Flying to Pittsburgh?

We highly recommend Southwest Airlines, especially for those folks coming in from Chicago. Not only are they usually the lowest fairs flying in/out of the Burgh, but you'll also get some very friendly service, which we've always been real happy with. Departing out of Midway:

Non-stop flights from Chicago to Pitt (dept time / arrival time):

8:05am / 10:20am

11:20am / 1:35am

1:00pm / 3:15pm

4:10pm / 6:20pm

Non-stop flights from Pitt to Chicago (dept time / arrival time):

11:00am / 11:30pm

1:40pm / 2:05pm

3:45pm / 4:15pm

5:05pm / 5:35pm

Book early to get one of the "Wanna Get Away" deals.  And if you are staying at one of the hotels on University Blvd (see previous post), there should be a free shuttle to your hotel.

Meet Deb!

So, in January, roughly, both Gary and I were cordially invited to a colleague's house for drinks, hors oeuvres, and funsies by way of the board game (Apples to Apples was a blast, and Trivial Pursuit was epic, literally.). Gary and I were excited to attend from the get-go--though Gary was excited more-so when he heard the Penguins game WOULD, IN FACT, be on the television, that evening, amidst the other festivities.


My colleague, Sheila, also an avid West Coast Swing dancer, invited along some dancing friends. And so the story goes, we met Deb Byrum--a friend of a friend. As the evening progressed, and we learned more about Deb, I knew that I had to ask a favor...because getting married by someone we knew and LIKED was truly important to both Gary and me! We asked Deb to officiate, and she gladly accepted.


Deb is a Lutheran pastor who was ordained in 1991. She also served as a missionary to Senegal, West Africa for eight years! (HOLY COW!) And as Deb put it to us at 61C Cafe, last Saturday in Squirrel Hill, she was "the type of missionary that helped people"--and it was one of the most rewarding experiences in which she could conceive. Deb was mostly focused upon the humanitarian work associated with being in Senegal; and she told us she helped build a lot of community buildings/ programs for many impoverished people. Connecting with locals on a most personal level was the most memorable, to her. She explained that it was very interesting to see people who had  nothing--not even food--but what they did have, they wanted to give to her. The sense of LOVE and community among the locals in Senegal was nothing she had ever experienced before.

Deb has three children, one of which was born in West Africa. And due to her children living such a diverse intercultural lifestyle, her daughter is now studying to receive her Ph.D. in Arabic!

Currently, she is a hospice chaplain at Aseracare Hospice (not a church pastor). But has conducted wedding ceremonies in the past. She is, VERY MUCH, looking forward to our celebration! YAY!

Meet Your DJs

DJ G - Smooth

DJ Jess E - Silk

Jess and I have, what might be described as, a "different" taste in music. Some might call it good taste, and we'll certainly champion that, but we do love the music that we love. We're simply not familiar with what many consider to be popular or mainstream (not that there's anything wrong with popular or mainstream). So who better to play the hits we wanna hear than us?

What we're saying is, you might not hear a lot of the prototypical wedding songs (not that there's anything wrong with prototypical wedding songs). You probably won't hear "YMCA", and we probably won't be busting out the "Macarena" (not that there's anything wrong with those songs). It's just simply not our style.  Belle & Sebastian is more likely to be heard than Lady Gaga.  We will probably opt for the Dirtbombs over the Jackson Five.  And the Ramones will be played in lieu of Bon Jovi.  Not that there's anything wrong with Lady Gaga, the Jackson Five, or Bon Jovi.

There is also no pre-established dance floor at the Warhol. But this does not mean we are anti-dance. You can dance wherever you please. Strike a pose, air guitar, sing to your hearts content. We strongly encourage this (just please watch your drink if you're playing air guitar). But there may not be any collaborative efforts such as the "Chicken Dance" or the "Electric Slide" (not there's anything wrong with those dances).   Additionally, the lack of a prefab dance floor means there will be a lack of guys standing awkwardly to the side of the dance floor hoping that no one asks them to said dance floor (I can sympathize with that guy).

While we can not guarantee everyone will be familiar with everything we play, we can guarantee everyone will have a rawkin good time.

And for those Guided by Voices fans on the guest list, we are working out a special treat for y'all. We will pass on the news once it is confirmed. For those asking themselves, "Who is Guided by Voices?", simply Google: "Greatest rock band of all-time."