Kathryn + Chase: Allegheny County Courthouse Wedding

Kathryn and Chase's Allegheny Courthouse wedding in Pittsburgh, PA was EPIC! (I tried to come up with a more eloquent word, but really, epic just describes the day as a whole!). Kathryn and Chase kicked off their day by getting ready at the Renaissance Hotel Pittsburgh with their wedding party and family members. Kathryn's bridal suite was a DREAM, and so many of the details and accessories found in her room matched her bridal accessories, which made for so many interesting and unique detail photos (one of my favorite parts of the day!). Not to mention, the couple's grandmother handmade all of the bouquets, boutonnières, and flower arrangements seen in all of the photos below. Talk about a great connection!

Kathryn and Chase then had a first look in front of the hotel right next to the Roberto Clemente Bridge. From there, we traveled over to the Allegheny Commons Courthouse (Kathryn works in law, which made the venue a perfect choice) where these two had their ceremony and open-sky reception (one of the first wedding receptions ever at the courthouse!). One of my favorite parts of Kathryn and Chase's entire wedding day was how they incorporated their sweet pup and best friend, Cola, throughout the day! Cola had a pink bow collar purchased to match the blush and neutral color scheme, walked in with Chase at the ceremony (and sat quietly throughout the entire service - which completely blew my mind, because my dog would've done the complete opposite!), and even had a BIRTHDAY CAKE that sat right alongside the couple's wedding cake! Seriously one of the most adorable things, ever.

The couple's favors included beverages from Chase's family's company and guests were treated to a snack from the Franktuary Hot Dog Truck while leaving. I am so excited to share the images from Kathryn and Chase's beautiful day (as you might be able to tell from this incredibly lengthy blog post!!). Congratulations on your marriage, Kathryn and Chase!

[A huge thanks to my incredible second shooter for this wedding, Sara Dinwiddie of Sara Lynn Photography!]

Vendors:

Bride's Dress: Maggie Sottero from Exquisite Bride

Bride's Shoes: Tahari

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff

Hair: Metamorphosis

Makeup: Erin Zaborowski

Suits: Tommy Hilfiger

Getting Ready: Renaissance Hotel Pittsburgh

DJ: DJ Colt

Flowers: Springdale Florist

Caterer: Big Burrito

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

Food Truck: Franktuary Hot Dog Truck

Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Second Shooting/Assisting: Sara Lynn Photography (Sara Dinwiddie)

Groom Wedding Day Detail Checklist

We’ve talked about what should be included in your bridal detail wedding day checklist, but what about the groom’s details? Many times, we try to take a few photos of the groom’s wedding day details, since many of them are so thoughtfully planned and executed! Having some photos of the groom’s details also looks great in an album spread! If you’re looking to have photos taken of your groom’s details, you might want to consider including the groom’s:

• Tie or Bowtie

• Cufflinks

• Socks (if they’re a fun pattern!)

• Watch

• Shoes

• Boutonnière (adds a little bit of color!)

• Belt

• Pocket Square

• Glasses

• Cologne Bottle

• Any notes or gifts from the bride

• Any gifts given to the groomsmen

And to help you organize your groom’s details even better, I’ve created a comprehensive PDF freebie that you can download straight to your computer! Print it out to put in your wedding binder, or simply keep it in a folder on your computer for your reference - simply fill out the form below to download it!

get your free GROOM DETAIL CHECKLIST here!

One GIANT Tip for Spending More Time with Loved Ones on Your Wedding Day

You might’ve read the title of this post and been a little confused (especially if you haven’t experienced a wedding day as a bride or groom first hand): isn’t it a given that you’ll spend the whole wedding day with your friends and family?

Well… yes and no.

Of course, you’ll be spending your wedding day with your family and friends in the same vicinity as you, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be actually spending time with them. And to be honest, sometimes wedding photography takes up a significant portion of a wedding day. And it’s challenging, because as a wedding photographer, I want to get the BEST images possible for my couples – and of course, getting the BEST images possible takes a little bit of time, between bridal party photos, family photos, and photos of the happy couple.

But what if I told you there was one magic way to spend more time with your family and friends on your big day? ONE thing that you can add into your day that will give you that time that you so desperately want?

That “thing” is a first look.

WAIT. Don’t go. Don’t click out of this post yet! A first look can evoke a lot of different emotions in a lot of different people. But before I go into why a first look might be the best thing you could do on your wedding day, let me explain what a first look is:

A first look is where the bride and groom have a private moment together before the ceremony. Yes, you read that correctly. The bride and groom will see each other before the ceremony even starts, but the beautiful thing is – they will get to have that moment together. They can talk together, laugh together, hug each other, kiss, and cry with just the two of them present.

I understand that a first look isn’t for everyone. Heck, my husband and I didn’t even do a first look at our wedding! But a few weekends ago, Nick and I photographed another wedding with a first look, and on our way home, he looked at me and said “I kind of wish we would’ve done a first look. Those two got to spend so much more time with their family and friends and shared in that moment together. I wish I would’ve been able to tell you how beautiful you looked and hugged you when you came down the aisle!”

Bingo! Though Nick and I decided to opt out of a first look for our wedding, looking back on our day – we realized that it might’ve actually been a better decision for us. We took our wedding photos right after our ceremony during cocktail hour (which is a normal time for photos!), so we didn’t get to spend that time with family and friends who had traveled so far to celebrate with us.

BUT – if we had done a first look before our ceremony, before all of the guests had arrived – we could’ve been a part of cocktail hour and would’ve had much more time to talk to our loved ones.

So the moral of the story is: if you want to spend more time with your guests, a first look might be the best option for you. We’ve heard time and time again how much more relaxed and at ease our couples have felt after having a first look on their wedding day, which is the most important thing.

Have a question about a first look? Feel free to email me at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com with any questions!

Tess & Phil: The Anchor Inn, Maryland Wedding Photography

This wedding was a special one for this Pittsburgh wedding photographer for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, it was our first out-of-state wedding. Secondly, it was for our good friends, Tess and Phil (check out their engagement photos here!). And thirdly, this wedding literally had the most redheads I have EVER seen at a wedding (and if you know me, you know I love redheads!! And in case you don't know me, I love them because I married one!)

Phil interned at the church Nick (who's a middle school youth director) works for, and Tess, after moving to the area last year, started attending the Bible study I'm a part of last summer. We have gotten to know these two VERY well, and along with that, we've gotten to know their hearts and intentions around their marriage and their wedding day. There's something so special about a wedding day focused on what truly matters, and what will last long after the dress is put away and the flowers dry up: a lifelong love and commitment.

I started out the wedding day with Tess and her bridesmaids, who were getting ready at Tess's parents house with a beautiful rustic barn (perfect for a dress shot!) and a sunlit boat dock out back! One of my absolute favorite parts about photographing Tess & Phil's wedding in Maryland were all of the docks and the close proximity of everything to the water. It was so calming throughout the day!

After getting ready, we drove over to the ceremony and reception venue, The Anchor Inn, which sits right on the bay. From there, Tess and Phil had an emotional, intimate first look, then jumped straight into portraits with the two of them, then adding in their awesome bridal party! The ceremony took place on a dock looking over the bay (someone pinch me!) with Tess & Phil surrounded by their closest friends and family. Their ceremony was full of love, laughter, and a bullhorn (you'll see what I mean!), and later, the two shared their first dance, laughed until they cried during toasts, and shared the night celebrating with their friends and family.

To Tess & Phil - it was truly and honor to be a part of your day. You'll never know how much it meant to us that we were able to document your love! We love you guys so much!

And without further ado - take a look at Tess and Phil's wedding day!

5 Commandments for Mastering Family Formals

Family formals (aka, mom’s favorite pictures from the wedding day [for good reason]) are a necessary component of any wedding day, and are sometimes one part of the day, unfortunately, that stresses brides out the most. From family members making a dash from the ceremony to cocktail hour to your niece (the flower girl) needing to use the restroom, you might be wondering: is there any way to successfully (and quickly) work through the family formals section of a wedding day?

What if I told you, bride-to-be, that family formals don’t have to be so crazy? That all family formals could be done within a short, concise timeframe? By following these five commandments of family formals, you will be sure to make it through your entire list without letting your list take the entirety of cocktail hour:

1. Have a specific list with specific names.

This is the number one most important key to mastering the family formals portion of your wedding day: have a specific list with specific names. Spending five minutes a month before your ceremony writing out exactly who you’d like to have a part of family formals can save lots of time on your wedding day. Don’t forget to touch base with your groom, your mom, and your mother-in-law to make sure their requests are on the list, too!

Our strategy for wedding days is to have a specific list to work from so nothing has to be decided on the fly the day of the wedding (i.e., one less item for the bride to have to coordinate). If we know exactly who needs to be in your formals beforehand, we can start gathering people directly after the ceremony, calling names, and putting people “on deck” for the next photo.

2. Don’t stray from the list.

Commandment number two might be just as important as number one – once you have your list finalized, don’t stray from it! I’ve seen many a list get elongated throughout the family formals timeframe from well-meaning family members who want a specific combination that the bride (and the bride’s family) aren’t interested in having. Allowing friends and family members to elongate the list during this specific timeframe can cut into bridal party portraits, as well as portraits of the bride and groom. Know what shots are important and stick to them!

3. Keep your list simple.

Simplicity is best when it comes to family formals. If you have a limited timeframe to complete formals, keep it short and sweet – keeping the list to immediate family members and grandparents is a great way to save time (less people to gather), and other larger portraits (i.e., your mom’s whole extended side of 30+ people) can be saved for the reception, where the DJ can announce: “we need all of the bride’s mother’s extended family on the dance floor for a photo!” or the like.

4. Let everyone on the list know exactly where they need to be, and when.

What takes up the most time when it comes to family formals? Gathering family members. Alerting family members ahead of time that they will be needed for a photo, whether it’s directly after the ceremony or at an alternative specific time, will save ample amounts of time. Tracking down someone in a 200-300 person crowd can be tough (especially during cocktail hour when there’s food and drink involved!).

5. Bust through your list right after the ceremony.

At your ceremony, everyone will be sitting in the same room – which means everyone is already gathered and ready for formals! After the couple has exited the ceremony, many couples have their pastor make an announcement to have family members remain in their seats so that they’re ready for photos. If no one leaves the ceremony, it’s easier to jump straight into photos!

By following these five commandments of family formals, you’re sure to breeze through your list with ease and efficiency and spend your day celebrating with family members, rather than just taking photos with them – and that’s what is truly important!

Have any tips to add? Drop them in the comments below!

What is a First Look, and Should I do One?

Have you ever heard of a wedding day “first look?” In the past, many brides would do a first look with their parents, bridesmaids, or grandparents, where they would get a sneak peek of the bride before the ceremony. But there’s a different type of first look that’s become extremely popular: a first look with the groom.

I know what you might be thinking, because I was thinking it too. What! Why would I want to ruin that moment with my husband seeing me for the first time while walking down the aisle?! Because, let’s be real, that’s a HUGE part of a wedding day. Many little girls imagine walking down the aisle to their Prince Charming, seeing his face light up when his eyes meet your bridal image. So let me say first and foremost – I totally, completely, 100% get where you’re coming from. In fact, on my wedding day, my husband and I chose to forego a first look. But looking back on that day, it’s easy to see all of the benefits a first look would have brought. Without further ado, here are a couple of the top reasons of why you might want to consider a first look:

1. You’ll have more time for portraits.

If photos are important to you, having a first look is a great way to make sure you’ll get tons of photos of you and your soon to be husband! Wedding photography is an investment, and having a first look means getting the most out of your money! Typically, first looks are done before the ceremony, when there’s less of a time crunch (opposed to between the ceremony and reception timeframe).

2. You’ll have more time together.

This is a HUGE one, and one I wish I would’ve considered going into my own wedding day! On your wedding day, you’ll come down the aisle, get married, jump straight into portraits, then jump straight into the reception – there’s barely any time to have a relaxed moment together. But with a first look, you’ll get the majority of your photos done before the ceremony, and will therefore have much more time to enjoy just being together (plus, you’ll get to attend cocktail hour!).

3. You’ll get to enjoy the surprise!

When you’re walking down the aisle and your husband to be sees you for the first time, he’s going to be shocked. Flabbergasted. Over the moon excited! But… he can’t say anything to you. He can’t tell you how much he loves you, how beautiful you look, how excited he is to marry you – he has to wait until after the ceremony, and by that time, the initial reaction has worn away. With a first look, you can share that moment – together.

4. You’ll be less rushed. 

Have you ever been to a wedding where there was a 3-5 hour time gap between the ceremony and reception? Me too. I remember being antsy, hungry, and ready for the party to start by the time bridal party made it to the reception. Doing a first look means being able to do the majority of your photos before the ceremony, which cuts down time between the ceremony and reception for your guests.

5. You’ll be less nervous.

I’m naturally more of an introvert, so being in front of a crowd of people gives me a little bit of anxiety. If you’re like me, consider doing a first look. You’ll get to experience that moment together – just the two of you (plus your photographer, hopefully from afar J ) – without anyone else around. There’s no pressure to react a certain way, no onlookers, just a private moment between the two of you.

Now, let me put a little disclaimer on this blog post – I in no way, shape, or form would ever want to force a first look on anyone! It’s something that should be decided by each couple together (sometimes I even feel bad sharing this option because of how touchy a subject it can be!). But I’ve seen the benefits of doing a first look over and over and always want to share and help my couples (or any couple) find the best option for them and make the most informed decision. So please – by no means feel obligated or forced into a first look (again, I didn’t even have one!) – but do consider the benefits, and make the best decision for you!

---

Jenna Hidinger Photography is a Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer located in Zelienople, Pennsylvania who has a heart for encouraging, loving, and serving her couples on their wedding day and in their marriage.

Becky + Joe: Indiana Country Club Wedding Photographer

It's hard to believe, but Becky and Joe's engagement session was over two years ago (see it here!) at Mellon Park - and mid-May of this year, they tied the knot! I loved having the opportunity to photograph Becky & Joe's engagement session because it showed me how easily they interacted together and how much love they have for each other - which is just one reason why I was so excited to photograph their wedding day!

Becky & Joe's fuchsia, purple, and teal wedding day was planned with so many thoughtful details. Becky even created the invitation suite herself (major props!) and tied lockets with photos of loved ones who had passed to her bouquet (what a sweet sentiment!). 

Their ceremony took place right in the middle of Indiana Country Club's golf course in a little area secluded by trees. Their heartfelt vows, Full House references, and retelling of their first date made for lots of laughs and happy tears.

At their reception, Becky and Joe had a stinking COOKIE CAKE as their wedding cake in lieu of a traditional cake (which I was pumped about - Nick and I had a cookie cake at our wedding, and they were the first other couple we have known to do the same!). Towards the beginning of the reception, in honor of loved ones who had passed before the wedding, the couple had a "Ten Bell Salute," which is used before wrestling matches to honor a deceased wrestler (Joe is a wrestler himself, which made a Ten Bell Salute the perfect way to honor deceased family members). The day finished with lots of dancing and a mashed potato bar for guests!

I am so thankful that we were able to be part of such a beautiful day for Becky and Joe. Congratulations on your marriage, you two! Here's to many more adventures!

Vendors:

Bride’s Dress: Exquisite Bride

Bride’s Shoes: “No Doubt” brand off of Amazon

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Hair: Lori Noal

Makeup: Lexi Jones

Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse

Band/DJ: The Pittsburgh DJ Company

Flowers: The Blossom Shop

Caterer: The Indiana Country Club

Cake/Desserts: Gail’s Custom Cakes and Cookies

Videographer: John Ankeny Jr. (Bride’s brother)

Honeymoon: Italy!

Tips for Making Your Bridal Details Look Amazing in Photos!

You may not realize it, but every wedding photographer has certain parts of the wedding day they favor photographing – and for me, one of my favorite parts of the day is photographing the bridal details! Having time to photograph the bridal details lets me creatively “warm up” for the day, and for me, is just plain fun!

I’m all about meticulously arranging beautiful compositions so brides can remember each and every important detail they incorporated. While it can be easy to lose some of those accessories and trinkets used on the wedding day throughout the years, a photograph (or a few) of your items in your wedding album is sure to remain!

Because I have a passion for creating beautiful imagery from bridal details, I’d love to share three pieces of advice for making your bridal details look amazing:

1. Pre-think and gather what you would like to have photographed.

The bride has a lot of accessories on the wedding day – the dress, veil, shoes, garter, jewelry, wedding rings, perfume, bouquet – just to name a few! I always love to recommend having brides pre-think and gather what they would like to have photographed so nothing is forgotten or unintentionally left out. Pre-thinking what you would like to have photographed means less scrambling on the wedding day looking for misplaced items, and leaves less of a chance that something could be forgotten in the photographs!

Here is a list of what I will typically ask for from brides:

• Dress
• Dress belt (if there is one)
• Veil (if there is one)
• Shoes
• Invitation suite (this adds so much to photographs, plus invitation suites typically cost a decent chunk of change, so getting them photographed is a great way to remember them!)
• Save the date
• Garter(s)
• Wedding rings
• Engagement ring
• Perfume
• Purse
• Headpiece
• Any jewelry (necklace, bracelet, earrings)
• Something old, new, borrowed, and blue

2. Add in personal elements and heartfelt touches.

I love when brides take this piece of advice and run with it! Last summer, I was doing a venue walk through with a bride who was having her wedding on her parent’s property. While we were walking through her parent’s house, I noticed an antique silver tray, which I later learned belonged to her grandmother. I made a point to incorporate the tray into some of the bride’s bridal detail photos, and not only did it make the perfect backdrop for her invitation suite, but was an extra personal element that she will always have photos of to remember! (See below for how the photo turned out!)

Other personal items might include: a photograph of the bride’s mother or grandmother in her wedding dress, a old photo of the bride as a flower girl, an heirloom vase, an antique picture frame or chair, a handwritten love letter from the groom, a handkerchief – but really, the possibilities are endless!

3. Ask your florist to provide some flower petals or a few extra flowers to help set the tone of the photos.

At a recent wedding, one of my brides requested extra flowers from her florist for detail photographs, and I thought it was a GENIUS idea (and can’t believe I hadn’t thought of asking the florists I work with sooner!). Sometimes florists have extra rose petals, flowers, and/or leaves leftover after creating the wedding centerpieces, bouquets, and boutonnières – asking them to bring along a few extra items for photos typically is a-okay! Especially if you offer them the opportunity to use your photographs as portfolio pieces in return :)

So there you have it! Whether you're a bride or a photographer, I hope these few little suggestions help get your wheels turning to create some beautiful (and meaningful) photos that will help commemorate bridal details for years to come! 

Angela + Ajay: LeMont Restaurant Wedding Photographer

Angela and Ajay's elegant romantic blush wedding day was full of love, laughter, and true joy! While Angela and Ajay currently reside in New York, they came back to Pittsburgh to celebrate their love of a lifetime, surrounded by friends and family.

Before the ceremony, Angela and Ajay shared an intimate first look in a little city garden that was bursting with color! After, we joined up with the bridal party and did a couple of "traffic stopping" shots (you'll see what I mean ;) ) and celebrated with a champagne toast. At their ceremony, Angela and Ajay read heartfelt vows that hardly left a dry eye in the crowd (including mine!), with the Pittsburgh city skyline as the perfect backdrop. One of my favorite parts of their wedding day was when the crowd clapped as each family and bridal party member made their way down the aisle. If that doesn't give you an idea of how joy-filled and celebratory their day was, I don't know what will! Later, the two danced the night away (and let me tell you, these two love to dance!), incorporating some Italian songs as a nod to Angela's Italian heritage, closing out the night with a sparkler exit. Need I say more?

Angela and Ajay, you two are a joy to be around, and your love for each other (and for those around you) is infectious! Congratulations on tying the knot - here's to many more years of celebration!

Why We Need to Support Marriage

I love wedding day toasts. Typically, by the time the wedding day rolls around, I've gotten to know my couple fairly well, but listening in to toasts by the father of the bride, best man, and maid of honor always leave me with an expanded perspective of who a couple really is. 

One of my favorite toasts ever was given by a father of the bride at one of my weddings a few years ago. He talked a lot about the couple, about their relationship together, about his love for his daughter - and then he took a spin on the typical "father of the bride" speech and started talking directly to the people in the room. He challenged them to love on this couple long after the wedding day. To check in on them, and to find ways to support them in their marriage. He noted something in that moment that everyone already knew, but that he said anyways: marriage is tough. And often times, even in marriage, it feels as though we're living in isolation. We unintentionally isolate ourselves from other people and try to fix the broken pieces of ourselves all on our own, but in reality, we need to be supporting and uplifting each other, not just on the wedding day, but years and years after.

So today, I want to put a little challenge out on this little corner of the web: send a married friend a little love today. Write them a note. Or send them a message. Or show up in their lives somehow - today, tomorrow, next week - and show your support of their marriage. We have enough marriage-bashing jokes going around. What if we started to change our perceptions and words towards marriage to reflect the good instead of the bad?