Destination Pittsburgh. Heinz Chapel and the LeMont.

The famous view from Mt Washington, where the LeMont is located.  Photo by Andy Booth

Nationally acclaimed photographer Joey Kennedy has traveled the globe for his craft, and is often asked to shoot "destination" weddings in exotic locations worldwide.  So imagine his surprise when he was asked to shoot a such a wedding in the town he calls home--Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  As Joey said, "We are used to traveling to our clients, but the entire wedding traveling to us was a first!"

Amy Kersting was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, and Bill Farrell hails from Forest Hill, Maryland.  Before tiring of "the NYC-area grind" they lived and worked on Long Island, New York.  Less than two years before their April 2013 wedding, they moved to the Pittsburgh area, and the oh-so-familiar love affair with the city began.  When it came time to plan their wedding, they decided to share that love with their guests.  Here's how Amy explains:

"125 of our 150 guests were from out of town so we realized we were, in essence, having a destination wedding in Pittsburgh. We wanted to play up that concept to help share aspects of this city that we have really come to love. We tied Pittsburgh into our design elements with a simple bridge logo and hoped that our venues would further support the overall Pittsburgh feel. Couples who choose to host their wedding in Pittsburgh realize that there is so much to offer guests. People really took advantage of the weekend here. They went to Phipps, the Casino, enjoyed the fun local eats like Primanti’s and Pamela’s and our venues, Heinz Chapel and the LeMont, helped showcase some of the true beauty of Pittsburgh. Even our Pittsburgh-hating Baltimore guests admitted that Pittsburgh was far better than they ever expected! It was all about showing people that Pittsburgh is no longer just a steel town. It’s full of beauty, history and culture and it proved to be an awesome destination for our wedding." 

Bill and Amy Farrell, April 6, 2013.  Photo courtesy of Joey Kennedy

Amy and Bill chose wisely.  While there are many fabulous wedding reception venues in and around Pittsburgh, few can showcase the scenic city like the LeMont can...the view from Mt Washington is world famous, and the windows of the ballroom overlook this amazing landscape.  Bill Laughlin, Banquet Manager at the LeMont, said "We were delighted that Bill and Amy not only chose Pittsburgh as their destination, but that they selected the LeMont as the best way to show off all that is great about our city."

The ballroom at the LeMont during dinner at Bill and Amy's wedding.  Photo courtesy of Joey Kennedy

To learn more about the wedding, read my blog post about Bill and Amy's wedding.

Contact:
DJ: Andy Booth
Photographer: Joey Kennedy
LeMont Banquet Manager: Bill Laughlin

Testimonial from Jessica and Andrew

One of the questions we are often asked when meeting couples for the first time is "What if something happens to you?"  Here is one answer...this message came from Jessica, the bride from my April 13th wedding.  Although I didn't know it at the time, I had pneumonia when I played the wedding.  I knew I felt horrible, but I also knew that Jessica and Andrew were counting on me to rock their party.  

Here is what they said after the event:

Jeremy,

Andy Booth was amazing!  Planning our wedding from Boston was kind of a crap shoot, but I felt really good about your DJ services because of the level of professionalism talking to Andy on the phone and your computer system for organizing our information, not to mention word-of-mouth from so many other people about how great Andy is.  We only met him for the first time in person at our reception, but he was so nice and I didn't have to worry about a single thing all night.  The introductions, first dances, etc. went so smoothly.  The highlight for me was his skill at playing a variety of music to suit the crowd/being able to read the crowd.  If you had asked me before the reception, I would have bet 1 million dollars on certain people not dancing.  Not only were people dancing who I never thought would in a million years, but there were several times throughout the evening that the entire 92 guests were on the dance floor at once!  We are just so pleased with Andy's DJ services, and when my sister gets married in a few years, I am sure we will be calling you guys again!

Jessica

Jessica and Andrew - Click for wedding post

I don't recommend playing with pneumonia.  But I also know how important your day is, and I will do everything I can to make it the best event of your life!

Jessica and Andrew, April 13, 2013

The LeMont on Pittsburgh's Mount Washington

Nothing quite like fireworks in Pittsburgh...and on this night, a double dose!

Andrew and Jessica's First Dance
(Photo Courtesy of Araujo Photography)

Intro for Bridal Party: 
Celebration by Kool and the Gang
Intro for Bill and Amy: 
I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred

First Dance: 
Everybody Loves Somebody by Dean Martin
Father/Daughter: 
Isn't She Lovely? by Stevie Wonder  
Mother/Son:
You Are The Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder


Venue Contact: Bill Laughlin
Photographer: Araujo Photography


Thanks to Andrew and Jessica for letting me share your day!

(I'm sorry for the lack of pictures.  I was not feeling well that evening, and did not take many shots)


Read Jessica's Testimonial

Bill and Amy, April 6, 2013

Bill and Amy
The LeMont on Pittsburgh's Mount Washington

A quiet, low-key event that somehow exploded into a wild dance party...

Bill and Amy's First Dance

Amy's Dance with her Dad

Bill's Dance with his Mom

My view of the dance floor...all night!

Intro for Bridal Party: Intro by the XX 
(with Nittany Lion Roar for Bill's parents) 
Intro for Bill and Amy: Power (Instrumental) by Kanye West
 
First Dance: Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice

Father/Daughter: You'll Never Walk Alone by Art Kersting (Father of the Bride)  
Mother/Son: Best of What's Around by Dave Matthews
Special Song for Grandma: Bad Bad Leroy Brown by Jim Croce

Venue Contact: Bill Laughlin
Photographer: Joey Kennedy Photography
Flowers: Mocha Rose 

Thanks to Bill and Amy for letting me be a part of your day!

Read the testimonial!

 

Testimonial from Bill and Amy, April 6, 2013

Jeremy,

I wanted to pass along how fantastic our event was on Saturday with Andy.  We have felt all along that music makes the party, and after going to a bunch of weddings in the last two years, the music that Andy was able to put together was by far the best.  He captured video of some karaoke moments that were fantastic, and we had numerous people come up to us and say how great the dinner music was.  We hit every decade and every genre, which was our intention, and Andy was able to fit everything together.  Even something mentioned in passing in our meeting was incorporated perfectly.  So I just wanted to say we really appreciate his work.

Thanks so much

Bill and Amy - Click for wedding post

Matt and Monica, March 16, 2013

Matt and Monica

Pittsburgh Field Club

Matt and Monica's First Dance

Best Man Toast by Andrew Rogers

Intro for Bridal Party:  
All You Need Is Love by the Beatles
Intro for Matt and Monica: You and I by Wilco
 
First Dance: Grow Old With You 
(prerecorded performance by Monica!)
Father/Daughter: In My Life by the Beatles 
Mother/Son:God Only Knows by the Beach Boys


Photographer: Caryn Azure Photography


Thanks to Matt and Monica 
for letting me be a part of your day!

Monica and Matt

Maid of Honor Toast 
by Ashley Conaway

My set up 
at the Pittsburgh Field Club

The Best Wedding Reception Ever

I wanted to let all the Brides, and Grooms that are helping, know about a book that just came out. It's written to help you plan and organize your event to make everything run smoothly and to ensure you have a Elegant, Tasteful and FUN Wedding. The book is called The Best Wedding Reception Ever, by Peter Merry.
Peter is a colleague and a good friend, his book will help out a lot.

The webpage for the book is...
The Best Wedding Reception Ever


Right now the book can be purchased through Peter himself, or on Amazon.