How to Make Your Wedding Fun | Pittsburgh Wedding Inspiration

How to Make Your Wedding Day Feel Like a Party: Francheska & Derek’s Pittsburgh Wedding

You’ve probably spent plenty of time thinking about what your wedding will look like. But what about how you want it to feel? If your answer involves your favorite people laughing together, cheering wildly, and staying for one more song, let’s talk about planning a party. 🎉 If you’re wondering how to make your wedding fun for you and guests alike, this high-energy wedding will inspire you.

Francheska and Derek brought that spirit to their Pittsburgh wedding at the Wintergarden at PPG Place. Their celebration included their two sweet pups, a little Steelers pride, live saxophone, and a T-shirt toss that gave the traditional bouquet toss some serious competition.

What made these details work together was how personal they felt. Here’s how to take inspiration from their day and create a celebration your own friends and family can get into.

how to throw a party for your wedding day

Start the Welcome Before the Wedding

Francheska and Derek included a “Welcome to Pittsburgh” card in their invitation suite, complete with their wedding weekend itinerary and favorite places around the city.

It’s such a thoughtful way to help visiting guests settle in. When someone has traveled to celebrate with you, a few personal recommendations give them something to look forward to between wedding events during their weekend stay. They also get a little glimpse of the city through your eyes.

For your own version, include your go-to breakfast and coffee spot, a favorite recreational spot, some classic city attractions (it’s ok if they’re touristy!), or somewhere to grab a drink. Keep the itinerary easy to follow, and make it clear which activities are optional so guests can enjoy the weekend at their own pace.

wedding getting ready suites at The Industrialist Pittsburgh

Let Your Favorite Things Join the Celebration

Francheska and Derek’s adorable doodle dogs were part of the day in several ways, including guest appearances by the pups themselves, dog-face cocktail stirrers, and signs featuring their fluffy faces for guests to hold up. Yes, even the cocktails got a little canine personality.

Those details gave people something playful to interact with while celebrating two very important members of the family.

If you’re including your pets, take a cue from Francheska and Derek’s vendor team and arrange dedicated dog care (Yappy Ever After). Having someone handle walks, water breaks, and trips home lets you enjoy the time together.

The same personal approach works with a shared hobby, a favorite vacation destination, or an inside joke. Choose something your people will recognize and enjoy.

Give Guests Something to Cheer About

In Pittsburgh wedding style, Francheska and Derek gave guests fan towels to wave as the wedding party entered. Such a simple idea, and suddenly everyone has a role in the entrance.

Their sports-inspired details continued into the reception, when Francheska wore a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey for part of the celebration. It fit right into a day that welcomed a little game-day enthusiasm.

Think about how you can invite guests into a moment: a familiar entrance song, a group singalong (maybe your school fight song), booking a surprise college mascot appearance, or a unique welcome toast that gets everyone raising a glass. And if you have quite a few guests who aren’t from Pittsburgh, ask your DJ or emcee to give a clear cue so nobody is left wondering what to do with the towel in their hand.

wedding portraits at The Industrialist Hotel Pittsburgh; direct flash photography; Pittsburgh wedding photographers

Put Your Own Spin on Wedding Traditions

Instead of a bouquet and garter toss, Francheska and Derek threw funny custom wedding T-shirts into the crowd, just like you’d catch at a game.

It was playful, personal, and open to anyone who wanted to participate. Plus, guests could take home a souvenir they had actually caught.

If a tradition doesn’t sound fun to you, you have room to change it. You could invite everyone onto the dance floor for a group photo, dedicate a song to your college friends, or lead a toast together. Most importantly, ask yourselves, “Would we enjoy doing this with our people?”

Make the Music Part of the Experience

Their reception featured an interactive saxophone player, @young.sax.guy, who mixed and mingled with guests. Bringing the musician into the crowd made the performance part of the party around them. They even started a festive round of dancefloor limbo to the mix.

When planning your music, talk with your entertainment team about the atmosphere you want and the songs your crowd loves. Share the tracks that bring your friends running, along with anything you’d rather skip.

And leave yourselves time to enjoy it, too. It’s hard to get swept up in the reception when you’re constantly being pulled away for the next scheduled activity.

Give People Different Ways to Have Fun

Francheska and Derek also had a photo booth, giving guests another way to be silly together between songs.

That matters because everyone celebrates differently. Some friends will spend the entire night dancing. Others will happily gather for photos or catch up over dessert. A few different ways to participate help everyone feel included.

You don’t need a long entertainment checklist. Pick a couple of things you’re excited about and give guests time to enjoy them.

A Few More Ways to Keep the Party Going

Want to build on these ideas? A few thoughtful additions can help:

Take song requests with your RSVPs. Send your favorites to the DJ so guests can get excited when their song comes on.
Plan a late-night snack. Pizza, McDonald’s fries, street tacos, or another favorite bite can be a welcome break before more dancing.
Leave breathing room in the timeline. Work with your coordinator to group formalities so the party has time to build.
Join the fun yourselves. Get in the photo booth, dance with your friends, and enjoy the celebration you planned.

That’s what I love about the inspiration from Francheska and Derek’s wedding: it began with who they are and how they like to celebrate. Give your favorite people a warm welcome, a few invitations to join in, and time together. Then let yourself be part of the party, too.

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