With spooky season well and truly upon us, the traditional summer wedding season comes to an end. However, as we elder emo, quirky and alternative millennials have come to "getting married age", a surge in October/November weddings over recent years has grown noticeably. With the worry of dry sunny days, pastel palette picking and overheating from the sun in a full suit or gown out of the window. The darker, cosy, autumnal aesthetic now has it's time to shine. Therefore making an October wedding, perhaps more appropriate for the less traditional couple.
Danby Castle Barn, Wedding Venue Whitby North Yorkshire
Enter Serena & Danny, two self professed and proud alt rock kids and alternative wedding inspo geniuses. This couple opted for a celestial themed, fall coloured, cosy wedding at Danby Barn Castle, located near Whitby North Yorkshire. A gorgeously gothic yet welcoming venue. As part of the evening do entertainment, I arrived on site just before sunset and, with a slight Yorkshire gal confirmation bias, the views were nothing short of breath taking. With outdoor castle ruins, beautiful barn roofs and never ending views of the countryside, just from the exterior the place had personality. Which of course was injected even further upon entering. The wedding breakfast and evening do rooms, a stone wall barn filled with hanging stars, hand lanterns, twinkling candles, autumnal florals, a wood burning fireplace, amber sparkling love letters and a starry sky constellation guestbook. Their room was giving magical Luna Lovegood realness. As well as cute quirky decorations. With an afternoon ceremony, in the aim of allowing more ease on their morning, a celebrant lead ceremony, their gorgeous doggo Ruby on site and Dr Martens their recommended for footwear. The whole decor and day as a whole was meticulously thought out and perfectly on brand with the couple.
As their wedding singer, with similar music tastes, fashion brands, love of Disney and astrological interests in mind. It's fair to say that we got a long like a house on fire. For their wedding music with myself, their aim was to be able to have some of their favourite rock and indie songs, without being perhaps too invasive for the rest of their family. More digestible shall we say. Before handing over to the DJ for the final hours. So with that in mind, the couple opted mostly for many Postmodern Jukebox Covers of their most beloved bangers.
Their setlist included era altering tunes such as: - Teenage Dirtbag (Wheatus) in a 1950s style, - Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson or A Day To Remember) in a Motown soul vibe - Pour Some Sugar On Me (Deaf Leppard) as a 1960s bop - Still Into You (Paramore) as a jazzy swing serenade.
For their first dance, the music lovers made a stellar song selection by choosing Baby I'm Yours, by the Arctic Monkeys. From the bands earlier archive, this almost forgotten about (by me) song is perfect for a wedding day soundtrack. Especially for my own vintage vibes repertoire. So, a personal thanks from me for that request.
For their special song requests that aren't included in my repertoire, the bride and groom also asked me to learn, Take on The World by You Me At Six and Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer. (12 year old me was especially happy with the YMAS choice).
As well as having exquisite music taste. The newlyweds pulled out all of the stops for their evening guest entertainment, showing their true millennial colours with a retro SEGA arcade game machine, with all of the classics. Camcorders to capture guests POV 90s style, a casino table, air hockey table and for their wedding guest tokens, a lucky dip box. (Which I won some very cute astrology stickers). Which may all sound overwhelming as one long list, but in fact the complete opposite was present. There was a comfortable flow of natural interaction, conversation, dancing and enjoyment throughout the evening do and within their wedding party. Truly reflecting the couples high vibing, fun but equally easy going demeanour.
With so much in common with myself, the supplier, it truly was a joy to be involved in this particular couples day. Helping tailor couple's music to match their vibe, is always so much fun and I think we did a great job. With both my musical part and the other well thought out details in mind. Serena & Danny's wedding would best be described as, alternatively autumnal and perfectly personalised. (And also very cute!) Thanks once again for choosing me to be a part of your day! All the best, Abbi-Kaye (Viva la Vintage) x
Serena & Danny's celestial autumnal fun evening do
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