Category Archives: 2008 Pittsburgh Weddings

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Darla and Matthew (Circuit Center & Ballroom)

The wedding season is starting to wind down for 2008, which makes me kind of sad. I feel so blessed to be a part of so many wonderful celebrations. Last Saturday I played what turned out to be an extra special day for me when I played at the reception of Darla Lewandowski and Matthew Abel at the Circuit Center & Ballroom in Pittsburgh.

Darla and Matthew chose some great songs for their special evening, but also gave me some room to include a variety of songs throughout the night for all the guests to enjoy. You know it’s a nice mix of music when people compliment the dinner music!

The Circuit Center is a beautiful and large venue that was divided in half for the cocktail hour. This created a nice lounge type area for the guests to enjoy themselves before the entire room became opened for dinner. The high ceilings in the room make it feel extra spacious.

During dinner, Darla and Matthew asked their guests to sing them a love song instead of clinking glasses to make them kiss. I thought the poem they put on each table was a cute way to let the guests know!

I discovered the day of the wedding that many years ago, I worked with Matthew’s mother at Pittburgh’s public access TV station. They had even been at MY wedding, and it was so great to see Carol and her husband Peter again. It goes to show that sometimes things happen for a reason, it made the day extra special that I was able to be a part of their big celebration.

I met another, much newer couple that night too. (that’s all I can say about that)

Darla had been referred to me from another DJ who was unavailable to play at her reception, so I have to say thanks Jodi of Accents Unlimited. I can’t say enough how glad I was to perform at Darla and Matthew’s wedding. It was wonderful getting to know them and their families. At the end of the night it was clear to everyone that they been part of an absolutely perfect day!

by EricTags: Pittsburgh

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Kelly & James (Airport Marriott Reception)

This past Saturday was the wedding of Kelly Smith & James Faddis at the Airport Marriott Hotel. Kelly and James came up from Maryland to have their Wedding here in Pittsburgh, and they worked extra hard to make sure every detail of their big day was absolutely perfect.

Kelly & James had some wonderful ideas for the music of the evening and even made lots of music choices for the cocktail hour and the dinner music. As you can see by their song list, it made for an awesome mix mostly from the 80’s & 90’s. It was fun watching Kelly sing along all during dinner.

The Marriott displays custom lighting on the dance floor, such a great touch!

Kelly & James had three wonderful toasts by members of the bridal party, but I’ll have to say that one of the best men, Ricky, gave a really funny toast really help set a relaxed and fun tone for the rest of the evening.

I was instructed to play YMCA for James’s father, and man did it pay off… that man sure can dance!

I had met Kelly a little over a year ago while I was setting up for another wedding at the Marriott. She was there finalizing the arrangements and came to check out the room I was setup in. I can’t say how happy I am that our meeting then led to such a great time at her and James’s reception. Thank you for letting me part of your extraordinary day!

by EricTags: Pittsburgh

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Dawn and John (Old Stonewall Golf Club Reception)

I make a big deal about the importance of including your own tastes into your wedding and reception. Everyone deserves to have a day that is truly unique. I’m just amazed at originality of the wedding I just performed for Dawn Ruby & John Lonzenski. The ceremony and reception were both held at Olde Stonewall Golf Club in Ellwood City. Since the castle is also referred to as Shakespeare’s, Dawn & John decided it would be fun to have a theme wedding and go for broke. Although they aren’t typically “into” the whole renaissance scene, they made their day special by making it fun and stylish.

This chocolate cake was truly amazing!

This was an intimate celebration with about 40 of the newlyweds friends and family, Dawn’s mother did a great job making choices for cocktail hour and dinner that were able to be enjoyed by everyone.
Dawn & John picked a great selection of oldies and 80’s music for the dancing portion that really got people up and having fun.

Dawn’s grandparents, Norman & Cleora, were celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary, Norman spent a lot of time dancing!

Since Dawn & John were married about 1:30, this was an early reception with dinner served around 3:30. They really planned things out well so that their guests were not left with hours and hours with nothing to do. When I had met with John I had made a comment about the fact that sometimes people aren’t up for dancing while it’s still light outside, but clearly I had nothing to worry about. Around 5:00 I “opened the dance floor” and everyone was up and celebrating!

I always hope that people can learn from people like Dawn & John. Not that everyone should have a renaissance theme wedding, but that it’s important to find the fun on your wedding day. Most people find that their wedding day passes by very quickly, and it seems silly to me to waste any moment of it. Dawn & John found so many special ways to make their day memorable, fun and beautiful. They were so genuinely sweet and wonderful to work with, I’m glad they chose to let me be a part of it!

by EricTags:

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Colleen and Jason (Chartiers Room)

I’m having the best time playing some amazing receptions this year! Lately I’ve been so lucky to play for such warm and friendly couples. This past Saturday I played at the Chartiers Room in Bridgeville, PA for Colleen Fink & Jason Veneski.

Colleen and Jason had such a great relaxed attitude about their reception. Their main goal was to make sure their guests had a good time. Things ran so smoothly for them that they ended up with a TON of time for dancing which really allowed me to play a great variety of music.

Colleen & Jason chose a few songs for dinner and let me build a playlist for them based on their choices. The result was a nice mix of new and classic soul & R&B which helped set a fun and romantic atmosphere. Colleen had chosen a very unique and beautiful cake. Love that blue!

They danced and danced and danced…

And even a little limbo…

Colleen and Jason were lucky enough to have a great reception with tons of extra time to allow for lots of dancing and socializing. It was great to see their friends and family enjoy themselves while celebrating. Colleen and Jason were so great to work with, I was so glad I could play a part in making their day so wonderful.

by EricTags:

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Amanda and James (Buhl Mansion Reception)

Having an outdoor wedding and/or reception is always a risk, but when it’s great and it’s really great. This past Saturday I played for Amanda McLean & James Kelly at the Buhl Mansion in Sharon, PA. The weather was SO perfect, sunny and cool.

Amanda & James spent a lot of time adding special elements to their celebration. Their wedding cake includes words from their first dance song. Their “place cards” were rocks with people’s names and table numbers on them. Very cool stuff. They gave me a great list of music to choose from for dinner and dancing. Totally mixed it right so that the evening started with music for everyone then once the sun went down I was able to play a TON of great modern dance music for their friends to really enjoy.

The Buhl Mansion is a unique and beautiful location. Not only did the newlyweds use the mansion for the ceremony & reception, but they were also able to rent out all 10 rooms of this fantastic bed & breakfast for their families and bridal party to spend the night!

What’s this? Yes, It’s Mitch & Nicole Paterline again! Nicole was Amanda’s Matron of Honor… they really helped keep the party going! Thanks guys!

Amanda & James could write a book on wedding planning, they found the right mix of making their day unique but not excluding their guests from having fun too. The worst part of the whole day was having to play the last song! Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Kelly, you guys ROCK!

by EricTags:

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Kate and Kevin (Pittsburgh Golf Club)

I’m so fortunate to get to entertain every week at some fantastic celebrations. This past Saturday my luck continued as I played the reception of Kate Aiello & Kevin Hershock at the Pittsburgh Golf Club in Squirrel Hill.

Kate & Kevin are a great young and fun couple who really love music and love to dance. They chose some great song choices that really got people dancing even while it was still light outside! Kate is a big David Archuleta fan (from American Idol), so we kicked off the dancing with his version of Chris Brown’s “With You”, the dance floor never emptied from that moment on.

The Pittsburgh Golf Club is a great venue for elegant reception. Everything ran smoothly all evening thanks to their great staff and Kate & Kevin’s photographer, Fiona Scerri. It’s great to get to work with experienced and professional vendors.

I knew it was going to be a great evening when Kate busted out her 80’s dance moves!

Kate & Kevin were so easy to work with and even spent time making sure I had everything I needed. It was easy to be sure they never got stuck in a “pickle”. They created a perfect mix of class and fun. I was so excited to be a part of their special day and was glad I could help with the amazing celebration.

by EricTags: Pittsburgh

Category Archives: 2008 Pittsburgh Weddings

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