There’s a certain progression to how the wedding booking process goes.  First, the venue– if you don’t have your reception site booked, you don’t really have a wedding date yet.  Next, people tend to see the photographers, because we book up quickly.  For most people, the next decision is DJ or band.  While most people opt for DJ’s for budget reasons, there’s nothing that compares to a really good band at a wedding.  Since I’ve started shooting primarily in Kentucky, I haven’t had a band that I could recommend without reservations.

Until now.

I was working a more intimate bridal show yesterday at the Galt House in Louisville, aimed at a multicultural audience.  With my wide background, it was a natural fit for me.  During the show, instead of having a DJ pump in some music to set the mood, there was a band… and what a band it was.  BoogieJuice showed a wide range of musical stylings, from classic 70’s disco to swing, a couple of great Prince songs from the 80’s, and even produced a beautifully slow rendition of Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions’ “People Get Ready.”

They played stuff that was perfect for every point in the reception, whether it be something as simple as some music to transition out of dinner time, to the stuff that calls everyone out on the dance floor.

Speaking with singer Maurice Hamilton after the bridal show ended, I found out that they often play in Lexington and even go as far as Richmond for gigs.  I highly recommend them for your reception, and you can contact them at http://www.boogiejuice.com or call them at 513.652.2358, and as always, let them know I recommended you!

Our good friends over at Jacki Allen’s Kentucky Bride are asking for help with a survey they’ve got going to help guide them content-wise, and they’re offering a free year of Jazzercise to one lucky bride. Click here for details.

One of my favorite Kentucky venues to shoot a wedding at is the beautiful Acres of Land Winery in Richmond. I did Bethany and Ryan’s wedding there last August and I have another wedding there in May. Tina Orr and the staff there take great care of us, and the views are just spectacular.

Early Saturday morning, they had a fire that burned down the winery’s restaurant and tasting room, located on the other side of the road from the wedding venue area. The Land family says they will be rebuilding the restaurant soon, and on Tuesday, they’ll be opening up a temporary tasting room in the winery production building. It’s worth the drive to Richmond to pick up a bottle of their best-selling Vignoles or my favorite, the Chambourcin, which is a great red wine for people who don’t like reds– it’s best chilled, unlike most reds.

Stop by and tell Lowell and Katherine that I sent you!