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Category Archives: Phipps Conservatory

Alys and Tim (Phipps Conservatory)

Planning a wedding is never simple.  Thousands of details need to be prepared, considered, and chosen in order to have your big day come together as you please.  Alys and Tim’s reception at the Phipps Conservatory Ballroom was the perfect example of excellent planning and wonderful choices that made for a fantastic and elegant reception.

Cheatle Jarvela Wedding

The ballroom at Phipp’s was beautifully decorated for the newlyweds and their guests.  Alys and Tim selected a great selection of music for the evening which included Rat Pack standards, swing, oldies, 80’s, and Top 40 music, all of which suited their friends and family.

To cap off their celebration, they chose the perfect songs (Livin’ On A Prayer & Don’t Stop Believin’), which brought their evening to an epic ending.  They made many wise choices and prioritized their efforts for the wedding day, which made the entire day absolutely perfect.  They’re now headed off to Antigua for a well deserved romantic and relaxing honeymoon.

Wedding DJ Playlist

Alexandra and Ryan (Phipps Conservatory DJ)

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.

Cervenka Slack Wedding

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.

DJ Setup at Phipps Conservatory

Phipps Conservatory Garden Tent

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.

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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.

Phipps Conservatory Garden Tent Wedding DJ

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.

Lauren and Andy (Phipps Conservatory DJ)

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!

Holly-Millsaps Wedding

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.

Pittsburgh Foam Fingers Wedding

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”.

Pulp Fiction Wedding Dance

Phipps Conservatory Wedding DJ

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.

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

Phipps Conservatory Wedding DJ

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.

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.

Kate and Adam (Phipps Conservatory DJ)

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.

Hanahan Cooper Wedding

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.

Phipps Conservatory Wedding

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

Apple Table Cards

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.

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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.

Phipps Conservatory Wedding DJ

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!

Phipps Conservatory Wedding DJ

Outdoor Wedding DJ

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

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

Phipps Wedding DJ

Pittsburgh Cooper DJ

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.

Allison and Justin (Phipps Conservatory Reception)

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This past Sunday was a beautiful day for the wedding and reception of Allison Templin and Justin Lamperski. Their family and friends all gathered at Phipps Conservatory to celebrate with the happy couple.  Allison and Justin were a lot of fun to work with, they put a lot of work in to create a very special day. The weather could not have been more perfect, while the wind was a bit strong, it really help cool everyone off.

The Garden at Phipps was such a wonderful venue, having the wedding and reception so close together really made it a great time for everyone. The food was provided by Rania Catering (from KDKA’s Cooking with Rania) and was completely top notch.

Allison and Justin came up with a great list of music for the entire day… I especially loved their choice of “I Love The Flower Girl” to end the ceremony.

Here is the playlist from the reception.

Ceremony
Air On A G String
Canon In D
Carmen Intermezzo
The Cowsills – I Love The Flower Girl

Cocktail Hour
Come Fly With Me Michael Buble
Everybody Wants To Rule The World Tears for Fears
You Make Me Feel So Young Frank Sinatra
I Feel It All Feist
Wishin’ and Hopin’ Ani DiFranco
Tony Bennett – Put On A Happy Various – Pop music, Vocal
#41 Dave Matthews
Mack the Knife Bobby Darin
Shoot The Moon Norah Jones
Magic Man Heart
Band Of Horses – The Great Salt Lake
Head Over Heals Tears for Fears
Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure
Any Colour You Like Pink Floyd
Duffy – Mercy
L O V E (Bonus Track) Michael Buble
The Long Day Is Over Norah Jones
Hallelujah, I Love Her So Ray Charles
Some Kind of Wonderful Peter Cincotti
I’m Your Man Michael Buble
Almost Like Being in Love Natalie Cole
When You’re Smiling Dean Martin

Introductions
Black Eyed Peas – Let’s Get It Started
Beautiful Day U2

First Dance
In Your Eyes Peter Gabriel

Dinner Music
That’s All Michael Buble
Come Away With Me Norah Jones
In The Still Of The Night Carly Simon
Diana Krall – Look Of Love Various – Jazz, Blues, Funk
Our Love Is Here To Stay Rod Stewart
For Once in My Life Harry Connick Jr.
Somethin’ Stupid Robbie Williams with Nicole Kidman
Jamie Cullum – What A Differen Various – Jazz, Blues, Funk
Rainbow Connection Peter Cincotti
Kissing a Fool Michael Buble
Sarah Vaughan – Someone To Wat Various – Jazz, Blues, Funk
Everything Michael BublÈ
Curtis Stigers – Crazy Various – Jazz, Blues, Funk
Don’t Know Why Norah Jones
Save the Last Dance for Me Harry Connick Jr.
Nobody But Me Lou Rawls
Pour Some Sugar on Me Def Leppard
I Can See Clearly Now Holly Cole
Beyond The Sea Robbie Williams
Summer Wind Barry Manilow
Henry Mancini – Something For Various – Pop music, Vocal

Cake Cutting
Pour Some Sugar on Me Def Leppard

Bridal Dances
You’ve Got a Friend James Taylor
Nick Drake – Northern Sky

Dancing
When You Say Nothing At All Alison Krauss
Unchained melody The Rightheous Brothers
Angel Eyes Jeff Healey Band
Dancing Queen ABBA
Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya & Pink – Lady Marmalade
Vogue Madonna
The Way You Look Tonight Frank Sinatra
My Best Friend Tim McGraw
Mambo No. 5 Lou Bega
Usher – Yeah
Ciara featuring Petey Pablo – My Goodies
Hey Ya! Outkast
Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond
Beer Barrel Polka Frankie Yankovic
Don’t Stop Believin’ Journey
Come on Eileen Dexy’s Midnight Runners
50 Cent – In Do Club
Robyn – Show Me Love
Wordless Chorus My Morning Jacket
Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby
Rihanna – Don’t Stop The Music
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) Whitney Houston
Jessie’s Girl Rick Springfield
Burnin’ For You (Album Version) Blue Oyster Cult
China Girl David Bowie
Learning to Fly Pink Floyd
Piano Man Billy Joel
Jumpin’ Jack Flash The Rolling Stones

 

Allison and Justin also ordered my photo montage service, they’ve been together since High School so it was GREAT to see photos of them together while they were SO young! They were so happy and just couldn’t stop looking at each other and smiling. It was truly the perfect outdoor wedding.

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