Atrium

Madalyn and Ben wanted their family and friends to know they were more than just guests at their wedding. They were part of it. That feeling carried through the entire reception, from the way the newlyweds welcomed everyone during dinner to the packed dance floor later that night. The entire wedding day was centered around making sure everyone felt included and appreciated.

The reception took place at The Atrium in Prospect, PA. The space gave everyone plenty of room to enjoy dinner together before the celebration turned into the high-energy party Madalyn and Ben had imagined. It also allowed the night to move easily between dancing inside and an amazing fireworks break outdoors. Nothing felt rushed or disconnected.

Instead of standing in a traditional receiving line, Madalyn and Ben greeted their guests at the buffet and personally handed them their plates. It was such a simple, thoughtful choice, and it gave them a chance to connect with everyone as dinner began. Their sweet first dance to Dan Auerbach’s “Never in My Wildest Dreams” brought everyone around the floor, followed by parent dances with song choices that had been kept as surprises for the newlyweds. Later, guests stepped outside for nighttime fireworks before heading right back in for even more dancing.

Dinner had a relaxed, classic feel with jazz standards, old-school crooners, and smooth soul playing while everyone ate and visited. Once the dance floor opened, the energy changed fast. Disco, throwback hip-hop, country, rock singalongs, and dance-pop kept the room moving, while a steady stream of great requests helped me shape the party around the people who were actually there. The floor stayed packed for more than three hours. Everyone danced like crazy, and even after the fireworks, they came back inside ready for another round.

Madalyn and Ben put family first, but they also knew how to give everyone permission to let loose and have fun. They were surrounded by some of the nicest, most enthusiastic people I could have asked to celebrate with. That kind of warmth is what made the night feel so special, and it is what I will remember most about them.

Some weddings have a theme. Megan and Hirschy’s wedding had a whole world. On a gorgeous spring afternoon at The Atrium at Eisler Farms in Prospect, Pennsylvania, their friends and family showed up to celebrate two people who are deeply in love and completely unafraid to be themselves, and the result was one of the most unique receptions I’ve been a part of in years.

The Atrium is a great venue for a day like this. The ceremony was held in the greenhouse, which on a sunny April afternoon was filled with warm natural light. Megan walked down the aisle to “Zelda’s Lullaby”. She’s a lifelong fan of the franchise, and the choice set the tone perfectly for everything that followed. The recessional was sweeping and cinematic, and by the time they walked back up the aisle together, you could already feel what kind of night this was going to be.

Cocktail hour was an immersive set of video game soundtracks, anime scores, and Studio Ghibli piano that quietly rewarded anyone paying attention. Meanwhile, the ballroom was coming together beautifully — purple accents and uplighting gave the space a warm, celebratory glow that held up all the way through the last dance.

The grand entrance brought the energy up fast, and the couple came in ready to celebrate. Their first dance was a Japanese pop song that not everyone in the room may have known, but everyone felt — it was intimate and emotional and completely theirs. The father/daughter dance carried its own story: Megan and her dad share a love of anime, and they chose a song from that world for their dance together. It was one of those quietly meaningful moments that guests might not have fully understood but absolutely felt. Hirschy and his mom danced to a warm, classic choice that brought a completely different energy that was tender and nostalgic.

Dinner music stayed in the same universe the couple had built all day, video game scores, anime soundtracks, and ambient orchestral pieces that worked beautifully as background for an hour of good food and great conversation. These weren’t random picks; every song meant something, and the cumulative effect was a reception that felt curated from start to finish.

When the dancing started, the crowd jumped in without hesitation. They were happy to ride the familiar hits (classic soul, 90s pop, party anthems), but they were just as ready when the set shifted into anime and game tracks. My favorite moment was when the Mii Channel theme came on, and the newlyweds danced and swayed with their friends. I’ve played a lot of weddings, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a dance floor react quite like that. It was pure joy, and it was exactly right for this group.

As the night wound down, there was one more moment that capped everything off perfectly. Once it was dark outside, guests gathered with lighted wands, lined up, and cheered Megan and Hirschy through as they ran between them. It was a great sendoff for a wonderful couple.

This is exactly the kind of wedding that reminds me why I love being a Pittsburgh wedding DJ. Megan and Hirschy never lost sight of their guests. They wanted everyone to have a great time, even while programming a playlist that was deeply, specifically for them. That balance is harder to pull off than it looks, and they nailed it.

Western PA offers an abundance of great wedding venues, making it challenging to pick the ideal spot for your big day. From barns to hotels to museums, there are so many options to match your style and tastes. Jess and Jason found their perfect location at The Atrium in Prospect, PA, which made for a stunning setting for both their beautiful ceremony and lively reception.

The Atrium provided a picturesque backdrop for Jess and Jason to start their journey together. The venue had ample space for friends and family to relax, mingle, dance, and celebrate. After exchanging vows in the greenhouse, guests enjoyed the delightful summer weather both indoors and outdoors.

Jess and Jason curated an outstanding playlist that perfectly suited their fun-loving crowd. The music choices kept everyone on their feet, dancing and celebrating throughout the night.

As the evening came to a close, it was heartwarming to see all of the couple’s closest friends and family members cheering them on before their final dance. Jess and Jason’s thoughtful planning ensured that their wedding was a truly unique celebration, leaving lasting memories for everyone who attended.

The coolest thing about weddings isj that they not only join together two people in a lifetime commitment but also join two groups of friends and families in their love of the newlyweds! Stefanie and Erik’s wedding at the Atrium in Prospect, PA was one that allowed all of their guests to truly feel part of the big day, and part of the happy couple’s new life together.

I can’t imagine a better choice of venue for Stefanie and Erik to hold their ceremony and reception. It was a perfect summer day as their guests gather for an amazing celebration.

Stefanie’s sister and brother helped keep the atmosphere awesome as they performed a great customized song set to the Friends TV theme song (this will be available on my Instagram soon)! Everything Erik and Stefanie prepared for their special day was focused on making sure every one of their guests would have an incredible time. The result was a beautiful day followed by an epic dance party that only had to end so their friends and family could get to the after-party!

This past Sunday I played at the ceremony and reception of Kelsey Ernst and Kevin Fodness. I’ll start off by saying that this was the most customized and unique wedding that I’ve ever played. Kevin was amazingly detailed and provided me with all the music he wanted played during their big day. While I’ll admit that at first it was a bit of a daunting task, it really turned out to be a total blast!

First off, I got to play for the ceremony… which I love doing. The bridal party entered to Yael NaÔm – New Soul, which is probably best known as the song from the new Macbook Air commercial, then afterwards they walked back down the aisle to The Barenaked Ladies “If I Had $1,000,000” (I love BNL, probably my favorite band ever).

What is probably most obvious from these photos is that Kelsey and Kevin had a 20’s theme to their wedding and many of the guests dressed up in zoot suits and flapper dresses, you could tell that everyone had SO much fun and so a lot of the music played during cocktail hour was upbeat swing, it really kept the mood fun and celebratory.

Kelsey and Kevin completely understood how much fun it can be for both them and their guests by finding unique ways to change up the normal wedding and reception. Not just with the music they chose, but they also by including things their guests would enjoy such as a custom coffee counter and I don’t think anyone will ever forget the amazing Ice Cream bar.

Kelsey and Kevin were fun and fearless, and their efforts really paid off big, I’m so happy they involved me so much in their plans, it was a fantastic day!