Last night, Anthony and I had the pleasure of providing the music for the Starlight Foundation’s “Summer Soiree” party in northeast DC.  Held on the rooftop of Senate Square, a beautiful new apartment building overlooking Union Station, the event raised money and awareness for Starlight’s programs in the mid-atlantic region.  If you’re unfamiliar with the Starlight Foundation, they provide a whole host of entertainment and educational services for children with life-threatening and life-altering illnesses and injuries.  This is a fantastic charity, read more about their programs here. 

We worked with a fantastic team of vendors on this event – Frederik De Pue with 42 Degrees Catering, Stephanie Weisman with Rosa Mexicano (they did the Margaritas and dip!), Rick Genderson from Schneider’s Catering (Alcohol), and BJ Singh with EventEQ (lighting). 

The event was also co-sponsored by Washington Life Magazine.  We started the evening with a mix of latin and downtempo lounge stuff, and then moved into everything from current pop and hip-hop to 80’s, we even did a set of old school hip hop and classic reggae.  Everyone had a great time (and seemed to REALLY enjoy the margaritas) while supporting a great cause.  The stars of the show (besides the margaritas from Rosa Mexicano) were the lighting design by EventEQ and the light-up bars that the caterers brought in from Perfect Settings in DC.  Here’s a really bad cell phone picture of the pool area – check out the colored LED lights that EventEQ put underwater!

We had a lot of fun doing this, and supporting the Starlight Foundation.  Thank you to everyone for your help on this event, especially Sharon Dougherty and Jenn Haber for all your hard work and coordination!

Today, an interview with one of the DC area’s very best wedding planners – Laura Auer of Wish Special Events.  Laura is seriously focused on perfection, which makes us kindred spirits.  Even her business cards list her title as “Perfectionist.”  Okay, Laura – here we go!

How did you get started in the wedding business?
 
I have a business degree and majored in special events at JMU.  While the degree is great and all, I really got my start by volunteering for brides who needed wedding day help.  I coordinated their wedding day in exchange for positive comments on local message boards and telling their friends.  That was over four years ago and the rest is history!
 
What do you do when you are not working?
 
Working.  Really!  When you enjoy your career it’s a pleasure to go to work every day.  I recently picked up ballet lessons after a 10-year hiatus.  I also have a husband, a parrot, and dog who keep me busy!
 
How would you describe your approach to weddings?
 
Most of the brides and vendors I work with tell me that I’m a calming force on the wedding day.  My job is to be as cool as a cucumber so the bride feels like everything she planned is working perfectly.  Of course that’s never the case….there’s always a handful of minor emergencies at EVERY wedding!  I’m a busy bee on the inside but a calm and collected professional on the outside.  I’m thrilled to say that the folks on my team are that way too.
 
What inspires you in your work?
 
Weddings are great because each one is different and reflects the bride or groom’s personality.  The people who hire me are the first source of inspiration.  I always love when a client wants to incorporate some personal touches into the ceremony or reception.  I recently had a couple who vowed to share their sushi, their umbrellas, and their bedroom comforter as part of their ceremony.  Another couple had musician friends who performed an acoustic set for the cake cutting ceremony and the father/daughter dance.  It’s the little touches that keep life interesting and inspire me for the next event!
 
What  do you find the most rewarding about your job?
 
I’m blessed to be constantly surrounded by happy people.  The vendors I work with are successful folks who are pursuing their lifelong dream of running a small business.  My clients are recently engaged and planning a wedding…one of the happiest times in most people’s lives.  How can you not feel great when you see love everywhere you turn?
 
What’s the one thing you wish everyone knew about you or your business?
 
A lot of brides don’t realize that you can hire a wedding planner just to make sure the big day goes smoothly.  Our Wedding Day Coordination service is very reasonably priced and provides great value for those brides who are comfortable planning the little details but don’t want to manage things while the party is going on.  It breaks our heart whenever we hear about a bride who had to resolve problems with the caterer, call the limo company, or set out her own place cards on the wedding day.  After all that money you spend on the ceremony and reception, why not invest a little more so you can relax and enjoy it?
 
What do you think sets your company apart from other wedding planners?
 
Wish is unique in that we are a true team of planners.  We have a staff of nine here in the DC area and are constantly working ‘behind the scenes’ with each other on problems.  When one of us gets stuck for ideas or needs inspiration, we can rely on the team to help us out.  Ultimately this provides a great planning experience for our brides as they get nine heads instead of one!  It also allows us to book more weddings than other companies.  That means we’ve worked with nearly every wedding vendor and venue in the entire DC area.  Having that insider information and familiarity has really worked to our clients’ advantage.
 
What do you love about weddings?
 
Weddings are such a joyous occasion and we’re thrilled to be a part of them every weekend.  The trends change quickly and keep things fresh so each event is different.  It’s a lot of quick thinking and creative problem solving.  What’s not to love about weddings?!
 
What do you hate about weddings?
 
Haha – I knew this question was next!  While every wedding has unexpected surprises, not all the surprises are good ones.  I fondly remember the “snake wedding” where we had to chase Kingsnakes from underneath the tent before the reception began.  I’ve also been caught in the pouring rain, put out fires caused by lawn decorations, and politely refused drunken advances from inebriated wedding guests (this unfortunately happens more than you think).
 
What is the coolest thing you’ve ever seen at a wedding?
 
I remember one wedding where the bride and groom invited their guests to join them in a Second Line during the reception.  Their families were from New Orleans and it was a great way to incorporate a little bit of home.  Another couple wrote letters to each other and put them in a ‘five-year box’ to be opened and read on their fifth anniversary.  More recently, Splendid Fare Caterers brought a cotton candy machine to a wedding and passed mini cotton candy sticks as a midnight snack.  It’s one of the bride’s favorite sweets and all the guests were shocked!
 
What’s the best piece of advice you can give to couples planning a wedding?
 
Budget, budget, budget!  So often we see couples making poor financial decisions when booking their vendors.  We had one bride who spent so much money on her venue that she couldn’t afford a caterer!  Decide on your guest list, figure out your budget, and only then should you start looking at venues, caterers, and photographers.  There are a lot of great choices out there who provide phenomenal value but aren’t as publicized or well-known.  Just because you have a small budget doesn’t mean you can’t have a fabulous wedding!
 
Who is your favorite artist or band?
 
Man, this one is a tough question!  I’ll just give a few of my favorites…Queen, Jimmy Buffett, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Eric Hutchinson, Matt Nathanson, Brett Dennen, Matt Costa, Donovan Frankenreiter, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison…the list goes on and on but that’s a start.  If you ever pass me driving you’ll see me lip synching one of those guys.  The top three songs most played on my iTunes are apparently “Presents to Send You,” “Migration,” and “Tin Cup Chalice.”  Parrotheads would be proud!
 
What is the worst song of all time?
 
I tend to hear “Brick House” at almost every wedding.  I’m not sure why it’s a popular reception song but I really can’t stand it!  Can anyone explain the appeal?
 
Open mic, final thoughts:
 
We recently just opened a new wedding planning company that’s serving more cities.  We’re looking for weddings in Los Angeles, San Diego, or New York City and are offering great introductory rates.  BlueCanaryEvents.com has all sorts of information on our planning services.  I’m very excited to see where it goes!
 

Thanks, Laura!  Fabulous information and advice here, we really appreciate it.  You can see what Laura’s latest adventure is on her blog, at http://www.wishspecialevents.com/blog.

In spite of the threat of thunderstorms, Gloria and Adam ended up having a beautiful wedding at the Pier 5 Hotel in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, overlooking the spectacular Inner Harbor.  Guests celebrated under a tent and enjoyed a delicious meal of steak and Maryland crabcakes, and everyone enjoyed watching Gloria’s and Adam’s first dance to Israel Kamakawawi’ole’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”  The couple were also huge indie music fans, which made the wedding especially fun and unique!

I had a great time deejaying this wedding, and was in good company with the very talented photographers Shane Carpenter and Jacqueline Schlossman, as well as Julie Gross from Blue Sky Films.  Thanks again to Gloria and Adam!

What a fun-filled wedding this was!  Allison and Gene’s wedding had a lot of younger, very energetic guests, and this made it very easy to create an incredible party.  I knew we were all in for a great time when entire tables of people were singing along to 80’s pop hits throughout dinner.  Allison and Gene’s first dance was “Always” by Bon Jovi, and their guests seemed to have a fantastic time dancing to a wide mix of songs from the 90s through today.

Allison’s and Gene’s wedding was held at the very beautiful Atrium at Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna, Virginia — one of our favorite venues — and Karol Contreras and the team at Windows Catering provided an exquisite meal.  I also had a great time working with the couple’s photographer, Elaine Studley.  Congratulations, Allison and Gene, and best wishes!

Here are some pictures, courtesy of Elaine Studley Photography:

Sarah and Chris’ wedding was an incredibly beautiful and intimate celebration held at Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, Maryland.  With gorgeous centerpieces, a spectacular meal and many thoughtful details such as fresh strawberry and mango daiquiris, every aspect of the wedding was memorable.  The couple danced their first dance to “Ice Cream” by Sarah McLachlan, and later I was able to surprise their Ethiopian guests with a couple of Ethiopian songs during the dance set, something that the entire wedding seemed to enjoy.

Sarah and Chris had a great team working on their special day, including Rebecca Robinson of Woodend, wedding planner Lindsay Byrne, Amanda Phommachanh of Occasions Caterers, photographer Barbara Tyroler, Spot Floral Design, and Just Cakes.  Thanks again, Sarah and Chris!

Here are some pictures, courtesy of photographer Barbara Tyroler:

Soo and Jeff hosted a very elegant, detailed wedding at the Arts Club of Washington, and we were all lucky that the rain stayed away!  The music began with a classic mix of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin during dinner, followed by a fun mix of 50s and swing.  The older music was perfectly complemented by the ambiance at the Arts Club, and I think the atmosphere at the wedding was just what Soo and Jeff envisioned.

I enjoyed working with everyone at this wedding, especially Brennan Hurley at the Arts Club and Robin Templeton and Charlie Hall of Best Impressions Photography & Videography.  Jill Medawar of Toulies en Fleur provided stunning floral designs, and the couple’s wedding cake was provided by Alexandria Pastry Shop.  I wish all the best for Soo and Jeff, and thanks for having me as part of your wedding day!

Michelle and Doug had a fabulous wedding at one of my most favorite venues, the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club in Stevensville, Maryland.  I always gush about CBBC and their staff, so I’ll spare the details – Erin Janes and her staff did a marvelous job as usual.  After a touching (and windy) outdoor ceremony, their guests moved inside for cocktail hour and the reception.  Everyone must have been very thirsty, the bartenders were really working hard to keep up.  Platter after platter of hors d’ouvres kept coming from the kitchen, including my personal favorite from chef Chuck – chorizo sausage wrapped in a date, wrapped in bacon.  If you are having your wedding at CBBC, please get these… your guests (and I) will thank you.

I knew this would be a great group to work with as soon as I saw Michelle and Doug’s paperwork.  The bride and groom were introduced to “Enter Sandman” by Metallica – need I say more?  Everyone was in a great mood and enjoyed dinner, then it was time to dance.  Michelle and Doug shared their first dance to Tony Bennett’s version of “The Way You Look Tonight,” followed by Cliff Edwards’ classic “When You Wish Upon a Star” for the father/daughter dance and the mother/son dance to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.  Once I opened the dancefloor, half of the guests started dancing and everyone else became mystically mesmerized by the photo slideshow running on the HDTV running above the bar.  It eventually stopped, and dancing really got underway with a mix of 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, current hip-hop and pop, and latin hits.  It was a fun bunch to work with, definitely a treat!

Plus, I got to work with my dear friend, photographer Larry Huffman.  We always have a good time when we work together, and this was no exception.  Thanks, Michelle and Doug, for including me in your plans!

Kathryn and Thad had a great dancing crowd at their wedding, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfax, Virginia, and it made the event all the more memorable and fun!  Each set of parents, as well as the bridesmaids and groomsmen, were introduced to a unique song chosen especially for them.  Kathryn and Thad then started off the dancing to Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together,” followed by lots of Motown, classic rock, 70s, and top 40 music.

Kathryn and her girlfriends did have a great tradition which was a lot of fun — the girls sat Kathryn down in a chair on the dance floor and all wore sunglasses as they serenaded her with “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin.”  Apparently the group does this whenever one of the ladies gets married, and it had to be a great photo opportunity for Gary and Jen Mobbs of Mobbs Photography!  The night ended with a really beautiful sendoff with sparklers.  This was definitely one of my favorite groups of people to DJ for, and I had a great time!  Thanks Kathryn and Thad!

The wedding of Heather and Eddie was rich in family tradition, and the couple, their families and friends seemed to have a blast!  Heather and Eddie’s first dance was Tracy Byrd’s “Keeper of the Stars,” and later the dance floor was very crowded as I spun a mix of the couple’s favorite music, which included plenty of rock, country and current pop songs.  I think the most memorable moment was the O’Donnell family tradition, for which I played two specific songs back to back — “Family Tradition” by Hank Williams, Jr. and “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” by David Allan Coe.  The entire family formed a huge circle on the dance floor and sang along, word for word!  Later, Eddie’s three sisters requested Dan Seals’ “Bop,” a song that the groom used to sing and dance to as a little kid, and the four siblings shared a very fun dance.

In addition to the couple being fantastic to work with, I also really enjoyed the vendor team on this wedding, particularly Carol Sirchio of Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland — as well as Chris, the very attentive and talented event manager — and Stacy Richardson of Stacy Richardson Photography.  Here’s wishing all the best to Heather and Eddie for the future!

Here are some pictures, gratuitously lifted from Stacy Richardson’s Blog:

Lisa and Christopher’s wedding, which was held at the Gibson Island Club on Gibson Island in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, was a total blast!  On top of having a gorgeous venue, I got to work with one of my favorite wedding planners – Elizabeth Bailey of Elizabeth Bailey Weddings.  Every wedding we do together is amazing, Beth’s attention to detail is incredible and so was Lisa’s.  Everything, from the monogrammed napkins to the blue crab lollipop placecard holders, was totally customized and breathtaking.  I was only involved in the reception, they had live music for their ceremony and a steel drum band outside for cocktail hour.  I was able to watch everything through the windows from inside, though, because I always arrive so early!

During the reception, the bridal party had a fun time dancing their way into the room for introductions to an instrumental cut of “Right Round” by Flo Rida.  The bride and groom shared their first dance to one of my personal favorites – “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds, which I had edited down to about three minutes for them to use with their choreography.  Their dance was fantastic, and a few toasts later, everyone was enjoying their filet mignon and crabcakes from the GIC catering staff.  A massive rainstorm came in during dinner and, although it looked scary outside, everyone had a blast dancing the night away inside.  At the end of the night, the guests moved outside under the awning for a sparkler sendoff photo-op with photographer Arthur Remanjon.  It was a great wedding, thanks so much for having me as part of it!

Here are some pictures, courtesy of Arthur Remanjon!