The Smokin’ Section returned to the Spring Lake Bath and Tennis Club for the first time in about 5 years to play at Marion and James’ wedding reception. Our trumpeter also performed at the couple’s ceremony along with the organist at St Catherine’s in the nearby town of Avon by the Sea. It was a hot muggy day alternating sunshine with occasional downpours, however James and Marion were able to get to the beach for some beautiful shots taken by Brandi and Louise from Therese Marie Wagner Photography in between the ceremony and cocktail hour.
One could feel the excitement already upon entering during cocktail hour. According to the club’s banquet manager Rob, this was largest wedding reception ever held at Spring Lake Bath and Tennis Club…. James and Marion had over 300 guests at their party. The cocktail hour took place on the deck by the club’s large pool, with a folk duo of the bride and groom’s friends providing a mellow summer vibe to get things started.
For the reception itself, James and Marion selected Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon”. It was performed by the bride’s godfather Joe as a special gift to the couple and he was assisted by our guitarist/vocalist Mike.
Immediately after, the dance floor filled up for the our versions of Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does It Better” and the Manhattans’ ”You Are My Shining Star”. Marion and James are big fans of Motown and Classic Soul music and Mike and our other male lead singer Tommie duetted on 2 tunes which the audience loved, Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home To Me” and Sam & Dave’s “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby”
Later on, Elizabeth Berry and Ted Ahern gave nice toasts, after which Marion danced with her father to “My Girl” (sung by Tommie). James then danced with his mom to Bob Dylan’s “Shelter From the Storm” (a special request that we learned for this party).
“Brown Sugar” got the rockers on the dance floor after dinner, and since we were “down the shore” the band segue’d into Springsteen’s “10th Ave Freeze Out”. We then hit some more Motown & Soul favorites, including “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”, “Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie/Honey Bunch”, “I Feel Good”, “Dance To The Music” and Ike & Tina Turner’s version of “Proud Mary”, which kept the dancers shaking. Later on, they all got down to “September’ and “Sex Machine”.
The final dance of this reception was by special request from James and Marion. It was our singer Tommie’s take on Otis Redding’s “Sitting On The Dock of the Bay”, which brought a peaceful close to a memorable party.
Reception Site: Spring Lake Bath & Tennis Club 732-449-6400 Rob, the club’s maitre’d really kept things humming throughout, which was quite impressive considering the amount of guests there.
Photographer: Therese Marie Wagner Photography 732-345-0515 It’s always a real treat to work a party or special event with the photographic artists from this fine studio, who (like the Smokin’ Section) are recipients of the Knot’s Best of Weddings award for both ’07 and ’08.
