Venue: The Renaissance Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA

It’s always a unique experience for me when I get to DJ for people I’ve known for years.  It’s completely different than playing for people who I only get to know during the planning of the wedding reception.  I had the amazing opportunity to play the reception of two wonderful people I’ve known for a long time.  In fact, I’ve known the groom since I was 17.  Janice Karenbauer and Nick Barthen allowed me to be an important part of their fun-filled reception, held at the Wendel Inn, in Balwin, PA.

Both Janice and Nick are music teachers, so their reception was filled with odes to their love of all things music.

A great Pittsburgh tradition, the cookie table was spectacular. (Buckeyes are always my weakness!)

Being music teachers, the choice of music was very important to Janice and Nick.  They provided some great options for me to use throughout the night, but also left plenty of room for the songs that would get their guests to the dance floor.

I loved getting to be part of this celebration and was thrilled to see these two newlyweds so happy.

Once it was time to dance, guests got up to party to some great traditional wedding tunes.

The reception was a big hit and at the end of the night everyone joined in a giant circle for the next to last song.  It was so much fun for me personally to see so many familiar faces, and watch Janice and Nick celebrate with all of their favorite people.  These two talented music teachers get to enjoy the summer off as they start their new lives together, beginning with a romantic honeymoon in St. Martin.

Photography: Amber Marie Photography
Venue: Wendel Inn

End of Summer 2010 Dance Remix

This has been an amazing summer with some amazingly fun dance hits, it’s been a great year to be the DJ.  Many of the Pittsburgh weddings this year featured so many great new and classic dance songs I thought I should put together a little mix of some of my favorites.   Check out my brand new End Of Summer 2010 Dance Mix featuring songs by Usher, Taio Cruz, Michael Jackson, Cee-lo, Katy Perry and more! This mix is a little over an hour long so crank it up and get ready to dance!

If you enjoy this mix, be sure to go listen to some of some of my other mixes.

Simple Elegance.  Those words mean different things to different people, but there is no denying when you see it.  Last evening I witnessed one of the most beautiful displays of simple elegance as the DJ for the reception of Amy Kim and Christopher Pretsch held at J. Verno Studios in Pittsburgh, PA.

The ceremony and reception were both held in Studio A at J. Verno’s. During cocktail hour, the room was transformed while the guests enjoyed the rest of the venue.  I simply love the choice of colors, so beautiful and unique!

Guests were asked to sign a bottle of wine instead of a guest book.  It’s a unique keepsake that the couple will enjoy on their 5th anniversary.

It’s so easy to tell that Amy and Chris love being together, they were laughing and smiling all evening long.

There were lots of wonderful song choices made for the big day, but Amy and Chris also left room open for guests to make requests.  It was fun seeing everyone enjoy the wide variety of music.

After the guests enjoyed an amazing dinner by the talented folks at Yes, We Cater, it was time to open the dance floor for celebrating!

Later in the evening Amy and Chris changed into traditional Korean wedding clothes called han-boks.  All the guests were surprised when the newlywed’s arrived in their new outfits!

There is no benefit to spending time on your wedding day doing things that feel unnatural or uncomfortable.  I’m so thrilled that Amy and Chris put together a simply elegant day that suited their personalities and was so much fun for their family and friends.  After such a perfect day the couple can now focus on preparing for their fantastic honeymoon in Italy.

Venue & Photography: J. Verno Studios
Catering: Yes, We Cater
Florist: Mocha Rose Floral
Cake: Cakes by Tammy

Scheduling the flow of a reception can be a difficult task for most people.   The challenge is to make sure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently without feeling rushed.  While it’s important to include the events that are special, no one wants to make the guests feel bored or left out.  I love to work closely with my clients to help them figure out what works best based on their needs and priorities.  This past weekend I was very excited to DJ at the wedding reception of Kala Wilhelm and Matthew Lenart at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Moon Township, PA.  The entire evening couldn’t have transpired more perfectly.

The Embassy suites really helped keep things on schedule.  The 150+ guests enjoyed cocktails in the beautiful foyer and then entered the ballroom for dinner and dancing.  There were little special touches throughout the venue that were sweet and romantic.  I loved the special chocolate strawberries on top of their wedding cake!

After the introductions, the newlyweds had their first dance.  Their connection to each other is unmistakable.

Kala and Matt made a fantastic song list for me to use throughout the evening.  They chose a wide variety of music including 80′s rock and oldies, as well as newer Top 40 hits.  The wide mix was a big hit with their friends and family.

I was thrilled to get to see Robin & Jason Scibek at the reception.  I had been the DJ at their wedding last July where I first met Kala and Matthew.  I just love these two!

One of Kala and Matthew’s concerns about their reception was making sure there would be plenty of time for dancing.  Once it was time to pick up the tempo I found out why.  Their friends and family crowded the dance floor and never left!

Kala was just beaming (and dancing) all night long.

I continually tell my clients that time has no meaning on the wedding day.  It’s nearly impossible to predict what time each event will happen since there are so many factors happening.  The stars simply aligned for Kala and Matthew this weekend as everything occurred exactly as planned.  There were tons of time for dancing.  Even after FOUR ‘one more song’ requests, the guests left wanting even just a little more.  Kala and Matt created an evening that was simply perfect both for them and all of their guests.  I couldn’t be happier for them!

Venue: Embassy Suites Hotel, Moon Township, PA
Photography: Lost In This Moment Photography
Cake: Cakes By Tammy

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

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