Ok, this was one of those weddings I was a bit concerned about having all the right music for. The bride and groom had different musical tastes that bordered on very “indie” in some cases. They also had some pretty normal requests too — so frankly that soothed my dj soul. What gave me a bit more concern (nothing too heavy, I don’t get freaked anymore – I’ve seen all kinds of people over 18 years of doing weddings in Michigan) was when the guests started to arrive many of them had the very “hip” rock star hairstyles, there were many piercings and a groomsman asked if he could call me dj fancy pants. OK… here is how it all panned out. It was super, they came to have a good time and the thing they did right was pick some stuff to express their style at key points – during bridal entrance, bouquet and garter and the other few main bridal songs. Beyond that they understood that though they liked a lot of stuff their guests wouldn’t necessarily know, we could go a bit more mainstream during the rest of the evening shy of a few (as in 3) other requests. My favorite from their picks for dancing and one that could possibly even work with other crowds was “Detroit 67” by Sam Roberts. It was simply a great song and man oh man the guy sounds just like Bono. Anyway, they gave me the freedom to do what i needed to do to get people dancing but still expressed themselves during key points of the evening. Also, they both enjoyed dancing and that never ever hurts the dance floor. OH, lest i forget the groom was a marine and he cut the cake with his sword and that was pretty cool too!
I’ve seen some cool ideas but this one takes the cake. Breaking a bit from tradition this is geared more toward what you can do for other brides and grooms in Michigan or not. Even as a guy I thought this was literally out of the box. What a cool wedding cake gift idea for both wedding showers and wedding receptions.
Michigan Wedding DJ – Another Cool Idea Harvested from Youtube
The Dearborn Inn is located very close to the Henry Ford/Greenfield Village “campus”. I’ve been servicing Michigan brides here for years as a wedding dj and have a lot of experience at this Marriott Facility because they personally refer my dj services to their clients. The paragraph to follow is taken from their website and then I have some comments below and of course a virtual video tour of what the guests will see when attending your Dearborn Inn Wedding Reception.
The Dearborn Inn, A Marriott Hotel, offers an ideal locale near downtown Detroit and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Built in 1931 on the grounds of Ford Motor Company, this suburban Detroit luxury hotel, situated on 23 acres, has just completed a multi-million dollar renovation. This Dearborn hotel is close to major corporations and cultural sites such as The Henry Ford. In a setting reminiscent of an American inn, this Dearborn MI hotel features the service and amenities expected of Marriott, along with a unique array of accommodations including the Main Inn, 2 Colonial lodges and 5 Colonial guest homes. An on-site fitness center, outdoor swimming pool and several nearby golf courses offer ample leisure activity. The Early American Room raises the bar for Detroit area fine dining, while two lounges serve classic American cuisine. And with more than 17,000 sq ft of flexible event space, this historic Dearborn Michigan hotel hosts social affairs, intimate weddings or large business events with ease.
The Map to the Dearborn Inn is Here They can be reached: 20301 Oakwood Blvd Dearborn, MI48124 Get Directions(313) 271-2700
Tripadvisor has many reviews on the Dearborn Inn as a hotel but please remember I am rating from the perspective of a wedding dj, not someone sleeping overnight.
The grounds and drive up are absolutely beautiful. The building itself is in great condition and the brickwork and landscape are of showcase quality. The inside has always seemed in extremely good shape as well. The bathrooms are clean, the common areas are beautiful and the ballrooms themselves always seem to look excellent.
The food has always been good and the staff I’ve found to be exceptionally nice. With very little hotel and banquet staff turnover it is a good sign that someone is doing something right because I’ve seen the same faces there for years.
One thing I’ve always thought was neat was that the wedding party and the bride and groom can actually stay in the historic homes on site less than 100 yards from the ballroom doors or of course opt to stay in the hotel itself. WIthin 5 minutes of the Dearborn Inn there are also several famous museums and historic sites as well.
Danceability – I’ve typically had great receptions here. The dynamics are such that it’s a great place rain or shine for a wedding and a wedding reception.
Check out my youtube video below of the Dearborn Inn. (AND one i just updated down at page bottom from a summer 2012 visit to the Alexandria Ballroom – the bride really did an outsanding job decorating her Michigan Wedding Reception – it was supremely elegant)
NOTE: this was a real young couple getting married. The bride was 19 and the groom 21 off to Iraq.
Updated Summer 2012 Video of the Alexandria Ballroom at the Dearborn Inn in Dearborn, MI. This bride did an amazing job making an already elegant room look breathtaking. She matched the regal feel of the hotel’s architecture with her table linens and colors. I can’t believe I am saying this. Yes, I’m married with a child, I don’t have a cat and I only watch HGTV if my wife has control of the remote.
I’ve dj’d at many events (closing in on 900) and found that any of the Oaks Managment Managed Properties are extremely well run. Not only are they neat and clean but they are beautiful as well. This past week I played for the Lynch/Hagenson family on Sunday, August 10th. It was the 7th or so wedding I’ve done for this family and or their friends. They have been generous with their leads and I can assure you when I die I will be layed out last at a Lynch and Sons Funeral Home. They are kind, loving people and it’s obvious because they attract friends and family of the same character. They got married in the “courtyard” of the facility which is only a short brick paver path away from the wrap around deck and main ballroom. The courtyard area for a ceremony is second to none – it is beautiful, rain or shine. The video as my virtual tours go was a bit shaky but I’ll update it soon enough. I did not record any dance footage this time as Tom, of Artistic Video in Walled Lake will hopefully get me that when he is done editing it. I will post it then. FYI – the Bridal Party pulled off a really good choreographed dance routine. It may not make Vegas but it sure as heck was the best one I’ve seen since I started dj’ing Michigan Weddings in 1990 – complete with tear off velcro pants. Video forthcoming on that. Anyway, check out the virtual tour of Addison Oaks and if you’re booking there, you’ll see my name on their referral list.
