Theme Weddings fine classic black tuxedos, hair slicked back.
Photo courtesy Paul Bott
Then Paul ties in the CD’s romantic “I wanted to classic songs. “I hear and get visualized the to know the couple dancing Dreamland story to the beautiful before I thought Dreamland music, of anything,” he the part ‘Did you explains. “After ever see a dream Actor/singer Brent Spiner and club/cabaret singer Maude I listened again walking,’ as the Maggart recording their CD ‘Dreamland,’ inspiration for a and again, I started most romantic dream-theme wedding. 9-piece band developing some plays on the stage, ideas.” musicians in black dinner jackets behind dimly lit music First, Paul established the era, the 1940s. “I stands.” imagined the style of the event to suit the time period, then the story impacted me Then comes the romantic atmosphere. with regard to the ‘dreamy’ interpretation.” “The room is aglow with candles, soft upBut Paul says that at this point, he did not lighting, and pools of delicious light on the work on cuisine. “This story seemed lighter dance floor,” Paul says. “There is very little than air, ethereal… and I wanted to wait to light other than that, so the room seems put all the pieces together before I did food.” sensual, intimate, dreamlike, and somewhat Paul then visualized the venue. “I saw this mysterious, a little edgy.” His tables have wedding reception in a place that is more or floor-length, pearl-colored satin linens, less like a ballroom, but smaller and really silver chargers, silver flatware and exquisite like a club.” crystal glassware. “There are hand-written seating cards with silver embossing, and full Next, he turned to the ‘dream,’ an integral glorious bowls of soft-hued roses.” part of the theme. “I used lighting, and some ‘secrets’ to make this reception very At this point, Paul delves into the Dreamland much like a dream. Guests arrive into the CD’s sense of intrigue. “Now, I have the room; it is very ethereal, very cool – yet couple play a little trick on their guests,” he warm.” He visualizes brides in cream satin explains. “Guests think they are here just simple sheath gowns, a la Carol Lombard, for a formal sit-down celebration. But after with small trains, dancing as if on a cloud, the first dance, the couple stops, says how for their first dance. Or, were the couple to grateful they are that guests attended, then have been men, his grooms would be in tell how they fell in love, how this has been like a dream.” Paul adds, “They announce their decision to marry, and to marry right now!” An officiant appears, and then, after the ceremony, waiters in black dinner jackets serve tall champagne flutes on silver trays.
Ohio goes Southern Cal Venue Location: The Palm House at the Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus OH
suspense - Paul chooses them all. But, he didn’t formulate his ideas immediately.
Finally, Paul crowns the theme with the creation of an exquisite Dreamland menu. “After the toast, dinner is served!” ●● cont’d
Vol. 4 Issue 1 Spring 2009 41