The Strip, Louboutins, Amazing Reception Guests and a Silver Glove

I met my last bride and groom, Alison and AJ through the lovely Josh and Heidi Telin who's wedding I shot last July.  It was a perfectly sunny day in Pittsburgh on June 30th. The ceremony was held at the beautiful St. Stanislaus Church in the Strip District.  Although the old church didn't have AC, it was incredibly beautiful and the guests and bridal party didn't let the heat get to them!  We made our way to the North Side to take portraits at the Allegheny Commons Park.  I'm quite the shoe freak, so seeing Alison's Christian Louboutins was a treat! I knew we'd get to take some fun photos with the red bottom, my favorite is below :)
 
Alison and AJ's bridal party was one of the best I've had the pleasure of spending the day with.  They didn't leave a dull moment.  Things got even better once the reception started and everyone hit the dance floor.  At one point the groom had a silver glove on and had a solo dance to Michael Jackson!  Thanks to the family, friends, bridal party, and newlyweds, this day was fabulous and so much fun to shoot.   
 

Hair Piece: Etsy
Gown: Allure Bridal
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal
Tux's: Men's Warehouse
Ceremony: St. Sanislaus Church, The Strip District, Pittsburgh
Reception: The Great Hall, Pittsburgh
Cake: Cakes by Carol
Florist: KS Kennedy, Distinctive Floral, Gift & Gourmet, Pittsburgh 

So while I was with Alison getting ready, she gave me a gift from her and AJ - they checked out my website where I list a little bit about me and she packed this full of some of my favorite things!  Such a thoughtful gift, she almost had me crying, hah.  I cannot thank you two enough for your kindness :)

Ryan and Amanda's Country Club Wedding

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Kight!  Groom, Ryan, played hockey with my youngest brother at Robert Morris University.  So when I met the bride Amanda and they asked me to be their wedding photographer I was so excited! The ceremony and reception were at the Butler Country Club.  It was a gorgeous summer day and we were lucky enough to get a few clouds during this outdoor ceremony to shade the site and keep guests cool.  This was one of the most personal ceremony's I have ever been to.  Ryan's love of hockey was mentioned during the nuptuals, being warned to "stay out of the penalty box" and that teamwork is important.  During the ceremony the bride's sister also surprised Ryan and Amanda by singing Train's song "Marry Me."  I'm pretty sure there wasn't a dry eye around!  As the bride and groom left the ceremony the kids getting golf lessons made sure to drop their clubs and applaud which was such a cute touch.

The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Photos on the golf course were fun (I'm sure the bridal party enjoyed riding around in golf carts, hah), the family and friends enjoyed cocktail hour, dinner was served and the reception began.  Kids took over the dance floor first then adults followed their lead.  The bride's dad even took over the dance floor for awhile!  This was such a beautiful, fun day spent with wonderful people.  Thank you Ryan and Amanda for having me be a part of your big day!

Gown: Maggie Sottero
Tux: Jack's Tuxedo
Florist: The Butler Florist
Bakery: Very Special Desserts
DJ: Wedding Elegance (Angela and Brian, who were both so sweet!) 
Ceremony and Reception: Butler Country Club 

A Wedding at the Linden Hall Mansion

This was an extra special wedding at The Mansion at Linden Hall in Dawson, PA.  I have known bride Mattie, since we were in elementary school!  Seeing her family and old friends made this day so fun.  Mattie and the groom Joe have such great chemistry together they also made this day incredible to capture. 

The outdoor ceremony went off without a hitch, it was a beautiful June day! As guests headed to the patio for cocktail hour we went and shot portraits.  The mansion was a great place to explore and take photos, there are 35 rooms, 27 fireplaces, 13 bathroom and powder rooms, along with a bowling alley in the basement!  Seriously a photographers dream.  To give a little history of the mansion, it was the creation of Sarah Cochran in 1911, (Sarah Moore before she married Philip Cochran.) Philip's family immigrated from Ireland, they mined coal and manufactured coke.  When Philip died he left a fortune for Sarah and their only child James.  James passed away from pneumonia while attending the University of Pennsylvania.  Sarah then traveled through Europe and was inspired to build this mansion upon her return to the states.  Stonecutters were brought in from Italy along with other craftsmen from Europe.  The mansion cost over two million dollars and was opened for visitors in June of 1977 after being occupied by different owners throughout the years after her death in 1936. 

You will see below Joe and Mattie have a great sense of humor, they wanted to plank so of course we had to find a spot to pull it off, hah!  There were so many cute details to the wedding but one of my favorites were the flowers in mason jars on the reception table. Overall the night was full of dancing, fooling around with the photobooth and guests hanging out on the patio to enjoy the gorgeous weather.  Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Bock!

 

Ceremony and Reception: Linden Hall Mansion, Dawson
Gown: Prom Shoppe, Union Town
Tux: Berks, Irwin
Florist: Blue Daisy Floral, Irwin
Cake: Spinola's Bake Shop, Murrysville 

A Pittsburgh Themed Wedding

My first Pittsburgh themed wedding was with Diana and Ryan, aka the new Mr. and Mrs. Woodske!  The ceremony was held in the heart of Pittsburgh's Polish Hill at the gorgeous Immaculate Heart of Mary church.  (There was a bird in the basement area where the girls were supposed to enter.  As myself and assistant Ryan Zarichnak waited for the bridal party to arrive, my fear of birds strongly showed as it took flight a few times.  When the girls arrived, we all decided it was best to just wait in the hallway. I won't share the photo Ryan got of me having a panic attack, hahaha.)

This wedding day was a scorcher in the Burgh so we moved quickly to keep everyone cool.  On our way to the reception at Heinz Field, we took a few photos on the Riverwalk.  Ducky Tour passengers yelled "Congratulations, QUACK QUACK" as they drove by.  One of the great thing about having a reception at Heinz Field, is that they allow the bridal party on the field and in the locker room for photos.  We definitely had a blast with this as you can see below.

Keeping the Pittsburgh theme going, the newlyweds walked into the reception as the DJ played Donnie Iris' "Love is Like a Rock."  You got a view of the city from your dinner seats and guests could enter the stadium for some fresh air and photos.  The bride, groom, bridal party, friends and family all kept the dance floor full as the night went on.  Heres to Ryan and Diana, Congratulations!

Bridal Gown, hairpiece, and Bridesmaids dresses: Ribbon Bridal, Beaver
Mens Tux: Tuxedo Junction
Florist: Harold's Flower Shop, Downtown Pittsburgh
Ceremony: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Polish Hill
Reception: Heinz Field, North Shore, Pittsburgh

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Reho

Meet Mike and Jenn Reho!  I spent the afternoon with the girls getting ready and my friend and second shooter, Ryan Zarichnak spent his with the guys at the church.  It was awesome to capture Jenn's mother adding a few stiches to the gorgeous sash she made for Jenn's gown.  Although this was a bit of a rainy day it definitely didn't let this bride, groom and wedding party down.  While we were taking photos at the church, I had them write one of the things they love about the other on a blank card.  They don't know what the other one said until they see the photos!  So the reveal is below :)  Mike and Jenn were so much fun, at the reception they had a choreographed dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller."  That was the first time I had a bridal party/friends do a routine, and it was great!!!  Congrats Mike and Jenn. Thank you for having us be a part of your big day :)

(Above, shot by Ryan Zarichnak)

(Above, shot by Ryan Zarichnak)

Wedding gown: MB Bride, Greensburg

Suits: Berks, Irwin

Rings: Beeghly and Co., Greensburg

Florist: Zanarini's, Jennette

Ceremony: Greensburg First United Methodist

Reception: Pluma, Irwin