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When the Music Hits Just Right: Rachel and Jacob’s Fun-Filled Celebration

There’s just something about late April in Pittsburgh. You can feel the city shaking off the last bits of winter,…

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Magic in the Details: Annika and Joshua’s Epic Wedding at The Pennsylvanian

Spring in Pittsburgh can be a little unpredictable — sunny one second, raining the next — but when it all comes…

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Epic Dance Floor Vibes at Haley & Steve’s Rivers Casino Wedding

Winter weddings in Pittsburgh are something special. The city skyline twinkling outside the window, the cozy vibe…

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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.

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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.

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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.

Jena and Matthew (Grand Hall at the Priory DJ)

What a perfect way to start a new year!  Last evening I had the amazing opportunity to DJ at the wedding of Jena Brook and Matthew Hutchison, held in the Grand Hall at the Priory.  Jena and Matt are both Captains in the military.  Jena is recently back from a tour of Iraq while her new husband was stationed in Afghanistan.  It’s such a great honor to be involved with military weddings. Not only do I have tremendous respect for the these men and women, but these are people who seriously know how to celebrate!

Pittsburgh Grand Hall Wedding DJ

Located on the North Side of Pittsburgh, The Priory is a stunning reception venue.  After their grand entrance, Jena and Matthew had their first dance.

Grand Hall Priory Wedding

I see a lot of unique cake toppers, but I’ve never seen anything as customized as this!

Military cake topper

Jena and Matthew were fun and relaxed about their music choices.  They gave me the freedom to figure out what was going to keep everyone on the dance floor.  Throughout the evening the music included everything from oldies, Motown, top 40, and rock.

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Once dinner was finished it was time to dance…

Grand Hall Priory Wedding DJ

and dance…

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

and dance!

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

At the end of the evening the guests surrounded Jena and Matthew for the final song.  It was obvious how happy everyone was for the newlyweds.

Pittsburgh Military Wedding DJ

I love to entertain our service men and women, and it was great that so many of Jena and Matthew’s friends were able to be a part their big day.  I can’t imagine a better way to kick off a new year!  The newlyweds are now off to their honeymoon in the Bahamas.

Amanda and Joshua (Grove City Alumni Center DJ)

It’s always hard for me when I reach the last wedding of the year.  While I’m sure a break in the action is good for me, I love going out each weekend to DJ such amazing events.  I’m thrilled to have had a wonderful and intimate reception as the way to end a perfect year.  This weekend I was fortunate to be the DJ for Amanda King and Joshua Lavallee’s reception, held at the Carnegie Alumni Center located at Grove City College.

Grove City College Wedding DJ

Amanda and Josh planned an elegant and romantic celebration for themselves and 80 guests.  The room was perfectly prepared for a fun and relaxing evening.  Instead of a traditional wedding cake, they chose to have tiers of delicious cupcakes!

Wedding Cupcakes

After their grand entrance, the newlyweds had their first dance to Our Lady Peace’s “Somewhere Out There”.

Grove City College DJ

Working with Amanda and Josh was a terrific experience.  They were very easy going and just wanted their reception to be something all of the guests would appreciate.  The music was diverse and fun, including 40’s swing, modern crooners, 80’s hits, and some newer songs.  The variety kept their guests dancing and singing all night.

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After dinner, the groomsmen did a dance to Haddaway’s “What Is Love” (from Night At the Roxbury).  I have to say, Josh had some awesome moves!

Wedding Dance What Is Love

Smaller weddings can be great when the guests are this fun and friendly.  After dinner, everyone felt comfortable enough to jump up and join in the dancing.

King-Lavallee Wedding Reception

Wedding DJ Grove City

Amanda’s grandfather came out to do a Fox Trot with the bride.

Wedding DJ Grove City

Towards the end of the evening, Josh took time to dance with Amanda’s mother and grandmothers… it was so sweet.

DJ Grove City College

DJ Grove City College Wedding

People ask me, “what is your favorite amount of guests at a wedding?”.  Honestly I don’t really have a preference for large, medium, or small receptions.  My favorite type of wedding is the one where the Bride and Groom leave knowing that they had their ideal celebration.  Watching Amanda and Josh, it was obvious that they were thrilled with everything that had happened on their big day.  For me, I wouldn’t have wanted to end 2010 any other way.

Colleen and Nick (Edgewood Country Club DJ)

Most people have an idea what they want for their wedding, but it can be difficult to have every detail work according to plan.  I encourage all of my guests to have the confidence to have things their way, and I love when people are able to create a reception that celebrates the uniqueness of the bride and groom.  Yesterday I was thrilled to be the DJ for such an event at the wedding reception of Colleen Daley and Nicholas Elliott held at the Edgewood Country Club in Pittsburgh, PA.Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

The Country Club was decorated splendidly.  The customized up-lighting really tied everything together, and the room was the perfect size for the approximately 240 guests.

Edgwood Country Club Wedding

Each table was designated with a word from “Pittsburgh-ese”.  What a fun way for guests to find their seats!

Pittsburghese Table Cards

Colleen and Nick had an entrance like none I’ve ever seen.  When I announced the couple, they entered with members of the Pitt Drum line followed by the Pitt Panther himself!  All the guests stayed on their feet dancing and singing along to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”.  It was AWESOME!

Pitt Panther Wedding DJ

Among the other things that Colleen and Nick developed for their big day, they also worked closely with me on a wonderful selection of music to be played throughout the evening.  Their choices were spot on, and their friends and family crowded the dance floor all night long.

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The evening was so well organized that we were even able to do a few festivities between courses.  The newlyweds’ first dance was sweet and elegant.  I still can’t get over Colleen’s lovely wedding dress.

Edgewood Club DJ

Then things got pretty wild when the dancing started!

Edgewood Club DJ Pittsburgh

Wedding Edgewood DJ Pittsburgh

Later in the evening Colleen changed into a fun reception dress.  Perfect for dancing all the way until 1AM!

Pittsburgh Wedding Edgewood DJ

For the very last song (after a few other last songs), Colleen took the mic to lead every one in singing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'”

Journey Sing Bride DJ

I love helping people achieve the wedding of their dreams.  Colleen and Nick had an amazing day and didn’t compromise anything to make it a perfect reflection of who they are.  (They actually did so many cool things, I can’t even begin to list them all here!)  I’m thrilled they chose me to be a part of such a fabulous celebration.  The newlyweds are now off for a 2 week honeymoon in St. Lucia.