4-11-08 Amanda & Marcus

The Smokin’ Section enjoyed returning to Nanina’s In The Park on a Friday in April to play at Marcus and Amanda’s wedding reception and cocktail hour. Our pianist Ted tickled the ivories on the grand piano while Marcus and Amanda’s guests enjoyed the cocktail hour cuisine and hors d’oevres that Nanina’s is noted for.

Marcus and Amanda danced their first dance to U2’s “All I Want Is You”. The couple opted to go with the special expanded Latin unit of Smokin’ Section (featuring sonero David Oquendo and percussionist Igor Arias Baro) for their big day. Amanda next danced with her father to the always popular “Es Mi Nina Bonita”(clip) which was sung by David. By the end of the dance, there was barely a dry eye in the reception hall. After that, Marcus danced with his mother to “Unforgettable”.

The bride and groom had the band learn several special requests for their big day including the salsa tunes “Me Libere”(El Gran Combo), “Rebelion”(Joe Arroyo) (clip) and the merengue “El Pricionero”. All of them went over big with the crowd. Amanda’s and Marcus’ guests also enjoyed got down and boogied to the Smokin’ Section’s regular hits, including “Old Time Rock n Roll”, “Brown Sugar”, “We Are Family”, “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” and others.

One of the highlights of the evening occurred when Amanda’s brother dedicated a number to her and sang Tom Petty’s “American Girl” with the Smokin’ Section backing him up. “New York, New York” (a final tune request directly from the bride and groom) brought the evening to a close.

It was our pleasure work alongside noted event photographer Marc Matteo (of Marc Anthony Fine Art Photography) and also to have one of the metro area’s most unique and sought after videographers, the husband and wife team of Taylor and Melissa Phillips, shoot the party with us.

Location: Nanina’s In The Park 973-751-1230
Photographer: Marc Anthony Fine Art Photography 856-875-7890
Videography: Taylor Phillips Videographer 201-236-1109