Wedding Stories

Nemacolin Woodlands Wedding Pittsburgh PA ~ Ryan and Jorjetta

Ryan and Jorjetta are a beautiful couple. The couple held their wedding at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort with an outdoor ceremony, grand ballroom reception, and live music. John Parker Band, a top Pittsburgh wedding band, was a part of their special day. The newlyweds incorporated their Greek and Bulgarian customs into the celebration, with the help of John Parker to play all the right music.

Their photographer from Fineline Weddings was able to capture their love and devotion for one another flawlessly. We love this photo of the couple, that’s definitely one to cherish forever!

The bride got ready for the day at the Chateau Lafayette, part of their expansive & opulent venue. Her mermaid gown was ivory, with a delicate pattern woven on the bodice, and fit the bride perfectly. She looked gorgeous! We love her no fuss hair and long veil.

The groom looked great in his blue tux. He wore a white shirt and dark blue bow tie. We bet everyone was excited for the reception, filled with dinner, dancing, and music!

John Parker provided a string trio to perform during their ceremony. The Strings played several pieces, including “Hornpipe”, “Claire de Lune”, and “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring”. The ceremony took place outdoors under a satin altar, with roses hanging down. Très romantic!

~Ceremony Music~

Hornpipe, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, Claire de Lune: Prelude

Winter– Largo, Four Seasons- Vivaldi, Here Comes The Bride– Wagner: Processional

Wedding March – Mendelssohn: Recessional

The bride and groom chose gray, pink, and white for their color scheme. The groomsmen certainly looked the part in their sharp gray tuxedos. We love how the groom stands out among them in his dark blue suit! The crew was ready for a fun evening ahead.

The bridesmaids wore gray dresses that were strapless, light, and airy. Absolutely perfect for some dancing later in the night with The Band! We love the sashes tied to all their bouquets.

Take a look at this amazing photo of the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Fineline Weddings captured this shot of the couple right before heading off to cocktails. The strings trio played light music to entertain their guests as they nibbled on tasty treats.

Oh, what a set up! The tables were draped in lace overlays, gold china, and cute tuxedo wrapped menus. Votive candles sparkled and tall floral centerpieces decorated every table. Their florist, Neubauer’s Florist, did an excellent job!

The ballroom was spacious, plenty of room to have a good party! The bride and groom danced to “All of Me” for their first dance. Next, the groom chose a song for his bride- “Gorchivo Vino”. Right after the song ended John Parker Band announced that it was time to join in on a traditional Greek dance!

~Reception Highlights~

Bride & Groom Dance: All of Me– John Legend

Father & Daughter Dance: Daddy’s Angel– Anthony Carter

Mother & Groom Dance: The First Lady In My Life– Paul Todd

Special Requests: Bridal Party Entrance- Bust A Move, Greek Music

John Parker Band first explained, and then led, the breaking of the bread tradition as guests were seated. The mother of the groom and bride took part in holding and feeding the bride and groom a piece of the bread. Then, the best man had to break the bread in half over their heads, symbolizing who would be the bread winner and big spender of the family! John Parker Band was happy to be a part of the fun tradition. Guests were treated to a sit down dinner as toasts began from various family members. Soon the bride would dance with her father to “Daddy’s Angel” and the groom with his mother to “The First Lady In My Life”.

The party really got rocking with some Bulgarian music. The bride and groom knew how important it was to their family to play familiar music. The band was able to play many of the songs they requested & DeeJay all the rest. Another Greek tradition is the money dance, which everyone danced and cheered, tossing money around. Doesn’t that look like a blast? That’s a great shot below of everyone having a good time!

“The band did a wonderful job! The night was a big hit. Everyone was very impressed with the professionalism of the band and the quality of the entertainment John and his group provided.” -Groom

The newlyweds had a huge list of songs for John Parker Band to play. Many of their choices were top party hits from today with a mixture of classics, such as “Twist and Shout” and “Summer of 69”. There was never a dull moment at this wedding and there was something for everyone to enjoy, including a complete fireworks display and an after party with John Parker playing DJ music!

Ryan and Jorjetta had a fabulous wedding with all their friends and family. The Nemacolin Woodlands Resort was the perfect venue for their nuptials and celebration. Fineline Weddings took beautiful photos of their day that the couple will cherish for many years to come. We hope you enjoyed viewing them as much as we did!

We’d like to thank Ryan and Jorjetta for having the John Parker Band at their wedding. The band was able to provide strings at the ceremony, live music at the reception, and even acted as a DJ at the after party! What more can you ask for? This premier band truly has everything to offer. We’d love to chat with you about your upcoming wedding or event! Be sure to contact us today to book Pittsburgh’s Best Wedding Band.

~Vendor List:~

Ceremony & Reception: Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Photographer: Fineline Weddings

Florist: Neubauer’s Florist (Ceremony)

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort (Reception)

Entertainment: John Parker Band

Nemacolin Woodlands Wedding Pittsburgh PA ~ Ryan and Jorjetta Read More »

Tamiko & Justin Pittsburgh Wedding~ University Club

Tamiko and Justin had a fairy tale wedding. The couple held their ceremony at a traditional cathedral church with all their friends and family in attendance. Their reception, which took place at the University Club in Pittsburgh, was the perfect spot to celebrate their nuptials. A top live Pittsburgh based band was enlisted to perform for their guests and everyone joined in on the fun, especially the groom and his groomsmen!

These are just some of the amazing photos that their photographer, Elizabeth Craig, captured of City Heat and the groomsmen having a great time. The night ended with a sparkler send off of the newlyweds. What an awesome day!

The couple exchanged their vows at the Heinz Chapel. We love this photo of the flower girls walking down the aisle. The chapel was stunning, with stained glass windows, lanterns, and flower pom poms.

The bride was a beauty in her tulle gown. The bodice was covered in a delicate overlay of lace and flared out at the bottom. We loved her long veil and bouquet of roses.

Truly a man of style, the groom looked the part in his gray suit. He must have been anxious to perform with City Heat – (which he did) later at the reception!

The bride and groom chose pink and gray as their color scheme. The bridesmaids were elegantly dressed in soft pink dresses. The groomsmen wore gray suits and awesome socks, featuring their favorite superheroes! We bet they were all looking forward to dancing the night away with the band!

The bride’s bouquet was a true work of art created by their florist, Bella Floral. The bouquet was a mixture of pale roses and baby’s breath.

~Reception Sountrack~

Bridal Party Entrance: Busta Move, Young MC

Cake Cutting: You Are So Beautiful, Joe Cocker

Bride/Father Dance: I Loved Her First, Heartland

Groom/Mother Dance: My Wish, Rascal Flatts

First Dance: Everything, Michael Buble

After the ceremony guests headed to the University Club for cocktails. City Heat was ready to announce the bridal party to the song “Busta Move”. Guests were treated to a sit down dinner and listened to toasts before the bride changed into a different dress- much easier to dance in! She danced with her groom to “Everything” for their first dance. The groom and his mother danced to “My Wish”. And a special song was played by City Heat for the bride to dance with her father to “I Loved Her First”. What a tear jerker!

The band had the pleasure of announcing a special surprise for the groom. A grooms cake was made for him in the shape of a Les Paul guitar. The groom had no idea the bride had this in store for him! To make the moment even more memorable, City Heat played a recording of “Over the Rainbow”. How incredible is that guitar cake!

Bella Christies also made a three tiered wedding cake for the bride and groom. It was adorned with pink roses and rested on top of a gold platter.

The band was eager to start the party and get guests out on the dance floor. City Heat played top hit songs, oldies, and popular party & wedding reception hits. The couple requested a few songs, such as “Superstition” and “My Girl”. They also went through the band’s extensive song list to pick out more tunes they knew everyone would enjoy. City Heat was able to deliver and rocked the house, with the help of the groom and his groomsmen!

“City Heat was terrific. We received compliments all night! My only complaint was that time went too fast! Everyone enjoyed themselves and it made the wedding perfect!” -Mother of the Groom

The night was an absolute blast as City Heat continued to play tunes that brought everyone out to the dance floor. You know it’s a good party when no one wanted the night to end!

When it was time to say goodbye to the bride and groom, everyone gathered outside to hold up sparklers for the bride and groom. What a perfect way to end the celebration. We wish them many years of happiness and love!

Tamiko and Justin had a beautiful wedding. City Heat was honored to be a part of their day. Everyone was amazed by their talent and professionalism. Truly, a great wedding band! Are you planning your special day or event? Give City Heat a call today to discuss the details of your big day! For even more information on the vendors Tamiko and Justin used for their wedding, including their photographer Elizabeth Craig Photography, take a look at the list below. You can also view a short video of their day here.

Tami and Justin’s Wedding Feature Film from ChristinaMontemurro

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

~Vendor List:~

Ceremony: Heinz Memorial Chapel

Reception: University Club

Photographer: Elizabeth Craig Photography

Videographer: Christina Montemurro

Florist: Bella Floral

Cake: Bella Christies

Entertainment: City Heat

Tamiko & Justin Pittsburgh Wedding~ University Club Read More »

Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh Wedding~ Molly and Andy

Molly and Andy had a classy wedding celebration. The Hotel Monaco in Pittsburgh was the perfect fit for their ceremony, outdoor cocktail hour, and reception. Having every part of your wedding at the same location is so convenient, and easy, for friends and family! Especially when the venue is as beautiful as the Hotel Monaco. With high ceilings, retro carpeting, and a large dance floor, there was nothing more the couple could have asked for. Except- an awesome live band!

The couple knew they wanted to have a great party and chose a the best Pittsburgh Wedding band to perform at their reception; John Parker Band. The band played top hits and made their reception one memorable night!

Their photographer, Christina Montemurro, took advantage of the many photo opportunities the venue had to offer. There were plenty of spots for beautiful photos indoors and outdoors. The bride and groom opted to do a first look before their ceremony. What a special moment, seeing each other in their finest- the bride in her white dress and the groom in his suit. We adore how lovingly looked at one another in the photo above.

The bride’s gown was sleek and elegant. Her dress had a high neckline, a beaded belt, and pleated skirt. Her makeup made her eyes pop and her smooth up-do held her veil in place. What a great dress to dance in too, later in the night!

The bride’s bouquet had purple, gold, and white flowers. It was absolutely stunning and was put together by florist, My Garden Floral. If you look closely, you can even see some fruit in the mix! How unique.

We love this photo of the groom as he waited to see his bride. The black and white curtains were a cool backdrop for this photo. Christina Montemurro and her team sure knew how use backdrops and lighting to their advantage! Just wait till you see the photos taken of John Parker Band at the reception.

We love when a bride allows her bridesmaids the freedom to chose their style of dress. Wearing the same shade of purple, the girls looked lovely, some wearing strapless, one shoulder, and or a V-neck. They all carried bunches of white roses and were so pretty! There’s no doubt that these ladies would have a blast at the reception- short dresses are so fun to dance in!

Even though the groom saw his bride before the ceremony, he looked just as happy and amazed her as he watched his bride walk down the aisle.

~Ceremony Music:~

Processional: Ray LaMontagne- You Are the Best

Bride: Adele- Make You Feel My Love

Recessional: Amos Lee- Windows Are Rolled Down

During the ceremony the band played pre-recorded music as requested by the bride and groom. Take a look at this impressive space. There was a long runner scattered with rose petals, white backed chairs, and a funky carpet. Not to mention the silhouette of the couple as they await to be announced husband and wife.

Cocktail hour took place outdoors on the rooftop of the Hotel Monaco. Guests were able to take in the amazing view of the city. Soon the doors to the ballroom would open and John Parker Band would be ready and waiting to introduce the bridal court. A night of fun was about to begin!

Inside the ballroom the decor was modern and elegant. The black table tops had white and cream floral arrangements. The band was all set in front of the dance floor. So much room to dance! John Parker Band waited for everyone to be seated and announced the bridal court.

For their first dance the bride and groom chose the song “El Camino”. After toasts, the groom shared a dance with his mother to “Standing on the Moon”. The couple requested a few other specialty songs, such as “Wagon Wheel” and “Shake It Off”.

~Reception Soundtrack:~

First Dance: El Camino– Amos Lee

Groom & Mother Dance: Standing on the Moon– Grateful Dead

Specialty Songs: Wagon Wheel– Old Crow Medicine, Shake it Off– Taylor Swift

Instead of going the traditional route and having a cake at their wedding, the couple had an array of pies! How amazing do they look? We love this idea. Lemon meringue, berry, and cherry cobbler! They must have been delicious.

The evening really got going after dessert was served. John Parker Band made it their mission to read the crowd and play hits to keep everyone on the dance floor. With a list of over a hundred songs to chose from, there was never a moment the band did not know what to play. The bride and groom enjoyed themselves and so did their guests.

“Thank you for making our wedding so memorable. The band was truly amazing! Our guests had such a fantastic time. We feel lucky to have had you at our wedding!” –Bride and Groom

The band was really rocking it that night! The dance floor was packed. The band loves to get the crowd involved by offering the microphone to guests. Care to sing along?

These photos are the best, showing how much fun every guest had at the wedding. What a night to remember!

Molly and Andy’s wedding was truly a memorable event. The John Parker Band was honored to be a part of their special day and had a wonderful time performing for their friends and family. We are so grateful to their photographer, Christina Montemurro, for sharing so many photos with us. You can view more from Molly and Andy’s wedding on her blog. She is truly a gifted photographer! We hope you’ve enjoyed the photos as much as we did.

If you are looking for amazing live entertainment for your wedding or event, look no further than John Parker Band. For all questions and inquires, don’t hesitate to contact them today! We would love to hear about your special day and make it spectacular.

~Vendor List:~

Ceremony: Hotel Monaco

Reception: Hotel Monaco

Photography: Christina Montemurro

Florist: My Garden Floral

Dessert: Hotel Monaco

Entertainment: John Parker Band

Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh Wedding~ Molly and Andy Read More »

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall Pittsburgh Wedding~ Allie and Dan

Allie and Dan had a perfect day celebrating their love and marriage. The newlyweds, along with their cute lab puppy, welcomed their family and friends to the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall to experience the top live Pittsburgh band, City Heat. The band was a true fit for the bride and groom who performed funky, energetic music all evening long. The party was so jamming that the bride and many of their guests couldn’t help but join in on the show. The party ended with a sparkler send off for the bride and groom and they rode away in a wooden carriage.

The bride was a real beauty in her lacy gown. She looked so pretty and ready to dance with her hair pulled back in a low bun. Her veil was pinned in place and had lace detailing at the edges. Sparkly earrings and flawless makeup completed her look. As for the groom, he looked great in his gray suit and checkered tie! A pink daisy was pinned to his jacket for a fun pop of color.

The bridesmaids wore short blue dresses and carried flowers similar to the bride’s. They all wore their hair up, away from their face. Their pretty smiles mimicked that of the bride’s! What a beautiful group of ladies.

While the groomsmen waited for the ceremony to begin, they took a few photos with the photographer, Simply Sisters Photography. What a lovely group, in their light suits and checkered ties! The groomsmen were excited to hear City Heat band crank out their favorite hit songs later at the reception.

The bride and groom’s ceremony was held at the Rogal Family Chapel. The chapel had huge glass windows and was sweetly decorated with white bows and blue hydrangeas. After the ceremony the bridal party took formal photos inside the chapel.

The bride and groom chose seasonal blooms and colors to be a part of their special day, with blue, yellow, white and pink. The bride’s bouquet really popped against her white dress, which was put together by her florist Budget Blossoms by Jilliann. Her bouquet consisted of roses, daisies, and hydrangeas.

The newlyweds were more than ready to head over to their reception to get the party started. City Heat was all set to play their favorite music, a blend of new and old, perfect to get their guests out on the dance floor.

For their first dance the couple chose the song “Thinking Out Loud”. Guests watched the blissful couple glide across the dance floor. When the song came to an end the band directed everyone’s attention to the cake table. Time to eat some cake!

~Reception Highlights~

Bride & Groom First Dance: Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran

Bride & Father Dance: I Loved Her First, Heartland

Groom & Mother Dance: My Wish, Rascal Flatts

Specialty Songs: Neven Kolo, Kolo 2, Polka

Their wedding cake was sweet and simple, with white buttercream frosting and pink, yellow, and blue flowers. The cake was done by Signature Desserts and looked absolutely scrumptious!

Whenever a bride smashes cake in the groom’s face, you know it’s going to be a good party! The fun-loving couple asked the band to kick off the festivities with parent dances. The bride and her father danced to “I Loved Her First” and the groom with his mother to “My Wish”. The couple also had a few specialty dances up their sleeve- a Croatian dance called the kolo, which was important to the bride’s mother and aunts. It was quite the show! They also requested some popular songs for the band to play, such as “Uptown Funk”, “Shut Up and Dance”, and Happy”.

“The band was awesome! We loved them! Our guests had nothing but great things to say. We had a ton of fun and everyone was on the dance floor.” -Bride and Groom

What an awesome photo! Clearly, the bride had a blast at the reception! The bride and groom both loved the band, as did many of their friends and family. City Heat truly rocked their socks off! Everyone was out on the dance floor, enjoying the awesome tunes. Before the night came to an end, the band announced two more surprises- a cookie table, with cute containers for everyone to take some home, and a sparkler send off of the bride and groom. What an amazing night!

We hope you’ve enjoyed taking a look at Allie and Dan’s wedding. City Heat played the perfect soundtrack for Allie and Dan, complete with some of their favorite songs and included some specialty performances. Guests had every reason to move and stay out on the dance floor! The band was delighted to be a part of their wedding day. If you are planning your wedding or event and are looking for an awesome live band, be sure to check out City Heat and contact them with any questions you may have. We’d love to talk about your party! Check out all the other vendors Allie and Dan had at their wedding, including their lovely photographer, Simply Sisters Photography.

~Vendor List:~

Ceremony: Rogal Family Chapel

Reception: Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall

Photographer: Simply Sisters Photography

Florist: Budget Blossoms by Jilliann

Cake: Signature Desserts

Entertainment: City Heat

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall Pittsburgh Wedding~ Allie and Dan Read More »

White Barn Pittsburgh Wedding ~ Capri and Louis

Capri and Louis were wed on a gorgeous sunny day. There was not a cloud in the sky as the couple said their “I do’s” at their outdoor ceremony. The reception venue, the White Barn, was a true throwback to vintage decor with strings of pearls, lace, and breathtaking floral arrangements.

For live entertainment, the dancing-till-you-drop Pittsburgh wedding band, City Heat, performed for their family and friends as they danced non stop all evening long. The couple created the perfect playlist for the band to play, with fun, groovy tunes, getting guests up and on their feet, till their shoes came off!

Weddings are all about the details, and in this wedding, there were many to see. Simple and romantic, little touches are everywhere, starting with the bride. She wore slingback wedges and a form fitting gown. Her dress was covered in lace, and the back delicately woven with flowers and dotted with buttons.

We love this photo below, of the groom awaiting to meet his bride. So much anticipation! He wore a gray suit and white bow tie.

Their ceremony took place outside on the grounds of the White Barn. A white elm altar stood just before a pond, decorated with flowers and white drapery. Jars of baby’s breath lined the make shift aisle.

The bride walked down the aisle on the arm of her father. We love the vintage feel of her bouquet, with soft pink and white flowers. Her florist, All About Reclaimed, did an amazing job.

Rachel Rowland captured a sweet moment of the bride and groom during their ceremony. How happy did they look? Their guests showered them with rose petals after they were announced husband and wife. Soon it would be time for City Heat to fire up the band and get the party started!

After the ceremony the newlyweds posed outside for photos. Rachel Rowland truly has a gift for lighting. We love this photo, so serene, as the sun set behind the bride and groom in the meadow. What a beautiful shot!

The bride’s gown fit her like a glove. Her veil was the perfect length and her swarovski crystal belt provided just the right amount of sparkle.

Pink and gray were the main colors in this wedding. Half of the bridesmaids wore pink, while the others wore gray. Their gowns were long, light, and airy. Perfect for an evening of dancing! The groomsmen looked dashingly handsome in gray suits, white shirts, and gray bow ties. The bridal court must have been eager to get to the reception to relax and listen to some great music.

At the reception, family and friends were greeted by a charming guest table. The table was covered in lace, pearls, and candles. There were lanterns everywhere and books were used as props on the tables. How sweet!

After cocktails, the band introduced the bridal court with the song “Be My Forever”. City Heat band played soft music as the buffet dinner opened up to guests for a delicious meal.

The bride and groom cut their cake as guests polished off their dinner plates. Their cake was simple and pretty, embellished with roses and white trim.

The newlyweds had their first dance to the song “A Thousand Years”. City Heat played flawlessly as guests admired the bride and groom’s performance as they sailed across the dance floor. The night was just about to begin, with energetic, upbeat music to get guests out on the dance floor.

~Reception Highlights~

Bridal Party Entrance: Be My Forever, Christina Perri

Bride & Groom First Dance: A Thousand Years, Christina Perri

Father & Bride Dance: Cinderella, Steven Curtis Chapman

Groom & Mother Dance: You Are the Sunshine of My Life, Stevie Wonder

Bouquet Toss: Single Ladies, Beyonce

Garter Toss: It’s Raining Men, The Weather Girls

The bride and groom asked the band to play anything and everything FUN! They wanted everyone to dance as both their families enjoy good music and love having an excuse to party! City Heat was happy to comply and played a fantastic variety of current music, classic oldies, salsa, and cha cha. A very special song was played for the bride’s parents- their wedding song, “Always & Forever”.

Another highlight of the night was a soul train dance line led by the father of the bride! The women lined up on one side and the men on the other, and paired off to dance down the line. The band also played great line dancing music, such as the “Cupid Shuffle”, “Teach Me How To Dougie”, and “Cha Cha Slide”. The newlyweds and their guests had a smashing good time!

What a perfect way to end a spectacular night, with a sparkler send off for the newlyweds. The bride and groom had an absolute blast and could not have asked for a more talented, lively band to entertain their guests. We hope you’ve enjoyed taking a peek at Capri and Louis’ gorgeous wedding. The couple was thrilled to have City Heat play at their reception, their talent and professional skills truly knocked it out of the park. Be sure to take a look at their photographer, Rachel Rowland, and all the other vendors they used for their wedding. If YOU are looking for a live band to play at your wedding or special event, check out City Heat. Contact them today to discuss the details of your party!

~Vendor List:~

Ceremony: White Barn

Reception: White Barn

Photographer: Rachel Rowland

Florist: All About Reclaimed

Cake: Giant Eagle Bakery

Entertainment: City Heat

White Barn Pittsburgh Wedding ~ Capri and Louis Read More »

Wedding Stories

Nemacolin Woodlands Wedding Pittsburgh PA ~ Ryan and Jorjetta

~Ceremony Music~

~Reception Highlights~

“The band did a wonderful job! The night was a big hit. Everyone was very impressed with the professionalism of the band and the quality of the entertainment John and his group provided.” -Groom

~Vendor List:~

Tamiko & Justin Pittsburgh Wedding~ University Club

~Reception Sountrack~

“City Heat was terrific. We received compliments all night! My only complaint was that time went too fast! Everyone enjoyed themselves and it made the wedding perfect!” -Mother of the Groom

~Vendor List:~

Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh Wedding~ Molly and Andy

~Ceremony Music:~

~Reception Soundtrack:~

“Thank you for making our wedding so memorable. The band was truly amazing! Our guests had such a fantastic time. We feel lucky to have had you at our wedding!” –Bride and Groom

~Vendor List:~

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall Pittsburgh Wedding~ Allie and Dan

~Reception Highlights~

“The band was awesome! We loved them! Our guests had nothing but great things to say. We had a ton of fun and everyone was on the dance floor.” -Bride and Groom

~Vendor List:~

White Barn Pittsburgh Wedding ~ Capri and Louis

~Reception Highlights~

~Vendor List:~