Pittsburgh Wedding, Boudoir, Senior Photographer

Molly and Pete | Valley Brook Country Club Wedding

“Anything for the shot!” Molly says to me as we run in and out of the shelter from the drizzle that showered down on their wedding day. That’s what is so great about Molly and Pete, they are up for just about anything. Molly hates cold weather, but decided on a winter engagement session so they could get their Save the Dates out quickly! And, I don’t know about you, but when you look at their images, there is something supremely romantic about the fire these two strike together despite the rain.

Molly and Pete are such an All Star couple. Not only are they best friends, but also smokin’ hot together. Just take a look at some of their images and you will see exactly what I mean! I have to admit, at one point I accidentally blurted out loud “Oh, that’s hot!” when I asked them to almost kiss. But dang, don’t you see what I mean?!

One of my favorite parts of their wedding day was watching Pete’s expression the second she stepped onto the alter. His expression screamed “you look beautiful!” I also adore Molly’s smile as she and Pete had their first kiss as husband and wife. Molly was so elated, she smiled as she kissed Pete, and you can see her adorable dimple!

Such a beautiful wedding, and so many great moments! Take a look at the story of Molly and Pete’s wedding day…

And a BIG shout out to one of our favorite vendors, The Pittsburgh DJ Company! It is always awesome to work with people that you know and like, especially when they are awesome at what they do!
Valley Brook Country Club Wedding, Lavender Leigh Photography

Valley Brook Country Club Wedding, Lavender Leigh Photography

Too funny not to share! Molly brushing her teeth right before the ceremony!

Cake: Paul McVay
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Valley Brook Country Club
Cookies: The Toffee House
DJ: Pittsburgh DJ Company
Florist: Julie James
Hair Artistry: Haylo Hair Studio
Makeup Artistry: Shannon Cole
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Signage: Diane Pesci

Lisa and Christian | Circuit Center Wedding

“You’re working with a bunch of Engineers here- you need to tell us exactly what to do!” Lisa jokes as we begin taking pictures of her, Christian, and their entire bridal party. Funny thing is, they all actually did a great job without too much instruction! Especially Lisa and Christian, who were incredibly cute and snuggly with each other the second I told them to hug or cuddle. And, don’t miss the surprise Christian had as Barry took his portraits! I’m still laughing at that one- as Christian was leaning against a wall, Barry was instructing him to change his glance “look lower…” and a groomsmen had snuck up behind him and stuck his head underneath Christian’s arm and Christian’s surprise reaction is hysterical!

One of my favorite moments of the day was after their first kiss as husband and wife- when they were announced to the crowd, Lisa and Christian flashed the most excited smile, and their faces said it all as they walked down the aisle. There were so many other fun moments, too, like when they all sang “Sweet Caroline” with their friends from Pitt, or when all of Lisa’s leading ladies circled around her on the dance floor as Lisa sang to Taylor Swift’s “Love Song.”

Take a look at some of my favorites from Lisa and Christian’s wedding day!

Alyssa and Steve | Pittsburgh Airport Marriott Wedding

I first met the lovely Alyssa in 2013- at the time, she was a bridesmaid in Jenna and Justin’s wedding! So when Alyssa contacted me to photograph her wedding, I was over-the-moon thrilled to hear from her, to see her again, and to capture her and her sweet hubby, Steve.

I remember sitting at Panera when Alyssa, Steve and I got together to discuss their wedding details. They were giddy from their recent engagement, which happened to take place at the gazebo where we photographed their wedding images! Alyssa and Steve are a genuine and light-hearted couple, and simply smitten with each other. One of my favorite parts of their wedding day was watching them during their ceremony- they were holding hands, and Steve would gently squeeze Alyssa’s hand and lovingly rub his thumb over it as they listened to the homily. It was incredibly tender, and because they sat facing away from their guests, I was one of the rare people that got to witness this sweet gesture.

And how special it was to see so many other familiar faces in the friends, family and wedding party! In the past, we have also had the pleasure of photographing the ring bearer, some of the guests, Jenna the maid of honor (which I mentioned earlier), and in March, we will photograph Annie, Alyssa’s step-sister, and her marriage to Jason!

Take a look at some of my favorites from Alyssa and Steve’s wedding day!

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At first, Alyssa couldn’t make eye contact with her father when he first saw her just because she didn’t want to break out into uncontrollable tears! What a sweet moment!

And then she started laughing at the fact that she was stifling so many tears! She is so cute!

As always, an amazing job by DeStefino Beauty Bar!

This lady is simply gorgeous. A shout out to Annie at DeStefino Beauty Bar for her amazing makeup!

Steve and his groomsmen rode to the ceremony in style!

Holy. Haute. Cow. Those dresses and ladies are gorgeous! ALL OF THEM!!!

Steve sneaking a few Swedish Fish before the guests were permitted into the reception room!

Cake: Carol’s Cakes
Ceremony Venue: St. John the Baptist
Entertainment: DJ Tommy D.
Florist: Denise Silvestri
Hair and Makeup Artistry: DeStefino Beauty Bar – Bekah and Kayla (Hair), Annie (Makeup)
Jewelry: Vintage Grace Boutique
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Reception Venue: Pittsburgh Airport Marriott
Transportation: Elite Coach Transportation
Videographer: Ricordi Productions

To see the blog post from Jenna and Justin’s wedding, the wedding when I first met Alyssa, click here!
It is always great to see friendors like DeStefino Beauty Bar! Click here to see an event that I photographed at their lovely salon!

Kyra and Kevin | City Engagement Session

I just love city engagement sessions. The cosmopolitan vibe, the skyline, the action downtown. So naturally, when one of my couples wants to photograph their engagement session downtown, I jump at the chance! What makes the session even better is the opportunity I have to get to know them as we photograph… and then realize how many things we have in common!

Kyra and Kevin love the Pittsburgh Penguins, EDM Music (YES!!!), and craft beer. In fact, when Kevin goes out, he never orders the same beer twice- just so he can experience different beers each time! He and Barry will get along very well!

This couple is so smitten with each other, I never had to tell them to snuggle in and act cute together. Kyra and Kevin have actually known each other since they were little (Kyra- correct me if I’m wrong, but you said that your first picture together was in kindergarten, right?!) It was Halloween, and their first picture together was in their costumes! I told them that next Halloween, they need to recreate that Halloween picture again since Kyra was a bride (and she can wear her actual wedding dress!)

Kyra and Kevin are getting married in August next year, and we can’t wait to be a part of their day! Here are some of my favorites from their engagement session…

Krystena and Justin | City Engagement Session

“Can we take some pictures as we eat ice cream?” Krystena asks me as she, Justin and I walk around the Cultural District downtown for their engagement session. “Justin eats ice cream every single day, and it is just really us.”

Of course I was completely thrilled to photograph this sweet couple as they shared their ice cream with each other- which slightly backfired because it was such a hot fall day… the ice cream melted in a matter of seconds! But they ate fast, and it was so cute to capture them laughing and sneaking kisses in between licks.

We photographed all around town for their engagement session- at some of my favorite spots in the Cultural District, the Convention Center, with the bridges, and in Market Square, to name a few! I loved watching them just be them. Every so often, Justin would wrap his arms around Krystena, and they would hug tightly or slow dance together.

Krystena and Justin are getting married in July of next year at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, and we can’t wait for their day!

Here are some of my favorites from their session…