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

The first question after “will you marry me” is typically “when’s the wedding?”. Choosing the right day can be as hard as finding the right person to marry (well, for some). The day of your wedding can be an opportunity to express who you are as much as the music and location. This past Sunday I performed at the wedding of Megan Espenschied and Brent Tritt at the Alpine Room in Enon Valley, PA.

Clearly the time of year played a big a part in Megan & Brent’s decision of when to hold their special day. They were married outside at the Alpine Room’s outdoor facility and the weather was perfect. It had rained in spurts throughout the day, but the sky was perfectly clear while they held their nuptials. They included great elements of the season throughout the venue including the name cards, centerpieces, cake and an out of this world cookie table.

Megan & Brent made a request list for me that was fun and diverse.  The mix worked out perfectly, I was already getting compliments during cocktail hour and dinner.

Brent is the cousin of Andy Diehl, Matt Diehl & Holly Kuczynski.  I was the DJ for Holly’s wedding a couple of years ago.  Holly and her husband Brian now have a BEAUTIFUL little girl!  I was so happy to get to meet little Aubry at the wedding and see the Diehl family.

The staff at the Alpine room is always great to work with so the evening moved along smoothly with tons of time for visiting and dancing!

Megan’s sister was married this past February in Niagara Falls.  They didn’t have a DJ at their wedding so Megan had me play a song so Emily could dance with her father.  It was very sweet!

Megan and Brett had a perfect Fall wedding.  The weather was wonderful for their outdoor wedding and their guests enjoyed the convenience of having everything held in one location.  I was thrilled when the newlyweds told me they were having a Disney World honeymoon and then a cruise to the Bahamas!  A perfect end to a wonderful occasion.

Venue: Alpine Room, Enon Valley, PA
Photography: Isabell Photography