Donovan-Groves Events Archives

Veritas Vineyards & Winery Wedding

on October 25, 2024January 17, 2025 By bigrayandthekoolkats

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When Amy and John chose Veritas Vineyards & Winery for their Jewish wedding, they selected a venue that perfectly blends rustic charm with romantic elegance. Their special day was nothing short of amazing, and we had the privilege of being part of it.

The ceremony took place in the tasting room for a comfortable indoor wedding ceremony, where it was beautifully set up with florals from Blue Ridge Floral Design. Guests then enjoyed a wonderful cocktail hour on the wooden deck, accompanied by our special music trio playing soft music in the background. The Saddleback Ballroom, Veritas Vineyard & Winery reception space, that followed for their reception was transformed into a breathtaking space. The draping, which cascaded elegantly from the ceiling to the floor, added a touch of sophistication and warmth. It complemented the rustic wedding venue’s natural beauty perfectly. Truly, Veritas Vineyards & Winery weddings are an exquisite experience.

The reception at Amy and John’s wedding was a wonderful blend of energy and fun. The atmosphere at Amy & John’s wedding was lively all night with guests dancing and celebrating. As a wedding music band, we were excited to energize the dance floor with a variety of upbeat party music. A memorable moment of the evening was when we performed “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship. A special dedication to John’s mom (video 1:36-1:56). This personal touch added a meaningful element to Amy and John’s Veritas Vineyards & Winery wedding and made it even more memorable.

For those seeking an indoor or outdoor wedding venue that blends rustic charm with modern elegance, Veritas Vineyards & Winery offers an unparalleled setting. You can choose between a grand ballroom reception or a serene mountain backdrop. Either way, Veritas is the perfect choice for a romantic winery wedding.

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Venue/Caterer: Veritas Vineyards & Winery

Planner: Donovan-Groves Events

Photographer: Gideon Photo

Cake/Dessert: Cakes by Rachel

Florals: Blue Ridge Floral Design

Hair & Makeup: Lipstick and Chiffon

Band: Big Ray and the Kool Kats

Officiant: Rabbi Richard Margolis

Rentals: BBJ La Tavola

Transportation: Travel with Quick’s Bus

Best Rock Songs for Weddings

on October 22, 2024September 15, 2025 By bigrayandthekoolkats

Singing along to the best rock songs for weddings is a great way to get the crowd hyped for your wedding reception. Big Ray and the Kool Kats was originally a traditional big band that specialized in swing, but have now grown into a talented, musically diverse live wedding band that can play any tune for your wedding. We have years of experience playing for all kinds of events, including over 1000 weddings, but each uniquely different than the last.

Couples always ask me what we suggest when it comes to their wedding playlist. I always say the same thing, “It’s your wedding, we will play what you want.” I have noticed that Rock and Roll has been predominantly one of the most popular genres in wedding playlists. Rock and Roll provides that high energy setting with the all time hits crowds love to sing along to. And high energy is what we do! We play all the right mixes for each crowd for a fun night of dancing including the best rock songs for weddings!

Mr. Brightside – The Killers

A real crowd pleaser and gets the party going. Best selling song by famed rock band, The Killers, Mr. Brightside has sold over 3.5 million copies. This song is one of the most listened to songs of all time and for good reason. The song’s upbeat and fast-paced tempo is perfect for getting guests up out of their seats and dancing. Definitely a top for one of the best rock songs for weddings!

You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC

Want to end the night on a high note rock song? You Shook Me All Night Long by Australian hard rock band AC/DC reached number 35 on the USA’s Hot 100 pop singles chart.

Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi

Another top hit to add to the best rock songs for weddings. Livin’ on a Prayer was, and still is, Bon Jovi’s signature song. This song is a big crowd favorite and great to sing along to.

***Don’t Stop Believin*‘ – Journey**

Endlessly upbeat and fast tempo. Crowds love this classic rock song for its energetic and catchy beat, making it one of the best rock songs for weddings.

Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon

A perfect song for the dance floor! This high energy rock song is perfect for getting everyone on the dance floor and keeping the energy flowing all night long!

These are just a few of the best rock songs for weddings, if there is anything you want or don’t see , never hesitate to ask! Big Ray and the Kool Kats specialize in all ranges of genres, including Motown, ’70s and ’80s, yacht rock, and more!

Pippin Hill Summer Wedding

on October 22, 2024October 25, 2024 By bigrayandthekoolkats

Christine & Peter had the perfect Pippin Hill summer wedding with friends and family. Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards is Charlottesville, Virginia’s premier, luxury wedding venue with stunning views of the of the Blue Ridge Mountains, impeccable service, and exquisite culinary dishes.

Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards provided a beautiful backdrop for Christine and Peter’s summer wedding. The venue’s natural beauty and clear August day added to the overall elegance of the occasion. The summer wedding’s seamless execution was due to the top notch vendor team we had the pleasure of working with. Luxury wedding planner Adam Donovan-Groves, owner of Donovan-Groves Events, made sure every detail of the day went smoothly. His expertise ensured that Christine and Peter’s vision was realized without a hitch. We had expert imagery taken by Jen Fariello Photography and Ryan Feister Films. Pippin Hill’s ballroom was gorgeously set up for a summer wedding. Elegant florals by Blue Ridge Floral Design and rentals and design provided by Blue Ridge Event Production, Festive Party Rentals, and Stradley Davidson Linen Collective.

Christine & Peter had the perfect summer weather for their outdoor wedding, with the stunning Blue Ridge mountains serving as a breathtaking backdrop. A beautiful reception layout and guests in bright, colorful wedding attire complimented their wedding theme perfectly. And after the heartfelt toasts and dances, it was time to open the dance floor. What a great crowd to party with!

We always remind our couples that we are not just a wedding music band—we’re their wedding music band. So, if there’s a must-play song that we don’t already know, we’ll gladly learn it. Christine and Peter had two special songs on their list, and we were more than happy to learn them for their big day (video 0:52-1:13).

The combination of Pippin Hill’s impeccable service, stunning location, excellent vendor team, and ideal summer weather created a setting that perfectly complemented Christine and Peter’s vision for their wedding. As always, Big Ray and the Kool Kats is honored to have helped make wonderful memories for the couple and their guests.

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Venue/Caterer: Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards

Planner: Donovan-Groves Events

Photographer: Jen Fariello Photography

Videographer: Ryan Feister Films

Cake/Dessert: Cakes by Rachel

Florals: Blue Ridge Floral Design

Hair & Makeup: Stephanie Parker Makeup

Band: Big Ray and the Kool Kats

Rentals/Lighting: Blue Ridge Event Production, Festive Party Rental s, Stradley David son Linen Collective

Transportation: Easy Riders Bus Company

Farmington Country Club Wedding | Iris and Lee

on June 18, 2024June 18, 2024 By bigrayandthekoolkats

June is one of the most sought-after months for spring, Charlottesville weddings and Iris & Lee could not have gotten a more perfect day for their Farmington Country Club wedding. The beautiful Charlottesville, Virginia luxury wedding venue provided the perfect backdrop for their special day, and every detail was carefully curated to make sure their day was perfect.

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With support from expert wedding planner, Donovan-Groves Events, and gorgeous floral arrangements from St eelcut Flower Co., every detail was perfectly in place, which was captured wonderfully by A udra Jones Photography. Iris & Lee even had an adorable addition to their Farmington Country Club wedding cocktail hour from The Wandering Beer Burros, two cute mini donkeys serving drinks.

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At Big Ray and the Kool Kats, we are so thrilled to be an approved wedding music band at Farmington Country Club! We are absolutely dedicated to crafting unforgettable musical experiences for our incredible clients. And let us tell you, this Farmington Country Club wedding was an absolute blast! We know how important it is to have a keen understanding of the couple’s taste and the diverse preferences of their guests. We worked closely with Iris & Lee on their preferred music playlist, so that there were songs everyone could enjoy their country club wedding. The diversity of the music selection meant that there was something for everyone—a blend of genres and eras that mirrored the varied tastes of the guests.

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Iris and Lee’s wedding at the Farmington Country Club in was truly an unforgettable celebration and Big Ray and the Kool Kats is always honored to help celebrate. If you liked reading this, check out other luxury weddings we performed for, Luxury Wedding at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards and A Jewish Wedding at The Willard InterContinental, Washington DC.

Venue: Farmington Country Club

Planner: Donovan-Groves Events

Photographer: A udra Jones Photography

Florals: St eelcut Flower Co.

Hair & Makeup: Caitlyn Meyer

Band: Big Ray and the Kool Kats

Officiant: St. St ephen’s Episcopal Church

Rentals: The Wandering Beer Burros, MS Events, Paisley & Jade

Transportation: Cville Travel

Luxury Wedding at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards

on November 28, 2023June 11, 2024 By bigrayandthekoolkats 2 Comments

Ceremony at Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards

Catherine and Zack had a gorgeous, luxury wedding at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards on November 10, 2023 with friends and family. Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards is the premier, luxury wedding venue in Central Virginia, named “W ine Region of the Year” by Win e Enthusiast. This unique vineyard not only serves the finest crafted wine and culinary dishes, but provides a breathtaking backdrop for weddings at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Catherine looked beautiful in her elegant, ball gown dress by M onique Lhuillier Bride, one of America’s prominent designers in fashion and creativity. Catherine’s look was completed with hair done by Valeska William s, top media and fashion hairstylist, and makeup by Carolyn Thombs, owner of Lipstick and Chiff on. Catherine and Zack had expert, luxury wedding planner Adam Donovan-Groves, the “Ultimate Master Wedding Planner” by Vogue Magazine. Adam knows Pippin Hill like the back of his hand and helped make Catherine and Zack’s day seamless. Lush florals and greenery were provided by Southern B looms, and couture tabletop settings by Nüage Desig ns and calligraphy by If So Inklined. The cohesive details truly brought Catherine and Zack’s luxury wedding vision to life. Expert shooting was provided by Gideon Photography, and we always work with the photographer to get that special “kodak moment.”

You could feel the love and support for Catherine and Zack. Catherine’s sister gave a heartfelt speech and Zack’s Dad wrote and performed a song just for them. When it was time to dance, the dance floor was never empty. Guests of all ages were on the dance floor, singing along to every song. From Taylor Swift to The Temptations, we played all the crowd favorites. We ended the night with Catherine and Zack’s special song, Teenage Dream by Katy Perry (at 1:26 in the video below).

Catherine and Zack had a wonderful, luxury wedding and we are honored to have been part of their day.

If you liked reading this, check out other luxury weddings we performed for, Wedding at The Clifton and Wedding at Farmington Country Club.

If you want to learn more about planning a luxury wedding with Big Ray and the Kool Kats, call Big Ray at 434-960-4595 or email bigrayandthekoolkats@gmail.com.

Venue & Caterer| Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyar ds

Planner| Donovan-Groves Events

Photographer| Gideon Photography

Dress| M onique Lhuillier Bride

Cake/Dessert| Cakes by Rach el

Florals| Southern B looms

Hair & Makeup| Valeska William s, Lipstick and Chiff on

Rentals| M S Events, Nüage Desig ns

Stationery| If So Inklined

Transportation| Cville Travel