Pittsburgh Wedding, Boudoir, Senior Photographer

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…
Duquesne Power Center Wedding, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Pennsylvania, wedding, photographer, lavender leigh photography, boudoir, best of, the knot, wedding wire, city, autumn, fall

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

A shout out to the amazing vendors that I worked alongside that day!

Event Donor: Wish Upon a Wedding
Event Planner: Wanderlust Weddings and Events
Venue/ Catering: Bella Sera Event Villa and Catering
Videographer: Post Script Films
Music: Jason Kendall Productions
Florist: Community Flower Shop
Bakery: Bella Christie and Lil Z’s Sweet Boutique
Linens: All Occasions Party Rental
Hair: Ritual Hair Company
Makeup: B Morgan Makeup
Stationary: Angela Pro Design
Bride’s Gown: Bridal Beginning
Groom’s Attire: The Groomsman Suit
Photographer: Lavender Leigh

Natalie and Nick | Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort Wedding

What I love most about summer are the days where there are blue skies for miles, and that is exactly the type of day it was for Natalie and Nick’s wedding day. As we pulled into the parking lot of Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort, the sun was beaming and warmed my face as I stepped out of the car. I knew it was going to be a flawless day.

I entered the spa at Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort to find Natalie sitting in the salon chair, getting prepped with makeup for her wedding day. Her bridesmaids are scattered around her, watching, talking and enjoying the excitement of the day.

Upon seeing me, Natalie flashes a huge smile and says “Hi, Leigh! What do you need to get started? Krystena can help with anything you need!” Krystena is Natalie’s sister-in-law, and we photographed her wedding to Justin last year. Not only are Natalie and Nick one of our faves because we love them as a couple, but also because we have been a part of so many special moments for their family, and have gotten to know them all so well. Side note- Natalie’s mother, Nancy, would send me the kindest notes in the mail. She took the time to find the most beautiful notecards, and write me the sweetest letter letting me how excited the entire family was to see the moments that we captured of Natalie and Nick’s wedding day! I saved every single card that she sent <3

Natalie and Nick are the perfect balance of fun, genuine, and family oriented. They are an incredibly thoughtful couple, case in point, they surprised their parents and had a vow renewal for each during their own wedding ceremony! How absolutely selfless to celebrate their parents’ marriage on their own wedding day.

One of my favorite moments of the day was their introduction into the reception. The entered the room through gold-gilded doors, and walked through an arch of sparklers as the crowd went wild! It was spectacularly dramatic- the best introduction we have witnessed to date!

Keep scrolling down to view the story of Natalie and Nick’s wedding day…

Leslie and Ted- Heinz History Center Wedding

Somehow, die-hard Penn Staters find a way to each other like a magnet. Which is the case for the lovely couple Leslie and Ted- and they picked the right duo to photograph their wedding since Barry and I also graduated from Penn State! There’s nothing better than being a part of a wedding where so many of the bridal party and attendees sing your same alma mater. Especially when the phrase “WE ARE!” sounds out multiple times around the reception room.

Photographing Leslie and Ted on their wedding day was such a pleasure- they are extremely warm, courteous, generous, and know how to break loose and throw a party (or a reception in this case!) Their wedding day was held at two of our favorite venues- the ceremony took place at Westminster Presbyterian Church in the South Hills, and the reception was at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District.

Leslie and Ted’s entire wedding day was flawless, and it is so hard to choose a favorite moment that we witnessed! If we had to pick, it may have been the guests’ reaction when Ted lifted and spun Leslie around and around right on cue to their first dance crescendo. The guests went absolutely nuts cheering and clapping in awe. But our tie-breaker favorite moment happened later that night on the dance floor- the Song “Cotton Eye Joe” began playing, which is a song that Leslie and Ted’s friends requested as tradition. Their friends tore up the dance floor as we had NEVER seen before! They were leaping, bouncing, and dancing with the most electric energy, definitely one of our all-time favorite dance floor moments!

Take look at some of the images we captured that tell the story of Leslie and Ted’s wedding day…