ELEVATED ENTERTAINMENT WEDDING BLOG

THE DUQUES

04.06.2024

Alyssa & Kevin: A Love Story A Decade in the Making

April 6, 2024, was a day to remember for Alyssa and Kevin. After over 10 years together, including the trials and triumphs of long college years—Alyssa becoming an attorney and Kevin a dental endodontist—they finally tied the knot.

Their love story had come full circle, and the day was filled with the joy of their shared journey, promising each other and their families that they'd wait until they had ALL the degrees before saying “I do.”

Engagement Session at Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Before the big day, they had a stunning engagement photo session with their photographers Eric and Jamie (& associates) at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Beyond just gorgeous photos, doing an engagement session is a great chance to get comfortable in front of the camera and build a connection with your photographer. It’s one of the best ways to ease any photo-nerves and ensure everything feels natural and fun on the wedding day. Alyssa and Kevin’s session captured their love in such a timeless way—setting the perfect tone for their upcoming celebration.

A Double Dose of "I Do"

This wedding day was as unique as their love story. They had not one, but two ceremonies to celebrate their union. The first took place at Prince of Peace, where their vows were exchanged in the presence of their families and friends. Later, they made their way to the Barn at Shady Lane, where the second ceremony occurred outdoors, under the beautiful arbor. The setting was as stunning as their love for each other.

The couple even managed to sneak in a creative moment—a group photo with all of their guests at the altar! It was a fun and meaningful way to capture the people who’ve supported them over the years.

Spring Pastels, Signature Sips, and a Wedding Crest That Tied It All Together

Alyssa and Kevin’s wedding had a spring-inspired color palette brought the whole event to life—from the soft powder blue of the bridesmaids' dresses to the lush floral arrangements that added romance and elegance to every corner of the venue. The whole design felt light, fresh, and full of joy—perfectly fitting for an April celebration.

One of the standout elements of their wedding was their custom-designed crest, which wove its way through nearly every detail of the day. It all began with their invitations, which gave guests a first peek at the elegant and personalized emblem. On the big day, the crest appeared in full color as a stunning GOBO projection—our very first time debuting this vibrant new upgrade! It added such a unique and polished touch to the reception space.

But it didn’t stop there. They made sure their crest made a statement across the celebration: from their bar cups and napkins, to custom cookies that doubled as favors, and their photobooth print design that gave guests a fun (and frame-worthy!) keepsake. Every detail worked together to create a cohesive, unforgettable experience.

And of course, we can’t forget the custom cocktail menu! They had FIVE signature drinks: two based on their line of work- “The Root Canal” and “The Legal Ease”, and then three inspired by their beloved cats Stella, Charlie, and Lilly. It was such a fun nod to their life together, and a big hit with guests. Whether they were sipping a custom cocktail or dancing the night away, everyone could feel how much thought and love went into the celebration.

Curated Vibes & a Crowd That Never Quit

When it came to music, Alyssa and Kevin gave us an incredible jumping-off point: a blend of upbeat Latin hits, pop throwbacks, and high-energy dance tracks that showed off their fun-loving side. From Bad Bunny to Taylor Swift to Pitbull, their requests told us one thing loud and clear—this was going to be a celebration from start to finish.

We took their must-plays and “play if possible” list and used it to build a full, flowing soundtrack for the night—reading the room, watching what got the biggest reactions, and layering in songs that kept guests on their feet. Whether we were dropping “Wop” and “Yeah!” or surprising the crowd with ABBA’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!”, the energy never dipped.

This is the kind of reception we live for—where the floor stays full, the crowd is locked in, and the music is a true reflection of the couple’s style and story. Our couple brought the party, and their guests kept it going all night long. Alyssa even changed into a fun reception party dress and sneakers to dance easier!

When not dancing, guests were living it up in the GLAM Prints Photobooth, capturing even more fun moments throughout the night. (See more photobooth photos at the bottom of this page!)

The Elevated Entertainment Experience

We were so thrilled to be a part of Alyssa and Kevin's special day, providing sound for their Shady Lane ceremony with reception DJ services. One of the business highlights for us was debuting our new full color monogram/crest projection—what a stunning addition to the celebration! We also loved seeing everyone’s reactions when they received their prints from the GLAM Prints Photobooth.

A Dazzling Goodbye

As the dancefloor came to an end, we sent their guests to the sendoff to “Closing Time” by Semisonic. As guests went outside, Kevin and Alyssa stayed for one final moment alone on their big day - the private last dance. They chose to dance to Forever And For Always by Shania Twain, and twirled around the dancefloor as the happy tears flowed.

For the sendoff they chose to use cold sparks for some flare and a classic car as their getaway for a timeless moment. It was the perfect way to cap off a celebration filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

Alyssa and Kevin’s wedding was everything they dreamed of and more. From their two ceremonies to the personalized details, it was a day that will be remembered for years to come.

Thank you for letting Elevated Entertainment be part of your beautiful celebration! We wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness as you continue your journey together.

SCROLL TO SEE PHOTOBOOTH PHOTOS!

THE COUPLES SONG CHOICES:

Ceremony Preludes - songs played as the guests arrive and seated

Begin Again (Piano Guys Cover) - Taylor Swift

Magic (Piano Cover by Costantino Carrara) - Coldplay

Somewhere Only We Know (Cello cover of Keane) - Simply Three

Ceremony- Pre-Processional- Played as the honored family members walk down the aisle

The One - Kodaline

Ceremony- Processional- Played as the wedding party walks down the aisle

The One - Kodaline (Continued)

Ceremony- Bride Song - Played as the bride walks down the aisle- can be same as Processional

I Get To Love You - Ruelle

Ceremony Recessional - Played as the newlyweds and their wedding party exit back down the aisle

Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding

Introduction of Couple to Reception - Yellow - Coldplay

First Dance - You're Still The One - Shania Twain

Father - Daughter Dance - Landslide - Fleetwood Mac

2nd Father- Daughter Dance -When You Need Me - Bruce Springsteen

Mother- Son Dance - Don't Worry Mama - Merritt Lyrics

Cake Cutting - Hands - Macy Gray

Private Last Dance - Forever And For Always - Shania Twain

Exit Song - Closing Time - Semisonic

COUPLE’S TOP SONG REQUESTS":

Mia - Bad Bunny Feat. Drake

Wop - J. Dash

Take You There - Sean Kingston

Despacito - Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) - Mamma Mia Cast

Hotel Room Service - Pitbull

Love Story - Taylor Swift

Best Love Song - T-Pain Feat. Chris Brown

Shut Up And Dance - Walk The Moon

VENDOR TEAM:

Venues: Prince of Peace Church, Barn at Shady Lane

Planning: Grace and Truth Weddings

Photographer: Elizabeth with Eric & Jamie Photography

Videographer: Bright and Gray Creative

Catering: Happy Catering Company

Floral: Susan Milner Design

Rentals: Decor to Adore, Creative Entertainment

Cake: The P'Pools Bakehouse

Cheesecake : That Cheesecake