Fun, unique Wedding reception from Janesville, Wisconsin

Wedding with flair in Wisconsin

A while ago I captured a Wedding in Janesville, Wisconsin.  It was kind of strange because my roommate, for four years, in college grew up in Janesville.  In fact, I ended up staying with him on my trip to Wisconsin to work at this Wedding.

The Wedding was a traditional Catholic Church Wedding and it was beautiful.  When the Wedding was done the party began.  What I was going to see next was an good old fashion Cheesehead party.:-)

The Wedding reception all began fairly normal with the DJ announcing the bridal party to fun songs and getting everyone seated for what was to come next.  The DJ, known as the Unknown DJ, announced that anyone who wasn’t here to have fun should stand up and walk out the exit door right now.  At this point he told his partner to, “hit it” and he bounced around the room karoaking a country song to all in attendance.  He was sitting on laps and serenading ladies and flirting with others.  I didn’t know whether to sit back and laugh or capture images, of course I did both.

fun wedding dj in wisconsin wedding

fun wedding dj in wisconsin wedding

You would not believe how this DJ changed the whole atmosphere of the Wedding reception.  He opened up people like I have never seen and this ordinary Wedding at a, I think, Holiday Inn reception hall became an extraordinary event that I am talking about years later.  I am sure that the guests at the event are talking this guy up too.

Pick the DJ that works for your Wedding guests and personality

bride and groom kissing game

bride and groom kissing game

The DJ decided to spice things up a bit at dinnertime.  So he went and grabbed the guest book.  He was going to play the “kissing game.”  He would call out a name from the guest book and they had to kiss their partner.  The bride and groom had to  match the kiss.  These kisses were not an easy feat.  This is one above that I feel I captured perfectly.

Wedding Dances, Wedding Songs, Wedding Props

Sometimes guests really get in to the Wedding songs when the DJ gets them excited.  The Unknown DJ had his booth set up backwards, and he had a wireless mic, so that he could walk around the room and pull people on the dance floor.   He brought out a sorts of hats and props throughout the night and handed them out all over the room to wear.  At the end of the night I felt like I was at Mardi Gras.  Here are some hat and fun prop images from the night.

fun props at your wedding

fun props at your wedding

balloon hat at a wedding reception

balloon hat at a wedding reception

fun dancing images at wedding

fun dancing images at wedding

instrument props at wedding reception

instrument props at wedding reception

getting the guests involved at wedding reception

getting the guests involved at wedding reception

fun wedding dance floor wigs

fun wedding dance floor wigs

dancing the night away wedding reception

dancing the night away wedding reception

There was one point in the evening when I looked over at the DJ stand and he was playing the air saxiphone.  This party was hopping all night long.

Wedding garter toss, removal and groom jokes

So the groom had a few things up his sleeves, literally, for the Wedding garter removal.  Check out the images.

the granny panty trick at the Wedding garter removal

the granny panty trick at the Wedding garter removal

a thong or a sumo jock, not really sure?

a thong or a sumo jock, not really sure?

finally the real garter removal by the groom with best man looking on

finally the real garter removal by the groom with best man looking on

of course the bouquet and garter image had a bit of flair

of course the bouquet and garter image had a bit of flair

These are just a few of the images from the thousands that I captured during the day.  I hope that it gives you an idea of some of the different concepts that were used at the Wedding to capture the interest of the guests and get people up dancing and having a grand time at the Wedding reception.

At the end of the night I wasn’t sure if I should run out of this reception or stay the evening and party with the ones that were left.  I typically stay until I feel that I am getting blackmail images for the guests.  For this Wedding it was after 11pm when I finally called it a day.  The bride and groom loved their images and I would guess that this event has spawned a ton of story telling, and will continue to for the rest of their lives.

Hey, check out my Wedding Photography, Images, Faqs, and more at Paul Retherford Photography, LLC
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  • Laila LopezThis feed was tweeted by Themelis Cuiper’s SocialGarden Biz one-on-ones about social marketing & social media advertising – you are doing a super job as he is pointing towards you! &:-)ReplyCancel

Key West Conch Republic Flag flying on our porch

Key West Florida

So we picked up a Key West Conch Republic flag while we were in Key West, Florida for our 5-year anniversary.  It is proudly displayed on our front porch now.  I hung it on the windiest day of the year.  It is staying relatively untangled.

Here is an image of our flag:

conch republic key west florida flag

conch republic key west florida flag

Don’t forget to see my photography website for your destination wedding!

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    Spring has fallen in the UP of Michigan!

    Spring in the upper peninsula of Michigan

    Just last week I was wondering if Spring and Summer would ever come to northern Michigan.  I was checking the weather and hoping for a day around 70 but it only seemed to get in the mid 50s.  The nights brought frost and temps in the 30s and 40s too.

    Today the temps are getting around 70 degrees near me and there are a lot of signs of spring and summer coming.  The birds are out singing, the grass is green, and the trees are showing some leaves.  There is life budding in the UP.

    With Spring comes, thankfully, less mud with the dogs.  It is a full time job giving dogs baths and wiping feet after letting them outside for a romp.  Now they will come in and look at you to get wiped off and they get the OK.  Life is good for them too.

    dog with forget me not necklace

    dog with forget me not necklace

    forget me nots ~ spring bloom in UP Michigan

    forget me nots ~ spring bloom in UP Michigan

    It is easy to complain about the weather but the fact is that I love the change in seasons and the feeling of renewal every year.  I have lived in the South, West Coast, and East and the Midwest is still the most dinamic place to live, in my mind.  You just don’t get the obvious seasons anywhere else that I have seen.  Yah, winter may be 6 or 7 months long some years but when Spring comes it goes from grey and white to green and blazing flowers.  You really can’t beat it!

    So, here we are almost into June and I am itching to get my boat out and see some new areas.  My friend joked yesterday saying that this weather is nothing for a professional captain (if you don’t know I have my 100 ton masters).  I responded, “that is why the boat is called a pleasure craft.”  Not much pleasure in 50 degree water in the face and 40-50 degree temperatures cruising in a boat.

    Memorial Day is really the start of the boating, camping, and tourism season.  Hopefully everyone will find time to venture to the UP and see the beautiful lands up here.  Mackinac Island is a wonderful spot in the world too and it is a great day trip or a vacation location.  Don’t forget about the Les Cheneaux and Drummond Island where there are fantastic views and opportunities for kayaking, camping, boating, and more.

    If you like hiking, the North Country Trail is fantastic!  You will get on a trail and, most likely, not see another soul.  How cool is that.  Talk about solitude and natural beauty.  The North Country Trail can be accessed from numerous locations along roads for easy on and offs for short hikes too.

    Last but not least, try exploring the Great Lakes.  In the UP you can see Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron all in one day if you wish.  I live 30 minutes from each of them.  It is tough to pick a favorite because they all have their own special qualities.  Get out and explore the Upper Michigan Great Lakes and you may find yourself staying for the rest of your lives.

    Come and visit my photography site at Paul Retherford Photography, LLC, www.paulretherford.com.

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      Petoskey, Michigan
      231-445-1793 Paul@PaulRetherford.com