Katie + Nate: Westminster College Wedding Photos

A Pennsylvania late-November wedding can sometimes take a turn for the worst in regards to weather, but Katie and Nate's November day is what every couple prays and hopes for! Katie and Nate tied the knot at Westminster College (where they met!) in Wallace Memorial chapel on a beautifully sunny day. They incorporated SO MANY personal details into their wedding day, from the flowers to the cocktail hour food! Some of my personal favorite details include:

• Flowers by her uncle, who just so happens to be a florist!
• Photos in front of the residence hall (Shaw) where they first met (adorable)!
• Nate (the groom) wore his grandfather's cuff links and watch.
• Katie wrapped a piece of her childhood blanket around her floral bouquet.
• Each groomsman had his favorite sports team on his socks!
• The kielbasa at the reception was made by Nate’s family and the applesauce is Katie’s grandfather’s recipe.
• Nate knew from the first time he tasted the pepperoni rolls Katie made him while watching a Steeler game together, that he was in trouble - they were served during the cocktail hour!

All parts of their wedding day were absolutely beautiful and so heartfelt! Congratulations on your marriage, Katie and Nate! We were so honored to be a part of your day!

Vendors:

Ceremony: Wallace Memorial Chapel (Westminster College)

Reception: Palermo Center

Getting Ready Location: The Jacqueline House

Bride's Dress: Morilee

Bridesmaid Dresses: Morilee

Hair & Makeup: Rebecca's Salon

Tuxes/Suites: Joseph A. Bank

DJ: Andy Borts

Flowers: Mike Zimmerman (bride's uncle!)

Caterer: Monica's Catering

Cake: Jessica Kennedy

Desserts: Hermitage Bakery & Garder Pie Company

Videographer: Peter Chace

Honeymoon: Sunday Night Football - Steelers vs. Packers

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Amy + Mike: Cool Springs Banquet Hall Wedding Photos

You might remember Amy and Mike from their sweet summer engagement session at Phipp's Conservatory earlier this year, but if you don't, you can check it out here! Amy and Mike tied the knot on a rainy November day, but these two were so focused on the joy of the day that it seems they barely noticed! (Also - there were LOTS of great little nooks that hid us from the rain around Mt. Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian!)

These two had an intimate first look before their wedding ceremony between just the two of them, then a ceremony at the church and a reception at Cool Springs Banquet Hall! Every part of their day was infused with joy and love, not to mention tons of cookies and dancing! Congratulations on your marriage, Amy and Mike! It was an honor to be a part of your day!

Vendors:

Bride’s Dress: The Winner

Hair and Makeup for the Bride: (cousin of the bride) Alyssa Stipanovich

Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse

Ceremony: Mt. Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Reception: Cool Springs Banquet Hall

Band/DJ: Carroll DJ Services

Flowers: Donati Florist

Caterer: Ches Anthony

Cake/Desserts: Bethel Bakery

Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Second Photographer: Sara Dinwiddie

Best of Wedding Couple Photos, 2017 Edition

It's no secret that one of the best parts of the wedding day to any photographer is the bride & groom portrait section of the day! Often times, that's when the magic happens and when we get to connect with our clients, giving them images to cherish for a lifetime together. This year's "Best of Wedding Couple Photos" from JHP includes photos from 25 different weddings, featuring 25 very different and wonderful couples in 4 different states (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Michigan)! I have been blessed by each and every couple who has given me the honor of being a part of their wedding day. Thank you for the incredible blessing of photographing one of the most important days of your lives!

And without further ado - here are a few of my favorites from this year!

Ashley + Rob: Phipp's Conservatory Wedding Photos

This wedding is a killer venue combination - St. Bernard's Church in Mt. Lebanon paired with Phipp's Conservatory & Botanical Garden made for the most beautiful match for this true Pittsburgh wedding! As did Ashley and Rob, of course, who make such a sweet pair! Ashley and Rob actually found me through Ashley's mom, Elaine, who I used to serve weddings with at the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Township! For someone to trust me with their child's wedding photos is a HUGE honor, and one I don't take likely, so first I have to thank my sweet friend Elaine for the opportunity to document this incredible wedding day, and to Ashley and Rob for trusting me with their photos!

Ashley and Rob had a sweet, emotional first look, which allowed them to see each other and talk before the ceremony (first looks are always one of my favorite parts of a wedding day!). After a beautiful ceremony at St. Bernard's we headed right over to Phipp's Conservatory to catch the last of the evening light before cocktail hour and a reception with a classic Pittsburgh cookie table! Congratulations on your wedding and on your marriage, Ashley and Rob! Here's to many more years of happiness!

Vendors:

Ceremony: St. Bernard Catholic Church

Reception: Phipp's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Bride’s Dress: Maggie Sottero

Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Sung

Hair: Salon Vivace

Makeup: Salon Vivace

Tuxes: Jos. A. Bank

Band/DJ: 2nd II None

Flowers: Mt. Lebanon Floral Shop

Caterer: Sodexo Catering – Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Cake/Desserts: Bella Christie and Lil Z's Sweet Boutique

Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Honeymoon: Italy & Germany

Victoria + Anthony: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Wedding Reception

These two epically celebrated their wedding by tying the knot in New York City surrounded by their closest friends and family, then came back to Pittsburgh to celebrate with extended family and even more friends! I was so honored to document part two of their wedding celebration in Pittsburgh at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in McCandless.

There were so many heartfelt details included in their wedding reception! My absolute FAVORITE thing about their reception was Victoria's surprise for her groom, Anthony. Anthony's friend from the Air Force was unable to make it to their NYC wedding, and as far as Anthony knew, unable to make it to their Pittsburgh Reception. But Victoria surprised Anthony by organizing a surprise homecoming - and his reaction was just the best!! It was a complete surprise - there was barely a dry eye in the room!

And of course, there's hardly a wedding that includes a dog in bridal portraits that I don't love!! Stella, Victoria's dog of nine years, made a guest appearance for photos, and she was just the sweetest thing.

Victoria and Anthony, it was an honor to photograph this reception for you! Thank you both for the incredible honor of capturing part two in your wedding story!

Vendors:

Reception Venue: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Becca + Frank: Camelot Banquet Hall Wedding Photos

Where to begin with these two?! I am beyond thankful for the time I was able to spend with Becca and Frank on their wedding day in October! They had one of the most BEAUTIFUL fall days of the entire year, and without a doubt, the bright sun matched their joyful love to a T!

Becca started out the day getting ready at her parents house in Cranberry Township, with Frank and the groomsmen getting ready at a nearby hotel. After, they both headed over to St. Ferdinand's Catholic Church for a ceremony, then we stopped at the Cranberry Township park for some photos with killer light, then headed over to the Camelot Banquet Hall in Warrendale for a reception full of dancing! I love the fact that everything took place within Cranberry Township - I know the area super well because those were my stomping grounds growing up (and let's be real, now too!).

One of my favorite parts of Becca and Frank's wedding day was during the ceremony. The priest mentioned that Becca and Frank's NFL football teams, the Saints and the Lions, were playing each other the very next day, which I thought was too amazing to be a coincidence! I always view those "coincidences" as little confirmations that what's happening is most certainly supposed to be.

Becca and Frank, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your wedding day! It was truly an honor to take these images for you!

Vendors:

Bride’s Dress: Casablanca bought from Mary’s Bridal in Beaver Falls

Bride’s Shoes: Elegant Park (from Amazon)

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff and Christina Wu (maids of honor)

Custom Invitation Suite: Paper by JLee

Hair: Profiles Salon

Makeup: Rachel Dadey (bridesmaid and amazing makeup artist!)

Tuxes: Top Hat Tuxedo in Fox Chapel

Ceremony Venue: St. Ferdinand's Catholic Church

Reception Venue: Camelot Banquet Hall

Band/DJ: Kevin Burkholder from First Class Entertainment

Flowers: All Occasion Silk Creations

Caterer: The Camelot Banquet Hall

Cake/Desserts: Lincoln Bakery

Honeymoon: Disney World

Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Second Shooter: Ashley McLaughlin Photography

Lyndsay + Justin: Shady Elms Farm Wedding Photos

I have to be honest. I had an incredibly hard time narrowing down the photos for this blog post from Lyndsay and Justin's wedding day because 1) they are an insanely photogenic couple and 2) their day (literally every detail) was BEYOND stunning!! What is a photographer to do?! Naturally - post as many as I possibly can! ;)

You may remember Lyndsay and Justin from their winter McConnell's Mill engagement session with Lyndsay's iconic red dress in the snow! These two not only make for a beautiful couple from the outside, but from the inside. Their love and joy for one another, along with their deep desire to share their wedding day in a memorable way with their friends and family made photographing their wedding day feel so intimate!

I am beyond thankful to work with people who feel more like friends than clients, and Lyndsay and Justin definitely are two people who make me feel insanely thankful for the career I've been given. So without further ado - here are some of my favorites from Lyndsay and Justin's Shady Elms Farm wedding day! We love you guys!!!

Vendors:

Bride’s Dress: Morilee by Madeline Gardner, purchased at One Enchanted Evening (Zelienople, PA)

Bride’s Shoes: Betsey Johnson

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff, #LEVKOFF Collection, purchased at One Enchanted Evening (Zelienople, PA)

Hair: Mallory Puniak and Marie Puniak, Copacetic Beauty Lounge

Makeup: Beauty by Joy (Joy Lager of JL Makeup Studio)

Tuxes:  Generation Tux

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Shady Elms Farm

Band/DJ: Mike Willis, Modern Era Weddings

Flowers: Shady Elms Farm

Caterer: PW Catering

Cake/Desserts: Cake and cupcakes by the groom's sister, Jessica Brown, and Pittsburgh cookie table cookies baked by family & friends

Videographer: Dorosh Documentaries

Honeymoon: Secrets Maroma Riviera Maya (with the help of Sue Kitsemble of Apple Vacations)

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Janelle + Josh: Embassy Suites Downtown Pittsburgh Wedding Photos

There are so many things to love about this couple and about this day! From the moment I first met Janelle and Josh at Panera quite a few months ago, I could tell they were meant to be. Then, last December, I had the same thought as they sipped coffee together and stood (and danced) in freezing temperatures for their engagement session - not one complaint from either one about the weather - they were just happy to be together! And then, last month on their wedding day, after meeting their family and friends, I was truly in awe of these two wonderful, gracious people!

I recently listened to a podcast series titled "What Happy Couples Know" by Andy Stanley, and one of the BIG takeaways was that happy couples "understand that relationships are a race to the back of the line" - they understand the idea of being selfless with one another, and that they "know that they owe each other everything, but are owed nothing in return." Really, it comes down to putting the other person's needs and desires ahead of your own - and I noticed these two putting each other ahead of the other frequently throughout their engagement session and throughout their wedding day. One thing that really stuck out to me was Josh's willing attitude for photos - all day. Sometimes guys aren't as interested in having their photos taken as much as ladies, but Josh was so eager to make sure we were capturing all of the photos that his bride had envisioned, which totally blew us away (along with Janelle's absolutely stunning beauty and joyfulness throughout the day!). As you can imagine, we had SO MUCH FUN working with these two! How could we not?!

I really believe that we were able to capture Josh and Janelle's day in a way that really captures their love and joy for each other, and I am so thankful that we were asked to be a part of their wedding day! Congratulations, you two - here's to a lifelong love!

Vendors:

Bride’s Dress: Fiore Couture, Exquisite Bride (Murrysville)

Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mishka

Bridesmaid Dresses: Kenneth Winston

Hair: Above All Grande Salon

Makeup: Hannah Conard Makeup

Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse

Band/DJ: Jeremy Ganss

Flowers: Posies by Patti

Caterer: Embassy Suites Downtown Pittsburgh

Cake: Grandview Bakery

Videographer: Just Hitched Wedding Films

Beth + Dave: Mingo Creek Park Wedding Photos

Ohhhh I am so excited to share this wedding with you! Beth and Dave are just all around fun people to be around, which made photographing their day a walk in the park (literally ;) ). These two have been dating, as I heard a member of their bridal party say "basically a million years," so their day was well worth the wait and was FULL of joy and love!

Beth started off the day getting ready at Dave's grandma's house, then we moved to Mingo Creek Park for a first look between the bride and groom, and portraits before the ceremony! It was definitely a hot one, but we were thankful for lots of shade from the surrounding forest - which also provided us with the perfect light, even in the middle of the day! One of my favorite parts of the whole day was their dog, Hershey, being featured in the ceremony. She was possibly the most well behaved dog I've ever worked with! (Plus, you can't go wrong with a name like Hershey!)

After a petal-throwing exit from the ceremony, we headed over to the reception venue for one of the most uniquely decorated spaces I've seen this entire year! Beth's forest vision graced all areas of the social hall with the most beautiful details - everywhere I turned, there was another little detail I hadn't noticed before! One of my favorite details was the trail mix bar - complete with pretty much any type of trail mix ingredient you could think of in carved out logs, tin buckets, and lanterns. Literally the cutest thing ever!

Beth and Dave - we loved being a part of your day and are so excited as you start this journey of marriage! Congratulations!

Vendors:

Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Ceremony: Mingo Creek Park

Videographer: ShoFilms

Suits: Cavani

Jackie + Mike: Succop Conservancy Wedding Photos

Jackie and Mike's Succop Conservancy wedding was all kinds of gorgeous! Succop Nature Park is home to a 19th century mansion, originally home to an Irish immigrant back in the 1800's. Though the mansion has been through renovations, the beauty and charm of the 19th century design remains and continues to be (in my opinion) one of the best wedding venues around the area! With so many beautiful little nooks and crannies for photos, it was so hard to choose just a few favorites from Jackie and Mike's wedding day.

Jackie and Mike's wedding day started off inside the mansion for getting ready and detail photos, then outside the greenhouse for a first look! We made our way around the property, hitting all of the best scenic spots on the way. One big reason I love Succop is for all of its location variety - there are endless amounts of spots to choose from! After bridal party and family photos, the ceremony was held right outside of the mansion, with the surrounding park serving as a backdrop. The cocktail hour happened throughout the house and grounds, which led straight into a reception full of cookies, candy, and dancing! We absolutely LOVED being a part of your day, Jackie and Mike! Congratulations on your marriage!

Vendors:

Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Succop Nature Park

Makeup: Valarie Panei

DJ: First Class Entertainment