Like clockwork, my father will text me each Sunday morning inquiring how the previous night’s wedding went. On this particular Sunday morning, I replied back with simply one all-caps word about Mikey and Jenny’s wedding reception at The Pickering Barn in Issaquah, Washington:
“LEGENDARY”
Honestly, I couldn’t think of a better way to put it. In the weeks leading up the reception, I knew it would be a party – and a unique one at that. Jenny & Mikey wanted more of a cocktail party than a formal sit-down or buffet-style reception. In fact, there wasn’t a head table nor a sweetheart table; where it normally would be was a full open bar. I don’t think Jenny & Mikey even had seats reserved for them – and they didn’t need them, as they spent all of the opening hour socializing with their guests.
As I alluded to, there wasn’t a plated meal or buffet. Rather, guests were invited to help themselves at their leisure to any of the numerous food stations available. And the unique – and creative! – aspect of each food station was that each food item served told the story of Mikey & Jenny’s relationship through the years. For example, a frozen yogurt truck was brought in because it symbolized the weekend reunions Mikey & Jenny would share when they dating long distance.
Honestly, that’s the secret to making a wedding reception unique: finding little ways to share your love story with your guests.
I mentioned I knew it would be a party – I just didn’t know that Mikey, Jenny, and all of their guests were going to absolutely BRING ITthe way they did. Seriously, this reception was a first-ballot candidate for party of the year, as family and friends went HAM on the dance floor. The moment I knew the night reached legendary status and would be a reception family and friends would not soon forget: when Mikey – with his necktie tied around his head like a sweatband – approaches me during Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” and says: “You are KILLING it! You are coming to the after-party at the hotel!”
And no, that’s not a typo, as Mikey wasn’t asking a question – it was more so an expectation. 🙂
Mikey & Jenny, thank you for having me as a part of your wedding celebration. It was a DJ’s dream to perform for a group such as yours. Well done, bravo, and congratulations!
Reception Recap Video
Musical Selections
Prelude:Â Soft Contemporary
Ceremony Selections
- Family:Â Train – “Marry Me”
- Wedding Party Procession: Acoustic Guitar by Wendy Olson
- Bridal Procession: Acoustic Guitar by Wendy Olson
- Recessional:Â Michael Jackson – “The Way You Make Me Feel”
Cocktail Hour:Â Classic Crooners, Contemporary, Country
Grand Entrance (Wedding Party):Â Jagged Edge – “Let’s Get Married (Remix)”
Grand Entrance (Mikey & Jenny):Â Miley Cyrus – “We Can’t Stop”
Dinner: Classic Crooners, Contemporary, Country
Formal Selections
- First Dance:Â Jason Mraz – “I Won’t Give Up”
- Father/Daughter Dance:Â John Mellencamp – “Your Life Is Now”
- Mother/Son Dance:Â No Limitz – “The Man You Have Become”
- Longest Married Couple (Song 1):Â Alan Jackson – “Remember When”
- Longest Married Couple (Song 2): Righteous Brothers – “Unchained Melody”
- Last Dance:Â Journey – “Don’t Stop Believing”
Dancing:Â Rock & Roll, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, Top 40, Hip-Hop, R&B, Country.
Video Footage Courtesy: Camerai Studios
Photos Courtesy: Terri Beloit Photography