

Katie Jo Johnson & Carlos Ballinas

When: Saturday, June18th, 2011

Where: Under a tent, Battle Lake, MN
1st Dance Song: "As Time Goes By" by Buena Vista Social Club

"Hi Robert!  I'm so sorry it took so long to get back to you.  I think things were more crazy after the wedding than before:)  Again thank you for everything you did for our wedding reception!  I don't think it could have gone any better than it did.  If you need any recommendations just let us know!"

Katie and Carlos were actually married January in Mexico, and again yesterday, in Minneapolis.  Today is a reception only at her parents' lake house.

I stole a baby (OK, babysat) during dinner when I sent her mom and family up to the buffet.  Her name is Laney, she is 4 months old and she giggles when you hold her up so she flies like Superman.

Since Carlos and his family are from Mexico, we used a translator during the prayer, and during some of the event explanations.  Their first dance song is in Spanish (somehow I can't find the Spanish title, though).

Turns out, at weddings in Mexico there is a tradition of carrying the groom in and tossing him in the air, all set to the Funeral March.  Fantastic.  We followed that with "A La Vibora De La Mar," which is, as best as I can describe it, a cross of a conga line, circle dance, and limbo.  No footage for that one because, no one told me about the song in advance, so I bought it, downloaded and was playing it from my smart phone, which I had been using to catch some of these moments.  Maybe I'll be able to get some footage from the videographer.

One other very random request:  "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus.  Apparently they line dance to a Spanish version in Mexico.  That's a first time playing it for me.  I also got to play a bunch of salsa music.

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.

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.

Yingxi (Rona) Shi & Jeff Kuntz

When: Monday, May 30th, 2011

Where: Turtle River State Park, Grand Forks, ND
1st Dance Song: "Eyes on Me" from Final Fantasy

This was actually an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception.  The couple met as students in the UND meteorology department.  There was a brief panic in the morning when lightning knocked out the area's power, but the park runs on propane, not the electrical grid, so my mad scramble for a generator on Memorial Day Monday was unnecesary.  There was some misting rain as we all arrived for the ceremony, but in all, the day was quite beautiful.  The ceremony went off without a hitch, though the pastor's mic was on mute, his voice carried fine.  The reception, however, was perfect til about 9:30pm, when tornados were spotted around Grand Forks, sending many of our meteorologists on their way, and the rest of us to safety.  Which wasn't too bad, since we had to be done at 10pm (per park rules) anyway.

I'm very used to pronouncing difficult names, but that's usually Polish or Norwegian.  This is Chinese, a whole new set of phoenetics.  If you're wondering, Rona's name is pronounced like 'Ing-She'.  That's the easy one.  Have fun trying to pronounce Shaoyue or Zhe.

The reception was pretty traditional.  Rona's parents flew in from China for this, and her dad wanted to do a speech, done with a translator (her cousin), who learned just how hard that is to do well.  Not everything in Chinese translates easily into English very well, or at least, not literally, but he did a pretty good job.

Rona and Jeff choreographed their first dance song, all five minutes of it, making a great impression on the guests.  For those who can, 12 lessons or so is all it takes to put something together that will get noticed.

Erin Lowder & Derek Hoffert

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When: Saturday, May 28th, 2011

Where: Bestwestern Guest House, Grand Forks, ND
1st Dance Song: "Beautiful Mess" by Jason Mraz

Derek's family and I go way back.  I DJ'ed both his older sisters' weddings in 1999 and 2000.  Tonight, they decorated the Guesthouse pretty well.  Real evergreen trees behind the head table, candle-lit lanterns on a bed of grass (yes, as in lawn) for centerpieces.  Their flower/decorator Georgina Smith had containers of grass growing from seed for the last eight weeks, just begging for sunny days.

Erin wasn't crazy about the garter removal, so we turned things around.  Once Derek got out to the floor and dropped to one knee, she grabbed him, put him in the chair, and took the garter off his leg (already under his pant leg).

Random song I've never played before, and probably won't again, but that did great here: "Stop" by the Spice Girls.

Amy Strand & Charles Getsman

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When: Saturday, May 21st, 2011

Where: Clarion Inn, Grand Forks, ND
1st Dance Song: "Then" by Brad Paisley

Don't worry, Chuck, I won't repeat your wife's nickname for you here, though it was revealed (playfully) to the guests.  The same can't be said for your buddies, though, or the youth soccer team you coach.

Instead of the traditional garter giveaway, Chuck decided to have the guys compete over it, via an air guitar contest.  Sadly, there is no footage of this because, while silly, it was still fun.

Danielle Grandbois & Daniel Danielson

When: Friday, May 20th, 2011

Where: Doublewood Inn, Fargo, ND
1st Dance Song: "Heaven" by Yanou & DJ Sammy

Just go ahead and try and say their married name outloud.  It's all about the emphasis and second syllable in Danielle to make sure you don't sound like Daniel is marrying Daniel.

 Danielle is a big karaoke fan, so we included that throughout the night.  Something like 12 songs scattered over a four hour dance.  Only one singer was bad... she yelled more than sang her song.

Danielle did make a video slide show of pictures, but had me play it on a loop during the entire social and dinner.  Guests could watch if they wanted, when they wanted.  This is key if your video exceeds ten minutes or so.

Aleesha Ruff & Andy Nicholson

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When: Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

Where: Woodland Lodge, Turtle River State Park, ND
1st Dance Song: "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain

Alee and Andy were married on a Tuesday.  They both just graduated, he's now commisioned in the U.S. Army, so it was a now or never thing for them if they wanted their friends there before everyone scattered to the winds.  They did end up competing with a Tim McGraw concert, but it didn't seem to be a problem.

The Woodland Lodge is a bit small (space for 100 or so indoors) but is actually pretty nice: full kitchen and central air.  There is also a patio area if the weather is nice.

To get Alee and Andy to kiss, guests asked them questions.  So a guest who knew Andy well asked Alee about him.  Because of this we learned that Andy is into power kites.  I'm not sure what that means, but one is 13 meters long.  That's enormous and I now feel bad because I still have trouble getting the regular little ones off the ground.

One last note, I would have never expected a bunch of ROTC/military guys to be so into Rebecca Black's "Friday."  Curious.