ELEVATED ENTERTAINMENT WEDDING BLOG
THE RUGGIEROS
10.25.2025
From Vegas to Birmingham: Amanda & Alex’s Wedding Celebration
Some couples have a wedding playlist that tells you what they like. Others tell you a little about who they are. Amanda and Alex gave us plenty of both!
Their story started on separate vacations in Vegas, but it didn't take long for the two to become inseparable (even with an ocean between them). With Alex hailing from the UK and Amanda from sweet home Alabama, their story brought together two sides of the Atlantic, a love of traveling, and their energetic group of friends ready to celebrate them.
After their ceremony at Trinity United Methodist Church, the celebration continued at The Club in Birmingham, Alabama, where we provided DJ services for a reception full of personal details, unexpected musical combinations, and plenty of reasons to get on the dance floor.
From Las Vegas to BHAM
When it came time to introduce Amanda and Alex into their reception, the song choice was an easy favorite: "Viva Las Vegas."
Since Las Vegas was where their paths first crossed on separate vacations, the song was more than just a lively entrance track. It was a nod to the beginning of their story, giving their introduction a personal connection that their guests could celebrate right along with them.
We love moments like this. The right song can do more than set the mood. It can bring a memory back to life, tell a little piece of a couple's story, or give everyone in the room another reason to cheer.
A Music Mix That Crossed Generations
Amanda and Alex's music requests made it clear that their reception wasn't going to fit neatly into one genre. Their playlist jumped from ABBA and Led Zeppelin to Drake favorites like “Headlines,” “God's Plan,” and “Best I Ever Had.”
Throwback party hits like Taio Cruz's “Dynamite” and Soulja Boy's “Kiss Me Thru the Phone” sat alongside newer picks like Disco Lines' “No Broke Boys” and sombr's “12 to 12.”
That mix gave us plenty to work with. We started with Motown and familiar throwbacks, gradually bringing in newer music while weaving through '80s, '90s, and 2000s hits, country, and rap. With guests spanning generations, the goal was to create an environment where everyone could find a song they knew, sing along to a favorite, or discover a reason to jump onto the dance floor.
And that's exactly why we love getting detailed song requests before a wedding. They give us a glimpse into a couple's personalities while helping us build a musical journey that feels cohesive, every couple is so different, and we want their celebration to feel like THEM!
over Thirty Songs on the Do Not Play List? No Problem.
Amanda and Alex came prepared with a substantial Do Not Play list, and we respected every bit of it.
Here's the thing about music: there's a whole lot out there to choose from.
Their extensive list of requested songs gave us plenty of direction for building the night around what they did want to hear. Instead of focusing on what was off the table, we focused on organizing their requests, finding the right moments for different genres, and creating a flow that worked for the room.
This is where thoughtful music planning makes a difference. A “Do Not Play” list isn't a challenge to overcome, it's useful information that helps us understand a couple's taste and shape a reception that feels right for them. With the right preparation and a deep music library, there's always another great song to play.
A Must-Play with a Story Behind It
One of Alex's must-play requests came with an especially personal connection: "Mate" by Airways.
Alex was once a member of the band and toured the world with them, making this song a meaningful part of his own musical history. Of course, we made sure it had its moment during the reception. We even announced the story behind the song so guests could appreciate the connection instead of hearing it as just another track in the mix.
These are the details we love learning about during the planning process. A song request might be a favorite, a shared memory, or a reminder of a chapter in someone's life. Knowing the story behind it lets us give that moment the attention it deserves.
A Classic, Elegant Setting with Plenty of Personality
The reception design paired beautifully with the music-filled celebration. Clean white details, pearls, champagne tones, and silk created an elegant, understated look, while Amanda's bouquet of white calla lilies brought a sculptural touch to the overall design.
It was a polished setting for a couple whose personalities and musical tastes gave the evening plenty of energy.
An American and British Sendoff
The night came full circle with one final song: Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue."
The song actually had two moments. Amanda wanted it played during the reception, so we brought it into the dance-floor mix while guests could fully enjoy it. Later, as everyone headed outside for the sendoff, we played it again, with guests waving American and British flags to celebrate the couple's two-country love story.
It was a fitting ending for an Alabama bride and British groom whose relationship began while traveling and grew into a life together.
From "Viva Las Vegas" to a personal band connection, from Motown sing-alongs to modern rap favorites, Amanda and Alex's reception was a reminder that the best wedding soundtracks aren't built around one kind of music. They're built around the people getting married, the guests celebrating with them, and all the little stories that make the night their own.
Congratulations, Amanda and Alex! We loved being part of your celebration at The Club.
Couple’s Song Choices:
Introduction of Couple to Reception: Viva Las Vegas - Elvis Presley
First Dance: Work Song - Hozier
Exit Song: Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American) - Toby Keith
Must Plays:
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) - ABBA
Mate - Airways
Vegas - Doja Cat
Levitating - Dua Lipa
Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Last Night - Morgan Wallen
Vendor Team:
Venue: The Club
Planning: MTG Celebrations
Photographer: Prestley B Photos
Florist: Jim Barron
Planning a Birmingham wedding? At Elevated Entertainment, we build every reception around your music preferences, your people, and the moments you want to remember. Whether your playlist spans generations or your Do Not Play list is thirty songs long, we'll help you bring it all together.