This venue is one of our favourites and the third time we've been back for a wedding. The lush foliage, chirping birds and, of coarse butterflies, makes this one of the most unique places to get married in all of Ontario.
Saturday, August 15, 2023, with the constant threat of isolated thunderstorms in the area. Kelly and Adam celebrated their marriage with about 50 of their close friends and family at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory.
Kelly and Adam's plan was to have their ceremony in the conservatory under the waterfall. As awesome as this is, it does present a unique challenge for the DJ as I can't see the entrance to the conservatory. This is where having a helper is critical. Jen waits at the entrance and sends me a text when the bridal party starts to head down the path and I need to start playing the correct music. We've had a couple times now to practice it and had it perfect for Kelly and Adam!
After a very well preformed ceremony that lasted about 20 minutes by the officiant, they sealed their marriage with a kiss and the release of butterflies.
Ceremony songs were:
- Thousand Years (piano/cello cover) by the Piano Guys
- I Get To Love You by Ruelle
- Marry Me by Train
- Celebration by Kool and the Gang
After the ceremony we turned out attention to the cocktail hour. The butterfly conservatory has a unique layout for weddings that requires some extra gear provided by the DJ. We use two speakers in the conservatory for the ceremony and first dance (more on that later), then use two speakers in the reception room for dinner, speeches and main dancing. However cocktail is usually held in the lobby. this requires a 5th speaker to ensure music is played for cocktail. Placing the fifth speaker saves us time by not having to remove an existing speaker and having to set up back up again. This makes for a much better experience for guests and is one of the additions we provide for our clents at no extra charge.
By 6:45 pm we start to rally the guests out of the lobby and into the main reception area. This is followed by the grand entrance, a short speech by the happy couple and then everyone settled in for dinner.
Grand entrance songs:
- You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall and Oats
- Celebration by Kool and the Gang
The main reception room was beautifully decorrelated with round tables and a head table set for six. We loved the white, turquois, and gray balloon arch way. It was a real hit for pictures and aesthetics!
Dinner was a four course meal that did not disappoint.
The first course was a cream style soup that tasted out-of-this-world!
Second course was a Caesar salad with yummy bacon and an excellent Caesar dressing.
Third course was your choice of either chicken or beef. Both Jen and I choose the beef and we absolutly made the right decision. You cold literally cut it with a fork! The creamy mashed potatoes were also a yummy addition. One of the best wedding meals we have ever had!
Desert was excellent, a mousse with whipped cream, dark chocolate flakes and a yummy raspberry sauce.
Once dinner was finished, it was time to cut the cake.
Song for choice was Sugar, Sugar by the Archies.
It was now time for all of us to migrate back to the conservatory for the first dance. While the first dance is happening, the staff at the butterfly conservatory go into super-human-mode and re-configure the reception room for dancing. It's amazing how they do it so fast!
Kelly and Adam's first dance song was Soul by Lee Brice.
The conservatory is even more mysterious at night. With some accent lighting it takes on a whole new world with some nocturnal creatures coming out, it's difficult to describe and something you should experience for yourself if you ever have the chance.
We all headed back to the reception room for a couple hours of great music and dancing. With Kelly and Adam's guest mostly over the age of 40, slow songs where the agenda for the evening, however we did get a few faster ones in there and it looked like everyone had a great time.
Great shout out to Dragi Andovski from DA Photography. One of the nicest photographers we've ever met!
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Wonderful Wedding - Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory - Cambridge, On
By
Paul Nuyens
Starlight DJ Services
Venue: Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory.
Caterer: Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory.
Photographer: DA Photography
Video: N/A
Some of the songs that got the most people dancing:
Every Breath You Take by The Police
For Ever and Ever by Randy Travis
Amazed by Lonestar
Low by Flo Rida
Runaround Sue by Dion
Don't Want To Miss A Thing by Aerosmith
Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex
Save The Last Dance For Me - Anne Murray
Listen To Your Heart by Roxette
You Are The Reason by Scott, Calum & Leona Lewis