When you’re entrusted with someone’s wedding, the hope is always to make their vision come to life. For Anthony and Victoria, their dream was to exchange vows in front of a stunning 60+ foot waterfall at the beautiful Heritage Museum & Gardens. However, as my assistant Dan and I began setting up, both our phones were buzzing with “severe weather warnings.” The radar looked ominous, predicting what seemed like an impending storm.
The last thing any bride wants to hear is that her outdoor wedding might need to move indoors. But when I mentioned the possibility, Victoria and Anthony decided to wait and see if the storm would pass.
Meanwhile, Dan and I had already started setting up a backup plan under a tent, anticipating the worst. Sure enough, as thunder rolled in, the skies opened up, and rain poured down with such force that even our equipment under the tent was at risk. With water creeping dangerously close, we scrambled to break everything down and relocate—this time to the cocktail area. The clock was ticking; it was already 4:50 PM, and the ceremony was set to begin at 5. Dan and I made a challenge of it, racing to set up at location #3, and by 5:01, we were ready to welcome the guests.
I could tell the rain had dampened Victoria’s spirits, so I knew I had to make sure everything else was flawless. Guests ran in, soaked from the storm, but once they were inside, the magic began. The vibe shifted from uncertainty to excitement as everyone’s energy started to lift the atmosphere. By cocktail hour, the mood was lively, with guests enjoying the incredible car museum while my carefully curated classic rock mix helped create a truly wonderful ambiance.
When it was time for dancing, there wasn’t a single lull. This crowd was ready to party, and I made sure to keep the momentum going. You can’t force people to have fun, but when the energy is already there—like it was for Victoria and Anthony—it makes my job that much easier. The atmosphere in the room was electric, filled with love and camaraderie and good people always make for great times.
We ended the night with what I like to call the “Wham/Bam/Slam” finale. First, I asked everyone to gather in a circle around the couple as I played “Beautiful Crazy” by Luke Combs. Halfway through, I switched things up and slammed into AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long.” The crowd’s reaction was priceless! We then topped it off with the “The Piano Man” which had every guest singing in an epic display that unified the entire room, an ending Anthony and I had planned perfectly.
At the end of the night, Victoria came up to me with a smile and said, “All is forgiven.” I knew that nailing the finale would erase any memory of the rain, and it did just that. Their wedding was truly a magical day that started off with challenges and ended in clear victory in the form of an amazing party that celebrated the love of Victoria and Anthony. They are truly one of the kindest couples I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
Cheers to you, Victoria and Anthony—it was an honor and a pleasire to be part of your unforgettable day.