It all started in 8th grade history class… well, for Chris.

It may have taken Jane another 5 years to notice him, but it all fell into place one fateful day. Alongside Jane’s best friend- and now bridesmaid- Gracie, Chris made his way through DHHS with his fresh Justin Bieber-esque haircut. As Gracie took off to greet Jane on their first day of Senior year, Chris followed quickly behind, knowing this was his chance to finally catch her eye. So after Jane and Gracie embraced, he turned to Jane and awkwardly asked,

“So where’s my hug?!”

It is still to be determined if Jane hugged him out of pity or love at first sight, but Chris is convinced its the latter 🙂 Fast-forward through a year of free periods spent comparing their favorite country music songs, being each other’s biggest cheerleaders during football/ volleyball/ lacrosse games, tutoring each other in math and Spanish, and prom, Chris and Jane found themselves smitten…and Elon bound!

Leaving small town Madison as two 18-year-olds, they knew they had something special. But over four years, it grew into something they never could have imagined. Chris and Jane experienced the typical trials and tribulations during that transition to adulthood, but they always came back to and leaned on each other, falling in love through that process. In May 2017, they graduated Elon side-by-side and the countdown began…

Jane and Chris knew they were meant to last forever. As they both embarked on their post-graduate lives, they waited to cement that “forever,” excited to watch each other flourish in their career paths first.

After supporting each other through horrible first jobs and countless hours of studying, Chris found himself mid-pandemic, mid-Sip of Sunshine beer, mid-1976 Miami Dolphin’s reruns on TV, and somehow decided this was the perfect time to ask Mr. Concannon for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Having received the most important blessing, on June 6th, 2020, Jane lived the moment she had always dreamed about…a proposal in her hometown, at the beach, with a picture-perfect sunset as the backdrop… and Chris down on one knee.

From the very start, the one value Jane and Chris always shared most is their love for their family and friends. That is why they couldn’t wait to finally celebrate and tie the knot with Around Town Entertainment’s Altitude Band at the BEAUTIFUL Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club.

Everything was meticulously planned by Sarah Parlos of “One Fine Day Planning” and went off without a hitch! The couple hosted a cocktail hour with MANY yummy and delicious treats, where the guests were serenaded by the Around Town Band’s jazz trio featuring a bass, guitar, and piano! The trio perfectly underscored all the delicious hors d’oeuvre and bubbly drinks as the celebration kicked off. All the guests started to tap their toes along with many of the jazz classics the group played, getting excited to dance it out for the reception! 

As everyone entered the reception room, the Altitude Band played the most perfect song to get the party started: “Timber” by Kesha & Pitbull. The bridal party skipped into the room jamming it out to the most requested wedding band in Connecticut, the Altitude Band. Chris and Chris had their first dance as husband and wife to “Lifetime” by Justin Bieber and the dance party kicked off!

The Altitude Band played many of Chris and Jane’s favorite songs throughout the night such as, “Always and Forever” by Heatwave, “Speechless” by Dan & Shay, “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.

 It was truly a night to remember and we’re so happy to have been part of Chris and Jane’s special day extra memorable!

Here at ATE, we have been absolutely floored by such a lovely summer of events! Even if the weather was particularly intense at times, (I mean, a heat index of over 100 degrees?! Wild times!) we had several memories made that will last us a lifetime. As we near the end of the summer, we’d love to review a handful of our favorite moments.

1.) Positively Greek

When Andrew and Allie wed on July 24th, not only did we get to tag along–but we also got to bring some of our friends, the Greek band! While they tagged along, we worked together as a team to combine the sound of the Mediterranean with some good old fashioned Pop, Rock, and everything in between! The Greek band played tons of Greek favorites, including “Orea Pou Ine I Nifi Mas” (Boundaries Where Our Bride Is), “Ta Rialia” (The Money), “H Vraka” (Wreckage), and more! By the time that they left for the evening, we could still hear their beautiful music on the wind! Certainly an exciting moment that we would be remiss not to include!

2.) Shaking Things Up a Bit! 

Listen, we’re wedding people–it’s what we do! But when we get the rare opportunity to shake things up a little bit, we do enjoy the occasional different event! This summer, we’ve gotten the super exciting chance to do a couple of different celebrations! From anniversaries to birthday parties, we certainly had a blast trying new things. (Plus, there’s usually still a super delicious type of desert involved, so who are we to complain?) One of those super fun parties was Julia’s 60th birthday! Our After Party band had so much fun playing plenty of R&B, Soul, Hip-Hop, and more!

3.) Sweet Serenades

Of course, as musicians, we love performing and entertaining at plenty of events. (Obviously… we aren’t just being hired for our sparkling personalities!)  But there’s nothing we love more than the joy on the parties’ faces when there’s a surprise performance… especially when they know the performer so well! Sneaky performances planned by a member of the family (or even newly wed couple) always add an extra level of pizazz! This summer, we had quite a few of these! One of our favorites definitely had to be Andrew’s performance of “It’s Growing” during his reception this summer! Not only was it a beautiful moment, but his bride, Lauren, had absolutely no idea!

4.) Christmas In… August? 

All summer long, we’ve been absolutely wow’ed by some incredible creative choices during events. From requesting songs from the early 2000’s (Every time we are asked to play “This Is What Dreams Are Made Of”, we are so excited to oblige.) to an evening almost entirely comprised of dance anthems, there’s never a dull moment when newlyweds listen to their hearts for their receptions! To make their post-nuptial party feel even more homey, Jacqueline and Craig requested a little used summer hit–Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas”! Not only did it bring down the house, but it was a nice reminder that while summer may nearly be over, we have some exciting seasons just around the corner!

Of course, while they may not be mentioned here, every event this summer has been a blast–and we are super thankful that you continue to choose ATE! We are looking forward to a jam packed autumn and winter, which is just around the corner!

There are always great stories from our wonderful clients of how they met: some couples met at school, some on the playground, and some even met at the grocery store. All of them are, of course, such incredible feats of fate alone, that they remind us that love is truly possible anywhere! But there is something extraordinary about the couples that met, and thrived, in the workplace! For Lauren and Ezra, who just tied the knot yesterday, this is their every day experience! Lauren and Ezra met while working as orthodontists, and not only do they have perfect teeth, but they also have a perfect match! (In each other, of course!)

While we didn’t play the music at the ceremony, we did, however, get to play in the lobby just outside, as guests arrived! The Estates at Florentine Gardens is a gorgeous spot, and by the time that the ceremony drew to a close, and it was official, Lauren and Ezra exited the ceremony as husband and wife! The party made its way to the cocktail room, where they were treated like royalty! With chandeliers, pristine high ceilings, and a menu to die for, the Estates pampered our party while we provided the linchpin–the entertainment! Our cocktail trio had a great time serenading the group as they wined and dined. By the time it was time to move onto the next course, the party was already almost full–but we had the perfect method of burning some major calories… dancing, of course!

Though we had been privy to some amazing sights already, they were nothing compared to the ballroom. It was absolutely flooring; with tons of windows, warm lighting, and you guessed it… more chandeliers! To kick off the evening’s festivities, the party wowed by entering to “We Found Love”, performed beautifully by our very own Katrina! Shortly thereafter, it was time for the first dance! The DJ whipped up “Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing”, by Aerosmith. With not a dry eye in the house, it was time to get those dancing shoes on, as the traditional dance section of the night began! The Around Town Band started it off with the one-two punch of “Hava Nagila” and “Masiach”, before the DJ took over! The party definitely made some serious room for dinner in their stomachs after that–but it was time for a short break…

…as the parent/child dances began! Lauren and her Dad danced to “I Loved Her First”,  and Ezra and his mother danced to “Mother” by Sugarland! From there, it was time for a sweet treat–so the cake cutting began! The party got an extra sweet treat when the band played “This Will Be” as the slices were done! From there, the party was ready for some more dancing, and we were ready for some more performing! There were plenty of highlights of the night including “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” “Uptown Funk”, and “Levitating”! What a great time!

Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the hustle and bustle of the big apple, Island Park has proven time and time again to be a picture-esque corner of the New York. The beaches are gorgeous, the community is sweet, and best of all, we got to spend some time there this past weekend for Jacqueline and Craig’s wedding!

Although we did not get to play for the ceremony, we got to handle the fun part–the party, obviously! So, upon arrival to the Loft, the party was greeted by the beautiful high ceilings and incredible chandeliers. (I mean, what says “it’s party time” better than a chandelier?) Of course, every party needs some fancy pregame–so that meant everyone was ready for some cocktails! With our jazz trio, the party enjoyed some gentle jazzy tunes, and plenty of delicious drinks! Everyone engaged in small talk, moved and grooved, and settled into the space. As the final jazz note was played, and the cocktail hour ended, everyone knew what that meant… it was time for the reception of a lifetime!

Even in the summer heat, the party was nearing a searing point! The party found their seats and familiarized themselves with their tablemates. And that could only mean one thing–it was time to kick off the festivities with the first dance! In their debut dance as husband and wife, Jacqueline and Craig spun around the dance floor to “Crazy Love!” From there, with no dry eye in the house, it was time for the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances! Jacqueline and her Father danced to “When You Need Me”, and Craig and his Mother danced to “My Wish”!

With all of the sad songs out of the way, the party was ready for their turn to cut a rug–and there was plenty of time to do it, too! Of course, the entire party enjoyed beloved hits such as “American Girl”, “Man! I Feel Like A Woman”,  and other classics, but that wasn’t the main scene stealer of the night. It was when the unmistakable beginning notes of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” that the party went nuts–especially those in on the joke! (And here at ATE, we’re ready for some colder weather… so Christmas music it is!) With such a vibrant and fun crowd, we almost didn’t want to stop playing! But our Christmas in August crowd (Christmas in July is old news!) had to make sure they rested up, especially after such an incredible day!

The Hudson Valley is a stunning wedding backdrop for all times of the year! The Autumn leaves and all the rolling hills of greenery. This venue spotlight features The Garrison, at which we are a highly recommended entertainment vendor! It’s not your typical wedding venue. It features one of the most beautiful views in the Hudson Valley, perfect if you are looking to have an outdoor ceremony with a gorgeous backdrop. Dozens upon dozens and dozens of our couples have had their beautiful weddings at The Garrison, so being the live wedding band of choice at the Garrison has us over the moon!

Not only does The Garrison have some of the most AMAZING food, they even customize their menu to your liking with many additional options have your guests in awe! You can even have specialty cocktails made for the big day!

The staff at the Garrison are the bee’s knees! They keep everything in tip-top shape and on track on your special day! They are amazing at making sure everything is taken care of for you, so you’re only busy having fun and celebrating! You’ll rest easy knowing you’re in the best hands and they’ll take care of you, your guests, and all your special vendors.

The Garrison also has some amazing extra perks to help you celebrate! Their Inn is perfect for an overnight stay for you and your wedding party! Their spa is luxurious, and what better way to welcome your guests than a friendly competitive round of golf when they arrive?

Don’t just take our word for it! The Garrison was awarded into The Knot’s Best of Weddings Hall of Fame!

Here’s a highlight of some of our couples who were married at “The Garrison’s” favorite songs!

• In November of 2019, Elizabeth and Jacob rocked to the Authority Band’s rendition of “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys as they were introduced as husband and wife for the first time!
• In February of 2021, Nicholas and Nazile absolutely loved the After Party’s special cover of their favorite song “You Make Loving Fun” by Fleetwood Mac for their first dance!
• In January of 2021, Krysten and Michael jammed to all their favorite Rod Stewart and George Strait songs (and others, of course) played by the After Party Band!
• In August 2014, Annie and Mike danced to John Legend’s “All of Me” for their first dance played by the Around Town Band!

It’s been an honor through the years, to be considered the live wedding band of choice and one of NY’s finest wedding venues! We hope to see you soon and dance with you at the Garrison!

Bridgerton has done us all several different services; from the visual feast that is the gorgeous sets and costumes, to the reach-out-and-smell-them floral arrangements, to introducing us to a gorgeous cast, we’ve got plenty to thank her for. But for us, the musicians of Around Town Entertainment, there is a particularly big contender for her most amazing contribution: the music arrangements! After some spicy (ahem, very spicy) montage moments introduced us to the power of T Swizzle set to strings, we’ve truly never been the same! Of course, setting pop music to a different set of instruments was not patented by the glitzy, glamorous period piece, but it was certainly popularized by it, of late! So many of our clients love the sound of the pop instrumental, but there are so many things to consider: which song? Which instruments? Which kind of music? But as your resident music enthusiasts and experts, we’re here to help. Don’t forget, at the end of the day, your ceremony entrance song’s purpose is to do just what the name implies: mark the entrance of the ceremony! There’s no right or wrong answer, and every song is great in its own way. But, if you’re looking for some new options, here is a list of three often overlooked popular music that sounds perfect for a ceremony entrance! 

1.) Home, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes 

Vibes: Bright, sunny weddings, surrounded by greenery

While beautiful, this folksy tune is actually not an original ATE grab! This spectacular, heartfelt tune was actually set to strings and played in a wedding—Cam and Mitchell, from Modern Family! The song’s warm, catchy feeling, with strings lifting the wings of the song, possesses a new life. While typically upbeat and quirky, the song becomes nothing short of a romantic, energized anthem of love. Not to mention, while you’re walking down the aisle, you’ll have an extra pep in your step! 

2.) Lover, Taylor Swift 

Vibes: Beachy weddings, with salty air and lots of waves

The queen returns to take another grab at most underrated alternative arrangement! And, alright, alright, we know… Lover is so obviously a first dance obvious choice, of course. (I mean, she’s got a first dance version and everything… hello!) But, like a tiramisu, the full arrangement has so many delicious layers, and how can one resist Taylor’s voice, of course! But, when set to guitar, has a simplicity to it that only strengthens the song’s spirit: a classic-feeling, super sweet profession of love. For a piece that feels both soft and simple, while not distracting from the entrance, this is a specifically great choice! 

3.) I Feel The Earth Move, Carole King

Vibes: Earthy, outdoor weddings, with clear views of the sky 

Carole King is the reigning champion for wedding songs, it would seem. But this one seems to be often omitted? With a groovy energy behind it, this song is a surefire way to guarantee that your party knows: this ceremony is just the beginning of the celebration we’re going to be partaking in later! And the best part is… any instrument can still retain that energy! While a piano is the logical instrumental choice, guitar also gives the life to the song that it deserves. If you want your ceremony to feel like a party, look no further!

People often ask us, “What are your favorite states to travel to for your wedding events?” (with the knowledge that we are constantly climbing up and down the Northeast), and we don’t often know how to respond. How do you choose a favorite?! Sure, staying back in the NYC area is convenient, but there’s also the thrilling adventure of a long drive to any of our neighboring states, or even into the dangerous unknown of… Upstate New York. (#roadtrip, anyone?) All that said, getting to venture into the frozen North (an obvious joke, considering how blistering this summer heat has been…) is always something well-welcomed, especially when we get to travel to Connecticut! Its classic beauty, paired with gorgeous landscape views, always makes for a lovely time. And we certainly got to partake in that this weekend when we celebrated Margaret and Stefan’s wedding!

Although we did not partake in the actual ceremony itself, we got the chance to spend some time with the party as they arrived to Lawn Club, especially at the start of the evening: cocktails! Our cocktail trio had a blast playing some jazzy tunes underneath the pre-reception conversation. As the hour reached its end, the party was sufficiently prepped to live up to its name and party!

Everyone settled in, the band was prepped and that meant that there was only one thing to do: get down to the reception business! Margaret and Stefan stepped up to the dance floor to get the party started with a tearjerker: their first dance! “As” was the soundtrack to their first official turn around the floor as husband and wife, performed beautifully! Afterwards, the party rolled with the emotional punches as the night turned to the next tug at the heartstrings: the father/daughter and mother/son dances! Margaret and her father danced to “Unforgettable”, a legendary duet, and Stefan and his mother danced to “Your Song”, a stellar performance served up by the After Party Band’s vocalist. The next serve was that of a the cake cutting anthem, “Half of the Way”, which Lisala also treated us to!

With the festivities only just beginning, the time drew near for the party to give the dance floor a spin, and that they did! The party danced the night away, with so many incredible songs, but some visible crowd favorites included “Take Me Home Tonight”, “Whenever I Call You ‘Friend'”, “Everywhere”, and “The Way You Make Me Feel”! By the time that the final note was played, and everyone made their way to their beds, we weren’t ready for the night to end! Congratulations, Margaret and Stefan!

This summer has been particularly tough with the rising temperatures and wild waves of heat. But that doesn’t mean that we have to go without some wonderful, music-filled nights celebrating with With another summery weekend, we have another summery weekend of events! And it was certainly no different last weekend when we got the chance to celebrate with Bria and Stephen as they made it official!

After an absolutely beautiful off-site ceremony, it was time for us to join in! So, first things first: we were immediately ready for some cocktail hour tunes! The party started off by guests enjoyed some gentle jazzy tunes from the Around Town Entertainment’s jazz trio, and plenty of delicious drinks! Not only was this a prime opportunity for some chatting, it was also a chance to truly enjoy the beautiful scenery at Green Tree Country Club! By the time that cocktail hour ended, the party was prepped and ready to go for the real celebration, which was, of course, the reception! (Which is always our favorite part, too!)

While the party settled in for the reception, we were just getting started, and the night took off with a bang! With the Altitude Band’s exciting of “Levels”, the bridal party had officially arrived! It was so exciting, that by the time that everyone settled, it was far due time for the main entrance of the night: the newlyweds! Bria and Stephen made their way into the party, and to a stellar rendition of “Feel So Close!” In their debut dance as husband and wife, Bria and Stephen spun around the dance floor to “Joy of My Life”! With hardly a dry eye in the house, it was time for another one-two punch, with the Mother/Daughter and Mother/Son dances! Bria and her father danced to “This Dance,” and Stephen and his Mother danced to “My Wish!” With all of the gushy songs out of the way, we were ready for the good stuff–cake, duh! The Altitude Band treated us all to an Elvis classic, “I Can’t Help Falling In Love”, as the slices were made!

With a sugar rush fresh in their veins, it was time for the entire party to cut a rug to tons beloved hits, from the pop of today and yesterday, to some sweet 70’s tunes! The party particularly loved “Volare,” “Shoop,” and “Women, Amen!” By the time that the final song of the night played, no one wanted to go home, especially not us!

Andrew and Allie met while living in Astoria, NY. In fact, their first date was at a bar called Sweet Afton! They talked for hours and hours and hours…until the bar kicked them out! Allie met Ares (Andrew’s husky) weeks later and that sealed the deal. Ares fell in love… and Andrew did too! 😉 Andrew moved to New Jersey a couple of months later and Allie followed a few years after!

Andrew and Allie traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a much-needed vacation. Andrew convinced Allie to wake up to watch the sunrise on day 3 of the trip. We have always talked about watching the sunrise on previous vacations, but never actually woke up early enough. Allie suspected Andrew had something planned, so it was an easy wake-up call (yeah, right)! He set up a GoPro to capture the big moment! Just as Andrew was about to propose, a nearby couple interrupted the moment for us to take their picture. After that interruption, Andrew set up the video again and got down on one knee!

Now they are SO excited to finally celebrate and tie the knot with Around Town Entertainment’s Altitude Band.

The beautiful couple got married at Edgewood Country Club in New Jersey. Allie and Andrew’s special day was hosted by the Edgewood Country Club with a gorgeous greenery backdrop! Before Allie started down the aisle, the pianist and violinist from Around Town Entertainment played “Con Te Partiro” as a beautiful duet! Everyone saw Andrew first see Allie start down the aisle, and everyone looked on with a smile. The two exchanged their vows and said their “I Do’s” and then skipped down the aisle singing along to the ever-fitting and celebratory song “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love” by Natalie Cole. It was such an exciting moment, almost as exciting as the party after!

Then it was cocktail hour, where the guests were seamlessly serenaded by the Around Town Band’s jazz trio featuring a bass, guitar, and piano! The trio perfectly underscored all the delicious hors d’oeuvre and bubbly drinks as the celebration kicked off. All the guests started to tap their toes along with many of the jazz classics the group played, getting excited to dance it out for the reception! 

As everyone entered the reception room, the Altitude Band collaborated with the Around Town Entertainment’s Greek Ensemble which played a number of favorite and traditional dance songs to welcome the guests! The bridal party skipped into the room jamming it out to the most requested wedding band in New Jersey, the Altitude Band. Andrew and Allie had their first dance as husband and wife to “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran and the dance party kicked off!

The Altitude Band played many of Andrew and Allie’s favorite songs throughout the night from artists such as Meghan Trainor, Maroon Five, Michael Buble, and Michael Jackson! It was truly a night to remember and we’re so happy to have been part of Andrew and Allie’s special day extra memorable!

We get the chance to see some truly gorgeous sites on our travels around the Northeastern corner of the United States: lots of greenery, bodies of water, and architecture that could have been carved by the hands of the universe itself. It’s rare that we get to see even two of the three of these in one place; so if we see all three, we know we’ve won the lottery! And that was certainly the case this weekend when we got the chance to celebrate with Adrianny and Billy as they tied the knot!

Once it was made official at their off-site ceremony, the day called for some partying. So, upon arrival, the whole team was immediately ready for some cocktails! With our jazz trio, the party enjoyed some gentle jazzy tunes, and plenty of delicious drinks! Everyone engaged in small talk, the beautiful views just outside of the gorgeous windows, and discussed the gorgeous ceremony! As the cocktail hour ended, the party was ready for something more serious… both in the way of food, and dancing!

Even if the weather were nice and mild, it was definitely time to heat things up! The party settled in for the reception, and the night was kicked off! After everyone took their seats, the bridal party entered to “Forever“! By the time that everyone settled, it was time for the main entrance of the night: the newlyweds! Adrianny and Billy entered their reception as the stars of the show, and to a stellar rendition of “I Want to Dance With Somebody!” In their debut dance as husband and wife, Adrianny and Billy spun around the dance floor to “Forever After All!” From there, it was time for the Mother/Daughter and Mother/Son dances! Adrianny and her Mother danced to “I Hope You Dance,” and Billy and his Mother danced to “Humble and Kind!” There certainly was not a dry eye in house, so with this, the festivities turned for the even more exciting…

… and the dance floor was waiting! The entire party cut a rug to beloved hits, from the pop of today and yesterday, to some sweet 70’s tunes! With the burn of dancing just as fresh as the burn of the drinks from the bar, the party was going strong! By the time that the final song of the night played, no one wanted to go home!