Renaissance Pittsburgh

Set along the riverfront downtown, the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel offers one of the most recognizable backdrops in the city. From the ballroom windows, guests look out toward PNC Park and the iconic yellow bridges, creating a view that feels unmistakably Pittsburgh. The setting brings together historic architecture and a vibrant cityscape in a way that few venues can match.
Cocktail hour often takes place on the balcony overlooking the grand lobby. The open atrium below adds energy and movement, while dedicated speaker coverage on the balcony keeps music and announcements present without competing with the natural buzz of the space. That early layer of atmosphere sets the tone before guests transition upstairs.
Dinner and dancing in the ballroom continue to highlight the river and skyline. As daylight fades and the city lights come on, the view becomes part of the reception itself. Careful sound placement ensures that toasts and music remain clear throughout the room while preserving the elegance of the setting.
Below are real weddings at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, offering a closer look at how couples have celebrated with the city as their backdrop.

Jenny and Jarad’s Unforgettable Celebration at the Renaissance Hotel Pittsburgh

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a wedding DJ is witnessing the union of two families and seeing everyone come together to celebrate. Jenny and Jarad’s wedding reception was a perfect example of this joyous occasion, filled with guests who were ready to party and create lasting memories.

The reception took place at the stunning Renaissance Hotel Pittsburgh, where guests were welcomed with a marvelous cocktail reception before it was time for dinner and dancing. The city skyline, visible through the expansive windows surrounding the main ballroom, added an extra touch of magic to the evening.

Jenny and Jarad provided me with a fantastic list of song requests that kept the dance floor packed all night long. Guests danced and sang to a wide variety of music, ensuring that there was something for everyone to enjoy.

As the night drew to a close, the festivities culminated in a special, intimate moment. Jenny and Jarad shared one last dance in the now-empty ballroom, a quiet and touching end to an evening full of celebration and joy. This serene moment was the perfect way to conclude their reception before they embark on their new adventure together.

Later this year, the happy couple will head to Hawaii for more quiet moments and to begin the next chapter of their lives. It was an honor to be a part of Jenny and Jarad’s unforgettable celebration, and I wish them all the best as they start this exciting journey together.

Wedding DJ Playlist

Planning your wedding at this venue?

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Bridgette and Eric (Renaissance Hotel Wedding)

Are you in the midst of wedding planning and wondering how to handle the reception playlist? It’s a common concern for many couples – after all, you want to make sure the music reflects your own personal tastes, but you also don’t want to exclude your friends and family from the festivities. Well, Bridgette and Eric faced this exact dilemma, and they came up with a solution that was nothing short of genius.

Bridgette and Eric decided to put their trust in their loved ones and allow them to make song requests through the wedding RSVP. And let me tell you, the results were amazing!

The reception, which was held at the luxurious Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel in the heart of downtown, was jam-packed with dancing and singing from start to finish. The winter theme decor added a touch of elegance, and the music selection was a perfect blend of all different genres. In fact, the party was so epic that when the night was coming to a close, the guests needed two extra songs before they were ready to head downstairs for the after-party.

Bridgette and Eric were the ultimate DJ’s dream couple – their relaxed and fun-loving approach made it a celebration that nobody would forget. So if you’re on the fence about whether or not to allow your friends and family to make song requests at your own wedding reception, take a cue from Bridgette and Eric and go for it! You never know what hidden talents your loved ones might have when it comes to selecting the perfect dance party playlist. Trust me, your reception will be a hit with this approach!

Wedding DJ Playlist

Planning your wedding at this venue?

I'd love to hear about your plans and share what I've learned from celebrating here. Check availability and get a personalized quote.

Ashley and Anthony (Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel Wedding Reception)

When did I realize that Ashley and Anthony were going to have a completely unforgettable wedding reception? Was it when they told me they wanted an epic dance party for the celebration at the beautiful Renaissance hotel, or that many of their guests would be traveling to Pittsburgh to be a part of their special day?

Was it when their guests cheered SO loud for the entrance of the wedding party, or when they started throwing money during their first dance as part of a Greek wedding tradition?

Perhaps it could have been when I first arrived at the Renaissance and saw how wonderfully decorated the ballroom was for everyone to enjoy a once-in-lifetime celebration…

or when the guests immediately crammed the dancefloor and didn’t stop until the very last song.

No, for me it was the very first moment I had the opportunity to meet with Ashley and Anthony. Their love for each other and their excitement to spend their big day with so many of their favorite people made it clear to me that theirs was a wedding celebration that would be like no other. They told me that they wanted the dance floor to be filled all night long and their friends and family did not disappoint. Once their unforgettable reception came to an end, everyone made their way to the hotel bar for an after-party that lasted late into the night. I had the best time getting to know the newlyweds and am thrilled I was able to be a part of such an amazing day!

Wedding DJ Playlist

Planning your wedding at this venue?

I'd love to hear about your plans and share what I've learned from celebrating here. Check availability and get a personalized quote.

Ashley and John (Renaissance Pittsburgh Wedding Reception)

It’s always a bittersweet feeling for me when I DJ the last wedding of my season each year.  While I do enjoy having a little time off to spend with friends and family, I miss having the chance to participate in so many wonderful and happy occasions.  I can’t think of a better way to end my 2019 season than to be a part of Ashley and John’s beautiful wedding reception held at the Pittsburgh Renaissance Hotel.

Pittsburgh Renaissance Wedding Reception DJ

Ashley and John did an amazing job decorating the hotel, and included lots of special details including chocolate covered apples at each place setting!  The view from the ballroom was a great way show off Pittsburgh to their out-of-town guests.  It also made the perfect spot for an epic dance party!

Pittsburgh Renaissance Wedding Reception

Pittsburgh Renaissance Wedding Reception

Ashley and John were great fun to work with.  Their fun, relaxed and genuinely kind personalities let me know their reception would be a great time for everyone.  The guests had a wonderful time dancing to a wide variety of excellent music from yesterday and today.  At the end of the night, the newlyweds were surrounded one of the largest dance circles I’ve ever seen.  It was clear no one wanted to miss an opportunity to enjoy every minute of this terrific celebration!


Wedding DJ Playlist

Planning your wedding at this venue?

I'd love to hear about your plans and share what I've learned from celebrating here. Check availability and get a personalized quote.

Nicole and Justin (Pittsburgh Renaissance Hotel Reception)

Wedding planning is a ton of work.  For some people, hiring a planner to help plan out all the details is a great option to keep from getting overwhelmed.  Nicole and Justin, on the other hand, had no problem at all putting together the perfect wedding reception for their epic celebration at the Pittsburgh Renaissance Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel Wedding

The atmosphere at the Renaissance was spectacular, with lots of custom details including two caricature artists, uplighting, monogram, a fantastic cookie table and even special dog treats for guests to take home for their fur babies.  The ballroom also features one of the best views of the bridges and PNC Park!

Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel Ballroom

Wedding Dog Treats and Bags Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel PNC Park View

Nicole and Justin worked hard to provide me excellent song choices for me to play throughout the evening.  There was a wide variety of music for guests to enjoy, everything from country to rock to top 40 hits from the 80s through today.

Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel Wedding DJ Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel Wedding DJ Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel Wedding

Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel Wedding DJ

After the final song, Nicole and Justin prepared a special grand exit to end the evening.  All of their friends and family left the ballroom and cheered for the happy couple as they descended the grand staircase of the hotel.  There was cheers and laughter as the after-party began and the newlyweds got to relax and enjoy the success of their perfect wedding day.


Wedding DJ Playlist

Planning your wedding at this venue?

I'd love to hear about your plans and share what I've learned from celebrating here. Check availability and get a personalized quote.

Claire and Andrew (Renaissance Pittsburgh Wedding Reception)

Couples have told me that they’ve had bad dreams before their wedding day, that no one at the reception will dance.  No matter how much fun your family and friends are, I think it’s easy to worry that for one reason or another, they won’t have a good time when it’s time to celebrate.  My simple advice is always this – when the bride and groom dance, everyone dances.  Claire and Andrew did an amazing job showing their guests exactly how to party at their elegant and fun wedding reception at the stunning Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel.

The Renaissance ballroom looked stunning, and I was thrilled that I could provide a custom monogram and red uplighting to make the room look even more amazing.

 

Claire and Andrew were so fun to work with, and when it came time to dance, they made sure everyone was a part of the celebration.  They both spent tons of time dancing and Claire even ran to tables to drag more people to join them.  They gave their friends and family an authentic reason to celebrate and party, and wow, did they party!  The night ended way too soon, but as the last song ended, the newlyweds were surrounded by all of their favorite people.  It was the perfect ending to a great day.
Wedding DJ Playlist

Planning your wedding at this venue?

I'd love to hear about your plans and share what I've learned from celebrating here. Check availability and get a personalized quote.

Alyson and Michael (Renaissance Pittsburgh DJ)

I love to be organized. I take my role as wedding DJ seriously and know it’s my responsibility to assist in making the wishes of each bride and groom become reality. My job is always fun, but I get the chance to enjoy myself even more when I work with couples who have the same approach to their reception. Because of their organization and attnention to details, I had a fantastic evening DJ’ing for Alyson Rotz and Michael Joyce at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.

I could talk forever about what a great venue the Renaissance Hotel makes for a fantastic reception.  The view of Pittsburgh is amazing, and of course, Alyson and Michael had arranged to decorate the ballroom in a beautiful and elegant fashion.

I worked with the newlyweds to create a playlist that would not only suit their style, but was sure to keep everyone happy all night long.  Alyson’s father included some fun requests to kick off the celebration, which included Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”!

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Alyson and Michael’s first dance was choreographed to Keith Urban’s “Without You”.  They did such a great job!

From their wild excitement during the grand entrance, I knew this was going to be a wild night.  Alyson and Michael’s guests jumped up and crowded the dance floor.

All of the guests joined Alyson and Michael on the dance floor for their last dance.  As they leave for their honeymoon in Aruba, they can relax knowing that their hard work and planning had resulted in the perfect celebration.

Planning your wedding at this venue?

I'd love to hear about your plans and share what I've learned from celebrating here. Check availability and get a personalized quote.

Laura and Zack (Renaissance Hotel Wedding)

It’s so easy to get caught up in the details of a wedding, and lose focus on what the day is really about.  While all of the individual elements will clearly help make it more special, it all boils down to celebrating the simple love between the bride and groom.  I was fortunate enough to work with a couple that never lost focus at the Renaissance Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA.  Laura Kiley and Zack Cataldi had a beautiful and elegant reception in early October.

Kiley Cataldi Wedding

One of my favorite moments of the day was when Laura and Zack came in to see the Symphony Ballroom before the guests entered.  After taking a few moments to take in the beauty of the room, the view, the details, and the cake, Laura said “this is a great bonus”.

Kiley Cataldi Wedding

Even when it came to choosing music, Laura and Zack guided me to play songs that people would want to hear.  It could not have worked out better, as people jumped up to dance to a wide variety of tunes.

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Since everyone had come from all over to join in the celebration of these two newlyweds, it wasn’t difficult to get the party started.

Pittsburgh Renaissance Hotel Wedding

Laura and Zack even had a few unexpected bonuses when celebrities Jane Seymour and Chelsea Kane stopped in to dance!

Jane Seymour Chelsea Kane

These two are so clearly in love that nothing could have kept their day from being anything but perfect.  Friends and family came together to see Laura and Zack get married, and at the end of the day everyone got so much more.

Planning your wedding at this venue?

I'd love to hear about your plans and share what I've learned from celebrating here. Check availability and get a personalized quote.

Maria & Steve (Pittsburgh Renaissance Hotel )

Here’s another amazing wedding from the past couple of years that never made it to my website.  Maria Gaydosz and Steve Calvery held a spectacular reception at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.

The Renaissance Hotel is a spectacular place for a reception.  The view of the city from the ballroom is simply breathtaking, and their attention to every detail is simply perfect.

Once again, I had the chance to work with Heather of Weddings By Heather.  She is so great at capturing wonderful moments.

As you can tell by these photos, Maria and Steve’s wedding was one crazy fun party.

Maria and Steve were kind enough to write me a fantastic reference after their wedding.  I feature it on my testimonials page because it so perfectly addresses the important concerns potential clients have. I have such a wonderful time at this reception, I was glad to get know this sweet and wonderful couple.

Planning your wedding at this venue?

I'd love to hear about your plans and share what I've learned from celebrating here. Check availability and get a personalized quote.

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Planning a Pittsburgh wedding? This blog features real weddings, favorite venues, packed dance floors, and ideas to help you picture how your own celebration could feel.

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ Eric Schiemer

Meet Eric

Hi, I’m Eric. I’m a Pittsburgh wedding DJ who cares about great music, a smooth timeline, and a dance floor that feels natural and fun, not forced.

This blog is a collection of real weddings, favorite venues, and moments that show what a great night can feel like.

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Kind Words From Couples

Eric was absolutely fantastic as our wedding DJ. He brought amazing energy, kept everyone engaged, and helped create such a fun atmosphere throughout the night.

— Marisa & Nick

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