Rachelle and Chris Chapman Reception-July 22, 2011

Date: Aug 10 | By Steve

If you asked me to summarize my experiences this weekend in a word, it would be emotional. Rachelle and Chris are a young couple overcoming incredible odds to finally tie the knot. It began about a year ago. When innocent horseplay led to a tragic accident and the bride to be was instantly paralyzed. Next came the long uphill journey to get back to that day, and my role to provide the soundtrack of an amazing couple’s special day. A good friend Erin McLean of Erin McLean Events asked me to help locate the perfect band for the wedding, and asked if I would personally DJ the event.

Of course I agreed, and set off on a mission to find a band through my agency, The Lincoln Agency. Rachelle actually suggested one of their favorite bands, The Common Clay Band. In the coming weeks we prepped, and then plans kept changing, as that happens when you are talking live TV. The NBC Today Show had become interested in their story shortly after the accident. So we were attempting to work around their schedule. I just told the band to be ready for anything.

We began the reception with the Couple’s grand entrance into one of my favorite locations to DJ, Fearrington Barn. The couple are both graduates from ECU, so their introduction song choice was The ECU intro song, “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix complete with siren and purple lighting and smoke! Their first dance was to Rascal Flatts “I Won’t Let Go”, which ensured that there was no dry eye in the entire barn and wonderfully sums up the story!!

The band began to jam through country and rock as the guests proceeded through the dinner stations, and some guests getting up to dance to their favorite song. Rachelle then danced with her Father to “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof, one of his favorites. Next came the toasts from the Best Man, Maid of Honor, and Father of the Groom. Again, there was not a single dry eye. The cake cutting followed to Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me”.

Then it was my turn to shine. With a mixture of Oldies, Motown, Country, and Top 40 hits, the dance floor quickly packed with guests! The entire afternoon was filled with so many events, it seemed as if there was only a few minutes before it was time to toss the bouquet and garter! Rachelle chose “Hot Legs” by Rod Stewart for the garter toss, and “Single Ladies” for the Bouquet toss.

At the exit, the couple was presented with a custom van equipped with a lift and custom passenger seat. Rachelle and Chris were then swept off to Fiji for the honeymoon. I was honored to be involved in this once in a lifetime event. And I loved working with everyone involved. Martha Manning of Martha Manning Photography recorded the event and sent us these early shots below.

Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. Rachelle and Chris Chapman! I’m sure we will be hearing more about this great couple in the future!