Erica & Aaron - St Patricks Church Inver Grove
10/04/08 21:26 Filed in: Receptions
I received an email from Erica asking if we knew of
the "Love Story" and some other things. I responded
that we did in fact offer the Love Story and would be
happy to meet with her and her Fiance Aaron to
discuss the details of their wedding/reception. We
set up a meeting for later that week. When we got
together I found out that Erica and Aaron had
recently been to a wedding, and the DJ had really
impressed them. They tried to book him but he was not
available. This DJ happens to be our neighbor and in
our opinion one of the best Wedding Entertainers in
the world. No pressure there. We had a great meeting
and they decided to book us. This wedding was going
to pull out all the stops!! There was going to be an
Exciting Grand Entrance, Moving Love Story, Dramatic
Lighting and much much more.
We had our work cut out for us. There were many hours of preparation and communicating with our clients. I was beginning to notice as the time went by, that these two young people were more than clients. I really started to care about them, like my own children and wanted the best for them. This is happening more and more as I continue in this business. I no longer think of the people who hire me as just clients, I develop friendships and it helps me to provide better service to my brides and grooms. Erica was on the same page and for the final meeting invited us out to their place for dinner. They made chicken, veggies, cake for dessert and it was all very tasty. I brought some pasta salad and homemade cookies. There was no shortage of food.
Somewhere in all that munching we laid plans for a fantastic wedding reception. Aaron pulled out a video of the Chicago Bulls to show me how he wanted his grand entrance to be. I was going to imitate the Bulls announcer. We worked out the timeline, special songs, cues, special people. Took care of all the details. Now all I had to do was organize and practice, practice,practice!!!
All that organizing and practicing paid off! On 10-04-08 we arrived at St. Pats in Inver Grove Heights. It was a surprisingly warm and sunny day. That always lifts my spirits even if I am in a good mood already. We had a load in that had some distance but no stairs so not too bad. Inside the church, the banquet room was beautiful. There was a big brick wall with stained glass on either side that was right behind the head table. We positioned our monogram light on the brick wall and did uplighting on either side. The vaulted ceilings made the room seem bigger then it was. Still, there were over 300 people in attendance that day. We got all set up and planned where everything would take place. Then the guests arrived.
Every person that came into that room was in high spirits. They were so friendly and talkative with us. Karl and I both knew something good this way comes. Then the wedding party arrived. We had to wait for church to get out so we could do the Grand Entrance really loud. We had to wait about 15 minutes after they arrived and then the church goers were exiting the building. I lined everyone up and informed the videographers about times and locations. Karl and I were wired with Walkie Talkies and I let him know to cue the music and wait for my signal. We got everything organized and Karl had turned on the lights so he could dramatically turn them back off when it was time for the Entrance. So now the lights went back off, Karl turned on our spot lights, I began (speaking like the Chicago Bulls announcer) announcing the evenings starting lineup etc.. The audience cheered for every wedding party member like they were the Chicago Bulls themselves and when the Bride and Groom were introduced they stood up and screamed like Michael Jordan himself had just entered the room. It was so exciting, people kept coming up and telling us how much they liked it. The videographer came up and told me his heart was pounding, I was thrilled. Luckily we videotaped it. Some of the wedding party came up and complimented the grand entrance too. I was walking on clouds by then.
At that point, we introduced Erica's Dad. He welcomed everyone and then we had a blessing. Dinner was buffet so the head table went first, then I released the tables. There was a little mix up with the bar, they were suppose to cut it off for all guests during dinner but not for the wedding party. That had to be straightened out.
I had questions for the quests. If they clinked their glasses, they had to answer questions about the bride and groom to make them kiss, if they answered incorrectly the Erica & Aaron would not kiss. Aaron thought they had kissed enough for awhile and wanted to eat so we changed it to if they answered wrong they had to kiss each other. Then they just answered questions so their tables could be released for dinner. The guests were so much fun to work with. They all wanted a chance to answer questions. Nobody was shy. They were all laughing and joking and up for anything. Next, delicious multitiered wedding cake, made by Aaron's mom was cut up and served by the wedding party. A nice touch.
After cake was served the toasts began. Shortly after toasts we set up for the Love Story. We pulled out our tall directors chairs and placed them so all the guests could see them. I had a podium not far away. Everyone was seated the Bride and Groom were in their seats and we told the story of how Erica & Aaron met, fell in love, got engaged and how they all came to be there that day.
The guests were so receptive, oohed and aahed, they laughed and cried. The story was interesting and I really worked on my delivery. I had some help from 3 friends, Rebecca Ferrell, Jeff Richards and My own Karl Morgan. Their input was invaluable and helped to make that love story a great success!!
The first dance was next. They chose- She's My Kind Of Rain by Tim McGraw. I love that song. Then the parents dances, Butterfly Kisses and I Hope You Dance. Then, Wedding Party Snowball Woo Hoo. Wedding party started out dancing slow then i call "Snowball" and they all went out and brought people to the dance floor. Repeated as necessary and then when the dance floor was just about packed we went into the first open dance song "Celebration"! It never stopped from that moment on. There were lots of other little events but the dance floor remained constant. I feel so blessed that we were there and able to celebrate Aaron and Erica's special day with them!!! It was sooo much fun!!
At the end of the night I tried to video tape Erica and Aaron saying things about the reception but I did a bad job. I need professional training on the video camera. Too bad those other two video guys had already left. They said I could meet with them again if it doesn't work out to rerecord. We shall see. Jeff Richards showed up at the end of the show. His event finished a little early so he came over to see us and we went out for breakfast. We both had Love Stories that night so we compared our experiences. It was really nice to have help taking down all the extra lights and stuff. Tear down went pretty quickly. We had a good time at Perkins.
The following Monday, Erica & Aaron called to say thank you and tell us that they are sending us a video of the wedding as a gift. How amazingly thoughtful. I just love those two! They said a relative is getting married in North Dakota and wondered if we were available and willing to travel.
We are willing to travel and we shall see what develops. As for Erica and Aaron, we have plans to have dinner after Bow Hunting season and to stay in touch. I wish you all the best!!! Thank you for having us at your reception, we would work for you again in a heartbeat. Have a wonderful life together full of love and happiness.
Live, Laugh, Love!!!!
Carol & Karl
Carol Morgan
www.collsound.com
We had our work cut out for us. There were many hours of preparation and communicating with our clients. I was beginning to notice as the time went by, that these two young people were more than clients. I really started to care about them, like my own children and wanted the best for them. This is happening more and more as I continue in this business. I no longer think of the people who hire me as just clients, I develop friendships and it helps me to provide better service to my brides and grooms. Erica was on the same page and for the final meeting invited us out to their place for dinner. They made chicken, veggies, cake for dessert and it was all very tasty. I brought some pasta salad and homemade cookies. There was no shortage of food.
Somewhere in all that munching we laid plans for a fantastic wedding reception. Aaron pulled out a video of the Chicago Bulls to show me how he wanted his grand entrance to be. I was going to imitate the Bulls announcer. We worked out the timeline, special songs, cues, special people. Took care of all the details. Now all I had to do was organize and practice, practice,practice!!!
All that organizing and practicing paid off! On 10-04-08 we arrived at St. Pats in Inver Grove Heights. It was a surprisingly warm and sunny day. That always lifts my spirits even if I am in a good mood already. We had a load in that had some distance but no stairs so not too bad. Inside the church, the banquet room was beautiful. There was a big brick wall with stained glass on either side that was right behind the head table. We positioned our monogram light on the brick wall and did uplighting on either side. The vaulted ceilings made the room seem bigger then it was. Still, there were over 300 people in attendance that day. We got all set up and planned where everything would take place. Then the guests arrived.
Every person that came into that room was in high spirits. They were so friendly and talkative with us. Karl and I both knew something good this way comes. Then the wedding party arrived. We had to wait for church to get out so we could do the Grand Entrance really loud. We had to wait about 15 minutes after they arrived and then the church goers were exiting the building. I lined everyone up and informed the videographers about times and locations. Karl and I were wired with Walkie Talkies and I let him know to cue the music and wait for my signal. We got everything organized and Karl had turned on the lights so he could dramatically turn them back off when it was time for the Entrance. So now the lights went back off, Karl turned on our spot lights, I began (speaking like the Chicago Bulls announcer) announcing the evenings starting lineup etc.. The audience cheered for every wedding party member like they were the Chicago Bulls themselves and when the Bride and Groom were introduced they stood up and screamed like Michael Jordan himself had just entered the room. It was so exciting, people kept coming up and telling us how much they liked it. The videographer came up and told me his heart was pounding, I was thrilled. Luckily we videotaped it. Some of the wedding party came up and complimented the grand entrance too. I was walking on clouds by then.
At that point, we introduced Erica's Dad. He welcomed everyone and then we had a blessing. Dinner was buffet so the head table went first, then I released the tables. There was a little mix up with the bar, they were suppose to cut it off for all guests during dinner but not for the wedding party. That had to be straightened out.
I had questions for the quests. If they clinked their glasses, they had to answer questions about the bride and groom to make them kiss, if they answered incorrectly the Erica & Aaron would not kiss. Aaron thought they had kissed enough for awhile and wanted to eat so we changed it to if they answered wrong they had to kiss each other. Then they just answered questions so their tables could be released for dinner. The guests were so much fun to work with. They all wanted a chance to answer questions. Nobody was shy. They were all laughing and joking and up for anything. Next, delicious multitiered wedding cake, made by Aaron's mom was cut up and served by the wedding party. A nice touch.
After cake was served the toasts began. Shortly after toasts we set up for the Love Story. We pulled out our tall directors chairs and placed them so all the guests could see them. I had a podium not far away. Everyone was seated the Bride and Groom were in their seats and we told the story of how Erica & Aaron met, fell in love, got engaged and how they all came to be there that day.
The guests were so receptive, oohed and aahed, they laughed and cried. The story was interesting and I really worked on my delivery. I had some help from 3 friends, Rebecca Ferrell, Jeff Richards and My own Karl Morgan. Their input was invaluable and helped to make that love story a great success!!
The first dance was next. They chose- She's My Kind Of Rain by Tim McGraw. I love that song. Then the parents dances, Butterfly Kisses and I Hope You Dance. Then, Wedding Party Snowball Woo Hoo. Wedding party started out dancing slow then i call "Snowball" and they all went out and brought people to the dance floor. Repeated as necessary and then when the dance floor was just about packed we went into the first open dance song "Celebration"! It never stopped from that moment on. There were lots of other little events but the dance floor remained constant. I feel so blessed that we were there and able to celebrate Aaron and Erica's special day with them!!! It was sooo much fun!!
At the end of the night I tried to video tape Erica and Aaron saying things about the reception but I did a bad job. I need professional training on the video camera. Too bad those other two video guys had already left. They said I could meet with them again if it doesn't work out to rerecord. We shall see. Jeff Richards showed up at the end of the show. His event finished a little early so he came over to see us and we went out for breakfast. We both had Love Stories that night so we compared our experiences. It was really nice to have help taking down all the extra lights and stuff. Tear down went pretty quickly. We had a good time at Perkins.
The following Monday, Erica & Aaron called to say thank you and tell us that they are sending us a video of the wedding as a gift. How amazingly thoughtful. I just love those two! They said a relative is getting married in North Dakota and wondered if we were available and willing to travel.
We are willing to travel and we shall see what develops. As for Erica and Aaron, we have plans to have dinner after Bow Hunting season and to stay in touch. I wish you all the best!!! Thank you for having us at your reception, we would work for you again in a heartbeat. Have a wonderful life together full of love and happiness.
Live, Laugh, Love!!!!
Carol & Karl
Carol Morgan
www.collsound.com
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