Jazz & Swing Music for a Casa Viscaya Wedding in Miami Florida
Svetlana & the Delancey Five were thrilled to be invited by a fan to play at her gorgeous wedding at the legendary Casa Viscaya in Miami. This was one of the largest (500+people) and most spectacular event we have played - and also most complicated, with many song requests, many band locations and configurations. But we loved every minute! The bride is an avid swing dancer, as well as a frequent audience member and active participant at our vintage jazz band concerts. We feel it is always an honor when a fan invites you to be part of their special event – and we were particularly excited because we knew that may swing dancers would be at this fabulous wedding!
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, previously known as Villa Vizcaya, is the former villa and estate of businessman James Deering, of the Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune, on Biscayne Bay in the present day Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida. The early 20th century Vizcaya estate also includes: extensive Italian Renaissance gardens; native woodland landscape; and a historic village outbuildings compound. The landscape and architecture were influenced by Veneto and Tuscan Italian Renaissance models and designed in the Mediterranean Revival architecture style, with Baroque elements - and the entire property was utilized for this spectacular event. Miami-Dade County now owns the Vizcaya property, as the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, which is open to the public during day time - but was closed to public for this event.
The band was wearing black tie attire - while the guests and wedding party were dressed in the 20s inspired attire which was very fitting for the surroundings and the theme that bride and groom chose
The Miami wedding at Casa Viscaya began with an outdoor ceremony on the higher gardens - with the beautiful Chuppah decorated with flowers and fruits standing in the middle of the square which overlooked the main castle and the gardens and faced the upper castle - wedding guests were seated around the Chuppah surrounding the bride and groom, as if enclosing them in their love. The band was standing on a side playing background music as the guests were being seated . The bride and the rest of wedding party made their grand entrance by coming up the stairs towards the Chuppah while the band played Solid As A Rock - bride’s long-time favorite originally performed by Ella Fitzherald - an upbeat optimistic song that set incredibly fun and positive less ‘formal’ atmosphere for the entire wedding. With this music, the jazz band created an elegant and vibrant atmosphere. We worked with the couple for months to pick just the right music for the processional as well as the recessional, which made just the statement the bride and groom desired. The ceremony was soulful and beautiful, conducted by one of the couple’s best friends - and accompanied by short poetic speeches by family and friends
Chuppah by day light
Chuppah and guests by night
If the surroundings were not dramatic enough, bride asked the band to do a NOLA style procession after the ceremony to walk the couple from the Chupah to the reception area (which meant walking through the entire gardens at night!) The band played Solid As A Rock NOLA style and the tune was so infectious that the entire group of guests followed the couple and the band playing tambureens that were placed on every guest seat before the ceremony just for this reason! Svetlana also came prepared with the washboard and several larger percussive instruments that she gave to swing dancers and couple’s close friends so they can help guide the rest of the guests in the NOLA style procession through the gardens. The plan worked out perfectly - and was one of the most memorable parts of the event!
The procession concluded on the steps of the main castle at the Casa Viscaya where the band settled into it’s 2nd (of three) placements for the event. A cocktail reception followed the ceremony, and Svetlana and the band jazz group played upbeat jazz standards as guests mingled, chatted and greeted one another - and many of the couple’s friends from the swing dance circle broke into dancing. The setlist was put together based on the jazz band's extensive repertoire. All the wedding guests relaxed as they eased into this portion of the day after the big moment for the couple, but all the while the band kept its exciting energy going!
Once the cocktail reception portion of the wedding concluded, the bride and groom made their grand entrance on the dance floor to a song carefully selected by the band. The happy couple's first dance together as husband and wife was done to the dance floor classic, Cheek to Cheek. While the guests relaxed throughout the first part of buffet dinner, the band serenaded them with their jazz tunes. This allowed for peaceful enjoyment of the meal and relaxed conversation for guests.
One of the highlights of the night was the Hora! The families requested specific songs and Svetlana and the band wrote an arrangement to fit their exact specification. The whole dance floor was full and it was such a fun and special part of the night.
When it was time to dance, the band switched to swing dancing classics that got the guests really moving - including those who knew how to dance and those who simply could not resist the toe tapping energy of the band . Some New York swing dancing pros kicked things off – but nobody could resist the beat! Soon the dance floor was filled with guests moving to the music!
At the conclusion of the night it was bride’s request for the band to play Swing Dance classic Shim Sham - The Shim Sham Shimmy, Shim Sham or just Sham is originally a particular tap dance routine - but these days it is regarded as tap dance's national anthem. For today's swing dancers, it is a line dance with an easy to follow routine - usually done to a swing classic by Ella Fitzherald - Tain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It). But for the evening the bride wanted a specific version done by Jimmy Lunceford . Svetlana wrote the arrangement enspired by Jimmy’s classic and made sure that the band played it just the way bride requested! There were enough dancer at the event to really get everyone to get up, line up and move together! It was such a fun and special element of this wedding!
Once that portion of the evening concluded, Svetlana and the Delancey Five handed the floor to the DJ. Between the band's classic jazz and swing music and the DJ's modern hits, the music for the evening was seamless! And the guests had so much fun!
The bride and groom were thrilled with their wedding music. They said "We were super fortunate to have this fabulous band - Svetlana & The Delancey Five - play at our wedding. Svetlana worked tirelessly with us and the wedding planner to make sure that every detail of the event was exactly as we wanted it. They were amazing and the event was truly once in a lifetime that guests won’t ever forget! If you are looking for a jazz band for your wedding or event, I highly recommend reaching out to Svetlana!