Wedding at Fanny Mae Dees Park a.k.a. Dragon Park

“We want to be nestled in the dragon” is how the groom described his vision for the wedding ceremony when he explained that the wedding would take place at Fanny Mae Dees Park. The park, also known as Dragon Park is located just outside Blair School of Music on the Vanderbilt campus. Lawson is a percussionist and producer and Mary Jo is a violinist. They live in Brooklyn but they both studied music at Blair as children. I actually took years of cello lessons there myself and I have fond memories of running over to play on the dragon as my brother took his own private lessons. I imagine Lawson and Mary Jo have similar fond memories and I was really excited about the unique plan for this wedding.  Also, I was excited about this wedding because Lawson was a close friend of mine in high school and I knew there would be familiar faces!

The rehearsal dinner was equally unique. It was held at Ben Folds’ studio, a.k.a. RCA Studio A.  At the end of the evening, after most of the guests had left, I had a chance to catch up with some old friends as one of the studio engineers spun a few records that were recorded in the historic studio.  It was a pretty great moment.

 I should mention that Mary Jo made this dress herself!The wedding reception was held at Ruby, a beautiful event venue which is conveniently located right beside Dragon Park and across from Blair. The guests were given square dancing lessons which made my job easy since the expressions were priceless. All those who were up for it made their way down to Broadway to visit the honky tonks which always makes for colorful photos!