Flipside has played all kinds of different venues for New Years Eve over the years, but this event truly stand out as a couple putting their personal stamp on the night. Both bride and groom come from families with a background in boating and running marinas in Rhode Island – one in Kingston and one on Block Island. The groom and I decided that the most logical place to do some wedding planning was on his boat while doing some fishing off of Point Judith and we had his fiancé’ Anna on speaker phone to go over music ideas while Jon and I caught a few bluefish and albies. I encourage this for all future wedding planning, by the way.
The wedding itself took pace in the magnificent botanical gardens in Rhode Island, which is lush, verdant Jurassic Park setting that really lends itself to creative decor and lighting. We had played at the groom’s sister’s wedding in Block Island a few years previous and knew this was going toe a raucous crowd, but seeing the way this wonderful venue looked with lighting got the band even more hyped up for a great night.
Joined by our violinist Marnie for the ceremony and cocktail hour, Jon and Anna chose “Blackbird” by the Beatles as a processional and the gorgeous Jeff Buckley version of “Hallelujah” for the bride’s entrance. We then moved proceedings over to the Conservatory for cocktail hour where we referenced the couples’ ocean vibes with some Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Van Morrison and other mellow acoustic songs played by myself and Marnie.
Moving back in to the Mediterranean Room, which had been expertly turned into a beautiful dinner setting, we kicked off with a classic ballad for their first dance: “At Last” by Etta James. The dance floor filled up right after dinner and some particular highlights were all the guests in all their finery singing along on “Good As Hell” by Lizzo and a special midnight request of 1999 by Prince that featured our lead singers Kira and David. That is one of those songs that, once that groove kicks in, you just never want it to end. It was a magical night with a great couple and a New Years Eve that none of us will forget.
