Soul Session Edu-tainment, Inc Reviews
Reviews
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5.0 out of 5 rating
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Fantastic
24 reviews
Recommended by 100% of couples
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Jenna Sent on 09/25/20255 out of 5 rating5.0
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The BEST wedding decision we made — hands down!
The BEST wedding decision we made — hands down!
Hiring Soul Session was easily one of the best choices we made for our wedding, and we knew it from the very first call with Garland. What started as a quick “get to know you” turned into a full-hour conversation — by the end, we were basically yelling “Where do we sign?!” Garland’s vibe, energy, and music knowledge are just next-level, and exactly what you want guiding the music and the vibe of your wedding day.
They covered everything — from ceremony music to cocktail hour to dinner to an absolutely electric dance floor. We gave Garland a few song ideas, but he knew exactly how to read the room, feel out the crowd, and keep the party going. And WOW did he deliver. The dance floor was packed the entire night — literally everyone was up, including every single grandparent (which says it all). Once Soul Session started playing, you just had to be out there.
Garland, Tracy, and the entire band are so talented — beyond just being incredible musicians, they’re amazing performers who truly care about making your day special and completely “you.” Since the wedding, the #1 thing we’ve heard from our guests has been: “That band was AMAZING.”
If you’re thinking about booking Soul Session, please, we're begging you, DO IT. You will not find better. We’re still smiling from it all — and that’s thanks to them. Highly, highly, highly recommend. -
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Erin Sent on 08/07/20255 out of 5 rating5.0-
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Soul Session = The Heart and Soul of Our Wedding
Where do we even begin? We knew our wedding was going to be amazing, but Soul Session made it the best party we’ve ever been to. From the very beginning, Garland took on the role of more than just bandleader — he became a true partner in the planning process.
We had no idea what we were doing when it came to wedding planning, but Garland’s experience and genuine care made everything feel easy. He guided us through every step, from the ceremony to cocktail hour to the reception, with regular phone calls where he got to know us — not just our music taste, but our story, our personalities, and even the vibe of our families and guests. He literally has weddings down to a science.
The ceremony music? Absolutely beautiful — there were tears the moment we heard his voice.
The cocktail hour? A perfect, personalized soundtrack.
The reception? Unreal.
Garland also sang all of our first dances — and it was one of the most emotional, intimate parts of the night. His voice brought so much feeling and made those moments even more unforgettable. It felt personal and live in a way no recording ever could.
From the second the wedding party entered, the energy was off the charts. Every single member of Soul Session is so talented — the flow, the vocals, the musicianship, the chemistry — it felt like we were at the most epic concert and the most special celebration of our lives, all in one. Everyone — young, old, and in between — was dancing all night long.
We had so many guests tell us it was the best wedding they’d ever been to. Some even asked if Garland was a family member because of how connected he was to us and how personally he delivered every moment. He listened so closely to everything we shared in the planning process and wove it all into something unforgettable.
Soul Session is pure magic. Garland is a genius. If you want your wedding to feel joyful, emotional, wildly fun, and completely you — hire them. It will be the best decision you make. -
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Caroline Sent on 07/22/20255 out of 5 rating5.0-
Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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The best!
If you’re reading through reviews thinking about booking Soul Session for your wedding or event, just do it already!! They are absolutely incredible! Garland is so talented and his passion for music and bringing people together shines through in every conversation you have with him. He helped us chose the five piece band option with live music for our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, followed by a DJ set to close out the night which was perfect from start to finish. He’s a true professional who guided us through the planning process start to finish, helping us bring our personality into every part of the night. Garland and the female vocalist have amazing voices and the energy they brought kept everyone on the dance floor all night long. Our guests are still raving about them! They handled all the formalities (speeches, intros, etc) perfectly and made everything feel seamless. Working with Soul Session was honestly one of the funnest parts of wedding planning for us. We truly feel like part of the Soul Session family for life and we’re so grateful they were part of our day. Cannot recommend them enough! -
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Jordan Sent on 05/18/20245 out of 5 rating5.0
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Dance the Night Away with Soul Session
Book them now!! Booking Garland Nelson and Soul Session was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. Truly a full-service vendor, Garland and his band provided the most amazing, entertaining day for us and our guests. Garland was the Officiant for our ceremony, and members of his team performed for our ceremony, cocktail hour, and then we had the full band for our reception. We received sooo many compliments, and Soul Session kept the party going all night long. We had so many conversations with Garland so that they fully understood the vibe we were looking for, and boy did they deliver! They blew sh*t up as Garland loves to say. Do yourself and your guests a favor and book Soul Session, you will have family for life! We are constantly looking up events to see Soul Session at again, and we look forward to it!-
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Andria Sent on 11/26/20235 out of 5 rating5.0-
Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Don't hesitate, book them now!
My family has worked with soul Session in the past for a house party, they were phenomenal. My first decision, the day I was proposed to was to book them! We planned our wedding date around their availability because we loved them so much. Garland is much much more than a vocalist. Please know that when he says your family, he really means it. Garland puts love and care in everything he does. Not only did he perform at the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, but he hooked everyone up with microphones who needed to speak at the wedding ceremony, provided a podium and ensured the sound was excellent. Garland, my husband and I had several phone calls going over the logistics, play list, the plan and him sharing his ideas from years and years in the business. He ended one call saying that he wanted to do another call because he want to be sure everything he had and I had was exact, and there was no hesitation in my voice. I loved his tips and really helping the flow of wedding ceremony and reception. The band was amazing, he really knows how to bring the energy and get people up dancing!!
I could go on and on but all I can say is hire Garland and soul Session, he's family... And I'm pretty sure we all want that on one of the most important days of our lives -
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Kim F. Sent on 11/11/20235 out of 5 rating5.0-
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Book them now
Just do yourself a favor and book Soul Session for your upcoming event, especially if it is your wedding. Live music is important to us and we planned our entire wedding around having an awesome band. Soul Session kept everyone of all ages on the dance floor all night at Glen Sanders Mansion. The music was inclusive and they are amazing at keeping the energy up. We received so many compliments on how awesome and talented the band was and will be a core memory for years to come. Garland is the man and we are already thinking of what event we can have in the future so we can once again dance the night away with Soul Session. -
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Fred Sent on 06/28/20235 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Garland and Soul Session takes care of everything and then rocks your face off
Garland and the band were amazing. They pretty much acted as my wedding planner and coordinator and then also showed up like 3 hours early to the venue to set up. We stumbled upon him visiting our venue and booking them was the best decision my wife and I made. I could not recommend more. Our crowd rocked out all night and I cannot wait to see the video he takes of the whole event!
Thank you so much!
Fred -
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Steve Sent on 11/18/20225 out of 5 rating5.0
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Best Band in the 518!
We had the pleasure of being able to book Soul Session for our wedding at the Glen Sanders Mansion. The band is led by Garland Nelson who was an absolute pleasure to work with! We may be bias since we have seen the band perform in several settings publicly and at a previous wedding but we knew this is THE BEST band in the area!! He immediately makes you feel like family, and is very flexible based on what your looking for.
His ability to flawlessly manage, coordinate, offer insightful professional advise, and thoughtfully curate music & entertainment tailored to your desires is top notch! Throughout our entire event, the band seamlessly kept the energy and vibe rolling! We received countless positive feedback from our guests and know that everyone danced their feet off. From a musical perspective, the band is extremely talented and all members have their own unique highlights. Depending on your taste, Soul Session has the ability to deliver and exceed your expectations in any genre. Would highly recommend Soul Session or Garland for any setting in which you are looking for musical entertainment that is sure to be a huge crowd pleaser! We thank you and your team for performing at our special day - Ya'll absolutely crushed it! -
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Nicole Sent on 10/16/20225 out of 5 rating5.0-
Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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The absolute best!!
Cannot say enough good things about working with Garland throughout the entire planning process. He was quick to respond, incredibly professional but also had a way of making you feel like you were family. When it got to the day of we were not prepared for how much this band would blow us and our guests away. Everyone had such an amazing time at the wedding and that was in large part to the energy and vibe that the band brought to the night. So much love to Garland and Soul Session for everything that they did to make the day so special. -
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Nicole Sent on 10/25/20215 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Amazing band plus so much more!
G was an absolute blessing to work with through our entire planning process and we are so lucky to have found him and Soul Session to jam out with during our wedding. His voice is a gift from above that rings in our ears as we think of our wedding day. From the processional songs, to the reception, he not only set the tone for our wedding celebration, but he felt like family throughout the process. G gave us so much more than unforgettable ceremonial music and a fun reception! He gave us professional opinion and creatively guided us through planning out the music and vibe for our wedding day. He facilitated unforgettable memories through the sound of his music. He was always open to hearing our ideas and was so flexible working with our family to make our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception truly a dream come true. His words of wisdom the months and days leading up to our wedding, will never be forgotten. Thank you, G, and all of Soul Session, for sharing your musical talents with us and for setting the vibe that we dreamed of for the best day of our lives!! Can’t thank you enough, family! -
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Mary Sent on 08/26/20215 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Average response time 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Professionalism 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Value 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Saratoga June 2021 Wedding
Garland Nelson and Soul Session helped makemy daughter's wedding magnificent. Garland handled the ceremony music as well as the music for the reception. He spent time getting to know my daughter and son-in-law prior to the event and offered great advice to all of us. Wedding guests are still raving about the music and how much fun they had at the event. We had many guests from the midwest and Garland helped us show them what a great community we have in Saratoga Springs.
Garland and Soul Session are exceptional! -
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Caroline Sent on 01/18/20215 out of 5 rating5.0-
Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Amazing Energy!
Soul Session will blow you and your guests away. A friend recommended that we check out Garland and his crew for our big day, and I am so glad we did. He is so responsive and flexiable. Leading up the wedding, Garland does a great job of getting to know you and understand what you do and don't like, his process is really incredible and pays off. We were so pleased with how he managed the room and the COVID-19 situation. He does a great job of engaging the crowd and making everyone feel comfortable. Also, lets not forget that the band is just incredible. I would recommend them to anyone for any type of event, I will be sure to use them in the future!! Thank you Garland!! -
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Kaitlin Sent on 08/13/20195 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Average response time 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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The best there is!!
Soul Session is nothing short of amazing. We worked with Garland throughout the planning stages and he was sure to keep in touch especially the few months leading up to our big day. We spent hours talking on the phone; planning, going over a timeline, going through song choices and he provided the best input. Soul Session truly makes the party. With this band you do not have to worry about a single thing!! They know how to throw a party, get people on their feet, commentate throughout and it is obvious ho inch they care about providing you with the best service to make your wedding day unforgettable!! I cannot imagine having any others than the members of Soul Session to celebrate with us and to get the party started on our wedding day!! They are very diverse in their song choices and can play nearly anything you ask of them! They are creative and SO FUN!! A fantastic band, fantastic people and now great friends!
Thank you Soul Session and Garland for the most memorable experience of our lives!! -
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Mara Sent on 01/11/20195 out of 5 rating5.0-
Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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The absolute best
I don't even know where to start with this review because Garland is just the BEST. The one thing we knew right after getting engaged is that we wanted Soul Session to be our band. Garland brought such a fun energy to the wedding and planning process. He's almost like a wedding planner/entertainer all in one....he kept everything organized so the flow of the evening went perfectly. And of course the music was incredible. Do yourself a favor and hire Soul Session for your wedding! -
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Brooke Sent on 12/13/20185 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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They rocked it!
Garland was amazing. He can really read a crowd and he really helped pull together the kind of party we wanted. Him and the band are so talented and have incredible range. Everyone told us how much they loved the band at our wedding. We are Soul Session fans for life! -
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Alyssa Sent on 12/06/20175 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Garland is THE BEST. When I look back at our wedding day I smile and think of how selecting Soul Session was the best decision we made! Garland knows exactly how to make each moment perfect and kept us laughing and dancing all night. It was so fun to plan out our wedding and get to know Garland, he made us feel like family. We have gotten so many compliments and rave reviews about Soul Session, we cannot recommend them enough! -
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Laura Sent on 01/10/20175 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Garland Nelson and Soul Session are absolutely fantastic. Four months after our wedding, we still have family and friends telling us how our wedding was one of the best they've ever been to. Soul Session kept our dance floor packed the entire night, playing the perfect variety of songs. We didn't leave the dance floor the entire night and could have continued dancing for hours when the reception ended.
Garland is also one of the most amazing people to help plan a wedding ceremony and reception. We spent many evenings on the phone with him talking through logistics, the flow of the evening and ideas for how to make each moment special. We didn't have to think about anything for a second once we hit our reception - Garland kept the evening flowing perfectly. We couldn't have done it without him. -
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Jen Sent on 12/29/20165 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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I love Garland. Garland was the DJ for our wedding and he made the party the success that it was. Garland is able to keep the flow of the evening and read the crowd to make sure everyone is having a great time all night long. He helped us plan the timeline for the day and gave us great advice. He provided the music for our ceremony, played acoustically during our cocktail hours, and DJ'd during the reception. -
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Peggy Sent on 11/05/20165 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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If you are considering a D.J. or a Band? The answer is here... Soul Session..... HANDS DOWN! It was the best decision my future husband made to hire Garland Nelson and Soul Session for our wedding. EVERYBODY loved them. My wedding was perfect! I had a hard time leaving the dance floor. I basically danced the entire night. All my guest couldn't stop telling me how much they LOVED the band. No regrets! -
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Jessica Sent on 10/11/20155 out of 5 rating5.0
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We can't say enough to express how truly amazing G and Soul Session was on our special day. Before we booked them we were back and forth between a band or dj. Well - they offer both which helped us make our decision pretty easy! Starting from the planning process, G was so helpful. He gave us many different ideas and made us think outside the box. He really took time to make us feel comfortable with every single decision and gave us insight on what works based on his past experience. On the day of - they did not disappoint! From the ceremony music, cocktail hour and reception - everything was spot on and perfect! They got the party started and continued the entire night. The dance floor was full the whole time and EVERYONE was dancing (younger and older people)! We received so many compliments on how amazing they were. If I could give them more than 5 stars, I would - I recommend Soul Session to anyone looking to host a great party. -
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Lyndsey Sent on 03/31/20155 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Garland and his assistant made our wedding reception an event we will remember forever. From the instrumental music to the songs played during the reception, he met and exceeded our expectations. From beginning to end, Garland made our special day stress free and we enjoyed every minute of it. -
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Rachel Sent on 06/30/20145 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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I wish there were more stars to give!!! Garland & Soul Session MADE OUR WEDDING. I can't say enough about how AWESOME and AMAZING they were!!!! They completely rocked the event and had every single guest up and dancing. Garland ran the whole event (ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, after party) like a total pro - my husband and I can't stop talking about how incredible he is, and how much we love him for making our wedding such a great party. Every single guest has commented on Soul Session and how fantastic they were - and coming from a group of manhattan-ites, that's always a compliment :) I can't recommend this band enough. Not possible. They are the absolute, un-disputed best. THE BEST!!! -
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Holly Sent on 04/03/20145 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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Garland and his group, Soul Session, are absolutely out of this world! You will never meet a more professional, courteous, fun-loving, genuine person than Garland Nelson. What a class act both in person and in performance. Our meetings with Garland were always a blast and never stressful thanks to his great personality. He made sure we had anything and everything we wanted for our wedding music; from the music in the church, to the cocktail hour, and the reception itself. Everything that we said was a must-play was heard during the night.
We had a small ensemble at the church, another small ensemble for the cocktail hour, and the full piece band for the reception with the DJ for our last hour. I can't even find words to say how great they were. Soul Session has such huge repertoire of songs it is unbelievable. Don't let there name fool you, they are much more than soul music!! Throughout the night we had at least a quarter of our guests ask us about Garland and Soul Session, stating that they had never heard such a great performance. Several times throughout the night, our guests weren't sure whether Garland and Soul Session were playing live, or the DJ was playing a record!
Garland and Soul Session truly made our wedding amazing. They had everyone on the dance floor the whole night. I wish I could put into words how great Garland and all his musician's are but there are no words to describe their fantastic talent and performance. As Garland said, "We're not a wedding band, we're a band that does weddings," and boy do they put on one heck of show!
Thank you Garland for making our wedding such an amazing and fun time! Once you've seen and heard Garland and Soul Session, you'll know their is no other band or DJ that could ever compete with them, well worth every penny we paid! Don't have anyone else play at your wedding except Soul Session, or I guarantee you'll be disappointed! -
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User1053986 Sent on 12/28/20125 out of 5 rating5.0
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Quality of service 5 out of 5 rating5.0
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I can not rate Garland and the rest of the band high enough!! We first saw Soul Session at a friend's wedding in Saratoga Springs 2 years ago and knew that we had to have them when our time came. We brought them all the way down to Baltimore! That's how much we loved their performance.
We spent hours on the phone with Garland going over every detail of the night. And he remained just as excited as we were during every conversation. He paid attention to the type of music we wanted as well as songs that were special to us and our families that were played as surprises throughout the night. Truly wonderful and masterful musicians and INCREDIBLE entertainers. All of the guests were engaged throughout the night.... literally everyone was on the dance floor. I think I was the sweatiest bride in history but I didn't care because I was having too much fun dancing.
Another thing, we did the full package meaning we had 4 of the musicians for the ceremony, a jazz trio cocktail hour, and then the full band for the reception. Everything they played was beautiful. Soul Session was the icing on the cake to our absolutely incredible wedding. Truly magnificent and a real class act! I could go on and on and on!
Highly, highly, HIGHLY recommended!!
-Shannon and Dave -
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