Romantic Fall Bowens Island Wedding: Lauren + John

Lauren had reached out to me back in January about hiring me to be the wedding DJ for her and John's Bowens Island wedding reception, originally scheduled for May.  Little did we know that not too long after she signed the contract and paid her retainer that COVID 19 would take over and forever change the wedding landscape in Charleston, SC and beyond. Originally scheduled to get married on May 16, 2020, Lauren + John would need to postpone their spring wedding into the fall due to lockdowns for weddings and events mandated by the state of South Carolina.  Truth be told, having to postpone a wedding due to a global pandemic is not something I've ever had to before, but my track record is nearly perfect thus far. I've experienced one cancellation thus far, but all the rest have been successfully postponed and moved to other dates.  In Charleston, there is a first time for everything. I had never been to Bowens Island before for a wedding. Looking for a place that is right on the ocean and offers pleasant breezes while you get married, socialize with your guests and dance the night away? Consider checking out Bowens Island. 

 And in case you missed the post, one of the biggest reasons that I have had the success that I have had as a wedding DJ is the fact that I only perform at ONE WEDDING PER DAY.  And when you are a wedding DJ that performs at ONE WEDDING PER DAY, you are in a situation where you can easily move their date, which is what I did for Lauren + John.  For more information on Why You Should Hire A Wedding DJ Who Performs At ONE WEDDING Per Day, <----Click HERE. Now, let's get to Lauren & John and their wonderful Fall wedding at Bowens Island. 

Modern brides and grooms also opt to have their wedding ceremony out at Bowens Island, which Lauren + John did in the late afternoon around 5:30pm.  They employed the talented musicians from Palmetto Strings for the ceremony music, and as the ceremony wrapped up, they moved outside to the private bar area to play songs for the cocktail hour.  For more information on How To Pick The Best Music For Your Wedding Ceremony, <-----Click HERE

Photo Credit: Mike Bills

Lauren + John's Bridal Party Introduction & Other Special Songs

After a lovely cocktail hour where guests got to see the sunset over the marsh,  Lauren + John's family and guests congregated inside as I announced their bridal party in and to also do their first dance.

Bridal Party Introduction Song: "This Will Be An Everlasting Love" | Natalie Cole
First Dance Song: "When You Say Nothing At All" | Keith Whitley
Father / Daughter Dance Song: "The Way You Look Tonight" | Frank Sinatra
Mother / Son Dance Song: "You Make Me Feel So Young" | Frank Sinatra

In case you did not know, (because I did not), Keith Whitley was the first artist to record and release "When You Say Nothing At All".  He would release the song in 1988 from his album Don't Close Your Eyes.  The song would make it all the way to Number 1 on the Hot Country chart. Unfortunately it would not be too long after the success of this song that Keith Whitley would leave us. He died in May of 1989 from alcohol poisoning. Later in 1995, Alison Krauss would release a tribute album to Keith Whitley and would cover the song.  Her version would peak at #3 on the Hot Country chart.  In 1999, Irish singer Ronan Keating would cover the song for the movie Notting Hill. The song would not chart in the United States, but was released in England in the summer of 1999 where it would peak at #1.   If you are looking for some more ideas on Popular First Dance Song Choices. <----Click HERE.

Lauren + John's Dinner Music Song Selections
I've been ranting and raving about the views of Bowens Island.  With pleasant fall breezes and the sun setting over the water, the following songs offered the perfect, laid back feel during dinner.

"Just The Way You Are" | Bruno Marrs
"American Baby" | Dave Matthews Band
"Only Wanna Be With You" | Hootie & The Blowfish
"Springsteen" | Eric Church
"What I Got" | Sublime
"Ho Hey" | The Lumineers
"Satellite" | Dave Matthews Band
"Homegrown" | Zac Brown Band
"Upside Down" | Jack Johnson
"Somebody Like You" | Keith Urban
"Hold My Hand" | Hootie & The Blowfish
"Crash Into Me" | Dave Matthews Band
"Mr. Jones" | The Counting Crows
"So Much To Say" (acoustic) | Dave Matthews Band
"Stay (Wasting Time)" | Dave Matthews Band
"Home" | Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes
"Flake" | Jack Johnson
"Coming Home" | Leon Bridges
"Red Red Wine" | UB40
"Fishin' In The Dark" | Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

As the sun began to sunset on this truly beautiful day, Lauren + John's maid of honor and best man would perform a toast before John would do something I have rarely seen in my years as a professional wedding DJ. Just over a month ago, I had met with Lauren + John to go over to music and timeline and John had privately given me a song that he intended on singing to Lauren. Before we get into dancing, he would do just that. I was pretty blown away as to this went.  He chose "More Than Enough", by country artist Kip Moore. The song was released back in the spring of 2020. You can watch this video by clicking HERE.

Lauren + John's Dance Music Selections
"Billie Jean" | Michael Jackson
"My Girl" | The Temptations
"Higher Love"| Kygo / Whitney Houston
"Fight For Your Right" | The Beastie Boys
"Hey Ya" | Outkast
"I Gotta Feeling" | Black Eyed Peas
"Jump Around" | House Of Pain
"Let's Stay Together" | Seal
"Low" (Apple Bottom Jeans) | FloRida
"Macarena" | Los Del Mar (Bayside Boys Remix)
"Shake It Off' | Taylor Swift
"Sweet Caroline" | Neil Diamond
"Chicken Fried" | Zac Brown Band
"Can't Stop The Feeling" | Justin Timberlake
"Can't Help Falling In Love" | Elvis Presley
"Don't Stop Believin" | Journey
"Brown Eyed Girl" | Van Morrison

For more information on some of the Most Popular Dance Songs For Your Wedding Playlist, <-----Click HERE.  Oops! I almost forgot. Lauren made John a surprise cake that is sure to make any alumni of the University of Georgia happy. 
Cake Cutting Song: "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved You)" | James Taylor - If you are looking for some ideas for your cake cutting song, be sure to click over to this link. Best Cake Cutting Songs For Your Wedding. 


Interested In Hiring Mike Bills To Be Your Wedding DJ?
One of the things I've learned while being a wedding DJ during COVID 19 is that you can still have an amazing time at your wedding even with smaller crowds.  Honestly it did not take COVID 19 for me to learn this though as I've entertained numerous weddings over the year for couples coming to Charleston with less than 50 people. As long as you hire a wedding DJ who sits down with you to discuss the music for your wedding day and has an understanding of your musical vision, it does not matter how many guests you have at your wedding. As COVID 19 continues to create uncertainty for weddings all over the country, it is my prediction that we will see much smaller weddings for the foreseeable. If you are interested in speaking to me about being your wedding DJ, please click the link up above and you'll be taken over to my contact form where you'll be asked for some details about your day. We'll then set up a time to talk. I look forward to speaking with you about your big day.

For more information on booking your wedding at Bowens Island so that you can enjoy this beautiful sunset, click over to their website. Bowens Island  Bowens Island might also be the perfect location for you to have a Lowcountry Boil and cocktails and beer for your rehearsal dinner.  I am also available to DJ your rehearsal dinner. Click HERE to see Music Ideas For Rehearsal Dinner