This Lion Rock Farm wedding was one for the books. From the start, I had recommended to the bride and groom that the overall length of the night not exceed six hours. They were firm at 6.5 so I agreed. Generally speaking, once weddings exceed six hours in total, including the ceremony, your guests end it for you. Six hours is a long day. Boy was I wrong. That dancefloor was packed for nearly four hours! AND THEY WANTED MORE! Unfortunately, the venue was not able to accommodate the extension so we ended on a very high note.

The day began with the couple’s ceremony wayyyy out by a large tree in the middle of the adjacent field. This was interesting to run power for speakers and microphones but we came prepared. Cocktail hour was held behind the barn, complete with your bar and classic garden games.

We got rolling once the Reception got underway, outside under a large open-air wedding tent. It was a gorgeous June summer night in Sharon, Connecticut. So after dinner, spotlight dances, and toasts, we kicked off the dancing by having guests join in following parent dances with a little Dave Matthews Band. The dance floor then took on a life of its own that would just not let up. Even the vendor crew were an absolute blast to work with. Getting a dance floor started with such a large guest list (180!) can sometimes be difficult, but they were all about the fun and needed no encouragement. Dance floors are a little like gravity. Small dance floors are easy to get going but can sometimes lose momentum. Larger dance floors are slower to get going, but once they gain momentum they are just GONE!

I had such a blast working with the team that came together for this rustic, open-air wedding in Sharon. If that’s your speed, Lion Rock Farm weddings are DEFINITELY up your alley!

Guests: 180

Age Groups: 20s/30s & 50s+

Wedding Party: Yes

Wedding Party Introduced: No

Dinner: Tables assigned, half plated half family style

Music Likes: Parsonsfield, Eli Young Band, Dave Matthews Band, Maroon 5, Dan & Shay, Mumford and Sons, Passenger, Love & Theft, Goo Goo Dolls, Colbie Caillat, Rihanna.

Agenda

4:30 PM – Ceremony

5:00 PM – Cocktail Hour

6:00 PM – Reception

6:15 PM – Introduction

First Dance

7:00 PM – Dinner served

~20 mins    Toasts

Parent Dances

9:30 PM – Cake Cutting

11:00 PM – Conclusion

Song Selections

• Someday – Passenger
• Here Comes the Sun – Beatles

• Faster – Matt Nathanson

• Diamonds or Twine – Ryan Hurd

• How Sweet It Is – James Taylor
• Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion

• Last Dance – Donna Summer

Vendors

Venue: Lion Rock Farm (Sharon)

Caterer: Brandon Scimeca at Hunt & Harvest

Wedding Planner: Charissa Eykelhoff of Simply Loved Weddings

Videographer: Josh Cyr of Millside Wedding Films

Photographer: Constance Schiano of Constance Schiano Photography (Credit: Main photo)