By: John & Mark have been as much part of the tapestry of Metro DC DJs as any of our long-term sports clients. John and Mark are season ticket holders for the Washington Capitals, but have also been at some events the Caps have hosted and we have announced. Back when DJ Jarrod was dating his wife, they’d have double-dates with John & Mark, but nobody really knew it. They would always show up to the same public skating sessions at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va., and occasionally exchange a “how are ya”. DJ Jarrod refereed some games that John played in a few years back and have been Facebook friends for a while.
John & Mark’s first dance as husband and husband.
When it became legal for couples of the same sex to marry in Virginia, the John & Mark machine kicked into high gear and decided to tie the knot. The couple was hoping to get married at the Prince William Ice Center or at Kettler. After getting slammed into the boards due to hockey tournaments all over the area on the weekend they wanted to get married, they found a great facility in the Holiday Inn-Quantico.
While searching for entertainment for their wedding, we stepped in and offered our services while they found the date. They’d also been recommended by many of our shared friends which made it easy.
Table numbers featuring some of their favorite players and greats of the NHL. Loved this unique touch.
Trying to get together to meet was easier said than done, even though DJ Jarrod and the happy couple would be at Caps games together and even chatted about other things before and after games! With the holidays looming and many plans in place, it was hard to get together, but an awesome four-hour chat on the phone about music, along with some of the most amazing planning by John & Mark made this wedding very easy.
The talk on the phone was filled with jokes, barbs between the two grooms, and a lot of fun reminiscing about the good old days of music!
DJ Jarrod in his Alex Ovechkin sweater AND Caps hockey gloves!!! It’s hard to DJ in hockey gloves.
Because of their love of hockey, all the guests were required to wear a hockey jersey, including the servers and the DJ! The officiant wore a “Hockey Fights Cancer” sweater and if guests didn’t have a sweater to wear, the “cowboys” as they’re nicknamed in some circles, provided them for the guests. The moniker comes from the cowboy hats they wear, and rodeos they used to run.
The hockey stick altar, this is what happens when a hockey couple marries!
They had puck surprise favors for all their guests that were inspired by MSE Foundation fundraisers at Caps game. They had their own wedding program and everything the could be hockey themed, was, including the altar which featured a pair of hockey sticks!
Before walking down the aisle, it was time for DJ Jarrod to make a few announcements to the fans, regarding puck safety and to practice the “Grooms in Play Rule”, while a groom is at the altar, fans are asked to remain in their seats and to not lean forward. A take off the puck warning at Capitals home games. There were also references that tied into the Capitals game promotions which is what they wanted and made us the perfect fit for their wedding day.
After saying their “I Do’s” in our first same-sex wedding, the guests retreated to the bar area while the ballroom was converted to a dinner and dancing area. The introductions included a stick arch, stick tapping by the guests (a
The puck surprise and “Two Man Advantage” program, a take on the five-minute segment showed before every Caps home game.
hockey way of showing appreciation), and precluded the first dance. After the first dance, it was time to toast the two that everyone loved. And boy did they. It was a 35-minute show of affection for the two who listened to their friends share memories of how they met the couple, and some of the things they’ve done together. At times, it became a roast with much laughter.
Can you believe this cake table!!! WOW…just WOW!
The cake table was designed by a friend of theirs who created cakes with logos of the Original 6 NHL franchises and the Washington Capitals and after dinner, the dance floor opened for a night of dancing that just kept going. Every song was the best “next” song and the dance floor just didn’t stop. It was a great night, with a great couple and we were so proud that John and Mark were our first same-sex marriage and reception.
The Holiday Inn-Quantico is a quaint setting perfect for smaller happenings, with a bar located just up the hallway next to the lobby. It was an easy place to find, easy to set-up and the staff was simply terrific.
Photo Gallery: Jeremy Meek Photography
