As a wedding dj in Michigan with over 1000 events to my credit, once in a while I see something I’ve never seen before. It happens that at this December wedding at Addison Oaks in Leonard, MI the bride and groom had a Hot Cocoa Bar. It also happens in typical Michigan fashion that the weather was near 60 degrees that day. BUT… it was a super reception in spite of the fact the hot cocoa bar didn’t see a twenty degree day and considerable patronage. Below are some pictures of one of my favorite venues – Addison Oaks. You’ll see the hot water, various flavorings, the ever so important Swiss Miss Cocoa and a super presentation.

I thought this was a neat idea as well. Basically the bride and groom were to bury this bottle or store in in a cool dark and dry place. Then, on their 25th wedding anniversary they were to open it up and celebrate OR… they’d make a pledge and if times ever got really bad they’d not only open the bottle but they’d read the love notes they wrote to each other sharing how they felt about each other in the “Now”. I liked it because it had an old school element and nothing is cooler than a time capsule. Below is one like they had from Amazon.

I’ve been the dj at a lot of Michigan Wedding Receptions and ceremonies. I’ve seen a lot of neat idea and I really liked this one. It was a picture of the bride and groom “as a puzzle”. Guests were simply asked to take a piece of the puzzle out of the picture and sign the back. The piece was then placed in a nearby basket (see pic). The idea being they’d put it together on their 25th anniversary or sooner if they needed a reminder of how they once were. It was neat. My only thought was that the puzzle would have to be sandwiched into a clear 2 sided frame with a hook on each side. So then the picture and the guest’s comments could both be viewed. Anyway, it was neat!

Not much went undone at this event in Rochester, MI in August of 2012. I’ve been the dj at over 1000 events in my 22 years of service to brides and grooms. Not only was I the musical entertainment but so was a 19 piece orchestra and an acapella group Capital Green from MSU – the bride’s Alma Mater and a group she had formerly sung with. The acapella group performed “We Are Young” arranged by Selama Scarlett with the solo by Walter (last name I forgot — this is all from memory). Even after being the dj at so many events here in Michigan and in Florida where I learned my skills from Johnny the DJ (I love you Johnny) there are still some you walk into and get a bit nervous knowing so much is riding on your skill set. Anyway, I could go on with the accolades but a picture may do a better job of it. Sam Sarkas was the photographer as you can see on the pic below.

Since this is a section I call what I liked – I’d have to say everything — it really was a wedding that set the benchmark for elegance.

As the dj, call it ego and it is but the one thing that really came clear to me was the reinforcement that bands, though they may be great musicians and these guys were, are not necessarily as concerned with event flow like a detail oriented dj. I really had to take control behind the scenes to keep things moving because the band and the sound guys had more interest in checking there email and getting their full 15 minute (or whatever 20) breaks than in serving the client with a seamless evening. I am sure the event looked seamless but only because I was aware enough to take control and pick up where they left off. It’s the role of emcee AND music guy that makes a dj great and they are equally important. So if you’re hiring a band be sure to wrangle in an experienced dj to take control and be an extra set of eyes and ears on your team.

Michigan Wedding DJ – Dan Nichols of Royal Oak, MI

I recently did a wedding at Royal Park Hotel in Rochester Michigan and the bride said she didn’t want to do the usual flower “thing”. So, she ordered the coolest custom crystal centerpieces I’d ever seen. They even had numbers engraved on one of the pieces. She then had just a few bouquets on the head table. I will tell you it was beautiful AND Green — by not being green. It might give you the inspiration to go green on your wedding day by not going green!!!

Here is what one looks like and with all the candle light refracting off these crystals it only made it look better. You will notice this crystal centerpiece is cut into a diamond like shape which once again totally fits the day for a bride with a jones for both different and elegant.

Just an Update – I have these for rent if you can’t find them. I thought they were so neat I tracked them down and forked out the dough so my cousin could use them at her wedding. Call me at 248-648-1669 I can UPS them to you. You will pay in full and get a refund for 1/2 the total when they are returned on time.  They are 4″ in diameter (across) and rent for $15 each. I have 25 of them numbered 1-25. If you add some other smaller crystal glass pieces and place the numbered crystal glass centerpiece amongst them it will indeed look superb!

Thanks, Dan Nichols Michigan Wedding DJ