Pittsburgh Wedding, Boudoir, Senior Photographer

Jenny and Tyler | Westmoreland Country Club Wedding

The sun was as bright as I’d ever seen it on Jenny and Tyler’s wedding day, its light bouncing off of the red, orange, and yellow leaves, and making them and the sky ever more radiant in color.

Jenny and Tyler got married at Westmoreland Country Club, which is a venue near and dear to my heart because, not only did I work at this Country Club when I was a sophomore in college, but it is also the venue where Barry and I held our wedding reception! Stepping into the Club on Jenny and Tyler’s wedding day brought back so many fond memories.

And, there were plenty of fond memories that Jenny and Tyler created together that special day. One of my favorite moments was the prayer that they said together prior to the ceremony. They didn’t want to see each other, so they stood on either side of a church wall and tightly held hands. Jenny and Tyler each spoke, and their prayers were so humbly thankful that God gave them to each other. It put tears in my eyes.

In addition to the prayer, the smallest actions throughout the day spoke volumes about how much Jenny and Tyler love each other, and how excited they were to be married. After they were announced into the reception, Tyler and Jenny hugged each other so tightly, Jenny burying her head deep into Tyler’s chest as he lifted Jenny off of her feet. As they cut their wedding cake, it was as if you could feel their delight of fulfilling one of the first special milestone moments as husband and wife.

But enough talk; take a look to see what I mean…
Lavender Leigh Photography, wedding photographer, photograph, picture, engagement session, couple's photography, Pennsylvania, Best of the Knot, Couples' Choice, chic, sophisticated, wedding venues, ceremony reception, Pittsburgh, Westmoreland Country Club, Export, Murrysville, St. Barbara Catholic Church, Irwin, Penn Trafford
Lavender Leigh Photography, wedding photographer, photograph, picture, engagement session, couple's photography, Pennsylvania, Best of the Knot, Couples' Choice, chic, sophisticated, wedding venues, ceremony reception, Pittsburgh, Westmoreland Country Club, Export, Murrysville, St. Barbara Catholic Church, Irwin, Penn Trafford
Lavender Leigh Photography, wedding photographer, photograph, picture, engagement session, couple's photography, Pennsylvania, Best of the Knot, Couples' Choice, chic, sophisticated, wedding venues, ceremony reception, Pittsburgh, Westmoreland Country Club, Export, Murrysville, St. Barbara Catholic Church, Irwin, Penn Trafford Lavender Leigh Photography, wedding photographer, photograph, picture, engagement session, couple's photography, Pennsylvania, Best of the Knot, Couples' Choice, chic, sophisticated, wedding venues, ceremony reception, Pittsburgh, Westmoreland Country Club, Export, Murrysville, St. Barbara Catholic Church, Irwin, Penn Trafford Lavender Leigh Photography, wedding photographer, photograph, picture, engagement session, couple's photography, Pennsylvania, Best of the Knot, Couples' Choice, chic, sophisticated, wedding venues, ceremony reception, Pittsburgh, Westmoreland Country Club, Export, Murrysville, St. Barbara Catholic Church, Irwin, Penn Trafford

Cake: Prantl’s
Ceremony Venue: St. Barbara Parish
DJ: Wenning Entertainment
Florist: Flowers in the Attic
Hair and Makeup Artistry: Bella Amici Salon
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Reception Venue: Westmoreland Country Club
Transportation: Elite Limousine
Videographer: Dorosh Documentaries
Wedding Dress: MB Bride

Stacey and Matt | Shannopin Country Club Wedding

It means the world to me when I have the opportunity to be a part of the very special moments of somebody that I have known for quite a few years, which is the case for this lovely bride, Stacey. Stacey and I met prior to my full-time photography business, when I worked at Dick’s Sporting Goods headquarters. Since then, we have intermittently kept in touch- she contacted me to photograph her lovely daughter, Allison’s, senior photos a few years ago, and then asked me to capture her very own wedding day to her handsome groom, Matt.
Stacey and Matt’s wedding was held at one of my favorite venues- Shannopin Country Club. I absolutely love the gold sunlight that falls on this club, and coupled with the Pittsburgh skyline backdrop, it is the most beautiful location to have a wedding ceremony.
Here’s to Stacey and Matt, and some of my fave images from their day…

Bethany and Quinn- Duquesne Power Center Wedding

Sparkling. Fun. Tender. Vivacious. If I were to choose words to describe Bethany and Quinn, these would undoubtedly be the right pick. For all of the weddings that I’ve photographed (well over 100, friends!) I have never seen such a vibrant smile on the bride during the *entire* wedding day. Bethany and Quinn have such a beautiful personality as a couple; Bethany’s vibrant emotion is complemented perfectly by Quinn’s soft and gentle demeanor. This couple truly has a love and respect for each other- you can tell by the way that they look at each other, and simple gestures, such as in the way Quinn holds Bethany’s hand.

The entire day was chock full of smiles, happy tears, and spontaneity. One of my favorite bridal party toasts- Bethany’s sister, Megs, created lyrics specific to Bethany and Quinn as a couple, to the tune of “Under the Sea” (you know, from the movie The Little Mermaid.) However, the song could have been titled “Quinny and B” (fill in the tune!) As she sang, the entire bridal party played the maracas, and a groomsman danced around with a poster board head of both Bethany and Quinn during the chorus. I don’t think I have ever seen guests laugh as hard as they did that night.

The entire day was filled with spirit, laughter, and love. Here are some of my favorite images from Bethany and Quinn’s day…

Ashley and Mike | Strip District Engagement Session

Ashley and Mike are the most easy-going and light-hearted couple that I have ever photographed! They are so natural together, and what I love most about them is how much fun they have together. Their smiles say it all!

We photographed their engagement session in one of my favorite spots- the Strip District- because I love the textures, architecture character, city backdrop, and sunsets in this part of the city.

Ashley and Mike are getting married at Jay Verno Studios this April, and we are more than excited to be a part of their wedding day! Here are some of my faves from their engagement session…

Shelley and Will | Wish Upon a Wedding Vow Renewal

“You know, Will was actually on a date with my friend when he met and fell for me,” Shelley says as I am snapping a few pictures of her and Will together. Shelley giggles, and takes Will’s hand as they walk through the park together. Their love for each other seems so fresh, you would never know that they have been together for 25 years. They have experienced many dips and swells together over those years, but last April, one moment would change their lives forever.

Will was in the grocery store, when suddenly he collapsed due to a stroke. He spent over 2 months in the hospital- 34 of those days, he was in a coma- and ultimately was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease with pulmonary fibrosis. Will’s condition continues to progress, and he is hoping to qualify for a double lung transplant, which to date, has not yet happened.

Shelley and Will have such strength together, it truly amazes me. Watching them interact, you can tell that they soak in every moment together. Their smiles beamed the brightest when they reminisced about how they met and fell in love. Just hearing that part of their story sparked a fun and flirtatious interaction between them- it was moments like this that seemed to help them persevere the extremely difficult circumstance that they are enduring.

To be a part of Shelley and Will’s vow renewal, which was a “Wish” granted by the organization called Wish Upon a Wedding, was truly an honor for me. The best part for me was not only capturing a very special day for this couple, but also getting to know their intimate backstory. I learned about the significance of yellow roses to Shelley and Will; Shelley’s favorite color is yellow, and because of it, Will has always gifted to her yellow roses. When Will was in a coma in the hospital, a nurse came to Shelley and told her “I know it is nothing big, but I felt like I just had to give you this yellow rose” as she handed Shelley a beautiful wooden yellow rose. The nurse didn’t know the significance of a yellow rose, and Shelley was floored. This was a sign and gave her such hope!

I could go on and on with other beautiful moments that Shelley and Will graciously opened up to me about during our time together, but for now, let me share some of the images that we took on their vow renewal day.

Click here to view Shelley and Will’s vow renewal on Wish Upon a Wedding’s website: Shelley and Will’s Vow Renewal on WUW