Tamlynn Bachetti & DJ McDade
J. Jane Photography
J. Jane Photography
J. Jane Photography
J. Jane Photography
J. Jane Photography
J. Jane Photography
J. Jane Photography
Tamlynn Bachetti and DJ McDade met as neighbors in the residence hall at California University. On New Year’s Eve five years later, DJ popped the question – though, Tamlynn ruined the surprise.
While walking to the Ice Rink at PPG Place with friends and family, she insisted that DJ tell her what he was carrying in his pocket. “I knew it wasn’t his keys. I’m nebby!” she says with a laugh.
Unable to keep it a secret any longer, DJ asked, “Do you want to do this now?” before dropping to one knee.
Immediately, Tamlynn burst into tears of excitement. Needless to say, they didn’t make it to the skating rink.
DJ and Tamlynn requested a low-key rehearsal dinner of beer, pizza and cheesecake. They wed the next day, on a perfect fall afternoon at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. The location held special meaning for the bride, as her grandparents were the first couple married in there in 1962.
J. Jane Photography
The couple stopped to take photos on the grand staircase and gazebo at The Residence at Hilltop Personal Care Facility, where Tamlynn works. A number of her residents joined the wedding, and the couple returned later to share slices of wedding cake. “It was a special day for me. I wanted it to be special for my residents, too,” she says.
Next, they celebrated with 350 guests at the Donora Borough Building, sharing their first dance to “My Kind of Crazy” by Brantley Gilbert.
Tamlynn paired a handmade birdcage veil with an Alfred Angelo Disney Fairy Tale Collection gown, a fit-and-flair, New Orleans-inspired dress with elaborate beading. The real standout? Her fuchsia hair, styled in loose, romantic curls. “DJ knows I always do different colors, but he didn’t know until he saw me the night before at the rehearsal dinner. It was bright, vivid purple and pink. That was my ‘wow’ moment.”
J. Jane Photography
Not to mention, her hair perfectly matched the bridesmaids’ plum dresses.
The bride requested an “extravagant” cookie table, and she was not disappointed! The nearly 300 (!) dozen cookies spanned six tables and include traditional favorites like Lady Locks, biscotti, pizzelles and tiny cannoli. Guests took heaps of goodies home in containers that read “I Stole These Cookies from Tamlynn & DJ’s Wedding!”
“We didn’t have any left!” says Tamlynn.
The couple recently grew into a family of three, thanks to the addition of their dog, rescued from Action for Animals Humane Society – a Tennessee Brindle named Cosmo.
The DJ: Galiffa Productions. “Derek Galiffa was an amazing DJ. He brought glow sticks, light-up tubes — it was so much fun. We had the best time.”
The Food: The SpringHouse. “We tried to keep everything local.”
The Cake: Can Do Creations made a three-tier confection that was two-parts Ho Ho cake, one-part almond cake and decorated with ombre plum frosting and luster dust.
Flowers: Fields of Heather. The florist combined real and silk flowers, so that Tamlynn could keep her “gorgeous” bouquet.