May 062011
 
Cake Spotlighting San Diego Wedding

Cake Spotlighting

The Robert Paine Scripps Forum in La Jolla is one of my favorite San Diego wedding venue locations because of the modern architecture (which opens up many options for lighting) and the view!

The ceremony was held out on the grass at an angle facing the palm trees and ocean. The wooden birds at the base of the floral stands added a fun element to the design (these birds also showed up at the base of the cake table later on).

After the ceremony guests were greeted into the reception space by a fun place card display strung between two white ladders topped off with flowers and hanging photographs. Our coordinator Suzanne from Crown Weddings and her team really helped keep the schedule and events running on time.

Scripps Forum San Diego Wedding Ceremony Unique San Diego Wedding Idea Scripps Forum San Diego Wedding Centerpieces

I performed my main duties as their San Diego wedding DJ but they also were really interested in many of the lighting options I was able to show them. We added lots of uplighting throughout, projected a custom monogram gobo up above their sweetheart table, added in the cake spotlighting, as well as, some ambient dance floor lighting for later in the evening. I can really do quite a bit with this space to totally transform it into something special!

Uplighting at Scripps Forum San Diego Wedding Monogram & Uplighting at Scripps Forum San Diego Wedding San Diego Wedding Music

After the meal and toasts were finished their guests were ready to dance! I started off with a few slow songs and some older songs that worked for all ages. As you can see a few of the photo booth props made it out onto the dance floor.

San Diego Wedding Dancing San Diego Wedding Photo Booth Props Scripps Forum Wedding Entertainment

As the evening progressed I played more and more of the current music to make sure the younger crowd was also having a great time.

San Diego Wedding DJ Scripps Forum Wedding DJ San Diego Wedding Lighting

I used some ambient dance floor lighting (in the photos above and below) to really throw some color into the area and to also set off the fun dancing photos. Guests danced until the end and our bride & groom had an excellent night!

Monogram Gobo at Scripps Forum San Diego Wedding Lighting Scripps Forum San Diego Event Lighting Last Dance at Scripps Forum San Diego Wedding

Extras Provided:  Uplighting, Cake Spotlighting, Monogram Gobo Projection, Ambient Dance Floor Lights

MUSIC:

Ceremony Bridesmaid’s Entrance – The Frey “How To Save A Life Instrumental”

Ceremony Bride’s Processional - Norah Jones “Come Away With Me Instrumental”

Ceremony Recessional – Ingrid Michaelson “The Way I Am”

First Dance – Sade “By Your Side”

Mother/Son Dance  – Sarah McLachlin “Blackbird”

Last Dance - Tim McGraw “Tiny Dancer”


SAN DIEGO WEDDING VENDORS:

Coordinator =  Suzanne with Crown Weddings

Photographer =  Michael with True Photography

Caterer =  TK&A Custom Catering

Cake =  Michele Coulon Dessertier

Chairs & Linens =  Concepts Event Design

Transportation =  Avante-Garde Limousine

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Jan 282011
 

San Diego Wedding Cake Spotlighting Tonight’s wedding was over at the Kona Kai Resort on Shelter Island. The bride’s sister’s hired me as their San Diego wedding DJ back in 2008 so it was great to see the family again! We started off the evening with a beautiful outdoor beach ceremony overlooking the docks and bay. Guests moved inside for cocktail hour while the bride & groom stayed behind for photos.

The reception room was framed out with yellow/amber uplighting that really played up the atmosphere of warmth and candles in the space. It is difficult to see in the photo below but I thought it was fun how they had two different chairs. A patterned chair for the bride & more of a bold solid chair for the groom.

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Kona Kai Wedding Beach Ceremony Kona Kai Wedding Uplighting Kona Kai Wedding Uplighting Sweetheart Table

As you can see in the photo below (and at the top) the cake spotlighting I provided really placed some importance on the cake and made it stand out from across the room! You can also see in the center photo our groom is a Navy pilot so he had his dress uniform on for the reception.

Kona Kai Wedding Cake Spotlighting. Kona Kai San Diego Wedding First Dance Kona Kai San Diego Wedding Slow Dance

Dancing was not a problem with this crowd! We played a huge variety of music tonight since there were quite a few older adults, as well as, younger kids at the wedding.

Kona Kai San Diego Wedding Dance Music San Diego Wedding Reception Music Kona Kai San Diego Wedding Lighting

I also provided some atmospheric ambient lighting on the ceiling above. It really looked amazing hovering over the dance floor and added some fun color / movement in the photos! Excellent crowd that would not stop dancing.

Kona Kai Wedding DJ San Diego Wedding DJ San Diego Reception DJ

Extras Provided:  Uplighting, Cake Spotlighting, Ambient Dance Floor Lights

Music:

Bridesmaids & Groomsmen Song:  Canon In D – Pachelbel

Processional:  Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Isreal Kamakawiwo’Ole

Unity Candle Lighting: You Raise Me Up­ – Josh Groban

Recessional Song: Can’t Help Falling In Love With You­ – Elvis

Grand Entrance:  Don’t Stop Believing – Journey

First Dance:  It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill­

Father/Daughter Dance:  Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle

Mother/Son Dance:  What a Wonderful World – ­Louis Armstrong

Cake Cutting:  Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard

Garter Toss:  Giving Him Something He Can Feel­ – En Vogue

.

San Diego Wedding Vendors:

Photographers:  Susie Liquist Photography

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Nov 132010
 

Tonight’s couple selected the Rancho Bernardo Inn as their San Diego wedding venue. I started off the night with a portable sound system for the cocktail hour outside on the San Bernardo patio. Upon entering the San Bernardo Ballroom I really liked the look of the escort card table. They had small silver frames for each guest surrounded by some manzanita branches with hanging candles and crystals. One unique wedding idea was a “wish them well” congratulations tree where people could write a special note for the bride & groom. They also had a few fun “kids only” tables inside the reception room complete with gifts and activities.

Entrance Rancho Bernardo Inn Bernardo Ballroom Wedding Wedding Wish Them Well Congratulations Tree Kids Table at San Diego Wedding

I provided the wedding cake spotlighting that really made the cake stand out in the large room. You can see a photo below of how it really helps to pop out the cake at a distance.

Cake Spotlighting - San Diego Wedding Lighting Cake Spotlighting At Distance - San Diego Wedding Lighting Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding DJ in Bernardo Ballroom

It was a large Indian group this evening and the bride & groom mentioned that they didn’t think many of them would dance since they were pretty conservative. As you can see that was not a problem…

San Diego DJ San Diego Wedding DJ San Diego Reception DJ

Click here to view more photos of this event on the photographer’s blog.

Extras Provided: Cake Spotlighting

MUSIC:

Wedding Party Entrance:  Umbrella – Rihanna

Bride & Groom Entrance:  Beautiful Day – U2

First Dance:  Lucky – Jason Mraz

Cake Cutting:  Ice Cream – Sarah McLachlan

San Diego Wedding Vendors:

Wedding Coordinator:  “Day of” LOVE

Florist:  Branches

Photographer: Stephina Photography

Cake:  Flour Power

Officiant: A Wedding Celebration, Patricia Coleman

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Oct 092010
 

Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad, CA is an outdoor wedding venue with a rustic ranch setting. Our couple had a lot of family from Texas so this was a perfect spot to make them feel right at home. Today they opted for an afternoon ceremony and an early evening reception. The ceremony was held off to the side in a smaller courtyard and then guests moved to the cocktail hour on the patio just outside the main building. This patio overlooks the pool, grass, and reception space.

Leo Carillo Ranch Wedding Ceremony Leo Carillo Ranch Wedding Cocoktail Hour Leo Carillo Ranch Wedding Cocoktail Hour 2

Once we moved to the reception area for dinner everyone was ready to eat. A slightly unique part of this wedding was the fact that the steaks were cooked out in the open by the catering staff. It fit the look and feel of this San Diego wedding venue location.

Leo Carillo Ranch Wedding Reception Leo Carillo Ranch Wedding Reception Bar Area Leo Carillo Ranch Wedding Caterer

After the meal we moved into the wedding toasts and our couple’s first dance. I provided the cake spotlighting (view picture at the bottom) and it really set it off in the outdoor setting. After the cake they requested that I call all the Aggies up to the dance floor and play their school fight song (Texas Aggie War Hymn). You can see in the middle picture below they enjoyed singing along which then led into open dancing…

Leo Carillo Ranch Wedding First Dance Leo Carillo Ranch Wedding Family Dance Leo Carillo Ranch Wedding DJ

Leo Carillo Ranch Reception DJ San Diego Wedding DJ San Diego Reception DJ

Click here to view Resolusean Photography’s slide show of the event.

EXTRAS PROVIDED: Cake Spotlighting

San Diego Wedding LightingMUSIC:

Bridesmaids: Farewell to Stromness – David Russell

Bride’s Processional:  The Well-Tempered Clavier – Angel Romero

Recessional: Courante from Suite 1 BWV 1007 – Andrei Krylov

Bridal Party Entrance: Beautiful Day – U2

First Dance: Could I Have This Dance – Anne Murray

Father/Daughter Dance: Stand By Me – Ben E. King

Mother/Son Dance: Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion

Cake Cutting: Brown Sugar – Rolling Stones

Last Dance: Goodnight Irene – Leon Russell

SAN DIEGO WEDDING VENDORS:

Coordinator: Melanie Montoya from Something Blue Weddings

Photographer: Sean Capshaw with Resolusean Photography

Catering: French Gourmet

Florist: Sweet Pea Flower Co.

Transportation: Elite Image Limo

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Oct 022010
 

Football Themed Wedding ProgramRancho Bernardo Inn has many different locations for your San Diego wedding ceremony. Tonight’s ceremony was held over on the Valencia Lawn. There is a fountain well located near the ceremony and our couple put a box of pennies on it with a note to make a special wish for our newlyweds. The sports and football themed reception was held in the San Bernardo Ballroom. The groom’s cake was a fun football field with the couple running from the “Single” side to the “Married” side of the field. The uplighting really warmed up the room and the gobo monogram projection on the wall above the couple’s sweetheart table added some interest. You can see the before and after photos below. After the cake cutting we showed a nice 8 minute photo slide show of our bride’s mother that passed away a short time ago. It was a nice way to celebrate her life and have her be a special part of our couple’s wedding. Dancing went really well tonight. We had a little bit of a late start but they really ate it up. We were scheduled to end at 12 midnight but the bride ran up to me and wanted to extend until 1 am. At about 12:15 the staff told the bride and groom that the event had to end at 12 midnight so we closed the evening out with their last dance. Overall a great wedding!

Click here to view a short video slide show of this wedding from Photographer Sara France.

Extras provided: 8 uplights, gobo monogram projection, cake spotlighting, slide show projection equipment

MUSIC:

Bridesmaids: All I Want Is You – U2

Bride’s Processional:  Instrumental Bridal March – Jonathan Cain of Journey

Recessional: Magnificent – U2

Bridal Party Entrance: Let it Rock – Kevin Rudolf Ft. Lil Wayne

Bride & Groom Entrance: Monday night Football Theme

First Dance: Life After You – Daughtry

Father/Daughter Dance: She’s a Wild One – Faith Hill & Daddy’s Money – Ricochet Mix

Mother/Son Dance: All to You – DJ Keo

Last Dance: My Way – Robbie Williams

SAN DIEGO WEDDING VENDORS:

Coordinator:  Lindsay with First Comes Love

Photographer:  Sara France

Cake:  For The Love Of Cake

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Rancho Bernardo Inn Valencia Lawn Ceremony Rancho Bernardo Inn Valencia Lawn Ceremony Well Wedding Candy

Rancho Bernardo Inn Bernardo Wedding San Diego Wedding Gobo Monogram San Diego Wedding Uplighting

Football Groom's Cake San Diego Wedding Centerpieces Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding DJ

San Diego Reception DJ San Diego Wedding DJ San Diego DJ

Jul 312010
 

Marina Village Seaside Cake SpotlightingThe last wedding for this weekend was over at Marina Village in the Seaside Room for around 250 guests. The ceremony was held out on the South Lawn facing the marina and sunset. They released butterflies at the end of the ceremony which is always a nice surprise for guests. We then moved into the Seaside Room for the reception. This is probably the best looking reception I have seen in this room. They really added quite a few special touches to enhance the space and dress up the room. A few of these items included the candy bar, cigar roller outside on the patio, table linens, and the lighting I provided. I spotlighted the cake and projected their monogram gobo down onto the dance floor. This really popped out once we turned the lights down. I also helped provide the slide show that we played during the cocktail hour and mixed a special dance for the bride and her father consisting of six songs. They had fun with it and it was a total surprise for mom since they kept it a secret. The group enjoyed dancing and it turned out to be a really fun wedding to DJ.

Extras Provided: Cake Spotlighting, Custom Gobo Monogram Projection, White Starry Lights, Slide Show Projection

MUSIC:

Bridesmaids: Canon in D – The O’Neill Brothers

Bride’s Processional: Bridal Chorus – Wagner

Sand Ceremony: You and Me – Lifehouse

Butterfly Release: Butterfly Waltz – Brian Crain

Recessional: If It’s Love – Train

Grand Entrance: I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas

First Dance: History in the Making – Darius Rucker

Father/Daughter Dance: Special Mix I edited for them with the following songs: Heartland- I Loved Her First / Black Eyed Peas- Lets get it started / Starsound- Cotton eye Joe / Contours- Do you love me / Kenny Loggins- Footloose / Tim McGraw- My Little Girl

Mother/Son Dance: My Wish – Rascal Flatts

Cake Cutting: Sugar Sugar – The Archies

Anniversary Dance: Lost In This Moment – Big & Rich

Bouquet Toss: Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar

Garter Toss: Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye / Another One Bites The Dust – Queen

Last Songs: Good Riddance – Green Day  &  Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti & Spearhead

San Diego Wedding Vendors:

Photographer: Brett Alan

Videographer: Patrick from Blue Sky Wedding

Catering: Ranch Events

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Marina Village South Lawn San Diego Ceremony DJ San Diego Ceremony Butterfly Release Marina Village Seaside Room Wedding

Marina Village Seaside Room Wedding Tables Marina Village Seaside Room Wedding Tables 2 San Diego Wedding DJ Slide Show

San Diego Wedding Candy Bar San Diego Wedding Cigar Roller San Diego Wedding Groom's Cake

San Diego Wedding Cake Spotlighting San Diego Wedding Gobo Monogram Projection Marina Village Wedding DJ Cake Spotlighting & Monogram Projection

Marina Village Seaside Room Wedding DJ Marina Village Wedding Reception DJ San Diego Wedding DJ

Jul 302010
 

This weekend kicked off with a wedding at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. I helped provide the ceremony music which was held just outside the ballroom on the Aragon Lawn. We moved inside the Aragon Ballroom for the cocktail hour and reception. A nice personal touch was the fact that family members made the entire cake this evening. We were all a little worried about it in the beginning because they were bringing it inside all in pieces. They assembled it and added some last minute detailing. It turned out well and was actually a fairly large cake for 200+ people. They wanted to really highlight this so I provided the cake spotlighting (photos below). Take notice of the room shots at a distance to really see how this makes the cake stand out. We also added in the uplighting to match the girl’s dresses and add some color to the walls. Dancing went well tonight. We had a late night break from the dance floor with some cheeseburgers and fries with all the toppings.

Extras Provided: Cake Spotlighting, Custom Colored Uplighting

First Dance:  Only You Can Love Me – Keith Urban

Father/Daughter Dance: I Loved Her First – Heartland

Last Dance: The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Rancho Bernardo Inn Aragon Lawn Ceremony Rancho Bernardo Inn Aragon Centerpiece Rancho Bernardo Inn Aragon Centerpiece Tall

San Diego Wedding Favors Rancho Bernardo Inn Aragon Wedding Cake No Lights Rancho Bernardo Inn Aragon Wedding Cake With Lights

.             .San Diego Wedding Cake No Lights .   .Rancho Bernardo Inn Aragon Wedding Cake Spotlighting .   .San Diego Wedding Cake Spotlighting & Uplights

Rancho Bernardo Inn Aragon Ballroom Uplighting San Diego Uplighting & Cake Spotlighting At Distance Rancho Bernardo Inn Aragon Ballroom Wedding DJ

San Diego Wedding DJ Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Late Snack Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Late Snack 2

Jul 172010
 

MOCA Wedding Cake with LIGHTINGTonight I was back at one of my favorite locations… The Museum Of Contemporary Art La Jolla. I enjoy creating art myself so it is always interesting to see what exhibits they have on display. We started with the ceremony outside on the patio where Christopher Tuttle did a great job officiating the wedding. Guests remained outside for the cocktail hour and then proceeded upstairs for the indoor reception. The museum currently has all white pieces in the main Axline Court lobby area that work well for a wedding since they provide a neutral backdrop for lighting and color. Tonight’s colors were light blue and an intense pink. I used 16 uplights throughout the reception room. They really added some much needed color and depth to the space. You can also view some photos of the cake spotlighting that I provide. The before and after pictures are below and the final photo with the uplighting in the background is above. It really does an excellent job of making the cake stand out in a room! You can see the before and after pictures below. One of the best things I have seen in a while were the chocolate covered strawberries at each place setting. When guests first entered the room each one had a special note on it saying:  “Life Is Unpredictable… Eat Dessert First!” I thought it was a really fun idea and who doesn’t like to eat dessert first? I played a large variety of music tonight. Guests really had a great time. They danced until the very end. We then invited everyone to make their way outside to see our couple off. Guests were given giant three foot sparklers and formed a tunnel for our bride & groom to exit through. A fun way to end the evening. Click Here to view more photos and a great slide show from their photographers.

Extras Provided: 16 Uplights, Cake Spotlighting

Ceremony Bridesmaid’s Song: Falling in Love – O’Neill Brothers

Ceremony Processional Song: Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Ceremony Recessional Song: Beyond The Sea – Bobby Darin

Grand Entrance Song: Nothin’ But a Good Time – Poison

First Dance Song: The Way you Look Tonight – Tony Bennett

Father/Daughter Dance Song: Into the Mystic – Van Morrison

Mother/Son Dance Song: At Last – Etta James Piano Instrumental

Cake Cutting Song: L-O-V-E  – Natalie Cole

Bouquet/Garter Toss Songs: You Can’t Hurry Love/ You Shook Me All Night Long

Last Dance Song: Beyond the Sea – Bobby Darin

San Diego Wedding Vendors:

Ceremony Officiant: Christopher Tuttle with Vows From The Heart

Cake: Edelweiss Bakery

Florist: Patrick with Artistic Florals

Catering: Pear Trees Catering

Photographers:  Betsy & Jeff with La Vida Creations

Coordinator: Stephanie with Inspired Events

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Museum Of Contemporary Art La Jolla Ceremony Wedding Memories Table San Diego Wedding Favors

Museum Of Contemporary Art La Jolla Wedding Eat Dessert First! San Diego Groom's Cake

La Jolla Wedding Cake - No Lights Cake Spotlighting Cake Spotlighting Distance & Uplights

Uplighting Museum Of Contemporary Art La Jolla San Diego Reception DJ Museum Of Contemporary Art La Jolla DJ

San Diego Wedding DJ San Diego Wedding Reception DJ Wedding Sparkler Exit

Here are some photos from the professional photographers at La Vida Creations:

MOCA Patio Wedding Ceremony MOCA Wedding 1st Dance MOCA Wedding Slow Dance

MOCA Wedding Dance MOCA Wedding Dance 2 MOCA Wedding Dance 3

MOCA Wedding Dance 4 San Diego Wedding DJ Positive Energy MOCA Wedding Exit

Jul 162010
 

Cake SpotlightingTonight’s wedding was over at the Kona Kai on Shelter Island. This wedding was a referral from a bride and groom that I provided San Diego Wedding DJ services for back in 2007. The head table and centerpieces looked great. What really made the room stand out was the draping behind the bride & groom’s table. It did a great job of hiding the wall behind. I adjusted the the uplighting so it would wash over the draping to create a dramatic atmosphere and cast a glow over the entire space. The uplighting around the room also added color to the all white walls. The cake spotlighting really made the cake stand out since it is a larger room and the cake is always place in the back corner. I helped the bride create a fun mix for the father/daughter dance tonight. All of the bride’s sisters and closest friends joined her father half way through for a dance they have been doing for quite some time. It helped to start dancing off in a fun way. Guests enjoyed themselves this evening and danced until the last song.

FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE: Daddy’s Angel – End with The Big Bopper – Chantilly Lace

MOTHER SON DANCE: Jason Matthews – That’s What Mamas Do

BOUQUET TOSS: Def Leppard – Pour Some Sugar On Me

GARTER TOSS: Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger

CAKE CUTTING: Zac Brown Band – Chicken Fried

Extras Provided: Cake Spotlighting, Uplights

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Kona Kai Wedding Kona Kai Wedding Centerpieces Kona Kai Wedding Centerpieces 2

Kona Kai Wedding Fabric Backdrop Kona Kai Wedding Fabric Backdrop 2 Kona Kai Wedding Head Table

Kona Kai Wedding Reception Kona Kai Wedding DJ Kona Kai Wedding Reception DJ

San Diego Wedding DJ San Diego Wedding Uplighting

Jun 132010
 

A nice summer ceremony out on the Aragon lawn for 225 people. One of the most unique things I have seen at a ceremony happened today. As the groom walked in all of the guests started to clap. The guests continued to clap as each bridesmaid walked down the aisle. They clapped for each person as they walked down including the bride! Having done over 1000 weddings I have never seen this happen. It made for a lighthearted and fun ceremony. Guests then moved into the Aragon ballroom for cocktail hour and reception. After dinner we showed a nice video up on the large screen. The cake spotlighting really made a difference tonight in the large ballroom. Take a look at the before and after pictures below but the photo that stands out is the dark room shot where the spotlighting allows the cake to pop out from a far distance across the room. Dancing went extremely well tonight for a late Sunday night wedding (ending at 11:00pm).

Extras Provided: Cake Spotlighting, Video/Slide Show Projection

San Diego Wedding Vendors:

Coordinator: Tami Austin

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Ceremony Aragon Lawn Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Name Cards Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Aragon Cocktail Hour

Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Aragon Ballroom Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Aragon Ballroom Video Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Reception Aragon Ballroom

Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Cake NO LIGHTS Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Cake WITH LIGHTS Wedding Cake Spot From Across Room

Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding DJ San Diego Wedding DJ Rancho Bernardo Inn DJ