A Stunning Wedding At the Opera

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[Originally at Bridal Bliss: Terrance and Tiffany Got Married At The Opera And The Wedding Deserves A Standing Ovation by JASMINE GRANT]

Terrence and Tiffany Low met during their last semester at Howard University. Even though they were both from Chicago and had mutual friends, the two of them never crossed paths until right before graduation.

“I was not an easy person to date when we first started off,” Tiffany admits. “I made Terrence really work for my attention and time. His persistence never wavered.” Eventually, she became convinced that he was the one by his sweet gestures and the fact that he always kept his word. In November 2017, he sealed the deal by proposing in a pretty grand and artistic way. “So many friends and family flew in from all around the country and he organized it all by himself,” Mrs. Low says. “I was filled with so much emotion, and cried happy tears all night.”

Their wedding, held at an opera theater in Chicago, was just as grand. The color scheme of black and gold married perfectly with the classic red carpets and gold fixtures of the venue. Thanks to La Toya Keys of Elle Kay Events, the Lows’ wedding day went off without a hitch. Tiffany says, “I am happy that I hired a planner and would absolutely recommend having one for all brides.”

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See the gallery at https://www.essence.com/love/weddings/bridal-bliss-terrence-and-tiffanys-chicago-theater-wedding/#462682 or see more awesome stuff at https://www.dowoakevents.com/blog

12 Secrets To Make Your Wedding Day Easier (On Everyone!)

[Originally at 12 Secrets Your Wedding Coordinator Wants You To Know by ALYSSA GRIFFITH]

As a wedding coordinator, it is literally my job to make people’s lives (and wedding days) easier. using all my wedding coordinator tricks. Weddings can be overwhelming, hectic, and there are almost always some bumps along the way. I’ve been to so many weddings now that I’ve seen (and fixed) a lot of the common mistakes that pop up on wedding days. I’ve put out fires (both literal and figurative), gone on beer runs, and altered dresses on site.

Since I’ve done this wedding thing so many times, a lot of the hitches in the day are predictable to me. But chances are you’re planning a wedding for the first time — so, the stuff that’s obvious to me, won’t be obvious to you until it’s happening. So, whether you hire a coordinator to put out fires for you, convince a friend to be your stage manager, or you’re running the show yourself, here are some of the best tips and tricks I’ve learned from years of going to weddings! (And no, I’m not just talking about a bag with extra bobby pins and tissues — though that’s a good thing to have too!)

PHOTO BY FROM SF WITH LOVE

1.HAIR AND MAKEUP ALWAYS TAKE LONGER THAN EXPECTED:

Are you getting your hair and makeup done professionally? This applies! Are you DIYing your hair and makeup or getting help from a friend or family member? This still applies! There is just something about hair and makeup on a wedding day that practically never fails to take longer than we expect (especially if it’s more than just you getting ready). So instead of planning to be ready at exactly the time your photos will start, aim for twenty to thirty minutes before that.

2.TELL A LITTLE WHITE LIE… OR A FEW:

I always recommend telling your family, wedding party, and maybe even your partner a few little lies during wedding weekend. Just let them all know that they should be at the rehearsal at 4:45 p.m. instead of 5:00 p.m. and at family photos at 3:20 p.m. instead of 3:30 p.m. This is one of the best time-saving tricks to make sure that people are where they need to be when they need to be there. And since late happens, a white lie or two won’t hurt them (and will ensure some buffer time for the latebirds).

3.DON’T STARVE… ANYONE:

Wedding days can feel really hectic and crazy, and one of the things that almost always gets left to the wayside is eating. That goes for the couple, the wedding party, the vendors… everyone but the guests. Have a plan in place ahead of time so that the whole wedding party gets fed while they’re getting ready — this will keep a lot of people from becoming hangry!

Also, your vendors need to eat. They love you, and they’re there for you. But without food they tend to forget how much they love you, if you get my drift. And while at some smaller weddings it can be nice to sit with the guests, contrary to popular belief, vendors almost always prefer to sneak away to a quiet spot to shovel food into our mouths and recharge.

Please, please, please make sure there is enough food and enough time for everyone (yourself included) to eat!

See the other 9 at https://apracticalwedding.com/sane-wedding-coordinator-tricks/ or read more awesome stuff at DowOakEvents.com/Services

These are great. Honestly. Many times, people get caught up in the grand spectacle of the ceremony or the big moments of the reception and forget to take the little moments into account. But those little moments are where the magic is (which sounds super cliche, but things are often cliche for a reason).

11 Tips To Reduce Wedding Day Stress

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[Originally at 11 Little Tricks for a Stress-Free Wedding Day by Elizabeth Passarella]

1. Weather. You can’t control it anyway.

You can, however, prepare in advance — especially if your ceremony or reception is outdoors. Ask your rental company to put an extra tent on reserve, says Calder Clark of Calder Clark design firm in Charleston, South Carolina. (They may charge you a small percentage of the total cost, but it buys you peace of mind.) You can also reserve stand-up fans if you’re worried about a heat wave. After that? Stop looking at the hourly forecast every 45 seconds.

2. Hire a day-of coordinator.

“So many couples think they can do all of the planning on their own, and that’s completely fine — up until the day of the wedding,” says Brooke Keegan of Brooke Keegan Weddings & Events in Newport Beach, California. “If you can hire someone to handle the details on the actual day, it alleviates so much stress. You should be a guest at your wedding, not the staff.” Even if a soup-to-nuts planner isn’t in your budget, many offer more affordable, day-of services.

3. Keep your schedule clear.

It’s tempting to plan a big brunch or line up manicures, pedicures, hair, and a bikini wax on the morning of the wedding, but try not to do too much. (Stick to the absolute necessities — hair and makeup.) “Your wedding day will fly by faster than you could ever imagine. If you have too many activities, you won’t have space to take in the real once-in-a-lifetime moments,” says Maria Baer, co-owner of Ritzy Bee Events in Washington, D.C.

4. Don’t “check in” on your venue beforehand.

It’s tempting on the day of to peek in (or drive by) the reception site while everyone is setting up. Don’t do that. “Brides want to see all of their planning and vision come to fruition, of course. But my advice is to wait for the big reveal, when the candlelight, the beautiful linens, the great band can really tell the story,” says Audrey Hurst of Audrey Hurst Weddings in Memphis, Tennessee. Not only is the payoff not as sweet if you’re checking on lighting and flowers all day; you’ll just make yourself crazy seeing a half-finished hall.

5. Make sure someone knows how to bustle your dress.

Don’t rely on a safety pin and a prayer. Have a friend or relative go with you to a fitting to learn how to bustle the train, if you have one, and make sure that person practices and sticks around post-ceremony to button you into shape.

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See the full list at https://www.realsimple.com/weddings/weddings-planning/stress-free-wedding-day-tricks or read more cool wedding stuff at www.dowoakevents.com/services 

A wedding day can seem inherently stressful. Buuuut there are ways to reduce the levels of stress. From setting times for you two to escape the hustle and bustle of the reception to have some quiet time together to having back-up plans for any potential catastrophe, stress can be mitigated. Take it from the brides here!

Things to Remember: Real Brides Share Tips

[Originally at Real Brides Share Their Biggest Piece of Wedding-Day Advice by Elizabeth Mitchell]

GOLD HAT PHOTOGRAPHY

You’ve read all the bridal books there are to read, signed up for every wedding tip of the day, and downloaded an embarrassing amount of planning apps. But you can always use more big-day advice before you walk down the aisle — right? We asked nine real brides who’ve already been there, done that to shell out their best advice for your wedding. So from one bride to another, listen up.

Breathe, enjoy the planning process and ultimately, enjoy your day and being with all your loved ones. If something goes wrong, you’re surrounded by people who are willing to help and support you.

Take Pictures Before You Say, “I Do”

“You’ll have more time to spend with your guests at the reception if you take your photos first. Even if you want to stick to not seeing your groom before you walk down the aisle, you can still get all of the other photos out of the way.” — Jasmine, 24

Get Your Food to Go

“Ask your caterer to pack away food for you (the cocktail hour food, the main course, the cake … everything) because likely you’ll have absolutely no time to eat any of it. And trust me: You’ll be starving when you get back to the hotel at the end of the night.” — Rebecca, 26

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

“Breathe, enjoy the planning process and ultimately, enjoy your day and being with all your loved ones. If something goes wrong, you’re surrounded by people who are willing to help and support you. In the end, no one is going to remember how much effort you put into those paper flowers that now have crinkled edges anyway. Trust me, I made hundreds!” — Ashley, 23

Be a Woman with a Plan

“Before the wedding, designate someone to take home all your gifts and mementos (like your guest book and card box) after the reception and to close out any final vendor payments. If you’re changing out of your gown before going to the hotel, you’ll need someone to take it home too. You can delegate these responsibilities to a bridesmaid, family member, or day-of-planner.” — Janice, 27

Tell Your Wedding Party Exactly What to Do

“Create a very detailed itinerary of the wedding weekend for your wedding party and anyone else involved. It will help everyone understand where they need to be when and what is expected of them.” — Kelley, 29

Remember to Soak in the Moment

“Really look around at everyone in attendance and think about how much they mean to you. It will probably be the only time all those people are in the same room. Take in how much you love your significant other and how amazing you feel at that very moment. Married life has its challenges, and you’ll need to draw on that feeling from time to time. Whether you’re worried about buying a home or starting a family, that feeling can get you through everything!” — Brittany, 28

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More advice at https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-advice-from-real-brides or read more cool stuff on our blog

Take it from the people who’ve been there! Always helpful to hear other people’s experiences and take-aways.

Night-Before-Your-Wedding Advice

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[Originally at Night Before Wedding: 21 Things to Remember by Elizabeth Mitchell and Jen Glantz]

Got the night before wedding jitters? We don’t blame you. Night before (and day before) wedding nervousness is par for the course. Channel all that energy into completing these 21 things to do the night before your wedding and you’ll give yourself peace of mind and a good foundation for the big day itself.

Things to Do the Night Before Your Wedding

1. Eat a healthy meal.

Though the greasy pizza and the bag of cool ranch Doritos might be screaming your name, stick to the fresh fruit and the whole grains. They won’t have you waking up with a food hangover like a Big Mac and a side of fries will on your wedding day.

2. Pack a bag or clutch of personal items.

Put together your reception clutch and your post-reception bag and hand it off to your wedding point person, who can help make sure it’s waiting for you in the bridal suite or in your hotel room.

EMILY ROBERTS/BRIDES

3. Drink a lot of water.

Keep a cold glass of water nearby and make sure you spend some quality time with it. This will help you avoid any dehydration that stress and running around can often cause.

4. Get a good night’s sleep.

Or at least try to tuck yourself underneath those covers at a decent hour.

5. Turn your phone on silent.

Say goodbye to checking Facebook and answering frantic text messages. Turn your chunky device on silent or hand it over to your maid of honor.

6. Put any boxes, suitcases, or bags you need to bring to the ceremony or reception in the car.

Pack the car with all the items you’ll need for your wedding day so that you can wake up in the morning and not have to worry about doing any heavy lifting before getting out of the door.

7. Make sure you have cash on hand.

Have a couple of 20 dollar bills nearby in case you need to tip any of your vendors or in case of any last-minute emergencies.

8. Double-check payment for vendors.

Have them sorted out digitally — whether that means you’ve scheduled payments via PayPal or Venmo or gather checks and cash and put them in clearly marked envelopes and hand them off to your point person for the wedding day (whether that’s your wedding planner, professional bridesmaid, or trusty uncle).

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And there’s a bunch more tips at https://www.brides.com/story/what-to-do-the-night-before-your-wedding-day or read some more helpful stuff at https://www.dowoakevents.com 

I know it’s virtually impossible to do much of anything the night before your wedding, but for real: if one were to try and do even half of these things, wedding day stress would be exponentially lowered. Even just trying to get a good nights sleep can seem impossible, but trust your humble DJ, it’s important. 

Love and Marriage After 63 Years

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[Originally at Husband drops down on one knee to propose to wife again after 63 years of marriage by CAITLIN O’KANE]

After 63 years of marriage, one couple from Texas is stronger than ever. Karl and Donna Von Schwarz are high school sweethearts who have been through it all together. They’ve overcome a lot, especially in the last year, and Karl wanted to make a recommitment of his love to Donna. So he dropped down on one knee and re-proposed — more than six decades after he did the first time.

The couple married in 1956 and had four kids together — followed by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, with one more on the way, their granddaughter Karly Gibbs told CBS News.

Source

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See the rest of this uplifting story at https://www.cbsnews.com/news/husband-drops-down-on-one-knee-to-propose-to-wife-again-after-63-years-of-marriage/ or read more awesome stuff at www.DowOakEvents.com/Blog 

I go into reading a lot of stories with a very cynical “this is click-bait” mentality. That’s how I went into this story. But after actually reading through this story, I came to see it was actually very nice. With all the focus put on the day itself, it’s cool to see the other side and what that one big day can lead to. 

9 Tips For The Perfect Wedding Timeline

[Originally at 9 Wedding Day Timeline Rules Every Couple Should Follow by Kim Forrest]

When it comes to your wedding, timing is everything! That’s why creating a wedding day timeline is absolutely vital — even running a few minutes late can throw the whole day off-track (and annoy your guests). Keep in mind though that each couple’s wedding timeline will be unique to their own wedding day, and is dependent on vendors and venues and families and more, so be sure to work from scratch when creating your own wedding day timeline. (See tip #2!) That being said, there are some tried-and-true wedding day timeline secrets that, if followed, will help your big day go off without a hitch.

Check out these tips on creating a wedding day timeline that will help your wedding run like clockwork!

1. Think about your wedding’s unique logistics.

There are several decisions you’ll need to make before you can start creating your wedding day timeline. If you can answer these questions, you’re probably ready to start creating your wedding schedule!

• Will you be getting ready at your ceremony location or somewhere else (like a hotel with a room block reserved for you and your guests)?
• Are your ceremony and reception in separate locations? If so, you’ll have to factor travel time into your wedding timeline.
• Will you be providing transportation for your wedding party members and/or guests? If so, this can make travel a bit smoother and quicker.
• Are you planning on having a “first look” and doing photos before the ceremony? Or would you rather wait until cocktail hour to do couple and group portraits?
• How long will your ceremony be? This will require a discussion with your officiant.
• Will your cocktail hour take place between the ceremony and reception or before the ceremony?
• Will you have a receiving line?
• How many toasts or special dances will you have?
• Does your reception venue have a curfew, meaning you’ll have to end the reception at a specific time? Your wedding reception timeline will be tighter if you have to end the party at a predetermined time.
• Are you doing a first dance or other ceremonial dances at your reception?
• How much time is included in your vendors’ contracts? How long will your photographers (DJ/band, videographer, etc.) be present at your wedding?
• Are you hosting an after-party or parties?

See the rest of the timeline tips at https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/wedding-timeline or read more awesome stuff at www.DowOakEvents.com

I’ve said before (and will probably continue saying into the future) that timeline questions are some of the most common I get. It is very important, after all. Sooo whenever I encounter anything timeline related, I can’t help but posting it. Knowing is half the battle, after all.

An Otterly Perfect Proposal

[Originally at Singapore otters photobomb UK couple’s marriage proposal from the BBC] 

Singapore's famous urban otters have delighted two British otter fans by photobombing their marriage proposal.

Jordan Doyle and Mary Lister had gone out otter-watching with a wildlife photographer when the animals appeared.

"I'd had the ring with me for a while and Mary is a huge fan of otters, so I thought to myself, right, this is the time to propose," Mr Doyle, 28, told the BBC.

A group of otters then swam over to gatecrash the romantic moment.

"When I asked them to pose for a photo, the otters came out of the water and approached the couple," photographer Bernard Seah told the BBC.

"I was like, oh my god, I cannot believe this."

'Completely special'

The otters are part of a group known as the Bishan 10, one of several otter families thriving in Singapore's urban areas.

They have featured in multiple news outlets, a David Attenborough documentary and have whole Facebook groups dedicated to them.

Mr Doyle and his now fiancée Mary Lister are travelling around the world and had contacted Mr Seah, who regularly follows and photographs the otters, to see if he could help them see them while they were in town.

See the rest of this awesome story at https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46273058 or read more awesome stuff at https://www.dowoakevents.com

This Wedding Was A Zoo (Literally)

Read the original post: This Wedding Was A Zoo (Literally) from Dow Oak Events DJs or read it below.

A Flamboyance of Flamingos

We’ve been to a lot of venues in South Carolina. But after we went to Riverbanks Zoo & Garden we knew we had to write our next blog about it. And due to all our traveling, you can believe us when we say: this one was worth writing about.

When we first showed up at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, we knew immediately it was gonna be a good night. The way everything came together was absolutely a sight to see.

We don't really know where to begin with this one... the most notable thing about it was probably that it was at a zoo.

We honestly didn't realize the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia was a venue. But, as we learned, it certainly is. But when you've been to as many weddings as we have and seen all the different types of venues, nothing really surprises you.

We've had weddings in science centers, art museums, backyards, and even in the middle of fields. But this was the first wedding in a zoo we've encountered.

It’s hard to overstate just how many different venues and receptions we’ve seen and hosted. As traveling wedding DJs, it’s our job to create custom celebrations all over the Carolinas. There was something unique about this one though.

We recently had a wedding in Western NC at a pony farm (which was AWESOME). But this was a whole new level of animals.

The ceremony took place new to a whole flock of flamingos (actually, we learned a group of flamingos is called a "flamboyance." We won't forget that one). Though the flamingos didn't seem very interested in the ceremony, it was definitely a sight to behold.

We loved Dow Oak Events at our wedding. Henry was professional and very on time. He let us select everything we wanted and we were never disappointed. Great price and they had some very cool options like lighting and photo booths! Loved them

In the Jungle

There are many factors that go into creating a unique wedding. And in our travels through South Carolina, we’ve seen too many great weddings to count.

And as professional wedding DJs, cultivating the vibe is our specialty.

We've had nothing but good experiences with every Columbia venue we've been to. As we've made our way from Greensboro, North Carolina down South, we've encountered nothing but awesome vendors, beautiful venues, and great people.

Terri and Steve definitely had some awesome tastes.

We had a dance party featuring everything from Bruno Mars to Stevie Wonder and Guns and Roses. And as DJs, that’s always something we appreciate.

Our skillset is in music in general. Occasionally folks ask us if we can do a particular kind of music or genre, and our answer is always a resounding yes. If it’s the music our couple wants, then it’s the music they’ll get.

And it’s always the best when that translates onto the dance floor. What makes for the best reception throw-downs is a wide variety of music. That’s also what keeps the dancing crowd on their toes.

We could go on and on about Terri and Steve and their celebration at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, SC. But for now we’ll just stick to saying that we had an amazing time. We’re always grateful to be able to be a part of anyone’s big day. That’s why we got into this business. Being able to craft custom Columbia celebrations is something we’ll never get tired of. We can’t wait to come back to Columbia!

Final Thoughts

And as a final note, we just need to say… We absolutely love what we do. Being a part of the unique and personal ways couples celebrate is why we do it. And we loved being a part of this celebration. It’s always awesome to see how couples choose to celebrate.

In conclusion, we’ve learned that being a wedding DJ isn’t just about playing the music. So we take our role seriously. Facilitating such a big day is a serious job! That’s why we always give every wedding or event our all.

A Carolina Full Circle

Read the original post: A Carolina Full Circle from DowOakEvents.com or read it below.

A Barn Or A Cabin?

We’ve been to a lot of venues in Florence. We’ve even been to a lot of venues in South Carolina. But after we went to The Cabin at Old Spur we knew we had to write our next blog about it. And due to all our traveling, you can believe us when we say: this one was worth writing about. Florence is just outside Columbia, which is one of our favorite cities in SC. That Midlands aesthetic really can’t be beat. And, truth be told, we have kind of a soft spot for Florence in general.

When we first showed up at The Cabin at Old Spur, we knew immediately it was gonna be a good night. The way everything came together was absolutely a sight to see.

The Cabin at Old Spur is a very very cool barn/cabin-style venue in the woods in Florence, just outside of Columbia, SC. Which was cool for us. We got our start DJing receptions in the piedmont of North Carolina. So now that we've expanded into South Carolina, it was an interesting experience to be DJing a barn wedding in our southern neighbor.

It’s hard to overstate just how many different venues and receptions we’ve seen and hosted. As traveling wedding DJs, it’s our job to create custom celebrations all over the Carolinas. There was something unique about this one though.

Something that's cool about weddings is that for the most part they're the same. The places, people, and customs vary place-to-place, but the general celebration is the same. It's about two people and two families coming together and celebrating. And no matter where the wedding is happening, that fact remains.

We hired Dow Oak events for our wedding and I could not be happier that we did! DJ Kameron was absolutely the perfect fit for our perfect day. She was so professional and had the ceremony running without a hitch. The reception was a blast, and Kameron had everyone dancing all night. I don't think anyone wanted it to end. Kameron is so special, she actually had a family emergency the day of the wedding that she shared with my mother-in-law, and I had no idea until the next day. She just pushed through and gave us the reception of our dreams. Kameron, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. We are so happy we got to share our special day with you.

A Carolinian Celebration

There are many factors that go into creating a unique wedding. And in our travels through South Carolina, we’ve seen too many great weddings to count. But what really makes any Florence wedding great is the vibe.

And as professional wedding DJs, cultivating the vibe is our specialty.

We never say no to music choices. If a bride or groom wants a song or genre, we make it happen. That's part of what we do. And part of being a good DJ is being able to go with the flow. So even later in the night, if our couples want a specific kind of music or a newly released song, we make it happen.

Devon and Matthew definitely had some awesome tastes.

We had a dance party featuring everything from Meat Loaf to Will Smith and Biggie Smalls. And as DJs, that’s always something we appreciate.

Our skillset is in music in general. Occasionally folks ask us if we can do a particular kind of music or genre, and our answer is always a resounding yes. If it’s the music our couple wants, then it’s the music they’ll get.

And it’s always the best when that translates onto the dance floor. What makes for the best reception throw-downs is a wide variety of music. That’s also what keeps the dancing crowd on their toes.

We could go on and on about Devon and Matthew and their celebration at The Cabin at Old Spur in Florence, SC. But for now we’ll just stick to saying that we had an amazing time. We’re always grateful to be able to be a part of anyone’s big day. That’s why we got into this business. Being able to craft custom Columbia celebrations is something we’ll never get tired of. We can’t wait to come back to Florence!

Final Thoughts

And as a final note, we just need to say… We absolutely love what we do. Being a part of the unique and personal ways couples celebrate is why we do it. And we loved being a part of this celebration. It’s always awesome to see how couples choose to celebrate.

In conclusion, we’ve learned that being a wedding DJ isn’t just about playing the music. So we take our role seriously. Facilitating such a big day is a serious job! That’s why we always give every wedding or event our all.

Real-Life Southern Charm

Read the original post: Real-Life Southern Charm from The Best DJ Company in North Carolina or read it below.

A Versatile Venue

We’ve been to a lot of venues in Gilbert. We’ve even been to a lot of venues in South Carolina. But after we went to Southern Oaks we knew we had to write our next blog about it. And due to all our traveling, you can believe us when we say: this one was worth writing about. Gilbert is just outside Columbia, which is one of our favorite cities in SC. That Midlands aesthetic really can’t be beat. And, truth be told, we have kind of a soft spot for Gilbert in general.

When we first showed up at Southern Oaks, we knew immediately it was gonna be a good night. The way everything came together was absolutely a sight to see.

Southern Oaks is one of the coolest venues we've seen. The combination of indoor and outdoor spaces really work to create a sense of flow. Moving from an outdoor ceremony to an indoor reception feels seamless. And that's not a trait shared by every venue.

It’s hard to overstate just how many different venues and receptions we’ve seen and hosted. As traveling wedding DJs, it’s our job to create custom celebrations all over the Carolinas. There was something unique about this one though.

It takes a talented staff to keep everything moving smoothly. Often it's the venues that make it look effortless that are actually putting in the most work behind the scenes. And that's definitely what's going on with Southern Oaks.

Dow Oak did a fantastic job for our wedding. Kameron was amazing! She took the time to get to know us and what we wanted and needed and totally ran the show for us, taking a lot of stress away! I highly recommend Dow Oaks and especially Kameron for your DJ needs!

Southern Charm in Spades

There are many factors that go into creating a unique wedding. And in our travels through South Carolina, we’ve seen too many great weddings to count. But what really makes any Gilbert wedding great is the vibe.

And as professional wedding DJs, cultivating the vibe is our specialty.

Picking the ideal music for a reception is something we excel in. Sometimes, our couples aren't looking for specific songs, they want more of a whole vibe. They'll say to us they want "chill then hype" or "crowd-friendly the whole time" or even "just background music."

We really have seen it all. In this case, the couple just sent us some of their favorite songs for inspiration. They didn't say we had to play them, they just wanted us to know what they liked. And we're definitely able to work with that.

McKenzie and Davis definitely had some awesome tastes.

We had a dance party featuring everything from Noah and the Whale to KISS and Usher. And as DJs, that’s always something we appreciate.

Our skillset is in music in general. Occasionally folks ask us if we can do a particular kind of music or genre, and our answer is always a resounding yes. If it’s the music our couple wants, then it’s the music they’ll get.

And it’s always the best when that translates onto the dance floor. What makes for the best reception throw-downs is a wide variety of music. That’s also what keeps the dancing crowd on their toes.

We could go on and on about McKenzie and Davis and their celebration at Southern Oaks in Gilbert, SC. But for now we’ll just stick to saying that we had an amazing time. We’re always grateful to be able to be a part of anyone’s big day. That’s why we got into this business. Being able to craft custom Columbia celebrations is something we’ll never get tired of. We can’t wait to come back to Gilbert!

Final Thoughts

And as a final note, we just need to say… We absolutely love what we do. Being a part of the unique and personal ways couples celebrate is why we do it. And we loved being a part of this celebration. It’s always awesome to see how couples choose to celebrate.

In conclusion, we’ve learned that being a wedding DJ isn’t just about playing the music. So we take our role seriously. Facilitating such a big day is a serious job! That’s why we always give every wedding or event our all.

Gone With the Wind in Columbia

Read the original post: Gone With the Wind in Columbia from The Best DJ Company in North Carolina or read it below.

A Very South Carolinian Venue

We’ve been to a lot of venues in Lexington. We’ve even been to a lot of venues in South Carolina. But after we went to Corley Mill House & Garden we knew we had to write our next blog about it. And due to all our traveling, you can believe us when we say: this one was worth writing about. Lexington is just outside Columbia, which is one of our favorite cities in SC. That Midlands aesthetic really can’t be beat. And, truth be told, we have kind of a soft spot for Lexington in general.

When we first showed up at Corley Mill House & Garden, we knew immediately it was gonna be a good night. The way everything came together was absolutely a sight to see.

The Corley Mill House & Garden describes itself as straight out of the pages of "Gone With the Wind." And after we took a look around, we would have to say we agree.

The Corley Mill House & Garden is a stately old house framed by pecan trees. It's a quintessentially South Carolinian venue.

It’s hard to overstate just how many different venues and receptions we’ve seen and hosted. As traveling wedding DJs, it’s our job to create custom celebrations all over the Carolinas. There was something unique about this one though.

After expanding from our home in North Carolina, we've really enjoyed taking in the sights of cities in our Southern neighbor. Venues near Columbia have consistently been some of our favorites, and this one in Lexington is definitely at the top of our list.

DJ Freddie was amazing to work with! We used him for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. Planning on the portal made everything super easy, followed by a detailed phone call to ensure all details a few weeks prior. Freddie was accommodating and took on making announcements to keep the night on track. Every single person at our reception ended up on or around the dance floor, and we could not have been happier. We had the time of our life celebrating with the ones we love. Thank you!!

The Sights We've Seen

There are many factors that go into creating a unique wedding. And in our travels through South Carolina, we’ve seen too many great weddings to count. But what really makes any Lexington wedding great is the vibe.

And as professional wedding DJs, cultivating the vibe is our specialty.

Choosing the right wedding music is as much an art as a science. It's about finding music that suits a couple's personalities but also fits with the vibe of the day. If your favorite genre is metal, but you're not having a metal-themed wedding (which, admittedly, sounds cool), then metal may not be the way to go.

Charlotte and Mike definitely had some awesome tastes.

We had a dance party featuring everything from Ed Sheeran to Brittany Spears and T-Pain. And as DJs, that’s always something we appreciate.

Our skillset is in music in general. Occasionally folks ask us if we can do a particular kind of music or genre, and our answer is always a resounding yes. If it’s the music our couple wants, then it’s the music they’ll get.

And it’s always the best when that translates onto the dance floor. What makes for the best reception throw-downs is a wide variety of music. That’s also what keeps the dancing crowd on their toes.

We could go on and on about Charlotte and Mike and their celebration at Corley Mill House & Garden in Lexington, SC. But for now we’ll just stick to saying that we had an amazing time. We’re always grateful to be able to be a part of anyone’s big day. That’s why we got into this business. Being able to craft custom Columbia celebrations is something we’ll never get tired of. We can’t wait to come back to Lexington!

Final Thoughts

And as a final note, we just need to say… We absolutely love what we do. Being a part of the unique and personal ways couples celebrate is why we do it. And we loved being a part of this celebration. It’s always awesome to see how couples choose to celebrate.

In conclusion, we’ve learned that being a wedding DJ isn’t just about playing the music. So we take our role seriously. Facilitating such a big day is a serious job! That’s why we always give every wedding or event our all.

Some South Carolinian Hospitality

Read the original post: Some South Carolinian Hospitality from DowOakEvents.com or read it below.

An Authentically SC Venue

We’ve been to a lot of venues in Greenville. We’ve even been to a lot of venues in South Carolina. But after we went to Old Cigar Warehouse we knew we had to write our next blog about it. And due to all our traveling, you can believe us when we say: this one was worth writing about.

When we first showed up at Old Cigar Warehouse, we knew immediately it was gonna be a good night. The way everything came together was absolutely a sight to see.

Originally built in the 1800s to store cotton and cigars, the Old Cigar Warehouse is one of the coolest venues in Greenville (and, unsurprisingly, one of the most popular). We learned that the building has had many different uses throughout the years, from grocery store to gospel hall. But most recently, it's been transformed into one of the most original-feeling venues in SC.

It’s hard to overstate just how many different venues and receptions we’ve seen and hosted. As traveling wedding DJs, it’s our job to create custom celebrations all over the Carolinas. There was something unique about this one though.

We've seen several different venues in Greenville, and even more in South Carolina as a whole. But the Old Cigar Warehouse is one that has stuck with us. And for good reason. We also learned that they're typically quite busy, being booked out almost every weekend in the busier seasons.

Our experience with Dow Oak was wonderful from start to finish! I chose them after connecting with them at a wedding show and deciding that their packages were a great value! However, the more I worked with them in planning our wedding, the more I enjoyed them! They were responsive, flexible, and helpful at every turn... Our DJ Freddie picked great music that clearly aligned with our preferences and was great at moving our guests throughout the evening! Would recommend them to anyone.

Good Music, Good People

There are many factors that go into creating a unique wedding. And in our travels through South Carolina, we’ve seen too many great weddings to count. But what really makes any Greenville wedding great is the vibe.

And as professional wedding DJs, cultivating the vibe is our specialty.

No great party has subpar music. And that's especially true of receptions.

It's easy to think of receptions as different than a party. But it really is a celebration and should absolutely be treated like one. That's our philosophy at least.

Amy and Michael definitely had some awesome tastes.

We had a dance party featuring everything from Lady Gaga to Taylor Swift  And as DJs, that’s always something we appreciate.

Our skillset is in music in general. Occasionally folks ask us if we can do a particular kind of music or genre, and our answer is always a resounding yes. If it’s the music our couple wants, then it’s the music they’ll get.

And it’s always the best when that translates onto the dance floor. What makes for the best reception throw-downs is a wide variety of music. That’s also what keeps the dancing crowd on their toes.

We could go on and on about Amy and Michael and their celebration at Old Cigar Warehouse in Greenville, SC. But for now we’ll just stick to saying that we had an amazing time. We’re always grateful to be able to be a part of anyone’s big day. That’s why we got into this business. Being able to craft custom Greenville celebrations is something we’ll never get tired of. We can’t wait to come back to Greenville!

Final Thoughts

And as a final note, we just need to say… We absolutely love what we do. Being a part of the unique and personal ways couples celebrate is why we do it. And we loved being a part of this celebration. It’s always awesome to see how couples choose to celebrate.

In conclusion, we’ve learned that being a wedding DJ isn’t just about playing the music. So we take our role seriously. Facilitating such a big day is a serious job! That’s why we always give every wedding or event our all.

A Perfect SC Barn Venue

Read the original post: A Perfect SC Barn Venue from Raleigh’s Favorite DJs or read it below.

A Barn In A Forest

We’ve been to a lot of venues near Honea Path. We’ve even been to a lot of venues in South Carolina. But after we went to The Barn at Greene Acres we knew we had to write our next blog about it. And due to all our traveling, you can believe us when we say: this one was worth writing about. Honea Path is just outside Greenville, which is one of our favorite cities in SC. That Midlands aesthetic really can’t be beat. And, truth be told, we have kind of a soft spot for Honea Path in general.

When we first showed up at The Barn at Greene Acres, we knew immediately it was gonna be a good night. The way everything came together was absolutely a sight to see.

Almost hidden within a forest just outside of Greenville, we found the Barn at Greene Acres. Between a creek and a forest, we found one of our new favorite SC wedding venues.

It’s hard to overstate just how many different venues and receptions we’ve seen and hosted. As traveling wedding DJs, it’s our job to create custom celebrations all over the Carolinas. There was something unique about this one though.

We got out start doing barn weddings. And through the years, barn weddings have been our bread and butter. So it's safe to say: we've seen a lot of barn venues.

The Barn at Greene Acres rapidly became one of our favorites in South Carolina. Granted, we've seen more NC barns than SC barns, but we're pretty confident Greene Acres will remain top tier for us.

We hired through Dow Oak Events for our DJ for our wedding reception and were lucky enough to have Mason. Mason was GREAT! Not only did he set up phone calls with us to get a clue on what we were looking for and to get a feel on our personalities, he really did an outstanding job during the reception. I was super impressed by how early he was there to set up! He moved the evening along, just as we discussed before hand. He played a healthy mix of what everyone wanted to hear that accommodated both us and our wedding guests. He was super flexible and was able to make changes on the fly, which was super impressive! I'm super sad the night is over, because I would definitely hire him again!

Reception Throw-Down

There are many factors that go into creating a unique wedding. And in our travels through South Carolina, we’ve seen too many great weddings to count. But what really makes any Honea Path wedding great is the vibe.

And as professional wedding DJs, cultivating the vibe is our specialty.

Being DJs, we have to talk about the music. And this reception definitely had some great music. We always appreciate when we can tell something about the couple through their musical tastes and preferences. And that was without a doubt the case here. With a kinda "indie-acoustic" vibe, their music tastes worked so well with the aesthetic of the venue. We couldn't have asked for more.

Sarah and Alec definitely had some awesome tastes.

We had a dance party featuring everything from The Avett Brothers to Mumford & Sons and more Avett Brothers. And as DJs, that’s always something we appreciate.

Our skillset is in music in general. Occasionally folks ask us if we can do a particular kind of music or genre, and our answer is always a resounding yes. If it’s the music our couple wants, then it’s the music they’ll get.

And it’s always the best when that translates onto the dance floor. What makes for the best reception throw-downs is a wide variety of music. That’s also what keeps the dancing crowd on their toes.

We could go on and on about Sarah and Alec and their celebration at The Barn at Greene Acres in Honea Path, SC. But for now we’ll just stick to saying that we had an amazing time. We’re always grateful to be able to be a part of anyone’s big day. That’s why we got into this business. Being able to craft custom Greenville celebrations is something we’ll never get tired of. We can’t wait to come back to Honea Path!

Final Thoughts

And as a final note, we just need to say… We absolutely love what we do. Being a part of the unique and personal ways couples celebrate is why we do it. And we loved being a part of this celebration. It’s always awesome to see how couples choose to celebrate.

In conclusion, we’ve learned that being a wedding DJ isn’t just about playing the music. So we take our role seriously. Facilitating such a big day is a serious job! That’s why we always give every wedding or event our all.

Southern Flavor and Rustic Décor

Read the original post: Southern Flavor and Rustic Décor from Dow Oak Events Services or read it below.

A Top-Tier Barn Venue

We’ve been to a lot of venues in Easley. We’ve even been to a lot of venues in South Carolina. But after we went to The Barn at Sitton Hill Farm we knew we had to write our next blog about it. And due to all our traveling, you can believe us when we say: this one was worth writing about. Easley is just outside Greenville, which is one of our favorite cities in SC. That Midlands aesthetic really can’t be beat. And, truth be told, we have kind of a soft spot for Easley in general.

When we first showed up at The Barn at Sitton Hill Farm, we knew immediately it was gonna be a good night. The way everything came together was absolutely a sight to see.

The Barn at Sitton Hill Farm describes itself as "Southern Charm meets Rustic Elegance." And we at Dow Oak Events would have to agree with that assessment.

Situated on a large property with a refurbished barn, main house, and outdoor ceremony area, Sitton Hill Farm is definitely a gem in the SC wedding venue scene.

It’s hard to overstate just how many different venues and receptions we’ve seen and hosted. As traveling wedding DJs, it’s our job to create custom celebrations all over the Carolinas. There was something unique about this one though.

We have a good time pretty much everywhere we go. We're DJs. So we're typically the ones bringing the party with us.

But in this case, there was more than enough party to go around. This couple and their guests we're trying to have a great time from the very beginning. It was just something you could feel. And all the guests had a great time partying and celebrating with the Brad and Angela.

DJ Ryan emceed our wedding and did an incredible job reading the guests and keeping everyone moving all night! He was patient during the process leading up to the wedding and worked with us when we were a bit behind our deadline for everything. Very affordable, very personal service. Highly recommend!

A Fun-Loving Crowd

There are many factors that go into creating a unique wedding. And in our travels through South Carolina, we’ve seen too many great weddings to count. But what really makes any Easley wedding great is the vibe.

And as professional wedding DJs, cultivating the vibe is our specialty.

We often write about choosing the right music. And, truth be told, it's one of the most common questions we get from couples. Most people are concerned they picked the "wrong" music. With Brad and Angela though, we knew right away they wouldn't have those concerns. The music choices were spot-on throughout the night.

Brad and Angela definitely had some awesome tastes.

We had a dance party featuring everything from The BeeGees to Lil Jon and even Stix. And as DJs, that’s always something we appreciate.

Our skillset is in music in general. Occasionally folks ask us if we can do a particular kind of music or genre, and our answer is always a resounding yes. If it’s the music our couple wants, then it’s the music they’ll get.

And it’s always the best when that translates onto the dance floor. What makes for the best reception throw-downs is a wide variety of music. That’s also what keeps the dancing crowd on their toes.

We could go on and on about Brad and Angela and their celebration at The Barn at Sitton Hill Farm in Easley, SC. But for now we’ll just stick to saying that we had an amazing time. We’re always grateful to be able to be a part of anyone’s big day. That’s why we got into this business. Being able to craft custom Greenville celebrations is something we’ll never get tired of. We can’t wait to come back to Easley!

Final Thoughts

And as a final note, we just need to say… We absolutely love what we do. Being a part of the unique and personal ways couples celebrate is why we do it. And we loved being a part of this celebration. It’s always awesome to see how couples choose to celebrate.

In conclusion, we’ve learned that being a wedding DJ isn’t just about playing the music. So we take our role seriously. Facilitating such a big day is a serious job! That’s why we always give every wedding or event our all.

A Best Man And A Good Boy

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[Originally at A Cat Was the Best Man at His Human Parents’ Wedding, and I’ve Never Been More Jealous by MURPHY MORONEY]

Image Source: Jonnie and Garrett

As someone who is getting married in a few short weeks, I would love more than anything for my cats to be a part of my big day. However, based on the fact they’re largely scared of their own shadows and scream at the top of their lungs when they go to the vet, this isn’t possible. But for Michelle and Aaron Benitez, newlyweds and parents to their adorable cat Prince Michael, incorporating their fur baby into their wedding day was priority number one. 

So much so, that the pair actually made Prince Michael the best man, and Jonnie and Garrett — an Arizona-based couple who both happen to be photographers — captured every moment.

“Michael’s a huge part of our lives and really important to us. It would have almost been weird not to have him part of our wedding day!”

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Read more about the cat (hilariously) named Michael at https://www.popsugar.com/family/Photos-Cat-Who-Best-Man-Wedding-46270462 or read other (admittedly less hilarious) stuff at https://www.dowoakevents.com/djs

I know this is like the millionth wedding story relating to animals, but… I just can’t stop. I’d like to, I truly would. But when I see an article about both weddings and animals (particularly kitties), I’m powerless. I must post it.