Mercedes & Ray, a Rooftop Wedding at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale
January 22, 2023 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida
There are weddings that are beautiful, and then there are weddings that are completely unforgettable. Mercedes and Ray’s celebration at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach was firmly the latter.
Set against a sweeping ocean backdrop, their ceremony took place on the sixth-floor rooftop, giving guests a panoramic view of the Fort Lauderdale coastline. The setting alone created a stunning, elevated atmosphere—but it was the personalization and energy throughout the day that made this one stand out.
A Ceremony That Blended Classic and Bold
For the ceremony, Mercedes and Ray chose aPop Strings Trio—violin, guitar, and upright bass. This combination allowed for a seamless blend of classical elegance and modern influence, perfectly matching the tone of the setting.
The music selections told a story all their own:
Wedding Party Processional:“Make You Feel My Love” by Adele
Bride Processional:“F**king Right” by Kevin Gates
Recessional:“Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer
This contrast—from timeless romance to an unexpected, bold entrance—captured the couple’s personality perfectly. It is always impactful when couples lean into music that feels authentic to them, and this was a textbook example of that working flawlessly.
They also incorporated a wireless microphone package, ensuring every word of the ceremony was clearly heard without distracting from the clean rooftop aesthetic.
From Elegant Ceremony to Full-Scale Party
As the sun set, the energy shifted in a big way. Mercedes and Ray opted for one of the most dynamic setups we offer… our DJ hybrid ensemble featuring:
DJ
Live Drums
Saxophone
Trumpet
This combination transforms a standard reception into something much closer to a live concert experience. The interaction between DJ and musicians creates constant momentum, with live improvisation layered over crowd-favorite tracks.
The result?
A packed dance floor all night!
The music leaned heavily into hip-hop, reggaeton, and pop, giving the reception a high-energy, club-style feel while still maintaining the polish of a luxury wedding. The live instruments elevated every drop, chorus, and transition—keeping guests engaged from start to finish.
Why This Wedding Stood Out
Mercedes and Ray’s wedding is a great example of how to balance elegance with personality:
A refined rooftop ceremony with live strings
Music choices that reflected who they are as a couple
A seamless transition into a high-energy, modern reception
A hybrid entertainment experience that kept guests fully engaged
It is this kind of intentional planning—especially with music—that transforms a wedding from simply “nice” into something guests talk about long after the night ends.
Final Thoughts
From ocean views to an unforgettable dance floor, this Fort Lauderdale wedding checked every box. The combination of a live ceremony ensemble and a DJ hybrid reception created a dynamic flow that felt elevated, personal, and incredibly fun.
If you are planning a wedding and want to create a similar experience, this is a perfect blueprint:
start with elegance, and finish with a party your guests will never forget.