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Weddings
I’m not sure what it was, but this year there were some absolutely AMAZING bridal parties - bridesmaids and groomsmen who went above and beyond, who came alongside their friends in love, and who even checked in on and encouraged us throughout wedding days! To all of the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and bridal parties who we photographed this year: thank you for making our jobs so much fun! We are so thankful for each one of you! 💛
Now comes one of my favorite blog posts of the year - bridal details! Photographing bridal details is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day, because it lets me sort of “warm up” creatively, and is a great way to tie albums (and blog posts! 😉) together to create a cohesive style throughout the story of any wedding day!
I love how every wedding is so different, too, and how the style a bride works so hard to create can be captured and enhanced through her wedding details! If you’re a bride (or bridesmaid, mother of the bride, or mother of the groom!) looking for ways to “up” your bridal detail game, check out this blog post!
But for now, check out some of my favorite bridal details of this year!
If you’ve seen my work before, you know that I’m a HUGE fan of color - so Kelly and Dan’s sangria and gold fall wedding was a DREAM! Their day was full of color, and oh-so full of love!
One of the things I admire most about Kelly and Dan is their commitment to remembering what really mattered on their wedding day. Sure, the details were beautiful and everything came together beautifully, but at the end of the day, it was SO easy to see that these two are in it for the long haul - better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and health. Their joy radiated throughout the entire day!
And I can’t neglect to mention their INCREDIBLE friends and family, who we were so privileged to walk alongside throughout the day! This was my second wedding with Kelly’s extended family (see the first here!), and truly, they are some of the most energetic, excited people we’ve had the honor of working with!
Kelly and Dan, I pray that your marriage continues to become all that it was meant to be and that you continue to be an example to those around you of what true love looks like! So thankful to have been a part of your day!
Vendors:
Ceremony: Anne Ashley United Methodist
Reception: Double Tree Hotel Monroeville
Bride’s Dress: White Orchid, Maggie Sottero Gown
DJ: All Pro DJ
Makeup and Hair: Ulta at the Waterfront
Cake: Spinola's Bakery
Florist: Colasante's Flowers in the Park
Leah and Connor’s wedding was unlike any other I had ever experienced. When I first sat down with Leah and Connor, they explained the vision for their day: intimate, full of family and friends, and focused on what really matters. And truly, their day was all of that and more!
Their venue, the Morning Glory Inn (located on the South Side of Pittsburgh) is one of the most unique and intimate wedding venues I’ve ever come across! Though I tried to do this venue justice through Leah and Connor’s photos, this is a place you have to see in person and really experience to appreciate fully! (They take reservations for guests to stay - so if you’re looking for a “stay-cation,” I would highly recommend checking out this spot!)
The wedding day began inside the inn, which has SO MANY beautiful locations for detail photos! Being someone who LOVES the photographing the detail portion of the day (invitation suite, bride’s dress, jewelry, etc.) I was in heaven!! And on top of all of the inn details, Leah had the most beautiful details that matched the vibe of the inn to a “T”!
After getting ready, Leah shared a first look with her dad. There was hardly a dry eye in the room (including mine!). Immediately after, Leah and Connor shared a first look together in the courtyard of the Inn!
We headed to the Mellon Institute columns for bridal party and bride & groom portraits, then back to the Inn for the ceremony - which might’ve been the most unique part of the day! Guests stood in the courtyard, surrounding the bride and groom for the ceremony, which made it feel like there was a closeness and intimacy that is sometimes lost during wedding ceremonies!
After the ceremony were toasts, a delicious meal by Fish Hawk Acres catering, and TONS of dancing in the courtyard! We were even able to sneak Leah and Connor out at just the right moment (when it just started raining!) for a night portrait in front of the Inn!
Leah and Connor, I couldn’t have been more thankful to be a part of your day. Thank you (to you two and your friends & family!) for having as capture such a beautiful day, and for making us feel like a part of the family in the process. 💛
Ceremony & Reception: Morning Glory Inn
Bride’s Dress: Bridal Beginning (Wtoo Watters)
Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie
Bouquets: Deb Smith (Maid of Honor’s Mother)
Menswear: The Black Tux
Invitations: Minted Weddings
Catering: Fish Hawk Acres
Officiant: Meaningful Marriages (Larry)
Cake: Oakmont Bakery
Makeup: Briann Mattise (JL Makeup Studio)
Hair: Sahaira Beauty Salon
Lauren and John have been together for ELEVEN years. How amazing is that?! These two have a big group of friends and have attended countless weddings this year - when we went over to Lauren and John’s house for detail & final prep photos, I noticed that one side of their fridge was completely covered in save the dates - and that is NOT an exaggeration! There were even some spilling onto the front of their fridge - it was unbelievable!
It’s easy to see how these two have such a large group of supportive friends and family surrounding them - they are two of the easiest, most laid back people to be around! Their wedding fell on one of the first cool days in October, which made it really start to feel like fall! For their ceremony, Lauren and John had buckets of each of their favorite beers (IC Light and Miller Lite, respectively) for their guests to enjoy, and after the ceremony, their pup joined them for a few family photos. Lauren and John were total naturals in front of the camera and made my job EXTRA fun with all of their dips and twirls!
We finished off the night celebrating their marriage at the Columbian Room in Wexford! Congratulations on your marriage, Lauren and John! So thankful to have been a part of your day!
Vendors:
Ceremony: Richland Township Community Park Pavilion
Reception: The Columbian Room
Hair & Makeup: Hats Off Hair Design
Bride’s Dress: Michaels Bridal in Pines Plaza
Bridesmaid Dresses: Banana Republic
Menswear: Tuxedo Junction
Invitations: Designed by the Bride using Vista Print
Photography: Jenna Hidinger Photography
I can’t lie to you - I’ve been looking forward to Carly and Nick’s wedding day ever since I first met them! You might remember Carly and Nick from their Christmas Historic Harmony engagement session last year (click here to see it!) - after that session, I knew their wedding was going to be all kinds of fun - and it most certainly was!
You might’ve seen a recent wedding trend where a best man or groomsman dresses up like a bride for a “fake” first look. Well… Carly and the groomsmen staged a fake first look for Nick, too! And he was COMPLETELY surprised! But don’t worry, Carly didn’t use her real dress - just one she found at a consignment shop! And in lieu of a bouquet, the “bride” carried a beer! 😂
So many other beautiful and unique details made Carly and Nick’s day one to remember! From Carly and her dad’s entrance to the ceremony via horse and carriage, to a “lit” reception entrance (you’ll see what I mean 😏), to a larger-than-lifesize cutout of their dog that they danced with for their first song, this beautiful day was certainly one to remember. And it was all the sweeter remembering mine and Nick’s own wedding day at the very same venue nearly three years ago!
Carly and Nick, you both are a JOY to know. I am so thankful to have been a part of your day! Congratulations on your beautiful marriage! 💛
Vendor:
Ceremony & Reception: The White Barn
Event Planner: Em & E Events (Emily Capitano)
Bride’s Dress: Alfred Angelo
Makeup: Wanderlust Beauty Studio
Florist: Lea’s Floral Shop
Caterer: Medure’s Catering
Cake: Tin Man Sweets
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Menswear: Jack’s Tuxedo
Invitations: Minted
Furniture Rental: Vintage Alley
Horse and Carriage: Tim Swickraths Pony Rides
Guest Book: Happy Lil Canvases
Officiant: Pastor Ann
DJ: PowerBomb Productions
Videographer: Just Hitched Wedding Films
What an absolutely STUNNING day this was to be a part of! Kayla and Colin tied the knot at Succop Nature Park on a glorious September afternoon. There were so many beautiful DIY elements that made this wedding come to life, and so many different family members that contributed to the day in so many ways. Kayla and Colin, it was such an honor to be a part of your day! Praying all the best for you two as you head into this next adventure together! 💛
September 8, 2018 marks 8 years of Kayla and Michael’s relationship. What better way to spend their 8 year anniversary than to create a NEW anniversary - this one for their wedding day!
I’ve had the privilege of really getting to know Kayla and Michael over the last two years, since their engagement session nearly two years ago (Click here to see their photos!). I’ve seen ups and downs in their lives, but what remained steady: their relationship and their love for each other. These two have already lived out many of the vows they took on their wedding day, but hearing them confirm their vows in front of their closest friends and family even brought tears to my eyes!
Not only are Kayla and Michael amazing, but so was their bridal party and family, who welcomed us with the most open arms! We truly can’t thank each of you enough for making us feel like a part of the party (and for making me an honorary bridesmaid 😉). And Kayla and Michael - you two truly are amazing, and I am so blessed to know you! And without further ado - check out some of my favorite photos from Kayla and Michael’s wedding day!
Vendors:
Makeup: Allison Renock Makeup
Cake: Lincoln Bakery
Ceremony & Reception: The Chadwick
DJ: Jason Lacko
Bridesmaid Dresses: Vera Wang from David’s Bridal
Bride’s Dress: Truly Zac Posen at Davids Bridal
Invitations: The Wedding Suite by Shutterfly
Officiant: Reverend Mark Dinuzzio
Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography
The quote that kept playing in my mind throughout Jenna and Tom’s wedding day: "Gatsby looked at Daisy in a way that every young girl wanted to be looked at." Not because their wedding had anything at all to do with The Great Gatsby, but because that’s the only way I could think to describe the way Tom kept looking at Jenna throughout their wedding day: just completely in love!
I think it’s safe to say that those who know Jenna and Tom know how well they light up a room together. Their day was packed FULL of laughter, and full of people from all over the world. With Tom being from England, and Jenna being from Pennsylvania, their wedding day was the most beautiful mesh of customs and details from both cultures - and had some of the kindest people in the world! Everyone spent a TON of time out on the dance floor, dancing the night away with the Bachelor Boys Band - which is why you’ll see so many reception photos near the end. What a party!
Jenna and Tom, it as a total honor to be a part of your wedding day! Thank you so much for having us, trusting us, and just for being so kind. You both are wonderful, and we wish you all the best!
Vendors:
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Coordination: Your Big Day
Bride’s Dress: Bridal Beginnings
Makeup Arist: Janneth Avila
Hair Artist: Liz Macey (Gallery Salon)
Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie
Menswear: Dobell (UK)
Invitations: Minted
Flowers: Budget Blossoms by Jillian
Catering: Hazelnut Catering
Band: Bachelor Boys Band
Cake: Bethel Bakery
Tent, Linens, Light: Ambassador Tent Rental
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography
We arrived at the Pennsylvanian early the day of Elizabeth and Jason’s wedding to drop off our equipment. As we gathered our light stands and sandbags, I looked up into the rotunda of the Pennsylvanian and felt a familiar sense of wonder at it’s unique beauty. Built in 1900 as Pittsburgh’s Union Station, this building has remained a place that draws all types of people from all walks of life - then, as a train station, now, as an event venue (and apartment!). And, of course, this venue was THE perfect fit for Elizabeth and Jason, who currently live in Chicago, and had people from lots of different areas joining them to celebrate their marriage.
One of my absolute favorite touches from Elizabeth and Jason’s ceremony was the location of their ceremony. Right under the front rotunda in the photo you see below, there’s a pillar with the word “Chicago” written over top. To the left of the Chicago pillar, there’s a pillar that says “Pittsburgh” overtop, and to the right of the Chicago pillar, one that says “New York.” Elizabeth and Jason are from Chicago (as I mentioned before), both went to the same school (NYU) in New York (they didn’t know each other at the time - but what an amazing coincidence!), and tied the knot in Pittsburgh. So, of course, it was perfectly fitting to have their ceremony right under the Chicago pillar! It seems like that venue was made JUST for them! And it’s not only where they had their ceremony that paid homage to their journey - but the colors they chose for their wedding, too! Purple and silver are NYU’s colors, perfectly symbolizing a large point of connection in their relationship!
We had an absolute blast photographing these two (even in the crazy Pittsburgh heat and humidity!) and are so thankful to have been a part of their day! Congratulations, Elizabeth and Jason! 💛
Vendors:
Ceremony & Reception: The Pennsylvanian
Hotel Accommodations: The Westin Hotel
Catering: Rania’s Catering
Invitations: Minted
Bride’s Dress: Honey Bridal in Chicago; gown designed by Rebecca Shoneveld
Hair: Elisha Evans Styling
Makeup: Mock Makeup (Danielle Mock)
Florist: Bloomer’s Floral
Videographer: Dorosh Documentaries
Pennsylvanian Wedding Photos provided by Jenna Hidinger Photography
