Tag Archive for: pittsburgh wedding dj
Interview with Ashley Brown from the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh
This week we had the special opportunity to catch up with Ashley Brown, Director of Weddings and Special Events at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown. She has seen several Weddings run smoothly but she has also been witness to some Weddings that were not as successful! Ashley shared a few tips with us she has seen make a huge difference in the ease of planning and execution of a wedding day.
The Wyndham Grand has venue spaces available that can accommodate up to 500 guests or other ballrooms that have the capacity to hold up to 2,000 guests! Ashley made sure to reiterate that, “When you are putting your guest list together make sure it is accurate for the venue space you are booking. Some venues are able to accommodate a growing guests count but others are not which can make for a very uncomfortable reception!” Imagine the nightmare that could ensue when you have 16 additional guests and no where to seat them in your venue. Give yourself a little additional “room to grow” when deciding on which venue to book.
You may think that hiring a wedding planner is a waste since you and your bridesmaids have been on Pinterest and think you will have the time and knowledge to get everything done before the Big Day, but Ashley suggests having at minimum a “Day Of Planner” to help keep things in order on your wedding day while you prepare to walk down the aisle. “Leading up to the wedding when you are about 2-3 weeks away there are many moving parts and that doesn’t stop until the wedding is over. It is much more enjoyable when you are not stressing over all the details, who is to be where and what is happening next. So having the comfort that someone is handling that all for you along with your venue make a huge difference.”
Her last piece of advice, one that we can’t help but to be on board with, is to Book Professional Vendors! “Make sure they carry liability insurance and check their work and referrals before booking them. Professional vendors make a huge difference! Yes, you will pay more for them but in the end it is SO WORTH IT!”
When it comes to planning your Big Day, you want everything to be perfect. Since this is most likely the first wedding you are planning why not take into consideration the advice of the Professionals who see at least 2-3 weddings every month? They have seen vendors who do a great job and they have seen vendors who were not as knowledgeable in the industry as they portray to be. Your venue has a preferred vendors list just for that reason. They do not want to see your Wedding be ruined by someone who has no clue in what they are doing. If you would like to contact Ashley Brown from the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh you can do so via email at [email protected] or visit their webpage www.wyndhamgrandpittsburgh.com.
Interview with Natalie Berger
Wenning's Wedding Tip Wednesday
Hiring a Professional Event Planner can prove to be far more valuable than you may have thought. Imagine, you are planning one of the most important days of your life and you do not want anything to mess that up. You want your venue to be beautiful; your vendors to be on the same page as well as ensuring your guests have a wonderful time! Have you ever taken a moment to think about what goes on behind the scenes and what could possible go wrong on such a busy day? Hiring a family friend to get you through this day may not be the best idea because although they “know how you think” they probably have not done as many events as a professional planner has and they do not know how to handle certain situations that could go wrong! We got the chance to catch up with Professional Event Planner Natalie Berger in the midst of her busy schedule to pick her brain a bit and have her shed some light on some planning do’s and don’ts to help guide you to a very special Wedding Day!
- What separates your services from other Planners?
“I am an event planner that takes care of each client…you meet me, you hire me, you GET ME!!! No associates will run your event that day, I am there for you!!”
- What advice can you give to New Brides and Grooms about planning their wedding?
“Make a budget…..stick with it!!! More does not mean BETTER!!!!”
- What would you say to Brides and Grooms in having their “Friends or Aunt’s” be their Planner?
“Having a relative or friend help plan and run your special day is not fair to them or you…they will not be able to enjoy your day with you and things may come up, that they do not know how to handle. It is much easier to delegate things to do or correct to a paid professional…”
- What’s one of the Biggest Mistakes you see that Brides and Grooms make in planning their wedding?
“The #1 thing to hire when planning your event is great entertainment!!! Having fun at a wedding is what you remember, not the color scheme or food choices, music selections, dancing and having a fabulous time with family and friends is the key to a great event!!!!”
- Anything else you want to add?
“When hiring vendors, get references, make sure they have worked the venue, and they should make you feel like you are their only client!!!”
If you are planning a grand event and want to contact Natalie for her professional assistance you can do so via email at [email protected] or by phone at (412) 298-4638. Check back next week for more Wedding Planning Tips!
Wedding Reception Timeline Management
Wenning's Wedding Tip Wednesday
There are many different ways to work a timeline for a wedding. This blog is set up mainly for a Western PA type of wedding. There are some variations of a “Jersey or New York Style Wedding” where the Bride and Groom enter the room and everyone dances for 10-15 minutes before the Toasts and Blessing even take place. Then throughout Dinner, between courses, everyone dances for 2-3 songs then enjoys the next course. So, to say the least, there are many ways in handling a timeline for a wedding. In this blog we are going to discuss mainly what we advise and tell our clients to do as a best option for their Western PA wedding.
You don’t ever want to “Front-load” your wedding. What is that you ask? It is when we introduce the Bride & Groom, then go into their first dance, then directly to the cake cutting, then into any other speciality dances, bringing everyone to the Toasts, Blessing and Dinner being served. Based off of years of experience and psychology, we have seen guests leave directly after dinner. Once they eat, there is nothing else obligating them to stay after, they have already seen everything they came to witness. We call it “Key’s & Purse” time. You don’t want everyone to see the “Whole Show” an hour an a half into the 5 hour event. That’s like doing a 50/50 raffle in the very beginning instead of towards the end of your event.
The timeline that we have listed below is based off of a 5 hour wedding reception. Note there are only a few times listed on the timeline, because those are your main important highlights of the evening. We need to know when Dinner is scheduled so we can work everything else around that, this way, the food that you spent so much money on does not get cold! Everything will fall into place with the order of things. Most Bride & Groom’s will want to do a ‘Meet n’ Greet’ after they eat just to say “Hi” to all of their friends and family that came to spend the day with them! So that is why we do not have any times for the Cake or First Dance, because every Bride and Groom are different and we tailor our needs to each client.
Not every wedding is going to have an “Anniversary Dance, Money Dance, or even a Garter and Bouquet Toss.” But we listed those as if they were taking place to show you where they would usually go. Using the right Emcee and/or DJ to work with you on your timeline is critical. It could either make or break the flow of your Big Day.
Wishing you and Your Family a Wonderful Holiday!
As we sit back and reflect on what an amazing year Wenning Inc. has had, it’s hard to believe that the Holidays are here already! We are gearing up for another exciting year of entertaining clients and various other entrepreneur endeavors.
In 2014 we launched Wenning Branding, a new division of Wenning Inc., and we are eager to share our newest division to Wenning Inc. in the Spring of 2016! Stay tuned for Wenning Innovations…
It’s with sincere gratitude that we have to say thank you to all of our wonderful, loyal clients who continue to share their satisfying experiences from our company.
From our Wenning Inc Family to yours we wish you a very Merry and Bright Holiday and a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous and Blessed New Year.
Celebrate with your loved ones and enjoy a relaxing Holiday full of Laughter and Cheer!
Happy Thanksgiving
As with years past, I can imagine that we all have more and more reasons to be Thankful than we think. This year, with the help of all of my amazing staff, I am grateful for the delightful and awesome clients we continue to encounter year after year. In addition, we have been honored to work with several wonderful Venues, Planners as well as Photographers and Videographers and soo many more Industry Professionals. Our business is continuing to grow and new divisions are being created in order to continue to fulfill the need of our clients. We thank you all and appreciate all of the kind words you use when mentioning Wenning Entertainment to potential clients. This year, try not to let the holiday season and all of the activities we have to keep us busy overlook the true meaning of today.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends, family and clients. We hope you enjoy this day with your loved ones. God Bless!
4 Alternatives to the Worst Wedding Day Clichés
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and you should do what you can to make it special for yourself, your spouse and your guests. Unfortunately, it is also very easy for a wedding to fall victim to some horrible clichés. People seem to have an idea of what should be at a typical wedding, and the sad fact is that many of these ideas have become trite and dated. If you want your wedding to be truly unique, you would be wise to take heed to these 4 Alternatives to the Worst Wedding Day Clichés.
Using the Same Tired Music
If you’ve been to at least a few traditional weddings, you’ve no doubt heard the Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel. Even if you’ve never been to a wedding in your life, you’ve probably heard the Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel. It is a beautiful piece of music, but it is also played at a lot of weddings. The same goes for The Wedding Marches by Richard Wagner and Felix Mendelssohn. They are forever associated with getting married, and it’s a safe bet that nobody really wants to hear them anymore.
Instead of the same old music that gets overplayed, pick out songs that actually mean something to you and your spouse. Even if your favorite songs don’t sound like traditional wedding music, there are bound to be some Pittsburgh wedding DJs who can find some nice arrangements that will still sound beautiful and suit the occasion.
Musical clichés don’t just apply to the wedding ceremony, either. Often, it seems like there is a standard playlist for wedding receptions as well. This includes alleged crowd pleasers such as The Chicken Dance, The Electric Slide and Every Breath You Take (a song about a creepy stalker, incidentally). You can almost set your watch by what gets played at a typical wedding reception, so find some Pittsburgh entertainers who aren’t afraid to dig up some more obscure yet memorable music for your reception, especially if it fits you and your spouse’s personalities.
Smashing the Cake Into Your Spouse’s Face
Not only do a lot of people find this kind of tacky and cliché, but it could ruin makeup, hair and clothing. Sharing a piece of cake with your spouse is cute, but there’s no need for you to shove cake into each other’s faces.
Too Much Posing for Photographs
The best part about photography is how it captures a moment in time. Some setup and posing before a wedding photo is fine, but going too far to achieve the perfect wedding photograph just makes things look and feel awkward. A few candid photos of the happy couple and their guests having a good time is much better.
“Ball and Chain” Jokes
This isn’t always on the wedding planner or the couple getting married, but jokes about “the ol’ ball and chain” went out of style years ago. And yet, people still think they’re hilarious when they imply that the groom doesn’t want to be at his own wedding. If you’re planning your own wedding, don’t try to make this joke in photos or anything else. It stopped being funny years ago and comes off as kind of tacky and offensive now. No good Pittsburgh wedding DJ or entertainment service would make those jokes, and neither should you.
Make your wedding one of a kind with help from the Pittsburgh entertainers, photographers and wedding DJs at Wenning Entertainment. Featuring some of the best entertainers in the industry, Wenning Entertainment has the knowledge and expertise needed to take your wedding day to a whole new set of heights and leave your guests raving for years to come. Contact Wenning Entertainment today, and discover how we can make your special day truly a once in a lifetime affair.
Labor Day
Happy Labor Day Monday! This 3-day weekend has been reserved for relaxation and spending time with family and friends as we quickly approach the end of summer. Businesses and government offices are closed today because Labor Day was created to celebrate working people. Today commemorates the day we honor working men and women for the various achievements they have made towards the well being of our country. School is in session, the weather will be colder soon and evenings will be shorter. Whether you take this time to enjoy a backyard picnic, a local parade, or simply recharge yourself before fall arrives. However you like to celebrate, we hope you enjoy your day!
Remember those who have Served…
Remember those who have served and that are still serving for this great country!
Memorial day is one of the busiest and most traveled weekends in the US – unofficially, the beginning of the summer season. While you enjoy the outdoors and time with friends and family take the opportunity to commemorate the lives of the men and women who have died during military service for the freedoms we enjoy today. These men and women made the decision to put aside their jobs, and more importantly, their families to defend our country during times of crisis. Thank you to the servicemen and women and the family members they left behind.
Settling the Debate – Wedding DJ or Band?
It is never an easy decision to make. Although music is indisputably one of the most important aspects of a wedding celebration, choosing how to provide it—not to mention choosing the music that best fits the mood—can be difficult. For receptions in particular, people usually go with either a DJ or a band to play the tunes. Choosing the right method can make the difference between getting the guests happy and dancing or leaving them bored and unmoved. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of going with a band or a DJ at a wedding reception.
The Advantages of a Wedding Band
The obvious selling point of the wedding band is the live performance. It can synergize with the atmosphere of the crowd, thus never feeling musically out of step. As a result, the band gives the reception the touch of sophistication and elegance, with trained musicians having the full ability to heighten the excitement or cool it down when necessary. Be sure to keep in mind that bands need to take breaks in order to stay fresh, putting your music and party on pause. The other downside to having a wedding band is that they don’t usually have experience emceeing an event. Without a professional emcee, your wedding reception can seem unorganized and may seem like it is dragging.
The Advantages of a Wedding DJ
DJs are less expensive—in a good way. Getting a professional DJ to perform at your wedding reception is relatively inexpensive. When you think about your total budget, you should allocate 10-15% toward your DJ services. Most couples only budget $1500 or less, which may not be enough! A trained DJ is more than just a music provider. Add some outstanding emcee skills with some professional training, and the party is guaranteed to go all night long. While interacting with the guests, the DJ can encourage people to dance or have fun, inject reasonable ad-libs to certain tracks or get a call-and-response chant going. It is also a huge plus that the DJ, with a catalog of songs from all over the place, has a wider range of musical styles at his or her disposal.
The Verdict
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Before you make your decision, consider a number of different factors –such as the type of music you and your spouse (and possibly your guests) like, the amount of hall space and how much you are willing to spend – before settling on your music service. Also, in addition to interviewing the band or DJ, you can ask if they have a backup plan for your special day and if they have the proper insurance to play at your venue. These things can help you make the best decision in choosing the right person for the job.
No matter if you chose a band or a professional wedding DJ, your choice will play a big part in how successful your reception turns out to be. Make sure you make a decision that guarantees your reception will be a hit with you and your guests by hiring the Pittsburgh DJ services of Wenning Entertainment. Our team of Professionally Trained Pittsburgh DJs really know how to get the party started, giving your reception that little something special to truly make it a night to remember! Discover why so many of our clients and their guests simply can’t stop raving about us. Book your Pittsburgh DJ services with Wenning Entertainment and let us add something special to your big day.
Importance of Hiring a Wedding Cinematographer | Slideshow
Wedding photos have been a tradition that has withstood the test of time. From poses to candids, your wedding photography package can help you capture some of the best moments of your wedding ceremony. Years from now, your wedding photos will serve as a beautiful reminder of one of the most significant days in your lifetime.
Even though photos and other keepsakes will serve as great reminders of your special day, nothing can quite capture the emotion and feelings you experienced on your wedding day like a wedding video can. Nowadays, more and more couples are selecting wedding cinematography services to capture the most intimate moments of their special day.
While it may take months of planning and preparation, your wedding day comes and goes in a flash. Make sure you have a beautiful keepsake to relive the memories and moments of your wedding by hiring a wedding cinematographer in Pittsburgh.
If you’re looking for a wedding video that truly captures the magic of your big day, contact the Pittsburgh wedding videography services of Wenning Entertainment. Our Videography team will work with you during the planning process to create a wedding documentary that truly captures what makes your love story so special. Discover how our wedding videos make for a one-of-a-kind keepsake of your wedding day by contacting Wenning Entertainment today!
The Unseen Role of Your Wedding Entertainer
There is much that must be taken into consideration when planning your wedding, including making sure that your reception entertainment matches the vibe you want to encourage. While many opt to hire a Pittsburgh DJ opposed to a live wedding singer, you must confirm that your DJ is more than just a human jukebox—or someone who turns on a playlist and hangs out for a few hours. Below are just a few reasons why your wedding DJ and entertainment are so crucial.
It Is the Entertainer’s Job to Make Things Fun
Without a DJ and other wedding entertainment, there isn’t much else to do at your wedding. While your friends and family can always enjoy a few wedding snacks, and catch up with one another—this will only take up so much time. This is why it is essential to have something else to pass the time. Even those who do not want to get up and dance can people watch and enjoy the ambience.
Great Entertainment, Makes For Great Wedding Video and Photos
Your wedding photos and wedding videos are images you will cherish for many years to come. On top of that, weddings are one of the few times that you will have all of your friends and family gathered together in one location. In order for your photos and video to live up to your expectations, you need more than just a talented photographer and videographer—but also a talented Pittsburgh DJ who will ensure that there are many excellent opportunities to capture your guests enjoying your special day.
You Want to Encourage Dancing and Interaction
When narrowing down your selection of Pittsburgh Wedding DJs, you want to search for someone who is good with people. Someone who can see when the energy is getting low, and adjust the music accordingly. Someone who will see when the energy is high—and will keep it there. Also, someone who is willing to mix and customize your music selections, and even throw in music that celebrates your culture or religion. If you so desire, also look for a DJ who will get the crowd going by playing line dances and maybe even a quick game or dance off.
If you end up with a DJ, who only provides music, but not full entertainment your reception may fall flat. Consider the factors above when creating and narrowing your short list of Pittsburgh Wedding DJs. Make sure your special day stands out with help from Wenning Entertainment. At Wenning Entertainment, we are proud to offer professionally trained Pittsburgh DJs to not only make sure your event runs smoothly, but also keep the party going for you and your guests. Make sure your wedding is something you and your guests will never forget, book the Pittsburgh Wedding DJ services of Wenning Entertainment
Thanksgiving Day
After 21 years in business we cannot be Thankful enough for the wonderful people that we have met and worked with throughout the years.
A huge part of our business is due to word of mouth, so without such great recommendations from people like you we wouldn’t be where we are today! It is with Love and Joy in our hearts that we wish you and your loved ones a Very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!
Happy Veteran’s Day 2014
Take the time to stop and say “Thank You” to a Veteran today.
Thank them for their service, their courage, and most importantly their sacrifice! Our servicemen and women are often overlooked so try your best to go beyond just one day and help veterans in more ways throughout the year by volunteering with Veteran programs in your area. Continue to Honor our Vets, not just on Veteran’s Day, but everyday for selflessly serving our country. Happy Veteran’s Day!
Special Rates for New Clients
Fall is here and soon it will be time to hunker down and finalize your Wedding decisions.
When thinking about DJ packages, lighting décor options, photo booth and other add-on services for your Big Day consider a professionally trained company to execute your ideas! For the entire month of November take advantage of a 20% discount off of your total services booked with Wenning Entertainment. Call our office today at (412) 292-8776 to discuss services, packages, and our special rates. Don’t forget to visit our website for past client reviews. We look forward to hearing from you!
We wish you all a Happy & Safe 4th!
Seeing fireworks on the 4th is about as American as apple pie! We hope you enjoy your Independence Day and it’s filled with great family & friends either poolside, by the barbecue, or at a local parade.
Break out all things red, white & blue and celebrate the day the Declaration of Independence was signed. Have a wonderful 4th of July!
Check out the link below for firework listings in Allegheny County. http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/06/24/allegheny-county-2014-fireworks-listings/
Using the Preferred Vendor List
Planning a wedding is never easy. So when you receive vendor recommendations from a trusted source, take note.
Why not make your planning a bit easier by listening to the professionals who have personally seen specific service vendors in action. Most venues have a list of Preferred Vendors, for a reason. Your venue wants your event to be a success! Preferred vendors are simply a list of various vendors that your venue has worked with on several occasions and they know these vendors will be able to execute their industry service skillfully and professionally. Who would be a better judge of successful events other than your venue? They have seen more Entertainers, Photographers, and Videographers than any one member of your family or friends. The venue is putting their reputation on the line with giving you their recommendation. Why would they offer you anything mediocre?
Your venue knows what works and what does not work for their site, and so do their preferred vendors. They have completed events at that venue quite a few times and are most aware of the setup needed and how to successfully get your guests to have a great time. Once you receive your Vendor List, still do your research, but keep in mind that recommendations do not come to those who don’t put in the work to receive such a compliment. You’ve done the work in selecting the venue, now it is time to take the vendor recommendations to help with further planning!
Before you say, “I Do”….
Attention all Brides-To-Be, this Sunday is your day to cross off some items on your planning to do list.
Join Wenning Entertainment on March 2nd 2014, at the Annual Pittsburgh Bridal Showcase held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center from 11am – 4pm! We will be among some of Pittsburgh’s Top Wedding Professionals. Come visit us at our booth to meet DJs, check out our Photo Booth, and ask questions about your Big Day!! Why not stop in to get answers to some of your planning dilemmas AND have a great time at Pittsburgh’s largest Bridal Show. We’ll see you there!
Be Flexible in your Budget for the Important Parts of your Wedding!
Have you ever heard someone say they don’t see the need in hiring professional wedding entertainment because they think it’s a waste of money? We don’t think this is an area you should cut costs in. It may not seem important prior to the reception, but we believe entertainment can make or break your special day.
A guest’s top memory about a wedding is the entertainment. While planning a wedding there are many important details to handle, but keep in mind there are also many details that could be a waste of time. Don’t sweat the small stuff! Be sure that you have budgeted 10-15% of the total wedding budget towards your DJ or choice entertainment. Although it may seem that bridal magazines and websites are your guiding light, remember that the price of your DJ will vary depending on your location. Most couples only budget $500-$1000 for a DJ, this is NOT enough! Do your research; find out how much the professionals start at in your area. Most Full-Time Professionals in the Pittsburgh, PA area will start around $1500 and go up from there.
In addition to playing music, make sure your DJ will help keep your reception on schedule with signatures events like the bouquet toss, father/daughter dance, cake cutting, even an anniversary dance. They should also have backups of everything from equipment to personnel and proper insurance! Don’t let a bad DJ ruin your wedding! Try putting yourself in your guests’ seats as you think about how you want your big day to be remembered. Do you think your guests will remember the one of-a-kind hand made centerpieces, or your favorite Uncle following small interactive dances that can be easily taught by our DJs? Your entertainment will play a huge part in that so choose wisely!
Think about that house party or wedding you went to with no music and poor atmosphere. We can only imagine how boring that was; so take our word when we say a party with Wenning Entertainment is like a great house party times 20!