Pittsburgh Wedding, Boudoir, Senior Photographer

Richelle and Lenny | Mellon Park Engagement Session

“I like to fish,” Richelle remarked to me as she, Lenny, and I walked around Mellon Park for their engagement session. “I am usually the one who hooks the worm to the fishing line, actually!” This statement may not seem like a big deal to her, but I can barely muster the thought of touching a slimy worm and sticking a hook through it. I give her a lot of credit!

Actually, a fishing trip was exactly when Lenny proposed to Richelle! Right before they hit the lake, Lenny popped the question. In a turn of events, the excitement of their engagement ended up cutting the fishing trip short, as they wanted to get back and share their exciting news!

Here we are, a little less than a year out from their big day, and I am so excited to share some images from this lovely couple’s engagement session. Richelle and Lenny are getting married in October of 2024 at the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens. We couldn’t be more excited for their big day!

<alt>Mellon Park Pittsburgh Engagement Session by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

Katie and Tommy | Club at Blackthorne Wedding

Talk about a wedding with details that boasted the beautiful colors and textures of autumn! Katie and Tommy’s wedding had a glam boho-chic theme; it mixed the warm colors of blush, rust and cream, had touches of wispy-feathered florals, all topped off with a shimmering bride from head to toe!

Katie’s two-piece blush-colored wedding attire had so many special details to it; both her dress and veil were sprinkled with sparkles that looked like silver glitter, and her rhinestone tiara completed the glimmer effect. Her princess-puffed sleeves on her wedding dress rounded out this very romantic look.

Tommy was completely mesmerized by his romantically shimmered bride as she floated down the aisle. You could see that he was quietly holding back his tears so he wouldn’t completely lose it altogether.

Katie and Tommy had a few romantically quiet moments together on their wedding day. The way that they looked at each other when they said their vows, it was as if the rest of the world had slipped away and it was just the two of them at the altar. When it was sunset, we had stepped outside to get a picture of them with the ombre pink-to-orange sky, and they took a quiet moment with each other to enjoy these lovely colors. They remarked that they saw this same amazing sunset the first time that they visited their wedding venue, the Club at Blackthorne. And lastly, at the end of the night, they had an intimate “last dance” together. After all of the guests had left the reception, they slowly swayed to the song “Your Song” by Elton John. It was so sweet to see Katie laying her head on Tommy’s chest, truly soaking in the sentiment and romance of the moment.

Take a look to see what I mean…

<the Club at Blackthorne wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

<alt>The Club at Blackthorne Wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

<alt>The Club at Blackthorne Wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt><alt>The Club at Blackthorne Wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

Cake: Moio’s
Caterer: Bistro To Go
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Club at Blackthorne
DJ: 2nd II None
Flatware/Dishes: Eventioneers
Florist: The Copper Petal
Hair Artistry: Step Up Styles
Invitation Provider: Truly Engaging
Limo: Elite Coach
Linens: Lendable Linens
Makeup: Glam By Karly
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Photo Booth: Elite Casino Events

Becca and Andrew | Heinz History Center Wedding

“Oh, let me help you with that!” Becca said to me as I was moving the hotel room’s coffee table, attempting to make more room as I was taking pictures. Here she was, on the biggest day of her life, and instead of popping open a bottle of champagne and celebrating, Becca wanted to help me move the hotel room furniture around. That’s just a small example of Becca’s big heart.

And, she was marrying a guy with an equally big heart. When the toasts that evening focused on Andrew being a hero to his brothers, and Becca’s sister looking up to her because she always puts other people before herself, you fully understand that Becca and Andrew are the type of people who better your life just by being in it.

The enamor that Becca and Andrew have for one another is undeniable. They decided to do a first look, and the second that Andrew turned around, he literally doubled over because he was so amazed at his beautiful bride. As the rain lightly misted, Becca and Andrew sat on a park bench and read private vows to each other, laughing, crying, and squeezing each other’s hand. Alongside the sweet emotions these two express towards one another, they also have a laid-back and goofy side, one that was entertaining to watch throughout their day. Take a look at how they greeted their guests at the beginning of their ceremony to see what I mean!

Lastly, I don’t know who was more excited to see Becca walking down the aisle; either Andrew or their dog Snoop, who sat with anticipation at the front.

As you scroll through the story of their wedding day, look closely to see some of the below unique details (it’s like Where’s Waldo!)

-Antique artifacts in the bouquets and reception decor
-Customized suits, including the interior of the coats.
-A Steelers vs. Bengals football rivalry.
-A photo-bombing pigeon.
-Items handmade by Becca’s sister, Rachel:

Cookies that were created to replicate the exact dresses and suits worn by Becca and the bridal party.
The wedding cake with a Snoop Dogg appearance.
The paper crane wall with 1,000 hand-folded paper cranes, and paper cranes sprinkled throughout the reception venue.

<alt>Heinz History Center wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

Heinz History Center wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography

<alt>Heinz History Center wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt><alt>Heinz History Center wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

<alt>heinz history center wedding by lavender leigh photography<alt>v

Cake: Rachel VanRyzin
Caterer: Common Plea Catering
Ceremony Music: Kyle Hackett and Bachelor Boys
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Heinz History Center
Cookies: Rachel VanRyzin (Wedding Dress/ Bridal Party Cookies) and friends/ family of the bride
Event Coordinator: Olive + Rose Event Planning and Designs
Florals: Julie James Design
Hair Artistry: Simply Captivating Salon
Invitation Provider: Zola
Makeup Artistry: JL Makeup Studio and Boutique
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Reception Entertainment: Bachelor Boys
Videographer: Bachelor Boys
Wedding Dress: Bridal Beginning

Keeley and Kyle | The Priory Wedding

When I was asked if their three cats could be incorporated into their engagement photos, I knew that I would click well with Keeley and Kyle! And it didn’t stop there! Having pictures taken with their cats on their wedding day was also the priority. I mean, how can you blame them? Not only are their cats super cute, but they each have such adorable and distinctive personalities. You can gather this from their expressions in the photos that we took.

And you can see just how much Keeley and Kyle adore their fur kids; the huge smiles that they have in the pictures are a testament of their elation. A big part of their elation also stems from their adoration for each other. There were little moments throughout their wedding day when I would catch Keeley flash the brightest smile when she looked at Kyle, especially when they were saying their vows in front of a glittering backdrop during the ceremony. And Kyle, well, no words can really do it justice when trying to describe his dear expression when he looks at his bride. You can tell that he feels like the luckiest guy in the world to be marrying the love of his life.

Speaking of love, Keeley and Kyle have a strong bond with their families, and all members were close to them during every stage of the day. It was very special when Kyle’s father and Keeley’s mother each gave a heartwarming toast to them! It really tugged on my heartstrings when Kyle rounded out the toasts specifically toasting to Keeley, and just how much she means to him.

Take a look to see what I mean…

<alt>the priory Pittsburgh wedding by lavender leigh photography</alt>

Cake: Prantl’s
Ceremony Musician: Steven Vance Violins
Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Priory
Entertainment: Steven Vance Entertainment
Florist: Creative Designs by Val
Hair Artistry: Brooke Rockwell Design
Invitation: Truly Engaging
Makeup Artistry: Missi Barone (MAC Cosmetics)
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Wedding Gown: Maggie Sottero

Alyssa and Zack | Wyndham Grand Wedding

What started as a competitive first date ended up in a whirlwind of romance and love.

Alyssa and Zack went on a hike for their first date, and while they were enjoying each other’s company, each person subconsciously tried to walk a little more swiftly than the other. By the end of the first mile, they realized what had happened, and laughed about how tired they were and how they had to take a break!

Laughter is an abundant expression of just how much Alyssa and Zack love each other. When I photographed their engagement session, I don’t think that there was even a minute when a smile wasn’t present on their faces. They were so cute together, saying things under their breath to make each other laugh during their unchoreographed hugs and kisses. Joyous laughter was also present on their wedding day, well, with the exception of when Zack saw Alyssa walking down the aisle. He was so struck with awe of his bride, and so excited to become married to her, happy tears kept trickling down his face, throughout the ceremony. Alyssa helped to wipe them (sigh!)

During the ceremony, if one watched closely, Alyssa looked into Zack’s eyes and kept quietly saying “I love you” as he was speaking his vows. At the end of the night, after all was said and done, we walked outside to get a picture of Alyssa and Zack with the city skyline in the background. In between each photo, Alyssa kept whispering about just how happy she was. The entire day was endearing, and it makes me so happy to witness one of the sweetest couples in the world become married.

Scroll through the images of Alyssa and Zack’s wedding day to see what I mean…