Ira and I have been friends for over 25 years. (I joke that I knew him when he was Neal!) When he proposed to his girlfriend Jill of just a year and a half, I was honored when he called me and asked me to DJ his wedding. Not just any wedding though…he and Jill (who share my own love of Disney) were planning a Cinderella-Themed Wedding at The Moorpark Country Club. The setting of this mountainside gold club is spectacular and such a hidden gem. It had been a while since I last did a wedding there, and it has only gotten more beautiful over the years. On a bright (and very warm) Sunday morning, Ira was escorted out (eyes closed) to see his beautiful princess for the first time in her dress. As he opened his eyes, he was speechless. Jill looked absolutely stunning in her princess dress. This magical moment was perfectly set-up by my good friends at R&R Photography. Soon afterwards, they said their “I Do’s” under the gazebo in the wedding garden.
No Disney fan was surprised that Jill and Ira chose “The Main Street Electrical Parade Theme” as their Grand Entrance music. After their first dance and toasts, their guests were treated to an unbelievable buffet, featuring both breakfast and lunch options, plus a barista was on hand to make specialty coffee drinks. (Jill’s favorite!) Then, it was time to dance!
One of the challenges of a day time wedding, especially a Sunday morning wedding, is that the guests are not always in the mindset to stay on the dance floor for long periods of time. One option is to offer more entertainment than just open dancing. A married couples dance is one way honor those who have been married, especially for a long time. Jill wanted to give her bouquet away to the couple that has been married the longest. As we set-up the dance, we found a couple that had been married 62 years! Another idea is to come prepared with games and activities that the guests could enjoy watching as much as those participating. I asked for a couple married for over 10 years, a newlywed couple under 5 years, and Jill and Ira to play a game called “The Not So Newlywed Game.” This activity transitioned us perfectly into the last formality of the day.
However, there was one last big surprise. After the finale, I announced that Jill’s Carriage had arrived. A Footman (well…footwoman) entered, wearing black tie and tails, that escorted Jill and Ira out to the front of the country club. The look on Jill’s face when she saw Ira’s surprise was absolutely priceless! There was Cinderella’s Horse-Drawn Carriage ready to whisk them away to their own happily ever after.
Dave’s recommended vendors for this wedding are:
- Moorpark Country Club – moorparkgolf.com (Ask for Tania Trombetta, the director of catering.)
- R&R Creative Photography – randrphotography.com (It’s always a pleasure working with David, Jody, and their crew.)
- Enchanted Carriages – yourenchantedcarriage.com (Exit or enter your own wedding like a princess)