Though I've played weddings in Auburn a few times before, this was my first visit to the Hilton Garden Inn. Jessica and Richard picked an excellent location for their reception! I was impressed with this relatively-new (just a few years old) venue, especially for the spacious ballroom and the adjacent spaces which also played a role in the evening's festivities. I was equally, if not more impressed with the bride and groom's dance moves... you'll see in the pictures!
I liked how ballroom is connected to the rest of the building, but yet it's set apart, almost as if on its own. You're not quite as likely to have random people from the general public walking by and gawking, as the ballroom isn't "on the way" to any other area of the hotel. Guests started arriving at 6pm to find a cocktail hour and a live string quartet in the lobby. Just off the hallway connecting the lobby to the hotel, there's an outdoor courtyard with plenty of cozy seating and a fireplace so guests can enjoy some fresh air, even as temperatures cooled down later in the evening. When it was time for the ballroom to open at 7, I welcomed guests with soft instrumental music and once the wedding party arrived, we proceeded with introductions, toasts, dinner and dancing.
As is tradition here on my blog, here were Jessica and Richard's choices for the key moments of the night:
- Wedding Party Intros: Natalie Cole / This Will Be
- First Dance: Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons / Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You
- Bride / Father Dance: Heartland / I Loved Her First
- Groom / Mother Dance: Louie Armstrong / What a Wonderful World
- Cake Cutting: James Taylor / How Sweet it Is
- Last Dance of the Night for Everyone: Journey / Don't Stop Believin'
Jessica and Richard had a great crowd -- and they set the tone for the evening right from the first dance, impressing the crowd with some very nice dance moves! They also knew exactly what their guests would enjoy, having selected every song for the entire evening in advance. At one point toward the end of the night, one or two guests started breakdancing and someone even did a backwards flip -- my only regret was not having the camera ready for that one!
Click any photo below for a larger version.
This was a great crowd and the staff at the Hilton Garden Inn was also very cooperative and a pleasure to work with. Would love to do another reception there sometime! Jessica and Richard were also great clients as well -- usually I wait awhile after a wedding to ask couples to post a review on WeddingWire, but Jessica posted her 5-star review before I even had a chance to ask! Here's what she wrote:
I HIGHLY recommend Peter for your DJ needs! Peter did an incredible job! He has great communication and was incredibly accommodating! He made the reception feel intimate and lively at the same time! He honored all of our requests and was very kind! He even went out of his way to make some extra announcements and took some pictures! Everyone had a wonderful time! The transitions between all of the songs were perfect, and when we had to cut some of the songs out for lack of time, Peter read the room brilliantly and played all of the songs that got everyone up and dancing!! If you get the change you should absolutely book Peter the DJ! I promise you'll be happy you did!!
Reviews like this always make my day! I know there are a lot of DJs to choose from, so I'm glad Jessica and Richard selected me, and I'm thrilled that they were so pleased with how everything turned out. I can't take all the credit though -- they get some props as well, as they chose a lot of the music ahead of time, knowing exactly what their friends and family would enjoy the most.
