Lindsey Belcher & Derrick Duray

When: Saturday, October 23rd, 2010

Where: Masonic Center, Grand Forks, ND
1st Dance Song: "I Need You" by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

"Hey Robert! We wanted to say thank you for everything, you did an awesome job at our wedding reception! You were so nice to cater to all of our needs, plus we had a blast with you! If we come across anyone with DJ needs we will recommend you in a second! Thanks again, and congrats to you and your wife on your new baby!! PS Sorry about Andy!!! ;)" -Lindsey and Derrick

Their ceremony was at the Japanese Gardens (behind Altru Hospital) which is where I proposed to my wife. I'm here three days after my son was born but so far I haven't been distracted. Just after the bride and groom arrived, I noticed a red, lollipop+child related spot on Lindsey's dress. Fortunately I carry Shout! Wipes and took care of it very easily.

There are several couples here as guests that I worked for. Even the caterers. Since I was dismissing tables for the buffet, I helped out one couple by holding their beautiful two week old daughter, Stella, so they could hit the buffet line.

I edited both of the parent dances down to two minute versions of "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts and a slow version of "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart. This meant each Lindsey and Derrick got a moment with a parent, but without it taking up 10 minutes of the start of the dance.

We have an early start today, but already, before 8pm, they've requested I go until 12:30am. This is going to be a five and a half hour dance.

Bridesmaid Paige was promoted to Best Man after former Best Man Andy dissappeared a second time (right before the toasts and again before the dollar dance, even though I had told him to sit tight).

Never has there been a better reason to have the husband rather than the winner of the garter, take the garter off the bride's leg. Lindsey's dad won the raffle.

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Our New Son, Jeb

When: Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

I'll be a little extra busy for the next little bit. This morning our son was born (7lbs15oz). Everyone is doing pretty well. I have a wedding Saturday and will try resume a somewhat regular work schedule next week.

His full name is Jebediah Edward Benda. We'll just call him Jeb.

Laura Gaddie & Derek Wentz

When: Saturday, October 16th, 2010

Where: Ramada Inn, Grand Forks, ND
1st Dance Song: "This Year's Love" by David Gray

The first things I noticed when I walked into the Ramada today were the beautiful chocolate colored chair covers, the paper lanterns hanging, and their favors: candyed apples. Which they made themselves. Apples are from her mom's backyard. Laura unwrapped all the caramels herself. 200 candy apples in 4 hours. I think they're nuts.

The wedding party was ready to go when they arrived so we really had fun with the introductions into the ballroom. The issue is, they were also late, so we had to (rather awkwardly) move straight into the prayer for dinner.

I finally got to work with Darrel Deutz again. First time in over a year. He's in my top five favorite photographers (Shawna Noel, Katie Lewis, Brian's Photographry, and Milestone are the other four).

Only about 12 songs on the request list. Most interestingly, Lady Gaga.... for Derek's brother and Dad. Hmm.

They had a Catholic wedding, which are always early. They added extra 75 minutes so the dance could go til 12:30.

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Amy Holm & Casey Lundquist

When: Friday, October 1st, 2010

Where: Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND
1st Dance Song: "Smile" by Uncle Kracker

"You did a great job at the reception/dance! We've heard so
many great compliments from people that said they had such a
great time! I will definitely continue to recommend you to
other couples! Thanks again!" -Amy Lindquist

Amy is the daughter of Brian Holm, of Brian's Photography (notable enough a man to have a store front on 32nd Ave ever since I started DJ'ing in 1998). Casey is her CaseyBear (sorry, Casey, I had to).

A late start to the evening meant an hor d'eourves buffet instead of proper dinner. Amy and Casey's head table was actually three rounds together in the center of the room. I really liked their display of pictures as you came in. Lots of individual pics in frames scattered across the table.

Amy had a nice list of requests for me to work with. Some younger boys (about seven) kept running over to request songs on behalf of some older guests at a table. Makes it tough to work with since the kids don't really understand what they're asking for.

My favorite moment had to be Amy's dad's toast. The entire thing is too long to repeat here, but he did everything right: he used an old memory of he and Amy when she was little to tell something about her as a person; it was sweet; and it was funny.

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Nomani Bingham and Robert Benda

When: Saturday, September 4th, 2010

Where: Our home, Crookston, MN

Yes, that's me up there. My dearly beloved and I finally got married this past Saturday in a small ceremony and reception. 50 or 60 guests joined us at our home for the reception. No, I did not DJ my own wedding. In fact, because of a new bee problem in our attic (new, as in, found out today), which brought the pests into our yard, we didn't setup the music at all. We only went outside at all because my brother kind of set my oven on fire as guests arrived. The smoke was pretty bad throughout the house.

The picture is at the end of the ceremony, with our two girls. Gia is the 11 year old on the left, Aubrey is the 18 month old on the right.

Christy Sobolik & Shawn Luskey

When: Saturday, August 28th, 2010

Where: Ramada Inn, Grand Forks, ND
1st Dance Song: "Fever" by Michael Buble

My second weekend and third dance in a row at the GF Ramada. They were kind enough to let me store my gear here, which saved me quite a bit of effort.


This was a Catholic ceremony at St. Michael's church, a much earlier start than normal to a day. Ceremony at 1:30, Ramada opened at 4, and dinner at 5:15. For comparison, last week's lutheran service started at 4pm.

Every single member of the wedding party, 12, plus the bride and groom, did a toast. That took a little while (30 minutes). However, most were very good and the guests didn't seem to mind.

One huge item: they choreographed their first dance and her dance with her dad. Very cool. Nothing too complex, but it makes a big impression.

Her vocal coach was the winner of the garter raffle. He was a more than a bit uncomfortable coming up since he didn't realize he wasn't going to remove the garter. No, no, sir, you merely won it. When Shawn came out to remove it, one snap of his fingers and his groomsmen came out and formed a privacy barrier. Public without being public.

My standard contract has a three hour dance to it, which would have only brought us to 10:15. Despite the heat, they decided to add two extra hours (that pic above is from just after midnight). The plus to that is you start to play songs you've never played before. Deeper requests. One was "I Wanna Be Sedated," by the Ramones. In 12 years, hundreds of events, it's never been requested. Ever. I played it right away and they loved it. Sweet. Also unusual (but good), Christy's favorite, "Longtime" by Boston (you'd recognize if you heard it, probably, skip to the 3:30 mark).

One benefit to good equipment: a guest slipped (someone had spilled a drink) and fell hard into my table. Which in turn slid a foot or so, but the music didn't stop and everything was fine. Quality craftmanship courtesy Colorado Sound N' Light and their Super Table.

See more at Grand Forks Wedding DJ.

Mallory Winfield & Dustin Hiott

When: Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Where: Clarion Inn, Grand Forks, ND
1st Dance Song: "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain

"We had seen Robert in action at the Alerus Center (we work there) for many weddings and have been very pleased with his ablility to provide a fun filled evening for many wedding events. Remember Mom's he is there for the wedding couple but did accomdidate our requests also. Thanks Robert for making it a great night for our daughter and son-in-law!" - Del & Jim Winfield, Mallory's parents.

I actually booked this wedding because Mallory's parents both bartend at the Alerus center and have seen me work many times.

A pretty straightforward evening. The fear of public speaking reared it's ugly head though. The best man (whose wedding is in three weeks) and the bride and groom were all terrified. I've never really related to that, and I've always wondered what, exactly, people think will happen.

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Whitney Vidden & Cody Christie

When: Saturday, August 21st, 2010

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

"Thank you so much for agreeing to DJ for our wedding reception. We really appreciate you taking the time to meet with us to make sure our evening goes smoothly!" - Whitney & Cody Christie.

Custom coloring books and crayons were at the guest book table. For kids, in theory, though I noticed quite a few older folks grabbing them.

I can't recall a room getting so quiet and attentive when I've started my introductions. Ever. It was so.... polite.

As a surprise, Whitney and Cody had two extra cakes, one each for their own parents. Both sets are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversaries this month. We brought everyone up for a cutting before the speeches.

And, wow, what speeches. Our best man had three typed single space pages. Usually a big no-no, but it was very good. Most of the wedding party stood up, too.

I had occasion to use my pre-edited songs again. Both of their first two dances, the Brad Paisley followed by "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts, I've made two minute versions. It really helps move things along at the beginning without being abrupt.

The dance was pretty easy. Cody and Whitney provided a sizeable request list of their songs, with a couple marked as 'must' plays. Mixed with guest requests, I always had songs I knew they wanted. It really helps tailor the evening to their tastes.

Kylie Leddige & Todd Tanke

When: Friday, August 20th, 2010

Where: Ramada Inn, Grand Forks, ND
1st Dance Song: "Tupelo Honey" by Van Morrison

Another family affair. I worked Todd's brother's wedding in November 2008 (Jessica and Tanner) and one of his groomsman's Tanner Altendorf before that.

One obstacle tonight is that Todd gets cluster headaches. His body temperature will spike and bring on a migraine. During dinner he snuck away and took a quick cold shower. If it gets bad enough, he can take a shot, but, apparently, too early, and it doesn't work.

No cake, just cupcakes. Two different best men, maids of honor, and speakers from the crowd, along with his dad's speech. Somewhere, somehow, during the 1st dance, Kylie's dad managed to sneak out of the room and I didn't notice. So we bumped Todd's dance with his mom while I found Larry.

Todd, his brother Tanner, the other Tanner (Junior), and Chris have a bit of a tradition. Play the song "Wipeout," Chris is the surfboard, and the guys take turns. Hilarity ensued when Tanner took a spill, then Junior decided to ride the board on his tummy. Just stop and picture that visual.

After the dance wrapped up, the best man (and my past client) Tanner got attacked by cupcakes. In the ear.

On a more personal note, I'm exhausted. I barely recovered at all for my wedding the next day. If you're wondering: 7am to Noon, taking care of my 18 month old daughter and some household chores. During her nap, I was tearing up a floor on top of a floor on top of a floor on top of a floor as part of a bathroom remodel (yes, remove four floors in order to install one new one). At 3pm I loaded up the truck with my gear, cleaned up, drove to Grand Forks, setup, and worked the reception til 1am. No, I don't take breaks. During the reception I drank half a gallon of water and a V8 (great for replacing salt). Twice that the next day along with a couple of milks and an hour sitting in front of an air conditioner.

Megan Neppl & Austin Hauck

When: Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Where: Holiday Inn, Detroit Lakes, MN
1st Dance Song: "Fishin' in the Dark" by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

In between the ceremony and reception the entire wedding party hopped on pontoons for pictures on the lake. They reached shore just in time to avoid a downpour.

The photographer, Brian Walker, setup a photobooth. It printed a copy for the guest and one for Megan and Austin. Brian also did pictures starting before the ceremony and was at the reception until about 11pm. Quite a long day for him.

Along with my usual duties, I was hired to make a video slideshow and film the ceremony. The former I've done quite a bit, the latter, not so much. The slide show came out great with a little surprise. Each Megan and Austin recorded a message of love and thanks for their parents that I dropped in. It starts at the 3:15 mark of the video. The quality isn't the best since we improvised. Between the ceremony and reception I had them read these messages to my voicemail, which I then downloaded as mp3s. If you get a chance to try the cupcakes from Central Market Grocery in Detroit Lakes, take it. They provided the dessert for the reception and I snuck one after the end of the evening. Fantastic frosting and pumpkin spice in the cupcake. See more at Detroit Lakes Wedding DJ.