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Lindsay and Jason (Carnegie Museum Wedding DJ)

This past weekend, I was given the opportunity to perform at a wedding reception that included all of my favorite things about being a DJ.  The wedding and reception of Lindsay Daldoss and Captain Jason Hall was held the day before Memorial Day at the Carnegie Museum Music Hall Foyer in Pittsburgh, PA.  The first of my favorite things about this day was the happy couple.  Lindsay and Jason were fun, relaxed, and just awesome to work with.

Military Wedding DJ

Secondly would be the Carnegie Museum.  The Music Hall is simply breath-taking and is easily one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh to DJ.

Carnegie Museum Wedding

Obviously, music plays a big part in every reception. Lindsay and Jason were so fun and relaxed that they gave me tons of freedom to choose the right music to make the day romantic as well as a big celebration for all their friends and family. The results were a fun mix of jazz standards (cocktails), coffee house rock (dinner) and great dance music that kept everyone up on their feet.

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If you haven’t figured it out yet, this was a military wedding, which again, goes on my list of favorites.  It’s such an honor to get to DJ for the men and women who serve our great nation.

Of course, everybody loves a full dance floor!

military Wedding DJ

I also loved the opportunity to see Jena and Michael Hutchison who had me as their DJ a little over a year ago!

I really could go on and on about how many things I loved about this day.  Ultimately, the thing I loved most was that Lindsay and Jason chose me as their DJ to help them celebrate their new lives together.  The newlyweds are now off on a well deserved honeymoon before they resume their service to our nation in their new home in Korea.

Jeramie and Nathanael (DiSalvo’s Station DJ)

The thing I love most about being a wedding DJ is how every reception is different.  Unlike DJ’ing at Christmas parties or class reunions, the music for a receptions is unique every time.  The couples I work with choose how much they wish to customize the music for their celebration.  I love when clients take the time to incorporate their musical tastes into the reception in order to set a tone that truly reflects their personalities.  Jeramie Byers and Nathanael Dean helped me create a playlist like no other for their big day at DiSalvo’s Station in Latrobe, PA.

Byers Dean Wedding Reception

This converted train station provided the perfect backdrop for the guests to visit, eat, and dance.

DiSalvo's Station Wedding DJ

Since Jeramie and Nathan are big music fans, they were so much fun for me to work with.  Their musical selections throughout the evening helped make this event like no other.  The music was a great mix of indie rock, dance and some traditional favorites.

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The excellent staff at DiSalvo’s worked hard to get the guests their meals and then clear the dancing area so the newlyweds could have their first dance.

One of my favorite moments of the night was watching the guests circle the dance floor for a very traditional dollar dance.

Dollar Dance

Afterwards the dancing kicked into high gear!

By the end of the evening, I had the chance to play music for all the the newlyweds’ friends and family.  They were able to expose their guests (and even me) to some new artists while still making sure that everyone had the perfect evening.  Jeramie and Nathan had worked hard, and succeeded, to make the evening like no other.  Their next great adventure now starts with their honeymoon in Hong Kong.

Mother and Son Dance Song Ideas

I’m a huge fan of Spotify.  This year I have been testing various ways to incorporate this amazing online music resource in the wedding planning process.  I’ve worked to create a great variety of playlists to help people choose songs to use during the big events at the reception.  (It’s always easy to hear the songs, instead of just reading suggestions on a list) Here’s a look at 20 great ideas for the Mother and Son dance.

Visit my profile on Spotify to find even more playlist suggestions like this one. Don’t have Spotify? Download it for free!

Natalie and John (Phipps Conservatory DJ)

Sometimes when I meet a couple for the first time, I can just tell how much fun we’re going to have at their reception.  That was certainly the case when I met Natalie Laneri and John Hurst to discuss their wedding at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA.  Their outgoing and fun nature made me feel confident that their wedding day would be one that would be fantastic for everyone.

Laneri Hurst Wedding

The ballroom at Phipps was decorated beautifully with their wedding colors.

Phipps Conservatory Ballroom

Before dinner, John’s brother Cameron serenaded the couple as a special gift.

Phipps Conservatory Ballroom

Natalie and John chose music for the evening that would be special to their families.  The cocktail reception featured Latin artists and dinner music had a more Italian feel.  Once dancing started, the floor was packed to modern music as well as some classic hits.

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After the sun went down, it was time for the newlyweds’ first dance.

 

Things got a little crazy once it was time to celebrate!

Natalie and John’s guests were having such a great time on the dance floor that they could have easily celebrated long into the night.  As everyone gathered outside on that perfect Pittsburgh evening, the newlyweds had the oppourtunity wish their guests farewell.  They are now off on what I believe might be the perfect honeymoon as they visit both Antigua and Disney World.

Stephanie and Jonathan (Edgeworth Club DJ)

It’s tough to describe most weddings in just a few words.  The day is full of so many twists and turns, that everyone walks away with their own feelings about it.   I DJ’ed a recent wedding that (at least from my perspective), came down to just one word.  Elegant.  The reception of Stephanie Larry and Jonathan Smetanick held at the Edgeworth Club in Sewickley, PA, was the perfect example of what most people are hoping for on their special day.

Clearly, the Edgeworth Club was the perfect venue for this memorable and romantic celebration.

Edgeworth Club, Sewickley, PA

The music throughout the evening helped create the right atmosphere for the newlyweds to begin their new lives together.

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The newlyweds’ first dance was romantic and sweet.  They really got lost in each other.

Edgeworth Club Wedding DJ

Such a beautiful bride!

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ-6

After being treated to an amazing dinner, it was time to celebrate!

As the reception came to a close, the guests were invited outside to release lanterns in the air.  The result was the perfect end to a wonderful evening.  Stephanie and Jonathan created a day that treated their guests to a once in a lifetime event.  An evening that was romantic, unique and yes, very elegant.

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