Pittsburgh Wedding, Boudoir, Senior Photographer

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…
A lace and ruffle wedding dress hanging in a window.
The bride's shoes, Chanel perfume, and rings
The bride and a bridesmaid get their hair and makeup done on a wedding day.
The bride and her bridesmaids had a lovely view of Pittsburgh as they got ready for the wedding day.
The Mother of the Bride helps her put on her wedding dress

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

Kristina and Scott | City Engagement Session

Kristina and Scott’s engagement session took place on a day that started off with bright sunshine, and then rolling thunder and lightning crept in from the distance. We had a mix of sunshine and clouds, which made for some diverse picture backdrops!

This couple braved the rain that had settled in halfway through the session- they were not afraid of getting a little wet! Fortunately, when the rain began, we had umbrellas as protection, and we also photographed under the overhangs at PNC Park. Which was actually the perfect setting because, it was at PNC Park where Kristina and Scott agreed to go on their first date (Kristina told Scott “if the Pirates win, I’ll go on a date with you!”)

This beautiful couple is getting married in April of next year, with a wedding ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral, and a reception at the Omni William Penn. We are incredibly excited for their wedding! We photographed Kristina’s brother’s wedding and engagement a few years ago, so it will be very special to see her family again, and get to know Scott’s family, too!

Here are some of my favorites from their engagement session!

Risa and Andy | Seven Springs Wedding

The first time I met Risa and Andy, it was at their engagement session. I remember noting how incredibly kind and laid back they are, and honestly just adored Risa’s constant smile as she walked alongside Andy. Risa and Andy love animals- we photographed their engagement session with their dog, Luna, and I also got a few images with Risa and her cat, Nola, on her wedding day! If you know me, you know that I love animals, so photographing an amazing couple and their pets on their wedding day was a triple win for me!

Risa and Andy also love to be outdoors- their first date was hiking at Cucumber Falls, and their proposal happened on the way home from their adventure-filled weekend of hiking and canoeing at Deep Creek. So naturally, the woodsy wonder of Seven Springs Mountain Resort was the perfect setting for Risa and Andy’s wedding day.

What I loved most about their wedding day was watching the subtle gestures of affection between Andy and Risa. The long hug that they shared during the first look. How Andy took Risa’s hand as she teared up during the ceremony. How Risa’s happiness came out in smiles and laughs as we took her pictures with Andy. A gesture can be small but still speak volumes.

A *close* second favorite moment was when the bridesmaid’s serenaded Risa and Andy as we started their portraits. There we were, on the top of a mountain, just Risa, Andy, Barry, and me. Out of nowhere, the bridesmaids step out of the shuttle in the distance, and start to sing “A Whole New World.” Naturally, we all laugh. Better yet, Andy decides to add to the romantic ambiance and starts to run around like a bird taking flight! I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard! Such a fun couple. Such a fun bridal party, too!

Take a look to see what I mean…