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

Family, or perhaps in this case I should say la famiglia, is one of my favorite parts about DJing at weddings.  The wedding celebration is an opportunity for every relative to do their best to create the perfect day for the bride and groom.  Last night I saw a wonderful example of  the importance of la famiglia at the reception of Heather Wojtowicz and Nicky Papa held at the LeMont overlooking downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

During cocktail hour the flower girls were dancing to the Italian music – too cute for words!

When I first met Heather and Nicky it was clear how much they loved music.  We had a great time coming up with songs to use throughout the reception.  They wanted to make sure everyone had a good time so they told to play anything necessary to keep their friends and family dancing.

Instead of wedding cake, guests were treated to a dessert of tiramisu.  A great twist on an old tradition.

Once the dance floor was open, it was packed with family and friends of all ages!

Heather and Nicky knew the words to every song I played.  I loved watching them both sing along to some old school rap songs.

All of Heather and Nicky’s relatives were so much fun, they made everyone feel like part of la famiglia.  After a wonderfully perfect evening surrounded by their loved ones, the newlyweds are now ready for their Bahamas honeymoon. Congratulations to everyone!

Venue: LeMont, Pittsburgh
Photography: Bellissima Photography
Wedding Coordinator: Ambassador Events

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

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

The view of the city is spectacular.  The entire wall is made of windows that showcase Pittsburgh perfectly.  (In honor of breast cancer awareness month the water in the fountain was dyed pink!)

I always love coming here since it was in the LeMont’s restaurant that I proposed to my wife.  When I play here it always brings back great memories.

Kelly and John were so much fun to work with, they had a such a wonderful passion for music and dancing.  They even led a giant train that wound all through the LeMont.

Kelly and her friends took over my microphone to sing!  Everyone was having a blast!

The thing I remember most about Kelly and John will always be how obvious it was that they loved each other.  When they looked at each other it was as if there was no one else around, it was beautiful.
Venue: LeMont, Pittburgh

They certainly created an evening that showcased their personalities.  Most people didn’t even notice these two hidden on the cake.

I can’t say enough about how terrific the Pittsburgh Athletic Association works as a reception venue.  It’s beautiful, elegant and their staff works to make sure every need of the guests is met perfectly.

Suzie and Aaron’s friends were ready to dance from the first song til the end of the evening.  What a great party!

Venue: Pittsburgh Athletic Association

Held in one of the inner rooms at the Sheraton, Christie and Dave had a completely wild and fun reception.  From the moment the bridal party arrived I knew this would be a one of a kind evening.

Both Christie and Dave were huge music fans and were on the dance floor all night long!

Working with couples like Christie and Dave is why I love DJing so much.  Looking back on the photos I can still feel the joy and love they felt on their wonderful day

Location: Sheraton Station Square

I’ve had the pleasure of working at the golf club many times in the past few years.  Their staff is always kind and attentive to every detail.

I happen to capture this moment of the bridal party enjoying themselves before their introductions.

Christy and Michael will be celebrating their FOURTH wedding anniversary this coming June.  They had chosen such timeless and elegant style for their wedding that the photos could have easily be from this year.

Venue: Southpointe Country Club
Photography: Wade Martin