Pittsburgh Wedding Pro Blog

You have got to love a party where the Bride and Groom really dance.   Jason and Cary where the life of the party.  This type of picture is one of my favorite to take.

An hour left to go in the party and everyone is on the dance floor.  I tell my couples all the time that …“The Party is Where You Are!”    If my couples are outside, that is where the party is at.  If my couples are at the bar, that is where the party is at.  If you can’t tell, Jason and Cary are right in the center of the dance floor.  In the center of the Party!

 Jason left me a fantastic email after the wedding … 

Jamie,

We appreciate you putting on one hell of a show.  You made the reception very fun for us and our guest. Everyone still talks about how good our DJ was.  We had the best time of our lives because you made the reception 10 times better then any reception we been too in the past. (about 18) You are truly talented and I never sweat as much as I did that night at the reception. I was too afraid to stop and take a break because I didn’t want to miss any good songs. The props, ideas, and the talent of getting people to dance was amazing. There were many couples there that said that they married for 30 plus years and could not get their husbands to dance, not even at there own wedding, but you did.  The best part of our reception that stood out was the fact that once the open dancing begun nobody was sitting (all 300 + people), they were either dancing our standing around the stage watching.  I wish the reception could have lasted all night. Not only are you a excellent DJ, you are a great organizer that made the reception run smoothly….Great Relief for us!!!  I have been putting a high recommendation for you to anyone that asks about our wedding. Words can’t explain the amount of fun and excitement I still have today when thinking about the reception, your worth every penny. Again thank you for making our reception awesome. Hope to be at another reception with you as their DJ.
Jason
 

Thanks Jason and Cary!!!

It’s nice to DJ an event close to home. Not only for the sake of the short commute, but because I end up knowing so many past couples and people in the community. Brittany, just so happened to be my son Denon’s, student teacher in the Fall of 2008. Also, Denon and Madi’s Third Grade Teacher, Mr. Walter was in the wedding party (Brittany’s cousin). I also got to see a favorite couple of mine Roddy and Misty who now have two beautiful kids.

I know… I know… small world,small town.

The reception was a blast with a special surprise performance by Brittany singing a song to Craig. Lots of dancing, great fun, and even a guest appearance by the Village People!

Here is Brittany’s review from Wedding Wire.

I had been to weddings that Jamie had played at and knew that I wanted him to play for my wedding! He went above and beyond anything I could have ever expected! I trusted him and knew he would do a great job!  He keeps the party going, and he gets involved with the guests!

It’s not everyday you become immortalized in a bride and groom’s wedding day and for me, another first.  I had a whole page dedicated to me in a custom coloring book given to the guests as a favor.  Kristen’s mom, Dana, did an outstanding job and completely surprised me with this very special honor.

Once Again, Angie with Shakespeare’s at Old Stonewall did an fantastic job with the food and decor.

Kristen and Ryan choose the Houserockers Premium Package with 6 hours of music that included a photo montage display and additional wireless remote speaker on the balcony.

Thanks Ryan and Kristen!

Just north of Pittsburgh, PA I had the pleasure of being included in Lindsay and Keenan’s wedding reception.  The celebration was held at the newly renovated Avalon Country Club. Without a doubt, it is one of the most the elegant banquet facilities I have ever seen.

The reception was amazing. Great energy and enthusiasm from Lindsay and Keenan’s friends and family. Wonderful toasts by some old friends of mine, Chis and Adriann. (December 2006) The highlight of the party was a suprise choregraphed first dance.

Dear Jamie,

We want to thank you for making our wedding exactly what we were hoping it would be. It exceeded our expectations, thanks to your help. You made it so much fun for everyone. Thanks for keeping it organized and for your help in making our first dance so memorable. We can’t say enough great things about you and will be sure to recommend you to our friends. We appreciate your hard work, thoughtfulness, and professionalism. Thank you for everything, and we hope to see you at future weddings.

Lindsay and Keenan

Jamie, Keenan, and Lindsay

Jamie with Chris and Adriann – married since December 2006

Jamie Simpson-Houserockers DJ

Sometimes you just click with people. AJ was the bestman at Lance and Megan’s wedding back in July of 2006 in New Castle, PA and for some reason we just “hit it off”. He is a wild and crazy guy (kinda like myself) and we had a ton of fun at their wedding. Flash forward to 2008 and I get a call from AJ telling me he is getting married and “if I remembered him”. The truth is I have a hard time remembering my couples from year to year, let alone bestmen, but I did and we chatted about the Lance and Megan’s wedding. Then AJ dropped the bomb that the wedding would be in West Virginia. Now I like to travel as much as the next guy, but AJ and Nicole’s wedding was on a Friday night and I had another wedding scheduled for Saturday in Warren, Pennsylvania… 6 hours in the opposite direction. After meeting with them I knew it was going to be a celebration I wanted to be part of.

Here is my first ever video blog about my journey…

Jamie, Lance, and Megan from 2006

Jamie and Nicole

 Jamie and AJ

Jamie -

Thank you so much for djing our wedding.  You did a fabulous job.  I don’t know if West Virginia has ever been that “rockin”.  We appreciate your willingness to travel so far to make our reception so memorable.

Thanks
Aj and Nicole

In an effort to get my blog caught up before the end of the week, I’m going to consolidate my 7 May Weddings into one post.

Ashley and Jason – May 2nd, 2009 – Sheraton Station Square – Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

That view of the city is the reason Ashley and Jason selected this amazing venue. I had the pleasure of also offering uplighting and additional sound in the ballroom and the river room.

We kicked off the night with a circle of love first dance…

That transitioned into a very emotional Father/Daughter Dance.

…. of course things got a little crazy  during the open dancing….

That went late into the night!

John and Crista – May 9th, 2009 – DuBois Country Club

Another beautiful wedding reception for a great couple John and Crista.

It wouldn’t be a party until Piano Man was played …

Thanks John and Crista!

Jennifer and Caleb – May 16th, 2009 – The Rivers Club – Pittsburgh, PA

Jamie,

Caleb and I wanted to let you know what a great job you did at our reception. Caleb had a fear of DJs until our wedding day. You are truly like no other DJ that we have ever seen. You had everyone up and moving the whole night. We had a great time and wanted to thank you again. You made our reception one to remember.

Thanks Jen and Caleb

Of course, I left my camera at home for Jen and Caleb’s event. Fortunately, Jen was able to share some of their images from their photographer, Theresa Glenn. ENJOY!!!!

Rob and Lynne – May 29th, 2009 – Pittsburgh Zoo

Unfortunately, my photos are lost for Amy and Dave / Michael and Beth / Tony and Amanda

I came across a great article on MSN Lifestyle. Wedding Guests’ Secret Gripes by Meredith Bodgas. There are some interesting points about flow, timing and fun that we can all relate too. Here is a sample.

You’re Boring Us
The ceremony may be the most important part of the day to you, but the reception is what we’re really looking forward to. When it takes forever to get dinner served, each speech is 25 minutes long, and you play a string of songs that are all inside jokes with the same group of friends, there isn’t much time for getting our groove on. Uh, and if the band’s so bad that no one’s dancing — including you and your groom — we just think, Why are we even here? Showing us a really good time is the least that you can do to thank us for giving up our free day, traveling, and getting you an expensive gift.

To read the full article CLICK HERE.

Diana and Andrew had an amazing wedding reception just north of Pittsburgh at one of my favorite venues, DuBois Country Club. Diana and Andrew booked my services all the way back in February of 2008 after seeing me at their friends wedding, Natalie and Mike. Here we are at Andy and Diana’s reception

Andy and Diana selected the Houserockers DJ Unlimited Package. They decided to include the monogram projection, uplighting with custom color, a photo montage and 8 hours of music.

Monogram Projection with Custom Design

Light Blue Uplighting
 

A real cool concept we developed together was taking a traditional photo montage and taking it to the “next level.” I call it a Love Story with Photos. Take a look!

We also had a surprise visitor!!!

No State Troopers where hurt in that photo shoot!!!

Speaking of photos… If you want to some sneak peaks from their photographer Joelle Watt, click here.

Thanks Diana and Andy!

Houserockers DJ – Jamie Simpson NAMED A 2008/2009 PICK IN

THE KNOT BEST OF WEDDINGS MAGAZINE

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — Jamie Simpson is pleased to announce he has been selected as a 2008/2009 Pick in the The Knot Best of Weddings Magazine, a coast-to-coast by-brides-for-brides guide from The Knot ( www.theknot.com), the #1 wedding website and most trusted wedding resource.

The Knot Best of Weddings magazine is a must-have when it comes to selecting the best-of-the-best wedding resources, from wedding sites to photographers to florists and more in over 40 key cities across the United States. Detailed feedback on every single wedding business that couples hired for their wedding celebration helps local to-be-weds select the ultimate wedding resource in each region.

“It’s an honor to be selected by my brides as on of the best djs in the Pittsburgh area for the second year in a row.  I work for amazing clients that expect the best”  Jamie Simpson – Houserockers DJ

Hey Everyone!  Clients have been asking me the last few months why I haven’t been posting on my blog anymore.  Well the truth is I have been busy at home and at “my new job”, which is being president of my local little league.  It sure doen’t pay a lot, (zero, actually), but, it has been a great season.

I have performed at over 20 wedding receptions in the Pittsburgh region already in 2009 and have some great stories to share

So what has been happening in the past 6 months ……

PITTSBURGH STEELERS won the SUPERBOWL!!!!!!

My son, Denon, turned 10.

Remodeled the bathroom

Went to "CAMP" with the boys.

Madi had her dance recital

Denon had his piano recital

Madi turned 8 ......

.... going on 16 !

and did I mention baseball ……

New Wedding Blogs COMING SOON!