I love backyard weddings (especially when the house is owned by the parents of the bride or groom) as it always makes for a more familial affair! In the case of Jane and John’s reception on 9/28 in Darnestown, MD, it was the house Jane had lived in through high school.

A large tent was set up in the back yard for the dinner/reception while the ceremony took place in the front yard. The cocktail hour took place next to the tent in the back yard and Jane’s dad provided the music for that.

The couple was introduced and danced their first dance to Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon.” The weather was perfect and dinner time music included selections from Blossom Dearie, Jon Hendricks, The Carter Family, Nina Simone and Dave Brubeck.

After a lovely dinner prepared by Main Event and two parent dances “In My Life” by the Beatles and “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac the dance party commenced! The couples’ requested song list leaned in a 60s/70s/80s soul and funk direction and that was the bulk of the set. Some big crowd pleasers included “Rock Lobster” by the B-52s, “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” from the Hollies and “Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina Turner.

One fun twist at this reception was a Polish money dance where guests “paid” to dance with the bride and where the groom has to break through the guests to get to his bride! After the reception folks remained behind (it was dad’s house after alL) and when I left after midnight John and Jane were still there hanging out with friends and family.
Readyluck Photographers out of Baltimore were the official photographers and will hopefully send up some photos to sub for mine!