Meg, Author at John Parker Bands

Grand Concourse Station Square Wedding ~ Alex and Anthony

Alex and Anthony’s wedding at the Grand Concourse Station was one of those romantic fairytale weddings complete with stained glass windows, rose petals, princess dresses and lots of love. The Grand Concourse Station is located in a historic train station, giving it an old world feel with new world amenities.

Their cake was a frothy, romantic confection from Vanilla Pastry Studio. We particularly dig the way the cake’s frosting mimics the pretty pink rose petals! So pretty!

Alex and Anthony share a sweet first dance at the bottom of the grand staircase in the lobby of the train station. Could it get any more romantic?!? The incredibly intricate architectural details of the space are just so incredible; we’re sure the couple were floating on air during this dance.

Duquesne University Chapel is a truly awe-inspiring setting to exchange vows. The high, arched ceilings, deep red carpets and incredible stained glass windows are so stunning and create a memorable, reverential atmosphere perfect for something as special as a wedding ceremony.

Check out that view! Photographer John Madia did an amazing job of capturing the grand elegance of the Grand Concourse Station view and grounds. Being right on the river makes for some pretty magical photographs! Alex’s incredible princess gown and amazing bouquet doesn’t hurt things either. 🙂

Guests had fun all night long dancing to the sounds of the Dreamscape band. Who can resist a good train dance? This one included almost all of Alex and Anthony’s guests; not only was it fun for them while it was happening, it makes for an awesome photograph to remember! Getting guests on their feet and letting loose is a fun job the Dreamscape band takes incredibly seriously. We want to help every one of our couples (and their friends and family) to have a night they’ll never forget and great music is a big part of that!

Not only are Alex and Anthony’s rings gorgeous (we love the vintage feel of the setting on hers!) but her bouquet and the floral arrangements at the reception by Blumengarten Florist are so beautiful. They’re feminine and romantic, bold and elegant. The lilies are especially stunning and we can only imagine how amazing they smelled at the tables!

We hope you enjoyed taking a peek inside Alex and Anthony’s gorgeous Pittsburgh wedding at the Grand Concourse Station. We know that the Dreamscape band had fun playing it! Be sure to check out the band’s website if you’re looking to have the same kind of fun at your own event and contact them to learn more or ask any questions you may have. We also want to say thank you to photographer John Madia for allowing us to use his romantic photos in this post. You can see more of his work at John Madia Photography.

~ Pittsburgh’s Finest Vendors ~

Ceremony site: Duquesne University Chapel

Reception venue: Grand Concourse Station

Florist: Blumengarten Florist

Cake: Vanilla Pastry Studio

Photographer: John Madia Photography

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White Barn ~ Lindsay and Chris

Oh, this is a good one. We fell in love with Jessica Vogelsang’s photos of Lindsay and Chris’ wedding at the White Barn in Prospect the minute we laid eyes on them– and we have a feeling you will too! The White Barn is one of those perfectly balanced spaces of being cozy and chic; you immediately feel comfortable but in incredibly beautiful surroundings. A perfect mix.

This is Lindsay and Chris during their first dance; not only is it an adorable snapshot of the newlyweds in love, it also shows off the beauty of the space. From the gorgeous wood floors to the sweet twinkle lights in the rafters, the White Barn is romantic, down-to-earth and just plain pretty. We also love the Mr. and Mrs. pennant banner on the table behind the couple. It’s small, personal touches like it that make weddings so special.

Two more personal touches from Lindsay and Chris’ wedding that we think is extra sweet is this painted board with the couple’s hometown’s “hearted” inside their respective states. Additionally, the lace-printed programs add a touch of whimsy to the ceremony.

Speaking of whimsy, the floral arrangements from Pisarcik Greenhouses and Flower Farm for Lindsay and Chris’ wedding are the most romantic, fun, whimsical and sweet things, ever. Who knew a simple bunch of baby’s breath in a clear glass vase and twine could look so chic? The reception table arrangements and bridal party bouquets are just as lovely. There’s an easy elegance to them that we know takes a keen eye and a lot of style. Pisarcik really delivered! Plus, the whole look of the flowers goes perfectly with the rustic glam feel of the wedding as a whole.

And then there’s the cake. How cute are those bride and groom pine cone toppers? What a clever idea! Again, the simple addition of pine cones and greenery to the classic white cake is the perfect complement to the wedding’s vibe. It’s classic, cute and understated in a totally original way. Bethel Bakery was spot on in their execution of this sweet piece of art!

As usual, the Dreamscape band absolutely killed it on the dance floor. And from the looks of things, so did all the guests! And check out these kind compliments that Dreamscape got from Lindsay and Chris’ wedding:

“The band was AMAZING!!!! Best fun ever? All the band members were so gracious and we are so excited that they shared in Lindsay and Chris’ special day.” – Mother of the Bride

Additionally, the couple’s out-of-this-world fantastic wedding planner, Shayne Souleret, said:

“Tammi and the Dreamscape band are fabulous!!! She is so professional and attentive, in addition to being a very talented singer and musician. The dance floor was packed all night long! The couple will have so many wonderful memories to cherish.”

If having lots of awesome memories to cherish and a packed dance floor are important to you for your wedding reception band, please feel free to contact the Dreamscape Band to talk about how they can make your wedding magical!

We’d like to thank Jessica Vogelsang for allowing us to use her gorgeous photos of Lindsay and Chris’ magical day on our blog! Be sure to visit her website; her photographs are endlessly inspiring (plus she includes cool new music to discover on her blog!).

~Reception Soundtrack~

First Dance: Lucky, Jason Mraz and Colby Caillat

Father and Bride Dance: Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Isreal Kamakawiwo’ole

Mother and Groom Dance: My Wish, Rascal Flatts

Bridal Party Introduction: Shut Up and Dance, Walk the Moon

~Wedding Wonders~

Venue: White Barn, Prospect, PA

Photographer: Jessica Vogelsang

Wedding Planner: Shayne Souleret

Cake: Bethel Bakery

Florist: Pisarcik Greenhouses and Flower Farm

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Fox Chapel Golf Club ~ Emily and Colin

The very first thing you’ll notice about Emily and Colin’s wedding are the smiles; from the couple to the guests, there is no shortage of mega-watt grins on everyone who attended the couple’s wedding at the Fox Chapel Golf Club. The second thing you’ll notice are all the thoughtful, gorgeous details that helped make their big day so special. First, and perhaps one of our favorite details, are these gold Mr. and Mrs. chair banners with incredible floral arrangements by Mt. Lebanon Floral.

The pair married and the uber-hip boutique Hotel Monaco; just check out that awesome black and white patterned carpet! The natural wood arbor adorned with dreamy white tulle and lush greenery helped create a romantic atmosphere– and gave guests a clue to what was in store for the reception later on!

Gorgeous, right? The gold, white and green color theme carried seamlessly from one event space to the other; with chic gold chairs, dramatically adorned candelabras and crisp white linens, the vibe is so elegant and fresh.

Mt. Lebanon Floral really knows how to create atmosphere with their floral arrangements. The mix of scale and proportion with these tabletop arrangements brings a level of dramatic sophistication to the reception space that is completely transformative!

Not to mention Emily’s bouquet! All of the arrangements are so artfully un-done; there’s an obvious care and attention to the arrangements but the result is something effortless and approachable. It’s a total marriage of glamorous and laid back and one we can’t get enough of!

Guests were given the choice between cake, cookies, cupcakes and cake pops for dessert (or, rather, they got to have one of each!). The idea of a desert table is one we love for modern weddings; it’s fun, looks great and let’s both the couple and the guests sample more than one flavor of the baker’s tasty goods. Emily and Colin chose Bella Christie’s for their sweets and the bakery did a phenomenal job of designing a cake and desserts that complement – and enhance! – the wedding’s overall look. The cake is especially cute; with the gold chevron pattern and sprig of flowers, it’s almost too cute to eat (almost!).

And back to those smiling faces; guests at Colin and Emily’s wedding had such a fun time dancing to a mix of classics and new favorites from the always-entertaining John Parker Band. Good music is such an important part of any party; if the tunes are tempting, guests will get out and dance…all night long!

If this kind of glamorous, fun affair looks like what you’ve dreamed your special day to look like, please don’t hesitate to contact Emily and Colin’s vendors for your own day! And if you’re searching for that perfect party band to keep your guests smiling and dancing all night long, get in touch with John Parker Band today!

We’d like to give a special thanks to photographer Joey Kennedy for being so generous with his photographs and allowing us the pleasure of using them here. Be sure to stop by his website and Instagram page to see more of his amazing work!

~Reception Soundtrack~

First Dance- Future Days, Pearl Jam

Bride/Father Dance- My Little Girl, Tim McGraw

Groom/Mother Dance- Forever Young, Rod Stewart

Last Dance- The Gambler, Kenny Rogers

~Who Did What?~

Ceremony Location- Hotel Monaco

Reception Location- Fox Chapel Golf Club

Florist- Mt. Lebanon Floral

Cake- Bella Christie’s

Photographer- Joey Kennedy

Videographer- Shofilms

Band- John Parker Band

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Wisp Resort, Deep Creek Maryland Wedding- Abby and Rob

Abby and Rob got married surrounded by loving friends and family– and lots of sunflowers on a gorgeous autumn day at the Wisp Resort in McHenry, Maryland – not far from Deep Creek Lake.

The luxe resort is home to a whole host of year-round activities and events- from skiing, golf, rafting, adventure courses- and, of course- weddings. The wedding tent, named Mountain Mist Tent (how cute is that??) is a gorgeous white, five-peaked tent with a seriously stunning interior.

Can you believe this is the inside of a tent? What an amazing space! The high ceilings, bright white on white and large windows make the space feel airy and open- an inviting and welcoming combination. With the vivid pops of yellow sunflowers, purple accents and white linens, Abby and Rob turned the space into an elegant-but-relaxed reception space. Florist Bella Fiore at Morgantown Flowers expertly created depth and drama in the space by mixing both high and low floral arrangements for the tables.

Abby and Rob opted for a charming, rustic chalkboard program to let their guests know about the ceremony; it’s cute, playful and adds to the autumnal feel of the wedding. Again, as with the reception floral arrangements, the yellow sunflowers with hints of purple and green with the bouquets add a burst of celebratory cheer to the day.

The gorgeously simple and stylish cake, lovingly made by Mountain Flour Bakery, is all about the details. From the textured tiers to sugary purple irises to the glittery gold table cloth and silver plate, it’s as wonderful to look at as I’m sure it was to eat!

Photographer Cara Hudac captured all the love, fun and happiness of the day; just look at the heart-meltingly sweet way Abby is gazing at Rob in the first photo! And the wedding party couldn’t be having more of a good time walking the Wisp Resort’s grounds snapping photos.

Abby’s dress, like everything else she chose for her wedding, is so stylish and elegant. The sweetheart neckline and mermaid silhouette is romantic and feminine and her gorgeous long blond hair adds to the whimsical look. Her bridesmaids’ dresses are so stylish. The long, wrapped overlay with the slit to reveal the shorter hemline underneath is unexpected and totally unique.

Abby and Rob’s guests had a ball dancing to City Heat‘s mix of classic tunes and modern hits. From Beyonce to start the night off to Dirty Dancing to wind it down (what better way to end a fabulous dance party than “I’ve Had the Time of My Life”?!), it was a non-stop fun fest.

There’s nothing better than when a weddings’ guests and the band hit just the right note (pun intended), really feeding off each other’s energy and just having a great time and that is exactly what happened at Abby and Rob’s reception with the City Heat Band.

“The band was GREAT!!!! Everyone was up dancing all night and that is exactly what we wanted” – Barb & Rick, Parents of the Bride

If Abby and Rob’s Mountaintop soiree looks like your idea of a perfect wedding, please be sure to contact John Parker Bands to arrange for City Heat to heat up your dance floor.

We’d also like to thank the amazing photographer Cara Hudac for allowing us to use her gorgeous photos to showcase Abby and Rob’s unforgettable day!

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Rustic Acres Farm Pittsburgh Wedding- Julia & Michael

Julia and Michael’s wedding was a magical, romantic and perfectly autumnal affair, complete with white pumpkins, whimsical floral arrangements and the chicest barn reception ever.

It’s true: Rustic Acres Farm is seriously magical; secluded on acres of land, the farm features stunning hillside vistas, a newly renovated barn for receptions, a bridal cottage for the bridal party to get ready in, pond, pumpkin patch and horse stable. It’s chic and country, which is a balance hard to pull off- but one that Rustic Acres Farm manages flawlessly.

The barn’s interior was a twinkling wonderland of fairy lights, hay bales, white pumpkins and exposed wooden beams. The barn setting lent a relaxed, casual atmosphere that’s desirable in a reception venue while the bright chandeliers and white linens imbued it with a sense of elegance and sophistication. Plus, have you ever seen such well-dressed and good-looking wedding guests?

In a unique – and tasty! – culinary choice, Julia and Michael decided on having pies made by the Rustic Acres Farm baker as their “cake” option. With gold metal birds and heart toppers in the pies, they were as cute as they were sweet.

The flower arrangements, expertly curated by florist Lauren Phillips of The Farmers Daughter Flowers, perfectly matched the charming modern-rustic vibe of Julia and Michael’s reception. The green, white and pink color scheme of the flowers was a lovely pop against the natural tones of the barn setting. Julia’s bouquet of pastel roses and deep greenery matched her beautiful white tulle ballgown so well. The effect is feminine without being frilly; a perfect complement to the setting.

Rustic Acres Farm proved to produce exceptional wedding party portraits for Julia and Michael- especially at this time of year. The incredible oranges, yellows and reds of the changing leaves lit up the landscape so that Julia’s white dress, the bridesmaids’ blue and purple ensembles and the men’s classic black suits shone.

The John Parker Band provided the evening’s entertainment; the couple went with the modern love song “Do You Remember” by Jack Johnson for their first dance and kept the dance party going through the night. Guests had fun mingling and interacting with the band members- there’s nothing more fun than a band that can make a party feel personal!

A big THANKS to photographer Christina Pearson from Christina Emilie Photography for letting us borrow these gorgeous images to showcase Julia and Michaels’ wedding. If their special day looks like your idea of a perfect party, don’t hesitate to contact any of their vendors we’ve linked to this page or to e-mail the John Parker Band!

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