I believe that the success of wedding day depends completely on the happiness and love of the newlyweds.  We’ve all seen the downside of this on countless episodes of Bridezillas.  I find it magical when a couple radiates so much positive energy that their guests have no choice but to be caught up in the excitement and romance of the day.  I can’t think of a better example of this than the reception of Christy Steidel and Matthew Crummy, held at The Rivers Club in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

While I know every bride anticipates her wedding since childhood, Christy had an excitement that came through every time we talked, emailed, and met.  It was so infectious! It was clear throughout the night that both Christy and Matt were enjoying every second.

The first dance was sweet and elegant, such a beautiful bride!

The music flowed perfectly with the energy of the evening.  Cocktail and Dinner featured a great mix of Rat Pack and modern crooners.  When the dancing picked up there was a great variety of music for all ages.

I had the pleasure of meeting some of Christy’s family before the wedding.  Her father, Michael Steidel, was a big help with the details. I loved getting to see him dance with his “little girl”.

Not to be outdone, Matthew and his mother Martha danced next, and even included a few spins!

All of the guests were so caught up in everything that the dance floor flooded with people right away.

Christy and Matthew were so wonderful to refer me to their friends Joe & Sarah.  I’m excited to get to DJ at THEIR wedding this May!

I see a lot of beautiful wedding dresses, but Christy’s is one of my all time favorites.  Clearly it was made for the dancing bride, since later in the evening she was able to remove the bottom!

People like Christy and Matthew are why I devote my time to being the best wedding DJ I can be.  Their energy, love and excitement was so incredible every time we met, I knew their wedding would be the party of a lifetime!  The newlyweds are currently off on a Mediterranean cruise where I’m sure they’re loving every moment.

Venue: The Rivers Club, One Oxford Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Photography: Kendralla Photography

I love my clients.  I love the fact that they LOVE to plan, and want to involve me in ways to make their day truly memorable.  As my DJ business has grown over the years I’ve developed a real passion to help people make their day unique.  I had a chance to do some really fun and innovative things at the reception of Paige Honeywell and William Kress.  The reception was held at J. Verno Studios in Pittsburgh, PA.

First a word about the venue – stunning.  J. Verno opens his studio for many types of events.  Having your reception at the actual photographers’ studio really opens the door for some amazing opportunities.  They offer a fantastic photo booth where Paige and Bill provided lots of fun costumes for their guests to pose in.  This was a HUGE hit with everyone!

Paige and Bill provided me with a great set list to use throughout the evening.  I love it when my guests introduce me to new music!

Paige works as a school teacher, so she was certain to provide goody bags for all of the younger guests.  SO smart!

I always tell people that I’m thrilled to play a part of anything they have planned, even stuff that is new to me.  Paige provided me an awesome list of questions to use in “The Newlywed Shoe Game”.  It was such a success I just had to share it here.

After all the special activities, it was time to open the floor for some dancing!

I was so excited to get to see Darla and Matthew Abel at the reception, I was the DJ at their wedding back in 2008. They were awesome enough to suggest me to Paige and Bill.

Paige and Bill met at Kennywood, and looking back I think they gave their guests a bit of an beautiful and elegant theme park reception.  There were games, prizes, photo ops, wonderful food mixed with great friends and family.  I loved being part of something so well planned and unique to these two fantastic people.

Venue and Photography: J. Verno Studios, Pittsburgh, PA

I absolutely love being a wedding DJ.  I love it even more when my clients get me involved in ways to make their day special.  Sometimes I hear from people who feel they need “just a DJ”, and typically I’m not a great match for them.  Instead, my clients are those who recognize ways I can help make their day run smoothly.  Just yesterday I was able to play several different roles at the ceremony and reception of Amanda Reistadtler and Jonathan Newcomer at Greystone Fields in Gibsonia, PA.

I was able to provide music for the Ceremony on what I think might have been the most beautiful day of the year.

Amanda and Jonathan provided me with a great song list to use throughout the day.  They were so kind to their guests to allow a few of the “do no play” selections to be heard. Then they even danced to them!  Awesome!

Amanda provided me with a CD of her singing a song as a surprise to Jonathan.  They danced to it right after their first dance, what a romantic gift.

A special thanks to the amazing team at Weddings By Heather who referred Jonathan’s mother to me.  Heather’s work, attitude, and passion for weddings inspires me every time we work together.

Once the sun went down, the dance floor went wild!

Amanda and Jonathan spent the entire evening dancing, laughing and having a great time.  I had the best time getting to know them.

The Newcomers also hired me to create a photo montage of their childhood photos to display throughout the reception.  It’s always a treat to see photos of my clients’ lives leading up to this special day.  I’m so thankful that Amanda and Jonathan took full advantage of my services, and that everything they had planned worked so incredibly well.  The happy couple is now ready for some relaxation on a wonderful honeymoon in Mexico.

Venue: Greystone Fields
Photography: WeddingsbyHeather

Each wedding reception is always different, but I always love it when a client finds ways to make their day even more unique.  It’s the special touches that will be what your guests remember and tell their friends.  Yesterday I was fortunate to be the disc jockey at a reception that gave me lots to talk about for years to come.  Jenny deAngelis and Steve Weiss held their fantastic reception at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

The ballroom at the Renaissance looked beautiful as always.  Since the reception was held during the Fourth of July weekend, there was a subtle yet elegant patriotic theme to the decor.

Jenny and Steve have fun tastes in music and they chose a great variety throughout the evening.

The first dance happened perfectly at dusk.  They had a wonderfully choreographed dance to the song 867-5309 (Jenny Jenny) by Tommy Tutone.

Later in the evening, there was a great view of the Pittsburgh fireworks.

All the guests then danced the Hora as they lifted the newlyweds!

This may have been the furthest bouquet toss ever…

Jenny and Steve’s guests crowded the dance floor to every song.  What a great celebration!

Jenny and Steve spent a lot of time creating a day that no one will soon forget. I had such a great time as the DJ of a reception that was so fun and fresh.  The happy couple is off for a well deserved honeymoon in Tahiti.

Venue: Renaissance Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA
Photography: Joanna Fassinger

I am so fortunate to play for a wide variety of wonderfully diverse and unique people.  My absolute favorites are those who understand how to make their wedding day a true reflection of who they are.  For me, it doesn’t matter as much what style of music you enjoy, or what type of venue you choose, as long as those choices match up with who you are.  This makes it so that you and your guests feel completely comfortable during the big day.  You are able to simply be yourself while enjoying one of the most special moments of your life.  I was given a perfect example of this when was the DJ for the reception of Claire Allison and Christian Miedel at a private residence in Smithton, PA.

The reception was held at the Miedel’s property in a beautiful outdoor tent.  The scenery was beautiful and the accommodations were perfect.

Claire and Christian’s main focus was keeping everyone happy and dancing all evening long.  They provided a few key song choices for themselves, but then let the guests dictate what they would enjoy.  This kept people dancing, laughing, singing long into the evening.

The couple’s first dance was so simple and sweet, I love how they fit together so perfectly.

During the dancing, everyone literally pounded the floor to Toto’s “Africa”.  This definitely ranks as one of my favorite moments of all time.

Sometimes it can be awkward for guests to dance outside when it’s still daylight.  I believe that because of the relaxed and joyous environment that Claire and Christian created, everyone immediately jumped up to celebrate.  Special thanks to very talented Robin Pesa at Busy Bee Photography for referring this wonderful couple to me.

Claire and Christian were simply beaming all day and night,  even when the rain came down, they were out dancing in it!  They never lost sight of who they were and what was important, and at the end of the day, that is what made their day so extraordinary.

Venue: Private Residence in Smithton, PA
Photography: Robin Pesa
Catering: Carson’s  Premier Catering
Flowers: Bolsinger’s Flowers

It’s so easy to get caught up in making everything perfect for you wedding day, that it’s difficult to stay focused on what’s most important.  Sometimes the fact that you’re celebrating your vows to the person you’ll be with for the rest of your life can get lost amongst all the many details.  Yesterday I was the DJ for a wonderful couple who were able to stay focused on the real reason for their celebration and it was a fantastic day.  The wedding and reception of Emily Gold and James Scheidemantle was held at Lingrow Farms in Leechburg, PA.

While the weather wasn’t perfect, there is no mistaking how perfectly matched these two are for each other.

Emily and James gave me great direction for the music they wanted for their special day.  The music for their ceremony was extremely special and unique.  Emily’s mother walked her down the aisle to The Monkee’s “Daydream Believer”!

Lingrow Farm is a beautiful venue for an intimate reception.  Guests were able to enjoy the balcony as well as a bonfire once the sun went down.

Emily & Jim had WILD friends that stayed on the dance floor all night long.  They were such a great group of friendly party people.

All of the guests received a Terrible Towel as a wedding favor.  During the introduction everyone spun them around as the newlyweds entered to “Renegade”.  A true Pittsburgher’s entrance!

I had a blast working with Emily & Jim and I love their passion and sense of humor.  At the end of the night it was clear that while everything might not have gone as planned, they wouldn’t have changed a thing.  It was a PERFECT day.

UPDATE: Check out the amazing photos from Pamela Marie Photography on her blog

Venue: Lingrow Farm, Leechburg, PA
Photography: Pamela Marie Photography
Photo Booth: Shutter Booth

One of the hardest parts of choosing your reception music is deciding how to include the songs you love most along with those that your friends and family will enjoy.  One of the great joys for me is working with people who take everyone’s preferences into account and find ways to please as many people as possible.  I was lucky enough to work with some wonderful and wise people this weekend at the reception of Rachel Orler and Daniel Reid at the Pittsburgh Center For The Arts in Shadyside, PA.

Rachel and Dan found great ways to include their favorite music throughout the night, but also included a lot of music that they knew their guests would enjoy.  They used so many fun choices for everything including their entrance, cake cutting and even the parent dances.  The music was a terrific variety that appealed to every generation and the result was a dance floor that never emptied.

Pittsburgh Center for the Arts is a top notch venue.  The staff shows great attention to every detail, and the atmosphere is unique and elegant.  Dinner was held on the big patio before everyone came back inside for dancing.  Dan and Rachel’s colors were a beautiful mix of green and brown.  (My personal favorite.)

There was a special frame at the entrance where guests could fill out a ‘leaf’ and place it on a tree.  The result is a great keepsake that I’m sure will always have a special place in the Reid home.

The moment the dancing started Rachel and Dan kept the energy up and all of the guests danced the night away.

Dan and his sister got everyone excited for the Canadian song “Home For A Rest”.  This was awesome!

I had a lot of fun working with Rachel and Dan on the details of their special day.  They are such genuine and giving people who were anxious to share their excitement and love with all their guests.  Their positive energy is undeniable and was completely infectious.   I don’t think their guests had any choice but to have the time of the lives.

Venue: Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
Photography: Don Wright Weddings

I always encourage my clients to find ways to make their wedding unique to their personalities and tastes.  I’m always thrilled when a couple takes the opportunity to share a bit of themselves with their friends and families.  I love to DJ at weddings that are different each week, and this past weekend I was SO excited to play at the amazingly unique wedding of Erin McPherson and Adrian Pasricha at the Hilton Garden Inn in Southpointe, PA

Erin and Adrian held their nuptials at the Hilton Garden Inn. It was a beautiful and unique ceremony blending their two families, customs, and traditions together.

The music for the entire day was spectacular!  An amazing variety of Pop, Rap, Indian, Latin.  There was also room for some 80′s and 90′s hits as well.  Erin and Adrian put great care into providing me guidance for the songs they knew their guests would love.  Their hard work paid off with a fantastic playlist that I’m sure I’ll be encouraging future couples to review for unique and special song ideas.

Erin & Adrian’s first dance was very sweet and beautiful.

Once it was time to get the party started, the dance floor was immediately packed.  Erin was beaming all evening long.

Adrian and his sister Nicole are both great dancers, no matter what the style of music.

Things got really wild during the set of Indian music – it was truly spectacular!

Erin and Adrian were on the dance floor all the way until 2AM!  I’m sure the after party was a huge smash too!

Evenings like this are the reason any body ever becomes a DJ.  I really do consider it a privilege to help so many people dance, sing and celebrate.  Erin and Adrian are now off to Italy for their honeymoon.  I can’t thank them enough for asking me to help make their day as unique and wonderful as they are.

Venue: Carnegie Museum Music Hall, Pittsburgh, PA
Photography: Studio Bash
Videography: DMB Videography
Cake: Cakes By Tammy
Day Of Wedding Coordinator: Great Expectations Events

The music was a great mix of classical, swing, oldies and dance songs. Laura and Greg also allowed their guests to make requests to keep everything fun and exciting.

I can’t say enough about how the spectacular museum makes for a beautiful and elegant evening.

Laura always has the most amazing smile. Simply fabulous.

All of the guests were very fun and friendly. Everyone had a wonderful evening visiting and dancing.

Laura and Greg are off on a well deserved trip to the Bahamas. It was great to get the chance to get to know them and their wonderful families. This is the type of people that makes me love what I do.

Venue: Carnegie Museum Music Hall, Pittsburgh, PA
Photography: MD Photography
Videography: Micahgrace Photography and Video

Working with Kim & Kevin was great fun. My favorite part of the evening was watching them dance, it was as if there was no one else around when they looked at each other.

Kim and Kevin love dance music, and we spent lots of time planning the perfect music mix for their reception. Being a DJ, I love people who are interested in picking music that is special to them and their guests.

Kim & Kevin wanted to have their guests dance to the more traditional version of the Dollar Dance which is done to a polka…

Once they danced with the newlyweds, all of the guests surrounded Kim so that Kevin had to bust his way into this new bride.

Once we finished with all the formal festivities, the party really went crazy!

The newlyweds are off to Hawaii for their honeymoon, so they had brought a big box full of Hawaiian leis to for all the guests to wear. So fun! I had a great time getting to know Kim & Kevin to help make their reception wonderful and unique.  What a great way to start 2010!

Venue: Pittsburgh Airport Marriott, Moon Township, PA
Cake: Spoonful Sugar confections by April
Photography: Josh Mariana Photography