How to Find the Right Wedding Videographer

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

Go With The Pro

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

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

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

Best Fit for You

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

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

Know Your Options

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

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

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

FINAL WEDDING THOUGHTS

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

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

Wedding DJ Vs Band: Which Is Right For You?

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

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

Band vs DJ Quality

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

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

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

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

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

Wedding Venue Preferences

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

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

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

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

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

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

Performer Personality

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

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

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

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

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

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

FINAL WEDDING THOUGHTS

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

 

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

How to Choose the Best Wedding Ceremony Music

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

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

The Processional

The Oldies, But Goodies

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

The Modern Take

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

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

The Ceremony

Traditions

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

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

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

Live Music Performances

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

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

The Recessional

Celebrate

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

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

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

Final Wedding Thoughts

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

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

Why Hire A Pittsburgh Wedding Videographer?

Remember The Day How It Was

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

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

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

Photos Can't Tell the Whole Story

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FINAL WEDDING THOUGHTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let's see why.

6 Reasons to Rent a Photo Booth for Your Pittsburgh Wedding

1. Insanely Affordable

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

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

2. No Effort Entertainment

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

It's that simple.

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

3. Memories You Might Miss

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

4. Keepsakes for Guests

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

5. Multiple Styles to Choose From

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

6. Props are Included

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

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

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

Final Wedding Thoughts

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

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

Why You Should Always Hire a Pittsburgh Wedding Planner

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

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

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

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

5 Reasons to Work with a Pittsburgh Wedding Planner

1. Say “Goodbye” to Most Stress

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

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

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

2. Invaluable Knowledge and Expertise

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

• Etiquette

• Resources

• Entertainment needs

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

3. Coordination Experts

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

4. Enjoy the Journey

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

You should enjoy the planning process – not dread it.

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

5. Save Money with the Right Team

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

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

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

Final Wedding Thoughts

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

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

Are Dance Lessons for a Wedding Worth It?

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

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

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

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

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

Want to pass on dance lessons in Pittsburgh?

Here are five reasons to reconsider.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Final Wedding Thoughts

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

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