How to Find the Right Wedding Videographer

Finding a person to record your wedding might seem easy. What is there to it? Set up a camera and press record, right? Well, it can be a bit more complicated than that. You want a video that stands out. A video that you will want to watch and show others. It is a recording of the most important day of your life. So it is important you find the right person for the job!

Go With The Pro

It might be tempting to have a guest at your wedding set up a camera or cell phone to record your wedding. It seems cost efficient and hassle free. But there are a few problems with going with an amateur videographer.

It can be very distracting for those around the person you have designated to record. It has become uncouth to have your phone out taken pictures during a ceremony. This will draw a lot of negative attention. Plus, it is impersonal. Your guests should be able to be fully present with you while you are being vulnerable.

Even if a guest offers to record your wedding, there are so many factors that can throw an amateur through a loop. Weather is a major factor when it comes to video recording. A guest likely does not know what to do in the event of high winds, sudden light changes, or any other inclement weather. A professional has learned to navigate these challenges.

Best Fit for You

Choosing a videographer has a lot to do with choosing a style. Find a videographer who is able to express your interests through film. This is especially relevant for themed weddings. These can be challenging as it can be difficult to capture the exact look you want. That is why it is so important to find a videographer who shares your vision.

For example, if you have a more traditional wedding you may want to go with a videographer with experience in traditional weddings. You probably do not want it to be shot like a blockbuster or a horror film! But if you are having a themed wedding, you should go with someone who understands and relates to the theme. It will help create a better visual that you will want to look back on and enjoy.

Know Your Options

Videography expands beyond the ceremony. Videographers can capture moments leading up to the wedding. They can capture moments at the reception that can be expressed better through video than pictures. They can even take all aspects of your wedding and condense it into a shorter, more palatable montage. 

Videographers can offer different packages that can service your wedding. The range of packages can go from simple to premium. More simple packages can include 4 hours of recording time, a 10-15 minute montage, and a digital download. On the premium end, you can get full day coverage with 2 cinematographers, 1-2 minute Social Media Teaser, 4-6 minute highlight film, 20+ minute edited film, and even drone coverage! This is quite a large range so it is best to know what you need as not all weddings need the same things.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you need to find the videographer that fits your needs. They are a service that is creating a product for you to cherish. A video of your wedding is a keepsake that should be well made. So go with the pro, find your best fit, and know your options.

FINAL WEDDING THOUGHTS

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever.

Wedding DJ Vs Band: Which Is Right For You?

Receptions are a joyful experience filled with food, fun, and, of course, music. Family and friends get to celebrate with you! You want your music to reflect your new, exciting marriage. 

But who should play your wedding? Do you go with a wedding DJ or a live band? Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding on who is handling your music.

Band vs DJ Quality

The first thing you want to make sure is that whoever you pick meets your expectations. They are performing for your guests, after all. It is important you find people who are capable of doing the job well.

A good DJ can make or break your reception. They often are responsible for more than just the music. Keep in mind that they can announce the wedding party, dismiss tables for food, and turn focus to important reception events. It's important to make sure that they come prepared and have experience emceeing weddings.

Wedding bands can also fall victim to quality issues. We can't overstate how there is more to a wedding than playing music. The band needs to be able to fit the tone of the moment and have plenty of stylistic options. 

It is important to keep in mind that it will never sound exactly like whatever song they are covering. The upside is that you get the human aspect of someone playing a song you love live. However, it will always be different from the original.

Also of note, a wedding band will generally require more equipment, set-up/break-down time, and breaks than a DJ. If continuous, uninterrupted music is important to you, then this may be an important consideration. Typically, once the DJ starts playing music, it doesn't stop until the DJ's scheduled end time. A band will almost definitely require breaks throughout. So if continuous music is crucial for your vibe, it's best to have a plan for these breaks.

Wedding Venue Preferences

Consider the size and amenities of the venue before deciding between a DJ or band. Venues vary from having all the equipment ever to no sound equipment whatsoever.

A fully-equipped venue does make booking a band easier. However, many performers will prefer their own equipment anyway. We've known both bands and DJs who would almost always rather use their own equipment than equipment provided. 

With that being said, there's another important take-away in the "band vs DJ" debate: the sound levels. A band will be like a live show. Meaning it will be loud.  While loudness is by no means exclusive to bands (us DJs can be quite loud as well), it is something many bands have less control over. Live music simply needs to be loud. 

This is something to take into account if your venue is near a residential area with sound restrictions or if you have older guests who may not be into loud tunes. 

If you are considering a venue that does not have equipment, then another important consideration is the time involved to set up. 

DJs will, for the most part, have their own equipment package that they provide. This can be useful for speeches as well as music. A band will need more set up time with their own equipment.

Performer Personality

There is a double-edged sword of hiring family or friends for your wedding. On one hand, you are picking someone you trust and who knows you both. They can cultivate your wedding experience how you want it. 

On the other hand, they will not be able to experience your wedding to the fullest extent. Giving someone a job at your wedding can distract them from participating fully. There can also be the issue of having experience and biting off more than they can chew.

There's also the underlying threat that they'll get tired of having to work at an event they feel like they should be enjoying. Which may seem awfully tempting when the open bar is calling their name.

Your best option is to hire a wedding DJ or band that can provide you with exactly what you need. At the end of the day, this is your reception. You need to make sure that whichever option you choose is the right fit for you.

Ultimately, it comes down to you. And we've tried to be as impartial as we can here (even though everyone should book a Pittsburgh wedding DJ). But it's inarguable that a wedding DJ can do things a band can't. 

If having different musical styles, a cultivated style, volume control, and the exact versions of the songs you love is important to you, then a DJ is the way to go. If you prefer live music, then we would suggest some kind of hybrid. We've seen many cases where a couple books a band for the ceremony/dinner and a DJ for the dance party. Or even a DJ to fill the potential silence gaps during a band's breaks.

FINAL WEDDING THOUGHTS

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever.

How to Choose the Best Wedding Ceremony Music

There is plenty to figure out when preparing for your wedding. Music is one of the first items that is settled on, but is often the last thing that is finalized. Specifically, choosing the right ceremony music for a wedding is important. Music sets the mood for the ceremony and should be a reflection of you and your partner. 

There are many options when it comes to music selection. An important thing to keep in mind when choosing music is to reflect your personalities. Music should add to your moment; not be the moment.

The Processional

The Oldies, But Goodies

“Here Comes the Bride” and “Canon in D” are two of the first songs that come to mind when it comes to processional music. Religious music is also used for ceremonies for the processional or the recessional. Some may consider these cliches, but remember that this is about what you want. You cannot go wrong with songs that are classically attributed to weddings. There is a reason that they were used then, so feel free to use them now.

The Modern Take

Many modern weddings try to jazz up the entrance with more contemporary music. These songs can be a range of genres, from country to hip hop and everything between. They are often either tied to shared experiences or just to try something new. 

Walking down the aisle is your entrance and your music should reflect you. Choose music that is meaningful or fun to jump start your wedding!

The Ceremony

Traditions

During the ceremony, couples will often adhere to traditional expressions of love. This includes reading vows, lighting candles, tying knots, and other culturally significant practices. 

Music should compliment these moments, but not overwhelm them. Avoiding lyric-heavy music or finding instrumental versions would be ideal. It can be overwhelming to say your vows over the voice of a singer. 

They should also fit tonally with what is happening. If the moment is reverent, choose a religious or slower song. If the moment is more celebratory, maybe choose music that is more uptempo. 

Live Music Performances

Musicians are often utilized to add a live element to the ceremony. They can add to any aspect of the ceremony. But the most important thing to do is figure out as many specifics with them as you can beforehand. 

There are issues that can come from live performances. They range from equipment issues, song selection, when the song happens, and length of the song. Set yourself up for success by rehearsing with the artist/artists beforehand. Again, this is your wedding so make sure this is done exactly how you want it to be done.

The Recessional

Celebrate

The recessional is the last time guests will see you at the ceremony. It is also the first time they will see you as a married couple. 

The recessional music will leave a lasting impression on you and your guests. Have a blast going down the aisle! Let everyone know how excited you are to be married! Select the music that reflects your feelings as you walk into your new life. 

Choose the songs that reflect you as you embark on your adventure into marriage.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever.

Why Hire A Pittsburgh Wedding Videographer?

Remember The Day How It Was

A wedding is often said to be the most important day of a person’s life. The union of one person to another, a meshing of families, and the sharing of traditions. It is a shared experience that celebrates the couple. Yet, it is also a blur. 

It takes plenty of planning and preparation for an incredible event. Most people’s biggest concern is that it went by so fast. Ceremonies can vary in length and have many moments within them. The best thing one can do is to capture the entirety of those moments through video.

Vows and unity ceremonies are beautiful to experience in the moment. Everyone in attendance can listen to the couple profess their love. They have the chance to pour their hearts out to one another, crack a few jokes, and express their love. There is a unique feeling of being in that moment with a partner and everyone attending.  Having a video of the ceremony will be something a couple will look back on for years to come.

Photos Can't Tell the Whole Story

Photographers are essential to the modern wedding experience. They capture individual moments while everyone else gets to enjoy the wedding as a whole. Photographers capture cake cuttings, first dances, garter/bouquet tosses, and other big moments. 

But what about everything between? Video is great to capture moments with more than a visual alone. It can capture full moments that photos can only show; not tell. 

A picture of the cake cutting is sentimental. A video can show the whole process of one person thinking about whether they are going to be nice and feed their partner the cake... or not! 

A picture of a first dance is a beautiful moment between child and parent. A video can add the element of music. It could be a sentimental song that is significant to their relationship. It could have a fun dance number they worked hard on that pictures will not do justice. 

A picture of a garter or bouquet toss is a very entertaining moment. A video can capture the moment everyone rushes in to catch it (and the people who run away!) Pictures are wonderful and sentimental, but video captures what the pictures cannot.

Something to Show People Who Weren't There (Or Even Those Who Were)

Not everyone can come to every wedding. Things happen that prevent people who wanted to be there from attending. Generally, only around 75% of the people invited will attend a wedding. For the other 25%, video can help. 

Capturing a wedding with video will help everyone feel involved. All those moments mentioned before can be shared with others. Video puts the viewer in the front row of the wedding without ever leaving their home.

For those who attended, but could not be engaged in the event will appreciate this after the fact. For example, weddings on a windy day or with a more quiet couple can provide a challenge for guests to hear the ceremony. Children having a meltdown or issues arriving at the venue can prevent people from experiencing the entire ceremony. It is helpful to have a professional capture video so guests do not miss a thing.

FINAL WEDDING THOUGHTS

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

Is It Worth It to Book a Pittsburgh Photo Booth for My Wedding?

Philadelphia is known for their black tie affairs or semiformal weddings, but only 76% of weddings in Pittsburgh are this formal. More couples are taking a relaxed approach to their weddings. And a lot of out-of-town couples come to the city to hold their weddings.

A local tradition is to have a cookie table – everyone loves cookies. But you’ll also need a lot of entertainment.

Renting a photo booth in Pittsburgh is easy. There are a lot of vendors, and it is one of the best forms of entertainment. If you’re wondering if a photo booth is worthwhile for a Pittsburgh wedding, it is.

Let's see why.

6 Reasons to Rent a Photo Booth for Your Pittsburgh Wedding

1. Insanely Affordable

Couples spend $2,800 to $6,500 for wedding bands, and even if they don’t hire a band, the DJ alone averages $1,000. Add in all other forms of entertainment, and you’ll easily spend thousands of dollars even on a conservative wedding.

But photo booths can be rented for as cheap as $500 depending on the model you choose.

2. No Effort Entertainment

You put a ton of effort into your wedding, but all you need to do is rent a booth. An attendant may tend to the booth, and the rental company will handle the entire setup process. Guests walk into the booth, and the magic happens.

It's that simple.

You don’t need to hover over the booth or spend time explaining how they work to your guests. Set the booth up, if you need to, and go on with your wedding.

3. Memories You Might Miss

Your wedding will be over in a blink of an eye. While you may want to capture every second, it’s impossible to be everywhere at once. When you look through the pictures from the booth, you’ll see a lot of moments that you would otherwise miss.

4. Keepsakes for Guests

Trying to figure out what to leave to your guests? A photo is as great option. People love to take funny and goofy pictures, and a booth allows them to take these memories home with them. You can also print them out or add them to a digital photo book for guests to browse through after the wedding.

5. Multiple Styles to Choose From

If you haven’t walked into a photo booth in decades, you may not know how advanced they’ve become. There are social booths that offer easy options for adding to a guest’s socials, vintage, classic, mosaic and a ton of other options available.

6. Props are Included

And if there are quiet guests or those that are a little more reserved, props can help them break out of their shells. Props are included with most booth rentals that add to the fun and silliness of the wedding.

If you’re planning a wedding in Pittsburgh, a photo booth is a great opportunity to keep guests occupied and engaged. You simply need to have your booth setup and let the guests do the rest of the work.

So, what are you waiting for? A Pittsburgh photo booth rental is just a call away.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

Why You Should Always Hire a Pittsburgh Wedding Planner

As a Pittsburgh wedding planner, we’re happy to help couples make their dream wedding a reality. We've had the pleasure of seeing couples tie the knot at PNC Park, Airport Marriott, Mansions on Fifth and at many of the 400+ venues scattered around the city.

And if you’re thinking that you can handle all of the planning on your own, we don’t recommend it.

Newlyweds should go into their lives together filled with energy and happiness – not exhaustion from their wedding. Planners know the ins and outs of making a wedding a once-in-a-lifetime event.

There are a lot of reasons that you should always work with a wedding planner.

5 Reasons to Work with a Pittsburgh Wedding Planner

1. Say “Goodbye” to Most Stress

Did you know that 40% of couples state that their wedding is extremely stressful? When you’re trying to coordinate with a half a dozen different companies and/or people to make your wedding a success, it’s going to be stressful.

If you’re handling everything on your own, even your wedding day will be stressful.

Wedding planners work for you to make sure that your wedding is as stress-free and perfect as possible. The planner takes on the burden of coordinating and speaking to all parties involved so that you can focus on the life you’re building with your partner.

2. Invaluable Knowledge and Expertise

Knowledge and expertise are key to your wedding. Planners work in the industry every day. You may be married only once (hopefully), so your expertise is very limited. The planner will know:

• Etiquette

• Resources

• Entertainment needs

Your planner knows all of the protocols and intricacies of wedding planning that come with a lifetime of planning.

3. Coordination Experts

A lot of parties have to come together to make sure a wedding goes off perfectly. There are a lot of moving parts and complexities to a wedding. The planner will work as a master coordinator to ensure that everyone involved in the wedding is on the same page, understands their role and works together seamlessly to make your wedding a success.

4. Enjoy the Journey

The few hours that your wedding takes place will go by in the blink of an eye. You'll try to take in every second of the day, but there’s also an incredible journey leading up to the event. Wedding planners (well, the right ones) make the journey special and as stress-free as possible.

You should enjoy the planning process – not dread it.

That's where your planner steps in to save the day. Your planner has answers to your questions and solutions to any problems that arise.

5. Save Money with the Right Team

A lot of Pittsburgh wedding planners are part of a bigger team that may include DJs, videographers and other wedding specialists. If you find a wedding planner that works in or with these teams, they may be able to secure discounts for you.

And when you must pay for a venue and catering, saving money is always welcomed.

If you want a little help with your wedding (who doesn't?), our wedding planner knows Pittsburgh inside and out. We'll help you plan the fairytale wedding that you’ve envisioned your entire life.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

Are Dance Lessons for a Wedding Worth It?

Weddings are a big extravaganza. You want everything to be perfect. You'll need to book a venue, photographer, DJ and worry about catering – on top of a dozen other things. But one thing that couples often overlook is the first dance.

You'll be the center of attention, and the last thing you want to do is step all over your partner’s feet the entire time.

Wedding first dance lessons are a great way to practice the first dance and create the picture- or video-perfect moment you’ve always wanted. You'll find couples, just like you, taking dance lessons in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.

Why Wedding First Dance Lessons are a Good Investment for Non-Dancers

Your wedding will be filled with butterflies and excitement. When you step on the dance floor, you want to be coordinated and confident. And you also want to impress your guests with your dance skills.

Want to pass on dance lessons in Pittsburgh?

Here are five reasons to reconsider.

• Put your fears behind you. Are you a naturally good dancer? If so, skip to the next reason. But for the majority of people that are lucky to not trip over their own feet in the morning, dance lessons are a great option. You'll be able to get rid of some (maybe not all) of the fear you’ll experience.

• Comfort when dancing with multiple people. Your bride or groom won’t be the only person you’ll dance with. You'll be dancing with a lot of people, and lessons will help you break bad dance habits that you may not even know you have.

• Build a skill you never knew you had. Dancing is an art, and if you’ve never practiced it before, you may never know how good you really are. Lessons will allow you to break out into a dance in the middle of the kitchen next to your spouse-to-be or actually stop avoiding dance floors.

• Weddings are stressful. You can put a lot of time into your wedding, but it’s still going to be somewhat stressful. Unfortunately, there’s no way around a stressful wedding. But you can do things to make it less stressful, such as learning to dance so that your first dance is perfect.

• Break from the chaos. It’s funny, but when you’re planning a wedding, it seems like all of the dates and romantic time with your partner come to an end. You put all of the energy into planning, and your first dance lessons are a nice break that acts as a sort of 'mini” date.

First dances are a lot of fun, but they can also be stressful and give you anxiety. If you don’t want to be stressed about yet another aspect of your wedding, maybe it’s time to call in a professional to teach you to dance.

Lessons can be fun, exciting and a good way to break free from your continual wedding planning.

So, what are you waiting for? If you want to “wow” your guests with your awesome dance moves, it’s time to book your wedding first dance lessons.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

City Wedding vs Rustic Wedding: Pittsburgh Has It All

In the United States, there are over 2 million weddings per year. Happy couples walk down the aisle, say “I do” and plan the rest of their lives together. And some of these weddings are held at Pittsburgh wedding venues.

Known for its close vicinity to both the city and country, Pittsburgh offers something for every couple. 

Host your wedding with views of the downtown area or Grandview Avenue, or choose to go right outside the city to a beautiful, rustic wedding venue. You have a lot of options when choosing to host your wedding in or near Pittsburgh.

But should you host a city or rustic wedding?

Where To Have a Wedding Reception in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh City Weddings

City weddings are a popular choice for many couples. If you're looking to get married in a city, here are some of the benefits of hosting your wedding there.

You can save money on your wedding. Instead of hosting everything in one location, you can have the ceremony and reception in two different places. By splitting the wedding between two locations, you can pick and choose your locations more discerningly rather than be forced into hosting your wedding in one place.

Some of the key benefits of Pittsburgh wedding venues in the city are:

• If you live in the city and a lot of your guests are in the city, they’re far more likely to attend your wedding.

• Cities make it easy for people coming in from out of town to find a hotel and transport to your wedding.

• Cities are filled with venues, so you’ll have a lot of venues to choose from.

• Pictures can be amazing, with a lot of scenery to choose from.

• Vendors are a lot easier to find in big cities, and there’s less of a risk that they’ll get lost or be late to your wedding.

Of course, there are also benefits to a rustic, country wedding, too.

Pittsburgh Rustic Weddings

Are you and your partner the type of people who like the quiet life? A lot of couples don’t want to deal with the traffic or noise of the city. Rustic or country weddings are a good opportunity to get into nature on your big wedding day.

One of the hidden gems of living in or around Pittsburgh is that there are ample wedding venues right in the middle of the country yet close enough to the city.

You can have old farm or barn weddings that offer a tranquil setting and a lot of peace and quiet. A few of the main perks of these weddings are:

• Spacious. You’ll find a lot of barn weddings have a ton of indoor and outdoor space that’s perfect for larger wedding parties.

• Rustic. Exposed beams, elegance and charm are part of the rustic wedding experience.

• History. You're making your own history with your wedding, but these venues are sometimes nearing 100 years old and are filled with vibrant pasts.

If you’re having a wedding in Pittsburgh, be sure to consider your choices; there’s more than just the city to choose from.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

The Benefits of a Full-service Wedding Vendor

There were over 58,000 marriages in Pennsylvania in 2020, and a lot of those included Pittsburgh weddings. A lot goes into the planning process, from finding the perfect venue to picking the date, and of course, choosing your:

    • DJ

    • Planner

    • Photographer

    • Videographer 

Coordinating with multiple vendors is time-consuming, expensive and a lot of points of contact to track. 

Full-service wedding vendors in Pittsburgh have many perks that make your wedding a top-priority. In fact, if you’re planning on getting married, you need to consider the following full-service benefits:

4 Benefits of Full-service Wedding Vendors in Pittsburgh

1. Teams That Coordinate Together

Coordination is the key to success in a wedding, and while vendors always try to work together, they can’t compete with a team of professionals that work together on a daily basis. When vendors are close-knit and know how each other works a wedding, it helps deliver:

    • Videos that will be timed perfectly with the music 

    • Pictures that are taken at just the right time

    • DJs who know when to step out of the way of other vendors

And when the planner is involved with all of the vendors, it allows for every wedding to run smoothly. There's no concern that a vendor will be running late or a no-show and throw off the entire wedding.

You also benefit from monetary benefits, too.

2. Lower Overall Costs

Want to save money? Working with multiple vendors under the same company can save you money, too. The vendor can provide all of the services for cheaper because there’s less advertising and overhead involved.

You'll be able to hire the best in the business without having to pay premium prices.

3. Fewer Points of Contact and Less Stress

Want to talk to one central contact who can convey your wishes to all vendors without needing to make four or five calls? You can with a full-service operator. The need to contact multiple people disappears so that you only need to call a single person.

For a happy couple that already has enough on their plate for their wedding day, having a single point of contact is priceless.

4. No Concern of No-Shows or Cancellations

A lot of time and effort goes into planning a wedding. When you’ve made down payments and are just a few weeks from your wedding, the last thing you to hear is that your photographer has to cancel.

Life is unexpected, and even the best in the business have to cancel on weddings.

When working with full-service wedding vendors in Pittsburgh, you have the confidence of working with a large team. The team is available to make sure that if a photographer, DJ, videographer or someone else has to cancel, someone replaces them.

You won’t have to work with a new vendor, nor will you have to scramble at the last minute to find someone else.

Pittsburgh weddings deserve the time and attention needed to make your wedding a once-in-a-lifetime extravaganza. Full-service wedding vendors can offer the best service and price for your wedding.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever.

Returning to Pittsburgh Airport Marriott for a Magical Wedding

Pittsburgh's Airport Marriott has coordinators that have been hosting weddings for over 20 years, and they’ve helped the venue build a reputation for being one of the most magical wedding venues in Pittsburgh. 

Marriott offers a variety of event spaces, from the expansive ballrooms to the intimate private dining rooms. The hotel's wedding planners are also well-known for their impressive attention to detail and their incredible ability to help couples plan the perfect event.

We should know – our Pittsburgh wedding DJs love raising the roof off of this venue.

Out of this World Grand Ballroom

Want to invite everyone in your family, extended family and even people down the street that wave to you on occasion to your wedding? You need a spectacular ballroom to accommodate everyone.

The ballroom has space for everyone to dance the night away, with capacity for 650 people.

Larger-than-life is a good way to describe this ballroom.

The ballroom is gorgeous, with a high ceiling, chandeliers, and large windows that allow in plenty of natural light.

From our experience as Pittsburgh wedding DJs, we can confidently say that the acoustics are well-planned. You can hear the highs and lows of each song with great quality while the carpeting helps dampen some of the sound so that guests can chat in the corner without trying to scream over the music.

Enchanting Spaces to Choose From

We’ve been to the Airport Marriott quite a few times – it's a popular venue – and one thing that we really enjoy is the change of scenery that the venue offers. We were curious how many event rooms that were, and the event coordinator told us that there are 16 rooms to choose from.

The spaces that couples can choose from:

• Can be fully customized

• Encompass 12,000+ square feet

• Include indoor and outdoor spaces, such as patios

The interior of the Marriott has a contemporary design and is extremely flexible. Portico and a stunning façade greet guests in the lobby area, which is filled with soft lighting and modern furniture.

Photographers can be seen snapping pictures near the flowered archway right before the special couple walks down the aisle.

Inside, there’s also a stage if the couple plans to have any live music at their event. We've had the pleasure of introducing a wide variety of bands to the stage, which is always a big hit with the guests.

But we also sit down and collaborate with the couple to find a good mix of music that can be played throughout the night. We aim to have a little something for everyone who wants to step on the dance floor. From the parents to the bride and groom, we’ll work on the perfect playlist for the night’s events.

Our DJs are always shocked at how every wedding at the Airport Marriott seems to go off without any issues. The on-site staff are some of the best that we’ve seen, and the food always smells amazing.

We couldn’t get over the ballroom the last time we were at the venue.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

Our DJs Always Love Bringing the Party to Pinehall at Eisler Farms

Pinehall at Eisler Farms is a wedding venue located in Butler, PA. When we’re called to be a Pittsburgh wedding DJ and find out that we’re going to Pinehall, we’re always stoked. 

The venue is surrounded by beautiful, rolling hills. It’s the ideal choice for a summer or spring wedding where the couples can take in the larger-than-life landscape and amazing old barn.

Walking on to an Old 1939 Farm

John M. Eisler and his wife Dorthy founded the farm in 1939 after they decided to get married at the location. Three generations called Pinehall home, and after long, successful marriages, the family was convinced that there was some magic in the land.

In 2016, Pinehall was opened to the public as a venue for weddings. They feature a unique, eclectic style of decoration that helps make your wedding special. The venue is located on the original farm, where the traditional barn and acreage are still intact.

Walking into the barn for the first time made us happy we decided to be wedding DJs in Pittsburgh.

When you walk into the 3,500 square foot barn, you’ll meet:

• Rustic, knotty-pine beams

• Massive dance floor

• Chandeliers

• String bulbs

• Seating for nearly 180 guests

• Wrap-around porch. 

The porch is always a big hit for couples taking selfies and for photographers taking pictures of the newlyweds. Did we mention that the porch is fully covered?

There's nothing like the bass shaking the chandeliers and seeing people dance on the dance floor or shake their hips while looking over the porch.

Due to the open space and barn doors, guests that are spending time outdoors can easily hear the music. When you step on to Eisler Farms, you'll find outdoor lounge areas, lawn games, play areas and a picturesque pond with its own dock.

We're not going to lie – there’s not one wedding we haven’t been to that the bride and groom weren’t taking pictures on the dock. Our own team has snuck away before or after a Pittsburgh wedding to take pictures near the pond. 

It’s romantic and makes it feel like you’re in a fairytale or taking a page out of The Notebook.

Wedding ceremonies also take place on the grounds, and we’ve been lucky enough to see two or three of the many locations where couples can say “I do” at Pinehall at Eisler Farms.

End the Night with a Literal Blast

We bring the energy, vibe and music to Pinehall weddings, but the venue really goes all out to make their guests feel like royalty. During our last visit, there was a fireworks display over the pond that the couple paid for, and it was nothing short of jaw dropping.

Plus the pictures of the couple on the dock with fireworks illuminating the sky were phenomenal.

Pittsburgh is known for its downtown area and weddings overlooking the city, but Pinehall allows for an unrivaled escape from the hustle and bustle and puts couples in the middle of the often-forgotten countryside with spectacular views.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

Why Hiring a Local Wedding DJ Beats a Non-Local Any Day

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Wedding entertainment is a necessity, and you need to make a smart choice on who you trust to provide the entertainment. A lot of people will choose “big names” from out of town, but they’ll be let down when the person doesn’t have a pulse on the local scene.

Hiring a local Pittsburgh wedding DJ has a lot of benefits over hiring a non-local.

Understanding the Term “Local”

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

A wedding DJ in Pittsburgh isn’t tied just to the city. They may go to a wedding in Jamestown or Morgantown, so they’re “local,” but not stuck in a 10-mile radius. But you might not want one of these DJs for a wedding in Philly because that’s an area that they likely don’t know well.

You want someone that knows the local “area,” even if that is within an hour or so of their main location because:

They Know the Local Culture

Different regions of the country have a different “culture.” But when you go to the Northeast, there’s a major shift in culture. Locals have a lot of pride, and it’s a world of its own in Pennsylvania.

Your DJ will know what songs your guests like, how to get the party started and can make references that only locals will fully appreciate.

Local Wedding DJs in Pittsburgh Know Venues

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

When it comes to your wedding, one of the worst scenarios is when you hire a DJ, photographer or videographer that shows up to the venue late. One wedding we were at had this happen, and the videographer didn’t arrive until 45 minutes into the wedding.

Traffic kept him and his crew from being on time before getting lost because he couldn't find the venue.

Local wedding entertainment:

• Knows where venues are located

• Knows what to expect from a venue

• Can adjust travel time to be on time

There’s a special touch that local entertainment can offer that simply isn’t possible with non-locals.

Locals Will Know Other Vendors

Vendors that know each other know how to work together – this is huge for you. While you don’t need an entire team of entertainment that knows each other, it is definitely beneficial when some of the entertainment is familiar with each other.

For example, our team knows a lot of the local photographers and videographers.

When we call up newlyweds for their first dance, it’s a moment that must be captured for everyone. Vendors that we’ve worked with have their own style and preference, and when we know these nuances, every vendor in the room works better together.

We can offer the space and “heads up” that the photographer needs to take out of this world photos during the wedding.

Couples often don’t see everything that is happening behind the scenes during their wedding. We collaborate with vendors to make your wedding move along as smoothly as possible. If you hire non-locals, they’re not going to be able to offer these key benefits that really make a wedding special.

You're also helping to support local businesses, which is a nice perk, too.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

Return to Stonebridge: Garden/Farm Paradise Take 2

Stonebridge Farm, also known as the Gardens of Stonebridge, helps make every wedding in Pittsburgh feel like it was inspired by nature. Beautiful, serene and resembling a postcard, our team was more than happy to return to the venue with mellow music for a fairytale wedding.

When you step foot on the grounds of this venue, you’ll easily learn that it’s a magical event waiting to happen.

Look North, East and West and you’ll find Big Sewickley Creek Valley, with rolling, tree-covered hills that are majestic and the perfect place to take couples’ pictures. The bride and groom can often be seen sneaking off to these hills for photos or videos.

But there’s also the South part of the property, which is where the Big Sewickley Creek divides the two counties. Stonebridge is a wonderland for couples or anyone that wants to escape the city of Pittsburgh and arrive at an expansive venue that includes:

    • Bright, colorful annuals

    • Perennials that create borders

    • Fountains

    • Sculptures

    • Water gardens

    • Expansive lawns

    • Stone benches

Every time we host a Pittsburgh wedding at Stonebridge, we know it’s going to be a romantic evening that is set in the country yet just 15 short minutes from the city at 2 Merriman Rd, Economy, PA.

Gardens of Stonebridge Enchant the Newlyweds

Newlyweds are embracing a fairytale moment where they’re deeply in love and happy to share the rest of their lives together. Expansive gardens and an outdoor wedding are just a part of the experience of Stonebridge.

The couple of the night wanted a classy, magical feel for the wedding, and that’s exactly what the venue has to offer.

Receptions are held in a massive 40’ x 100’ tent that even has a generator just in case the power goes out so that the party can still go on. Music pumping outdoors is always a great experience for us, especially with the:

    • Solid stone floor

    • Beautiful drapes

    • Side walls that can be put up or down as needed

Laid back and romantic, the stone dance floor is in the middle of the tent, allowing guests to see the couple from all ends of the tent. When open, the trees and landscaping provide a true outdoor experience while a large chandelier hangs over the dance floor.

String lighting is used in the tent, too.

Jan and Jeff, the venue’s owners, are very hands-on and make sure that the newlyweds have a wedding in Pittsburgh that they’ll never forget. Every wedding that we’ve had the pleasure of DJing at has had the owners making sure that the event is going as planned so that the couple is happy from start to finish.

If the couple wants to hold a ceremony, they can. There’s ample seating that forms a half circle and backs up to the reception tent with beautiful landscaping, flowers and hardscapes abound.

Stonebridge is one of the prettiest outdoor venues that we’ve had the pleasure of being to. The outdoor space is immaculate with pops of color everywhere, the acoustics are great and the birds chirping in the background make it feel like the fairytale wedding every couple wants to experience.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

A Return to the Gathering Place

A few months back, we had the pleasure of entering the Pennsylvania countryside to be part of a wedding in Pittsburgh at the one and only Gathering Place at Darlington Lake. And we’ve been called back to this venue with no complaints from a single member of our staff.

Gathering Place provides the rustic feel, with a cabin-like venue that boasts insanely large windows and views of Darlington Lake that will leave every bride, groom, DJ (us) in awe.

The scenery is breathtaking, and the winding path up to the venue with the tall, lantern lights dotting the path provide picture-taking opportunities that are rarely seen this close to Pittsburgh. 

It's safe to say that the newlyweds were living up the night at The Gathering Place.

Natural Beauty and a Whimsical Feel 

The Gathering Place provides a whimsical, country setting yet is just 10 minutes from numerous hotels. A little backstory on the venue is that it was built by the Amish with hand peeled logs that bring the outdoors, indoors with a wooded backdrop that can hold 50 to 225 guests.

Romantic and beautiful, you’ll be surrounded by:

    • Indoor and outdoor spaces

    • Covered outdoor spaces

    • Ceremony area

    • Reception area

Wedding parties are often seen in the covered, outdoor area with the lake as the backdrop. Perfect for pictures of the entire crew, the area is where groomsmen are often seen sitting with the boys, drinking and helping the groom-to-be relax before he says “I do” or spends the night on the dance floor with his beautiful bride.

But we noticed that the bride and her bridesmaids are more inclined to take pictures inside with the stunning woodwork and greenery surrounding the doors. Brides also love going out into the field to take pictures.

One of the most jaw-dropping picture opportunities is walking up the steps of the cabin with flowers on each side of the walkway and lovely, wooden rails going up the steps.

Whether we’re DJing the party indoors or the bride and groom choose to get married in front of the massive outdoor gazebo on the lake, there’s always great spaces for music, dancing and one-of-a-kind pictures.

Bringing Down the House for a Truly Special Couple

Every couple leaves a lasting mark on us – seriously. We’re able to get to know couples intimately, and the lovely couple had true love in their eyes. The laughs and love were brought out when they sat down with us to choose their custom wedding music selection that was brimming with personality.

We bring the music, but the couple brings the dancing.

Our team offered the couple dance lessons, which brought flare to the dance floor and had the crowd pumped up. 

The team of videographers were waiting in the back, capturing all of these key moments without interrupting the wedding flow in the process – something that’s very difficult to do. Whether your party is dancing on the floor, glancing out into the lake or lining up for pictures in front of the exquisite steps, Gathering Place will not disappoint.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

Olive or Twist: Cocktail Style Wedding in the Heart of Pittsburgh

Olive or Twist is the perfect location for newlyweds that want a classy, elegant venue where they can host their wedding ceremony, reception and rehearsal dinner. As a Pittsburgh wedding DJ, we know that every bride and groom we host is going to be blown away with their experience.

You get the cocktail vibe while being in the heart of the city at 140 6th Street in Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

A “Chill” Wedding with a Unique Backdrop

The bride and groom that we had the pleasure of hiring us as a wedding DJ in Pittsburgh loved the cocktail style reception. You're in a high-class venue, but it’s not stuffy, and you’ll never feel out of place.

High-top tables provide a more intimate, relaxed feel, and there’s even a couch seating area where guests can sit. There’s also a cozy lounge area where guests can sit back and relax in – or drink in.

Speaking of drinks, the bar has an extensive menu and is one of the best stocked in the area.

And the backdrop of the event space is impressive, with a brick wall that brings the rustic ambiance to the wedding. One thing the lovely couple said to us is that they had to do very minimal decorating because the venue’s décor is already near perfect.

Don't be afraid that a relaxed venue like this won’t have enough seating options for your guests.

The newlyweds had a guest list of at least 100+ people, and there was more than enough seats and tables left for an even bigger party.

Acoustics That Fill the Rafters

Our Pittsburgh wedding DJs love the vibe and ambiance, but we’re all about the music. We work closely with the couples so that they have a playlist that can bring young and older guests to the dance floor.

And the venue is more than accommodating.

We're allowed to amp up the music indoors to bring the bass to the dance floor while allowing for people sitting at the bar to have a conversation or order a drink without an issue. Due to city restrictions, the music must come to an end at 1:30 am, which is far later than this couple booked the venue for anyway.

The dance area is always pumping, and right in the middle is a well-lit backdrop with beautiful lighting and flowers surrounding it that make the couple the focus of every dance.

What's really nice about the bar is that it allows the bride and groom to take a moment to themselves and cling glasses together for a toast. The couple could mingle with their guests in an environment that is relaxed and hopping rather than be segregated on their own like in many venues.

Daytime weddings are really nice, too. 

Right next to the stage, there are bright, well-lit windows along with lighting that creeps up the brick wall to provide a romantic atmosphere for all couples.

Olive or Twist is one of our favorite venues to be hired for as a Pittsburgh DJ. You'll enjoy beautiful ambient lighting, a large stage, comfortable seating and a custom playlist that everyone can dance along to.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

Wedding Spotlight: Westin Hotel Convention Center in Pittsburgh

Want to experience an oasis in downtown Pittsburgh for your wedding? The Westin Hotel Convention Center in Pittsburgh is located in a 26-story hotel on 1000 Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh, PA. The venue’s space is massive, with great acoustics in the staggering 38,000 square-feet event space.

With three ballrooms for couples to choose from when getting married in Pittsburgh, there’s literally something for everyone.

3 Grand Ballrooms with Amazing Acoustics

As a Pittsburgh wedding DJ, we pay a lot of attention to the way each wedding venue we’re hired to work at performs in terms of sound quality. We had the pleasure of working with one couple that rented out the Westmoreland for their intimate wedding.

The floor-to-ceiling windows allowed the moon to peer through the room and let couples dance under the stars.

It's a romantic setting, and each of the three ballrooms have high ceilings that are great for sound quality. We've had the pleasure of working in all of the ballrooms in the recent past, including:

• Allegheny Grand Ballroom. A massive ballroom boasting elegance and a majestic feel. The ballroom can host up to 650 guests and makes this Pittsburgh venue jaw-dropping. Couples dance the night away under a massive chandelier, with 18-feet ceilings that make for picture-perfect photos and rising sound that fills the space.

• Westmoreland. A smaller, more intimate space with capacity for up to 150 guests. The space has floor-to-ceiling windows perfect for looking up at the stars or out on to the city.

• Pennsylvania Rooms. The same as the Westmoreland.

Unique Space for Unique Couples

Couples deserve a unique space for their event, and the Westin offers spaces and accommodations that make our DJs wish that they were part of the wedding party. Since the reception is held in a hotel, guests can book up room blocks for families, and the venue even makes arrangements for people coming in from out of town.

We don’t know much about the event managers – we're just here for the music – but we’ve seen them work closely with the bride and groom to make their wedding truly come to life.

Escalators, tall windows and funny moments taking pictures with the bride in one elevator and a groom in another looking surprised to see each other are a fun option for lasting memories. And walls filled with fairy lighting provide some of the most romantic, magical pictures that we’ve seen taken at a wedding.

The Heart of Pittsburgh

The Westin Hotel Convention Center offers a very upscale feel in the heart of Pittsburgh. The venue is massive, with beautiful views of the city and ample greenery inside to bring the outdoors indoors.

The couple of the night is pampered – as they should be – with a team willing to bring their dream wedding to life. With beautiful lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows, expansive ballrooms and top-notch accommodations, it’s easy to see why couples choose to have their wedding here.

For us, it’s a venue that we love bringing the party to with great music, stunning photo opportunities and memories that will last a lifetime.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

Untamed, Unforgettable Weddings at the Pittsburgh Zoo

The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for couples holding weddings in Pittsburgh. Elegant, beautiful and filled with animals (and we’re not talking about your guests), the zoo and PPG Aquarium have space for up to 300 guests, depending on the location chosen.

As a Pittsburgh wedding DJ, we love pulling into 7370 Baker Street in Pittsburgh, PA because we know that everyone, us included, is going to have an amazing time.

Three Vibrant Spaces for Couples and Their Guests

Couples and their guests can enjoy three main spaces where the party can last for four hours. 

PPG Aquarium

Love aquatic life? None of the Pittsburgh wedding venues that we’ve been a part of offer an experience quite like this. Couples and guests party to the backdrop of cascading waterfalls and a lush rainforest.

Ceremonies can be held among the wild backdrop, and there’s room for 200 seated guests.

A shuttle bus is provided to bring guests to the venue to eliminate long walks, especially for older couples or their parents.

At the Water’s Edge

A personal favorite of ours is Water’s Edge, which has space for 140 seated guests and a lot of sea life. An awesome opportunity to take pictures, Water’s Edge has an underwater experience where couples are often seen posing surrounded by a tunnel of sea life.

The coastal village has sea otters, sea lions, elephant seals and polar bears, making for a wild night of adventure.

Or Perhaps the Garden Tent?

Don’t want to disturb the aquatic life? Bring the party to the Garden Tent, which is a massive outdoor venue that oozes elegance at every turn. Guests are surrounded by botanical gardens and lavish foliage as up to 300 guests gather around the space.

Beautiful string lights hang down from the tent’s canopy and allow for the perfect ambiance when taking wedding pictures.

Bringing Down the House with a Faint Sound of Waterfalls in the Background

Guests enjoy bar service, laughs and stunning scenery, but as a wedding DJ in Pittsburgh, it’s up to us to bring the party. We love the openness of each space, and it’s a little different from most venues in the Pittsburgh area.

Why?

Waterfalls. The waterfalls are an amazing opportunity to take pictures and to soak in the nature that surrounds you. But as a DJ, we have to compete with the noise – it's quite loud. For some couples, they want us to crank up the music to drown out the waterfall.

Others, they love the waterfalls and want to have the noise level just right so that you can hear the faint sound of the water crashing down the rocks.

For us, we’re here to please and make the couple’s special day unforgettable.

Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium are truly a one-of-a-kind experience where guests have the opportunity to explore the zoo and aquarium in a way that general admission doesn’t offer. Guests can explore the tropical rainforest or rush up to the upper floor to take pictures as we fill the venue with the couple’s playlist.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

7 Qualities to Look For In a Wedding Vendor

Picking the Best Day-Of Team For You

There are a lot of wedding vendors out there. How do you sort through the hundreds of florists, venues, and DJs to find the right fit for you and your wedding? What’s more, once you’ve narrowed your list down to your finalists, how do you narrow that list down to just one?

Vendors are the lifeblood of the wedding industry. They bring your vision to life and all work together to make your big day the best it can be. That makes picking your day-of wedding vendor team one of the most important decisions a newly-engaged couple can make.

Thankfully, there are ways to find the right wedding vendors for you. We’ve been asked before what makes a good wedding vendor. The unfortunate reality is that there isn’t one concrete answer. There are many factors that need to come together for any wedding vendo to be right for you. Some of the main ones to look for are:

• Works well as a team

• Easy to get in touch with

• Enthusiastic about their work

• Knows it’s about you

• Experience

• Reputation

• Within your budget

If you find a wedding vendor that checks all the boxes here, don’t wait to book. You may have just found your perfect vendor.

1. Works Well With Others

Working well with others may seem like an obvious quality to look for, but it’s also one that’s frequently not considered. A vendor may seem great one-on-one, but when the big day rolls around, you don’t want to find out that your photographer is in a screaming match with the florist. That’s not what anyone needs right before walking down the aisle.

Your vendor team is exactly that: a team. Even though everyone has many different jobs, they have one main job in common: making your day the best it can be. And a big part of achieving that goal is being able to work with each other. 

A wedding vendor team has to be ready and willing to help each other to make the day perfect. The DJ should coordinate with the photographer to make sure the lighting is right for the big moments. The caterer should coordinate with the wedding planner to make sure everyone’s in position for cake cutting. Examples like this show how important it is to be able to effectively and efficiently coordinate big wedding moments as a team. 

With a rogue vendor, you may find yourself having your first dance while the photographer is outside taking glamour-shots of the guests. That’s not a problem any bride or groom wants to have.

Having a vendor team that works well together makes the day a well-oiled machine. That way, even in the event something not-according-to-plan happens, your vendor team can all work together to solve potential problems. If they do it well, you may not even realize anything was wrong!

What you can do: Ask them about other vendors they’ve enjoyed working with or who they would recommend. If they can immediately offer you other vendors they like, that’s a sign they’re comfortable working with a group. If they can’t come up with a single other wedding vendor they have a good relationship with, that may be a not-so-good sign.

2. Easy To Get In Touch With

A good wedding vendor also needs to be reachable. After you’ve booked them, no matter who the vendor is, there will be a lot of coordination. From getting the flowers just right to nailing down the nuances of the timeline and seating charts, it’s important that you be able to get in touch with your wedding vendors.

This is another quality that, while important, is also overlooked. Though the importance of this quality also comes down to how you’re planning your wedding.

Some couples have a very specific vision for how they want the day to go. They’re very involved in the planning process with every vendor and want to make sure each vendor is totally on the same page. For couples like this, it’s important to have vendors who are able to get back to them in a timely manner. If aspects of the wedding day are subject to change, then you need to know they know the most recent plan.

Other couples take a more hands-off approach. They’re simply happy to be getting married, and everything else is icing on the cake (wedding pun, we’re very sorry). If your wedding is more relaxed, then incredibly prompt response times may be less important. But that’s not to say that they’re unimportant. Even if you’re letting your vendors do their own thing, you still don’t want to be unsure if they’re going to arrive on time or if they fully understand all their responsibilities.

What you can do: Exchange more than a single email with the vendor. How quickly do they get back to you? Take note of their response time. If you find yourself having to send multiple emails or leave several voicemails to get a response, that could be a bad sign. Weddings notoriously may have last-minute changes. How will you convey those to a vendor you can’t get ahold of?

3. Enthusiastic About Their Work

A wedding vendor phoning it in is never a pretty sight. 

The sad reality is that some vendors have been in the wedding industry for too long and are just over it. While this isn’t a common phenomenon, it does happen.

You’re excited about the possibilities of your wedding day. So your vendors should be able to match that excitement with comparable enthusiasm. It shouldn’t be like pulling teeth to get a vendor to tell you about how they can help you achieve your wedding day vision.

Enthusiasm can mean everything when it comes to the day itself. To see just how important passion is, think about the opposite. Would you want a DJ who just sat in one spot the entire time, begrudgingly making announcements? Or a photographer who just sighed and dragged their heels every time a big wedding moment happened? 

Those seem like obvious No’s right? That’s the difference enthusiasm makes. A DJ who’s fired up about what they’re doing also fires up a dance floor. And a photographer who’s genuinely excited about their work brings out that energy in others to take the best photos. 

Enthusiasm and passion about their work is without a doubt one of the most important qualities of an excellent wedding vendor. Thankfully, it’s also usually something you can pick up on just by having a conversation with the vendor.

What you can do: Ask your vendor about other weddings they’ve done that they’ve enjoyed. If they’re passionate and enthusiastic about what they do, they’re generally more than happy to tell you about weddings they had that really shined. While they’re telling you about past successful weddings, take note of their tone. Do they sound bored or genuinely excited?

4. Knows It’s About You

The most important person on your wedding day is you. That’s a fact that a good wedding vendor understands. Your wedding is not them time for them to make it all about them. Understanding where the focus should be is also a mark of a good team player (see #1), so it’s definitely not a wedding vendor quality to skip over.

Knowing that the day is about you is similar to being a good team player. But it goes further than that, too. They should understand that if you want something that may be slightly different than what you’re used to, it’s up to them to help make that want a reality.

Granted, there is a line. It’s unreasonable to expect your vendors to do unreasonable things. A wedding photographer may not be comfortable with being asked to scale the roof of the venue to get an overhead shot of everything. But a DJ should be able to accommodate on-the-fly music requests, and a wedding planner should be flexible enough to make a shifting timeline work. 

A certain level of flexibility is required when it comes to a wedding. On your wedding day you may find you want to spend more time doing one activity than another. And that’s okay, it’s your day. Your vendor team should be able to work together to make it work.

What you can do: Ask your vendor to describe a typical wedding. Does their description seem like it’s all about them? Or are they talking about the bride or groom and how they worked with them to make the day the best ever? Take note of the words they use. Does it seem like it’s all about them? Or that they work with the couple to make the day great?

5. Has Real-Life Experience

You don’t want your wedding day to be someone’s training ground. For best results, we’d generally recommend going with an experienced vendor.

But it’s not just years of experience that make up a good vendor. It’s also familiarity with the specific venues, other vendors, and weddings as a whole. That’s the kind of experience that makes for a well-rounded vendor. 

With some wedding vendors, level of experience may be even more important. When it comes to roles that involve coordinating the day itself, there’s no substitute for real-wedding experience. For vendors like the DJ or the wedding coordinator, experience is an absolute prerequisite. Would you want somebody who’s never really been on the mic to be directing the flow of the whole day? Or someone who has no experience managing other wedding vendors to be in charge of the timeline? 

Many skills can be learned by studying. But many other skills require real-world application. Wedding vendors are not exempt from this truism. No wedding is exactly like another wedding. You’re a unique person, so you’ll have a wedding unique to you. This is something that an experienced wedding vendor not only anticipates, but plans for.

There are even aspects of the wedding day that can’t be planned for. If something breaks or goes not according to plan, it’s experience that helps vendors devise a viable plan to solve any issues.

What you can do: Ask your vendor how long they’ve been working in their current position. Do they have significant previous wedding experience? Or are they just getting their feet wet with weddings? How many weddings do they typically do per year? These are questions that can give you a feel for how much real-wedding experience a vendor may have.

6. Learn Their Reputation

In many cities, the wedding vendor community is a small one. Many vendors know each other and have worked together. And many vendors will have opinions about other vendors. They may not come right out and say it, but if you ask about a particular vendor, you should be able to tell what people think of them based on their reactions. 

You don’t just have to ask other wedding vendors either. If you’re finding potential vendors by asking newly-married friends or family, ask which vendors they liked and what they liked about them. This can help you get a feel for a vendor's reputation.

These days, you don’t simply have to rely on word-of-mouth vendor referrals, though. There are invaluable resources online that can show you exactly how hundreds of other couples felt about a particular wedding vendor. Do they have good reviews on wedding websites or Google? Do they have any reviews at all? Do they maintain an active online presence? And do they seem connected to the wedding community as a whole?

Checking out a vendor’s reviews and reading testimonials is a great way to vet any potential vendor. If they seemed nice on the phone but only have dozens of 1-star reviews, something may be wrong.

However, going by reviews alone is not a good strategy. It’s also important to get to know the vendor, even just a little. What was a perfect wedding vendor for one couple may not be perfect for you. Know what you want when you’re on your vendor hunt.

What you can do: Do a little research about your potential vendor. If it’s a referral from a friend, ask that friend what they liked about the vendor and what they didn’t like. If you think you’ve found one who’s a good fit, then see if they have solid reviews. Don’t go entirely by one or the other.

7. Within Your Budget

Ah, the dreaded wedding budget. Often, this is one of the more uncomfortable aspects to wedding planning. But it’s also a reality that can’t be ignored. 

You may have found the absolute most perfect DJ. But what do you do if they’re 3x more than your allotted wedding DJ budget? Do you sacrifice the DJ for a less expensive alternative? Or forego a different vendor so you can have your dream DJ?

Unfortunately, that’s up to you to decide. We can offer some advice though. Being in weddings as long as we have, we’ve learned it’s smart to be upfront with vendors about your budget. Set your budget when you begin the planning process (and maybe even allow yourself a little budget wiggle-room). Then, when you’re making your list of vendors to contact, find ones that fit within your budget.

But, if you found one that’s just absolutely perfect, there are ways to cut costs. One of the most common we’ve seen recently is couples doing their own decorating or writing their own save the date cards. That may free up the budget required to get that dream DJ after all!

What you can do: Know your budget going in. It’s heartbreaking for many couples to find an absolutely perfect wedding vendor, only to not be able to book them due to cost. If you have a rough idea of how much you’re willing to spend on each vendor, you can make a list of potential vendors who fit within your budget.

Finding the Best Wedding Vendors For You

Final Thoughts on Vendor Selection

Tracking down and vetting wedding vendors may seem like a daunting prospect to newly-engaged couples. But when you know what you’re looking for, it can simplify the vendor selection process drastically.

Some of the most important qualities to look for in a potential wedding vendor are

• Works well with others

• Easy to get in touch with

• Passionate about their work

• Knows who the spotlight should be on

• Has actual wedding/event experience

• Has a good reputation

• And is within your budget

If you go into planning for your vendors with these qualities in mind, choosing the right vendors can be a breeze. Also, have fun with it! It’s not every day you get to plan a wedding. Savor the memories!

If you’re planning a Pittsburgh wedding and need some more guidance, we’re happy to help! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

Succop Nature Park: Natural, Elegant and Stylish

Another of Our Favorite Pittsburgh Wedding Venues

Succop Nature Park is one of our favorite venues for weddings in Pittsburgh (well, technically it’s north, just off of PA-8 N at 185 E Airport Rd, Butler, PA 16002). Our DJs love this spot, and the location is perfect for special couples that want to embrace the outdoors and nature when they say, “I do.”

The venue is open to the public from dawn to dusk, with impeccable outdoor spaces, ponds and walking trails for couples to explore.

Beautiful, accessible and open all year long, we’ve had the pleasure of having our Pittsburgh wedding DJs host a special event for a lovely couple. This couple loves being surrounded by nature and chose Succop for its pristine beauty and open spaces.

Open Spaces & Beautiful Places

A Backdrop for the Marcraig House

The park offers 50 acres of picturesque scenery, making it a phenomenal choice for wedding photography, dancing under the stars, and romance. Guest lists can include up to 300 people, but the couple of the night had a more intimate guest list.

Open spaces outdoors and the two ponds, along with older, mature trees, are a great opportunity to take pictures and are a videographer’s dream outdoor location.

Birds even fly over guests and fill the air with song. That’s something you can’t get with just any wedding venue.

Couples can use the outdoor spaces to host their reception along with string lighting, pitched wooden roofs and lush greenery surrounding the area. For our DJs that are used to hosting weddings in Pittsburgh, the Nature Park is a nice change of pace, with acoustics easily heard on the dance floor or for anyone walking on the fields.

1830s Mansion: Marcraig House

The impeccable Marcraig House (it’s really an old 1830s mansion) is the perfect place for guests to grab a cocktail, laugh and tell jokes. Marcraig House is one of the focal points of every outdoor picture taken along with the old willow trees that line the grounds.

Our couple of the night took exquisite photos going in and out of the mansion’s front door, with its intricate covering and paved walkways.

Wedding party members also took a long-range picture in front of the house, as couples often scurry away to the ponds that are perfect for golden hour photos and have surrounding willow trees that make for the picture-perfect wedding photo every couple envisions for their big day.

If you love the outdoors and the weather permits, Succop Nature Park is the perfect place to dance the night away. Filled with beauty and nature at every turn, the venue is best described as “unique” and expansive. 

Outdoor pavilions are the perfect space for a fairytale wedding, and the staff seems to be especially attentive to the needs of couples.

When we’re called out to host a wedding at Succop Nature Park, our entire team gets excited. The outdoor vibe, beautiful cool nights and scenery make the venue one of the special places that all of our team members want to visit.

It's a mix of beauty and charm that is set on a picturesque estate that very few venues in the Pittsburgh area can compete with.

Final Wedding Thoughts

We just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever.

When We DJ, People Dance

A Throw-Down at Oak Lodge

When we learned Kira and Steven’s wedding was going to be at Oak Lodge, we couldn’t wait for the big day. Granted, they were probably a little more excited than we were, but we had our sights set on that venue.

Only an hour outside of Pittsburgh, Oak Lodge is definitely a different atmosphere than many of the venues we frequent in the city. But as wedding DJs, it’s our job to be professional masters of ceremonies at any and every venue. Plus, we always enjoy getting to head out of Pittsburgh from time to time.

Upon meeting Kira and Steven, we knew right away we were in for a fun night. We had a great time going over music together and deciding all the nuances of the wedding day. It’s important to us to make those connections with all our couples. That’s how we’re always able to deliver the best results to our couples. It’s about making those connections.

Why Hire A Wedding DJ

A True Master of Ceremonies

There exists one main debate when it comes to planning for wedding entertainment: band vs wedding DJ. There are a couple of pros to getting a band, we won’t deny that. But we are firm believers that there’s no better MC for a wedding than a DJ.

Something else we firmly believe is that you should know everyone who’s involved in your wedding. We’ve even written extensively about how to find the vendors who would be the best for your big day. 

That philosophy extends to all of our couples also. We believe in working directly with every bride and/or groom. You should be able to get a feel for the voice on the other end of the mic before your big day. 

You DJ should be fluent in not only crowd control, but also your genres of music. That’s why we spend so much time making sure we get to know our couples and get a feel for their vibes. Then we’re able to seamlessly mix the music they select and a few surprises that get everyone on their feet.

One of the main things we love about DJing is seeing the dance floor go crazy. Whether it’s an awesome song that guests may have forgotten about or the surprise that happens when you flawlessly switch genres unexpectedly, seeing the guest’s reaction is something you can’t beat. That’s also something you can only get with a wedding DJ. 

Variety is the spice of life, and it’s also a leading cause of dance floor crowding. Having a wide variety of music is the best way to ensure everyone has their moment on the dance floor, from you and your dearly beloved to your great uncle.

That’s something you can only get with a skilled wedding DJ.

A Dancing Crowd

Some of Our Best Mixes

Though we frequently provide Pittsburgh wedding services other than DJing, this was one where we were just the DJ and MC of the night. When we’re only providing DJ services, we make sure to go 120% and make it the absolute best dance party on planet Earth. Which, we’re happy to say, is exactly what happened with this wedding.

Everyone (us included!) was sad then it was time to wrap things up and head home. We had people on the dance floor the whole night and had a blast entertaining them. We’ll admit it, DJing is a fun job. Getting people on their feet and seeing them have the time of their lives is a feeling that can’t be beaten. 

Final Wedding Thoughts

In closing, we just wanted to say thanks. Thanks to Oak Lodge for being so accommodating and so helpful and an even bigger thanks to Kira and Steven for letting us share their day here. We can’t thank them enough for letting us be a part of their wedding days. We always have the best time DJing at this amazing venue.

We also just wanted to say that we love what we do. Being a part of the best day of a couple’s life is something you can’t get in any other line of work. From wedding photography and videography to wedding DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pittsburgh weddings. With the coming year, we’re looking forward to being involved in many, many more!

If you found some inspiration from this wedding blog, we’d love to hear about it! Contact Loyalty Entertainment for Pittsburgh wedding DJs, wedding photography, photo booths, wedding planning, videography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever.