Christopher and Vanessa

And we’re on our way to glory.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that no matter what, love always prevails. Through the peaks and valleys of our lives, our existence carries on. And with those thoughts in mind, I wrapped up Christopher and Vanessa’s magnificent wedding. What better way to start fresh this 2022 than being part of such a fun, charming event?

With that preamble, you can imagine what kind of event was Vanessa and Chris’s wedding. The ceremony -held outside -featured rose petals everywhere, including the aisle where Vanessa walked looking stunning, but most of all, looking like a woman in love. And speaking about love, it was such a cute, fun moment, when Chris (as he was saying his vows) repeated the part of “I promise to love you.” The crowd laughed as the officiant pointed out how much he liked that part.

After the ceremony, Vanessa and Christopher were officially pronounced husband and wife; the crowd moved inside for the reception. 

There, the royalty-vibe continued, not only because the ballroom is stunning itself but also the tasteful decoration that adorned it. The sweetheart table was one of my favorite parts, with lots of white roses, candles, and breathtaking details. 

Now there’s time for us to spend

Let’s talk music.

The newlyweds chose the song “Pluto Projector” by Rex Orange County for their first dance. In this song, the author confesses his love for his significant other. He also is hopeful these feelings will last forever. The second verse of the song actually talks about marriage because Rex -in his own words -said he imagined himself in wedlock with his partner.

He calls for an encore on this life again. He also does not shy away from admitting his mistakes and failures while admitting that he can be a ‘boy’ in his thoughts at times. The song reaffirms that where there is understanding, compromise, and communication, “forever” is possible. And with such amazing lyrics, Christopher and Vanessa swayed, looking into each other’s eyes. 

The father and daughter’s song was no less emotional. Vanessa and her father danced Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle. Carlisle, a contemporary Christian singer and author wrote this song for his daughter. He was looking at some family photos and suddenly realized his daughter Brooke was bound to leave the household in a few years. Bob Carlisle said the lyrics just “poured out” of him, and he immediately recorded the song. The melody and lyrics are not only about fatherhood but reflection and gratitude. Like when we look back and see we’ve done pretty good, despite all odds. It also triggers appreciation for time well spent. 

And if someone spent their time very well, were the guests at the wedding. Because once the lights were dimmed and the hip hop began, the dancefloor became a stage. 

A remarkable way to start my year. Christopher and Vanessa, I wish your journey together be as your wedding day did: filled with laughter, joy, and tons of love.

Grant and Shyanne

Once I stepped into the ceremony area, with the magnificent circular arch and the beautiful wooden and green deco, I knew Grant’s and Shyanne’s wedding would be fantastic -I was not wrong.

This thing called love.

One of my favorite things about this wedding was that the officiant was the father of the groom. How immensely cool is that? Every single word uttered by Dad was said with deep emotion and the highest sense of love. It was a fantastic experience. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

The wedding procession walked down the gorgeous aisle, when suddenly! Oh! The family dog walked as well! I am a firm believer that a wedding should be the reflection of a couple’s personality -not following a script designed by a stranger. Grand and Shyanne nailed this part; everything about the wedding said a bit of them as a couple and as two people very much in love. 

Shyanne appeared, looking stunning beyond words, arm, and arm with her father. The song they chose for the grand entrance was “Can’t help falling in love” by Elvis Presley’s King of Rock. This song was included in the 1961 movie Blue Hawaii. The funny thing is that no one of the movie producers wanted to include it; Elvis insisted on recording the melody for the motion picture. Since then, the song has been featured in many movies, such as Coyote Ugly, Only Fools Rush In, and Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. 

It was time for Shyanne and Grant to take the dance floor for their first dance as a married couple. The song they chose was a lovely tune called “Butterflies” by Macey Musgraves. Macey was inspired to write this song when she met her future husband, Ruston Kelly. Macey confessed: “Everything from the lyrics down to the production really represents this floaty, dreamy feeling that I got as soon as he came into my life. I had just met Ruston, so my world had been completely flipped upside down, so this is a great sonic representation of that.” Ruston Kelly must’ve felt the same way as he proposed to Musgraves on Christmas eve.

I loved the way the songwriter expressed it because it was the same type of experience one got from watching Grant and Shyanne as they looked at each other’s eyes while dancing. As if they couldn’t wait for the rest of their lives to begin, but at the say, they wished to stop time and enjoy this dreamy feeling. And guess what?… the family dog was present at their first dance as well!

It was 6:30 pm, and the husband and bride took advantage of the golden hour to take some fantastic photos together. From that moment on, everyone dedicated themselves to having fun! The dance floor was packed and alive until the wedding day reached its ending. Family and friends said goodbye to the newlyweds as they marched away with Freddy Mercury singing “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” 

Grant and Shyanne, we loved being part of your wedding -may all the blessings and happiness accompany your journey as a couple.

Erik and Kinsey

I’ve found something real.

I had the pleasure to accompany Erik and Kinsey as they became Mr. and Mrs. Swanson -and boy! Did they do it in a fantastic way!

Erik and Kinsey chose the Safari Park, at the San Diego Zoo, as their wedding location. This is a terrific choice for couples seeking a unique celebration filled with romance, adventure, and one-of-a-kind landscapes. Erik and Kinsey’s guests will forever treasure this memory. Moreover, when couples book weddings at this location, they contribute to the support of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation efforts. You get a memorable wedding day, and you help the planet -that’s neat!

Hold my heart til’ it grows old.

The ceremony began, and the wedding procession entered with a charming song called “Savage beauty” -by Jacob Shea and Jasha Klebe (from Planet Earth II soundtrack). The beautiful bride then entered, arm and arm with her father; the song chosen was “Courage and Kindness” from the Cinderella soundtrack. You could say Kinsey is a modern-time princess who loves nature -a combination hard to top.

The officiant’s words were touching and emotional. My favorite phrase from the ceremony was when the officiant said: “A lasting love is rooted upon the fact that God loves you.” And, I couldn’t agree more!

Musical requests for the rest of the event varied, but the classics were ever-so present, with the Beatles, the Righteous Brothers, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra. And speaking of the Chairman of the Board, Kinsey’s father sang “The Way You Look Tonight.” I have to be honest, as I was told this was going to happen, I pictured an emotional but serious moment -I was wrong! Kinsey’s father’s unique voice surprised me, but I was also astonished by this moment’s great vibes imprinted in the ambiance. Everyone was dancing to the iconic song as Erik and Kinsey embraced each other and sang it along!

The whole wedding had too many terrific moments to recount them all! I don’t know what I liked the most, Whether Erik dancing with his two sisters or Grandma rocking the dance floor with her favorite song, “Low” by Flo Rida. One of the best wedding moments I’ve ever witnessed!

Everything about Erik and Kinsey’s wedding day matched. The flowers with the landscape, the music with the dancers, the decoration with the place. But most of all, the bride and groom matched each other. It is always inspiring, and never trite, to witness two people madly in love with each other, vowing to be together through thick and thin. It was an honor to be a part of your wedding. Best of lucks in this new stage of your life, and remember to always keep the music on your side!

The Wedding of Tyler & Kathryn

The Rancho Bernardo Inn has been a witness to many love stories. From proposals, engagement announcements, and weddings, their 40-year experience as a wedding venue precedes it. I’d been at the Rancho Bernardo before but at a different location. Tyler and Kathryn chose this magnificent place as the setting for their grand day: their wedding day.

The Rancho Bernardo offers something for every taste. Of course, the landscape is impressive; anyone staring past beyond those green areas gets inspired by its beauty. But there are also cozy corners that offer intimacy and a sense of familiarity. As is if the couples are getting married at home.

A fun fact, John Lennon did not play on this song. It was that time when the two of them were not on the best terms, and the tension was reaching a boiling point. We are thankful because after they settled their differences, George Harrison collaborated in the ultimate Lennon’s hymn “Imagine.” 

“Here comes the Sun” is a testimony of the genius behind the often-underrated Harrison. It also speaks about witnessing something beautiful emerging after a long wait. We could totally sense the feeling as Tyler watched his lovely bride walking towards him, ready to seal their destinies together. 

I’ll treasure each and every day.

The Sun was shining, and the wind was indeed blowing, making Kathryn’s veil dance as she and Tyler pronounced their vows -talk about movie-like scenes!

After the ceremony was done, the couple and their guests began to enjoy the reception. The new Mr. and Mrs. chose “Joy of my life” by Chris Stapleton. In the song, the words speak about realizing how lucky a man can get as he finds the love of his life.

Sometimes, it is hard to pinpoint what stands out precisely in a couple. Tyler and Kathryn were different. There was something about them, relaxed, at ease with each other, and plainly happy that emanated good vibes.

The cake-cutting ceremony was a blast. Turns out Tyler followed a family tradition and chose a particular sword to cut the cake. There was nothing uptight about it! On the contrary, as I said, the couple reflected a peacefulness and a joy that were palpable to the rest of us. 

Believe it or not, Tupelo Honey was inspired by the domestic happiness the author enjoyed upon married the love of his life, Janet. Janet, the woman who inspired several other Morrison’s compositions, brought joy and tranquility to the prior Irish R&B band member. Tupelo honey comes from the flowers of a tupelo tree, this last one an abundant species in the Southern states. The last fun fact, for all the Friends’ fans out there, Tupelo Honey was mentioned by Ross as the most romantic song ever (his love interest, Rachel, said the most romantic song was The Way We Were). At any rate, romance did reign over Tyler and Kathryn’s wedding.

I can’t say which was my favorite part of the event. The tasteful decorations, the vows, the guests dancing their souls out with the greatest 1980s songs (you can’t fail with this decade). The way family, friends, and the couple sang Sweet Caroline at the end. It was a great wedding; it was a great day. 

Congratulations to the newlyweds, and thank you for inviting me to be a part of your wedding.

New + Wed Video Blog

The Wedding of Evan & Abby

She says she loves you.

Some brides enjoy the process of planning a wedding; other couples actually resent it. There’s nothing wrong with it; it is, after all, a crucial day, and there’s tons of stuff to do, organize and coordinate. For some reason, Abby and Evan gave the impression of genuinely delighting in the whole thing. Perhaps it was the way they spoke to each other, but mostly, you could see their personalities imprinted in every detail of the wedding.

It’s you she’s thinking of

Do you want to know something extraordinary? There was a lot of Beatles during the ceremony procession -as a Liverpool’s quartet fan myself, and a clients’ pleaser -we indeed include them. 

The song Evan and Abby selected for their grand entrance was even more fantastic: “Everybody” by the Backstreet Boys.  The tune and the video were a huge hit, and it is still a favorite when you want your audience to become enthusiastic and get in a party mood. Fun facts?

• The Backstreet Boys were huge in Europe before reaching the top in the States. This song was marked as a “comeback.”
• Once the video director met the band, he cataloged them as “little Michael Jacksons” and got the inspiration for the horror-based video from Thriller. Zombies, monsters, superb choreography, you get the gist.
• Believe it or not, the video meant so much more than four good-looking boys dancing. It was purposely racially diverse; if you remember, Los Angeles back then was insanely segregated due to the city’s riots. No one discussed this with the band -that was the beauty of it! Next time you watch the video, check out the dance partners. Nicely done, BSB!

Iconic, to say the least, this song is what actually started the Beatlemania. It has a fascinating -and funny -story behind it! Here you have, John Lennon and Paul McCartney obliviously writing their future hit at McCartney’s place. It was Sir Paul who suggested using a third party. So instead of composing another song that said “I love you,” they thought it would be more interesting to cast the song as a message -letting someone else know their beloved one still loved them! Isn’t that the best news anyone can receive? And how great it was to sign about someone else instead of them.

They basically crafted a little story, where one friend says, “She loves you,” and the other one replies, “yeah, yeah, yeah.” The funny thing is when the pair pitched the song to McCartney’s dad, who was present (picture Mr. McCartney senior, smoking cigarettes and watching some telly), he said: That’s very nice, son, but there’s enough of these Americanisms around. Couldn’t you sing, “She loves you. Yes! Yes! Yes!” Lennon and McCartney must’ve rolled their eyes at the comment!

Nonetheless, the message was beautiful -a message lacking selfishness, something along the lines of marriage. And on that note, we were very moved by Abby’s words during her vows. Abby said: “every moment I spent with you is a moment I treasure, and you should know how wonderful life is with you in the world.” What better discourse on love can exist? To let someone know the world is lucky to have them. 

We congratulate the happy couple and also remind them how lucky it is they have found each other. Love, a rare emotion displayed on a happy occasion. Thank you, Evan and Abby, for letting us accompany you, and bringing music, melody, and lyrics to your day. 

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The Wedding of Clayton and Renee

And I found you like a melody

Clayton and Renee’s wedding… where do I begin? 

And I wanna chase every high with you.

Clayton and Renee chose to have only their families as part of the wedding. Every choice shapes the tone of the celebration; in this case, Renee and Clayton opted for something more intimate. The cute flower girl and ring bearer walked through the flowery path, the groom and his mom, and finally, Renee appeared arm in arm with her dad. The beautiful melody by Christina Perry -A thousand years -resonated through the area, and I could tell Clayton was getting emotional with the view of such a stunning bride. 

I like written vows. There’s nothing wrong with traditional ones, but it must take courage first to come up with the right words and second to utter them without choking up mid-sentence. There’s a sort of built expectations around personalized vows, and these ones did not disappoint. My favorite part said by Clayton was: “You showed me what through love is through your generosity and your compassionate nature.” My favorite phrase from Renee was: “Vows her I promise you to encourage you to follow your dreams.” Both sentences, I thought, were fantastic and felt genuine. 

Not everything was serious, though. And it was terrific to watch Renee and Clayton practically hopping out from the ceremony -pure joy. Do you know what this meant? They were ready to p-a-r-t-y, and I was prepared to do my part.

After dinner and all the traditional protocols, Clayton and Renee took the dance floor to dance their first song as husband and wife. The chosen melody was “One band man” by Old Dominion. The band’s lead singer explained the concept behind it: “One of the things we talk about the most in this band is how we can’t imagine being on this crazy ride alone.” Isn’t it true what marriage is all about? The abandonment of oneself to become a couple; to have a partner for life. For better or worse. I don’t know what Clayton and Renee told each other during their first dance, but the complicity in their eyes was inspiring. 

That squared area with wooden floor transformed into a stage as soon as the party moved on. Watching all of the guests dancing and enjoying was terrific; the beats stumbled against the floor, around their waving arms, through their lips as they sang and celebrated their friends tying the knot. 

It was great to be part of your special day, Clayton and Renee. We wish you happiness and the best of lucks during the next chapter of your lives!

DJ Mark

Music that makes you smile

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