Pittsburgh Wedding, Boudoir, Senior Photographer

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…

<alt>the priory Pittsburgh wedding by lavender leigh photography</alt>

Cake: Prantl’s
Ceremony Musician: Steven Vance Violins
Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Priory
Entertainment: Steven Vance Entertainment
Florist: Creative Designs by Val
Hair Artistry: Brooke Rockwell Design
Invitation: Truly Engaging
Makeup Artistry: Missi Barone (MAC Cosmetics)
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Wedding Gown: Maggie Sottero

Alyssa and Zack | Wyndham Grand Wedding

What started as a competitive first date ended up in a whirlwind of romance and love.

Alyssa and Zack went on a hike for their first date, and while they were enjoying each other’s company, each person subconsciously tried to walk a little more swiftly than the other. By the end of the first mile, they realized what had happened, and laughed about how tired they were and how they had to take a break!

Laughter is an abundant expression of just how much Alyssa and Zack love each other. When I photographed their engagement session, I don’t think that there was even a minute when a smile wasn’t present on their faces. They were so cute together, saying things under their breath to make each other laugh during their unchoreographed hugs and kisses. Joyous laughter was also present on their wedding day, well, with the exception of when Zack saw Alyssa walking down the aisle. He was so struck with awe of his bride, and so excited to become married to her, happy tears kept trickling down his face, throughout the ceremony. Alyssa helped to wipe them (sigh!)

During the ceremony, if one watched closely, Alyssa looked into Zack’s eyes and kept quietly saying “I love you” as he was speaking his vows. At the end of the night, after all was said and done, we walked outside to get a picture of Alyssa and Zack with the city skyline in the background. In between each photo, Alyssa kept whispering about just how happy she was. The entire day was endearing, and it makes me so happy to witness one of the sweetest couples in the world become married.

Scroll through the images of Alyssa and Zack’s wedding day to see what I mean…

<alt>wyndham grand wedding by lavender leigh photography</alt>

<alt>wyndham grand pittsburgh wedding by lavender leigh photography</alt>

Cake: Bethel Bakery
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Wyndham Grand Hotel
Cookie Table Decor: Here for the Cookie Table
Entertainment: Bachelor Boys
Event Coordinator: Wanderlust Weddings + Events
Hair & Makeup Artistry: JL Makeup Studio
Invitation: Oh Joyful Day
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Wedding Dress: Bridal Beginnings

Sam and Zach | The Harper Event Venue Wedding

It is the ultimate form of flattery when you meet and work with another creative while photographing a wedding, and then that person comes back and asks you to photograph their wedding!

We met Zach last year at Morgan and Mark’s wedding (Hi, Morgan and Mark!) He and his counterpart Dustin were the videographers, and Barry and I were the photographers. As you may guess, videographers and photographers work closely together throughout the wedding day. Not only did we work well together, but we also really liked them as people.

So, I was elated when Zach later contacted me about photographing his and Sam’s wedding! And, what a day their wedding was!

It was a day truly encompassing love and laughter. Zach’s father Keith, who was also the officiant, led the procession, and Zach and his mother followed closely down the aisle. When it was Sam’s turn, the second that Zach caught sight of her, his eyes welled up with tears. It was different than any other expression that I’ve seen when the groom sees his bride for the first time (in a good way). I couldn’t pinpoint it at the time, but reflecting upon it now, his emotion created its own energy, and if it could speak, it would have said something along the lines of “I’d do absolutely anything in this world for her.”

Their ceremony was amazing; Keith told heartfelt stories and sprinkled in some humor that got everyone laughing in between the vows and rings. Instead of a sand ceremony (when the bride and groom pour different colored sand into a jar as a symbol of their union), Zach and Sam poured different liquors into a shaker and had a custom cocktail made, to which they toasted to their union in front of their beloved guests.

I could go on and on about the rest of their ceremony and reception, but I realize how long-winded I have become. So without further adieu, here is the story of Sam and Zach’s wedding day…

<alt>the Harper Room Pennsylvania wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

<alt>the Harper Event Venue Pennsylvania wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography</alt>

the Harper Event Venue Pennsylvania wedding by Lavender Leigh Photography

<alt>the harper event venue pennsylvania, images by lavender leigh photography</alt>

Meghan and Lance | Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe Wedding

Her sleek and elegant wedding dress floated around the dance floor as she was being twirled and dipped throughout their flawlessly executed first dance. Meghan and Lance had a choreographed dance, and, being the first of many collaborative moments after becoming Mr. and Mrs., they passed with flying colors. It was incredibly endearing to watch them sing their first dance song together, to see their smiles shine during a spin or a dip, and also to see them count together to align their dancing steps.

Every step of the day was chock-full of endearing and fun moments. Whether is was witnessing her father’s expression as she wowed him during her reveal, seeing the bridesmaids’ emotions of amazement and happy tears after first seeing Meghan in her dress, watching Lance double over in laughter when what he thought was the first look ended up being his friend in a wedding dress instead of Meghan, or watching Lance smile from ear to ear once he actually saw Meghan during the real first look.

Take a scroll through these images to see the story of Meghan and Lance’s wedding day…