You know it is going to be a fun wedding reception when the bridal party introductions are as fun as they were for Lauren and Carl’s wedding this past weekend at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View. Bridal party pairs each came out to their self-selected theme music. Titles (anthems) included T.I. “Bring Em Out,” AC/DC “Thunderstruck,” and Cali Swag District “Teach Me How to Dougie.” The bride and groom entered to Lionel Richie’s “You Are,” a lovely choice indeed.

Following the intro, Lauren and Carl went straight into their first dance: Kenny Rogers’ version of the Everly Brothers classic “Let it Be Me” just before dinner was served. So I followed it up with Sade’s “By Your Side” just in case folks did not have their slow-jam fill. After dinner was served and the cake cut, I played a mix of old and new, from Michael Jackson (the mother of bride’s favorite) to Flo Rida “In the Ayer,” both of which set the floor into a frenzy.  Just before the bouquet toss, I got several requests for some slow songs and played Lionel Richie “Stuck on You.” I’d honestly never seen a floor so packed with couples embracing — it looked like the last song at a middle school dance.

It’s always a little tricky to get folks going again after a break in the dance floor action, but I went in with some rock n roll classics. The Beatles’ “Twist and Shout,” Chubby Checker’s “The Twist,” The Jackson 5’s “Rockin Robin,” and the Isley Brothers’ “Shout” set things off and even inspired an impromptu limbo(!) contest.

I wore them out good with some current pop smashes which hopefully inspired some “Call Me, Maybe(s).” What a party! Congrats Lauren & Carl!