Pittsburgh Wedding, Boudoir, Senior Photographer

Kara and Carl | Omni William Penn Wedding

She wore ruby red shoes in honor of her grandmother, Dorothy, and has sparkling blue eyes that are just as bright as her contagious smile. Kara was absolute perfection on her wedding day, and her handsome prince, Carl, looked equally as sharp.

Kara and Carl got married at St. Paul Cathedral, and had their reception at the elegant Grand Ballroom at the Omni William Penn. Kara’s family is very close with the Archbishop of Pittsburgh, who is a long-time friend of the family. The Archbishop presided their ceremony, and gave a touching homily with the theme “If the shoe fits,” which perfectly (and purposefully) tied into Kara’s favorite accessory that she was wearing that day- her red shoes in honor of her grandmother! One of my favorite moments that we captured that day was Kara showing the Archbishop her red shoes, just minutes before she walked down the aisle.

I also loved watching Kara and Carl’s first dance- they started off slow, and then cut into fun music with choreographed moves! It was such a perfect moment for this couple because it reflected their light-hearted personalities, and we experienced first-hand how much fun they have together!

Take a look to see what I mean…
Stuart Weitzman Red Wedding Shoes, Omni William Penn Wedding, Lavender Leigh Photography
Wedding rings laid on a wedding invitation at the Omni William Penn in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Grandmother's wedding purse passed down to the bride, Lavender Leigh Photography

This is Kara’s grandmother’s wedding purse, and Kara used it on her wedding day!

A lace wedding dress hanging in the window of the Omni William Penn in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The bride has her hair done at the Omni William Penn in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Kara surprised her sister, Annie, with a birthday cake and told her that they will always think of their wedding day as their “Annie-versary!”

Cake: Oakmont Bakery
Ceremony Venue: St. Paul Cathedral
DJ: All Pro D.J.s
Florist: Alex’s East End Floral Shoppe
Getting Ready Hotel: Omni William Penn
Hair and Makeup Artistry: Classic Hair and Makeup
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Reception Venue: Omni William Penn
Transportation: Tortorice Limousine
Videographer: All Pro Video

Lisa and Christian | Point Park Engagement Session

Lisa and Christian’s engagement session started off at Point Park, in between the spurts of rain that billowed through Pittsburgh after a conversely sunning morning! Lisa and Chris got engaged at Point Park, so this spot holds sentiment to them. The fall foliage around the park was vibrant and stunning on this day! We spent most of our time at the park, then hopped over to the North Shore by the stadiums before the skies let loose and down poured on us! We were lucky to get some great pictures in between the rain, but even *luckier* that our cars didn’t get a ticket after the rain delayed us from getting to the meter on time! Lisa and Christian got to their car right as an officer was about to issue them a ticket, but when he learned that they were downtown because of the engagement session, he tore up the ticket and sent them on their way!

Here are some of my favorites from their engagement session!

Jessica and Andy | The LeMont Wedding

“I just wanted our wedding day to be 75 degrees and sunny” Jessica tells me as we step outside to take pictures. “I can’t believe that is exactly the weather we got!” It was honestly one of the most beautiful Pittsburgh October days I can remember, and this wish-came-true couldn’t have happened to a better couple.

Jessica and Andy got married at the West End Overlook, and had their reception at the iconic and beautiful LeMont on Mt. Washington. This lovely couple had a first look at The Point (which included their cute and fluffy little pup, Leo! I am enamored with him, and swear he and Benny would be best friends.)

Even though Jessica and Andy had a first look, I will never forget the wave of emotion that captured Andy when he saw Jessica and her father walk across the park and down the aisle. Watching him hold back the tears made me tear up. His expression was almost as tender as the way he held Jessica during their first dance. Dang, I just love how you can see how much they love each other.

And Jessica, I mean. WOW. She was absolute perfection in her Hayley Paige wedding gown and Jimmy Choo wedding shoes. I just about fell over when I saw her in her dress! A goddess with the most kind and loving heart. The type of person that people flock to because she is such a sweet and fun person. I’ll never forget the opening line of her first email to me “We are looking to find a photographer who takes great photographs and will have fun with us on our wedding day!” Jessica and Andy are *such* a fun couple, and their wedding day was nothing short of amazing!

Take a look to see what I mean…

Jimmy Choo wedding shoes at the Wyndham Grand Downtown Pittsburgh

Hey there, Jimmy Choo.

The gorgeous wedding bouquets created by the talented florist, The Farmer's Daughter in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Look at that myriad of flowers! Another stunning job by The Farmer’s Daughter florist!

The bride wearing a stunning Hayley Paige Dress at The West End Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Bam. A flawless bride in a stunning Hayley Paige wedding dress.

Cake: Fenoglietto’s Wedding Cakes
Ceremony Musicians: Benjamin Meyer and Sarah Miller
Ceremony Venue: West End Overlook
DJ: DJ Underdog
Event Coordinator: Envious Events- Nicole Craig
Florist: The Farmer’s Daughter
Hair Artistry: Cardamone’s Salon– Jo Jo and Emily
Getting Ready Hotel: Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Makeup Artistry: Ashle-a Powell
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Reception Venue: The LeMont
Transportation: Molly’s Trolleys
Videographer: Filmwell Studios

Jettie and Russ | West End Overlook Engagement

Jettie and Russ’s engagement session started at the very location where they met- in the Southside at the UPMC Quantum building. Jettie saw Russ as she was walking by one day, and instantly became smitten with him! After a few more “drive bys” and a flash of her gorgeous smile, one thing led to the next, and they were eating lunch together at a local restaurant. Fast forward a few years, and this lovely couple is engaged! Their wedding is planned for June 2017 at Chartiers Country Club!

We also photographed with their dog, Dusty, who became a part of the family after Russ surprised Jettie with a surprise trip to Lancaster to pick him up! I just love photographing couples with their pets, I adore animals and know how much our furry friends are a member of the family!

After photographing in the South Side, we hopped over to the West End Park to catch a few pictures of the fall leaves, the gorgeous sunlight, and views of the city. Here are some of my favorites from their session!

engagement photography, couple, South Side, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

BAM! Look at that smile!

Wedding Date: 6/17/17
Ceremony Venue: St. Philip Church
Reception Venue: Chartiers Country Club

Kendra and Mike | North Shore Engagement Session

Kendra and Mike are a fun and down-to-earth couple, who are getting married this May in the outdoor garden at Phipps Conservatory! I knew that I liked them within the first few minutes of meeting them, and learned that we have quite a few interests in common. This couple loves to be outside, especially on their bikes, and they also love to taste craft beer. Two things that Barry and I love to do! We talked about some of our favorite bike routes around the city, and yes, some of those routes include craft beer tasting. And favorite places to grab a bite to eat!

The day couldn’t have been more beautiful for their engagement session. We started in the middle of the afternoon with a cloudless sky. I’m not the least bit afraid of photographing in the bright, midday sun- bring it! When taking pictures, bright, overhead sunlight can create challenges, but if you know how to work with the sun to use it to your advantage, you can get some amazing and diverse images. Which is exactly the end result of Kendra and Mike’s engagement session. Here are a few of my favorites!