Zach and Jolene - MN Zoo - 7/12/2008
07/12/08 21:22 Filed in: Events
Karl and I have DJ'd at
the Zoo before. Twice down in the Discovery Bay. Last
night, we were in the Tropics. I was wondering how
that would go. I love the Minnesota Zoo and just
being there puts me in a great mood. I think all the
guests must have felt the same way. People really
enjoyed walking along the Tropics and Minnesota
Trails before dinner.
We had soft classical music playing for the social and dinner hours. We did not want to upset the gibbons and the lemurs, or any of the animals. The Zoo staff monitors the volume so the animals do not get distressed. We had no problems with that. The dinner tables were set up at the entrance to the Tropics and we set up our DJ table out on the Minnesota Trail. That way when it was time to dance, the doors to the tropics would be closed and the animals would not be disturbed. It worked out really well.
The Bride and Groom, Zach & Jolene, held a receiving line down by the Saltwater Reef and when they were finished the wedding party all lined up at the exit to the Tropics. That is where we introduced everyone for the Grand Entrance. We had the grand parents stand up at their table and everyone applauded, then the parents, wedding party, Zach and Jolene were introduced and they walked into the dining area.
We had a blessing and cake pictures, then salad was served. Lancer catering did what it does best and the food was both beautiful to look at and delicious. The staff was very kind and helpful.
During dinner, as an alternative to simply Clinking For A Kiss, I read questions about Zach and Jolene. With the first clink, they got a free kiss from the bride and groom, then I explained how things would work. When the guests would clink. I would ask them a question. If they got it right, Zach and Jolene would kiss. This went very well. The guests knew a lot about Zach & Jolene and answered every question that was prepared. This activity allows guests that might not be as knowledgeable about the couple, a chance to get to know them better.
It was a great way for me to interact with the guests. I got to go around and talk to people and get comfortable with them. I think it helps make the DJ more approachable and connected to the guests. At one point the Lemurs and an unspecified animal acted up and were quite vocal. One of the tables suggested that Zach & Jolene should have to kiss when the animals made that noise. Zach & Jolene told that table that if the animals made that noise again, the table could answer a question and they would kiss. Right after that the Lemurs made a commotion and I asked the table a question, they got it right, Zach & Jolene kissed and the Lemurs settled down. It was kind of funny.
Dinner went very well, then the photographer took Zach & Jolene out for a sunset photo. Right after that, there were toasts. The Maid of Honor was the little sister of the Bride and started her speech with I've known Jolene since the day I was born. It got a big laugh. Cake was served and then I told everyone that the first dance was going to be held on the Minnesota Trail and they all came out into the hall to see. The doors were closed. Zach & Jolene danced a tango. They looked like they had been practicing. They looked like they were having fun with it and the guests cheered.
We did parents dances, wedding party, Grandparents dedication/60th Anniversary dance, then the Hokey Pokey. Open dancing after that. Dollar Dance about an hour later followed by Bouquet Toss and what was suppose to be a Garter Toss. I have never had this happen before, it was so funny. The Groom looked at me and said "I think we forgot the garter". Well I feel bad because usually I remind couples about things like the toss bouquet and garter, I felt responsible. All of a sudden, Karl comes out from behind the DJ table with the rubber band thingie I just took out of my hair and gives it to the groom. So I invited all the single guys out , and there were a lot of them, and the groom tossed the rubber band. I warned them it would be small and it was black and the lights were low. Zach tossed it and they scrambled for it and 2 minutes later a guests named Patrick claimed it. I was cracking up and I never got my hair tie back. They were good sports. You know from now on I will always remind clients at the final meeting to bring a garter.
More open dancing. People were requesting lots of oldies, Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide, some hip hop. There were only a couple slow songs. It was pretty high energy all night. I did play No One by Alicia Keys dedicated to the groom from the bride and after they danced a minute alone on the dance floor everyone came in and circled them and showed a lot of love. I followed with What A Wonderful World and everyone stayed out and slow danced.
At the end of the evening, Zach and Jolene asked us to announce that guests could take the flowers off the tables. Everyone grabbed some because they were quite beautiful. Jolene loves flowers and actually did the flowers, with the help of some family and friends. She had flower names for the tables and put that type off flower on the same table. I learned a little bit more about flowers last night. Having such a variety was quite beautiful and she did a really nice job. The people loved getting to take them home too.
People were not quite ready to go home but the zoo told us when we had to play our last song so we did not really have a choice. When Karl and I said goodbye everyone clapped for us. That is always a great feeling. People came up and told us we did a nice job.
I hugged Zach & Jolene goodbye and told them again how jealous I was that they were about to spend 16 days in Europe. They will begin in Paris and celebrate Bastille Day there and end in Vienna.
I wish Zach & Jolene all the best. I know they are going to have many wonderful experiences together.
Thanks for having us at your reception!!! That was a wonderful experience for us!!!
Carol Morgan
www.collsound.com
We had soft classical music playing for the social and dinner hours. We did not want to upset the gibbons and the lemurs, or any of the animals. The Zoo staff monitors the volume so the animals do not get distressed. We had no problems with that. The dinner tables were set up at the entrance to the Tropics and we set up our DJ table out on the Minnesota Trail. That way when it was time to dance, the doors to the tropics would be closed and the animals would not be disturbed. It worked out really well.
The Bride and Groom, Zach & Jolene, held a receiving line down by the Saltwater Reef and when they were finished the wedding party all lined up at the exit to the Tropics. That is where we introduced everyone for the Grand Entrance. We had the grand parents stand up at their table and everyone applauded, then the parents, wedding party, Zach and Jolene were introduced and they walked into the dining area.
We had a blessing and cake pictures, then salad was served. Lancer catering did what it does best and the food was both beautiful to look at and delicious. The staff was very kind and helpful.
During dinner, as an alternative to simply Clinking For A Kiss, I read questions about Zach and Jolene. With the first clink, they got a free kiss from the bride and groom, then I explained how things would work. When the guests would clink. I would ask them a question. If they got it right, Zach and Jolene would kiss. This went very well. The guests knew a lot about Zach & Jolene and answered every question that was prepared. This activity allows guests that might not be as knowledgeable about the couple, a chance to get to know them better.
It was a great way for me to interact with the guests. I got to go around and talk to people and get comfortable with them. I think it helps make the DJ more approachable and connected to the guests. At one point the Lemurs and an unspecified animal acted up and were quite vocal. One of the tables suggested that Zach & Jolene should have to kiss when the animals made that noise. Zach & Jolene told that table that if the animals made that noise again, the table could answer a question and they would kiss. Right after that the Lemurs made a commotion and I asked the table a question, they got it right, Zach & Jolene kissed and the Lemurs settled down. It was kind of funny.
Dinner went very well, then the photographer took Zach & Jolene out for a sunset photo. Right after that, there were toasts. The Maid of Honor was the little sister of the Bride and started her speech with I've known Jolene since the day I was born. It got a big laugh. Cake was served and then I told everyone that the first dance was going to be held on the Minnesota Trail and they all came out into the hall to see. The doors were closed. Zach & Jolene danced a tango. They looked like they had been practicing. They looked like they were having fun with it and the guests cheered.
We did parents dances, wedding party, Grandparents dedication/60th Anniversary dance, then the Hokey Pokey. Open dancing after that. Dollar Dance about an hour later followed by Bouquet Toss and what was suppose to be a Garter Toss. I have never had this happen before, it was so funny. The Groom looked at me and said "I think we forgot the garter". Well I feel bad because usually I remind couples about things like the toss bouquet and garter, I felt responsible. All of a sudden, Karl comes out from behind the DJ table with the rubber band thingie I just took out of my hair and gives it to the groom. So I invited all the single guys out , and there were a lot of them, and the groom tossed the rubber band. I warned them it would be small and it was black and the lights were low. Zach tossed it and they scrambled for it and 2 minutes later a guests named Patrick claimed it. I was cracking up and I never got my hair tie back. They were good sports. You know from now on I will always remind clients at the final meeting to bring a garter.
More open dancing. People were requesting lots of oldies, Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide, some hip hop. There were only a couple slow songs. It was pretty high energy all night. I did play No One by Alicia Keys dedicated to the groom from the bride and after they danced a minute alone on the dance floor everyone came in and circled them and showed a lot of love. I followed with What A Wonderful World and everyone stayed out and slow danced.
At the end of the evening, Zach and Jolene asked us to announce that guests could take the flowers off the tables. Everyone grabbed some because they were quite beautiful. Jolene loves flowers and actually did the flowers, with the help of some family and friends. She had flower names for the tables and put that type off flower on the same table. I learned a little bit more about flowers last night. Having such a variety was quite beautiful and she did a really nice job. The people loved getting to take them home too.
People were not quite ready to go home but the zoo told us when we had to play our last song so we did not really have a choice. When Karl and I said goodbye everyone clapped for us. That is always a great feeling. People came up and told us we did a nice job.
I hugged Zach & Jolene goodbye and told them again how jealous I was that they were about to spend 16 days in Europe. They will begin in Paris and celebrate Bastille Day there and end in Vienna.
I wish Zach & Jolene all the best. I know they are going to have many wonderful experiences together.
Thanks for having us at your reception!!! That was a wonderful experience for us!!!
Carol Morgan
www.collsound.com
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