Megan and Ed chose to forgo a grand entrance into the ballroom and instead followed their guests to their seats after the cocktail hour.  Instead of a banquet style head table, they chose to sit with their bridal party in a more comfortable and enjoyable setting.

As for music, the newlyweds chose dinner music that I’m convinced they’d play if you visited their home for a meal.  Great selections from the Decemberists, Coldplay, the Eagles, and more created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

The couple held their first dance between dinner courses, which really helped keep the evening moving along.

Megan and her father worked out a very special dance for after dinner.  They had a great time and performed their choreography perfectly!

With all the festivities concluded, there was nothing left to do but celebrate and enjoy some time on the dance floor.

I find it’s extremely difficult for people to let go of certain wedding traditions, even if they don’t feel like those elements reflect their personal style.  Megan and Ed had a fantastic evening where they spent their time only doing what they knew they would enjoy.  Now they are all ready for more a well deserved rest on their Hawaiian honeymoon.

Venue: The Renaissance Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA

Location, location, location.  Not only true in real estate, but maybe even more so when choosing the right wedding and reception venue for your special day.  Your choice of venue will determine how your day will progress, and clearly it’s not a decision to be taken lightly.  I love when I get to DJ at locations that are a little different, as I did this weekend for the wedding reception of Kara Piazza and Luke DeJohn at the Grand Concourse in Pittsburgh, PA.

Kara and Luke were married on the stairs at the Grand Concourse.  What an amazing way to begin their new lives together!

Later in the evening, they used the same area to have their first dance.

Since the Grand Concourse is a large, spectacular venue, I placed speakers in a few areas to be sure guests could hear and enjoy the music.  Kara and Luke chose a wonderful variety of songs throughout the evening that really suited them and their guests.

The newlyweds planned to use the different areas in the Grand Concourse creatively.  There was the main dining area, the bar, and in a separate area was a photo booth, cookie table, donut machine and video slideshow .  Even the dancing was in a space that made for a nice, louder party area, while there were plenty of places for people to go to visit and relax.  Once the dancing started, the area filled up right away and things got a little crazy!

Love the look on Kara’s face as Luke’s friends carried him around the concourse.

Towards the end of the night, Kara and Luke were able to dance and spend quality time with their close friends.  They were able to have the entire day at one amazing location.  From getting prepared, all the way to the late night after party, their choice of venue made for an amazing celebration.  They’re now headed to St. Lucia, for what I’m certain will be the perfect honeymoon.

Photographers: The inspiring Annie O’Neill Photography
The pictures above are by DJ Eric Schiemer. Please visit the photographer’s site to see professional photos from the entire day.

Venue: The Grand Concourse, Station Square in Pittsburgh, PA

Planning a wedding is challenging.  It’s even more so when you’re preparing everything from out of town.  I tend to work with many people who used to call Pittsburgh home, and want to celebrate their big day back in the ‘Burgh.  This weekend I was the DJ for Jennifer Prentice and Steven Derr at the LeMont.  Jen and Steve moved away from Pittsburgh but wanted to have their wedding reception overlooking the 3 rivers of our great city.

One of the reasons Jennifer and Steven chose the LeMont was because of the amazing view.  What a great way to show out of town guests the beauty of the Pittsburgh skyline.

The music was fun and upbeat.  Jen and Steve chose songs from all genres to be sure everyone could enjoy themselves throughout the night.

When it was time to cut the cake, Jennifer and Steve both let each other have it!

Their first dance, to Brad Paisley’s “Then”, was sweet and adorable.

The LeMont is the perfect place for guests to relax, visit, dance, and enjoy the view.

The night ended with all of the newlyweds’ friends and family crowding the dance floor and singing.  It was so much fun to know that so many people came from near and far to join in the celebration of this wonderful couple.  These newlyweds came home to Pittsburgh and gave their guests a day to remember.  Jennifer and Steve are about to travel even further for their honeymoon in Hawaii.

Photographers: The truly spectacular Aly & Derrick Bash of Studio Bash
The pictures above are by DJ Eric Schiemer.  Please visit the photographer’s site to see professional photos from the entire day.

Venue: The LeMont, 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

Everything you read about wedding planning will tell you to plan your wedding details around who you really are and not what you think is ‘typical’.  The challenge I think for most people is whether or not they know who they really are.  For me, some of the most fun and exciting receptions are those in which I work for people who know themselves enough to plan a day that really suits their style.  Style was certainly the case for the elegant and unique wedding of Kate Hanahan and Adam Cooper, held at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA.

Kate and Adam were married outside at Phipps Conservatory, and while there was a brief chance of rain, the sun appeared and the weather was wonderful throughout the rest of the evening.

Family played a very important part in the day.  The flowers were all done by Kate’s cousin, and her mother made her dress!

The music for the evening was perfect.  Kate and Adam provided a list of music that perfectly suited their guests’ tastes while staying true to what they envisioned for their big day.  Dinner music was lively and fun, and the music for dancing was energetic and wild.

Throughout the day, you could feel the joy that Kate and Adam were feeling.  I don’t think I ever saw Kate without a smile.

When it was time to dance, everything went completely insane.  I was warned by the newlyweds about their friends and family being ready to celebrate. They did not disappoint!

I don’t think Kate and Adam left the dance floor all night long!  They really kept the party going strong.

My evening was made even better by getting to work with some of Pittsburgh’s finest.  Wedding planner extraordinaire, Sumer Schmitt of Simply Perfect Weddings, really kept things on track the whole day.  Also, this was my first time getting to work with the talented Leann Marie. I can’t say enough about how great it is to work along side such wonderful people.

As midnight was approaching, it was obvious that this party could have lasted for 6 more hours.  All of the guests crowded the dance floor to congratulate the newlyweds and celebrate just a little more.  So much more than an “average” wedding, Kate and Adam planned a day that showcased their personalities in a stylish and elegant fashion.  In a word, it was perfect.

Planner: Simply Perfect Weddings
Photography: Leann Marie Photography
Venue: Phipps Conservatory

One of the coolest parts of my job is that I get to meet with each couple a few weeks before the wedding.  I love this time when plans are coming together and the soon-to-be newlyweds are full of the anticipation of seeing their big day finally happen.  While these meetings are always a good time, I had an especially great time working with Chrissy Goldbach and Josh Hughes to prepare for their celebration at the Circuit Center & Ballroom in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Chrissy and Josh were relaxed, yet so excited about their big day at the Circuit Center.  It was great to see the Center so perfectly decorated for the big celebration.

My favorite part of working with Chrissy and Josh was talking through all their fun music ideas for their special day.  The results were unique and fun.  We had the best time compiling a wide variety of song ideas for cocktails, dinner, and dancing.

During the wedding everything went exactly as we had planned. I love seeing people so happy.

The Circuit Center provided tons of room for people to dance and get wild.

Chrissy and Josh were a joy to work with.  It was a great day that had gone exactly as we had discussed during our meeting.  You could feel their satisfaction as their guests gathered on the dance floor.   The newlyweds enjoyed one last dance before heading off on their Jamaican honeymoon.

Photography: Pamela Marie Photography
Venue: Circuit Center and Ballroom

Since we’re looking back on the previous year, this would also be a good time to mention that I was selected as one of the Bride’s Choice Award Winners for the 3rd year in a row.  This award is handed out to the DJs who receive the best reviews on the Wedding Wire website.  I’m so grateful to have so many wonderful clients willing to take time after their wedding to leave feedback and compliments regarding my service.  It really means the world to me.

If you’d like to see some of these reviews, click here.  If you’re a previous client, from 6 months to 26 years ago… you can still review my DJ service by clicking here.

What a perfect way to start a new year!  Last evening I had the amazing opportunity to DJ at the wedding of Jena Brook and Matthew Hutchison, held in the Grand Hall at the Priory.  Jena and Matt are both Captains in the military.  Jena is recently back from a tour of Iraq while her new husband was stationed in Afghanistan.  It’s such a great honor to be involved with military weddings. Not only do I have tremendous respect for the these men and women, but these are people who seriously know how to celebrate!

Located on the North Side of Pittsburgh, The Priory is a stunning reception venue.  After their grand entrance, Jena and Matthew had their first dance.

I see a lot of unique cake toppers, but I’ve never seen anything as customized as this!

Jena and Matthew were fun and relaxed about their music choices.  They gave me the freedom to figure out what was going to keep everyone on the dance floor.  Throughout the evening the music included everything from oldies, Motown, top 40, and rock.

Once dinner was finished it was time to dance…

and dance…

and dance!

At the end of the evening the guests surrounded Jena and Matthew for the final song.  It was obvious how happy everyone was for the newlyweds.

I love to entertain our service men and women, and it was great that so many of Jena and Matthew’s friends were able to be a part their big day.  I can’t imagine a better way to kick off a new year!  The newlyweds are now off to their honeymoon in the Bahamas.

Venue: Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at the Priory
Photography: Rima Campbell Photography

Of all the places I’ve been, no place is more diverse than the areas in and around Pittsburgh.  All you need to do is travel 25 miles in any direction and suddenly you’ll find yourself in a unique neighborhood with it’s own culture, traditions and musical tastes.  While everyone still has their “Pittsburgh-ness” about them, it’s fun to see how different groups of people celebrate as I travel around to DJ such wonderful receptions.  This past weekend I headed out of the city and into the country to the Alpine Room, located in the SNPJ in Enon Valley, PA for the reception of Kendra Neely and Ryan Werner.

The SNPJ was decorated beautifully and the details throughout the room were awesome.  Western PA is famous for cookie tables, my weakness is always those buckeyes!

I’ve known Kendra and Ryan for years and was thrilled when they approached me to DJ their reception.  While they were relaxed and easy going about their music, I still knew their musical preferences would be largely Country & Western.  I was able to gather a selection of music for them that covered every genre, but created a vibe that was a perfect fit for these two.

After dinner, the newlyweds had their first dance.

For the dollar dance, the Maid of Honor, Karen, collected money in the groom’s cowboy hat!

The room was filled with friends I hadn’t seen for a long time.  There were 3 couples at the reception whose weddings I DJ’ed!  One of their daughters came up to dance with the groom (along with grandma).

I was excited to get the dancing started…. and so was everyone else!

Everyone partied until they couldn’t dance anymore…

Kendra and Ryan’s wedding reception was a tremendous celebration.  Their friends and family were so excited to come and FINALLY get to see them celebrate their love.  I can’t thank them enough for making me a part of everything.

Venue: Alpine Room, SNPJ
Photography: Beyond The Lens Photography