#wedding videography services in Pittsburgh

[phoddophotography]

Hire The Best Wedding Videographer In Pittsburgh

Capture every magical moment of your special day with affordable wedding videographers in Pittsburgh. From the heartfelt vows to the joyous celebrations, our experienced professionals ensure that every smile, tear, and laughter is preserved in high-quality footage, allowing you to relive your wedding day for years to come with cherished memories.

[pittsburghvideographer]

Contact Iuliana Productions for Best Wedding Videography at an Affordable Price

Your wedding photos and video will be with you for the rest of your married life. It is one of the things that will help you remind that romantic day when you said "I Do". It is treasured by many couples because it reminds them of their most romantic day when they exchange their vows. When everything seems to be hard, tough and difficult, all you have to do is sit down together, get that DVD and watch it all over again. These are some of the things that make your wedding videography special. It has to be done professionally, tastefully and in a manner suitable to you and your partner's personality. It can say a lot of things about you and who you are.

Like all the other multifaceted specifics of a wedding - gown, tux, cake, reception, china and silver, make-up, flora, invitations, guests, ceremonial dinner rehearsal and a lot more, the wedding photos and video should be given an identical amount of attention and planning. Because after all, the planning and money spent are not realized after, the only things that you've got to show are your best wedding videography and your rings. So hire, Pittsburgh Wedding Videography Iuliana Productions take into account the following points first before nodding to a videographer at random.

Budget

You have to have an estimate on how much you are willing to spend on your wedding videography. Ask around and compare prices. Ask your friends and other family members who just got married about their wedding videography. Some would give out the actual price they paid so ask for the ball-park figure to be safe.

What you want

Picture on how you want the video to come out - topography and the tune. Do you want it to appear caring and fancy? Romantic? Clear-cut? Just think of you and your partner as the basic cast in a romantic movie. Both of you should agree on what to add or not. That is why your desires should be the Videographer? Command.

Research

That is right! Go ahead sit and go online; explore about videography and all the other services that a certain company carries. There are plenty of freebies nowadays to attract clients which add value to your money and quality to their services. But don? Just take their word for it. Watch wedding videos of your friends and relatives so that you’ll have a basic idea on what you are going to get. As a business strategy, many of these companies have video samples uploaded online for couples to have a better picture of what their services would look like.

Now for the Packages

As you explore, you'll get a good picture of how these packages will look like and the amount that you'll probably spend. Not all videos are the same - there are short and there are long and detailed videos. Carefully read each service. List the items that you want to be included in the package. When you drop by their office, don't forget to bring your list. If there are some things that you want which are not on their choices, list them down as well and see if you can bargain your way to include those things in the package of your choice.

Just remember that your video and photos will have to last a lifetime. It has to withstand change of time, trend and fashion. It should be like a classical movie or song that doesn't fade away. And to achieve this you need a perfect videographer who understands what you want and what you need.

Do you want to engage the Pittsburgh Wedding Videography then contact Iuliana Productions.

[eifentertainmentmedia-blog]

[videoproductionservice]

Media Production In Pittsburgh PA

Media production is the backbone of modern multimedia and digital production. With the advent of high definition, more multimedia productions are moving to Pittsburgh PA. This is largely because of the highly skilled multimedia work force that can be found in the Pittsburgh area. Pittsburgh also boasts of one of the most highly rated film schools in the country. A student interested in media production in Pittsburgh PA should find an internship during his or her graduation from a film school. Discover more on  Media production on this site.

Media production refers to all the creative and operative aspects of the creation of media products such as videos, audio, films, presentations, and interactive media such as web pages and internet applications. It is also referred to as production. The processes involved in media production include graphic design, storyboarding, audio production, sound editing, video production, and production editing. Media production companies in Pittsburgh specialize in assisting clients in creating their media production needs.

Today, multimedia courses are available at local colleges and universities. Students can take classes that cover all the necessary skills to be successful in this competitive field. Pittsburgh residents who wish to pursue careers in the multimedia industry can attend training programs that focus on the particular skill they need. Media production courses in Pittsburgh Pa offer both classroom and lab classes. Some of the common media courses that are offered are production editing, storyboarding, animation, video, web development, weddings and special events, and animation courses. Students can also get a job on the floor of any of the large production studios that employ media professionals in the Pittsburgh area.

A career in media production in Pittsburgh PA opens the door for many possibilities. Career paths can range from assistant to director to producer and writer. Individuals who have the interest and interpersonal skills that are required can also work behind the scenes in a production studio. A well-rounded education prepares one for a variety of careers, ranging from movie promotion to media production in Pittsburgh PA. The ability to organize, manage, and produce on a large scale are essential qualities that make up an excellent media production professional.  Acquire more information on  media production  on this link: https://wearecovalent.com/services/

For individuals with a flair for film, television, or digital media production, there are numerous internship programs at Pittsburgh film schools and universities that offer talented media professionals internships. Most media production schools offer intensive training in the creative and technical aspects of video production, photography, sound, and editing. The successful completion of an internship program at a film school or a university will greatly enhance the potential of the chosen media professional. Interns may also learn about other forms of media production such as videography, animation, visual arts, and video games. Through mentorships and connections made while still in school, a student can hone trade skills and develop his/her self-marketing abilities. 

Pittsburgh media production students can expect to work in a fast-paced environment that puts them in contact with the cutting-edge equipment needed to complete projects. Aspiring media professionals can expect to be involved in every aspect of the production process including post-production and editing. Graduates of media production schools in Pittsburgh should have the interpersonal skills and technical aptitude to succeed in this dynamic and fast-changing industry. Graduates of reputable media schools can be sure to obtain a job in one of the most competitive fields in the country.  Here is a post with a general information about this topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video.

[burdvideoandphotography-blog]

Pictures and videos are the records of some of the most important moments of your life. That's why we at Burd Video and Photography are committed to excellence, quality, and satisfaction guaranteed. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, we are one of the most recognizable names in Western Pennsylvania and that is a badge we wear with pride. We are organized, offer fast turnaround times, and will often travel to your destination in order to capture the perfect moment in the perfect place.

We are delighted to offer a complete array of photography and videography services. We specialize in wedding photography and videography but also offer special event photography, commercial photography, real estate photography, family portraits, and more to ensure that you always have a high-quality keepsake for yourself. With six years of experience in this business, you can always trust in the superiority of our work no matter what type of project we take on.

Real people, real stories, real moments--those are the things that matter most and that's why we do what we do. We would love to help you remember them forever, so to arrange a phone call or in-person meeting to discuss your upcoming event, please contact us at Burd Video and Photography today!

https://pittsburghvideographer.com

[loyaltyentertainment]

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.

[loyaltyentertainment]

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. 

[loyaltyentertainment]

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. 

[loyaltyentertainment]

We Can’t Say Enough About Pinehall

A Wedding Venue on Their Game

In our time as Pittsburgh wedding DJs, we’ve seen a lot of venues and met a lot of venue owners. Some take a more hands-off approach and others are heavily involved in the wedding itself. Some are teams, and others are run by individuals. But something we don’t encounter all that frequently is a truly family-run venue.

Pinehall at Eisler Farms is a beautiful barn venue in Butler county just outside of the main Pittsburgh area. We’ve said it before, but it’s always a good time when we get to leave the city. Pittsburgh is our home-base and we have nothing but love for all the venues in the area that we frequent. But with that being said, we also love getting to see the Pennsylvania countryside.

Early Arrival For Sightseeing

We Couldn’t Get Enough

There are a few Pittsburgh venues we frequent where we make it a point to arrive early, whether it’s to take in the scenery or interact with some of our favorite vendors. Pinehall is one where we just need an extra few minutes to take everything in.

The barn itself is a kind of hybrid indoor/outdoor venue. With a barn door that opens directly onto a gorgeous patio, that hybrid mixture is something that couples definitely want to take advantage of.

A Wedding Venue With History

Another aspect of a venue that we appreciate is history. At Pinehall, there’s definitely no shortage of history. We’ve learned that the barn itself is more than a century old and that the venue has been in the family for generations. They even have their own family weddings there! That’s absolutely a sign that a venue is top-notch.

We’re not trying to say that new venues don’t have an appeal. We always have a great time at some of the more modern Pittsburgh venues. But something about the idyllic location combined with a legacy makes for a completely different experience. 

We’ve mentioned it before, but we know that choosing the right venue is the first step for the vast majority of Pittsburgh couples. The venue is the first impression arriving guests have of your wedding day. It also is important for determining things like guest count and flow of the day. Choosing the right venue is the first step towards drafting your full wedding vendor dream team. 

Our advice? If you’re looking for a rustic barn venue near Pittsburgh, touring Pinehall should be at the top of your list.

Some of the Best Staff We’ve Seen

We Don’t Say That Lightly

Not only was this one of the most aesthetic venues we’ve seen, but it also has some of the best staff. They’re organized, experienced, and professional. We’ve never felt like we were being rushed out so they could clean up and go home (which isn’t something that can be said about every venue, unfortunately). They’ve also been so on the ball when the day comes around that we knew we had to do a write-up about them.

We want all of our couples to have the best wedding experiences. Whether they’re just booking our Pittsburgh DJ services or we’re doing a full-service package with wedding photography, videography, and a photo booth, we want it to be the best day of their lives.

While we love being the wedding planner for our couples, more than anything we just want the day to go well.

You can immediately tell that everyone at Pinehall knows what they’re doing and is also committed to making every wedding the best day imaginable. That’s something you only get from passionate professionals. It’s what we always try to deliver, so we can recognize it in others also. And we’ve seen it time and time again here.

Final Wedding Thoughts

In closing, we just wanted to say thanks. Thanks to the Pinehall at Eisler Farms for being so accommodating and so helpful and an even bigger thanks to all the couples we’ve had who have brought us 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. 

[loyaltyentertainment]

A Full-Service Wedding at The Hilton Garden Inn

This One Took the Cake

A good wedding vendor is part of a team. They need to work well not only with the couple, but also with the other vendors on the big day. 

The best Pittsburgh weddings aren’t necessarily well-oiled machines. Something we’ve learned from being in Pittsburgh weddings as long as we have is it’s not so much about everyone doing everything 100% flawlessly. Rather, it’s more about the vendor team working well with each other and working well with the couple. Since there’s no way to plan for literally everything, there’s bound to be hiccups. But a good vendor team is able to work together to overcome them, solve any problems that arise, and redirect guests (if need be). When done successfully, the guests may not even know anything went wrong!

Our philosophy of what makes for a smooth wedding day is also what’s made us great wedding vendors. We always make it our top priority to get to know the bride or groom and the vendor team. That way, in the unlikely event anything does happen, we can work quickly and efficiently to make sure we get back to smooth sailing.

Complete DJ, Photo, and Video Service

For Deanna and Dylan’s wedding at the Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe, we were not only providing the music and MCing, we were also the wedding photographers and videographers. Being able to provide all of those services at one wedding is something we always look forward to, and it all turned out phenomenally. So phenomenally we knew we had to do a write-up about it.

The importance of vendor communication really can’t be overstated. But this is especially true for the DJ/photographer/videographer relationship.

The wedding DJ is typically the one who makes all the announcements and gets the couple and the guests into the right places at the right times. So without effective communication, half the guests may end up missing the first dance, or the couple is off taking pictures while the guests are waiting for a cake cutting. It’s part of the DJ’s responsibilities to make sure the other vendors are ready for the announcements that they’re going to make.

But when we’re able to be in charge of the DJing and the photography/videography, we can be 100% sure there won’t be any unnecessary surprises when it comes to announcements and the flow of the day. 

Everything being perfectly captured is exactly what happened with Deanna and Dylan. We don’t want to over-sell it, but with Loyalty Entertainment in charge of DJing, photography, and videography, we were able to expertly choreograph and preserve all the important moments with skill and finesse. Which translates to pictures and video that they’ll have for years and years to come that perfectly capture the emotions, sentiment, and joy of their wedding day. 

That’s something you just can’t get in any other line of work.

A Great Pittsburgh Wedding Venue

We often write about the importance of a good wedding venue. For many couples, the venue is the first thing booked and the aspect of the wedding that has the most thought put in it.

The venue is pivotal for good reason. It has to accommodate not only the couple, vendor team, and guests, but also look good in pictures and be relatively easy to navigate to. It’s also the first impression arriving guests have of your wedding day. 

The Pittsburgh Hilton Garden Inn checked all of our boxes for what constitutes a good wedding venue. The set-ups were gorgeous and the layout made it easy for us to navigate and coordinate everything.

There’s so many great Pittsburgh wedding venues that it’s hard to choose our favorites. As Pittsburgh wedding DJs, we’ve seen our fair share. But instead of writing a list or anything like that, we determined that whenever we encountered a venue we really liked and appreciated, we would mention them in a post. 

Final Wedding Thoughts

In closing, we just wanted to say thanks. Thanks to the Pittsburgh Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe for being accommodating and so helpful and an even bigger thanks to Deanna and Dylan. We can’t thank them enough for letting us be a part of their wedding day. We had the best time DJing and providing the photo booth for this amazing night.

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, videography, photo booths, wedding planning, photography, dance lessons, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

[loyaltyentertainment]

How to Pick Your Wedding Vendors: Your Guide to Finding Your Wedding-Day Vendor Dream Team

Finding (and Booking) the Right People For Your Big Day

So you just got engaged. Congratulations! But now comes the part that truly gives many couples butterflies (the unpleasant kind): planning the wedding. 

When it comes to choosing vendors for your wedding day, many couples don’t know where to start. It’s a concern we’ve encountered when we talk to our Pittsburgh couples many times. Luckily, there are some helpful guides that can steer you through this overwhelming time. This is one of them.

Within this guide, we’ll go over some of the more common questions we hear from newly-engaged couples just getting their feet wet with Pittsburgh wedding planning. Some of our top questions are

What vendors do you need for a wedding?

When should you hire your wedding vendors?

How do you find the right wedding vendors?

Can you negotiate with wedding vendors?

We know you’re probably anxious to get some answers, so we’ll just dive right in!

What Vendors Do You Even Need?

Where to Splurge and Where to Save

Going in knowing virtually nothing about the nuts and bolts of wedding planning, you may find that your first question is “what vendors are necessary for a wedding?” After seeing and hosting many Pittsburgh weddings ourselves, we’ve got a few ideas on which vendors you can splurge on and where you can trim some of your wedding expenses. 

Vendors to Splurge On: the Photographer

Our top recommendation for vendors to splurge on is the photographer. Your wedding day is one you’ll want to remember. So finding the right Pittsburgh wedding photographer can be crucial to having amazing printed memories from your big day.

A good wedding photographer will also capture moments you may have missed from the day. While you were busy greeting all of your adoring fans, some of the guests may have been getting into mischief sneakily documented by the photographer. This can make for many laughs when you go back and view your photos.

Your photos are also what you’ll have to show to family or friends who couldn’t make it to the wedding itself. These days, that can be of paramount importance. So your wedding photos are not only how you’ll remember your day in the years to come, they’re how you can show off your wedding day to anyone who asks.

Vendors to Splurge On: the DJ

Okay, we’re a little biased on this one. But being Pittsburgh wedding DJs, we’ve seen what can happen when the DJ or MC isn’t top-notch. A DJ who’s awkward on the mic or rocking busted speakers can quickly sour an otherwise perfect wedding day.

But a wedding DJ who knows what they’re doing and can read the room can make a great day even better. 

Reading the room and picking the right music is a skill that comes from a combination of talent and experience. Finding a Pittsburgh wedding DJ who’s able to do all of those things can seem like a tall order. The DJ isn’t just the music master, they’re also the voice on the other end of the microphone. If you’re the face of your wedding, your DJ is the voice. So it’s also crucially important that they not be awkward and uncomfortable.

The DJ will also be making announcements throughout the night and keeping everyone in the right places and moving them at the right times. They manage the flow of the day as a whole. We’ve seen cases where a family member is roped into making the announcements and MCing the wedding. While this can work, what we usually see happen is that family member getting tired of having responsibilities midway through the day and deciding they would rather just be a guest. Leaving the position of MC vacant. Which is not what you want on your wedding day.

Vendors to Splurge On: the Wedding Planner

Many couples these days elect to just plan their own weddings or have an aunt or other family member be a day-of coordinator when the big day comes. But trust us, there are other ways to save money on a wedding. These other ways also won’t deprive you of someone who can coordinate with all your other vendors, keep you on-budget, and keep the day on time.

Professional wedding planners are professionals and skilled at keeping everything on track. Even if something does go wrong on the big day (God forbid), an experienced wedding planner can get things back on track so efficiently, you probably won’t even know that anything went wrong in the first place.

They can also be irreplaceable in helping you find other vendors. They typically have lists (physical or mental) of other wedding vendors they’ve worked with and liked. This can cut down on vendor hunts, interviews, and emails.

Where to Save: the Decor

These days, one of the growing trends amongst young couples is doing your own decorations. With the advent of sites like Pinterest and Etsy, couples are more able than ever to find and craft their own wedding decorations that fit their own unique style and add something special to the wedding day.

Many wedding venues are very open to allowing couples to decorate as they will (within reason). Asking a venue if they’re open to you providing your own decorations can also be a good test to see how flexible they are in general. We’re not saying that if they don’t allow you to freely decorate you should head for the hills, though. Rather that the way they respond to that question can tell you a lot about the wedding venue itself.

For venues that allow it though, we definitely recommend adding your own little touches. 

When Should You Hire Your Wedding Vendors?

How Soon Is Too Soon?

“How far in advance do we need to book our wedding vendors” is another question we’re asked very regularly. We usually say it all comes down to the length of your engagement. The most common engagement length is ~1 year. So if we assume you have around a year to prepare, you can use this as a rough timeline to book your wedding vendors.

When Do I Book a Wedding Planner?

The wedding planner should be the first vendor you book. They’re going to help you find and contact other vendors, so it only makes sense to book them first. There are many great Pittsburgh wedding planners to look into (but ask yourself: have any written a guide this amazing?) so find one that fits your vision for your wedding day!

Booking time: ASAP

When Do I Book a Wedding Photographer?

As we’ve mentioned, the photographer is one of the most important members of your wedding dream team. They’re another one that you want to book as quickly as possible (and they book up fast!). If you’ve already booked your venue and your wedding planner, finding a wedding photographer in Pittsburgh should be next on your priority list. Of note, a videographer also falls into this category. Many Pittsburgh wedding photographers also offer videography services, so it may be wise to ask your photographer if that’s something they can include. If not, they’ll at least be able to point you in the right direction.

Booking time: ~10 months out

When Do I Book a Wedding DJ or Photo Booth?

If you’ve made it this far, you’re doing great! If you have your venue, planner, and photographer/videographer already booked, it’s smart for your next move to be your wedding entertainment. Finding a Pittsburgh wedding DJ doesn’t have to be a tedious task full of interviews and phone tag. We generally recommend 2 steps to finding the right DJ for your Pittsburgh wedding. First, talk with the DJ. See if you like their vibe and if you can imagine them on the other end of the mic. Second, see if they have any sample mixes or can give you an idea of what kind of music they typically play. Then you can make sure there won’t be any musical surprises.

Booking time: ~8-9 months out

When Do I Book the Rest of My Wedding Vendors?

The final touches when creating your vendor dream team should be your officiant, your florist, your baker, and your transportation (if applicable). Once you’ve successfully booked the last of these vendors, you can sit back and take a breath. Your vendor team has been assembled! Now you can focus on fun, extra things, like dance lessons or decor.

Booking time: ~6 months out

How Do You Find the Right Wedding Vendors?

Where to Look and Who to Ask

There’s more than one way to find a wedding vendor. Online is a great place to start, but there are many great vendors who may be perfect for you but aren’t the first search result. If you have your heart set on a specific vibe from a specific vendor, it may be wise to do a little digging.

The first step would be asking your current vendors for any recommendations. The Pittsburgh wedding vendor community is smaller than you’d think, and most of us know each other. So you can get an inside tip from a wedding insider if you ask the right people. Further, if you already like and mesh with the vendor you’re asking for a recommendation, you’ll probably like their recommendation, too.

Recommendations from Experience

If you know anyone who recently got married in Pittsburgh, you can also ask them for vendor recommendations. If they have a particular vendor who stood out to them or if you’re stuck finding one specific one, asking for suggestions can be a great way to find your perfect vendor.

Expos and Bridal Shows

If you wanted, you could probably find your entire wedding vendor team at a wedding show. With all the local vendors in one place, it can be a great place to get a feel for the different vendor personalities and see some of their work in action.

We can’t stress highly enough that it’s always smart to talk to your vendor before the big day. Even if it’s just a Zoom call or over the phone, get a feel for them. Someone may look great on paper, but when you talk to them, the energy is all wrong. The opposite may also be true. Take note of your first impressions of a vendor. That’s often the way guests will feel when they’re interacting with them, too.

Can You Negotiate With Wedding Vendors?

Is the Price the Only Price?

This final question is another that we’re frequently asked. We saved it for last because it’s probably the trickiest one to answer of the bunch. What we will say is: yes and no.

It’s perfectly fine to ask your vendor if they do discounts of any kind. Many will for things like booking from a bridal show, on an off date, or on a referral from another vendor.

But for many other vendors, the price is the price. What we would recommend instead of haggling is to just be upfront about your budget. You can’t go wrong with honesty, and if the vendor is looking for a wedding on your date, you may be in luck. Or if they’re out of your price-range, they may be able to point you to another amazing vendor they know who would be a better fit.

Ways to Cut Wedding Costs

If you found a vendor you adore but they’re just out of your price-range, another solution is to rework the wedding budget just a little. Costs can be cut by doing your own decorations or designing and printing your own save the date cards. We’ve had couples tell us they had a great time designing their cards and decorations, and it adds a little personal flavor to the day that guests always love.

Final Thoughts on Finding Pittsburgh Wedding Vendors

A Quick Summary

We know we hit you with a lot of information in a short amount of time. There’s a lot that goes into wedding planning, but it doesn’t have to be the cause of sleepless nights. Having a gameplan is one of the best first steps you can take when you’re planning anything, and a wedding is no exception.

Make a rough time-line of your engagement. How long do you have until the big day? Which weekends/days can you devote solely to wedding planning? When you know those things, you can work on when you should book certain vendors, and take steps to get those goals accomplished. Plus, it feels awesome to check things off a list.

In closing, remember that your wedding is about you and your significant other. Make a plan together of how you’re going to crush your engagement and your planning. Then put that plan into action!

[loyaltyentertainment]

A Great Couple, A Beautiful Venue, and a Perfect Day

The Stables at Connoquenessing

Brittany and Rhett met in college, but it wasn’t until a chance meeting at a friend’s wedding that they really talked and “clicked.” From their first date to the final minutes of the reception at The Stables at Connoquenessing, they knew that they had something special.

We were honored to be this amazing couple’s Pittsburgh wedding DJ.

Since we work as Pittsburgh wedding vendors, we’re often in the heart of the city, so it was a nice break to head out to The Stables, which is a 40-to-60-minute drive (depending on traffic).

Rustic, Elegant Barn Wedding

The Stables at Connoquenessing is an amazing venue. It was originally a part of the Spang Estate in the 1920s, but has since become a refurbished two-story barn venue. The rise of rustic barn weddings led to the renovation of the barn in 2017.

Modern-day amenities, a dining area downstairs, covered patio, and second-floor banquet hall make it the perfect choice for a wedding.

With rustic-themed weddings on the rise, we’ve been to a lot of barn-style venues in the Pennsylvania countryside. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t say that this was one of our favorites.

Pittsburgh Wedding Vendors Bringing the Party

Our experience at The Stables has always been amazing. The exterior has a rustic, southern charm with beautiful landscaping and ample opportunity for couples to take pictures. Inside, you find beautiful vaulted ceilings with exposed beams that bring everything together perfectly.

Two giant chandeliers hang from the ceiling and four massive windows at the end of the room provide beautiful natural lighting. This makes for great photography, for daytime or for nighttime weddings.

For us, it’s always important that guests are dancing and having a good time. A good wedding DJ can get people on the dance floor, but it makes it easier for us when it’s an excited crowd looking to have a good time. Since we offer a variety of wedding services, we know exactly when to change up the tempo of the wedding and when to wind things down to let the couple thank everyone for coming.

We work off the natural energy in the room, changing pace and learning what songs seem to get guests to their feet and which songs don’t hit the mark in the way that the couple had hoped. 

We can say one thing for certain: every wedding is a party when our Pittsburgh wedding DJs enter the room. But it’s the charm of a venue like The Stables at Connoquenessing that really makes any wedding a night to remember.

Why We Love What We Do

There are so many reasons to work in the wedding and entertainment industry. Being a part of the biggest day in a couple’s lives is an experience like no other. In fact, we liked being a part of these big days as wedding DJs so much, we decided to become more involved.

Those who know us know we’re more than just a single-service wedding vendor. Though we’ll always love being Pittsburgh wedding DJs, we’ve expanded into offering everything from wedding planning to dance lessons to videography. 

We also love the relationships we build with our couples along the way. When you’re covering multiple parts of a wedding day, you usually get pretty close with your couples. By the wedding day itself, we find ourselves part wedding planner, part confidant, and part day-of coordinator. Which is exactly how we like it.

Ultimately, we’re in the wedding business because we’re passionate about what we do. We love providing entertainment and creating celebrations. There’s no bigger celebration than two people and two families coming together. But deeper than that, we love seeing couples having the day of their lives and being a part of that celebration.

Long-Lasting Love for a Wonderful Couple

We worked with the couple to select songs and create a soundtrack that fit their wedding perfectly. The selection was a hit, with guests dancing the night away on the banquet floor. You could feel the love in the air.

Today, I’m sure that the couple is still laughing and enjoying their lives together. It's not often that we come across a couple that clicks as well as Brittany and Rhett. They brought the love and laughs, and we brought the music. It was the perfect triple threat on a night we won’t soon forget.

Final Wedding Thoughts

In closing, we just wanted to say thanks. Thanks to The Stables at Connoquenessing for being accommodating and gorgeous and an even bigger thanks to Brittany and Rhett. We can’t thank them enough for letting us be a part of their wedding day. We had the best time DJing and MCing this amazing day.

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 DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pennsylvania 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 photo booths, photography, videography, wedding planning, DJing, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

[loyaltyentertainment]

The “Hidden Jewel” of Pittsburgh

A Memorable Night at the Fez

Just north of the airport sits a self-described “hidden gem” of a Pittsburgh wedding venue. After providing wedding DJ services for Katie and Austin’s October wedding at the Fez, we would say that “hidden gem” is definitely an appropriate term to describe this venue.

We’re involved in many parts of the wedding industry. From wedding videography to first dance lessons, we really shoot to do it all. But one part of the festivities will always be near and dear to our hearts: wedding entertainment. Providing the music and being the wedding MC is undeniably one of our favorite roles as wedding vendors. That means that we’re always on the lookout for wedding venues in Pittsburgh (and across the state) that are perfect for providing the best entertainment.

After taking a look around the Fez, we could tell it checked all of our entertainment boxes. With an amazing dance floor and designated DJ spot, the Fez is a wedding venue that works with the entertainment. After working at dozens of wedding venues in Pennsylvania, we can tell you that not every venue is set-up perfectly for DJing. So it’s always refreshing when everything comes together and makes for an amazing reception. When it works, it works.

Why We Love What We Do

There are so many reasons to work in the wedding and entertainment industry. Whether you’re inspired by wedding design or a lover of beautiful places, the motivations to work in weddings are countless. But what it comes down to for us is being invited to be a part of the biggest day in a couples lives. That’s an experience like no other. In fact, we liked being a part of these big days as wedding DJs so much, we decided to become more involved in weddings as a whole.

Those who know us know we’re more than just a single-service wedding vendor. Though we’ll always love being Pittsburgh wedding DJs, we’ve expanded into offering everything from wedding videography to photo booth rentals to dance lessons. 

We also love the relationships we build with our couples along the way. When you’re covering multiple parts of a wedding day, you usually get pretty close with your couples. By the wedding day itself, we find ourselves part wedding planner, part confidant, and part day-of coordinator. Which is exactly how we like it.

Ultimately, we’re in the wedding business because we’re passionate about what we do. We love providing entertainment and creating celebrations. There’s no bigger celebration than two people and two families coming together. But deeper than that, we love seeing couples having the day of their lives and being a part of that celebration.

A Lively Night on the Dance Floor

Part of being a good wedding DJ is understanding the energy of the night. Some couples would rather have a low-key celebration. Other couples want a full-blown throw-down. Neither is better or worse than the other, but they require different approaches from the DJ. That’s why we take the time to get to know our couples. We’ve found it’s next to impossible to get a full picture without some kind of meeting.

When we met with Austin and Katie and started discussing their wedding day music choices, we knew right away we were in for a fun night. They chose music that was both unique to them as a couple and that would go over well when it was time for dancing. 

Sometimes couples ask us “what music should I choose for my wedding?” Which is a reasonable question, but not an easy one to answer. We usually advise a mixture of music that means something to the couple and some “crowd-pleasers.” That way, they can have some personal touches that make their wedding unique, but also songs everyone can sing along to.

When it was time for dancing, that mixture of personal favorites and timeless classics made for an amazing mix. The dance floor was rocking as we seamlessly mixed from 90s into top 40 into disco. When done right, flawlessly mixing between styles and genres makes the dance floor fun for everybody at the reception. We love it when we see grandparents getting down with the members of the wedding party. Which is exactly what we saw with Katie and Austin’s reception.

Being the best wedding DJ in Pittsburgh is a skill, but it also requires practice. You have to keep your skills sharp and also be up-to-date on the latest popular music. While DJing is fun, you also have to take it seriously. The MC is the voice of the wedding, after all.

It’s receptions like Austin and Katie’s where that skill and practice pay off. We get to be a part of their memories of their perfect day. That’s something we’d never trade.

Final Wedding Thoughts

In closing, we just wanted to say thanks. Thanks to the Fez for being accommodating and gorgeous and an even bigger thanks to Katie and Austin. We can’t thank them enough for letting us be a part of their wedding day. We had the best time DJing and MCing this amazing day.

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 DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many, many Pennsylvania 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 videography, photography, photo booth rentals, wedding planning, DJing, or just to chat about how your big day can be the best day ever. 

[loyaltyentertainment]

A Rustic Wedding We Won’t Forget

The Pennsylvania Countryside

Pennsylvania has a lot of great venues that could be described as “rustic.” And being Pittsburgh wedding vendors ourselves, many of our weddings are city-based. So it’s always a breath of fresh air to offer our services somewhere off the beaten path with a more country-side aesthetic.

And the Gathering Place at Darlington Lake in Darlington, PA has definitely captured that rustic aesthetic.

It’s a mix of an indoor and an outdoor venue, but at times it feels like it’s an outdoor venue. And with the gorgeous western Pennsylvania landscape, having views like this can’t be beat. 

We love traveling all over the state. There’s so many sights, venues, and different couples to celebrate with. And the Gathering Place is a great example of that. 

When you have a great venue and a great couple, you know it’s gonna be a celebration. Especially when we can get in there with DJing, dance lessons, and photography or videography. And when couples come up to us after saying “we just had the best day ever” it reminds us why we do what we do.

Why We Love Being Full-Service Vendors

Anyone who knows us knows that we’re more than a one-trick pony. We’ve expanded into a full-service wedding vendor, offering everything from wedding DJing to wedding photography and dance lessons.

Our relationships with our couples are important to us. We usually find ourselves part planner, part confidant, and part day-of coordinator. And that’s just how we like it.

We’re in the wedding and event business because we love to entertain. But deeper than that, we love seeing our couples having the day of their lives. A wedding should be a day to celebrate, whether it’s in Pittsburgh, Darlington, or anywhere else.

One Venue, Many Jobs

Venues like the Gathering Place are great for wedding vendors like us. The open floorplan of the main reception space makes it easy to set up a DJ station, while also allowing for dinner and drinks. And when there’s a Loyalty Photo Booth in the mix, there’s room for that too.

Venue design can be one of those make-or-break factors. An intimate space may be great for a 50-guest wedding, but if you try to host a 250+ guest wedding in the same venue, you may be in for some difficulty.  

For many of our clients, we’re not just the wedding DJ. We’re also the wedding photographer. So venues like the Gathering Place that look great inside and outside are what we like to see. And venues that are accommodating to all kinds of vendors are definitely the best type of wedding venues.

A Seriously Great Couple

We love all of our couples. Every wedding is so unique, and it’s great to see the personal touches every couple adds to their day. And we love getting to be a part of those personal touches.

With many of our weddings, our contribution is dancing. Whether it’s dance lessons from Loyal or getting everyone on the dance floor with the best wedding DJing around. 

And, like many of our Pennsylvania couples, this couple knew how to get down. We usually do bring the party, don’t get us wrong. Our combination triple-threat service of DJing, videography, and dance lessons usually do help get people moving. 

Why Wedding Music Selection Is Important

Choosing the right music is a skill. And it’s easy for an inexperienced DJ to mix into the wrong song and clear out the dance floor. But the most experienced DJs (or as we like to call them, the Loyalty Entertainment DJ team) are masters at reading the room and picking the next best song.

But what makes a wedding truly great is when the couple puts their own unique spin on the day itself. And that especially applies to the music. 

We always make an effort to connect with our couples. Even if they’re just getting dance lessons, that personal connection is what makes it great. And when you know a couple and have a feel for their vibe, you can incorporate that into the music, photography, or videography. Those special touches are what our couples will hit us up about months later raving about. 

A Few Final Thoughts

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 DJing and MCing, we’ve been involved in many capacities in many many Pennsylvania weddings. 

Whether our couple is from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, or even outside of PA, we’re always honored to play a part. 

And couples like this are why we’re always excited for our next wedding. We love hearing unique ideas and being a part of personal traditions. That really is the best part of working in Pittsburgh weddings.

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

[loyaltyentertainment]

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.