Arriving into the ballroom at the Ritz Carlton I was really shocked at the level of design that went into this wedding, complete with amazing lighting by EventEQ and just stunning detail everywhere. As per usual with weddings set up by A Simply Chic Event, Jamie had the whole place transformed and just looking perfect. The ceremony was handled by the String Poets, so I set up for dinner and dancing and had time to get a feel for the crowd during cocktail hour.

As the cocktail hour ended we invited guests inside the ballroom for dinner. I introduced John and Serene and they shared their first dance to Elton John’s “Your Song.” We then had a welcome toast from the father of the bride, and the first course was served with precision. I played a light set of acoustic indie rock and some classics mixed in to keep it interesting. After dinner I invited the father of the bride to join his daughter for the father/daughter dance to Bob Carlisle’s “Butterfly Kisses.”

We then opened up the dance-floor and I played a song called “a Dabkeh,” which is sort of circle dance everyone does. I then played some upbeat songs since we had a short dance time and I wanted to fit in all the requests. The biggest song of the night would have to be Taio Cruz’s “Break Your Heart.” We then broke for some cake to The Beatles’ “Here comes the Sun,” after the cake cutting everyone sat down which to a DJ can be the kiss of death. I tried playing some upbeat music, but people were just not ready to move from eating the awesome desserts they were served at the tables. The father of the bride took the initiative to get things going again (!), and I played a set of Arabic music that got the wedding party back out there and then the whole floor was going again. We ended the evening on a high note with Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.”