Hermitage Museum and Gardens | Norfolk, VA | October | Kevin + Emma

Their Love Story: From the Grooms perspective: "Emma and I met at a “Welcome Home Party” for my Airwing returning from deployment. We were set up by our best friends, Chris and Courtney, as potential dates for our community ball that happens every fall. I was pitched as low effort, fun fling of a date for the ball! I turned out to not be a low effort at all! Emma must have decided I was worth it after a long, spirited speech from me on the under-appreciated musical abilities of Carly Rae Jepsen compared to other pop stars, in particular Taylor Swift. I was smitten immediately, although I thought I had to play it cool by continuing our conversations on Snapchat and missed the sign to ask for her phone number. Emma is fearless and hit me with a “here’s my phone number because you asked for it” and she was bound to be stuck with me ever after."

I initially met Emma & her mom at a Bridal Show in January at the Norfolk Scope and we knew this was going to be a perfect connection. She got Carrie of Happy Hour Hostess as her Wedding Planning and the planning was "on and popping". They hired some of the area's best Wedding Vendors to bring their vision and passions to life. As both active-duty members of the Navy they entrusted most of the heavy lifting for their Wedding Planning to their seasoned Wedding Professionals. Leading up to their Wedding the plans came together so perfectly and when it came to the music for their Wedding. Emma & Kevin knew exactly what they wanted and it was my job to bring it all together.

Emma & Kevin were so deeply in love and so excited to be able to celebrate the most important day of their lives with all of their family & friends. When I first saw Kevin & Emma on their Wedding Day it was all smiles and joy!

On this beautiful day at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens on October 26th, 2019, I arrived to begin my set up for the cocktail hour and reception. Kevin & Emma along with their family and bridal party were taking wedding portraits with the talented Of Fate and Chaos & Gibby Visuals. The planning team lead by Krystinia Carney of The Happy Hour Hostess put the final touches of the decor and layout in preparation for the cocktail hour.

Kevin & Emma requested I play Jazz music in the months leading up to the wedding during Cocktail Hour so I began with a very elegant collection of contemporary, fusion and smooth jazz. The guests were in very high spirits and we were all ready to have a great time! Drinks were flowing, the fall weather was perfect and everyone came dressed to impress. I walked around to greet the guests to make sure they felt welcomed as I continued to play my diverse selection of jazz ballads.

We then ushered the guests into the reception area and I conducted my initial introduction to the guests, I started to bring in some more upbeat music as Emma and Kevin were announced to "Plainsong" by The Cure, for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Siefert! They came in with a LOUD applause as everyone was excited to see them. Emma danced with her father to Delaney Talks to Statues by Jimmy Buffett and Kevin danced with his mom to How Sweet it Is by James Taylor. For Emma & Kevin's first they choose a song that meant so much to them and they wanted to dance to their entire song as they sang each other the lyrics to Sweet Thing by Waterboys. It really was a sweet thing to watch!

Vendor Shout outs: The sunset was beautiful next to the rentals set up in the garden by Rusty Cottage. The transition from the cocktail hour in the Millstone Courtyard to the Reception Area was under a tent that was separated by a Light Up Tunnel, done by Blue Steel Lighting. Their blessing was done by Father Mike as the cocktail food was perfectly laid out and began to be served by Omar’s to the guests. The guests had three different options by Omar’s and three stations consisting of “She Crab Soup, Grilled Chicken Breast, Steamship Round of Beef Carving Station, Sweet Potato Bar, & Roasted Seasonal Vegetable Display".