Dedra & Keith outside the Hall of Springs. All photos courtesy of Chris Ware Photography, www.chriswareweddings.com
On September 20th, ’08 the Smokin’ Section took a “road trip” to Saratoga Spa State Park in the historic upstate NY town of Saratoga Springs. The bride and groom had amazing weather for their big day. It was clear, sunny and comfortable in Saratoga Springs one day before the official start of Fall. The beautiful, stately Hall of Springs with its tall ceilings and impressive columns provided the setting for Keith and Dedra’s ceremony and reception.
For the ceremony, our pianist/keyboardist played “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” to bring Dedra and her father down the aisle. The groom is a guitarist/musician himself and later in the ceremony, one of Keith’s friends and former bandmates, Jesse sang and played a well written original composition dedicated to Keith and Dedra. His excellent voice resounded throughout the Hall.
During the intros of the parents, bridal party and the happy couple at the beginning of the reception, the crowd whooped it up and we could tell they were ready to party!
Keith and Dedra danced their first dance to our version of John Denver’s “Annie’s Song”, done by our guitarist/vocalist Mikey. Dedra then danced with her father to Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are” and Keith and his mom danced to our take on Rascal Flatts’ “My Wish”, with our vocalist Tommie taking the lead.
Early on, a Smokin’ Section Sinatra medley of “Way You Look Tonight” and “Fly Me To The Moon” got people on the floor to dance. As dinner ended, several of Keith’s friends and bandmates got up to accompany our guitarist/vocalist Mikey Del on Don McLean’s “Bye Bye Miss American Pie” and the guests ate it up. The bride grew up around Saratoga, but is now living in Hoboken and our version of her request of (Sayreville, NJ’s) Jon Bon Jovi’s “Living On A Prayer” really got the crowd going.
Later on Keith and two members of his former band got up and sang and played two exciting numbers, accompanied by our bassist and keyboardist.
The crowd went nuts for our Rolling Stones medley featuring “Brown Sugar”, “Honky Tonk Women”, “Satisfaction” and a slight detour to “Hard To Handle”.
Our vocalist Rhonda’s leads on “Respect” and “Proud Mary” made the classic Soul lovers and many other people in the crowd happy. Dedra’s request of “Sexy Back” and our take on “Don’t Stop the Music” was a winner with Dedra and her bridesmaids. The guests were moving and grooving to a Smokin’ Section medley of some funk and current hits, including “Play That Funky Music”, Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” and Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love”.
James Brown’s “Sex Machine” (sung by Tommie) and our take on the ’80s rocker “867-5309 (Jenny Jenny)” got the energy up even further. The band closed with “Jersey Girl”.
It was a pleasure for the band to work with the maitre’d Ryan (of Catering by Glen Sanders Mansion) and his staff for the first time and also with photographer Chris Ware.
Ceremony & reception location: Hall of Springs, Saratoga Springs, NY http://www.hallofsprings.net/ 518-583-3003
Photographer: Chris Ware Photography www.chriswareweddings.com 315-569-7729
Thank you so much, Smokin’ Section for helping us throw the best party of our lives!! You kept our guests on their feet all night and we had a blast! Thanks for helping make our day truly unforgettable. You rock! -Dedra
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