Phipps Conservatory

One of the first questions every newly engaged couple is faced with is determining how many guests should they invite to the wedding.  While many immediately think of how much fun the reception would be with 200-300 people, they miss out on how special the day can be with a smaller, more intimate group.  Alexandra Cervenka and Ryan Slack might not have had the largest guest list in Pittsburgh, but their celebration at the Phipps Conservatory Garden Tent was huge.

Phipps Conservatory made the perfect venue on this beautiful summer day.  They arranged and decorated the large tent in a way that made it feel the perfect size for their 65 guests.

When it came to music, Lexie and Ryan chose some special selections for the evening but wanted to leave lots of room for people to make requests and have fun.  Their playlist incorporated everything from jazz, motown, disco, rock and a few top 40 hits too.

After cocktail hour, the bride and groom entered the Garden Tent and began their first dance to Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”.

Once it was time, the guests took advantage of every moment we had to celebrate.

I had first met Lexie and Ryan a couple of years ago at the reception of Lisa and Armando Padilla (where they had caught the bouquet and garter!).

Phipps employees commented to me on what a fun group this was and how the dance floor was packed all night.

As a special twist at the end of the night, the newlyweds presented their guests with a fantastic popcorn and italian soda buffet.  Everyone then jumped on a shuttle bus to head downtown and see the post Pirates game fireworks display!  What appeared to be what some would call a small wedding, ended as one the largest celebrations anyone had ever seen.

Obviously, people first think about music when hiring a DJ for their wedding.  While I encourage the couples I work with to make as many song choices as they wish me to play on the big day, sometimes it just takes a few songs to make the day unique and special.   Lauren Holly and Andy Millsaps made some key suggestions for their reception at Phipps Conservatory which I know I’ll never forget!

They set a great tone for the party as they entered the reception to U2’s “Beautiful Day” while their guests waved custom-made foam fingers.  Such a great start to a fun evening.

After their entrance, the newlyweds danced to “You Never Can Tell” by Chuck Berry, including all the great dance moves from the movie “Pulp Fiction”.

Lauren and Andy made lots of other fun choices for the evening, and Lauren even let her dad surprise her with a special song for the father/daughter dance.  (It was a unique version of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” from the movie Parenthood.) Be sure to see the entire list that made for an awesome celebration.

After the festivities were completed, everyone had a great time enjoying some traditional wedding songs as well as modern hits.

It was such a pleasure working with Lauren and Andy.  They allowed me to use my experience to be certain their guests would enjoy themeslves and dance all night long, but they also made the right suggestions which created special memories that are truly their own.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Everything you read about wedding planning will tell you to plan your wedding details around who you really are and not what you think is ‘typical’.  The challenge I think for most people is whether or not they know who they really are.  For me, some of the most fun and exciting receptions are those in which I work for people who know themselves enough to plan a day that really suits their style.  Style was certainly the case for the elegant and unique wedding of Kate Hanahan and Adam Cooper, held at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA.

Kate and Adam were married outside at Phipps Conservatory, and while there was a brief chance of rain, the sun appeared and the weather was wonderful throughout the rest of the evening.

Family played a very important part in the day.  The flowers were all done by Kate’s cousin, and her mother made her dress!

The music for the evening was perfect.  Kate and Adam provided a list of music that perfectly suited their guests’ tastes while staying true to what they envisioned for their big day.  Dinner music was lively and fun, and the music for dancing was energetic and wild.

Throughout the day, you could feel the joy that Kate and Adam were feeling.  I don’t think I ever saw Kate without a smile.

When it was time to dance, everything went completely insane.  I was warned by the newlyweds about their friends and family being ready to celebrate. They did not disappoint!

I don’t think Kate and Adam left the dance floor all night long!  They really kept the party going strong.

As midnight was approaching, it was obvious that this party could have lasted for 6 more hours.  All of the guests crowded the dance floor to congratulate the newlyweds and celebrate just a little more.  So much more than an “average” wedding, Kate and Adam planned a day that showcased their personalities in a stylish and elegant fashion.  In a word, it was perfect.