"Stephen and I grew up surrounded by the beauty of western Pennsylvania and met at a small private college north of Pittsburgh. Having both lived just outside of the city, we felt it was fitting to be married in our hometown and in the same chapel in which my parents said their vows - Heinz Chapel, a Pittsburgh landmark. In true Pittsburgh fashion, a spring thunderstorm rolled in only an hour before our ceremony, but it only reassured me of good luck. Sheltered and surrounded by the historic, French Gothic beauty of the chapel, our ceremony set the tone for our classic, yet unique inspiration, as there were two officiants - a priest and a minister - representing our beautiful union of two individuals.
After the pronouncement of man and wife, our reception followed in the homey atmosphere of the The Pittsburgh Golf Club. The combination of our venue and the ambiance of the city created an intimate and uniquely elegant theme. Our wedding had all the classic undertones of a fresh spring wedding with hints of vintage grace, as I introduced elements of hobnob vases, flittering candlelight, and small sashes of lace throughout the Golf Club. I wanted to make sure that every guest felt as comfortable, fun and relaxed as I did. Small, golden Baroque style picture frames were placed throughout the living room of the reception area and filled with photographs of our parents and grandparents’ weddings - a precious legacy for us. Likewise, a grand piano served as the memory table, with pictures of those we wished could celebrate our wonderful day alongside us. We also included a gigantic cookie table, a long-standing Pittsburgh tradition. Our friends and family had baked delicious cookies for days before and our guests couldn’t wait for dessert. (Even I may have snuck some out in my clutch!) Our evening was more than incredible, ending with a magical sparkler send-off. Fittingly, our day was inspired by my love of history and tradition and proved to be timeless. We couldn’t have asked for anything better!" -bride & groom
Wedding planning advice: I'm no wedding expert, but I definitely had a unique situation. My fiancé was out of the country at medical school the entire time our wedding was being planned. So even though planning my wedding wasn't as romantic as I imagined it gave me the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my friends and family. My mother really stepped up and helped with all of the little details. I also had my sister and bridesmaids accept different tasks to go to all the different dress fittings and appointments with me. I used different girls creativity and organization skills as well to lighten my load. I learned very early on that I couldn't do this all by myself, and that things would work themselves out. Having everyone help made planning for my wedding so much fun because it brought me closer to so many different people. I loved getting to know my family and friends that way, and I am so thankful for all their help.
