Sam + Anthony: Pittsburgh Marriott North Wedding Photos

Sam and Anthony have been waiting a long time for this day to come - five and a half years, to be exact! Their stories (and families) were intertwined long before their wedding day - Anthony was actually good friends with the bride's older sister before they even started dating! Ever since I photographed these two at Moraine State Park last spring (see their engagement photos here!) I've been counting down the days til their wedding day!

Sam wore the most gorgeous, flowing (and not to mention spin-worthy) Pnina Tornai gown (bought from Kleinfeld Bridal - yes, the bridal store from "Say Yes to the Dress" 😉). As a bride who loves details possibly just as much as I do, Sam had the most gorgeous lavender and purple bridal details to compliment the color scheme of her wedding day! While Sam was putting on her wedding shoes, she noticed a surprise note left by Anthony on her shoe, too - so thoughtful!!

These two opted for a traditional first look inside the church (with Anthony seeing Sam for the first time coming down the aisle!) and let me tell you - I was choking up behind my camera as they BOTH started tearing up. Then Sam's dad started tearing up, watching Sam's HUGE smile through her tears of joy. Then I look over and see Sam's mom and almost every single bridesmaid crying - all of the happy tears!!

After the ceremony, we snuck off to one of my favorite little spots near the Pittsburgh Marriott North for photos, then back to the Marriott (where I used to work and serve food at weddings - small world!) for a reception with a live band (shout out to Bachelor Boys Band for doing an amazing job!). I am SO excited to share this wedding and couldn't be more excited for these two as they being their lives together. Congratulations, Sam and Anthony! You two are the best!

Vendors:

Ceremony: St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church

Reception: Pittsburgh Marriott North

Bride's Dress: Kleinfeld's Bridal, Pnina Tornai

Bridesmaid Dresses: The Exquisite Bride

Hair: Hair Masters (Maryanne)

Bride's Makeup: Camille Comfort (bridesmaid)

Live Reception Entertainment: Bachelor Boys Band

Cake: Tin Man Sweets

Florist: Holiday Florist

Videographer: Just Hitched Wedding Films

Mensware: Jack's Tuxedo

Invitations:Dianne Campbell (a family friend)

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Hilary + Luke: NOAH's Event Venue Cranberry Township Wedding Photos

Oh my do I have a beautiful wedding to share with you today, and I am EXTRA excited because it's the very first wedding I photographed in 2018!! Hilary and Luke said "I do" mid-April at NOAH'S Event Venue in Cranberry Township and it was absolutely stunning!

It's no secret that Spring didn't really "spring" at the usual time this year, leaving us with a few lingering winter weather weeks. But - when I woke up the day of Hilary and Luke's wedding and checked the forecast, the weather was calling for a 77 degree day - hallelujah!! As you can imagine (or may have experienced!), it was a beautiful day in Western PA that day, and I was so thankful that Hilary, Luke, and their friends and family were able to enjoy the gorgeous weather!

We started off the wedding day at Hilary's family home, photographing her stunning bridal details and Maggie Sottero dress (with the most beautifully intricate beading!). Then, we headed off to NOAH'S for an intimate first look, then to Historic Harmony for photos of the bridal party and bride & groom! Historic Harmony is one of my all-time favorite spots for photos - there are so many beautiful colors and textures to work with, which especially complimented Hilary and Luke's blush and gray color scheme well!

After photos, we traveled back to NOAH'S Event Venue for a beautiful ceremony, surrounded by chandeliers, lanterns, and green garland. At the reception, there was a HANGING CAKE (yes, you read that correctly!) that almost stole the show! After some heartfelt toasts and lots of dancing, Hilary and Luke exited with a sparkler exit and drove away as husband and wife!

Vendors:

Ceremony & Reception: Noah's Event Venue (Cranberry Township)

Floral Design: Karrie Hlista Designs Studio

Cake: Sue Reis

DJ & Live Entertainment: Mike Medved Music

Makeup: Ciel Cosmetics

Hair: Kara Burnell

Bride's Dress: One Enchanted Evening, Maggie Sottero

Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstrom

Catering: Medure's Catering

Invitations: Minted (personalized by the bride)

Videographer: Light Motion Studios

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Two Additional Wedding Events to Hire a Photographer For

If you’re getting married, chances are you definitely want to hire a photographer to document your day. Maybe even you’ve hired someone to take your engagement photos. But are there any other events you should consider hiring a photographer for?

Below are two additional wedding events that are typically heavily photographed, but not always by a professional photographer. Consider hiring a photographer for these two events to avoid the dreaded photo taking impairment effect.

1.  Bridal Shower

Your friends and family put SO MUCH work into showering you with love and joy with so many beautiful and personal details, why not hire a photographer to document the day? That way, no one will have to worry about being on “camera duty” and everyone can enjoy your bridal shower fully engaged!

2.  Rehearsal Dinner

Do you have a lot of extended family who you’re inviting to your rehearsal dinner? A rehearsal dinner is not only a great time for a photographer to get to know your family and bridal party before the wedding day, but a great way to get extra photos of your extended family all in one place! Plus – having time to take a few group photos at your rehearsal dinner is a great way to lessen the amount of extended family photos on the day of the wedding, saving time the day of your wedding for just having fun!

For more tips, tricks, and blog posts, be sure to follow @jennahidinger on Instagram!

Questions to Ask Yourself AFTER Meeting with a Wedding Photographer

There are so many articles talking about what questions to ask your wedding vendor/photographer while you're meeting with them, but how are you supposed to know after you meet with them if they're the right fit for you?! I've put together a list of four questions you and your significant other should ask yourselves after meeting with a potential photographer that will help you vet if you're making the right decision!

1.     Do our personalities mesh well with our potential photographer? Can we imagine him/her following us around on our wedding day? (And do we feel comfortable with that?)

The reason: Do you really want someone following you around on one of the happiest/most important days of your life that you don't like?! As a former bride, I can tell you that one of the best decisions we made was to hire vendors who we actually enjoyed being around - especially our photographer. If you don't actually like the person you hire, you might end up feeling annoyed, frustrated, and aggravated on one of the very best days of your life - which means your friends and family will probably be aggravated, too. Do yourself a favor - hire someone you like being around!

2.     Do we like their photography style?

The reason: If you don't like their style, then they are probably not a great fit for you. Most photographers hone in and spend years mastering a particular style they like, from posing to editing, and an established and experienced wedding photographer will most likely not change their editing or shooting style for you. Find someone whose work you love right from the start!

3.     Did we see any photos that will be representative of our wedding?

The reason: If you're getting married in the winter in downtown Pittsburgh and you've only seen bright and sunny summer farm weddings from your photographer, you might want to ask to see more work that aligns with the timeframe and style of your wedding. It's important to know that your photographer can handle your type of wedding - not just one style that doesn't fit your time of year or venue!

4.     Does this person really care about us, or are they just trying to make a sale?

You can see them from a mile away - the vendor who is doing everything in their power to make the sale without actually caring about YOU. Interestingly enough, I saw this happening the other day in my local Starbucks. A couple with that just-engaged-glow sat down at a table next to me, talking about how excited they were to meet their potential photographer. I'm not one to listen in on conversations, but I had forgotten my ear buds that day and they were literally sitting a foot away from me.

In walks their photographer carrying an iPad and a large album. He plopped everything down on their tiny table said a quick "Hey, I'm _________. Look at some of my work while I order a drink." And then proceeded to take out his album, fling it in front of them, and walk away to order. Once he came back to the table, he gave a little speel about how awesome he was, how long he had been working, how many awards he had won, then gave them the pricing and mentioned how he had multiple other couples looking at the same date, so they better "act fast." Then, after pushing them to sign a contract, they signed and he left. The couple kept talking about how "he'll do, I guess," and then proceeded to leave the coffee shop.

I have no idea who this photographer was, but I was in DISBELIEF! I felt sorry for the couple, who hadn't actually gotten to share their story. I felt sorry for the photographer, who seemed more interested in showing off than caring about this sweet couple. Don't get me wrong - I don't think there's anything wrong with being confident in what you can produce, but should it come at the expense of actually loving on and caring for people?

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Make sure you are asking questions and reflecting on each wedding photographer you meet with in relation to these questions and you're sure to choose the best photographer for you!

Favorite Resources for Planning a Pittsburgh Wedding

Okay, let's be honest: one of the toughest parts about planning a wedding is figuring out where to find the best information! (And I right?!) There are SO MANY vendors to secure, so many locations to look at, so many decisions to make - how can you make sure that you're making the best decisions and getting the most up to date information for yourself and your groom? Well, today I'm sharing three of my favorite tips that, as a former bride AND wedding photographer, I have found to be incredibly helpful and resourceful!

And as a little side note - none of these resources have asked in any way for me to blog about them. I truly just believe them to be some of the best resources out there for planning a Pittsburgh wedding! So without further ado, here are a few of my favorites:

1. BURGH BRIDES (BLOG)

By far one of my favorite resources for Pittsburgh wedding planning for SO many reasons! Burgh Brides is run by a woman named Victoria, who has a heart for showcasing Pittsburgh nuptials in (in my opinion ;) ) one of the best cities ever! From real weddings, to styled shoots, to unique engagement sessions and tons of Pittsburgh inspiration, her blog is a must read for anyone planning a wedding in Pittsburgh! Here's a little more about her blog from her site:

"Burgh Brides is an online publication dedicated to inspiring, showcasing, and celebrating Pittsburgh weddings.  I love to show off the unique nuptials that take place in this great city, as well as to inspire brides and grooms to create their own extraordinary day.  I share steal-worthy ideas, connect couples with awesome vendors, help soon-to-be newlyweds plan a stress-free wedding, and highlight the love that is all across these three rivers.

So why a Pittsburgh wedding blog?  Head to my very first post to find out!  Then watch this video to find out even more about why Burgh Brides is SO special!"

2. PITTSBURGH WEDDING (SITE)

Pittsburgh Wedding is another awesome resource for those planning a 'burgh wedding! From vendors to bridal shows to their blog, Pittsburgh Wedding features incredibly helpful information and a large variety of wedding vendors in the Greater Pittsburgh area, including Pittsburgh, Butler, Cranberry Township, Monroeville, Wexford, and Greensburg.

A little more from Pittsburgh Wedding:

"We have done our best to create a comprehensive website designed with you in mind, Burgh bride’s and groom’s. As you browse through our exclusive wedding directory, Pittsburgh wedding venues, wedding planning tips and wedding ideas, wedding tools, helpful how to articles, and bridal show listings, you will find everything you need to plan an unforgettable wedding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."

And folks - it truly is an incredibly comprehensive site with tons of info!

3. PITTSBURGH WEDDING FLEA MARKET GROUP (ON FACEBOOK)

Blogs and websites are great, but what if you have a question that really only a bride can answer? Maybe you're looking for a service within a specific budget, or want to get a feel for how a particular vendor treats their couples and guests. Look no further than the Pittsburgh Wedding Flea market Group on Facebook! This group was made specifically for couples in the Pittsburgh area to connect and share helpful information (and, bonus: you can score some decor from past Pittsburgh weddings in here, too!).

4 Questions to Ask a Potential Wedding Vendor

Talk about a time to be alive and engaged! If you’re a bride in today’s world, you have so many awesome resources to be able to get all of the information you could ever imagine! Vendor lists, checklists, and testimonials are all at the tips of your fingers – and yet, while some of these lists can be super helpful with asking questions that cover the basics of what a vendor will provide for your wedding, sometimes they don’t reach into the heart of the matter.

Here’s how I like to think about it: how are you supposed to know if the vendor you’ve met with for forty-five minutes at a coffee shop once is capable of handling your wedding day, or if they really have the passion to push through all of the grit? There are lots of potential question lists available from places like The Knot, Wedding Wire, Brides, and the like who offer up some decent options, but after being quizzed by a number of brides myself, I’ve found that there are a couple of REALLY important questions that are rarely asked – questions that help you see not just what a person does, but who a person is. Don’t get me wrong – you definitely want to ask what they’ll do if they get sick the day of your wedding, if they have backup gear, and if they have liability insurance, but those questions barely scratch the surface of who a person is, which is just as important.

So if YOU are interested in having vendors at your wedding who aren’t just booking you for the cash, but who genuinely care about making your wedding day the very best it can be, I encourage you to try asking these questions:

1.  How and when did you get into [wedding photography, DJing, catering, event design, etc.]?

This is just an important question to know in general, and surprisingly, one that I rarely get asked as a wedding vendor!

2. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

This question will give you an idea of the “why” behind what they do. If you hire someone to produce a product or service for you, chances are if the person creating the product or performing the service has tons of passion and purpose behind their chosen career path, they’ll put a lot more effort into making whatever they do the very best it can be!

3. What’s the toughest part of your job?

To me, honesty is key. It’s always promising when someone can answer a question like this in a positive light without putting anyone down. There are parts of every job that are tough, but this question specifically will give you a good look into a person’s integrity.

4. Why did you choose [insert service] for your career?

Do they love what they do? Is it a passion, or a just a job? A recent book I read entitled "Creative Confidence" has allowed me to see the work I do as not just a job or a career, but as a calling. And, effectively, why it is so important to find others who are called to their work, not just working a job or pursuing a career.

“For those who pursue a calling, their work is intrinsically rewarding in its own right - not just a means to an end.”

— Tom Kelley & David Kelley, "Creative Confidence"

"Amy Wrzesniewski, an associate professor of organizational behavior at Yale University's School of Management... has found that people have one of three distinct attitudes toward the work they do: they think of it as either a job, a career, or a calling... When work is strictly a job, it may effectively pay the bills, but you're living mostly for the weekend and your hobbies. Those who see work as a career focus on promotions and getting ahead - checking off achievements rather than pursuing deeper meaning... for those who pursue a calling, their work is intrinsically rewarding in its own right - not just a means to an end. So, what you do professionally fulfills you personally as well. And often that work is meaningful because you are contributing to a larger purpose or feel part of a larger community." - Tom Kelley & David Kelley in "Creative Confidence"

Publication Feature: Whirl Weddings Spring 2018

There's something so fun about seeing your work in print. And in March of 2018, Bethany and Phil, a couple whose wedding I photographed in September of 2017, was featured in WHIRL Wedding's spring 2018 issue! Bethany and Phil's wedding ceremony was held at Heinz Chapel, followed by a reception at University Club (Pitt). It was a beautiful wedding with so many personalized details, including a guitar card box (made by the bride herself!).

To see more from Bethany and Phil's wedding, click here! Thanks so much for the feature, WHIRL Magazine!

Should I Send My Photographer My Wedding Pinterest Board?

Chances are, if you’re a bride (let’s be honest, even if you’re NOT a bride) you’ve created some sort of wedding Pinterest board to store all of your floral and decor wedding fantasies – am I right?! ;) The Knot reported that over 40 million people use Pinterest to plan their wedding every single year, pinning nearly 900 million pins as a collective wedding community. Can you believe that?!

Because of these high statistics, it’s safe to assume that wedding planning will never be the same ever again. We have access to more and more ideas than EVER before in every style, variety, and color scheme imaginable, enabling our generation to DIY some of the most beautiful, elegant, unique weddings in all of history.

In addition to affecting so many other industries within the wedding industry – florists, caterers, planners, makeup artists, venues, and the like – Pinterest has also affected the wedding photography industry. It’s safe to assume that more brides than ever are pinning their “must have” shot list with perfectly posed, lit, and framed imagery full of emotion.

But the question is – is this doing us more harm than good? Is this good for brides? For photographers? For the relationship between brides and photographers?!

My answer is: all of the above. There’s no straightforward answer, no magical formula to conquering the “should I send my photographer my Pinterest board?” question, but there are several pros and cons to consider when debating it. A few months ago, I asked my followers on Instagram about their experience with using Pinterest when planning their wedding photos. Simply put, in hindsight: was there anything they wish they would’ve done differently in relation to their wedding photography?

Kim responded that she wishes she had “a list of poses that [she] wanted! [She] made a Pinterest board for it but then all the ideas [she] thought were cute and unique totally went out the window.”

It’s true, having a Pinterest board with specific ideas that you REALLY want can help guide and remind you on your wedding day, and sending that board to your photographer beforehand can relieve the bride from the pressure of having to remember those few specific shots they really want!

But the question is – can there be such as thing as too many photos on your “wedding photo inspiration” board?

Brianna wishes she had “someone to tell [her] to NOT be such a planner with photos and poses and let the photographer just guide and direct [her] as the moment unfolded. [She] got so caught up in specific photos [she] wanted that [they] probably missed some more authentic moments… [She] was the bride with the list of must have shots and they didn’t look the way [she] envisioned in the end. Still pretty photos, but just not as [she] had expected them to look based on the Pinterest photo. [She] think[s] attempting Pinterest photos is such a failed attempt most of the time because there are so many elements to perfectly recreating a photo!”

So – now that we’ve looked at two differing perspectives, what is the best way to move forward with sending your wedding photographer your Pinterest board and/or wedding photography ideas? As a former bride and current wedding photographer, here are my suggestions:

1. If there are one or two photos you REALLY want, definitely send them to your wedding photographer.

Of course your wedding photographer wants you to be ecstatic about the final product of your wedding album and get the photos you REALLY want, so if there are a couple of shots you have to have, send them along! Be sure to tell your photographer specifically what you like about each photo you send. Is it the light? The posing? The emotion? The background? Communicating to your photographer why you like the photo will give them an idea of how they can incorporate that pose, light, or backdrop into your wedding photos in a way that is unique to your wedding and your relationship!

2. Trust your photographer!

You hired them for their expertise and because you love their work in the first place, right?! Then trust their judgment and expertise to photograph your story in a way that truly represents your wedding day – not someone else’s version of it.

One of the BEST feelings in the world on my own wedding day was knowing that I had hired a kick-butt photographer who I could fully trust. I didn’t send her one single photo as inspiration because I had done my homework beforehand and KNEW without a shadow of a doubt that she would apply all of her wonderful skills and expertise to MY wedding to create something unique for me and my husband. And let me tell you, she totally delivered!

3. Don’t use Pinterest as your standard for your wedding photos.

This, my friends, is a tough one. Have you ever been scrolling through Instagram, looking at other people’s grams and suddenly feel discontent with what you have? No matter how amazing your house is, someone else’s will always look better. No matter how cute your hair is, someone’s will always be cuter. That is the lie of comparison. Comparing ourselves to others makes us discontent with what we have, making us unable to ever be content. So I encourage you – if you’re having some serious wedding envy (trust me, I feel ya!), close your Pinterest browser. Shut down your app for a few weeks, days, or even until after your wedding is over. Let your day unfold in the unique way that only YOUR wedding can, because you are unique. Your husband is unique. Your photographer is unique. And your photos deserve to be unique!

Well – that’s all folks! A big thanks to Kim Huwe and Brianna Jones for sharing their thoughts on Pinterest and wedding photography.

It’s an honor to serve you! Until next time – happy planning!

The Problem with Wedding Photographers...

A few weeks ago, I had an eye opening conversation with a friend.

We were walking around the mall (that’s what we have to do in Pittsburgh when it’s 6 degrees outside ;) ), and we started talking about business. We moved on to weddings. Then we moved on to our couples and to photographing them on their wedding days, one of the most significant days of their lives.

Then, we started talking about something that got my gears spinning. A question was brought up: am I shooting for my couples, or am I shooting for me?

The weight of this question hit me by surprise. Of COURSE I’m shooting for my couples, I mused. Why else would I be photographing all of these weddings if I wasn’t?

But then, the gears kept turning, and I thought back to a conversation I had with a former coworker. Recently married, I asked him what he would do differently about his wedding day, if he could. He answered “I’d insist that we take less pictures. I love how they turned out, but I missed out on a lot of my wedding day because we kept leaving to take photos. Before the ceremony, after the ceremony, during cocktail hour, and during our reception, we were pulled out multiple times for more photos. They insisted that we keep leaving our friends and family for more photos without taking our opinion into consideration.”

Whoa. As a wedding photographer, this hit me right in the gut. I began to wonder: am I putting too much pressure on my couples for the photos that I want? Or do they really want them, too?

Of course, there’s a balance, like with anything. Good photos take time.  It takes time to get a series of photos that represent who a couple is, to capture their friends and family, and to do it all in less time than an engagement session typically takes.

But, the question still remains: am I unnecessarily putting expectations on my couples to take photos that they don’t really want? Are we missing the boat as wedding photographers and camouflaging our desire to get photos that we love while sacrificing our the desires of our couples on one of the biggest days of their lives?

If wedding photography becomes about anything besides the couple, then we’re doing it wrong. We’ve missed the boat. We might say we’re in it for our couples, but in reality, we’re only in it for ourselves. That’s when wedding photography becomes selfish. And the temptation to make it about ME, the wedding photographer, is a great one. But if we can keep our eyes on what truly matters – on capturing this beautiful, sacred union and these two individuals on the first day of the rest of their lives, our focus will stay where it was always meant to be: on our couples.

How Can I Make Sure My Wedding Photos are Safe?!

My mom used to always say "if our house was burning down, the one thing I would make sure to grab (of course, after the kids!) would be my wedding album."

Lucky for those of us who tied the knot in the digital age, most of the time our photos are backed up on a cloud, or even to social media pages, allowing memories to live on even after disaster strikes. But I think there's something to be said about my mom's sentiment, and the importance of printed photos. Those photos in her wedding album tell the story of the beginning of her life with my dad, and of our lives as a family. They're precious, and priceless. They are the family legacy - an heirloom that, God willing, will be handed down generation after generation so everyone can see where, and how, it all started.

So, as a bride, what's the best way to go about making sure YOUR wedding images are safe? Below are a few tips for backing up your precious memories that will ensure - no matter what happens - that you will have them for years to come!

1. Invest in a professional wedding album.

I know what you're thinking: but they're so expensive! Trust me, I was a bride not too long ago and I can completely understand hesitancy based on price when it comes to professional wedding albums! Wedding albums are not only expensive for brides to invest in, but are also pricey for photographers to order, due to the high-quality materials used. A professional album will have thick, professional archival photo paper with the highest quality leather or linen, built to last for years to come. Some even go the extra mile to include a high quality storage box to keep it even safer! A wedding album is not only another great way to "back up" your wedding photos, but is a physical heirloom to pass down from generation to generation. That CD or USB drive you have might be great for making prints, but are you sure you'll be able to show your kids and grandkids your photos in 10, 20, or even 50 years? Technology will be much further then - you never know if those storage devices will even be around!

2. Store your photos on a cloud server.

With so many options for cloud storage nowadays, it's easier than ever to make sure your photos are somewhere safe outside of your home, in the case of fire, flood, or damage. A few of my favorites for online storage are: Dropbox, Google Drive, and Carbonite.

3. Spread the love to parents, grandparents, and other family members!

What do I mean by this? Well, in addition to investing in an album for yourself, consider investing in an album for your parents, your spouse's parents, and even your grandparents! Not only do albums (or coffee table books!) make nice gifts, but in the case of a fire or flood (God forbid!) your wedding photos are safe somewhere else. Plus - albums and coffee table books make great (and easy!) Christmas and birthday gifts after your wedding day!

4. Check to see how long your photographer keeps your wedding photos.

Some photographers keep all of the photos from your wedding day long after the event (I fall into this camp!) and some toss them after the event is over. Check with your wedding photographer to see how long they hold onto your digital files, and even ask how they back them up. Personally, I back up every wedding to two external hard drives, an online gallery system, and a cloud storage backup - mainly because I would want someone to do the same for me!

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If you are interested in creating a wedding album, shoot me a message or send me an email at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com to learn more about the albums we offer!