This lovely whimsical wedding is full of wonderful details and music galore! Ashley, the bride, chimes in with just how important the music was: Securing our church, our photographer and our band (The Booze) were the first items on our list. This is a band we heard on our 3rd date or so and they are awesome performers and incredible lyricists. They have the old school feel of rock and roll we both love. Having them play some of our favorite songs at our wedding was truly icing on the cake. Our guests continue to rave about the band and the music we chose.

The overarching musical theme was love ballads from the 1950’s to the 70’s, for the most part. We chose songs based on their lyrical content and message portrayed. There was no one genre of music. We felt that the music has to be good enough to dance to, lyrically related to marriage or love, and stylistically vintage. It had to bring back memories for most guests, while introducing a new generation to classic oldies, albeit some of which were never hits.

The band we chose, The Booze, is a local Atlanta group, who we saw perform on our third date. We both remember saying out loud that night, how cool and incredibly talented those men were and if we ever got married we would love for them to play our wedding. We asked them to play some of their original songs as well as oldies we have heard since childhood. The best part was hearing guests say how awesome the music was at our wedding.

Selecting the music for our wedding was a long process but one that we were passionate about. From the beginning of the wedding planning process we both agreed that we did not want a cookie cutter wedding. This is one of the best opportunities for us to express our style. We wanted our wedding to be unique and reflect what we love and who we are together. The music selection was one of the best vehicles to demonstrate our personality, and give life to the vintage part of us that is special.

Bride & Groom’s First Dance: Let It Be Me – THE EVERLY BROTHERS
(Whitney made me a mixed cd when we first met and this song was one of the tracks. I remember driving around Atlanta listening to it over and over, and knowing I was in love.)

Bride and Brother’s Dance: What A Wonderful World – LOUIS ARMSTRONG
(This was hard to pick since I danced with my brother, who gave me away. It is hard to find the right song that does not have too suggestive of lyrics and does not feel too paternal. This song walked that fine line perfectly, is classic and will always remind me of him.)

Groom and Mother’s Dance: Stand By Me – BEN E. KING
(This song sends such a great message and is up beat and positive. A perfect fit for me and my mom. Rob Reiner’s Stand By Me, which features this song, is also a timeless coming of age movie, and this song fit this moment well.)

Departure Song: At Last – ETTA JAMES
(Some songs are just perfect. People may say it is cliché or a copout, but honestly, when the lyrics fit and the beat is right, sometimes there is no second choice. This is how we felt, that day, that moment. At last, my love has come along.)

List of cover songs by the band, The Booze:
Long Tall Sally – ELVIS PRESLEY
Whole Lotta Shaken – JERRY LEE LEWIS
Lodi – CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
Maybellene – CHUCK BERRY
Shout – THE ISLEY BROTHERS
Bad Moon Rising – CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
You Can’t Always Get What You Want – THE ROLLING STONES
That’s Alright Mama – ELVIS PRESLEY
Brown Eyed Girl – VAN MORRISON
Hello Mary Lou – CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL

List of original songs played by the band, The Booze:
Hard Luck Woman
Heartache
Next Train
Mississippi Line
Riot Girl
Over & Over
The List
All Made Up
Anytime You Leave
Ain’t It the Truth
Hey Amy
Lonesome Country Slide
Come On, Let the Good Times Roll
Trouble in Paradise
Callin’ Out to You

Other Reception Music
Billie Jean – MICHAEL JACKSON
Please Mr. Postman – THE MARVELLETTES
Can’t Help Falling in Love – ELVIS PRESLEY
I Don’t Know What You Got – LITTLE RICHARD
Walking the Floor Over You – ERNEST TUBB
Working Day and Night – MICHAEL JACKSON
Mess Around – RAY CHARLES
Love Letters – ELVIS PRESLEY
Twist – CHUBBY CHECKER
Try Me – JAMES BROWN
P.Y.T. – MICHAEL JACKSON
That’s How Strong My Love Is – OTIS REDDING

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Photos: W. Scott Chester Photography