Sarah and Mark’s Wedding at LongView Gallery
On St. Patrick’s Day, we had the honor of providing music for Sarah and Mark’s wedding at Long View Gallery. Long View is a great post-industrial space, surrounded by a fascinating patchwork of 19th century carriage houses and the brand new convention center. Special thanks to Siobhan at Long View for being very helpful and accommodating.
The day was coordinated with style by Sasha Nel of RSVP Event Planning and Management. Abby Jiu was on hand to photograph the proceedings – all photos on this page are courtesy of Abby. Check out more of her shots on her blog!
Guests arrived to the sound of classical guitar music by Chris Dunn. Chris accompanied the ceremony with some gorgeous interpretations of Beatles songs. Reverend Julie Price officiated with grace and humor. She talked about Sarah and Mark’s marathon training as a metaphor for their courtship and their future together. She highlighted the long and happy marriages of both Sarah and Mark’s parents as examples to aspire to. Appropriately for the date, she closed with a traditional Irish blessing.
During the cocktail hour we heard a nice mix of pop songs including “Snow Is Gone” by Josh Ritter, “Magic” by The Cars, and Big Star’s “When My Baby’s Beside Me.” Alongside the classics, we got a few great tunes from recent years: “Sigh No More” by Mumford & Sons, “You’ve Got The Love” by Florence + The Machine, and Grizzly Bear’s “Cheerleader.”
Sarah and Mark performed their first dance to “Long Shadows” by Josh Ritter. As the crowd applauded, Occasions Caterers began serving dinner. During the meal, guests enjoyed some great music from the 60s and early 70s, including “April Come She Will” by Simon & Garfunkel, America‘s version of “Muskrat Love”, and Gladys Knight’s soulful version of “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
Sarah’s father began the toasts with a salute to “great parents!” Mark’s brother Will wished the couple “Happiness and joy, forever and ever”. The “Best Lady” Jessica recalled that she always looked up to and followed her sister and the only thing she did first was marriage. She told of Sarah’s many training runs with her “friend Mark”, as they grew to be more than friends. Mark’s friend Grant offered this advice: “You’re always looking to make yourself a better man, stop looking, she’s sitting right next to you,” and “May the force be with you” as the guests raised their limoncello shots.
Sarah and Mark escorted their parents onto the floor to dance to “You are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder. We stuck with Stevie for “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” as the rest of the crowd joined them. “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees brought the energy up and we heard some of Wang Chung’s “Dance Hall Days” going into “Cecilia” by Simon & Garfunkel, and “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga.
We slowed it down for a few minutes so that Sarah and Mark could cut the gorgeous cake by Fluffy Thoughts Cakes. Things got going again with some 80s hits including “Just What I Needed” by The Cars, “Nothin’ But A Good Time” by Poison and The B-52’s“Love Shack.” Everybody did “The Twist” to Chubby Checker and sang along to Florence + The Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over.” Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself” went over big before the slow buildup of “Proud Mary” by Ike & Tina Turner.
There was a Bridesmaids-inspired request for “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips which turned out to be another crowd favorite. The night wrapped up joyously to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” Congratulations to Sarah and Mark!
