On a beautiful Sunday afternoon we traveled to the Stone Manor Country Club in Middletown, Maryland, as the entertainment for Sacha & Bryan’s wedding reception. The 18th century manor home is constructed of fieldstone and you can see how the main structure was added onto over time, like in so many of the historic Colonial-era buildings in our region. The setting is the idyllic countryside near Frederick, Maryland. It is a fantastic place for a wedding, thanks in no small part to the careful supervision of Brian Childs over every detail.
Cocktail hour took place on the patio outside the manor house. Guests enjoyed a signature drink of lemonade with gin and seasoned with basil leaves, while appreciating the cool late summer evening. A playlist was built around four really terrific songs provided by the groom (Gotan Project, Rupa & the April Fishes, Louis Armstrong and Mulatu Astatke) so their preferred international vibe was continued with songs from French chanteuese Carla Bruni, Damon Albarn’s Mali Music project, the southern soul-inspired late-60s pop of Serge Gainsbourg, the traditions of the West African Rhythm Brothers, the latin reconstructions of the Quantic Soul Orchestra, and a samba classic on Blue Note from Ike Quebec. Once everyone had quenched their thirst, enjoyed good music and good conversation, it was up the hill to the large tent for the reception.
Sacha and Bryan were introduced to the theme from “Rocky”, and gave high-fives to the assembled members of the wedding party. They performed their first dance to The Beatles’ “Here, There, and Everywhere.” Sacha danced with her father to “You Look Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton and Bryan danced with his mother to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s musically heavy but lyrically appropriate “Simple Man.” We heard a funny speech from Bryan’s brother Steven, and a moving toast from the maid of honor, Natasha. She described growing up with Sacha and got so emotional that Sacha ran up to give her a hug. Natasha finished her speech and everyone raised their glasses to the happy couple. Sacha looked incredibly happy and full of energy all night, as she showed everyone her henna tattoos. Bryan was a bit more reserved but equally blissful.
Dinner—courtesy of Carriage House Inn Caterers— was accompanied by classic rock and soul (Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together,” The Beatles’ “Two of Us”) but also Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon” and the Caribbean sounds of Theo (“Go Back to Your Man”), by request.
The dance floor opened up with the requested Sade “Smooth Operator” mixed with Steely Dan “Do It Again”. The cutting of the cake inspired many of the guests to get their cameras out to capture the moment.
A set of West Indian music—provided by Bryan for the occasion—went out to the many guests who had traveled here from the Caribbean for this wedding. We heard Sona Family (feat. Hard Kaur) “Glassy,” Kevin Little “Turn Me On”, and Krosfyah “Pump Me Up”. This was followed by some Afrobeat from Fela Kuti. We also heard now-classics from Lionel Richie, Justin Timberlake, and Michael Jackson. Just before the end of the night, Sacha tossed the bouquet to her friends to the requested “Hey Ladies” by The Beastie Boys. The last song was once more The Beatles “All You Need is Love,” before guests said their goodbyes and made their way home.
