Stephanie and Andrew wanted a wedding where everyone felt part of the fun, and that absolutely included the kids. There were children everywhere, dancing, laughing, and enjoying the reception right alongside the adults instead of watching from the sidelines. That gave the whole evening such a welcoming feeling. As their DJ, I loved seeing families loosen up together and watching younger guests get just as excited about the celebration as their parents.
The Grand Hall at The Pennsylvanian looked incredible, filled with beautiful flowers and four actual trees that added something completely unexpected to the room. Even better, those trees weren’t temporary decorations. Stephanie and Andrew planned to have them planted in their backyard, giving them a living reminder of their wedding for years to come. Add in a huge Pittsburgh cookie table, and the room felt elegant without losing any of the personality and warmth they wanted.
After dinner, Stephanie and her father danced to a treasured Chinese song, while Andrew and his mother began dancing to “Rainbow Connection,” and other mothers and sons joined them after the first chorus. Later, right in the middle of open dancing, the reception took a wonderfully playful turn with a limbo contest that brought kids and adults together on the floor.
The music throughout the day followed that same all-ages approach. Contemporary string arrangements set the tone for the ceremony, cocktails mixed indie pop, alternative rock, and singer-songwriter favorites, and dinner kept things relaxed with indie folk and acoustic sounds. Once dancing started, the floor filled quickly and stayed that way as we moved through disco, Motown, 80s favorites, pop, 2000s throwbacks, hip-hop, and EDM. Stephanie had plenty of favorites she was excited to hear, but the fun was really in watching every generation find its moment. By the final song, guests had gathered around Stephanie and Andrew, singing together and pulling the newlyweds into one huge embrace.
That ending really summed up the entire day for me. Stephanie and Andrew created a celebration where nobody had to sit on the sidelines, whether they were eight years old or eighty. Seeing their friends and family wrapped around them at the end of the night felt like the perfect reminder that a great reception isn’t only about getting people to dance. It’s about making them feel like they belong there.
See the Full Playlist & Slideshow
Want to see more? Review the full music playlist along with a photo slideshow of special moments.
