1. The greatest gift parents can give to their children are the words: “This is your wedding, so whatever you want is fine with us.” These generous, selfless words relieve pressure, diffuse tension and let a couple plan from a place of fun and enjoyment.

My Favorite:

2. There is no one “correct” way to celebrate your wedding — the only right way is the way that makes sense to you. Trust your instincts. Be creative. Be you.

3. A groom needs to do more than just “show up.” I’m suspicious of a bride who doesn’t want input from her fiancé and I’m disappointed with a groom who is too above it all to have an opinion. If your wedding is not your shared vision, then I’m really not sure you can have a shared vision of your life together.

4. No 2-year-old should have to walk down a long aisle by him or herself with a hundred “giants” looking on, oohing, ahing, and snapping photos! I’ve seen too many bewildered, terrified 2-year-olds — let them at least walk with another child who is a few years older (and WHY would you want to entrust real rings with a toddler?!)

5. The money you spend on a wedding coordinator is the best money you’ll spend on your wedding! A coordinator is there to worry about the details that you, your mother, or best friend should not have to be concerned about on your wedding day.

6. I’ve yet to meet a bride who was myopically obsessed with having the “perfect” day who truly enjoyed the day or who didn’t turn into a Bridezilla. Your goal is to create a memory that will cause people to smile five years later. From that goal perfection will flow. But if you begin with focusing solely on the perfection, you’ll soon forget what “magic” looks and feels like.

7. You don’t have to believe in God to have a ceremony that is warm, gracious, inviting and that celebrates you as a couple.

8. It is also possible to create a ceremony that honors different cultures and traditions in a way that unites rather than divides all present. It is possible to weave varying traditions in a way that doesn’t create “dueling deities” or one-upmanship.

9. Your wedding really is a gift to family and friends — no matter how jaded we can get, we all hunger for meaning and for something/someone we can place our hope in.

10. Lastly, couples that try not to cry in the ceremony make some very odd faces! I’ve looked at brides and grooms and thought they were bored or angry or on the verge of having a seizure. Then, they later explained: “I didn’t want to cry so I tried not to blink.” You’ve spent so much time, energy, emotion and money on this moment and then you go ahead and focus on not blinking?! I say, cry all you want — besides, if the groom cries guests feel like they got their money’s worth and will slip an extra $50 into the envelope!

Pittsburgh Wedding DJ

The Fez Bridal Show 2013

Pittsburgh Bridal show 2013

The Fez Bridal Experience

This is a show with a difference.

Brides Against Breast Cancer: Charity Gown Sale

The Fez, Jan. 13, 2013: 12PM (Noon) to 4PM

“Brides Against Breast Cancer^” gown sales continue to be important fund-raising events for Making Memories. Our more than 32 yearly shows provide brides-to-be with an opportunity to find their dream gown (at an incredible savings) while making wishes and dreams come true for women and men who are losing their fight against breast cancer.

The worldwide support of designers, manufacturers, bridal shops and individuals (who donate a most treasured possession) make possible our Nationwide Tour of Gowns sales.  The proceeds from these events help bring a moment of joy into world of someone for whom a cure is too late.”

Stop by and Visit us.

This is a good article with a great idea on how to focus your thoughts and plans about your wedding:

“Find What You Love”

Begin your wedding plans with the notion of:

“A little of you and little of your fiancée and a lot of both of you!”

A perfect wedding to end our year. Congratulations to the New Mr. and Mrs. Lee Anne and Patrick Roccio.

The Best Wedding Recessional Songs Ever

Otto Productions is one of the only entertainment companies in the Pittsburgh area that specialize in weddings receptions and wedding ceremonies.  We bring our ideas using creativity and personalization to craft your wedding around you and your fiancee

The Recessional (D. Kennedy)

The Recessional takes place immediately after the bride and groom are pronounced husband and wife and presented to the guests (right after the big kiss!).

This is the joyous climax to one of your life’s most memorable moments. Typically you will be introduced, your recessional song will fire up, your honored guests will erupt in a wave of applause and hand in hand you will head out into your adoring throng.

While most couple’s choose a processional song that is traditional, elegant and low-key the recessional is an entirely different situation.

Think of this song as a bridge between the religious reverence and quiet tone of the ceremony and the party that is chafing at the bit just waiting to begin. The recessional music is usually an upbeat, celebratory tune, full of joy and happiness.

Obviously this selection is typically more jubilant, upbeat and celebratory than other music used during the ceremony. It is now time to rejoice and it’s perfectly alright to show this in your choice of music.

Points to ponder when considering a Recessional song:

Will this song be familiar to your guests?
Does it reflect our personality as a couple?
Will some segment of your crowd consider it offensive … and do you care?
Do you prefer one of the traditional favorites or would you like to make a statement with something more contemporary?

The possibilities are virtually endless and range from the tradition of Mendelssohn “Wedding March” from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to classic pop like Stevie Wonder’s “Signed Sealed Delivered, I’m Yours” and the contemporary sound of Jack Johnson’s “Better Together.”

Classical Recessional Songs

If you’re looking for something traditional the top choice for the recessional is Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. Close behind in second place it’s basically a tie between Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary. (Prince Charles and Diana used the latter as did Maurtis and Marilene of the Dutch royal family)

Other Classic choices:

Hornpipe from Water Music Suite – Handel

Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah

The Four Seasons – A collection of four violin concertos

Air on the G String – Johann Sebastian Bach

Arrival of the Queen of Sheba – Handel

Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 – Bach

Eine Klein Nachtmusik – Mozart

Gigue – Bach

La Rejouissance – Handel

Ode to Joy – from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

Rondeau – Wynton Marsalis

Trumpet Tune – Henry Purcell

Trumpet Tune in D Major – Jeremiah Clarke

Those are fine choices but this is a time where you can get creative so don’t stifle your imagination.

Many couples choose to use contemporary songs as part of their recessional. If that’s what you would like to do, consider playing James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good),” U2′s “Beautiful Day,” or our most popular recessional selection, Signed Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” from Stevie Wonder!

In most cases you will need only one song for your recessional.

Browse through the following list and let it inspire you with possibilities:

Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

All You Need Is Love – Beatles

When I’m 64 – Beatles

I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher

At Last – Etta James

How Sweet It Is – James Taylor or Marvin Gaye

Love & Marriage – Frank Sinatra

This Will Be an Everlasting Love – Natalie Cole

Finally – Ce Ce Penniston (especially good if you’ve had a long relationship or engagement)

Sandstorm – Da Rude

Waiting For Tonight – J Lo

Celebration – Kool & the Gang

5^th of Beethoven – Walter Murphy

Black And White – Micheal Jackson

I’m A Believer – Smashmouth or The Monkees

In My Life – Beatles

It Had To Be You – Harry Connick Jr

It’s the End of the World as We Know It – R.E.M.

Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & the Waves

Tequila – The Champs (Glen Campbell was a member)

Highway to Hell – ACDC

Thunderstruck – ACDC

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder

Signed, Sealed Delivered, I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder

One More Time – Daft Punk

Love To – Mika

Let’s Get Loud – J Lo

Check It Out – Beastie Boys

Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Theme) – Bill Conti

Love Train – O’Jays

Love’s Theme (Instrumental) – Love Unlimited Orchestra

Enter Sandman – Metallica

Beautiful Day – U2

Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve

Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne

You Shook Me All Night Now – ACDC

Another One Bites The Dust – Queen

Welcome To the Jungle – Guns n Roses

Cruisin – Gwenyth Paltrow/Huey Lewis

Clocks – Coldplay

Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra

Forever Young – Bob Dylan or Neil Young

Happy Together – The Turtles

Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley (Rick Roll your Wedding)

Roam – B-52’s

Wedding Day – Bee Gees

Stolen – Dashboard Confessional

We Are Family – Dream Girls

When I’m Gone – 3 Doors Down

With or Without You – U2

You’re My Best Friend – Queen

Would You Go With Me – Josh Turner

My Best Friend – Tim McGraw

You Belong To Me – Jason Wade

I Do – 98 Degrees

Stay Down – Luther Vandross

Stuck On You – Lionel Ritchie

Thank You for Loving Me – Bon Jovi

Her & Now – Luther Vandross

I’ll Be There For You – Bon Jovi

Too Late To Turn Back Now – Eddy Cornelius

L-O-V-E – Michael Buble

Like a Star – Corrine Bailey Rae

Living on a Prayer – Bon Jovi

Love Story – Taylor Swift

Love Is a Beautiful Thing – Phil Vasser

Miracle – Foo Fighters

Mud On the Tires – Brad Paisley

Paradise by the Dashboard Lights – Meatloaf

Better Life – Keith Urban

Can’t Help Falling In Love – UB 40

From This Moment – Shania Twain

When – Alan Jackson

Some Kind Of Wonderful – Huey Lewis

Just Like Heaven – Cure

Let My love Open The Door – Pete Townsend

Hero – Mariah Carey

Keeper of the Stars – Tracy Byrd

Thunder Road – Bruce Springsteen

Come & Get Your Love – Redbone

Joy to the World – Three Dog Night

Lovely Day – Bill Withers

Secret Garden – Bruce Springsteen

Final Countdown – Europe

Wouldn’t It Be Nice – Beach Boys

God Only Knows – Beach Boys

Your Precious Love – Marvin Gaye/Tami Terrell

I Melt With You – Modern Romance

Is This Love – Bob Marley

Here Comes the Sun – Beatles

Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton

Hold My Hand – Hootie & the Blowfish

Crazy Game of Poker – O.A.R.

This Will Be Our Year – Zombies

Accidentally In Love – Counting Crows

Low Rider – War

Hero – Wallflowers

Here I Am – Leona Lewis

How Do I Breathe – Mario

Let’s Get Married – Jagged Edge

Promise – Ciara or Jagged Edge

So Amazing – Beyonce/Luther Vandross

Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani

Truly Madly Deeply – Cascada

This I swear – Nick Lachey

The Good Life – Kanye West

The Arms Of One – Xscape

Until The End Of Time – Justin Timberlake/Beyonce

Crazy In Love – Beyonce

Get This Party Started – Pink

Hot In Here – Nelly

Angel – Shaggy

Party Like A Rockstar – Shop Boyz

Pon de Replay – Rhianna

Yeah – Usher

Temperature – Sean Paul

Way You Move – Outkast

Everytime We Touch – Cascada

Don’t Change – Musiq Soulchild

Forever – Mariah Carey/R Kelly

A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson

This Years Love – David Grey

There She Goes – The La’s

Photos by

Ben and Jackie from Golden Image: www.pittsburghweddingphotographer.com great pictures and they are fantastic to work with.

Adrienne and Justin had a Steeler themed wedding at Stratigos in Irwin,  She had hidden a pair Steeler Jets tickets in her garter to Justin surprise.