Pittsburgh Wedding, Boudoir, Senior Photographer

Our Trip to Croatia Part 1: Two if by Sea

It was about this time last year when I was searching and searching for our next adventure. I went through magazines, blog posts, social media, and books. Nothing was inspiring me enough to take the plunge and plan a trip.

Price was certainly a factor, and knowing where to look for travel deals is imperative! Travelzoo.com has been one of my go-to websites for our trips, and within a week, I found two different vacation deals to Croatia.

Knowing that Barry is part Croatian, this destination piqued my interest. The fact that I found two amazing deals to Croatia in one week, well, it seemed like fate! As quickly as I could blink, I secured both travel deals. Off we were to Croatia!

To say that Croatia is a lovely country is quite the understatement. The views of both land and sea are exquisite.

The sea is more beautiful than the best I’ve seen in the Caribbean. The bright turquoise water softly fades into a vibrant cobalt blue, with not a trace of seaweed. The water is clear and calm, and feels incredibly safe. You can see directly below you just about everywhere you swim.

The cities are impeccably clean and inviting, and boast beautiful history and architecture. Croatians are the most friendly people that we’ve encountered in any European country! And Croatian food and wine ranks up there with the best.

Today’s blog post focuses on our time during our 36-person cruise to seaside Croatian towns. Tomorrow’s blog post will focus on the fabulous “land” adventures that we experienced on the days leading up to and also after our cruise.

Our Croatian Cruise

This cruise holds such a special place in our hearts, and although every part of the vacation was phenomenal, the cruise was the highlight of our trip! Not only did we get to see the dynamic landscape and culture of this country, but we also had one-of-a-kind excursions, and also the privilege of swimming in the nooks and crannies of hidden coves along the turquoise sea!

Aside from absolutely loving our cruise experiences, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much we adored our cruise friends There were about 36 of us total; Barry and I were the only Americans. The majority of our cruise friends were from Australia, but there were others from Scotland and New Zealand, to name a few (shout out to all of our cruise friends if you are reading this! <3) In one week, we created many friendships from these folks, ones that we hope to have forever.

As an added bonus, during the cruise I learned a thing or two about Australian speak; they love to shorten their words, and also have some pretty funny (to me) phraseology:
Brekkie= Breakfast
Chippies= French fries
Baz= Barry
Hundreds and thousands= Rainbow sprinkles
Keen as mustard= Smitten
When I fall off the perch= When I keel over
Shove it up your clacker= (You can guess that one)

Lastly, the crew of our ship were absolutely fantastic! They were attentive, kind, and personable. I will post their pictures below. They went above and beyond to ensure that our experience was top-notch. If you want to take an amazing cruise around Croatia, book Zantium Travel. Our boat was named Suzana, and it was luxurious, clean and impeccable!

To begin with, here are a few images of our cruise ship, Suzana.

Cruise Day 1: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is known as “The Pearl of the Adriatic.” The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage protected sight. Many scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed in this city.

Look how clean and shiny the Old Town of Dubrovnik is!

Specific scenes where GOT was filmed in Dubrovnik…

The bars lining the steps of “The Walk of Shame” playfully named some of their drinks as such.

Cruise Day 2: Slano

Slano is a charming coastal town in the Dubrovnik Riviera.

Fun times with our new cruise friends on the way to an oyster farm.

A glimpse of a day in the life at an oyster farm in Slano, specifically in the town of Ston. Oyster farming has been a tradition here for over two thousand years! We had our fill of oysters and wine after being given a demonstration.

Cruise Day 3: Mljet

Mljet is an island that is densely forested and thick with flora and fauna and well known for its two lakes.

A Benedictine Monastery on the Isle of St. Mary in Mljet.

Two cell phone snaps! Biking around Mljet with two of our cruise friends after visiting the monastery.

Cruise Day 4: Korc֡ula

The island of Korc֡ula is the birthplace of Marco Polo. It lies just off of the Dalmatian coast and produces the delightful white wine, Grk, which is not exported due to limited production.

We had a delightful tour around the city, learning about the stories and legends of Marco Polo. This was one of his “mistresses” whom which we responded to with “Yes, Mistress!”

Barry and I walking via the tour through Korc֡ula. Cell snap from my cruise friend, Lisa (thanks, Lisa!)

Korc֡ula was part of the Venetian empire from 1420 until just before 1800. Above are Venetian symbols which can be found all over the Old Town. These are called the Lions of St. Mark.

The entryway to St. Mark’s Cathedral is framed by statues of Adam and Eve, and also lions. If you look closely at Adam and Eve on either side of the archway…well… they were sculpted purposefully to make it look as if they are peeing!

A main street in Korc֡ula , with eateries and sweeping views of the sea. So, of course, we had to enjoy some of the local wine.

The views as we drank wine by the sea in Korc֡ula…

Cruise Day 5: Vis

Vis is the furthest Croatian inhabited island from the coast. It was formerly a naval military base, which cut off tourism from the 1950s until 1989. This helped to preserve the authentic architecture of the town.

The island’s port lines one of the main streets of the town in Vis. But, it didn’t seem overly crowded despite the fact that a few much larger cruise lines were there at the same time as us.

We scooted up the mountain and then back down the mountain towards Vidović Winery. It was a quaint and lovely winery, and we also met the owners! They made some traditional bites for us to eat, too! See below!

The lovely owners of Vidović Winery How cute are they?!

Viska pogaca, a traditional Croatian appetizer consisting of dough that is like focaccia, filled with anchovies, onions and olive oil.

Homemade lavender shortbread cookies and the best fresh figs that I will ever eat in my life!

Goodbye, Vidović Winery! We had a lovely afternoon visiting!

A view on the way back from the winery, scooting down the mountain and back towards our cruise ship.

Here is the before and after of our dinner that evening, a scorpionfish. As you may have guessed, fresh fish is an abundant food in Croatia. When we asked for the chef’s recommendation of the daily catch, multiple times we were told to order the scorpionfish. So, we listened to the recommendations. After reading more about the scorpionfish, we learned that it is a deadly fish due to the venom in their spine. Fortunately, it was prepared perfectly, and we survived!

Cruise Day 6: The Blue Cave then onward to Stari Grad, on Hvar Island

Bright and early on Day 6, we departed our ship by a small boat to see the Blue Cave. Here is our cruise crew watching us leave.

The Blue Cave is a remarkable cave near Vis, and it is only accessible by boat via a tiny opening on one side of the cave. The bright blue color is in result of sunlight hitting the white sandy bottom of the cave and creating a vibrant, iridescent blue effect.

Stari Grad on Hvar Island

Stari Grad is one of the oldest towns in Europe. It has a bustling harbor, with many shops and restaurants. The agricultural landscape of the Stari Grad Plain was developed in the 4th Century BC by Greek inhabitants, with old stone walls still lining this plain. It is a UNESCO World Heritage protected site.

To my enjoyment, there were friendly cats everywhere! Can you spot them lounging amongst the construction?

That evening, we drove to the Stari Grad Plain and visited the Hora farmstead. It was a dream come true; imagine eating dinner amongst fields of lavender and olive trees!

Walking down the driveway to our dinner spot…

We were given the background of a peka dinner, which is a traditional meal with meat and vegetables prepared in a pot and roasted for hours over coals on an open fire.

The above shows the making of peka. The below shows the finished product!

Sunset on the farm with a glass of wine in hand. Does it get any better?

Our beloved cruise group after dinner. Barry and I feel very lucky to have made so many friends!

Cruise Day 7: Split
Split is the largest city on the Dalmatian coast and the second largest city in Croatia, right behind the capital, Zagreb.

Upon landing in Split, we were given a tour of the Old Town, specifically in the Diocletian’s Palace.

A legit sphinx from Egypt is inside the palace. This is the only one of twelve sphinxes that was brought to Split from Egypt and is still standing. **This sphinx dates back to the date of 1479 to 1425 BC**!

You can take pictures with the “soldiers” within the palace.

This is the statue of Gregory Nin, who is known for defending the Croatian culture in the medieval days. It is superstition that if you rub his big toe, your wish will be granted. His toe has been rubbed so many times, that it is now more of a golden color rather than the rest of the statue, which is deep bronze in color. I didn’t crop the woman out of the picture so you can see the statue’s scale.

Peeking into a store in the Old Town of Split.

Views on the ship throughout our week-long cruise

Anchoring for a swim stop above, then fun swim stop shenanigans below!

Our Phenomenal Cruise Crew…

Thank you to our fantastic cruise crew who made our trip so special! A big shout out to our leader, Ivan, for the information and guidance. You are all wonderful!

A few cell snaps of Barry and me…
Thanks to our cruise friends for capturing some of these moments for Barry and me!

Final parting words on our room’s window from my cruise friend, Chez. I love you too, Chez!!!

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s blog post, Our Trip to Croatia Part II: Two if by Land

Richelle and Lenny | Mellon Park Engagement Session

“I like to fish,” Richelle remarked to me as she, Lenny, and I walked around Mellon Park for their engagement session. “I am usually the one who hooks the worm to the fishing line, actually!” This statement may not seem like a big deal to her, but I can barely muster the thought of touching a slimy worm and sticking a hook through it. I give her a lot of credit!

Actually, a fishing trip was exactly when Lenny proposed to Richelle! Right before they hit the lake, Lenny popped the question. In a turn of events, the excitement of their engagement ended up cutting the fishing trip short, as they wanted to get back and share their exciting news!

Here we are, a little less than a year out from their big day, and I am so excited to share some images from this lovely couple’s engagement session. Richelle and Lenny are getting married in October of 2024 at the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens. We couldn’t be more excited for their big day!

<alt>Mellon Park Pittsburgh Engagement Session by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

Katie and Tommy | Club at Blackthorne Wedding

Talk about a wedding with details that boasted the beautiful colors and textures of autumn! Katie and Tommy’s wedding had a glam boho-chic theme; it mixed the warm colors of blush, rust and cream, had touches of wispy-feathered florals, all topped off with a shimmering bride from head to toe!

Katie’s two-piece blush-colored wedding attire had so many special details to it; both her dress and veil were sprinkled with sparkles that looked like silver glitter, and her rhinestone tiara completed the glimmer effect. Her princess-puffed sleeves on her wedding dress rounded out this very romantic look.

Tommy was completely mesmerized by his romantically shimmered bride as she floated down the aisle. You could see that he was quietly holding back his tears so he wouldn’t completely lose it altogether.

Katie and Tommy had a few romantically quiet moments together on their wedding day. The way that they looked at each other when they said their vows, it was as if the rest of the world had slipped away and it was just the two of them at the altar. When it was sunset, we had stepped outside to get a picture of them with the ombre pink-to-orange sky, and they took a quiet moment with each other to enjoy these lovely colors. They remarked that they saw this same amazing sunset the first time that they visited their wedding venue, the Club at Blackthorne. And lastly, at the end of the night, they had an intimate “last dance” together. After all of the guests had left the reception, they slowly swayed to the song “Your Song” by Elton John. It was so sweet to see Katie laying her head on Tommy’s chest, truly soaking in the sentiment and romance of the moment.

Take a look to see what I mean…

<the Club at Blackthorne wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

<alt>The Club at Blackthorne Wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

<alt>The Club at Blackthorne Wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt><alt>The Club at Blackthorne Wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

Cake: Moio’s
Caterer: Bistro To Go
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Club at Blackthorne
DJ: 2nd II None
Flatware/Dishes: Eventioneers
Florist: The Copper Petal
Hair Artistry: Step Up Styles
Invitation Provider: Truly Engaging
Limo: Elite Coach
Linens: Lendable Linens
Makeup: Glam By Karly
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Photo Booth: Elite Casino Events

Becca and Andrew | Heinz History Center Wedding

“Oh, let me help you with that!” Becca said to me as I was moving the hotel room’s coffee table, attempting to make more room as I was taking pictures. Here she was, on the biggest day of her life, and instead of popping open a bottle of champagne and celebrating, Becca wanted to help me move the hotel room furniture around. That’s just a small example of Becca’s big heart.

And, she was marrying a guy with an equally big heart. When the toasts that evening focused on Andrew being a hero to his brothers, and Becca’s sister looking up to her because she always puts other people before herself, you fully understand that Becca and Andrew are the type of people who better your life just by being in it.

The enamor that Becca and Andrew have for one another is undeniable. They decided to do a first look, and the second that Andrew turned around, he literally doubled over because he was so amazed at his beautiful bride. As the rain lightly misted, Becca and Andrew sat on a park bench and read private vows to each other, laughing, crying, and squeezing each other’s hand. Alongside the sweet emotions these two express towards one another, they also have a laid-back and goofy side, one that was entertaining to watch throughout their day. Take a look at how they greeted their guests at the beginning of their ceremony to see what I mean!

Lastly, I don’t know who was more excited to see Becca walking down the aisle; either Andrew or their dog Snoop, who sat with anticipation at the front.

As you scroll through the story of their wedding day, look closely to see some of the below unique details (it’s like Where’s Waldo!)

-Antique artifacts in the bouquets and reception decor
-Customized suits, including the interior of the coats.
-A Steelers vs. Bengals football rivalry.
-A photo-bombing pigeon.
-Items handmade by Becca’s sister, Rachel:

Cookies that were created to replicate the exact dresses and suits worn by Becca and the bridal party.
The wedding cake with a Snoop Dogg appearance.
The paper crane wall with 1,000 hand-folded paper cranes, and paper cranes sprinkled throughout the reception venue.

<alt>Heinz History Center wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

Heinz History Center wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography

<alt>Heinz History Center wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt><alt>Heinz History Center wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

<alt>heinz history center wedding by lavender leigh photography<alt>v

Cake: Rachel VanRyzin
Caterer: Common Plea Catering
Ceremony Music: Kyle Hackett and Bachelor Boys
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Heinz History Center
Cookies: Rachel VanRyzin (Wedding Dress/ Bridal Party Cookies) and friends/ family of the bride
Event Coordinator: Olive + Rose Event Planning and Designs
Florals: Julie James Design
Hair Artistry: Simply Captivating Salon
Invitation Provider: Zola
Makeup Artistry: JL Makeup Studio and Boutique
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Reception Entertainment: Bachelor Boys
Videographer: Bachelor Boys
Wedding Dress: Bridal Beginning

Keeley and Kyle | The Priory Wedding

When I was asked if their three cats could be incorporated into their engagement photos, I knew that I would click well with Keeley and Kyle! And it didn’t stop there! Having pictures taken with their cats on their wedding day was also the priority. I mean, how can you blame them? Not only are their cats super cute, but they each have such adorable and distinctive personalities. You can gather this from their expressions in the photos that we took.

And you can see just how much Keeley and Kyle adore their fur kids; the huge smiles that they have in the pictures are a testament of their elation. A big part of their elation also stems from their adoration for each other. There were little moments throughout their wedding day when I would catch Keeley flash the brightest smile when she looked at Kyle, especially when they were saying their vows in front of a glittering backdrop during the ceremony. And Kyle, well, no words can really do it justice when trying to describe his dear expression when he looks at his bride. You can tell that he feels like the luckiest guy in the world to be marrying the love of his life.

Speaking of love, Keeley and Kyle have a strong bond with their families, and all members were close to them during every stage of the day. It was very special when Kyle’s father and Keeley’s mother each gave a heartwarming toast to them! It really tugged on my heartstrings when Kyle rounded out the toasts specifically toasting to Keeley, and just how much she means to him.

Take a look to see what I mean…