Category Archives: Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

Sunday, May 8, 2011

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

by EricTags: Line Dances

Sunday, February 13, 2011

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.

by EricTags: 2010, Awards, Pittsburgh, Reviews, Weddings

Sunday, December 12, 2010

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.

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!

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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.

by EricTags: Grove City College, Intimate, Romantic

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Tia and Benjamin (Holiday Inn, Moon Twp DJ)

Weddings usually offer newlyweds a chance for some self-reflection. In order to have a day that truly reflects who you are as a couple, you have to evaluate everything. Since I prefer to work with my clients to create a day that is wonderfully unique, it’s great to work with couples who know and love who they are, and choose to share that with their friends and family. This past weekend I was the DJ for the wedding & reception of Tia Smith and Benjamin Pease, held at the Ferris Ballroom at the Holiday Inn, Moon Township.

The ballroom was decorated gorgeously. The wedding colors blended perfectly with the colors of the room.

Tia and Ben chose to have their reception as a Masquerade Ball. While most of the guests brought their own masks, these were made available so everyone could join in the fun!

Who’d think a pumpkin could be so elegant?

I had such a great time talking music with Tia and Ben. Their tastes were as unique and diverse as they are. We worked together to make a playlist that included everything from Final Fantasy to Rocky Horror and much, much more.

The first dance, to Ben Folds “The Luckiest”, was sweet and tender.

Then it was time for some dancing… the masks came out and people got wild!

Tia and Ben had the most awesome masks…

It’s amazing to watch people who were able to have their wedding exactly how they wanted, and see their friends and family join in to make the day a perfect success. To me, Tia and Ben set the perfect example on how being true to yourself when wedding planning creates a day like no other. I’m sure all of the guests will be discussing this special day for years to come.

by EricTags:

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Kendra and Ryan (Alpine Room, SNPJ DJ)

Of all the places I’ve been, no place is more diverse than the areas in and around Pittsburgh. All you need to do is travel 25 miles in any direction and suddenly you’ll find yourself in a unique neighborhood with it’s own culture, traditions and musical tastes. While everyone still has their “Pittsburgh-ness” about them, it’s fun to see how different groups of people celebrate as I travel around to DJ such wonderful receptions. This past weekend I headed out of the city and into the country to the Alpine Room, located in the SNPJ in Enon Valley, PA for the reception of Kendra Neely and Ryan Werner.

The SNPJ was decorated beautifully and the details throughout the room were awesome. Western PA is famous for cookie tables, my weakness is always those buckeyes!

I’ve known Kendra and Ryan for years and was thrilled when they approached me to DJ their reception. While they were relaxed and easy going about their music, I still knew their musical preferences would be largely Country & Western. I was able to gather a selection of music for them that covered every genre, but created a vibe that was a perfect fit for these two.

After dinner, the newlyweds had their first dance.

For the dollar dance, the Maid of Honor, Karen, collected money in the groom’s cowboy hat!

The room was filled with friends I hadn’t seen for a long time. There were 3 couples at the reception whose weddings I DJ’ed! One of their daughters came up to dance with the groom (along with grandma).

I was excited to get the dancing started…. and so was everyone else!

Everyone partied until they couldn’t dance anymore…

Kendra and Ryan’s wedding reception was a tremendous celebration. Their friends and family were so excited to come and FINALLY get to see them celebrate their love. I can’t thank them enough for making me a part of everything.

by EricTags: Country, Pittsburgh, Unique

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Meghan and John (Pittsburgh Atheltic Association DJ)

Let’s talk about the excitement of the wedding celebration. One of my favorite experiences is when the friends and family of a newly married couple arrive at the reception full of energy and jubilation to get the party started. At the reception of Meghan McHenry and John (Gray) Cole, the guests came to the Pittsburgh Athletic Association prepared for an epic celebration, and didn’t leave disappointed.

The venue was decorated in wonderful Fall colors. As the guests arrived, there was no denying their anticipation for the party of the year. The Athletic Association was filled with the sounds of laughter.

Meghan, John & I did our planning online and via telephone since they were planning their wedding from Maryland. Their relaxed nature made it fun to pull their ideas together into a playlist that flowed nicely from beginning to end.

During dinner, Meg & John visited with each table instead of eating! Once they were done they moved straight to cake cutting & their special dances. Talk about putting your guests’ needs in front of your own!

What happened next is the reason that any one ever dreams of being a DJ. From the first song, the guests jammed the dance floor and kept the party going, and going, and going. It was awesome!

Groomsman Luis, showing off his amazing dance moves!

Meg and a few of her bridesmaid took a well deserved break before coming back to the dance floor.

I always tell my clients that you should leave your guests wanting just a little bit more. Everyone should leave with the feeling that they could have danced all night. With Meg & John’s friends and family, I’m convinced the party could have easily lasted for 5 or 6 more hours. Everyone was ready to join together for the ultimate celebration, and they danced their hearts out to every song. The newlyweds are off on their dream honeymoon to Greece. I’m sure everyone will be ready to celebrate again when they return!

by EricTags:

Category Archives: Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

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