Wedding 03/17/2012 - Tammy Steele and Casey Flinn

We had a great wedding last night (3/17/2012) at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden for Tammy Steele and Casey Flinn. Since I had recently purchased some new items to add to my setup, I decided to put them to use at this wedding and they all worked great.

First, I had purchased a new scrim for my light pole. Just like the other scrims for my speaker stands, this looked great. As you can see from the image, it now matches the speaker poles and table.

Second, I purchased the new American DJ Micro Hypnotic, which looked great on the outdoor dancefloor. Since there was not much light outdoors, this light  made the dancefloor come alive.

Third, I had recently purchased the Chauvet FreedomPar. Since it runs on battery, I decided to set it up behind me, which gave a nice glow from behind the DJ booth.

Finally, I used my wireless lapel to make the Bose L1 Compact a wireless remote speaker, which came in handy since the guests were eating dinner about 30 yards away.

View from dinner location.

This was a great crowd and a fun bride and groom. The weather was fantasic as well.

Playlist:

First Dance - At Last - Etta James

Parent's Dance - Unforgettalble - Nat King Cole

Don't Know Why - Norah Jones

Celebration - Kool and the Gang

Shipping Up to Boston - Dropkick Murphys (Just for St. Patrick's Day)

Love Shack - B52s

Mony Mony - Billy Idol

My Sharona - The Knack

Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations

La Bamba - Los Lobos

I Want You Back - Jackson 5

But It's Alright - J.J. Jackson

Twist Again - Chubby Checker

Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO

Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5

Forget You - Cee Lo

Tonight Tonight - Hot Chelle Rae

Bouquet Toss - Ladies Night - Kool and the Gang

It's Tricky - Run DMC

Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys

Funky Cold Medina - Tone Loc

Sexyback - Justin Timberlake

Time of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

Next week, I return to Star Hill Ranch.

Wedding 02/18/2012 Victoria Klimt and Nicholas Chremos

After some time off from the event blog, we’re back with the second wedding of 2012 for Victoria and Nicholas Chremos. This was my first Russian and Greek wedding, so I had many music requests that I had never played before, as you will see below. I always enjoy weddings that challenge me, and this wedding was such a case.

The first challenge was that the bride wanted to dance her first dance under snowflakes. We created this effect by using a rotating mirror ball and our new Chauvet Gobozoom 2.0 with a snowflake gobo. As you can see from the pictures, this effect came out great.

The second challenge was that the bride wanted a lighted leaves and branches effect on one of the walls. We created this effect using our LED projector and a photo-shopped image that we shaded till we got the exact shade of green the bride wanted.

The third challenge was finding the Russian and Greek music requests that the bride made. Considering that I did not speak or read Russian or Greek, this was the bigger challenge. But, as I had done in previous weddings with foreign music requests, I immersed myself in the music to become more familiar with it and comfortable DJing it.

The fourth challenge was when I arrived at House on the Hill. Due to the cold rain, everything (ceremony, buffet, cocktails, and reception) was moved inside the same room. This left me very little space for setup. To accommodate, I moved the DJ setup as far in the corner of the room as I could and ran off one speaker as there was no space for a second speaker. Fortunately, I have plenty of patience and flexibility and both came in handy for this reception.

All four challenges were met with success and the bride and groom were very happy. I received many complements from the many Russian and Greek guests who were in attendance from their home countries.

The wedding and reception were at House on the Hill, where I have DJed for a number of receptions. It is a nice, intimate wedding venue. This was my first time, however, to be setup in the main house, as I am usually in the pavilion. This was also the first wedding where the guests did a box game for the toasts. This consisted of a decorative box being passed around by the guests during dinner while the music played. When the music stopped, whoever was holding the box had to give a short toast to the bride and groom. Inside the box, I placed my wireless mic. This was an interesting and fun way for guests to say something about the couple.

Playlist (all bride and groom’s requests)

1.       First Dance – Shostakovich Waltz

2.       Nat King Cole – L-O-V-E

3.       Peggy Lee – I’ll Dance at Your Wedding

4.       Frankie Valli – I Love You Baby

5.       Glenn Miller – In the Mood

6.       Fred Astaire – Putting on the Ritz

7.       Peggy Lee – Fever (Remix)

8.       Erasure – Love to Hate You

9.       Jump in the Line – Harry Bellefonte

10.   Baccara - Yes Sir, I Can Boogie

11.   Basement Jaxx - Take Me Back To Your House

12.   Zorba the Greek

13.   Greek Song

14.   Boney M - Rasputin

15.   Russian Dance Song

16.   Russian Dance Song

17.   Russian Dance Song

18.   Russian Dance Song

19.   LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It

20.   Tomas Nevergreen - Since You Been Gone

21.   Filip Kirkorov - Ti Ti Ti

22.   Russian Slow Song

23.   Greek Song

24.   Village People - YMCA

25.   Russian Dance Song

26.   Dalida - Besame Mucho

27.   Quincy Jones - Soul Bossa Nova (Remix)

28.   Erasure - Take A Chance

29.   Boney M - Daddy Cool

30.   Eruption - One Way Ticket

31.   Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger

32.   Greek Slow Dance

33.   ABBA – Does Your Mother Know

34.   Yolanda Be Cool - We No Speak Americano

35.   Justin Timberlake –Sexyback

36.   Leonard Cohen - Dance Me To the End of Love

Jenny Hui and Jesse Ontiveros Wedding

I know it's been a while since I've written a wedding blog, but it's been a very busy summer.

We met Jenny and Jesse at the Bridal Extravaganza show in June. Their wedding was held at House on the Hill, which is one of my favorite facilities in the Austin area. Nice and intimate. Everything can be done onsite, including rooms for the bride and groom. This was a great wedding.

Playlist:

First Dance - Nick Drake - Pink Moon

Father/Daughter Dance - Unforgettable - Nat King and Natalie Cole

Anniversary Dance - The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra

I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

Don't Stop Till You Get Enough - Michael Jackson

Party Rock - LMFAO

You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC

Living on a Prayer - Bon Jovi

Don't Stop Believing - Journey

Hip Hop Medley (Apache, Funky Cold Medina, Brass Monkey, Bust a Move)

Jammin - Bob Marley

Just Like Heaven - The Cure

Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order

Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners

Shout - Isley brothers

Twist and Shout - The Beatles

La Bamba - Los Lobos

What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

One Love - Bob Marley

Chicken Dance - Brave Combo

Tik Tok - Ke$ha

Poker Face - Lady Gaga

California Gurls - Katy Perry

Cupid Shuffle - Cupid

Like a G6 - Dev

The Eyes of Texas and Texas Fight - Longhorn Band

Cheadle/Winfrey Wedding 03/12/2011

After a break from writing event blogs, I'm back to write some more. What a wedding to start the wedding season, which seems to last from March to October.

The wedding and reception were held at the Walden Plantation in Llano, Tx. This is a new bed and breakfast in the hill country right on the Llano River. The wedding was held next to the pool and hottub. The reception was held in a tent just behind the facility.

What a wedding to start the season with. With almost 300 guests and running from 6:00 to midnight, this was going to be a awesome reception. Plus, this was the first wedding I got to use my new Chauvet Min Laser. Against the ceiling of the white tent, the laser looked fantastic.

Playlist:
First Dance - Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
Father/Daughter Dance - I Loved Her First - Heartland
Mother/Son Dance - What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Stepfather/Daughter Dance - He Didn't Have to Be - Brad Paisley
I Gotta Feeling
Don't Stop Believing
Cake Cutting (was warm in the tent, so the icing was melting, had to move the cake up about 45 minutes)
I Like It, I Love It
Wrapped
That's How Country Boys Roll
Undo It
My Wish
What I Said I Do
Waltz Across Texas
Crazy
Won't Take Less
Pound Sign
Pretty Good At Drinkin' Beer
Your Man
It's 5 o'clock Somewhere
Love Like Crazy
My Little Girl
Seminole Wind
Do I
Tosses - Bouquet - Ladies Night
Tosses - Garter - Foxey Lady
Retro Medley
Bust a Move
Cupid Shuffle
Blow
Hold It Against Me
Round and Round
Copperhead Road
My Maria
Cowboy Casanova
Carried Away
She's Everything
My Best Friend
In Da Club
Cha Cha Slide
Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
Brown Eyed Girl
Shout
Twist and Shout
Funky Cold Medina
Ice Ice Baby
Jump Around
Take Me Out
Friends in Low Places
Lukenbach, Texas
Family Tradition
Good Directions
Billie Jean
I Want You Back
Sex Machine
You Shook Me All Night Long
You Give Love a Bad Name
It Takes Two
Like a G6
Tik Tok
Party in the USA
Low
Nuttin' But a G Thang
Hypnotize
Yeah!
Blister in the Sun
Bizarre Love Triangle
Come On Eileen
Footloose
Cotton Eyed Joe
Sweat's Schottische
Lord Loves the Drinkin' Man
Getting You Home
Let's Get It On
Pony
Bump and Grind
Save the Last Dance For Me
New York, New York (no "Last Dance")

Overall, we had a great time and were worn out by the time we got back home.

Next week, we return to the Chateau Bellevue in downtown Austin.

GGC Productions is recognized as a 2011 Bride's Choice Award Winner

Ausitn,TX – January 25, 2011} - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce GGC Productions has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for DJs!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

GGC Productions stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud GGC Productions for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that GGC Productions is among the very best DJs within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at www.weddingwire.com

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

Wedding 12/31/2010 at Texas Old Town in Kyle, Tx

I know I haven't added a show blog in a while, but it it my goal to add one after every wedding in 2011.
And there is no better time to start than after being a wedding DJ for a New Year's Eve wedding. The wedding for Jeslyn and Will Sabol was held at Texas Old Town in Kyle, Texas. This was my first time at Texas Old Town and I really enjoyed the facility. Lots of dancefloor space and an easy load in area in the back.
This was a fun couple and their guests were ready to party, with it being New Year's Eve and all. The ceremony was held outside just a short walk from the Tejas reception hall. It was a perfect night for a ceremony with no clouds in the sky and the temperature around 50 degrees. The ceremony ended with a nice fireworks show (a first for me).
During the dinner, I played a variety of the guest's requests which they were allowed to make on their invitations. Some of these included:
"Can't Help Falling In Love With You" by Elvis Presley
"She's No Lady, She's My Wife" by Lyle Lovett
"I Get a Kick Out of You" By Frank Sinatra
"Bread and Water" by Ryan Bingham
"My Home Town" by Charlie Robinson
"The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michallson
"Strong Enough" by Sheryl Crow
"Today is the Day" by Shake Russell
"Right of Rain" by Adele
"Love Letter" by Bonnie Raitt
"No One is Gonna Love You More Than I Do" by Band of Horses
and "Everyday Angel" by Radney Foster.

First Dance - "Then" by Brad Paisley
Father/Daughter Dance was written by the Father of the Bride. The first verse was sung to her by him, then the minister sang the rest of the song. The song was excellent and if recorded, I believe it could be a standard for father/daugher dances in the future.
Stepfather/Daughter Dance - "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John
Mother/Son Dance - "Blessed" by Elton John
Cake Cutting - "How Sweet It Is" by Michael Buble

Playlist:
I Gotta Feeling - BEP
Forever - Chris Brown
Magic Carpet Ride/Old Time Rock N Roll
Cupid Shuffle
Dynamite
Aggie War Hymn
Tosses (Single Ladies, Sharp Dressed Man)
Retro Megamix
I'm Yours
When a Man Loves a Woman
The Way You Look Tonight
Cha Cha Slide
California Gurls
Low
Celebration
Hot Stuff
Countdown to Midnight/Auld Lang Syne
Like a G6
You Shook Me All Night Long
Living on a Prayer
Don't Stop Believing
At Last
Last Dance - "You Are the Best Thing" - Ray LaMontagne

I wish I could have played a lot longer for this group as they were ready to party. It's weddings like this where I've done a great job at the end of the night and everyone went home happy, especially the bride and groom.

For pictures from this event, go to www.ggcproductions.net or visit my pictures on Facebook.

Gernale/Kans Wedding 06/27/2010

GGC Productions had an awesome wedding reception last night at the Austin Sheraton downtown. This was the first wedding where I got to use my new LED projector, and I must say, I have really enjoyed using it. It even survived someone dancing and knocking it over! (My stomach dropped when I saw that happen and I raced over to try and catch it.) I used this projector for the lighted monogram which runs right off of a usb flashdrive.

We even set up another projector and rear projection screen on the opposite side of the room for a photo slide show. Needless to say, we had the room covered.

This group really loved line dances, as you'll see from the playlist below. And everyone of them packed the floor with all ages represented.

Right after the introductions of the sponsors, parents of the bride and groom, flower girl and ring bearer, the bridal party, and the Bride and Groom, they went right into their first dance - "Only You Can Love Me This Way" - Keith Urban.
After dinner, cake cutting ("L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole and "How Sweet it Is" by Michael Buble) and toasts, we went right into the parent dances.
Father/Daughter Dance - "I Loved Her First" - Heartland
Mother/Son Dance - "Stand By Me" - Ben E King
Then the dancefloor opened up and never really emptied:
"I Gotta Feeling" - Black Eyed Peas
"Don't Stop Believing" - Journey
"Forever" - Chris Brown
"Evacuate the Dancefloor" - Cascada
"Electric Slide" - Marcia Griffins
"I Want You Back" - Jackson 5
"Sex Machine" - James Brown
RetroMegamix (Good Times, Ladies Night, Best of My Love, Holiday, Centerfold, Boogie Shoes)
Dollar Dance - "You Got the Money (I Got the Time)" - Willie Nelson
Dollar Dance - "The Chair" - George Strait
Dollar Dance - "Woman's Love" - Alan Jackson
Dollar Dance - "Then" - Brad Paisley
Dollar Dance - "Can't Help Falling in Love" - Michael Buble
Dollar Dance - "Panunumpa" - Carol Banawa
Dollar Dance - "Ikaw" - Sylvia La Torre
Chicken Dance - Brave Combo
"Just Dance" - Lady Gaga
"Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" - Michael Jackson
"Party in the USA" - Miley Cyrus
"OMG" - Usher
Cha Cha Slide
"Crazy in Love" - Beyonce
"Fire Burning" - Sean Kingston
"Shout" - Otis Day
"Twist and Shout" - Beatles
Bouquet Toss - "Single Ladies" - Beyonce
Garter Toss - "That's How Country Boys Roll" - Billy Currington
YMCA
"Apache" - Sugarhill Gang
"Yeah!" - Usher
"Gold Digger" - Kanye West
"Right Round" - Flo Rida
Cupid Shuffle
"Iris" - Goo Goo Dolls
"Two Words" - Lea Salonga
Last Dance - "Why Don't We Just Dance" - Josh Turner
After the last dance, the bride and groom left for their hotel room, but the dancefloor still had 40 minutes to go
"Thriller" - Michael Jackson
Macarena
"Bye Bye Bye" - Nsync
"I'm In Miame Trick" - LMFAO
"One More Time" - Daft Punk
"Hips Don't Lie" - Shakira
"California Gurls" - Katy Perry
"Empire State of Mind" - Jay-Z
"Last Dance" - Frank Sinatra

Julie Glover and Ross Lairson Wedding 06-12-2010

We had a great wedding at the Driskill Hotel last night for Julie Glover and Ross Lairson. The Driskill is a classic old hotel right on 6th Street. Of course, it was during the ROT Biker Rally and you could hear the motors revving outside all night. No problem.

We even had Christopher Lloyd (you may remember him as Jim on "Taxi" or Doc Brown in "Back to the Future" crash the wedding. Very nice guy.

As you can see from the pictures, we provided uplighting in the main ballroom. With the white marble floor and the white ceiling, the lighting gave the room an almost swimming pool like feel.

After the ceremony (which we provided the wireless lapel microphone of the preacher) and pictures, the bridal party and couple entered the main ballroom to "Get Up Offa That Thing" by James Brown. Nothing like a little bit of the hardest working man in showbusiness to get things started right.

After intros, we jumped right to the first dance - "You Are the Best Thing" - Ray Lamontagne, Father/Daughter Dance - "Wonderful World" - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, and Mother/Son Dance - "Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys" - Willie Nelson

Then we went right to toasts and dinner, which was a breakfast buffett.

After cake cutting, the dancefloor was opened and pretty much stayted full the rest of the night.
Songlist:
I Gotta Feeling
Let's Groove
I Want You Back
Sex Machine
Respect
The Chair
Wagon Wheel
It's Four in the Morning
My Girl
Runaround Sue
Cupid
Brown Eyed Girl
Shout
Twist and Shout
Retro Megamix
Yeah!
Tosses - Single Ladies and Another One Bites the Dust
I Swear
Why Don't We Just Dance
Wrapped
Love You
Party in the USA
Billie Jean
Let's Get Married
Best I Ever Had
Fire Burnin'
Low
Your Love is My Drug
Apache
Soulja Boy
Funky Cold Medina
Thriller
Stanky Legg
Power of Love
Piano Man
Last Dance - Blame it Mexico.

Afterwards, the bride and groom invited everyone to Logan's across the street where they first met.

The wedding coordinator was by Timeless Treasures by Maria, photography was by Ron Parks Photography and videography was by Round Rock Video Productions.

Of course, DJ and uplighting was by GGC Productions.

Rollins/Case Wedding 06/04/2010

Friday night GGC Productions had the pleasure of DJing the wedding reception for Christine Rollins and Erik Case at Wild Rose Hall, one of my favorite venues in South Austin. I like its small, intimate feeling. It's perfect for wedding receptions for up to 150 guests, although it can handle more.
The outdoor ceremony started around 7:15, which was handled by a local string quartet. Sorry, I did not get their name. It should be a rule that all outdoor ceremonies in Texas from June 1st to August 31 be performed after 7:00. I've seen outdoor ceremonies done at 2:30 in the afternoon and believe me, the guests do not appreciate sweating. Especially, if the groomsmen are in full tuxes.
After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed cocktails while the bridal party took pictures. This was a good opportunity to use the Bose L1 Compact which was setup outside, but connected to the main DJ setup.
Dinner was served at 8:30. This is the first wedding I have done where the food (fajitas) were served family style.
Next, we did the Bride and Groom's First Dance - "Videotape" by Radiohead
Father/Bride Dance - "The Shadow of Your Smile" by Tony Bennet
Mother/Groom Dance - "Europa" by Santana.
After toasts and cake cutting, the dancefloor was open to song selection by the Bride and Groom.
Playlist:
Jungle Boogie - Kool and the Gang
Bust a Move - Young MC
Here It Goes Again - OK Go
Baby I'm Yours - Artic Monkeys
Love and Some Verses - Iron and Wine
Moon River - Andy Williams
Neighborhood #2 - Arcade Fire
Dance With Me - Old 97s
La La Love You - The Pixies
Such Great Heights - The Postal Service
1901 - Phoenix
Spaceman - The Killers
Waiting For You - Seal
Sort Of - Ingrid Michaelson
Saturday - Built to Spill
Crown of Love - Arcade Fire
Tosses - Single Ladies
Tosses - Superfly
Question - Old 97s
Teach Your Children - Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Harvest Moon - Neil Young
Waltz #2 - Elliot Smith
Moon River - Andy Williams (Father and Mother of the Bride's wedding song - they were outside during the first playing)
Thirteen - Elliot Smith

Pictures are available here.

Now, I have to get ready for a large wedding at the Driskil Hotel next Saturday night.