Pittsburgh Wedding, Boudoir, Senior Photographer

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 Downtown Pittsburgh

Jimmy Choo wedding shoes at the Wyndham Grand Downtown Pittsburgh

Hey there, Jimmy Choo.

The gorgeous Hayley Paige wedding dress hangs in the city window.
The wedding present from the groom: a David Yurman bracelet.

The bride has her makeup done by Ashle-A-Powell

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!

Point Park Engagement Session, Wedding Photographer, Lavender Leigh Photography

Oi! That smile! <3

This may be one of my favorite images. Ever.

Thanks for trusting us to capture your wedding and engagement photos, Kendra and Mike! We are looking forward to May!!!

Wedding Date: 5/28/17
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden

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…

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…