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Category Archives: Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

Laura and Sean (Doubletree Hotel DJ)

There’s a delicate balance when trying to hold a reception that appeals to everyone while making sure that everything still reflects the bride and groom.  Laura Cox and Sean Ruzicka figured out the perfect blend at their Washington, PA celebration the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel.

Cox Ruzicka Wedding

The DoubleTree is a wonderful venue with friendly and efficient staff, which helped keep the day moving along perfectly.  The Grand Ballroom looked elegant and romantic.

double tree wedding dj

I love seeing the creative elements couples include to make the day fun for everyone.  This was the first time I’ve ever seen fingerprint artwork for the guests to sign.  What a great heirloom this will become!

finger print guestbook

Laura and Sean provided a great list of music to get their guests dancing.  There was something for everyone, from the Isley Brothers to Pitbull, from Europe to Big & Rich.  Their guests crowded the dance floor to every genre – it was fantastic!

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Once dinner was completed, Laura and Sean did their formal dance, parent dances, and money dance.

Washington PA DJ

With all of the formalities out of the way, it was time to unleash the guests to dance, and wow, they sure did dance!

Washington PA DJ

Cave man dance

Ruzicka_Wedding

Cox Ruzicka

Double Tree Washington DJ

Even after over 2 hours of energetic dancing, it was clear this group was ready for more!  Fortunately, Laura and Sean had already planned to continue their party at the local casino.  The newlyweds had given their guests a day that allowed everyone to join in the fun, and a night they won’t soon forget.  Laura and Sean are now off to Jamaica for a much deserved honeymoon.

Josie and John (Riverside Landing DJ)

The hardest part of wedding planning is figuring out what to focus on.  The key is to determine what is most important to you and put your time and energy into those details.  Josie Powell and John O’Shea did an excellent job putting together a day that met their style and tastes.  Their reception was held on a beautiful sunny day at Riverside Landing in Oakmont, PA.

Powell O'Shea Wedding

Josie and John prepared a fun and stress-free reception which allowed them to relax and enjoy the special time with their guests.  After their grand entrance they had a sweet, romantic first dance.

Oakmont DJ

When John and I discussed the music for the evening, he told me they wanted “just typical awesome wedding reception music”.  This left plenty of flexibility to find exactly what would get everyone to the dance floor.

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Josie and John spent tons of time dancing with everyone.  John even got things started by leading a giant train.

Pittsburgh Wedding Train

It wasn’t long before everyone was dancing, singing, and celebrating.

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

Flower Wedding Dress

Wedding Dance DJ

Wedding End

After all the wild dancing, the evening ended perfectly as all of the guests surrounded the bride and groom for the last dance.  I loved working with Josie and John to create such a perfect evening.  I’m so glad they were able to focus on how special everything was, which truly is what matters the most.

Janice and Nick (Wendel Inn DJ)

It’s always a unique experience for me when I get to DJ for people I’ve known for years.  It’s completely different than playing for people who I only get to know during the planning of the wedding reception.  I had the amazing opportunity to play the reception of two wonderful people I’ve known for a long time.  In fact, I’ve known the groom since I was 17.  Janice Karenbauer and Nick Barthen allowed me to be an important part of their fun-filled reception, held at the Wendel Inn, in Balwin, PA.

Karenbauer Barthen Wedding

Both Janice and Nick are music teachers, so their reception was filled with odes to their love of all things music.

music ice sculpture

A great Pittsburgh tradition, the cookie table was spectacular. (Buckeyes are always my weakness!)

Cookie Table

Being music teachers, the choice of music was very important to Janice and Nick.  They provided some great options for me to use throughout the night, but also left plenty of room for the songs that would get their guests to the dance floor.

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I loved getting to be part of this celebration and was thrilled to see these two newlyweds so happy.

pittsburgh wedding dj

Once it was time to dance, guests got up to party to some great traditional wedding tunes.

Wedding Dance

Line Dance Wedding

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

Sing Along DJ

last dance

The reception was a big hit and at the end of the night everyone joined in a giant circle for the next to last song.  It was so much fun for me personally to see so many familiar faces, and watch Janice and Nick celebrate with all of their favorite people.  These two talented music teachers get to enjoy the summer off as they start their new lives together, beginning with a romantic honeymoon in St. Martin.

Jennifer and David (Doubletree Hotel DJ)

Every wedding is a celebration, but it really becomes something extraordinary when friends and family are willing to do all they can to make the day one to remember.  Jennifer Bearer and David Yurkovac were surrounded by an amazing group of excited and supportive friends for their Doubletree Hotel reception held in Moon Township, PA.

Yurkovac Wedding

A Pittsburgh tradition, there was a very impressive cookie table and coffee station that all of the guests were quick to enjoy.

Pittsburgh Cookie Table

Jen and Dave provided me with an amazing list of music that included everything from traditional line dances to modern hits.  Even as I was lining up the bridal party, it was clear they were ready to dance!

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During the newlyweds’ first dance they were joined by their son, Jackson.  They are such a beautiful family!

https://schiemerentertainment.com/2011-wedding-dj-playlists/yurkovac-wedding-playlist/

After the formalities it was time to dance! I loved how excited everyone was to celebrate.

DJ Pittsburgh

Wedding DJ Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

Dance DJ Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

Wedding DJ Pittsburgh

All wedding receptions go quickly, but Jen and Dave’s reception was filled with so much excitement and joy, that even I was surprised how quickly the evening went by.  All of the guests were so friendly and made so many requests, I’m sure it could have lasted long into the next day.  Congratulation to Jen, Dave, Jackson and every one of their friends and family who helped make this special day truly amazing.

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.

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.

find me on instagram @ericthedj