This wedding reception was fantastic. Sure, it was at the Statler Hotel Ballroom on the Cornell University campus, but that’s not really why it was fantastic (although that helped.) It really boiled down to the fact that the Bride, Groom and guests were just fantastic people and everyone was having a great time dancing and enjoying the special moments of the wedding reception. What special moments? The well-produced video montage during the Father of the Bride’s welcoming greeting was one such moment. The family tradition of the dancing alligator was another special event that I shall not soon forget. But most of all it was the fun-loving spirit of the families and guests in attendance there to celebrate the marriage of Sarah and Robbie. I’ll say it again, this wedding was fantastic.

Once the doors to the ballroom opened, formal introductions took place followed by the Bride and Groom’s first dance. They chose a song that was previously unknown to me however it was a great choice… “More Love” by Tim O’Brien. After the first dance, toasts were given by the Best Man, Derek and Matron of Honor, Lauren.

The staff at the Statler always does an exemplary job and the meal and service provided by the Statler was perfect. Between the meal courses we had the other formal dances.Sarah and her father danced to “Father & Daughter” by Paul Simon while Robbie and his mother danced to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.

Once the open dancing started, it was simply exhilarating to witness the enthusiasm of everyone on the dancefloor. But the highlight of the evening had to have been when I started playing “Wipe Out” by the Beach Boys to hearld the arrival of the dancing alligator. This is a long-standing family tradition and pretty much mayhem ensued as the dancefloor transformed itself into a quivering blob of bodies wriggling around on their backs. Let’s just say it was hilarious and you would have had to have seen it to fully appreciate it. Bravo for family traditions like that!

The evening closed with a wonderful Frank Sinatra song, “The Way You Look Tonight.”

Sarah and Robbie, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding. It really was a memorable wedding reception for so many reasons. Enjoy these photos that I took during the evening.