Saturday, January 22, 2011
A Reception Fit For Royalty!
When the band is having as much fun as the guests, you know you’re at a great wedding!
Live music for Old Hollywood weddings and events means vintage: 1920’s, 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950’s music — with a dash of the 1960’s thrown in, as well.
It’s the most glamorous music in the world!
It’s also a lot of fun!
A mid-century modern location in Claremont, CA was the setting for Megan and Nate’s deliciously festive Old Hollywood wedding recently. The bride and groom looked splendid (she in an amazing one-shouldered frothy gown of purest white and he in a black fedora; adorable). The guests were all beautifully dressed too… and they were a total hoot!
I think Megan and Nate’s friends would have danced to the sound of two rocks rubbing together, because they started dancing up a storm long before the salads were served and crowded the dance floor all night. They were really great dancers, and had a flair for the dramatic. My musicians and I enjoyed watching them!
The band and I began with music from the 1920’s and 1930’s and swung into the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s at various times. There were numerous requests from the dance floor, and of course we knew all of the songs everyone asked for. Five (wow!) generations of party animals from all over the country had an absolute blast all night. At some point during the evening, we played some of the oldest generation’s favorites, like “Thanks For The Memory.”
We played funk, too. And rap (that would be me) for the cake cutting — at which point the bride and groom put down the cake knife and jumped back onto the dance floor.
Somewhere around that time, we lost control of the evening completely. Nobody cared.
The bride and groom are now “native” Californians, but many of their guests traveled from places like Wisconsin — and Dallas, Texas.
We ended the evening with our DJ playing an hour of after-party stuff that I couldn’t even tell you what it was, except that it sent us scrambling to find our earplugs!
Highlights of the night’s music included the bride’s favorite song for the First Dance, “Someone To Watch Over Me,” her amazing choice of Irving Berlin’s “Count Your Blessings” (from the movie “White Christmas) and a beautiful rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” that was sung by a friend of the groom’s.
I adored working with this couple!
Here’s an excerpt from the lovely note they I received from them:
Dear Judy,
Nathan and I knew we wanted you the moment we stumbled onto your website. You and your band are the epitome of class. I don’t remember my exact words when I contacted you, but I know I wanted Frank, Ella, the Golden Age of Broadway and all that jazz! You fit the bill. Thank you so much for giving us a reception fit for royalty! God bless you and all your future endeavors. We couldn’t be more pleased with our choice.
Megan and Nathan
