Can an elegant, historic venue become an EDM-fueled rager for a night? With the right DJ and a crowd that’s ready to party, the answer is a definite yes.
Kelsey and Zack’s November wedding at Gramercy Mansion in Stevenson, MD had both elements. Between DJ Steve manning the booth and a crowd of 100 who brought their dancing shoes, this classic event space got more than it bargained for.
The event took place on a crisp, clear Friday in November. In fact, it was a bit too crisp for the ceremony to take place outdoors, as planned. With temperatures in the 40s, Kelsey and Zack wisely decided to move their ceremony from the gardens into the Atrium. Fortunately, this change in location didn’t detract anything from the aesthetics of the wedding. The Atrium at Gramercy Mansion is a beautiful space. Dark wood paneling feels sturdy and historic, while rows of glass doors and transoms let in light along with views of the manicured gardens. White drapery hanging from the ceiling makes the room feel tall and open.
With everyone comfortably ensconced away from the cold, the ceremony could begin. The parents and grandparents had their own moment to shine, accompanied by a cover of Here Comes the Sun by Stringspace Orchestra. The wedding party then made their entrance to a cover of Stand By Me, also by the same group. For Kelsey’s entrance, they stuck with the instrumental cover theme, choosing a piano cover of Ruelle’s I Get to Love You by Brian Catuccio. After the vows and the tears and the kissing, the newly married duo sauntered off to Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) by Stevie Wonder. Always a favorite.
During cocktail hour, the staff at Gramercy Mansion flipped the Atrium, transforming it from ceremony site to dining room. A little white uplighting from Maryland’s DJ softened the edges of the room and added a romantic glow.
To welcome Kelsey and Zack into the reception, DJ Steve cued up Joypunks by EDM artist Big Wild. It set the tone for what was to come later!
For their first dance, the couple chose Simply the Best by Noah Reid, from Schitt’s Creek. This has become a popular choice for first dances, for obvious reasons. It’s a stunning cover, and the lyrics work even better for a slow ballad than the original upbeat pop tempo. Then Kelsey and her dad danced to Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. Instead of choosing a second song for Zack and his mom to dance to, DJ Steve invited them to join in about 2 minutes into the song.
When the dancing began, the “club” opened for the night. The wedding playlist included plenty of EDM and hip-hop, with everything from Wiz Khalifa to Juvenile to Tiesto. With the mansion’s small size and 100 guests, the party was bursting with energy, which photographer Yael from Once Like a Spark caught on film. DJ Steve said this was easily one of his favorite weddings of 2021!
Turning this reception into a VIP club for the evening was a joy. And we’d love to do the same for you! Fill out our online form to reserve your date for the 2022 wedding season!
Published on:
Thursday, January 20, 2022
