Pittsburgh Wedding, Boudoir, Senior Photographer

Cathy and Bill | The Club at Nevillewood Wedding

Cathy and Bill’s wedding was on a day when the fall season had finally started to settle in; the air became crisp, and leaves on the trees had *just* started to turn from grass green to burnt orange and scarlet red. Cathy and her bridesmaids walked into Westminster Presbyterian Church in an excited cluster, grabbing bites of pizza, laughing, and chatting while wearing their matching “I Do” and “I Do Crew” hoodies. Excitement was in the air, and as Cathy slipped into her wedding dress and put on her finishing touches, she looked absolutely flawless. Simply a vision.

Which was exactly the thought going through Bill’s mind when he saw his bride step down the aisle! His expression transitioned from “WOW” to a huge smile as Cathy neared the front of the church. The rest of the day was such a whirlwind of bliss! Watching Cathy and Bill interact with each other, the rest of the scene just faded into the background. Their happiness, adoration, and love were so eminent the entire day- their smiles didn’t fade even once! One of my favorite parts of the day was watching Cathy and Bill slow dance during the reception- not just for the first dance, but throughout the night! They hugged tightly when they danced, closing their eyes and just relishing the moment. Multiple times throughout the day, Bill told me he was the luckiest guy in the world to have Cathy as his wife. You could see this in the way he held her as they danced, and the same could be said for how Cathy held Bill. Utter sweetness.

Take a look to see what I mean…
Dress in Window, The Club at Nevillewood Wedding, Lavender Leigh Photography
Bride Putting on Dress, The Club at Nevillewood Wedding, Lavender Leigh Photography
Bride Putting on Shoes, The Club at Nevillewood Wedding Photographer, Lavender Leigh Photography
Picture of a Bride, The Club at Nevillewood Wedding Photographer, Lavender Leigh Photography

Bride at Westminster Presbyterian Church, The Club at Nevillewood Wedding, Lavender Leigh Photography

A shout out to Bobbi who was an amazing church coordinator! She went above and beyond to help Cathy!

Bride and Groom Mingling, The Club at Nevillewood Wedding Photographer, Lavender Leigh Photography

Such a beautiful reception Room!

A quick shout out to my amazing Friendors (Friend Vendors) Mandy at Pure Beauty Makeup Artistry and Callie at Auria Salon who did an amazing job with Cathy’s beauty style! Cathy was absolute perfection on her wedding day!

Cake: Bethel Bakery
Ceremony Venue: Westminster Presbyterian Church
DJ: All Pro DJs/ Bob Harnett
Florist: Donati’s
Hair Artistry: Auria Salon, Callie
Makeup Artistry: Pure Beauty Makeup Artistry, Mandy
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Reception Venue/Coordinator: The Club at Nevillewood, Johanna Seese
Videographer: All Pro DJs

Winona and Dan | Greendance Winery Wedding

A little slice of heaven. That is what we thought of Winona and Dan’s wedding day at Greendance, the Winery at Sandhill. What started as a cloudy day turned into the sun bursting through the fields of grapevines, right in time for the wedding day to begin. The ceremony was down a winding path lined with white floral hanging baskets, in between tall and stately trees. It was right over the hill from the apple orchard. The reception was through a white picket fence on a fieldstone patio, which was adjacent to the winery. See what I mean? A little slice of heaven.

“I think he’s anxious,” Winona says to me right as we walk through the hotel door. “He told me he didn’t want to talk the night before the wedding because it’s bad luck. I had to remind him that the wives tale is not to see each other the night before the wedding for bad luck- we could still talk on the phone!” It was endearingly cute, hearing about Dan’s anticipation for the wedding day! Winona was calm and collected, and even though she admitted once to feeling antsy (who doesn’t on their wedding day?!), I would never have been able to tell! She was glowing and elegant, and her smile was as radiant as the sun.

This wedding was certainly near and dear to our heart- we photographed Dan’s brother’s wedding a few years ago (shout out to Ryan and Melanie!), and remembered his friends and family. There is something extra special about seeing familiar faces smiling back at you throughout the day!

Take a look to see what I mean…

A picture of a bride at Greendance, the winery at Sandhill

Look at this ravishing lady!!!

A picture of the groom and his brothers at Greendance, the Winery at Sandhill in Mt. Pleasant, PA

Handsome gents! Dan and his brothers.

The bride and her father walk down the winding path to the ceremony site at Greendance, the Winery at Sandhill in Mt. Pleasant Pennsylvania

A few of the processional images to set the scene…

A picture of a bride and groom at Greendance, the Winery at Sandhill in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Ah- aren’t they a model couple?!!!

A picture of the bride and groom in an orchard at Greendance, the Winery at Sandhill in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania

So. In. Love.

The bride and groom dance their first dance at Greendance, the Winery at Sandhill in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania

I just love the expressions captured during their first dance!

The bride and groom feed each other cake at their wedding reception at Greendance, the Winery at Sandhill in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania

I’ve said it before, but I love a great cake smash.

We asked Ryan to help us test the lighting. (Ryan, you didn’t think you’d get out of the blog post, did you? Missed you, Melanie!)

The bride and groom's wedding rings at Greendance, the Winery at Sandhill in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Some of my favorite wedding rings. I love that they incorporated rose gold!

Paige and Nate | Grand Concourse Wedding

“Most people say ‘Where’s the Paige I know and love?’ when I get all dressed up” Paige says to me as she hoists up the bottom of her wedding dress to climb a set of stairs. Paige, Nate, Barry, and I are right outside of The Grand Concourse photographing around Station Square. She goes on to tell me that her usual attire is not fancy but laid back, so wearing a wedding dress was completely out of her norm!

This completely resonates with how I view this couple that we’ve come to know and love. Paige and Nate are a fun-loving and laid back couple, who had a leaf throwing fight during their engagement session, and who dressed their bridal party up in naval hats and sunglasses for their wedding pictures! Paige is also a soccer player, and she kicked around the soccer ball in her wedding dress on Duquesne’s field (Paige and Nate met at Duquesne University!) Not to mention, the interlude during their first dance; Paige is from Cleveland and Nate is from Pittsburgh, so halfway through their first dance, the DJ switches music! Nate and his groomsmen taunt Paige that Pittsburgh is better than Cleveland (think Black and Yellow!) and Paige and her bridesmaids taunt Nate with the vice versa! It was honestly hysterical to watch!

The entire day was so relaxed and fun- take a look to see what I mean…

The bridesmaids are buttoning the bride's wedding dress at Sheraton Station Sqaure.

These ladies buttoned Paige’s wedding dress in 15 seconds flat! The fastest I’ve ever seen!

The bridal party watches the bride and groom have their first look at The Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The bridal party secretly watches the first look.

The bride and groom share a moment with the city of Pittsburgh in the background at the Sheraton Station Square.

One location, yet three entirely different backdrops at this spot. See pictures below…

One of my favorite expressions during the ceremony is that of the bride and groom as they take each other’s hand and step towards the officiant.

The bride and groom look at the city of Pittsburgh from the West End Overlook

One of the best views in the city!

The photographer poses the bridal party at the Duquesne University field.

We hopped all around the city for pictures! Here’s a behind the scenes at Duquesne University.

The bride kicks around a soccer ball on the Duquesne University soccer field

Love this girl!

Bride and groom's first dance at their wedding reception at The Grand Concourse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Just about now they were singing “Black and Yellow, Black and Yellow!”

Cake: Bethel Bakery
Ceremony site: The West End Overlook
DJ: DJ Nameless (Arron Howard)
Florist: Blumengarten Florist
Hair Artistry: Karen Smyth
Hotel: Sheraton Station Square
Makeup Artistry: Classic Hair and Makeup
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Reception Venue: The Grand Concourse
Transportation: Molly’s Trolleys
Videographer: JHC Videography

Named Top Wedding Photographer to Follow in 2016!

Woo-hoo! We were picked as one of the Best Wedding Photographers to Follow in 2016! Click on this link to read more!

http://www.creditdonkey.com/wedding-photographers.html#pennsylvania

Tracey and Ross | The Gathering Place Wedding

We step out of the car at The Gathering Place on a cloudless day , and it just feels so different than the hustle and bustle that usually occurs on wedding days. We take a few steps away from the car and see a serene lake, with a few birds flying overhead and no other people in sight. It is quiet and extremely peaceful. There are no sounds of city traffic because we are 45 miles from Pittsburgh. Just the breeze, the birds, and a fish or two surfacing the lake. To our left is a beautiful and modern log cabin, where the ladies are getting ready. To our right are the ceremony and the reception sites, all within walking distance. We almost felt like we were on a spa retreat, it was so calm! Which set the tone perfectly for Tracey and Ross’s beautiful wedding day.

Tracey and Ross make such a sweetheart of a couple. Tracey has the most giving of hearts, and she always has a smile on her face and a patient demeanor. Ross has a gentle and calm personality, and he just adores Tracey. It was so special to witness the marriage of these two!

What made the day even more special was experiencing the little signs of love that Tracey’s grandmother left throughout the day (sadly, her grandmother is no longer with us.) Tracey was very close to her grandmother, who loved butterflies. In honor of her grandmother, Tracey and Ross released butterflies right after they said their vows. It was a beautiful sight to see a dozen monarchs lift to the sky in unison. Oddly, the last one did not fly away but landed on Tracey and stayed with her for a few seconds! This, and also that a white dove, which had never been seen on the property before, nested itself right near the log cabin where Tracey was getting ready that day. We all were certain these were signs that her grandmother was with her on her special day.

Take a look to see what I mean…

The Gathering Place, Darlington PA, log cabin, lake, wedding, ceremony, getting ready location, photographer, Pittsburgh

The ladies’ getting ready location

The Gathering Place, Darlington PA, log cabin, lake, wedding, ceremony, getting ready location, photographer, Pittsburgh, ceremony site, reception venue, lake

The ceremony and reception sites.

A summer wedding ceremony at The Gathering Place, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A sign from Tracey’s grandmother

wedding shoes, The Gathering Place, Darlington PA, log cabin, lake, wedding, ceremony, getting ready location, photographer, Pittsburgh

Ah- just look at the bling on Tracey’s shoes! A woman after my own heart.

The Gathering Place, Darlington PA, log cabin, lake, wedding, ceremony, getting ready location, photographer, Pittsburgh, engagement, wedding, photos

Just look at this Goddess!

Darlington PA, log cabin, lake, wedding, ceremony, getting ready location, photographer, Pittsburgh, engagement, wedding, photos

I love sweet moments with parents.

Darlington PA, log cabin, lake, wedding, ceremony, getting ready location, photographer, Pittsburgh, engagement, photo, picture, Pennsylvania

This moment was magical.

Darlington PA, log cabin, lake, wedding, ceremony, getting ready location, photographer, Pittsburgh, engagement, photo, picture, Pennsylvania, The Gathering Place

I love a good cake smash.

Barry likes to find unique places to put the wedding rings.

Cake: Colleen Butker
Caterer: Pete Medure- Medure’s
Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Gathering Place at Darlington Lake
DJ: Todd Karpa, AvaRocK Entertainment
Event Coordinator: Joshua Jack/ Danny Haas
Florist: Songs From the Garden
Hair Artistry: MirorMax Salon
Makeup Artistry: Brittney Morgan- Mac Cosmetics
Photographer: Lavender Leigh

Cathy and Bill | The Club at Nevillewood Wedding

Winona and Dan | Greendance Winery Wedding

Paige and Nate | Grand Concourse Wedding

Named Top Wedding Photographer to Follow in 2016!

Tracey and Ross | The Gathering Place Wedding

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leigh@lavenderleigh.com