We’ve dug deep into our archives today to find the songs our recent clients have used for their father/daughter, mother/son, or combined parent dances at their wedding receptions.  As one might expect, the brides and grooms we’ve worked with have made some very cool, unique choices — yet another reason our clients are great to work with!

Parent Dance Songs:

CSN: Teach Your Children Well

Foo Fighters: Virginia Moon

Joni Mitchell: Circle Game

Bob Dylan: Forever Young

Frank Sinatra: All the Way

Natalie Merchant: Kind and Generous

Jimmy Buffett: Little Miss Magic

James Taylor: Sweet Baby James

Beach Boys: Surfer Girl

Paul Simon: Loves Me Like a Rock

Black 47: Funky Céili

Loudon Wainwright: Daughter

Billie Holiday: Our Love is Here to Stay

Nickel Creek: When You Come Back Down

Alison Krauss: Simple Love

Couple:  Darby and Jake

Wedding Date:  May 8, 2010

DJ:  Michael Bell

From their first contact with us, it was obvious that Darby and Jake were absolutely wonderful.  Working on their music was hardly “work,” and their wedding was beautiful and unique.  Photographer Larry Huffman captured some gorgeous images of this amazing couple’s special day!

As always, the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club provided a spectacular setting — “breathtaking” isn’t even the word.  The evening kicked off with a warm, intimate outdoor ceremony with unparalleled bay views.  One really funny moment happened during the vows — just as Jake said “I do,” the wind gusted hard, getting a chuckle out of everyone!  Just another memorable, touching moment of many throughout the night.

The reception took place in the Tavern Ballroom, one of my favorite spots within the venue.  Teresa Hunter and her team at the Beach Club were accommodating and kind as always, and the service and five-course meal were second to none.  Guests were also wowed by the couple’s incredible beach-themed wedding cake, complete with sailboats and crabs, provided by Charm City Cakes.  (The cake was actually filmed for Chef Duff Goldman’s TV show “Ace of Cakes” — can’t wait ’til it airs!)

Darby and Jake shared their first dance as husband and wife to Keith Urban’s “Making Memories of Us,” and then guests kicked up their heels to all kinds of rock, country, oldies, disco and pop.  At one point I was requested to play “Finnegan’s Wake” so that Darby’s family could dance a jig.  It was a lot of fun!

Thanks so much again to Darby and Jake, and to the wonderful wedding professionals who made their day extra special!

We’re excited to present some more real first dance song choices from recent (and not-so-recent) clients of MyDeejay!  Hope this gives all of you brides- and grooms-to-be some fantastic ideas for your own special moment on the dance floor!

First Dance Songs

Sister Hazel: This Kind of Love

Sam Cooke: You Send Me

Muse: Starlight

Harry Connick Jr.: For Once in My Life

Frank Sinatra: Fly Me to the Moon

Jason Mraz: I’m Yours

Brad Paisley: Then

Ray LaMontagne: You are the Best Thing

Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris: Love and Happiness

Louis Armstrong: Sweet Lorraine

Martina McBride: I Just Call You Mine

Be sure to take a look at our first round of Wedding First Dance Songs as well!

We’re excited to announce our new format for our wedding recaps — we’re now going to be spotlighting some of the coolest, most unique and fun weddings we’ve performed for, now with a little more detail to give our upcoming brides and grooms plenty of ideas for their own celebrations.  Hope you enjoy!

And without further ado, we’re proud to announce our debut recap in the new format… Jeannie and Jon!

Couple:  Jeannie & Jon

Wedding Date:  April 24, 2010

DJ:  Michael Bell

Jeannie and Jon were an incredible couple to work with: friendly, enthusiastic and ready to have a great time with their families and friends.  Their wedding reflected such amazing attention to detail, with a great team of vendors showcasing their best work.  (Many thanks to the talented Stephen Bobb of LoveLife Images for sharing his gorgeous photos here!)

Laura Gaige and Elizabeth Connor of Columbia Country Club were the gracious hosts, providing absolutely incredible catering and service in an beautiful setting that is second to none.  The warm saffron tones in the club’s ballroom added just the right splash of color to Jeannie’s and Jon’s elegant black-and-white theme.  Amaryllis‘ spectacularly arranged flowers in shades of white, set against crisp white linens and accented with shimmering votive candles, created a unique yet formal tablescape. 

Jeannie’s and Jon’s celebration was rich with signature touches, from the John Daly cocktails enjoyed by guests to the couple’s thoughtful request to include all of Jon’s brothers’ first dances from their weddings.  Jeannie’s and Jon’s choice for their own first dance was Keith Urban’s “Making Memories of Us,” destined to become a classic.

Later, the party really amped up with a fun mix of oldies, 80s hits, and current pop and dance songs.  At one point, the guests really got into a girls versus guys “dance/sing-off” to The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).”  A delicious assortment of cupcakes provided by Baltimore Cupcake Company was the perfectly sweet ending to an extraordinary evening.

Congratulations to Jeannie and Jon!

If there’s one thing our clients don’t have in common, it’s their tastes in music!  We’re so lucky to work with such a diverse group of couples, all of whom put their own unique stamp on their song requests.   For a new blog feature, we’ve decided to look back at some of our recent weddings and post their choices of first dance songs, both as inspiration to those getting married soon and to put everyone in the mood for romance…  More next week!

First Dance Song Suggestions

Keith Urban: Only You Can Love Me This Way

Edith Piaf: La Vie en Rose (English Version)

Boys Like Girls feat. Taylor Swift: Two is Better than One

Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat: Lucky

Dave Matthews Band: Steady as We Go

Al Green: Let’s Stay Together

Jack Johnson: Better Together

Nat King Cole: Unforgettable

Keith Urban: Making Memories of Us

Louis Armstrong: A Kiss to Build a Dream On

Paul McCartney: Maybe I’m Amazed

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole: Sea of Love

Hopefully these first dance suggestions helped! We’ll post another round next week. In the meantime, tell us what you used/are using for your first dance!