Tag Archives: LGBTQ+ Wedding DJ Raleigh

Derrick & Eddie’s Surprise Wedding at Chatham Station in Cary, NC

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

This was a 30th Anniversary Party turned flash wedding surprise!  Eddie is a wedding planner himself so, of course, we had to take the awesome up a few notches.

To start the evening there were to be three toasts from friends…the first two toasters didn’t even know what was coming.

Terri talked about meeting Derrick for the first time at a drag show and how all their friends thought Eddie had made him up because they hadn’t met him yet. She said they all loved him immediately, of course, because Eddie hadn’t known how to show the world his true self fully until he found Derrick, and once he did, there was no looking back. These two completed each other, grew up together and have hardly known the world without each other.

By the time Pastor Jason got up to toast, the whole room was already in tears then he talked about how Eddie and Derrick were the embodiment of provision for the ones in need. “When I was hungry you gave me food, thirsty you gave me drink” He said when they were met with persecution, they showed only love to the world and no one deserves happiness more than these two incredible souls.”  Then he said, “You know what, everyone is here, I’m ordained…let’s just get married! What do you say?!?”

The whole room ERUPTED in applause, tears, hoots and hollers, amens and happy dances! The grooms made their way to the floor with rings and vow books in hand and it was pandemonium as everyone realized this was planned all along!

We cracked open the dance floor with a few classic hits and it was off and running for a crazy fun time.  Congrats Derrick & Eddie!

 

Eddie & Derrick’s Wedding Vendor Team

 

Venue: Chatham Station

DJ:  All Around Raleigh DJ

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Coordinator: Rebecca with Eddie McDaniel Events

Rentals: CE Rentals, Capital Events and Green House Picker Sisters

Photobooth: Zim Zoom Photobooth

Catering: Rocky Top Catering

Bartending: Artful Libations

Invitations: Indigo Envelope

Stationary: CK Creations

Florist: Flowers by Kyle

Cake: Ashley Cakes

 

Derrick & Eddie's Wedding by Cynthia Viola Photography

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Trey & Paul’s North Carolina Museum of Art NCMA Wedding in Raleigh, NC

Paul and Trey were married and had their wedding reception at the NC Museum of Art.  The wedding backdrop was a beautiful, custom piece made by Paul and Trey.   “Simple Gifts” by YoYo Ma & Alison Krauss signaled the entrance of the entire wedding party, including Trey and then Paul.  The formalities were beautiful and somewhat typical, until they vows.  Trey and Paul, both had hand held microphones and had prepared loving, thoughtful and simply beautiful vows.  The vows were a topic of conversation for weeks prior to the big day.  They had been preparing for quite some time and were quite moving.  The couple had been together for years and it was evident at the end of the ceremony.  When the couple was announced, officially as a couple, once they kissed and were announced, the crowd erupted in screams and applause!  That was the cue for the recessional song – “Finally” – CeCe Peniston!  A positively perfect ending to one of the most beautiful and joyous ceremonies I’ve seen in a very long time.

The cocktail hour followed and then it was time for the grand entrance of the couple. We revved up the crowd which didn’t take much at all because everyone was very ready for the introduction.   “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship was cued and as the couple came around the corner into the dining area their family and friends went crazy!  Paul and Trey, together, entered the room, holding hands with the biggest smiles on their faces you have ever seen!  They made their way around the entire room and then found their seat. At which poiint, dinner followed and then the cake cutting.

The toasts were a high point in the evening. They were very entertaining, passionate, meaningful, thoughtful and some were absolutely hilarious!  They went on for a solid hour!

The first dance and an officially same-sex married couple was “Pure & Simple” by Dolly Parton and it moved everyone into the main reception hall and focused attention on the dance floor.

As the song faded the applause slowed down, the dance floor ignited with screams to “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross.  There was not an available square inch available anywhere near the dance floor for the rest of the evening!

It was an evening full of joy, love, happiness, thankfulness for family and friends and togetherness.

 

Trey & Paul’s Wedding Vendor Team

Ceremony & Reception: The North Carolina Museum of Art

Wedding Uplighting: All Around Raleigh DJ

Photographer: SW Photography

Trey & Paul’s Wedding Timeline

5:30 – Guests begin to arrive, welcome champagne/sparkling water in North Courtyard

6:00 – Ceremony begins

6:01 – Rev. Bell steps up to altar from side, welcome/cell phone message

6:02 – Processional (“Simple Gifts” – YoYo Ma & Alison Krauss)

  •       Flower Girl Talia enters
  •       Patty & Sooja enter
  •       Trey enters w/Dupree
  •       Paul enters w/Heon

6:05 – Prayer blessing

6:07 – Scripture reading (Patty)

6:09 – Poem Reading (Tinsley)

6:10 – Sunset

6:11 – Meditation

6:19 – Charge to the community

6:21 – Vows & Exchange of Rings

6:29 – Kiss/Presentation of couple

6:30 – Exit music plays (“Finally” – CeCe Peniston)

6:32 – Group photo (DJ announces, Photographer coordinates)

6:40 – Cocktail hour (inside West building) 

7:25 – Dinner begins.

7:30 – Contemporary Gallery closes.  Paul & Trey quick photos.

7:35 – Dinner begins – Grand Entrance (“Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” – Starship)

7:38 – Dinner blessing (Rev. Bell)

8:15 – Cake cutting

8:30 – Toasts

  •       Paul & Trey (Thank Yous)

8:55 – First Dance (“Pure & Simple” – Dolly Parton)

9:00 – Dancing begins (“I’m Coming Out” – Diana Ross)

10:25 – Last call/Krispy Kreme donuts brought out

10:30 – Bar closes

10:52 – Last song (“Timber” – Kesha)

10:55 – Grand Exit (“Carry Me” – Kygo & Julia Michaels)

11pm – Wedding ends, depart NCMA

11:15pm – Afterparty at Whiskey Kitchen (201 W. Martin St.)

 

 

NCMA Wedding All Around Raleigh DJ Same Sex

Jonathan & Kyle’s Sophisticated Wedding at The Stockroom in Raleigh, NC

Kyle & Jonathan had the wedding of their dreams at The Stockroom in downtown Raleigh which is rustic yet refined and perfect in every way!  We got to know Kyle & Jonathan really well in the months leading up to this affair and enjoyed every minute of it. From the first moment we knew this would be a fun but challenging wedding with lots of new traditions happening. The guys chose Sweet SaraBelle as their wedding planner. Sarah and her team are AMAZING and did not disappoint. There were so many unique and amazing touches to this wedding like the giant chandelier from Themeworks, romantic and exciting uplighting, their ceremony arrangement with guests surrounding them and, oh by the way, a drag show or two!

The playlist was a mix of contemporary, energetic, fun and timeless. We started off their wedding reception with their grand entrance to ‘Chasing the Sun’ by The Wanted and then we went directly into a They chose ‘Because You Loved Me’ by Celine Dion for their First Dance but we had some fun and *record scratch interruption* into a performance by the drag queens! Below you can see the great shots captured by Shane Snider Photography who is so, so easy to work with and very impressive.

We would like the world to know that All Around Raleigh DJ is a very LGBTQ+ same-sex friendly wedding DJ!  Our company policy is Same Love, Same Rights.  We always have and always will support every person that wishes to be married and will provide everyone with the same respect due to them.  Since very early on, we have had a PAGE on our website dedicated to announcing our support for the LGBTQ+ community.  We are proud to say that we have helped hundreds of Mr. & Mr. and Mrs. & Mrs. clients have the same crazy, insane and fun wedding that we ALL wish for!

 

Check out Kyle & Jonathan’s Talented Wedding Vendor Team!

 

Venue: The Stockroom

Coordinator: Sweet SaraBelle

Photo Booth: All Around Raleigh DJ

Photographer: Shane Snider Photography

Wedding Ceremony Officiant: Ceremonies by Katherine

Wedding Lighting Design: All Around Raleigh DJ

Wedding Cake Baker: Cakes by Chloe

Chandelier Rental: ThemeWorks

Floral Design: Sweet SaraBelle

Caterer: Caffe Luna

Linens: CE Rental