Of all the vegetarian San Diego wedding DJs (OK, so there’s only 1 other I know of), Elle & Erik chose me to officiate, DJ, MC, and provide lighting and a photo booth for their La Jolla Shores Hotel destination wedding on Sunday, June 11, 2017. So Elle is vegan, and we bonded immediately over me being a vegetarian DJ (and may I just say fabulous vegan options at this shindig).
THE LOVE STORY
Elle & Erik’s wedding date was their 10 year anniversary to the day! Back in 2007 on their first date, Elle & Erik, who are from Tucson, shared their first kiss in a…parking lot LOL 🙂
On November 12th, 2016, Elle & Erik went tailgating with friends and then to play putt putt. While at the golf course—wait, do you say ‘golf course’ with Putt Putt? Anyway, Erik got a text from his friend saying to meet for drinks. When Elle & Erik arrived at the restaurant, their friends had not yet arrived. Elle wanted to wait at the bar, but Erik kept saying, ‘Let’s just wait at a table.’ Finally Elle agreed to wait at a table, and the hostess started leading them back. When they got to the table, there was curtains around it. The hostess opened the curtains, and there was rose petals, champagne, and a teddy bear. Elle went into shock and asked, ‘Is this what I think it is?’ She started crying so hard that she could barely see Erik pull out the ring box. Ahhhh….
Together they enjoy watching “The Voice” and “Survivor,” taking their dogs Layla, Rico, and Posh to the dog park, going to the movies, traveling, game nights with friends, putt putt golf, bowling, and a good Pad Thai.
THE CEREMONY
Since I wrote and delivered the ceremony, here is an excerpt from the introduction word for word:
Did you all know that Elle and Erik have been together for ten years…in fact, TODAY is their 10 year anniversary! I thought about it and realized the number 10 is the perfect representation of marriage. We normally think of the #2 for that, right? But the number 10 is the first number in which two numbers must come together to form one.
And not only are two numbers, the one and the zero, required, but these two numbers come together exactly as a married couple should. The one and the zero are always written so that there is a tiny space between them—the 1 is always a 1 and the zero is always a zero…yet they are always together as a pair despite still being their original digits.
Now Erik, I hope you understand in this arrangement that when it comes to the number 10…the one must always come first. Now I’m not saying you are “a zero” 🙂 but as long as you keep this lady at the forefront, on the pedestal she belongs on, you’ll soon turn 10 to 20 and 20 to 40…I promise!
The other reason I like the number 10 for Elle and Erik is because, in 2006, the gymnastics community stopped scoring gymnastic performances on a 10.0 scale where ten is deemed “perfect.” Perfect does not exist and that is why they changed the scoring system. Marriage will not be perfect either, but it too will still be a thing of beauty that challenges you, rewards you, and feeds a special place in your soul.
Here is the “grand finale:”
Before we send this amazing couple out into the adventurous world of matrimony, let us close our eyes and go within for a moment.
Elle and Erik, may you always feel the love and energy that surrounds you right now in this moment. Feel the power and depth of the ocean on one side of you…a force that rivals the love, friendship, and hope from your friends and family on the opposite side of you. This is the space between the “1” and the “zero.” Breathe it in and go forward into your marriage with this peace, strength, and encouragement always in your hearts and minds. Amen.
Without further adieu, it is my distinct honor to pronounce that you are now husband and wife. Erik, you may kiss the bride!!!
THE LA JOLLA SHORES HOTEL DESTINATION WEDDING RECEPTION
After the wedding party was introduced to the “friends” theme song (“I’ll Be There for You,” Rembrandts), the newlyweds entered and did their First Dance to 311’s “Love Story.” Our half-vegan menu was delicious (vegan roast, roasted root veggies, etc). The couple played the Shoe Game before the toasts and parent dances. Erik danced with his mom to the acoustic version of “Angel” by Flipside. Elle and her dad recorded and choreographed there own custom dance mix (be sure to check it out in the video below). We took a group photo on the dance floor then kicked off dancing and photo booth-ing!
THE PLAYLIST
For the cocktail hour/dinner playlist at this La Jolla Shores Hotel destination wedding, the bride and groom requested songs from the “Hotel Costes” compilations, Motown/R&B; Summer-time Hip Hop, and covers by groups like Bird & Bee, Pomplamoose, and Postmodern Jukebox. These were Elle & Erik’s must-play dance songs:
- “Hotel California,” the Eagles
- “One Bedroom,” Yellow Card
- “Only One,” Yellow Card
- “Your Guardian Angel,” Red Jump Suit Apparatus
- “Anything, Anything,” Dramarama
- “Follow you Down,” Gin Blossoms
- “Open your Eyes,” Snow Patrol
- “Night Drive,” Jimmy Eat World
- “Inside Out,” Eve 6
- “I Want You to Want Me,” Cheap Trick
- “Crash into Me,” Dave Mathews Band
- “Everlong,” Foo Fighters
Again, I was honored to be the one and only vegetarian San Diego wedding DJ Elle & Erik trusted with their La Jolla Shores Hotel Destination wedding. Thank you! See more at #MrAndMrsBarnes17.
SAN DIEGO WEDDING VENDOR LIST
Here is the amazing team of San Diego wedding vendors I had the pleasure of working with on Sunday:
- Venue/Caterer ➔ La Jolla Shores Hotel
- DJ/Officiant/Photo Booth/Lighting ➔ DJ Staci Nichols
- Photographer ➔ Bri White Photography
- Cake Bakery ➔ Sweet Cheeks Bakery
Post by DJ Track Star Staci
I'm DJ Track Star Staci, an international DJ, MC, turntablist, & producer for 14 years. My clients have included: Lamborghini, Victoria's Secret, Reebok, and many more. My performances are trusted at A-list events like Comic Con, Entrepreneur of the Year, and movie premieres. I've rocked Sr. Frogs in Cancun, music festivals, the Vegas strip, celebrity events, & 500 weddings. Check my availability, get an instant fee estimate, or listen to some of my DJ sets or my original remixes & mash-ups.
