I recently performed as a DJ in Arizona for a very nice couple who had a celebrity guest at their wedding. He was a childhood friend who achieved fame and fortune in the music and television entertainment industries, and was attending their wedding as a guest and groomsman in their bridal party.
Keep in mind that he was not there with an agenda other than being a friend. He was not promoting a new book or movie or reality tv show, and had no particular desire to be recognized. I had been prepared to play any number of his hit songs, either from the original group he performed with or any of his subsequent hits as a solo artist. However, after planning the evening with the bride and groom, they made it clear that I was not to do so even if requested, and I was happy to honor their wishes. They simply wanted their friend to be there and be comfortable, and not singled out with the white hot spotlight. I happen to agree, as I think the focus of any wedding celebration is the bride and groom.
Then the trouble began. During the course of the evening, one of their other guests noticed the man in question and made the connection. She then approached me with her bright idea. “Here’s what I want you to do,” she said. “You need to announce to everyone that there is a celebrity here, and then point him out and play one of his songs dedicated to the bride and groom.” I explained to her that I was very aware of the circumstance, and attempted to let her know why that would not be appropriate. “Oh, no way,” she drunkenly and stubbornly insisted. “If you don’t do what I say then I will go to my friend the groom and have him make you.” Before I could do anything about it, she proceeded to accost the newly married couple with her demand and continued to harass them until it became obvious to them that she would not relent without causing a scene. She was convinced that she knew their desires better than they did. The groom reluctantly asked me to go ahead and placate his drunken friend and actually apologized to me for the confusion and embarassment that she had caused. He felt that it was the only way she would let them enjoy the rest of the evening in relative peace, so in essence she ended up forcing her way on the couple and temporarily controlling the agenda. Their celebrity friend smiled and begrudgingly went along, but clearly felt as I did: that this was the Bride and Groom’s special day and not his.
My plea is simple. The next wedding you are invited to attend, please remember that the married couple is the focus and honor of the event. Although you may be a veritable font of great concepts for the success of their event, chances are unless you were involved in the planning phase that your input may not be needed. Did this woman truly believe that she was the only one who saw the celebrity in their midst, and that she was inspired with a brilliant idea no one else had considered? Did she really have the audacity to think that the couple didn’t know of their friend’s success, despite the fact that they grew up together and that he was a member of their bridal party? Perhaps the casual partygoing friend was unaware or oblivious, however the fact remains that she was out of line by insisting on having her way.
A Bride and Groom should be supported on their wedding day and have their particular vision of happiness supported, especially on the first day of their new life together. Please allow them the respect that they deserve.
Cameron Carpenter
Arizona Wedding DJ – Three Oceans Entertainment
It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they shared their heat. After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth. Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it was the warmth that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.
Moral of the story: The best relationships are not based on striving for perfection, but accepting the faults of others close to you.
Arizona Wedding Videography and Disc Jockey Services
Please join Three Oceans Entertainment in support of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation 5k Walk/Run at the Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix Arizona on November 7th, 2010. This will be held in honor of Lung Cancer survivors Leslie Lehrman and Christy Neudecker as they host the occasion’s inaugural installment joined by Dr. James Dellaripa, MD who will chair the event.
The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (BJALCF) is a fine organization and a worthy cause, dedicated to eradicating lung cancer and working with patients, survivors, and their families through research, early detection, awareness, education, prevention, and treatment. They can be found online at http://www.lungcancerfoundation.org/ and information, registration, and general donation is also at http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=433921 .
Even if you can’t attend, will you please take a moment to learn about the cause and what you can do to help? We hope to see you at the 2010 BJALCF 5k Walk/Run in Phoenix on Saturday, November 7th. Thank you!
Here is a cross-post from a friend supporting the Arizona Animal Welfare League and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals in the Walk to Save Animals on Saturday, November 14 2009 at Tempe Town Lake.
I believe that animals are people too, so I’m happy to place the information here and hope that you are able to help with this worthy cause:
Mandy and Madison
Dear friends,
As many of you know, our sweet Mandy is a rescue from the Humane Society. She used to be timid, scared and abused animal with little hope. Today, she is a vibrant, loving member of our family that learned to overcome her sad past and trust again. But most importantly, she knows love. She was lucky to be saved, but many others aren’t so lucky. Madison, our giant golden retriever, is also a resuce from a no kill shelter. Our girls are an incredible part of of lives – there’s nothing better than being greeted with kisses after work or seeing the excitement in their eyes when they get to go for a ride in the car. They ask us for very little: lovin’ from mom and dad (and our guests!), a good ear scratch, a couple meals a day and a bit of playtime, but give us so much in return.
Because we believe homeless and abused animals need all the help they can get we are supporting the Arizona Animal Welfare League and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals in The Walk to Save Animals on Saturday, November 14 at Tempe Town Lake. We’re raising money and recruiting walkers to show support for two institutions that care and advocate for sick, homeless and abused animals. We’d be honored if you could join our walk team (Team Rufus – in honor of a friend’s pup who went to doggie heaven earlier this year) and/or make a donation to the fight to save animals. No donation is too small – the animals appreciate every penny you give them and every donation truly makes a difference.
Here’s how you can help:
https://aawlwalk.dojiggy.com/signup/register.cfm?mode=p&PageID=59113&EventID=6828. Make sure you choose “Join a Team” – on the next page you will be able to choose “Team Rufus”. Children and pets are welcome. Mandy and Madison will be walking with Greg and I =)
- The Snediker Family
The memorial ride to honor Anthony Holly and celebrate his life by doing some good out there was on Saturday, October 24th, 2009. This was a fantastic event that not only paid tribute to a great man, but also benefited the organization which bears his name, The Anthony Holly Foundation. I say this because I know firsthand of the positive impact they have in Arizona, continuing Anthony’s legacy of sacrifice and giving. They truly are “helping Arizona’s youth” and if you choose to support them as well, you can be confident that they really are trying to make a change for the better for everyone.
Here are some photos from this year’s ride. Please join us next year, or visit their website to see how you can help, at www.AnthonyHollyFoundation.org . Thanks to everyone who gave of themselves and created an inspiring event. Speaking for myself, I know that I could really feel the love.
Setup
Early Arrival
Lining Up
Getting Ready
Three Oceans DJ
Ink Therapy
Sweet Ride
And We're Off!
Let's Ride
More Riders
Feel the Thunder
Bittersweet Smile
The Destination
Harold's Corral
Yee Haw!
DJ Cameron
Lots of Support
Havana Cigars
Results
Good People
Another Winner
In Memory of Anthony Holly
Helping Arizona's Youth
Three Oceans Entertainment is honored to be involved with the Anthony Holly Foundation as a DJ for the 3rd Annual Anthony Holly Memorial Ride.
Anthony was a true hero; among many other things he was a member of the United States Air Force and USAF Honor Guard, a Big Brothers/Big Sisters volunteer, a Little League baseball coach, and a Glendale AZ Police Officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2007.
On October 24th, 2009 the Anthony Holly Foundation is sponsoring a “Poker Run” (5 stop ride) to raise funds for the children’s charities of the foundation. This will be a great opportunity to have fun and help a worthy cause. I’m helping for those reasons and more. I believe that Anthony was a great person and deserves nothing less than our appreciation and respect for a life well lived, and that his legacy continues in the great work of the group founded in his name. Please mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 24th and visit their website for further information and to register for the event. The website is http://anthonyhollyfoundation.org and donations are welcome and accepted if you are unable to participate.
Please help me celebrate the life of a truly remarkable man and do your soul a favor by being a part of the good work that continues in his name.
