A Beautiful Wedding at the Miners Foundry: Zachary & Lauren’s Big Day
- Matthew Connelly
- Oct 22, 2024
- 4 min read
When you DJ weddings for a living, you start to see the little things that make each celebration unique. Some couples want a rager, some want a lovefest, and some—like Zachary and Lauren—want the perfect mix of sentimental, soulful, and straight-up fun. With Miners Foundry in Nevada City as the backdrop, their February wedding was a dream for both them and their guests. And me? I had the best seat in the house, behind the decks, making sure the soundtrack matched the magic.
Let’s break it down, DJ-style..
The Ceremony: Love in the Air (and a Carefully Curated Playlist)
Start time: 4:00 PM. Lauren and Zach kept things intimate and heartfelt with an unplugged ceremony (which I always recommend—trust me, nothing kills the moment like a rogue ringtone or Aunt Karen disrupting the ceremony to get a shot with her iPhone 7). Guests arrived to a playlist I curated, featuring upbeat mingling music. Instrumental or lyrical? They didn’t mind. My job was to make sure it vibed. I leaned on some of my favorites from Mumford and Sons, David Gray, and Nathaniel Rateliff.
The Processionals and Recessional
Honor seating: Zach, the officiant, Lauren’s mom, Lauren’s grandma, and Zach’s parents made their way down the aisle to “Woman” by Mumford & Sons.
Wedding party processional: “Ivy” by Leon Bridges set the tone as they walked down.
Lauren’s Entrance: The highly anticipated moment! She made her way down the aisle to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” (Craymer, Jason Lux, Ruthie Craft). If that didn’t give you chills, I’m not sure what would.
After the vows, they took communion while I played a low-volume Christian backing track, setting a peaceful and reverent mood. Then it was time to celebrate their “I do’s” with a high-energy exit to “Good Morning” by Max Frost (starting at the 0:10 mark for maximum impact).
Cocktail Hour: Speakeasy Chic
Vibe: Brassy jazz drums, lounge feels, and a speakeasy energy. Think Bruno Mars, Mac Miller, Anderson .Paak, and Silk Sonic.
This wasn’t just background music—it was a whole mood. The drinks were flowing, the guests were grooving, and the anticipation for the reception was building.
Grand Entrance & First Dance: Making It Official
Zach and Lauren skipped the wedding party intros and went straight for the big moment. To “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone, they were announced as “the new Mr. and Mrs. Hazell.”
And because they knew how to keep the momentum going, they jumped right into their first dance, swaying to “When I Get My Hands On You” by The New Basement Tapes (fading out at around 2:40, just after a picture-perfect dip).
Afterward, Lauren’s mom gave a heartfelt welcome before handing it over for a blessing.
Dinner, Toasts, and Cake Cutting: Love, Laughter, and a Chill Playlist
The dinner began at 6:30 with a plated meal, and the music shifted to a more relaxed vibe compared to the cocktail hour—featuring love songs, mellow tunes, and a touch of reggae. The playlist included “Peaceful Place” by Leon Bridges, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (Lana Del Rey version), and “Old School Feeling” by Rebelution.
Toasts Lineup:
Lauren’s mom
Best Man
Zach’s sister
Lauren’s siblings
They kept it structured—no open mic, which meant no unexpected drunken ramblings. Smart move.
Cake cutting followed, featuring “This Will Be” by Natalie Cole. A classic, because why mess with perfection?
Special Dances
Lauren & her mom (Mother-Daughter Dance): “Mama’s Song” by Carrie Underwood (with a fade-out for a smooth transition)
Zach & his mom (Mother-Son Dance): “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion (also with a fade-out)
First slow dance for everyone: “My Girl” by The Temptations
Bouquet & Garter Toss: Skipped!
Last song of the night: “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
Formal Exit: Bubbles everywhere!
The Dance Floor: 2010 Bangers & Non-Stop Energy
This was where I really got to do my thing. The couple’s must-play list included the absolute best of 2010s throwback hits—Usher, Akon, and “Low.” And the general directive? Keep the party going!
The only rule? Only one instructional dance song, if requested: Cupid Shuffle, but only the short version. (No complaints here!)
I read the crowd, kept the transitions tight, and made sure no one even thought about sitting down for too long.
I also brought out my brand new bubble machine that magically fills the bubbles with smoke. It's amazing!
Looking for the good vibes? Check out my wedding recap video here: Lauren and Zachary!
Final Thoughts: Why I Love Miners Foundry Weddings
Miners Foundry is one of those venues that just oozes character. The historic iron doors, the exposed brick, the warm glow—it all sets the perfect scene for an unforgettable wedding. And for a DJ, the layout was a dream. For this one, the ceremony took place in front of the fireplace, the head table was positioned against the window wall, and my DJ booth? Right in the corner by those iconic iron doors.
Zach and Lauren’s wedding was one for the books—equal parts heartfelt and high-energy, sentimental and straight-up fun. And I was honored to be there to soundtrack every moment.
If you’re planning a wedding at Miners Foundry and want a DJ who gets the balance between romance and party mode, let’s talk. Your love story deserves an unforgettable playlist.
Someone Said Yes DJ & Photo Booth – Your Lake Tahoe, Grass Valley, Sacramento, & Nevada City Wedding DJ
(And yes, I take requests—but only the good ones.)
Wanna talk? You can text me at: 415-377-0881
