Get a quote today for your wedding

On the blog

Read More

Chrissy and Josh (Circuit Center DJ)

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.

Goldbach and Hughes Wedding

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.

Circuit Center and Ballroom DJ

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.

view_playlist

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

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

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

Circuit Center DJ

Pittsburgh DJ

Circuit Center Dancing

Reception DJ Pittsburgh

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.

Megan and Peter (Mayernik Center DJ)

Like most DJs, I don’t get to see many wedding ceremonies.  Most of the time I only get to be part of the big day after the biggest moment has already happened.  I love when I get the chance to witness, and even play a part of, the wedding ceremony.  I was given the pleasure of providing a sound system and music for the beautiful outdoor nuptials of Megan O’Bryan and Peter Madsen.  The weather was perfect at the Mayernik Center in Avonworth Community Park, Pittsburgh, PA.

Madsen O'Bryan Wedding

Megan and Peter were married on the grassy area outside of the center.  Their officiant included touching details about the couple’s relationship which made the ceremony very personal and special.

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

Instead of name cards, each guest was given an empty box with their table assignments.  Each guest then visited the candy buffet to load up on treats.  I love how they made all the candies match the colors of the day!

Wedding Candy Boxes

Wedding Candy Buffet

The music throughout the day was romantic and fun.  Megan and Peter gave me flexibility to keep their guests happy, but made some really fun requests to help make the day unique.

view_playlist

Megan and Peter have known each other most of the their lives and are now completing med school together.  The bond they share was clear to me the first moment I met them.

Mayernik Center DJ

Once it was time to dance the guests hit for floor for great music from every genre.

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

Mayernik Center Avonworth DJ

Megan & Peter’s guests and family were extremely friendly and tons of fun.  At the end of the night no one was ready to leave, it had been such a perfect day it was sad to see it end.  The newlyweds are now off to St. John’s to rest up for their next adventure together.

Sarah and Joe (Marriott Pittsburgh North DJ)

I always find myself talking with people about how much I love my job.  The day I get to DJ a wedding doesn’t seem like something I have to do as much as something I get to do.  After tons of preparation and planning, I look forward to watching all the hard work pay off.  The results of a lot of hard work (by everyone involved) had tremendous results at the reception of Sarah Downing and Joe Gramc held at the Marriott Pittsburgh North in Cranberry, PA.

Downing-Gramc Reception

I had a rare moment during cocktail hour when I was alone in the main ballroom.  I was able to capture this unique 3-D look at the beautiful Marriott Ballroom completely setup for Sarah and Joe’s 350+ guests. (click below to load, then use your mouse to move around the image.)

In all the excitement, I almost missed this amazing detail on their cake cutting knife!

I will cut you Knife

Sarah and Joe could not have picked music more suited to their guests.  Cocktail and dinner included a mix of both contemporary artists and classic crooners.  When it was time for dancing the guests hit the floor for music from every genre including top 40, oldies, rock, and disco.

view_playlist

The first dance was so sweet as they danced to Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers.

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ First Dance

When it was time for dancing, the staff at the Marriott handed out 1600 glow necklaces to all the guests.  It really helped set the party mood!

Wedding Glow Necklaces

I was so excited to get to see Christy and Matt Crummy at the reception.  I played their wedding last year and they had referred me to Sarah and Joe.  (thanks guys!)

DJ Referral

Sarah and Joe’s guests danced and partied like crazy.

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

Later in the evening Sarah and Joe had arranged a late night snack of 400 McDonald’s hamburgers and cheeseburgers.  They were a big hit for all the guests to re-energize and keep celebrating.

McDonald's Wedding

Pittsburgh Entertainment DJ

Dancing DJ Pittsburgh

Wedding DJ Pittsburgh

After almost 3 hours of dancing it was time to say goodnight.  The evening ended with a very full dance floor with everyone cheering for Sarah and Joe.  It’s always such a thrill for me to see so many guests truly wrapped up in the celebration of such a great couple.  These newlyweds are now headed off to Hawaii to get some much needed rest!

Patty and Rick (Embassy Suites DJ)

When I consider all of the changes I’ve seen at weddings since becoming a DJ, one of the biggest is people’s opinions regarding line dances.  It used to be that almost every reception began with a series of line dances to warm up the crowd, but now people tend to look for different ways to pack the dance floor and avoid using any type of group dances.  Imagine my surprise when Patricia Dichiera and Rick Galloway not only wanted to include lots of line dances, but found a great way to highlight them at their beautiful reception at the Embassy Suites in Moon Township, PA.

Italian Wedding Reception Pittsburgh DJ

Each guest table was named after a traditional line dance such as the Locomotion, Electric Slide, and even the Chicken Dance.  Guests were instructed to hit the dance floor when their song was played.

Wedding Line Dance Place Cards

Also, every place setting had a blank “wish” card for each guest to fill in a special message to the newlyweds.  The guests then hung the cards on the wish tree which made a great addition to the venue.

Wedding Wish Tree

Along with the line dances and typical reception music, the dance floor also filled during many modern songs.  It made for a great mix that had selections for everyone of every age.

view_playlist

Patty and Rick were so much fun during the planning process, and it became obvious how much they enjoy being around each other.

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

One thing that makes a DJ’s job easy is having a couple who loves to dance.  Patty and Rick were on the dance floor, constantly singing and dancing with their guests.

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ Embassy Suites

Embassy Suites DJ

Wedding DJ Pittsburgh

Italian Wedding DJ Pittsburgh

The wedding was a complete success, and proved that a great mix of traditional and modern ideas can make a reception elegant and unique.  At the end of the night, Patty and Rick were excited and completely ready to begin their 2 week honeymoon in Hawaii.

Rachel and John (Southpointe Hilton Garden Inn DJ)

One of the things I love about my job is that I get to work with a wide variety of terrific clients, each with their own unique take on putting together their dream wedding.  I love people who get involved with me in making the music truly reflect who they are.  This weekend I was able to help Rachel Novosel and John Sada customize their reception at the Southpointe Hilton Garden Inn outside of Pittsburgh.  Their fun and easy going attitude made an evening that was a reflection of their wonderful personalities.

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

I work hard to make sure that my DJ equipment doesn’t take a way from the beauty and elegance of the venue.  For the past few years I’ve used systems by BOSE, which deliver wonderful sound without distracting from the romantic atmosphere of the room.   The Hilton Garden Inn looked amazing with spotlights featured on each centerpiece in the room.

Pittsburgh Hilton Garden Inn

One of my favorite parts of preparing for Rachel and John’s big day was pulling their music together.  Their music choices were fun and different, even for dinner.  Guests were commenting on how great the selection was.  Everything from country, rock, top 40, oldies and more made the reception feel special and customized.

view_playlist

Rachel made a beautiful bride and her dress was simply stunning.  It was clear that John couldn’t take his eyes off of his new wife.

Pittsburgh Wedding First Dance

After a few formal dances, the party began.  The wide variety of music gave everyone a chance to get to the dance floor.

DJ Eric Schiemer

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

Sada Wedding DJ

Hilton Garden Inn Wedding DJ

Rachel and John were so much fun to work with.  They had a strong sense of what they wanted for their special day, but also gave their guests the opportunity to hear the songs they wanted to enjoy as well.  The best part of being a wedding DJ is getting to play events like this that are so extraordinary and different.  I was thrilled to help Rachel and John end their big day having the time of the lives.

2010 Year In Review

I can’t think of a better time of year than Valentine’s Day to take a look back at all of the extraordinary weddings I was blessed to be a part of in 2010.  Thank you to each one of these couples for choosing me as their DJ for their big day. I wish them all the best of luck in their new lives.

find me on instagram @ericthedj