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!

Morgan A: Historic Harmony Senior Photos

Morgan is one of the sweetest seniors I've had the privilege to photograph, and as a more personal touch, she lives with her family in the neighborhood I grew up in! We absolutely loved hanging out with her and her mom for her Historic Harmony senior session - congratulations on your last year of school, Morgan! You are the sweetest!

Behind the Scenes Photos, 2017 Edition

One of my goals for this year was to collect as many behind the scenes photos as possible throughout 2017 to share and I am SO excited because we have some real gems here! You'll see quite a few faces - lots of Nick, my husband, who second shoots about half of my weddings with me every year, along with Sara, Ashley, Alisha, and Nikki, who have been so helpful in second shooting and assisting with sessions in the 2017 season! I have to give a HUGE shout out to these sweet people (along with Kim, who isn't pictured but also helped me out a few times!) for their support of this business. It wouldn't be possible without you six and all of your help! I love you all. Without further ado, here are my favorite behind the scenes photos from the 2017 season!

I swear this was totally candid!

The men and their murses.

Sara being excellent, per usual!

A lot of dancing is involved with testing light.

Alisha has been my right hand woman for senior sessions this year! Love her!

Photo by Kim Tryon!

This is Nick's favorite shot. Every. Time.

I really have no idea what was going on here.

When we work with DJs who instantly become friends!

Standing in a fountain. Nbd.

The lovely Elisabeth from Dorsoh Documentaries being the best test model!

We were pretty pumped about this drone.

He also made for an excellent test model!!

Nazari from Dorosh Documentaries, winking at Nick

Ashley is the BOMB!

Dancing, maybe??

I am truly so thankful to be able to do what I do!

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

Carly + Nick: Historic Harmony Engagement Photos

If you are a fan of Christmas time, Historic Harmony is THE place to be! Bakeries, gift shops, local food stores, restaurants, and cafes line the street of this little old German town - and during Christmas, it's even more magical! I was so excited when Carly and Nick opted for a "Christmas" engagement session in Historic Harmony and Lake Forest Gardens (a local tree farm!). What a perfect combination!! I am so excited to share these images and have so much love for this sweet couple!!!

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

Morgan H: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

I have to give Morgan MAJOR props. The morning of her session, it was just about 16 degrees outside. To be honest, if it was me, I probably wouldn't have been able to be out in the cold that long, but Morgan was such a trooper!! Not only did she rock her chilly session, but she did so with a smile the entire time! Lucky for us, the restrooms at Hartwood were toasty during her session - so we took a couple of close up headshot style photos in there while Morgan was warming up - haha!! That is definitely one of my all-time favorite senior photo memories! (Also, the last photo in this blog post is from our bathroom break! ;) ) Thank you so much for being such a trooper, Morgan! You are a champ - congratulations on your last year of school!