Social Graces

Freddie Ciampi is a ballroom instructor in Berryville, VA. He is not necessarily available to book many weekend-evening events, as he already has a full schedule, but he's a good friend of mine and I was lucky enough to coax him into DJing my April 30th wedding. In addition, my then-fiance and I took private ballroom lessons with Freddie for a few months prior to work up a special first dance. Taking the lessons was great fun....I already was pretty well-educated in ballroom dance, and my fiance was a COMPLETE novice, but Freddie managed the situation wonderfully and with good humor. Our first dance was a hit! Freddie also gave a few mini-lessons at the reception, which are always fun and get people out of their seats and laughing, and he was the DJ for the remainder of the evening. Although he doesn't have all the tacky DJ accoutrements like strobe lights and whatnot, Freddie is experienced and adept when it comes to reading a crowd, and he gets along fabulously with everyone from babies to great-grandmas. Like I said, DJ-ing weddings isn't his main gig, but I consider myself lucky! And if you can't have him at your reception, I would definitely consider lessons before the wedding...my now-husband even agreed to keep taking them...yay! Thanks, Freddie!