An Independence Day Wedding

Jessica & Steve
July 4, 2008
Columbia Station
Phoenixville, PA
Web Site

There is nothing more festive than a Fourth of July wedding! How can you beat having free fireworks going off nearby your reception?

Jessica and Steve had really lucked out since the Borough of Phoenixville had decided that this year's fireworks display would be moved closer to the city's main artery, Bridge Street.

Jessica and Steve's friends and families were a complete class act, enthusiastically celebrating the great day without getting "out of hand".

Something I have noticed recently is that guests seem to be getting a little more inebriated than in the past, causing minor situations to escalate pretty quickly. Thankfully, I have not been involved when things go awry, but it can be a bit disappointing to witness when people seemingly forget the reason why they're attending the celebration.

Again, the guests at this wedding were awesome and a lot of fun!

I am very thankful to have had the privilege to entertain such a great family. To be honest, I didn't have to do much in the way of entertaining, since they were almost completely content and easy-going to begin with!

I wish all my events had guests like this event did!

Congratulations and Happy Independence Day, Jessica & Steve!

Click here to see some photos from their event!

Agenda

6:30-7:25 PM Cocktails

7:25 PM Grand Entrance
Bridal Party: "Love Train" by The O'Jays
Bride & Groom: "Beautiful Day" by U2

7:30 PM First Dance
"Love Serenade" by The Waifs

7:35 PM Blessing & Toasts

7:40-8:45 PM Dinner

8:00 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong

8:15 PM Cake Cutting
"Love You Madly" by Cake

8:20 PM-11:00 PM Open Dancing

Phoenixville DJs - Steve Croce

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Pennsylvania Train Stations - The Columbia Station

It's no big secret... My favorite unique location to host a wedding reception is the Columbia Station in Phoenixville, PA.

Check out this video about the Columbia Station on YouTube and you'll see what makes The Columbia Station so charming!

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Spotlight: The Columbia Station

The Columbia Station
Contact: Stephanie Ryan or Noreen Gilbert
Phone: (610) 933-6336
Web Site - Contact

Robert Ryan Catering and The Columbia Station are located in a renovated train station, which was once the main source of transportation for the residents of Phoenixville to other cities serviced by the Reading Railroad.

Renovated in 1998, this historical facility is a spectacular venue, not just because of it's nostalgic feel but also the very accommodating staff.

Robert Ryan Catering is family-owned and operated, always keeping their clients' needs at the front of their focus. They treat every bride and groom as though they are family, making certain that no detail goes overlooked. They work in a concerted effort with the bride and groom to help deliver their vision of their special day.

The main ballroom can accommodate up to 225 guests. Outside, a completely restored caboose is available for the bridal party upon arrival, along with a gazebo and perennial gardens for ceremonies and wedding pictures. There is also ample parking, an often overlooked facet of selecting a location.

I have not only provided my wedding entertainment direction at their facility, I am also a former client. As such, I can personally vouch that the menu is fresh, delicious, and fulfilling; their creative flair makes events memorable; and they make every client feel comfortable and confident that they chose the right place to host their event.

If you are looking for a unique location to host your event, I suggest you look at what Robert Ryan Catering's Columbia Station can offer YOU.

Click here to view photos from The Columbia Station!

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Celebrating In The Spirit Of Phoenixville

Jill & John
June 23, 2007
Columbia Station
Phoenixville, PA
Web Site

Jill & John's wedding day was spectacular, from start to finish.

The entire wedding party arrived in grand fashion aboard an old fashioned trolley car; the sort of chariot that complimented a fantastic and unique facility like the Columbia Station.

Situated in the evolving community that some like to refer to as "Little Manayunk", this ballroom is in a class all it's own. Unlike nearly every other setting for a wedding reception, this meticulously restored, historic train station with it's vast, spacious accommodations is truly opulent.

In addition to the well-manicured grounds, it features a restored caboose, offering the bride and groom (as well as the bridal party) some seclusion from the cocktail hour to catch their breath and quietly enjoy those first few moments as newlyweds.

The gracious Robert Ryan staff goes completely out of their way for every bride and groom, ensuring them the comfort they deserve on their most special day. I very confidently endorse the Columbia Station and Robert Ryan Catering as a consideration for ANYONE'S special event.

Jill and John were the sort of bride and groom that naturally served to remind anyone who met them of why people get married. Their obvious affection for one another was not only heart warming, but was a refereshing sight to see. I am humbled to have been asked to be the entertainment for their wedding reception.

After some non-stop dance floor action, everything winded down nicely, with Jill and John's friends and family patiently waiting their turn to give one last hug and kiss to the new bride and groom. Even without knowing them personally, anyone could genuinely feel that this was a relationship that would last.

Congratulations, Jill and John!

Click here to see some photos from their event!

Agenda

6:00-7:00 PM Cocktail Hour

7:00 PM Introductions
"Gonna Fly Now" by Bill Conti

7:05 PM First Dance
"The Way You Look Tonight" by Michael Buble

7:10 PM Married Couples Dance
"Annie's Song" by John Denver

7:15 PM Blessing & Toasts

7:20-9:00 PM Dinner

9:05 PM Bride & Father Dance
"A Song For My Daughter" by Ray Allaire

9:10 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"Footloose" by Kenny Loggins
Yes, you're reading that right. :)

9:15-11:00 PM Open Dancing

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Philadelphia Comes To Phoenixville

Karen & Matthew
March 24, 2007
Columbia Station - Phoenixville, PA
Click Karen & Matthew to hear their comments!

Welcome to Philadelphia

Because a majority of Karen and Matthew's guests were from out of town, they wanted their family and friends to experience some of what Philadelphia is famous for.

In addition to having their guests greeted by Benjamin Franklin, they were treated to bite-sized Philadelphia Cheese Steaks served during the cocktail hour, and later in the evening, danced with The Mummers!

They had also invested some of their time into a custom-tailored wedding favor, a personalized CD. It not only was made up of songs of their choosing, but inside each jacket, every song selection was cited as to why it was picked out for the soundtrack. It was a step above the norm and was definitely appreciated by everyone.

Instead of the traditional tossing of the bouquet, Karen and Matthew decided to have an "Anniversary Dance". By eliminating married couples from the dance floor, based on how long they were married, they were able to present the "Most Experienced Newlyweds" with the bouquet in exchange for some advice from the winners.

As you might gather from looking over their song selections below, "Moulin Rouge" was the first movie Karen and Matt watched together when they were dating, thus many of their song selections came from the film.

Thank you Karen and Matthew for allowing me to be a part of your event! Thanks to your careful planning, it was fantastic! It also didn't hurt that you were two of the nicest clients I have ever had the good fortune to work with!

Reception Agenda

6:30-7:30 Cocktail Hour

7:35 Grand Entrance
"Sparkling Diamonds" by Caroline O'Connor

7:40 First Dance
"Your Song" by Ewan McGregor

7:45- 9:00 Dinner

8:15 Toasts from Best Man & Maid Of Honor

8:30 Toast from Father of the Bride

8:35 Bride & Father Dance
"You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban

8:45 Groom & Mother Dance
"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" by Dennis Day

9:00-9:30 The Mummers Arrive!

9:35 Cake Cutting
"The Rainbow Connection" by Kermit The Frog

9:40-11:30 Open Dancing

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Pósfaimis! (Let's Get Married!)

Jessica & Christopher
March 17, 2007
Columbia Station - Phoenixville, PA

An Irish Wedding on St. Patrick's Day

Jessica & Christopher wanted their guests to experience a traditional Irish wedding, complete with authentic Irish Step Dancers, pints of Guinness, and mackerel rolls.

They chose the more relaxed food stations dinner over a formal served meal. Their guests were encouraged to eat, drink, and be merry, dancing the night away with the bride and groom to a playlist entirely selected by Christopher, a former disc jockey himself.

While Christopher & Jessica did enjoy the traditional dances, they passed on the bouquet and garter in favor of maximizing their socializing and celebration time.

Reception Agenda

4:30-5:00 Ceremony

5:00-6:00 Cocktail Hour

6:15 Grand Entrance
"Repeal Of The Licensing Laws" by The Pogues

6:30 First Dance
"At Last" by Etta James

6:33 Bridal Party Dance
"The Best Is Yet To Come" by Frank Sinatra

6:35-6:45 Irish Step Dancing Display

6:50 Toasts

7:00-8:00 Social Dinner Hour

8:05 Groom & Mother Dance
"Hey Jude" by The Beatles

8:10 Groom & Mother-In-Law Dance
"I Loved Her First" by Heartland

8:15 Cake Cutting
"When I'm 64" by The Beatles

8:20-11:00 Open Dancing

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