Some weddings are special because of the venue, the music, or the energy in the room. Some weddings are special because of the people involved. Grace and Brennan’s wedding at Umstead Pines Country Club in Durham was both.
I have worked at Umstead Pines for more than 10 years. Beyond weddings, I have DJed Memorial Day parties, Fourth of July celebrations, Labor Day events, and countless club functions there over the years. My own children grew up around the swim team at the club, which is where I first met Grace and her family nearly two decades ago.
Over the years, I DJed holiday parties, banquets, and events where Grace was part of the crowd. Being asked to DJ her wedding day felt incredibly meaningful and honestly a little emotional. When you know the couple personally, there is an extra level of care and pressure because you want everything to be absolutely perfect for them.
A Beautiful Ceremony Filled With Family Music
The ceremony itself was beautiful from start to finish. Grace and Brennan had family members performing live music for the ceremony, including banjo, violin, and guitar, and they were incredible. It gave the entire ceremony a warm and personal atmosphere before the evening even officially began.
Another familiar face was Kevin Tonn, who officiated the ceremony. His humor and personality helped create a relaxed and joyful tone that carried throughout the day.
I provided microphones and ceremony audio before transitioning into cocktail hour while the ballroom was flipped for dinner and dancing.
Cocktail Hour and a Packed Ballroom
Cocktail hour took place in the bar area while guests mixed, talked, and enjoyed the evening. With around 150 guests attending, the room was full of energy all night long.
Once guests entered the ballroom, we introduced the parents, bridal party, and newlyweds before moving directly into Grace and Brennan’s first dance.
Dinner followed, and instead of releasing buffet tables over the microphone, I walked table to table personally inviting guests up. Grace and Brennan had a very specific order for releasing tables, which led to some fun moments and jokes throughout the room as everyone tried to guess which table would be next.
Those little interactions are always some of my favorite parts of a wedding because they help keep the evening feeling relaxed and personal instead of overly formal.
One of the Most Personal Moments of the Night
One of the most memorable moments of the evening came during the speeches.
Grace’s sister Alexis finished her Maid of Honor speech with a heartfelt tribute before I surprised Grace by briefly playing “Miss Grace” by The Tymes, a song connected to her childhood. The timing created such a genuine emotional moment between the sisters before the next speech began.
Later in the evening, Grace dedicated her bouquet to her mother instead of doing a traditional bouquet toss. I always love seeing couples create moments that feel meaningful to their families instead of simply following traditions for the sake of tradition.
Dance Floor Energy and Swim Team Traditions
Once the dance floor officially opened, the party took off.
The crowd loved upbeat singalongs and throwback party songs throughout the night. One of the biggest moments came when we played DMX’s “Party Up.” For years, the Umstead Pines swim team has used the song as part of their meet traditions, so hearing the entire crowd scream the lyrics together felt like a full-circle moment for so many people in the room.
“Pink Pony Club” became another huge singalong late in the evening, and after the final dance to “Dancing Queen,” Grace’s stepdad asked for one more round of “Pink Pony Club” as guests prepared for the exit. Instead of rushing everyone out the door, the crowd gathered together for one final singalong moment that perfectly captured the spirit of the night.
A Wedding I’ll Never Forget
At the end of the night, this wedding reminded me why I love what I do.
Watching someone you have known since childhood celebrate one of the biggest days of their life is incredibly special. Being trusted to help guide the energy of that day, from ceremony to final dance, is something I never take lightly.
Grace later shared this review after the wedding:
“From the moment we booked Joey’s DJ Service, we knew we made the right choice. The music was perfectly timed and kept our guests dancing all night long. We got exactly what we paid for with no surprises, and honestly, the value was unbeatable.”
Grace and Brennan’s wedding was filled with family, history, emotion, and unforgettable moments, and I am incredibly thankful I got to be part of it.