The Chadwick was decorated elegantly with many signs of the wintery season.  A hot beverage buffet awaited guests with coffee, hot chocolate and apple cider.  Along with the cookie table, there was also a great candy buffet for kids of all ages.

Ashley and Jon gave me lots of flexibility when it came to the music for entertaining their guests.  This lead to an evening with music for everyone which really kept the dance floor jumping all night long.

Before the party got crazy, everyone watched the couple have their formal dances…

When the dancing started, everyone rushed to get glowsticks.  This is always a fun touch that helps get the party going!

Ashley and Jon created a reception that felt warm and cozy during a typically chilly time of year.  It was clear that everyone enjoyed the special touches that were provided to be sure everyone had a good time.  The newlyweds are now off on a well deserved trip to much hotter temperatures in Punta Cana.

I was impressed with how Cara and Dave created the schedule to be certain most of their guests would be happy to stay at the reception until past Midnight.  When the newlyweds had their first dance after dinner, everyone was ready to begin the celebration of the upcoming new year.

The great variety of music that was a played throughout the night was selected by Cara and Dave to be sure there was something for everyone.

Of course there were New Year’s Eve hats and noise makers which really helped get everyone ready to welcome 2012.

Cara brought so much life and fun to the dance floor.  Every bride should get to have this much fun!

Cara and Dave’s began a new year together in a unique and elegant style that was extraordinary.  Their guests kicked off 2012 in such a fun way, it should keep them celebrating all year long.

Want to see more?  Please visit Meaghan Elliot Photography to see professional photos of the entire wedding day.

One thing I talk about a lot is finding a venue that truly meets your style.  Mansions on Fifth is one of Pittsburghs newest choice which offered a one-of-kind feel for the reception.  The mansion was decorated for Christmas which really added to the intimate and homey touch of the rooms.

Niki and Neil shared a story with me of how they went through a variety of my previous wedding playlists and had a blast picking and choosing the songs for their big day.  I love when people take the time to consider the role that music will play throughout the night. 

Another thing that the bride and groom considered was how they wanted to spend their time during the reception.  They knew they didn’t want to waste a lot of time with wedding traditions that weren’t important to them.  This gave them lots of time for visiting and dancing.  They did include a beautiful first dance after their entrance down the main staircase at the mansion.

After dinner and dances with their parents, everyone crowded the dance floor for over 2 1/2 hours of celebration.

A little bonus for me was getting to see Kate & Pete Nicholas whose wedding I played a few months ago.  I was thrilled that they had referred me to Niki & Neil.

At the end of the evening, many of the guests stayed around for a pizza party in the bar of the mansion (yet another fabulous idea!) before heading off to their rooms.  So many guests had come to be a part of a day that was truly unique, and no one left disappointed.  The newlyweds headed off for St. Lucia, confident in the fact that they had created the perfect beginning for their new lives together.

Want to see more?  Please visit Kukucka Photography to see professional photos of the entire wedding day.

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”.

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.

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.

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

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.

Venue: The Renaissance Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA

I knew I was in for a fun evening when I saw Carlee and Rob’s custom cake topper featuring a bride dragging her groom away from his videogames and Dr. Pepper cans!

Due to hectic schedules, Carlee and I did most of the planning online and through Skype.  It worked out great as she was able to let me know what special songs they wanted to use throughout the evening to make the day perfect.

Carlee and Rob had wonderful first dance after dinner.  I loved seeing this quiet moment between the two of them.

An extra bonus for me was getting to see Carlee’s father and stepmother.  Cy and Joni used to work with me at one of my earliest DJ gigs, and I even DJ’d their wedding, right at the same golf club over 11 years ago!

After all the visting and catching up, it was time to celebrate!

I’m grateful to Carlee and Rob for choosing me as their DJ.  They were so relaxed and fun to work with, and their day truly reflected all their hard work.  They had a wonderful celebration that they’ll never forget as they start a new chapter in their lives.

Megan and Ed chose to forgo a grand entrance into the ballroom and instead followed their guests to their seats after the cocktail hour.  Instead of a banquet style head table, they chose to sit with their bridal party in a more comfortable and enjoyable setting.

As for music, the newlyweds chose dinner music that I’m convinced they’d play if you visited their home for a meal.  Great selections from the Decemberists, Coldplay, the Eagles, and more created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

The couple held their first dance between dinner courses, which really helped keep the evening moving along.

Megan and her father worked out a very special dance for after dinner.  They had a great time and performed their choreography perfectly!

With all the festivities concluded, there was nothing left to do but celebrate and enjoy some time on the dance floor.

I find it’s extremely difficult for people to let go of certain wedding traditions, even if they don’t feel like those elements reflect their personal style.  Megan and Ed had a fantastic evening where they spent their time only doing what they knew they would enjoy.  Now they are all ready for more a well deserved rest on their Hawaiian honeymoon.

I provided music for the ceremony and cocktail hour, as well as the reception.  It was wonderful to play a part in the entire celebration.

Nicole and Curtis worked with me to create a music playlist that really reflected their tastes perfectly.

Throughout the festivities, there was a special peacock feather theme.  I was able to include this in their dance floor monogram.

The couple had their first dance as newlyweds after dinner.

Once it was time to dance, guests jumped to the large dance floor to get down to a wide variety of great music.

When it was time to say goodbye, the guests formed a giant circle around the newlyweds to cheer and sing.  Nicole and Curtis are off on a well deserved honeymoon in Hawaii.  I can’t thank them both enough for having me as part of their amazing wedding day.

Jenna, Chris, and I had a great time talking about everything, including their relationship, their families, and their priorities for the big day.  These two have such an amazing chemistry that makes them fun to be around.  I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw that their cake topper was a replica of themselves.  I loved how they even had it made to match Jenna’s gown and Chris’s tux!

True to their fun loving nature, Chris had to hold off Jenna when it was time to cut the cake.

Jenna and Chris provided me with some guidance as far as song selection, but their main priority was making sure their guests would stay and dance throughout the evening.  Their guests made tons of requests and I was able to include music from every genre imaginable.

After everyone had the time to eat and visit, the couple had their first dance.  It was great to see them a have a tender moment all to themselves.

Afterwards it was time to celebrate!

Chris’s Aunt helped organize a Polish Wedding tradition called the Oczepiny.  All the guests gathered around to sing to the newlyweds.

While I always enjoying meeting with couples to discuss their wedding, I will never forget the time I spent with these two.  After the first 10 minutes it was clear how much they are meant for each other.  I also wasn’t too surprised to discover that their guests were as fun and wild as they are.  The newlyweds are now heading off to Mexico for a honeymoon that is sure to be epic.

Everyone knows that your wedding day is the one day when you’re allowed to do everything your way.  I find that the people who have the best receptions are those who are willing to remember that their guests are the most important part of the celebration.  This weekend I was able to DJ for Lindsay English and Adam Schwab’s wedding at the Harmar House in Pittsburgh, PA.  These two were sure to include their friends and family in the special day, which made it one that everyone was able to enjoy.

It was clear from the beginning how important their guests were to Lindsay and Adam.  They spent time visiting with everyone, and allowed for many different styles of music so that all their guests would want to get up and enjoy the celebration.  After dinner they had a few special dances which were emotional and beautiful.

With lots of time to enjoy themselves, we were able to cover music from all genres including country, rock, swing, 80′s, and modern music.  It was awesome.

The large dance floor at the Harmar House gave lots of room for everyone to join in the party.

It’s great for me as a DJ to get to get to work with such honest and giving people.  Because Lindsay and Adam  were sure to put their focus on their friends and family, their day was one that was special to everyone.