Texas Hold Em at the Four Seasons Aviara!

Texas Hold Em is not just found in smokey card rooms anymore, it has gone mainstream. I had the pleasure of being the Emcee for a corporate Texas Hold Em tourney on Monday at the Four Seasons. The group was Fannie Mae and instead of the usual entertainment after the awards dinner, we headed to a ballroom downstairs for a little poker action. Casino Del Sol had 20 tables set up so there was room for all...everyone had a blast!

July 23, 2007 - Fannie Mae - The Four Seasons

Congratulations Ben & Carolyn!

I made my 1st trip out to the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe for Ben & Carolyn's wedding celebration, it's a bit of a drive but what a neat venue. Again it was a joining of two great families and cultures, Ben is Jewish so a Hora was in order and Carolyn is a fine Irish lass so we had to throw in a jig as well, both packed the floor. They chose the song "For Emily Whenever I May Find Her" as their first dance, absolutely one of my all time favorite songs! Ron Hughes and Tara Luz Stevens were the photographers, they are two of the best and a blast to work with.

July 21 - Ben & Carolyn Zara - The Rancho Buena Vista Adobe

Hi Mike,

I just got back from my honeymoon and I just wanted to thank you for doing such an awesome job at my wedding. I know we didn't get to talk much so I just wanted to send this email to let you know how much my guests and I all appreciated you. Thanks so much for setting up the ceremony and of course for keeping the party going so smoothy. Thanks again, Carolyn

James & Mhairi, a Scottish Celebration!

James and Mhairi chose Cuvier Park for the ceremony and while I provided a microphone for the minister, in true Scottish style they had a bagpiper play for the ceremony. After the nuptials it was up to The Grande Colonial Hotel for the reception. It's long been a favorite site of mine and the last time I was there it was for Niki Taylor's reception in December. As you can tell by the photo it was no problem keeping everyone on the dance floor... another great Friday night celebration!

July 20, 2007 - James & Mhairi Ransom - The Grande Colonial La Jolla

Mike,

It has been three weeks since our wedding, and even though we have been busy, there is really no excuse for taking so long to thank you. You were amazing. I can honestly say, that besides from my decision to marry James, you were the best decision I made about the wedding! Thank you for being such a wonderful DJ and MC and addition to our celebration. It was so reassuring to me in the weeks and days before the wedding that I didn't have to worry about the reception, because we were sure you would do a great job - but you surpassed our expectations! Also, thank you SO MUCH for the photos you sent - I had no idea you were taking any, but you took some wonderful shots! I plan to recommend you to anyone who needs a DJ - I can't begin to tell you how many compliments we got on your music selection and how you ran the whole ceremony - so thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!!

Mhairi & James Ransom-- USC Gould School of LawJ.D. Candidate, Class of 2008

Hi Mike
I couldn't see anywhere to write a testimonial...so I put it here.
My older daughter, Mhairi, was married yesterday, and I wanted to say that her decision to ask you to act as the DJ / MC was a terrific one. You were an upbeat and reassuring presence throughout, from before the ceremony until closing time. Your choice of music was marvellous, and you so accurately gauged the personalities of the bride, groom, and everyone else that the dance floor was packed the whole time. I'll close by quoting the words of my wife as we drove home -- "That was the best wedding I've ever been at". We are so happy that we gave our daughter & new son in law such a great send-off - and you played a big part ! Thanks ! Lindsay

Nicholas & Deirdre Taylor...too much fun!

Two great families, one awesome reception! Nick and Deirdre had their ceremony and reception at the Rancho Bernardo Inn and in my opinion it's one of the best locations in San Diego. Gloria Paris with Sterling Strings provided music for the ceremony, Tami Austin was the coordinator and Chana & Don were the photographers...it was a great team! While the dancing was frenzied the hit of the night was Deirdre's dad Mike showing that he could still "Bust a Move"!

July 14, 2007 - Nicholoas & Deirdre Taylor - The Rancho Bernardo Inn

Romance at Sea...Nicholas & Tracy Mikesell!

One of the best things about getting married in San Diego is that the ceremony/receptions options are endless...Nick and Tracy decided that the best place to tie the knot was at sea! 60 of their friends and family boarded the Emerald Hornblower at 11:3o AM, we headed out in the bay and the ships captain performed the ceremony at noon. A little lunch and then some dancing (yes, you can have dancing during the day) and we were back at the dock. I'm happy to report that no one was lost overboard and the newlyweds had a great day!

July 14, 2007 - Nicholas & Tracy Mikesell - The Emerald Hornblower

Jim & Cheryl...a perfect match!

Friday the 13th didn't put a dent in this celebration. I have had a lot of absolutely wonderful couples this year and Jim and Cheryl were no exception...they definitely came to have fun at their reception and that they did! The party was supposed to wrap at 11:30 but we went the extra 1/2 hour and closed it down at midnight. The reception was in the Misson Ballroom at the Bahia, you get a great view of the bay from the 5th floor and the food and service was wonderful as always.

July 13, 2007 - Jim & Cheryl Sifferlen - The Bahia Resort

San Diego NACE wins Chapter of the Year!

I have been a longtime member of the National Association of Catering Executives and have had the pleasure of serving on the board the last five years. It's a group group consisting of catering executives and the related support team, entertainers, florists, photographers etc. The yearly conference was in Houston and about 19 of us headed over to join 700 others for a little education and a lot of fun. Needless to say a bunch of people in the party business throwing one for themselves it was a bit over the top. NACE consists of 41 chapters nationwide and San Diego was honored as the Chapter of the Year, it was a great time and getting the award on the final night was really special!

July 15-19, 2007 - NACE Conference - Houston, TX

7/7/07 - A big weekend for Weddings! Alan & Deborah, Carl & Suzanne and James & Brandy...together forever!

While 7/7 was the big day for weddings Alan & Deborah decided to beat the rush and get married on the 6th of July. Their reception was at the Four Seasons Resort and featured an international mix of guests. Alan is from Scotland and both have traveled extensively so we had friends and family from all over the world. It was the best of both worlds as Peter Pupping (awesome Flamenco guitarist) played for the ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner. I had the emcee duties and then handled the dance music. They are a great couple and it was a wonderful night!




On 7/7 I did double duty starting at the Chart House in Cardiff. The reception was for Carl & Suzanne Edwards and the place was packed. It was a beach theme with Starfish for place cards and Island/Beach music for cocktails and lunch. "Better Together" by Jack Johnson was the 1st dance and we ended the afternoon with "Sea of Love". Smiles abounded and none were bigger than those on the faces of Carl & Suzanne!




From Cardiff I headed over to the Dana on Mission Bay to join Brandy and James for their Wedding Celebration. I provided music for the ceremony as well as the reception and the weather was perfect. Blues skies with just enough cloud cover to make it comfortable. They did cocktails out on the patio and then into the Sunset room for diner and dancing. "Let's Get it On" was the first dance and then it was in high gear right up to midnight. The groom and his buddies really liked some of the old school hip hop and "Let me clear my throat" was the hit of the night!

July 6, 2007 - Alan & Deborah Kerr - The Four Seasons Aviara
July 7, 2007 - Carl & Suzanne Edwards - The Chart House
July 7, 2007 - James & Brandy Edwards - The Dana on Mission Bay

(Yep, one weekend, two "Edwards")!


HELLO AND THANK YOU SO MUCH!
We just arrived back yesterday and to our surprise we received your wonderful card and AWESOME photos. Thank you so much Carl and I were blown away by our wedding, we had a blast. Thank you for making it so wonderful.
You truly were awesome!
Carl and Suzanne Edwards

Another awesome weekend of Love & Happiness!

Jenae & Christian picked the Dana as the site for their reception, it is one of my favorite spots on Mission Bay and again the food and service was terrific. The reception started at 7:30 and the dancing went until midnight, the floor never emptied. Another high energy dance crowd!




On Saturday I was back at the Del for Bob and Molly's reception...you can't beat the Del. It was a small reception with about 60 guests but most were from out of town and had come to celebrate. Molly's dad is an Irish Catholic Lawyer from Boston and his toast was one of the best I'd ever heard. While it was an extremely touching toast he is also a pretty funny guy and had me laughing so hard I was in tears! Two great families and the newlyweds had a blast..."Last Dance" by Donna Summer packed the floor at the end of the night.



I ended up the weekend at Rancho Valencia, it had been a couple of years since I worked there but the property is as stunning as ever. Another intimate reception for around 90 guests that planned on having fun. It was a daytime reception but you'd never know it by the energy. (The open bar didn't hurt either!) Jason and J'aime were a great couple to work with and it was another east coast crowd with most of the grooms family in from New York. When I left at 4:00 PM they were still going strong...who says you can't have fun in the day!


Mike,
Wow!!! You did an awesome job for us and we'll definitely recommend you to anyone who may need your services.
Thanks again!!! Jason Nowak

Hi Mike,
Thanks so much for the card we received from you! That was such a nice treat! I won't say too much because I wrote all in a card to you, but we were just absolutely thrilled with your service! You did an outstanding job....thank you!!! We just loved your personality and your service!!! The guests haven't stopped raving about the wedding and the music! I wanted to confirm that I had the correct mailing address before I send this.
Hope you're having a great week!
Best,
Molly

!

June 29, 2007 - Christian & Jenae Alvarez - The Dana on Mission Bay

June 30, 2007 - Bob & Molly Chase - The Hotel Del Coronado

July 1, 2007 - Jason & J'aime Nowak - Rancho Valencia Resort