Karen and Grant had a clear Saturday that got slightly overcast by the time of their ceremony in the boathouse Chapel, an original post and beam barn from Vermont that was transported to the Bonnet Island Estate (in Manahawkin, near Long Beach Island), where the ceremony and festivities took place. Karen and Grant had our pianist supply the music for ceremony. The bridal party walked in to “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”, while Karen came down the aisle to the Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun”. Karen and Grant’s recessional piece was “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”.
Karen and Grant after their ceremony in the Boathouse at the Bonnet Island Estate. All music for the day provided by the Smokin' Section, NJ party and wedding band
Our keyboardist and trumpeter supplied the music and the mood for their cocktail hour on the deck overlooking the water.
Karen and Grant did not stand on formalities for their reception. They knew that their guests had come to celebrate with them and have a party. The guests all waited on the dance floor for the happy couple to enter and immediately after they did (to our version of James Brown’s “I Feel Good”, the bride and groom and entire crowd danced to an energetic set of music including the rest of “I Feel Good”, “I Saw Her Standing There”, “Tutti Frutti” and “Respect”
After the first set, Karen and Grant got up to say a few words and thank everyone for coming. There were no parents dances, but Karen’s father Ted did a heartfelt welcome speech.
Being “down the shore”, the crowd dug the Boss of course (both fast and slow) and the Springsteen material that we played for Karen and Grant and their guests included “Fire”, “10th Ave Freezout” and “If I Should Fall Behind”
Sittin' in with the Smokin' Section on Sugarland
2 friends of the couple sat in with the band and sang a nice version of Sugarland’s “What I’d Give”.
Later on in the evening a set of “I Gotta Feeling”, “Love Train”, “My First My Last My Everything”, “Play That Funky Music White Boy”, “What I Like About You” and “Don’t Stop Believing” really got things hopping.
We ended the evening with “Jersey Girl”, which was dedicated to Karen.
It was fun being back at the Bonnet Island Estate and Laura from Merri-Makers Caterers was a pleasure for us to work with, as always. The noted photojournalist Marie Labbancz was there to record the day’s proceedings with her own unique perspective and artistic eye.
Dancin'!
Banquet Facility: Bonnet Island Estate, Manahawkin, NJ www.bonnetislandestate.com, 609-494-9100,
Caterer: Merri-Makers Caterers, www.merrimakers.com 732-225-0009
Photography: Marie Labbancz Photography, www.artoflove.com 800-826-0420
Smokin' Section band back at Bonnet Island Estate