#the flower mic stand photos is so stunning

[chxrry-chris]

[vangoghmusings]

crush | katsuki bakugou

a/n: as promised, this is the final part of crush!! thank you to everyone who liked and read this lil smau series!! new stuff will be coming soon though ;) 

previously: part 10

taglist: @mixfi @lilacskyura @katsuhoee ​ @moonlightinsanity​ @anime-waifuuu @iiminibattlehero @leeeah-loooser​ @bby-chloe1999​ @verymuchbabey@h0wab0utw3d0ntd0that@unknownweeabo @cookednoodlez@helloshoutohere @star-mum​ @izuku-sakura​ @thegalxe @katsuki-bakugo-owns-my-ass  

“And, done! Perfect!”

Momo handed you a mirror, showing the finished makeup look. You smiled at your reflection. It wasn’t heavy makeup, you looked like yourself but just with a little more glamour. You beamed up at your friend. 

“Thank you Momo!” You gave her a quick hug before hurrying to change into your dress. The other girls were almost done as well. You had done your hair, and now that Momo had done your makeup, all you needed to do was change. You pulled the white silk dress out of the garment bag. When you saw it in the vintage boutique window, you knew it was destined to be yours. 

You changed and slipped on the dress. Once Uraraka had zipped you up and tied the baby blue sash around your waist, you felt like an absolute princess. The way the silk silhouette hugged your body perfectly was stunning. Uraraka clasped her hands together and squealed. 

“Oh Y/N! You look absolutely darling!!” 

You giggled and hugged the brunette in gratitude. You grabbed your matching white heels and slipped them on, bandages on the back of your heels to prevent from cuts. You swore you would keep the heels on the entire night, no matter what pain the dancing caused. 

You looked at your friends, all dressed and looking glamourous. You couldn’t help but smile. They truly were the best, being by your side through thick and thin. After taking a ton of photos together as well as of each other, you all linked arms and made your way to the gym. 

You gaped at how the gym was completely transformed. Lights hung from the ceiling, bouncing off of the disco ball in hues of purple and blue. Tables full of desserts, catered of course by Lunch Rush. Present Mic was in the corner, DJing and spinning on the turntable with a massive grin on his face. It wasn’t often he got to share his other passion with his students. Students were still arriving, but many were already dancing.

With a strong tug, Tsu grabbed your arm and you were placed face to face with Mina. You blinked, the pink alien-like girl giving you a shy smile. 

“Hey Y/N.” 

You sighed and pulled her into a hug. You could never stay mad at her, especially since she was your best friend since practically the crib. You felt her exhale and hug back. 

“I’m sorry for ignoring you. I just didn’t know what to think.” 

Mina shook her head. 

“Don’t even worry about it. You trust me though right?” 

You nodded and smiled. 

“Yeah, of course.” 

A mischievous grin spread across her face, causing your brows to furrow. 

“Uh, Mina-” 

In one swift movement, she took your hands and spun you around, your eyes widening at the person standing before you. 

There stood the one and only Katsuki Bakogou. He was dressed in a black suit, tailored perfectly to his fit body. He wore a white shirt and chuck sneakers. He looked devilishly good, but one detail caught your eye. A boutonnière was pinned on his suit, an array of baby’s breath and blue forget-me-nots intertwined expertly with each other. Before you could speak, he extended his hand, holding a clear plastic box. Inside was a corsage that matched his boutonnière, the same shade as the baby blue hue of the sash on your dress. 

“Katsuki,” You gasped, looking up from the flowers and to his pink face, clearly embarrassed from his romantic efforts. 

“H-Hey, Y/N.” 

The greeting was stuttered, the words filled with nervous energy. His mind was going blank. Seeing you in that dress, the purple lighting bouncing on your skin, he was mesmerized. 

“Is this for me?” You asked, biting your lip, almost afraid to get your hopes up. 

He blinked and looked at your hand pointing to the corsage. “Huh? Oh yeah.” 

He opened the box and with surprisingly delicate fingers, slipped it over your hand and gently placed it on your wrist. The baby blue tones and white accents looked perfect against your skin. You smiled down at your hand and held it up, examining the bloomed flowers. 

“You look beautiful by the way.” 

You looked up at him, he was being genuine. 

“You look beautiful too, Katsuki,” You giggled. 

He turned away, his face reddening by the second. He would be mad at the comment, but he was too happy that you were calling him by his first name again to care. 

“Y/N,” he paused as if needing to collect his breath, “will you dance with me?” 

Your face heated up at his offer and nodded. He grunted slightly and took your hand leading you to the dance floor. His hands were hot and it became clear that he was indeed very nervous. He came to a stop and turned to you, setting his hands at your hips in a robotic movement, as if he had practiced this moment a million times. Which he had. Mina had engrained every little motion and step into the boy’s brain, and now the actions became muscle memory. 

You set your arms on his shoulders, your hands clasping together behind his neck. You stepped forward, closing much of the space between you. His breath hitched slightly, but he tried to stay focused. He was looking down at your feet, making sure not to step on your toes and hurt you as the two of you swayed to the slow music. He was being so careful and soft, it was unlike him. You gently lifted his head up but placing to fingers under his chin and pushing up, your eyes locking. His pupils were blown wide with anxiety, but looking into your caring eyes calmed him down. 

“Are you nervous?” 

He didn’t know what to say. He had rehearsed his words so many times in his head, in the mirror, to Mina, and the moment was finally here...and he croaked. Instead of speaking, he simply stared at you, soaking all of your features in his gaze. Your nose, your eyelashes, your lips, they were all so perfect. He couldn’t help but fear he would taint all of it, all of you. 

“Katsuki?” You asked again, provoking him to stop his dazing. He looked down again, but this time with a look of frustration. He huffed and looked back up at you, waiting for his reply. 

“I don’t know how to say this, so bare with me.” He huffed once more and locked eyes with you. “I like you dumbass- er, Y/N. I like you. A-and in that time that you were angry with me and ignoring me, it sucked. It felt like hell not talking to you and you wouldn’t even look at me in class or sit next to me at lunch- it, it fucking sucked. S-so don’t do it again.” 

He watched as your face broke into a massive smile. 

“You like me?” 

He rolled his eyes in frustration. 

“Weren’t you listening dumbass? Why do you think I was so damn nervous-” 

You cut him off, your lips muffling the end of his sentence. His eyes fluttered shut as you kissed him, and he happily kissed back. But he was more than happy, he was elated. Your feelings were mutual. He wasn’t sure he could handle one more day of you ignoring him and sending glares in his direction. 

You giggled against his lips as he moved his hands onto your waist, pushing the small of your back to bring you closer to him. The vibrations of your laugh against his lips made his body buzz with joy. You were his and he’d be damned if anyone took you away. 

They two of you pulled away, a grin on your face and an expression of relief on Bakugou’s. A sudden flash caught your attention, and you both turned to see Mina snapping a photo, surrounded by your classmates who were hooting and hollering in congratulations. You blushed bashfully as Bakugou growled and stepped towards your peers. 

“Why, you little-” 

The sound of a record scratch broke the scene, Present Mic starting a new mix. 

“I love this song!” Jiro squealed, grabbing Momo’s hand and pulling her into the dance pit. The other girls followed behind, and soon the boys did as well, but not without giving Bakugou pats on the back and a few whistles. He grunted at their actions, a tint of embarrassment shown in his pink cheeks. 

You giggled and pressed a soft kiss on his cheek, bringing his attention back to you. 

“I like you too, Katsuki.” 

He rolled his eyes at your cheesiness and took your hand in his, dragging you to the pit where the rest of your friends were.

“Shut up dumbass, let’s go dance.” 

[moroccosoul]

Jimi Hendrix and the Unidentified Mourner

In the summer after my first year at the University of Washington, the year of the Radical Movement, the Seattle Liberation Front and the shutdown of freeways and takeovers of campus buildings, with tear gas at demonstrations and helmeted police tech squads bashing with batons, I lived in the House of Happiness, a barren white house in a dingy area of south Seattle off Rainier. We were there for Henry, a charismatic Black 35-year-old man with a build and demeanor like the statue of David. His eyes looked deeply into you and were matched by mindful eloquence. The only “furniture” we had was a saw horse in the carpeted large main floor living room and a mattress in one of the bedrooms upstairs. We all slept curled up on the carpeted floor except for Sheila who had her own room upstairs. We were there for a therapy led by Henry of expanding consciousness, of leaving our old conditioned self behind and stepping into a whole new world of natural instinct. Henry had come from a group in Chicago named “Naturalism Inc.” They were part of the revolution that incited the riots during the Democratic Convention which led to the arrest and trial of the Chicago Seven. So Henry had “cred”.

We were just down the road from Sick Stadium, Seattle’s baseball stadium. Down the hill from our house was a discount store called “Chubby Tubby’s”. Word was announced that Jimi Hendrix would be playing at Sick Stadium. I went with my first girlfriend Judy. We sat up in the bleachers under cover while Seattle drizzle sprinkled lightly on the field beneath a gloomy grey sky watching the opening band half-heartedly. I had a couple mescaline pills that we downed. They began to kick in lightly as we went to the inside food stands during intermission. My old friend Johnny Rosenberry was there, grinning mischieviously. Friends since third grade at Sacred Heart Elementary School, we were renegade spirits. No surprise that he would be at the concert, releasing his comical laughing eyes like a Shakespearean sprite. Back in the stands, we saw the deluge of rain come spattering down on the field below. Hordes of people left, or perhaps stayed in the stands, whereas Judy and I went down to the field itself where there were about seventy or eighty of us in separate groupings with a foot of two between us. It was perhaps due to the mescaline that the rain didn’t matter. In fact it looked like thin rivulets of honey running down my arms and face and everyone around us. Hendrix came out and was at the front mic introducing what was to come. A round faced girl with long thick dark hair hoisted a watermelon up as a gift to him. Jimi bent down and took it up, and with a feigned look of awe held it to his mouth and mimed chomping into it. Then with a snarl threw the melon back. That night he played all the major classics from “Are You Experienced” up through “The Power of Love”. Then he jammed with the band, improvising wildly as lightening flashed overhead. It was a stunning nuclear blast, here in his home town. Afterwards as the rain had let up we all stumbled out onto the street, our senses reeling. I looked over and saw Jerry, a friend from our Henry sessions , someone who had become shell-shocked, probably from drugs, grinning at us while he lopped a huge banana into his mouth, appearing as if he just stepped out from the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

Later that summer in my family house in Spokane it was in the kitchen that I heard the news. We had an inbuilt intercom system that also was a radio. The intercom was useful for the downstairs boy’s hallway when Dad wanted to yell at us to get upstairs. Mom was fixing my Dad’s lunch. The newscaster said that Jimi Hendrix had just died in London. It was a punch in the gut. I slipped a bland menthol cigarette out of my mother’s purse and retreated to the furnace room beneath the stairs. I sat in the dark numbly smoking.

It was October and time to return to Seattle for the Fall Semester at the U of W. I stayed at Larry’s apartment at the north end of the Ave. at the top facing a little park where men cruised at night. We had just the month before separated from Henry and the House of Happiness. Having enough of being broke, and the attempted rape of Sheila by Roosevelt, a lumbering homeless Black man who in drunken rage threw food including eggs against the kitchen walls, and most of all Henry’s brief imprisonment, did we decide in a group meeting by candlelight (electricity had been cut off) to go our separate ways. Sheila back to Montana, Frances to her father’s apartment on Capitol Hill, Henry to the Bay Area, and myself to Spokane, where I was to hear the Hendrix news.

Now back in Seattle and the room at the top, we listened as the radio announced a public service for Hendrix in Sick Stadium. I was all set to go. Then at the 11th hour, it was announced that the viewing was canceled, that the family was going to have a private service. Its location was to be kept secret from the public. I was crushed. I felt that I needed to be there. Hendrix had been my God, his masturbatory sexuality on stage inflamed the very core of my being. His Black bluesy subtlety took me to an inner depth of quiet genius, this rebel who smashed all barriers and was the nucleus of the hippie consciousness expanding through the universe, the ultimate proof that the world would shift and connect all peoples with the Beatles mantra “All You Need Is Love.” We were to enter the Elysian Fields, holding hands, and now the light was snuffed.

In the morning, determined to find a way, I thought “funeral homes”. The radio report had started that all people involved with the funeral service were instructed to maintain absolute secrecy. I decided to try anyway, and opened the phone book to the yellow pages listing of funeral homes in Seattle. I started off  calling one with “You’re handling the Hendrix service, aren’t you?” They hung up on me. This happened a few times. Larry had gone downstairs to the street where he had his car to drive us down to school. I was frustrated and desperate as Frances in the doorway was urging me to get moving down to the waiting car. I frantically dialed one more. This time the person answering replied “Yes, we are.” (pause) He exclaimed. “Who IS This?” I was silent. He hung up.

I had found it. In the car my mind raced. Frances and Larry were indifferent. We got to campus and I needed someone to assist me. Frances and Larry had raced off to their classes. I couldn’t call the funeral home back as they knew my voice. I saw Rochelle, a tall gawky girl with short cropped dark hair. I got her to go into a phone booth in the HUB and call the funeral home stating that she was  the florist handling the service but that she has misplaced the address. I saw her jot it down. I grabbed the paper and tore off across campus to find a bus going to that far side of south Seattle. It was late morning and I panicked, thinking I might miss it all. I sat in the back of the bus on the green naugahyde long seat facing the center aisle. I sat sideways facing front, watching for any sign of a church, scratching anxiously on the seat. To calm myself I imagined giving a eulogy, saying how Jimi’s death marked the end of the era, what with Altamont and the Isle of Wight’s violent festivals sending the Woodstock Generation of Peace and Love from it’s Genesis to this ultimate death. This was the end, sadly marked by the loss of its prophet.

Then around a curve I saw a line of silver police motorcycles side by side, their fronts facing diagonally out from the curb. Then the little chapel appeared to my right with groupings of people on either side of the doorway. I got off the bus and joined them. The chapel was filled, and even famous musicians were outside, including Johnny Winters, all facing the center door listening. One could hear speakers and hymns. Then the congregation began to exit. Photographers bound across the grass towards the concrete walkway. First came the family members. A group of teenage girls, perhaps Jimi’s cousins or nieces in black saw the cameras and the plump  one in the middle fell out in a Baptist seizure while the other two held her up. Buddy Miles emerged serene and robust in a jacket of multi colored patchwork squares of gold, dark green and maroon leather, like a checkerboard. Miles Davis strode out with a young woman on both arms, one in a hooded red cloak and the other a light skinned thin black girl in a silver miniskirt with accents of lilac, a huge billowy lilac afro and silver boots. The curb was lined with a dozen limousines, black uniformed drivers opening the  doors. I went past the photographers and entered an empty limo, sitting against the far window. The limos filled with family and associates and we were off, sailing outside Seattle until a green grassy large cemetery appeared to the right. There was a rope strung across a walkway to keep the photographers and any outsiders back, but I continued past with the family and guests. Up upon a knoll beneath an awning was the casket covered with flowers. Just a few feet away was a large guitar of purple and white flowers propped on a stand angled towards the coffin. Everyone stayed down about ten feet from there as the immediate family went up beneath the awning. They were all in black. There may have been some words shared and a prayer, followed by the singing of a hymn. I think it was “Swing Down, Sweet Chariot.” As they sang, one of the young girls pulled some flowers off of the casket as a keepsake. It seemed like a good idea, so when they stepped away and the onlookers relaxed in position, I stepped up to the casket and pulled some flowers off myself. I didn’t realize it was a moment for Jeffrey Michaels, Jimi’s producer, and the musicians from the original Jimi Hendrix Experience, Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell to stand before the casket. A photo of this moment appeared in both Seattle newspapers the next day, one of which calls me the “unidentified mourner” while naming the other three. The photo captures me reaching into the flowers.

I walked down through the mingling people and stopped near a group of about eight people, recognizing a few as famous musicians. At the foot of the group a short soft-spoken Black man was the focus of everyone’s attention. He sounded like he had a sore throat, speaking in a raspy voice, as he said that Jimi’s music was what he listened to at home. Then he stopped and looked past everyone at me, with a questioning look on his face like “Who the fuck are you?” As the others turned towards me I gave a thoughtful look into another direction and stepped away. As soon as I began to walk back up the knoll a young woman stepped to me with a microphone and asked what effect Jimi’s death had on me. I was already prepared, as I had already given this speech in my head on the bus coming out to the chapel. Rochelle, the friend who had called the funeral home as the florist, heard my interview on the radio the next morning.

Up a curve a limo drove through the trees and stopped just down from us. The driver in black got out and opened the back door. The woman in the red cloak and dark glasses emerged and walked slowly but focused past everyone and up to the flowered casket. She lifted her arm thoughtfully keeping it straight with her palm extended over the casket and held it still that way for a few moments as everyone else stood frozen and mesmerized. She then receded back to the limo where the driver shut her door and drove back down the curving hillside.

I was driven back into the City. When I saw myself called the “Unidentified Mourner” in the morning newspaper, I was amused. It seemed a good title for my life. The flowers remain in the magazine I pressed them in.

[amandam228]

The Most Beautiful Day of My Life

I want to share the most beautiful day of my life with the world. Let me paint you a picture

It’s Saturday, October 26, 2019! The leaves have been slowing changing to their vibrant colors and the smell of fall all around us. We wake up to a bright morning with the crisp autumn air. The day starts by breaking out the fruit, bagels and spreads. Holy smokes, it’s 8 am already! That means its time for the hair and make up extravaganza to begin. Leah is brought up to the room by my mom and once she is set up the room is buzzing! Wedding preparation music playing, hot curling irons running through our hair. Before we know it she is done with hair and next it’s time for make up! Wow, just as make up starts, in comes Zack! Cameras are ready, he’s introduced to all the ladies  into the bedroom he goes to start getting the small detail shots for our big day! A small knock at the door, in comes James’ mom, she had been sneaking over enemy lines all morning just passing messages back and for between the two of us. The last message was “ he knows you’re going to be beautiful and he wants you to just keep breathing and take in the day”. Wish a slight tear in my eye she slips out the door and back to the other camp. Leah is just about done with me, another knock at the door. Who could that be? It’s not Pat, she was just here. In walks Jeff and Christen, James’ friends from college. They ooh and ahh for a few minutes before they offer a hand and tell us that they’re right down the hall before the head out to hang out with some of the other college friends. All of a sudden I have the realization that we didn’t get the money for the JP. From the make up chair I’m directing someone to call Pat because she will have the envelope because thankfully Kelly came to the rescue and had cash on her! My make up is done, as i wait for Leah to do the make up for my mom and the girls I am able to sit back and start quickly sipping champagne because the nerves are really starting to hit me. While sipping champagne and waiting for all the girls to rotate through the make up chair  we put on my jewelry, which is a sight because I can’t manage to put on my own earrings. Kelly and Andrea put on their dark green dresses with lace tank and peek-a-boo back and as they do a quick look with the jeweled belts, they just look stunning. Reading the letter from James was one of the best parts of the morning, we both had head colds going on and trying to shake it and knowing that he was just as anxious and excited as I was just made everything seem that much better. As we look at the clock, oh no, we’re running late! If you know me at all, running late isn’t an option. Everyone calms me down with “the wedding can’t happen without you, running late itsn’t that big of a deal today.” We get phone calls from the boys and they are chomping at the bit to get out of the hotel so we tell them to head to Maneeleys and we will meet them there. Shortly after the boys leave we are out the door with my wedding dress in hand as we pile into Kelly’s car. 

The ride to Maneeley’s seems to have lasted a lifetime. We get to where we are supposed to be, grab my dress and assorted other things we will need for the night and we head to the bridal suit. To get to the bridal suit we need to walk through the hall and we just are in awe of how beautiful the venue turned out. It was better than I could have dreamed it!  Once we finally get to the bridal suit we are surprised to find my uncle standing in the bridal suit waiting for the staff to put some alcohol on ice for us. We thank him and polity kick him out because i still have to get into my dress. That’s when the girls pulled my dress out of the bag. An A-line champagne lace dress with 1/2 lace sleeves and v neck and v-back accented with small pearls. While the girls got me into it was a realization that this was actually happening.Thankfully the dress zipped without any problem, something I had been worrying about for the weeks prior. Once I was all zipped up we realized that my bouquet wasn’t in the suite and that Leah hadn’t arrived yet to put the finishing touches on me. It felt like eternity for everyone to find my bouquet and for the right flowers to get to the right people. While I’m standing at the door with Leah doing my finishing touches Zack can see that I’m on the verge of a complete melt d own. “This is really is the hardest part of the whole day. The one person that you want to see and that will instantly calm you down, is the one person you’re not aloud to see. It’s almost time though, and it’s going to be great” His words were so perfectly timed and very much needed. 

It was time to walk out of the bridal suite and really get this day started! My mom was dead set on carrying my train and I told her “if you’re going to carry it, you’re going to have to keep up.” As we started walking toward the bridge where we were going to do our first looks we saw that nobody was there yet. I slightly panicked but Zack was already on it. He called Heather (his wife and the photographer that was with the boys) and told her that James need to get out there, it was time. As James took his place, I hid behind a small tree with my mother and Zack as my look out. We started heading our way over, it was a true speed walk, I told Zack that Pat wasn’t there and she needed to be there it was part of the deal. Without hesitation and within seconds, Pat was out there standing there. I finally told my mother to just drop the train, I needed to get there. Once the moms were united and the photographers where in place it was 

time to finally see my future husband for the first time that day!

It was truly a magical moment! He looked incredible in his medium dark grey 3 piece suit and dark green tie and he couldn’t stop starring at me! As we worked our way off the bridge James noticed that I had leaves in my train and in true James fashion he slightly mumbled under his breath (still loud enough for me to hear) “you’re just wearing a very expensive rake” as he picked the leaves out my dress because he knew I’d be upset if they stayed in there and nobody said or did anything about it. I saw Pat and hugged her with so much excitement. The next thing I know our entire bridal party is around us and our parents. As James took photos with the guys I kinda of hung around with Carissa and the kids and my girls. Now, it was my turn for group photo, while we’re doing all that I hear James’ mom yelling at her sister to not come over it wasn’t her time. She didnt listen because she needed her Jimmy hug, after she got her hug she was off. We blew through the group pictures like it was nothing. Zack really knew how to get us back on track! While we were doing some our group photos someone noticed I had a ladybug on my veil and being the best photographers, they did their best to get a picture of it because they knew it meant good luck from above and they saw how much it mean to our moms. Once the family and wedding party photos were done Zack and Heather took James and I away to do some our alone photos. It was a good time but you could tell that James was very done with his “camera smile”. Before we knew it were done with our pre- ceremony photos and we were under my veil taking photos. After those few photos James and I had to go our separate ways to hang out for a little bit before the ceremony would start. As Zack and I walked back to the bridal suit, I saw Ryan, a friend from home that I haven’t seen in a while and I just broke into a full on run and just attacked him! We hugged some family members (mostly McKees) on our way to the bridal suite. While we waited for the ceremony to start Leah took some photos for her portfolio and I got to hang out with the kids for a little bit. As I sat there trying to take it all in my phone rang, it was Kevin, he tried to confirm that my wedding was at Mill on the River and when I told him no, he panicked and told me not to worry, “I won’t miss it, i’ll be there.”

Before we knew it, Gemarco (our personal staff member for the day) told us it was time to line up! It was the fastest and slowest moment of my life! I could hear “Tale As Old As Time” playing as they opened the door for every person that walked out in front of me. It was time for the Titus and Scarlette to make their way out. James and I both told them the night before at the rehearsal dinner to make sure they walked nice and slow and didn’t rush, man did I slightly regret telling them that. Their walk out felt like it took 10 years. My dad standing next to me, holding my arm and telling me to relax, it’ll be my time before we know it. The kids must of made it all the way down because suddenly I heard “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran playing and it was finally my time to walk down the isle to my future. To be honest that entire walk is a blur, I slightly remember seeing my work people in one corner and then rounding the corner to see James standing their with a smile on his face. Dad and I made it to the “finish line” and James silently walked us through all the steps that we knew we would mess up and my hand was passed from my dad’s to my his and it was so memorable. As we joined hands in front of all our friends and family we made our promises and vows. James read his first and they perfect, a million times better than I was expecting them to be. He said “I Do” and placed my ring on. Now it was my turn, I remember slightly fumbling over reading my vows, not standing quite close enough to James for everyone to hear (because he was wearing the mic), repeating after the JP was a little hard for me because I was just so focused on James and every little thing happening between us. I made it through my “I Do” and placing his ring on his finger and the next thing I know I’m hearing “by the law of Connecticut I do pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride!” James kissed me with just the right amount of passion for it to be appropriate in front of everyone and the slight sound of “Love Somebody Like You” by Keith Urban playing was our indicator that it was time for us to walk out from the ceremony and get the party started. We made our way to the bridal suite with the rest of the wedding party and we hugged everyone and celebrated with everyone briefly and figured out what the next thing was. James and I went out to the back of the building and met out chariot (a golf cart driven by G) to go to the barn and take a few photos there. James was pretty excited because G had beer and alcohol for James and I and it was time to start partying! After a couple of beautiful photos by the barn, we went back to were the ceremony took place to take “formal” photos with family and friends. Some of those photos were difficult because a lot of family members kept putting their hand on my lower back and pulled on my veil. We did get a lot of good photos with not only James’ college friends, which had basically become tradition for us at this point since everyone of them were mostly married except for now us, but also a few of my college girls were there and it was such a great surprise since I hadn’t seen them since the last wedding! Once all of our photos were done outside we were able to go inside and mingle a little bit during the cocktail hour before we got announced in and the reception would start. It was great to get that time because we were able to get half the room chatted with which would make it easier after dinner. James and I didn’t really hang out together for that half hour or so. I was able to see my work people for a bit and chat with them briefly but I also had the chance to catch up with some of my friends that I hadn’t seen in probably 6 years. James met one of my best friends for the first time since our falling out. 

It was time! G had found James and I in the crowd and told us that it was time to line up and get ready for the intros. Waiting for the intros to start was a lot of fun. Our DJ, Mike came over and ran through with us what was going to happen and unfortunately our photographers weren’t there because they would have gotten some really good photos of James and I dancing with out dinosaurs! He announced Grammy, my parents, James’ parents, Ryan and Travis, the kids and then he announced Kelly and Andrea who entered the room wearing their dinosaur costumes! It was a hit, nobody knew it was going to happen. Once the crowd had a chance to take in what was happening and enjoy it, they went into the bridal suite to change and then it was our turn. As the music started playing we heard “And now please welcome the new Mr. and Mrs. James Flynn” and we heard “ baby, i just want to be young, young forever with you” and it was an incredible moment. You could feel all the love from our friends and family! As we made it to the sweet heart table where our parents were lined up, I handed my flowers to my mom and we made our way to the middle of the dance floor and we shared our first dance to “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran. When that music started and James pulled me into him, it was just indescribably! it was the perfect moment. We got lost in each other and we just got to dance, we truly felt like we were the only ones in the room. There were a couple of spins involved that we tried to practice but it never really worked out but that’s okay because looking back on the photos from that night, they looked perfect. We finally gave Mike the nod to cut the song because we just couldnt sway anymore. Looking back I wish we took the whole song to really take in the moment but we still had that time to ourselves and it was perfect. 

We took a few extra minutes to get settled at our table before the speeches started. Ryan was up first! His speech was incredible well done. You could tell he was nervous but it never showed. He did a great job telling a lot stories about his and James’ friendship and then said “I kinda wish I was marrying you”. Shortly after he brings up New Britain and how James didn’t tell him that he was dating this girl and he started to say that it wasn’t long before I became the 4th roommate and preferable roommate. He continued on with a story about me telling he didn’t know what he was doing but turned it into saying that I was perfect for him and that it didn’t take long for me to because an essential part of our lives -James’ life. He finished with “I’m really excited to have opinions on the house you guys will pick out and most importantly give your kids really confusing nicknames” Andrea was up next, her speech was pretty short and sweet. She started with how we met at the Student Union at UConn and it turned into a conversation about the night that James and I met and how James is now the best part of my life and she couldn’t be happier for the two of us.

After the speeches it was finally time for dinner. During our pre wedding meeting with our coordinator James jokingly said he wanted chicken tenders with his dinner so when we were served our dinner, James as presently surprised to find that there were actually chicken tenders on his plate. Dinner was incredible and we couldn’t begin to thank the people responsible for making such a delicious meal. Once, James and I finished eating we went to mingle and thank each table for coming. We started with his work tables which was a poor decision looking back because those were the only table James made it to. Thankfully, I was able to just make quick small talk with everyone I needed to because if I didn’t I’m sure there would have been some people who would have been upset that they never saw us. Slowly as people started finishing their meals they got up and joined the kids on the dance floor, who completely stole the show for a while. It was great to see people enjoying themselves. Around 7 it was time for cake! Of course we did a cake cutting. It was hard to cut into such a beautiful cake though. Alexis did such an incredible job with our cake and cupcakes, they were perfect. Cutting into our cake to find a bright green velvet cake was truly incredible. It got very playful when feeding each other cake. When it was James’ turn to feed me he threatened to smear it all over me but I told him “no, i didn’t pay this much money for you ruin my face”. But we kissed and made a beautiful photo. 

Soon after we cleaned up from our cake cutting it was time for the parent dances. I was first and it was a moment I was slightly anxious about because I wasnt sure how it was going to go. We danced to “Daddy Dance With Me” by Krystal Keith, which is a beautiful song. Unfortunately, I ended up cutting the dance pretty short because it was just a very uncomfortable and awkward minute or so. My father was not enjoying himself or really engaging with me at all so I signal to Mike to cut it short. A much better dance was to watch the magic with James and his mom. James had picked the song “Then They Do” by Trace Atkins because he knew it would a song that would get his mom to tear up. It ended up backfiring on him because she never shed a single tear, which was surprising! He told her that she was in charge of telling Mike when to cut the dance but she never did. It was a moment in her life that she will remember for the rest of her life.  There was one more parent dance that we needed to have because James’ father would never have a father daughter dance because James is an only child and he’s told me for a long time that I was the daughter he never had so we felt it just needed to happen for him. Our final parent dance was to “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts. It was such an incredible moment in the night. For me it was better than my own father daughter dance so I’m incredibly thankful we were able to make it happen and that it didn’t upset Pat that James had to mother son dances that night. We danced about half the song before we invited everyone else to join us. I remember seeing Titus and Scarlette dancing with my mom and James and thinking about how lucky am to be able to spend the rest of my life with that man and eventually have a family with him. The next thing I know, the kids are grabbing my hand and Mike’s (James’ Dad, not the DJ lol) and the 4 of us are dancing together and I just thought to myself that I am one blessed woman!

After all the formalities were over it was time to party! It was so great to dance and enjoy our night with so many family and friends that love us. We danced for hours. At one point James and I saw each other from a short distance away and we were able to sneak away for a minute and sit outside on the wall of the outdoor bar and look into the our event and see so many people having fun and it was just an fantastic feeling to see so much love in one room that all came together for us. It was really great to get that moment away just to take it all in. That time away didn’t last long, someone found us and told us that we were needed on the dance floor, so it was back to the party for us. While we took a quick break Zack asked us if we could sneak away so we could take our night time photos and it was perfectly timed. As we walking out we were able to say goodbye to some of our guest and get some photos with them. Our night time photos were fantastic! Our night time photos are just filled with so much romance and sweetness. There was one bit of comic releif from all the love though. Heather needed to stand in the bushes with the flash and thankfully Zack captured that photo because that is one that we will keep with us forever. They were just a wonderful couple to work with and they just got everything right and we couldn’t have asked for a better set of people to help us capture the most important day of our lives.

James and I were able to sneak back into the party without much of grief. As we came back in DJ Mike was playing a Kenny Rodgers song for the parents and to see my parents and James’ parents dancing was incredibly touching. Shortly after Zack came over and took one last selfie with us and Heather and told us that he thinks he got everything and they were gonna head out unless we could think of anything else. Unfortunately, they left shortly before the group dances which would have been fun for them to capture but its okay, after seeing everything else they got, it made it completely fine for them have had headed out. 

The party started to wind down after we played our last slow song which was “Diamonds or Twine” by Ryan Hurd. Seeing some of my coworkers dancing with each other during that song was kind of weird but it was super sweet. Mike finished the night with “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey and it was perfect. Some how everyone that was left was formed into a circle around James and I and for the life of me, I can’t remember what song was playing but I just remember looking at James and telling him that I was amazed that our DJ somehow was able to combine that song with the Disney opening tune. It was just so enchanting!

As everyone left we finished packing the cars and my girls got me out of my dress and back in to my yoga pants and robe and James’ mom (who never drives) got us back to the hotel safe and sound! You’d think after an insanely full day James and I would be tired, not even a little. We sat up for probably 2 more hours. The first little bit we opened all of our wedding cards and counted it all and then Travis came to hang out with us for a little bit, it was just such a chill evening after that. After Travis left James and I decided it was time for bed so at that point the magic was over. I took my hair down, took all the make off got and it was time to turn into pumpkins. To our surprise though the hotel supplied us 2 small bottles of champagne and left us some chocolates on the bed. We simply could not have asked for a better day, it absolutely the most beautiful day of our lives.

[thorne93]

Congrats, Grad

Prompt: You’re at your college graduation, surrounded by those you love, including your boyfriend James McAvoy

Warnings: None. One swear word. pure fluff yall

Notes: For a very dear friend of mine @tacohead13 She’s graduating and I wanted to do something special for her! (It’s not Beta’d btw. Sorry for any mistakes) Also, I hope any of my fellow McAvoyers who are graduating can love this piece!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is it. The day you’ve been working so hard for. The day that you’ve stayed up late nights, long hours, anything to keep you awake to get through all of the grueling quizzes, assignments, tests and final exams. All the meetings with professors and advisors. All of the social events you skipped out on to perfect that one paper, that one project. All of the tears, sacrifices, sleepless nights, all for this moment now, today.

Graduation from college.

You’d be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. To top it off, you’re boyfriend of two years was here to support you, despite his busy schedule. He’d supported you, Skyped you when you needed it. The long distance relationship was tough, but he was so supportive and caring and loving, you forgave the strain the distance put on you two. He was sitting in the gymnasium stands with your family, eagerly awaiting your name to be called. He’d watched just how much you’d poured your heart and soul into this and he was beyond thrilled to be there and witness this once in a lifetime event.

The commencement began and you and the graduating class began walking as the crowd cheered for you all. The class filed in, stood for a few words, then everyone sat. In your cap and gown, your hair styled perfectly, the most pretty, comfortable, and functional shoes on you, a stylish dress under your robe, you listened to the president of the school speak a few words about the achievements of the class, but it seemed to drone on. Your mind wandered to your boyfriend. He was everything a girl could ask for. Smart, charming, hilarious, a little silly, mature, kind, patient, handsome - definitely handsome, like jaw dropping, run-into-a-building-because-you-were-looking-so-long-handsome - and his accent helped too, not that he needed it. He’d been your rock, along with your family, as you worked through for this degree.

Today was one of those days that everything was perfect. Your sister had actually graduated earlier that morning so you all had been there first then raced over to your college in a different city to get to your ceremony. The sun was shining warmly, which allowed for a few lovely pre-graduation pictures of you and your boyfriend, you and your dad, you and your mom, you and your sister, then one big one with everyone. There were plenty of pictures of laughter, smiles, kisses, big hugs, silly photos.

Finally, once the speakers all got done with their addresses, a few nice statements about the future happened and the music was playing while names were called. Eventually, your row was called and you stood, your heart pounding - this was it.

You focused on walking and not slamming into anyone in front of you or tripping over your own feet. The line moved slowly then suddenly you were the next person. They said your name into the mic and you smiled as time seemed to stand still. You stepped up slowly on the stage and there was the usual small clap over the crowed but over everyone else you could hear your family screaming, shouting, congrats reigning out for you. Especially his. His accent was hard to miss.

“Yeah! Go Y/N! Wooh! That’s my girl! Hell yeah!” he screamed as he jumped up in his seat and you blushed fiercely as you shook everyone’s hand, took the folder that would later hold your diploma, got your picture snapped, and headed back in line to stand in your row.

The rest of the rows went and finally the graduation ceremony was coming to a close. Everyone threw their caps in the air, and thankfully you had personalized your’s so it was easily found once it landed. The students filed out as music played and finally everyone was rushing to find family. You all had agreed on a point to meet afterward and you ran as fast as you could to the area.

“There she is! There’s our grad!” James said as he opened his arms with the widest grin on his face and you slammed into them. He picked you up and spun you around as he kissed your cheek. Having James McAvoy’s arms to run into after graduation was one hell of a feeling.

He let you go so your family and friends could hug you and congratulate you.

“Congrats, girl,” your dad said with a kiss on the head.

“We’re so proud of you, sweetie,” your mom said.

“You did great!” a friend said as they lightly punched your shoulder.

“How do you feel?” James asked as he put his arm around you.

“Relieved! It’s over!” you said with exultation, throwing your head back and laughing. James was gazing at you with such utter love and pride it was ebbing over in his energy. He was dressed in a long sleeve navy blue cotton shirt (although he had yanked the sleeves up, typical habit of his) and nice jeans, which he looked absolutely amazing in. He asked if he need to wear a suit but you knew how he hated those things so you told him to dress semi-casual. As long as he was comfortable, he could wear a paper bag and look sexy as hell in it.

“Well, should we go eat everyone?” your mom asked with excitement.

“Yes, please! I’m starving!” you said with a laugh.

Everyone started to head to their cars, but you had rode with James today, so he slightly tugged on your robe as you started to walk with them.

“Hey, hold on a sec. I wanted to congratulate you properly.” He pulled you to him, his hand going into your hair, his mouth finding yours as his tongue slid along your lower lip, giving you one of the best kisses he’d ever given you. When he pulled away, you were breathless.

“Wow. Uh, thanks?” you said, a little woozy from the kiss.

“Any time.” He smiled sweetly at you and you walked hand in hand to the car. He opened the door for you and you started to get in when you saw a huge bouquet of bright, pretty, fragrant flowers in the seat with a teddy bear that said, “Congrats, Grad.”

“Oh, my God, James,” you gasped lightly. “This is so sweet.” You pulled them out and sat down with them in your lap.

“You like ‘em?” he asked with a nervous smile.

“I love it. It’s so perfect.”

“That’s not all of your graduation gift. It’s just some of it.”

“Oh?” you questioned as you looked up at him.

He nodded, biting his lip and raising his brows. He shut the car door and got in on the other side. You smelled the flowers and played with the small, but adorable teddy bear.

You rode hand in hand to the restaurant and met everyone. Everyone was sharing drinks, stories, and passing you gifts and cards, congratulating you. You usually hated attention, but tonight, this was nice. Everyone was here for you and your achievements and it felt nice. It was a welcomed sort of attention.

Once everyone was almost done with dessert, James suddenly stood up and clinked his glass.

“If I could have everyone’s attention…” Everyone quieted down and he smiled. “Thank you. I’ve known Y/N for three years, and we’ve been dating for two. It’s been rough. We’ve had little time to see each other since my work requires so much traveling and she needed to focus on schoolwork, but with the power of technology and the steadiness of love, we’ve made it work, pretty well, I’d say,” he said, his Scottish accent coming out thicker as he talked. “Now, I wanted to do this a little while ago, but I wanted to ensure that Y/N focused on schoolwork. But in light of today’s wonderful festivities and in front of all the people she holds dear, I’d like to give her a gift.”

He took out a small wrapped present and sat it in front of you. “Open it,” he whispered and you sat there, wondering what he was doing. You tore into the paper and saw a small, red, shiny box. Opening the box, you saw a stunning diamond and gasped as you suddenly saw him getting on one knee. Your heart sped up to a million miles an hour as your friends and family looked on. You heard a few gasps and “oh my gods” roll through the table but you were fixated on the man in front of you.

“Y/N, I am so proud of you. I can’t wait to see where your future takes you, I was just wondering if you’d let me join you on that journey...as your husband? Y/N, will you marry me?”

You were speechless at first until you realized you needed to say something, speak, before it looked awkward.

“Uh, yes,” you croaked. “Yes!” you said more emphatically. “Yeah, no, of course! Yes, over and over. Yes!”

Everyone cheered as he got up to kiss you, your heart soaring. This definitely topped off your graduation day. He hugged you and whispered in your ear, “Congrats, grad.”

[sandiegodjstaci]

Ashley & John's Bespoke La Valencia Hotel Wedding

Ashley & John's Bespoke La Valencia Hotel Wedding

Of all the San Diego wedding DJs calling America’s finest city home, Ashley & John chose me to DJ and MC their bespoke La Valencia Hotel wedding on Sunday, 5.26.19. The following write-up is based on San Diego DJ Staci’s crazy organized & detailed outline for this La Valencia Hotel wedding.

  THE LA VALENCIA HOTEL WEDDING CEREMONY

This La Jolla landmark has their own sound system & mic for the ceremony. DJ Staci was inside setting up during this hotel wedding ceremony!

  (c) San Diego DJ Staci, the Track Star

  THE COCKTAIL HOUR & DINNER MUSIC

While San Diego DJ Staci offers couples pre-set cocktail & dinner playlists to choose from, Ashley & John opted to hand-select their background music for their  La Jolla wedding.

Cocktail Playlist ➔ 1. California Girls” Beach boys, 2. “Reminiscing” Little river band, 3. “Lovely Day” Bill Withers, 3. “What’s going on” Marvin Gaye, 4. “Hungry heart” Bruce springsteen, 5. “Rich Girl” Hall and oates, 6. “Nothing from nothing” Billy Preston, 7. “How deep is your love” Bee gees, 8. “I just called to say I love you” Stevie Wonder. 9. “Oh what a night” Four Seasons, 10. “Gotta Give It up Part 1” Marvin Gaye, 11 “I wanna be your lover” Prince, 12. “Ain’t no sunshine” Bill Withers, 13. “Do You Believe In Love” Huey Lewis and the News, 14. “Today I Met The Boy I’m Going to Marry” Darlene Love, 15. “Friends” Beach Boys, 16. “Don’t you want me” Human League, 17. “I can’t stand the rain” Anne Peebles, 18. “What a fool believes” Doobie Brothers, 19. “Borderline” Madonna, 20. “Weird Fishes” Radiohead, 21 “My Only Swerving” El ten eleven, 22 “Searching” Roy Ayers, 23 “You’re still a young man” Tower of power, 24. “Never too much” Luther Vandross, 25. “That’s the way of the world” Earth, Wind Fire, 26. “One Fine Day” The Chiffons, 27. “Here comes the sun” Beatles, 28. “Eyes without a face” Billy  Idol, 29. “Cruel summer” Bananarama, 30. “La Vie En Rose” Grace Jones, 31. “Graceland” Paul Simon, 32 “Let me in your life” Aretha Franklin, 33 “If I Ever Feel Better” Phoenix, 34 “Stuck in the Middle With You” Stealers Wheel, 35. “September” Earth Wind and Fire

Dinner Playlist ➔ 1 “Be My Baby” Ronettes, 2. “Claire de lune” Kamasi Washington, 3. “Our Way to Fall” Yo La Tengo, 4. “Ooh baby baby” Smokey Robinson, 5. “Poolside” Harvest moon, 6. “Tenderness” General Public, 7. “Will you still love me tomorrow” The Shirelles, 8. “TIL you come back to me” Aretha Franklin, 9. “Warmth of the Sun” Beach Boys, 10. “Red red wine” UB40, 11. “One on one” Hall   Oates, 12. “Lovefool” Cardigans, 13. “What a Difference A Day Makes” Dinah Washington, 14. “Astral Weeks” Van Morrison, 15. “Out of my league” Fitz and the tantrums, 16. “Sunday kind of love” Etta james, 17. “Drive” Cars, 18. “Young Americans” David Bowie, 19. “Sleepwalking” Modest Mouse, 20. “Beyond Love” Beach House, 21. “Feel Like Making Love” D’Angelo, 22. “You give good love” Whitney Houston, 22. “Poses” Rufus Wainwright, 23. “Overjoyed” Stevie Wonder, 24. “Try a Little Tenderness” Otis Redding, 25. “Say A Little Prayer” Aretha Franklin, 26.“Crazy for you” Madonna, 27. “Dream Lover” Mariah Carey, 28. “Midnight Train to Georgia” Gladys Knight, 29. “Crimson and Clover” Shondells, 30. “I just want to be your everything” Andy Gibb, 31. “Say it isn’t so” Hall and Oates, 32. “Close To You” Cure, 33.“Over My Head” Alabama Shakes, 34. “Only You” Platters, 35. “Don’t Worry Baby” Beach Boys, 36. Doo Wop That Thing” Lauryn Hill

  (c) San Diego DJ Staci, the Track Star

  THE LA VALENCIA HOTEL WEDDING RECEPTION

MC Welcome ➔ “Good evening! Welcome to Ashley & Johns wedding reception!!! I am the Master of Ceremonies, DJ Staci. Please take your seats so we can officially welcome our guests of honor. Please be sure to post your photos today with #YorkFee. If you need to charge your devices, I do have a mini charging station up here including some universal chargers.”

“Tonight I’m going to be sharing a lot of stories about John & Ashley with you. To get rolling, les tackle the first &I love you.& On their 80th date—yes, Ashley counts them—they were in Korea Town in LA to celebrate their 6 month anniversary. They checked into a swanky hotel, went to dinner at a Korean BBQ restaurant, then hit a karaoke bar. John said those 3 little words after dinner  Ashley quickly replied back! Awwww….. Ladies & gentlemen, put your hands together for the introduction of the wedding party.”

Grand Entrance ➔ “Chapel of Love” Dixie Cups

➔ “Show some love to Best Woman &  Sister of the Groom, Heather, &  Flower Girl, Claire!!!”

➔ “Please welcome Best Man, Patrick!!!”

➔ “Give it up for Junior Bridesmaid, Sophie!!!”

➔ “Show some love to Maid of Honor & Sister of the Bride, Amanda, and Flower Girl, Grace!!!”

➔ “Be My Baby” Ronettes ➔  “They first connected online then eventually met up on February 28, 2017, on Sunset Blvd. On their first date, they met at a restaurant  stayed until close. Together they enjoy long talks, vacationing, visiting film festivals across the US, & walking their dog, Lula, at the beach. They are planning a honeymoon to Kauai. Ladies & gentlemen, get on your feet to welcome–for the FIRST TIME EVER— Mr. & Mrs. John F & Ashley Y!!!” ➔ keep playing “Be My Baby” Ronettes

➔ Newlywed Brief Welcome/Thank You Speech ➔ continue “Be My Baby” Ronettes

➔ Meal Served: plated ➔ Announce: “Dinner will be served momentarily. Also, at about 6:25 you can grab a glass of champagne from the bar for the toasts, if you like.”

6:25 PM  ➔ Announce: “Just a reminder that you can grab a glass of champagne from the bar now if you like one for the toasts.”

6:30 PM   ➔ Toasts ➔ Champagne available at bar at 6:25 PM ➔  Ladies & gentlemen, may I have your attention please for the toasts. Please welcome our first speaker:

➔ Maid of Honor & Sister of the Bride, Amanda

➔ Mother of the Bride, Claudette

➔ Father of the Bride, Tim

➔ Parents of the Groom, Joan & Russ

➔ Best Woman &  Sister of the Groom, Heather

➔ Best Man & Brother of the Groom, Patrick

➔ First Dance ➔ “You’ve Got a Friend” (live), Donnie Hathaway ➔ fade early: no ➔  “On their 321st date, John & Ashley went on a last minute trip to Hawaii’s big island. She had heard him on the phone trying to get a reservation at a swanky restaurant there…she began to wonder if a marriage proposal was in her future…hmmm?! After splashing around in the water and watching a magical Hawaiian sunset, they returned to their stunning oceanfront room. John ordered champagne, &  he asked her a very important question. We know how she answered because we are about to welcome Ashley & John to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife.”

➔ Combo Parent Dance ➔ “The Way You Look Tonight” Tony Bennett ➔ fade early: no ➔ “John admires that his mother has been married to his dad for HALF A CENTURY! About her father, Ashley says:  Dad drove me to school everyday and always got me there early—FOR 12 YEARS–teaching me the valuable asset of punctuality. Now lets welcome John &  his mother, Joan, with Ashley  her father, Tim, to the dance floor to share a special dance.”  ➔ open dance floor up to everyone

  (c) San Diego DJ Staci, the Track Star

  ➔ Open Dancing

8:15 PM ➔ Bouquet Toss ➔ “Then he Kissed me” Crystals

➔ Longest Married Couple Dance ➔ “A Song for You,” Donnie Hathaway ➔ Announce: “We’d like to invite all of the married couples to the dance floor right now…The newlyweds would like to dedicate this song to all of the couples in the room, married or not.” ➔ Announce: “We’d like to give a special shout out to John’s parents, Joan & Russ, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on August 16th, as well as Ashley’s mom & her husband, Fred, who just celebrated their first wedding anniversary! Congrats!!!”

8:30 PM ➔ Photographer leaves

9:50 PM ➔ Last Dance ➔ “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” Whitney H ➔ Announce: “There will be an after party from now until 2:00 AM in Cafe Rue, which is by the lobby. There will be free snacks &  drinks available for purchase.”

➔ Send-Off ➔ “I Only Have Eyes For You” Flamingos

  ASHLEY & JOHN’S DANCE MUSIC RECIPE

Requests ➔ line dances only if requested

Music ➔ PG-13/clean radio edits

Play A Lot ➔ Top 40, Oldies/Motown, 80s, Funk

Play A Few ➔ Disco, Classic Rock, Hip Hop, 90s, 2000s

Slow Dances ➔ “That’s What Friends are for,” Dionne Warwick, “You Give Good Love,” Whitney Houston

♥  M U S T – P L A Y S ♥

1. “All night long” Lionel Richie, 2. “You make my dreams come true” Hall &  Oates, 3. “Poison” Bel Biv Devoe, 4. “Karma Chameleon” Culture Club, 5. “Respect” Aretha Franklin, 6. “Toxic” Britney Spears, 7. “Footloose” Kenny Loggins, 8. “Crazy in love” Beyonce, 9. “Finesse” Bruno Mars, 10. “Holiday” Madonna, 11. “Faith” George Michael, 12. “Can’t Stop The Feeling” Justin Timberlake

♥ P L A Y   I F   Y O U   C A N ♥

“Cosmic Girl” Jamiroquai, “Feels so Good” Mase, “Dancing In the Streets” Martha & the Vandellas, “It Takes Two” Rob Base, “I like it” Cardi B  for MOH Amanda, “You Drop the Bomb on Me” Gap Band, “Sexyback” Justin Timberlake, “1999” Prince, “No Scrubs” TLC, “Livin on a Prayer” Bon Jovi, “Twist and Shout” the Beatles, “It Feels Good” Toni Tony Tone, “Uptown Funk” Bruno Mars, “Treasure” Bruno Mars, “This Is How We Do It” Montel Jordan, “Push It” Salt N Pepa, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” Marvin Gaye, “Single Ladies” Beyonce, “Let’s Dance” David Bowie, “Bootylicious” Beyonce, “Hip to be Square” Huey Lewis, “Glamorous life” Sheila E, “Shoop” Salt & Peppa, “It feels so right” Sonique, “Call Me Al” Paul Simon, “Purple rain” Prince, “Hollywood Swinging” Kool and the Gang, “Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours” Stevie Wonder, “Bring It On Home” Sam Cooke, “You can’t Hurry Love” The Supremes, “Higher and Higher” Jackie Wilson, “All for you” Janet Jackson

♥ D O   N O T   P L A Y S ♥

Journey, trap, country, Lynyrd Skynrd, Bob Segar, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Michael Jackson, Pharrell’s “Happy,” AC/DC

  LA VALENCIA HOTEL WEDDING FLOOR PLAN

  SAN DIEGO WEDDING VENDOR LIST

Here is the amazing team of San Diego wedding vendors I had the pleasure of working with on this La Valencia Hotel wedding:

Venue/Caterer/Cake ➔ La Valencia Hotel

DJ/MC/Photo Booth/Lighting ➔ DJ Staci, the Track Star

Photographer ➔ Wally Wilson Studios

Florist ➔ Kimberly Buffington

Again, I was honored to be the one and only San Diego wedding DJ Ashley & John trusted with their La Valencia Hotel wedding in La Jolla. Thank you!

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  Like DJ Staci's vibe? Stalk her wedding DJ services below! shshsh...

  GIVE IT TO ME BABY

[loveweddingsng]

December at LoveWeddingsNG is a month to reflect; we always take a look back at the year to see what trends stood out. Catch up if you missed Nigerian wedding trends in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

As per previous years, we always start with a Spot the trend competition of some sort on Instagram and you all have been amazing today. We’ve enjoyed reading every comment and cannot believe how busy our comments section has been today. Thank you all so much.

This year, we tried our hardest not to repeat trends from previous years but there were a few that just had to be repeated so don’t panic if you see a trend that we highlighted last year or in the previous years. 

So without further ado, we present our Nigerian Wedding Trends list of 2017.

Enjoy!

1) Interesting wedding invitation cards:

This year, we saw all sorts of wedding invitation cards – some with illustrations of the couple, others were just funny, others in pidgin English. See some examples below;

2) Dramatic Bridal Bouquets: 

The bouquets this year were out of this world – from blinged out bouquets to dramatic bouquets. Remember Rewa’s garden themed bouquet by TOYLON Florals (#Lurewa) to Lara’s (from #LaraKen2017) gorgeous bouquet by Camaka Bespoke Pieces 

Wedding: #Lurewa

Bouquet: Adela’s Flowers

Photo: SC George Weddings

Photo: SC George | Bouquet: Camaka Bespoke Pieces

3) Bridesmaids in white:

The bridesmaids colour this year at a lot of weddings was white. Brides like Anita (Ms. Makor) from #Alfreds2017 weren’t afraid to share the spotlight and allow their ladies rock white.

Anita (Ms Makor) | Photo: JOP Studios

Anita (Ms Makor’s) Bridesmaids | Photo: George Okoro Weddings

Bride and Bridesmaids from #Teedot2017

4) Ankara bridal robes for brides and bridesmaids: 

Some brides rocked bridal robes but a lot of brides did it with ankara fabric. From makeup artist, Oshewa to Olori Abisoye and others, see some brides who rocked this trend in 2017.

Photo: Laphy Photography

Photo: Laphy Photography

Planner: 2706 Events | Photo: Jide Kola

Photo: JGates Visuals

5) Two Wedding Hashtags & Couples Got Creative

Last year, a lot of couples had two hashtags for their wedding and the trend continued in 2017. See some examples below;

Couple: Dami & Deji | Hashtags: ##DWedding17 #TaiDKnot

Couple: Ayo & Murewa | Hashtags: #MATieTheKnot #ReAyo17

Couple: Lola & Wole | Hashtags: #LowSho17  #GetLow17

Couple: Fatimah & Abdulrafaii | Hashtags: #ForTheRecord17 #TheFaabulousMix17

They didn’t stop there though. A lot of couples switched their hashtags up a notch by going away from the usual first/last two letters of the bride and groom’s first name + Wedding Year formula. We saw creative wedding hashtags like #DWedding17, #ForTheRecord17, #TheACEWedding2017, #CUThere17 and more

6) Stylish Bridal robes: 

Still on bridal robes, we saw a lot of feathered, tulle, illusion bridal robes this year. Wearing a bridal robe on the morning of your wedding with your bridesmaids is now officially a thing at Nigerian weddings. Brides like Bose from #BToks17, Adesua Etomi from #BAAD17, Dami from #DWedding17 and more rocked this trend.

7) Bridal gowns with illusion sleeves:

We love how brides rocked illusion sleeves on their bridal gowns this year. We spotted a number of brides like Oyeyemi (#ForeverOA17) in her stunning bridal gown by April by Kunbi and Bema from #Bemelle17. See more brides who rocked this trend below.

Photo: SC George | Bouquet: Camaka Bespoke Pieces

8) Giant letters & Name tags:

We saw this at s number of weddings this year; from #BToks17, #TheATLLoveStory, #DFlo to #TKTheWedding and more 

Photo: Alakija Studios

Photo: Keziie

Photo: 806 Photography

Photo: Photonimi

9) Grooms Lady / Best Wo(Man): All the Boss ladies, please stand up!! This trend carried over from last year, check out our Nigerian Wedding Trends 2016 post if you missed it. The Grooms ladies and best women definitely rocked Nigerian weddings this year.

At Nigerian photographer, Demola Adeniran’s wedding, there was a female best man

10) Peacock hand fans for traditional brides: We really felt sorry for peacocks this year, our Nigerian brides looked at their gorgeous feathers and plucked them all. Spot some brides who used the peacock feathered hand fan at their traditional wedding from Oyin Adenuga, to #ASK17 and more

Photo: BMPro

#ASK2017

11) Stunning grand wedding cakes:

From extra grand wedding cakes, naked cakes to really creative designs – marble, water colour, wooden effect icing and more, the bakers went all out this year for Nigerian weddings.

12) Brides wearing multiple outfits for their traditional wedding: For clarity, we’ve defined multiple as anything over three outfit changes for the traditional wedding. Adesua Etomi (#BAAD17) wore four outfits by Toju Foyeh for her traditional wedding.

Adesua Etomi wore four outfits for her traditional wedding. All her outfits were made by Toju Foyeh | Illustration: Lean Kid

We also spotted a bride this year who wore over 7 outfits at her traditional wedding.

13) Studio PreWedding Shoots:

More couples took their prewedding shoots in a studio; from #BToks2017, #YoungandRichRR, #MATieTheKnot to #WWForever.

14) Singing brides and grooms:

Our brides, grooms or both of them in some cases took to the mic on their big day. We saw this at Ayo Thompson’s wedding and also at a wedding where the bride sang an original song as she walked to meet her groom down the aisle.

A post shared by LoveweddingsNG✅ (@loveweddingsng) on Jul 21, 2017 at 10:09am PDT

Timi and Oma from #TimiwedsOma2016 both sang at their wedding. We’ve added this to the 2017 list as they got married in December 2016 :). Watch the clip below by videographer, Christiana Andrews.

A post shared by LoveweddingsNG✅ (@loveweddingsng) on Nov 19, 2017 at 1:52am PST

15) Grass Photo walls / Backdrops:

A lot of photo walls at Nigerian weddings in 2017 were green and grassy. See some examples below from Chiamaka & Alex, Kemi & Abim, #JayTee18 and more.

16) Themed Weddings: 

All sorts of themes this year from a #BOLD17‘s 007 themed wedding, #SMLove17‘s farm themed traditional wedding and their aquatic themed white wedding, Dami & Deji’s (#DWedding17) Oleku vintage traditional wedding to their Alice in Wonderland themed white wedding and more

17) Palm wine:  

Palm wine was readily available at a lot of Nigerian weddings this year, thanks to people like Ofada boy.

18) Monotone traditional bridal outfits (same colour head to toe)

Traditional brides rocked monotone (one colour head to toe) looks this year.

19) Beaded Aso oke / Traditional Bridal outfits: 

Traditional bridal aso oke fabrics were heavily beaded and sparkling in 2017. Check these brides out

20) Fog guns

The special effects team took it up a notch. We’ve seen sparklers, low fog, balloon drops in previous years at Nigerian weddings but this year saw the introduction of fog guns. From #BAAD17 to #BOLD17 and more

A post shared by (TrendyBE Events) 🙏🏽 (@bisolatrendybee) on Sep 23, 2017 at 8:15am PDT

21) Joint Instagram wedding accounts: 

This was on our list last year but this year it definitely trended. No thanks to all our Instagram marketers and sellers (side eye), more couples are now choosing to create joint wedding accounts on Instagram to  We predict joint couple Instagram accounts will replace wedding hashtags in the next few years.

22) Doughnut Walls

#TheBanjokos17

#LexyLabs17

23) Illustrations: 

They’ve been trending for a while now so it’s almost no longer a trend. However, you know how much we love illustrations 🙂 we just couldn’t help it

24) Twins getting married on the same day

Nigerian Wedding Trends 2017: Joint Couple Instagram Accounts, Bridesmaids in White, Funny Wedding Invites, Grand Wedding Cakes and More December at LoveWeddingsNG is a month to reflect; we always take a look back at the year to see what trends stood out.