PHOTO BY STEVEN DRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY STEVEN DRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

When T.J. Met Georgie

T.J. and Georgia met thanks to the matchmaking skills of Georgia’s brother, Dimitri, who introduced them.

The pair bonded over their shared passion for medicine as well as their faith. They officially became a couple in January 2020; about six weeks later, they moved in together by way of the pandemic.

T.J. was attending medical school in Columbus, Ohio, and he couldn’t easily travel home to his family in Minnesota, so Georgia’s family invited him to stay at their home in Pittsburgh.

PHOTO BY STEVEN DRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

She Said Yes

After the height of the pandemic, the couple had a long-distance relationship for four years while both pursued medical degrees; Georgia attended the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

After T.J. graduated from the Ohio State University College of Medicine, the couple planned a family weekend to celebrate at Georgia’s family home. Before dinner one evening, T.J. invited Georgia to a space in the backyard, where he proposed in front of a display of the couple’s photos and mementos from their time together.

The moment quickly became a full celebration, as two of Georgia’s best friends surprised her with Champagne; more friends and family were waiting to celebrate at Downtown’s Sienna Mercato.

PHOTO BY STEVEN DRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

The Big Day

Throughout their wedding day, T.J. and Georgia honored their faith and their families, beginning with a ceremony at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in McCandless. The ceremony, led by Metropolitan Savas Zembillas and Father John Touloumes, was served by clergy members with familial and longstanding ties to the couple.

The service underscored the value of sacrificial love and the couple’s formation of a new kingdom together. One highlight for the couple was their first steps together, in a procession guided by the clergy and supported by their Koumbaro, a sponsor and adviser to their marriage.

“We just love that for generations, the service hasn’t changed,” T.J. says. “It’s truly timeless.” After the couple entered the reception at the Omni William Penn Hotel, and T.J.’s costume change into a white tuxedo jacket, he surprised Georgia with a performance of Nat King Cole’s “When I Fall in Love.”

PHOTO BY STEVEN DRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Happily Ever After

After honeymooning in Riviera Maya, Mexico, T.J., 28, and Georgia, 29, settled in Cleveland — their first time actually living together. Both are completing their residencies at the Cleveland Clinic, where T.J. is a third-year vascular surgery resident and Georgia is a second-year anesthesiology resident.

PHOTO BY STEVEN DRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Vendors

Photography Steven Dray Photography

Videography Your Special Day Films

Ceremony Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Reception Omni William Penn Hotel

Caterers Anthos Bakery, Primanti Brothers, Omni William Penn Hotel

Cake & Desserts Bella Christie’s Sweet Boutique

Ceremony Dress/Veil Sorelle Bridal Salon

Hair/Makeup Beauty Justified (for the Bride and Bridal Party)

Tux Jack’s Tuxedo

Rings Carioti Jewelers

Floral Design Fragile Paradise

Musicians Oneiro, Marios Kritiotis, Ian Arthurs, The Meraklides

Invitations Fresh Cut Prints

Rentals All Occasions Party Rental

Linens Lendable Linens

Lighting Pinnacle Live

Favors So Blue Greek Ceramics and Gifts

Wedding Planner Alaina Oberle (Soiree by Souleret)

PHOTO BY ADAM MICHAELS PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY ADAM MICHAELS PHOTOGRAPHY

When Matthew Met Ruth

Matthew Wells and Ruth Cosse nearly met several times before finally connecting. The couple attended Morehouse College and Spelman College, respectively, for their undergraduate degrees — just a minute away from each other in Atlanta.

A few years after graduating, they each moved to Washington, D.C.; in June 2018, they both attended a mutual friend’s event … but still didn’t meet. In November 2018, at a mutual friend’s “Friendsgiving” gathering, Matthew and Ruth finally connected — and made brunch plans for a few days later.

“It really was the right place at the right time,” Ruth says.

PHOTO BY ADAM MICHAELS PHOTOGRAPHY

She Said Yes

After four years together, and following their move to Nashville, Tennessee, Matthew began planning a surprise proposal.

He came up with an unassuming cover story: Ruth’s friends would invite her to see the holiday lights at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Paying homage to their Friendsgiving meeting, Matthew used the hotel’s holiday display as the backdrop for a November engagement.

Once at the hotel, Ruth was ushered to Matthew’s setup, complete with rose petals and candles. The couple’s celebration had drawn a crowd of onlookers who cheered them on after Ruth said yes.

PHOTO BY ADAM MICHAELS PHOTOGRAPHY

The Big Day

Though Matthew and Ruth aren’t originally from Pittsburgh, Ruth has generations of family ties to the city. Wanting to honor both of their sets of parents, who each got married in April, the couple decided to get married in April 2025 at the Carnegie Museum of Art — a venue that, in Ruth’s words, “speaks for itself.”

A harpist played Matthew’s walk down the aisle to a theme from the “Final Fantasy” video-game series and Ruth’s processional to “Why I Love You” by the singer MAJOR.

To ensure their guests felt valued and appreciated, the couple wrote personalized notes to everyone, which were displayed as part of a seating chart among family members’ wedding photos in antique frames. “We stand on the shoulders of giants,” Matthew says. “We need to pay homage to those who have paved the way for us.”

PHOTO BY ADAM MICHAELS PHOTOGRAPHY

Happily Ever After

Matthew and Ruth, both 32, live in Nashville, where Matthew is a first-year resident of psychiatry at Meharry Medical College, and Ruth is a digital marketing manager for an education nonprofit.

PHOTO BY ADAM MICHAELS PHOTOGRAPHY

Vendors

Photography Adam Michaels Photography

Videography Studio Hayes

Ceremony & Reception Carnegie Museum of Art

Caterer Culinaire International

Cake Bethel Bakery

Dessert Bella Christie’s Sweet Boutique

Hair/Makeup Olaitin Olay, BeatbyNesh Beauty Studio, Julea Beauty

Tux/Suit David Alan Clothing

Flowers Sapphire and Lace Event Design

Violinist Steven Vance Entertainment

Harpist Noir Hathor Sounds

Entertainment BMW Entertainment LLC

Stationery/Invitations Oh Joyful Day

Lighting Benack Sound Productions

Rentals/Linens Eventioneers Event Rentals, Lendable Linens

Seating Chart The Toasted Hostess

Custom Printing Speed Pro Pittsburgh North

Photobooth Lux Photobooth

Wedding Planner Shayla Hawkins Events

PHOTO BY CASEY RENEE

Remember those sepia-toned pictures from your grandparents’ wedding day? The ones with a close-up on an elaborate, white, tiered cake topped with intricate swoops and swirls of icing?

If you thought that cake style was hopelessly old-fashioned — wrong! As it turns out, granny was right on trend.

In contrast to the elegant, minimalist styles (remember “naked cakes?”) and fondant cakes popular just a few years ago, intricately detailed, vintage-style wedding cakes that draw inspiration from past eras are now all the rage.

“I think it might have started ironically at first, but now it’s a full-blown trend,” says pastry chef Casey Renee, owner of Pittsburgh-based Confections by Casey Renee.

PHOTO BY CASEY RENEE

Renee, who has been featured on Food Network’s “Best Baker in America,” notes vintage-style cakes are one of her most popular requests.

“I think people realized that they’re awesome — and really cute,” she says.

To incorporate the ornate icing of a vintage-style cake, cake decorators often employ the Lambeth method, which involves “overpiping” to create ruffled texture, dots and other lavish 3D patterns to make a stylish statement. Renee also likes to embellish the tops of her cakes with retro, candy-red cherries.

PHOTO BY CASEY RENEE

Perhaps popularized by the glitter-dusted, frilled cake footballer Travis Kelce gifted his famous girlfriend (now fiancee) Taylor Swift for her 35th birthday, vintage-style cakes often are heart-shaped.

The unapologetically lavish, heart-shaped desserts have become so requested that Renee has made them a permanent part of her menu. She adds that she doesn’t see the vintage cake trend, which she calls a classic, going away anytime soon.

“I do tons of them, and it keeps evolving,” she says. “I think it has some staying power.”

SHANISA SABDARALI AND KYLE KLIMCHOCK. | PHOTO BY DANIJELA DJUKIC-OSTROWSKI

If you’ve ever been to — or been part of — a big wedding, then the following scenario is going to sound familiar.

The banquet hall is filled with elderly aunts and uncles, distant cousins, friends from high school and, of course, the de rigueur mix of childhood, college and work buddies.

The bride and groom spend their evening dutifully making their way from table to table, kissing cheeks and thanking their guests for sharing in their big day.

So busy are they in making sure to greet everyone that the newly wedded couple doesn’t get to relax, grab a plate and chow down on some goodies from their elaborate Pittsburgh cookie table.

Oh, wait — that was me.

I’ve only ever seen photographs of my cookie table, which, thanks to my plethora of elderly Italian-American relatives, was overflowing with pizzelles, iced lemon knot cookies and — my husband’s favorite  — delicate lady fingers.

From what I’ve heard, the cookies (even our experienced photographers were exclaiming over them) tasted even better than they looked.

I wouldn’t know.

Cookie-table disappointment aside, I don’t regret anything about my big day. For those who crave a more intimate experience, though, there are a variety of options out there these days — and they’re becoming increasingly common, as well as more accessible.

The Pop-Up Wedding

The owner of Pittsburgh-based Unity by Kristine and The Pop-Up Pittsburgh Wedding Co., Kristine Felicetti acts as officiant, wedding planner and vendor coordinator for her clients.

A health-insurance worker by day, Felicetti fell in love with the idea of love five years ago and obtained a certificate to become an officiant. In addition to traditional wedding ceremonies, Felicetti also offers elopements and vow-renewal ceremonies.

“I didn’t even know officiants existed until about 2019,” she says. “And when I first heard what they did, I thought, ‘I would love to do that.’”

Felicetti also began specializing in pop-up weddings — scaled-down and affordable alternatives to traditional wedding celebrations.

In this scenario, three separate weddings (each approximately two hours long) take place throughout the day at one venue. Each couple uses the same decor; some wedding-day traditions, such as cutting the cake and having a first dance, still take place.

The goal is for these couples to have a stress-free and magical day, according to Felicetti. As she herself points out on her business website, a wedding does not have to be expensive to be beautiful.

“I just absolutely love having this alternative available to Pittsburgh couples, where it is very cost-effective; they do not have to plan anything — everything is vetted,” Felicetti says. “The pop-up weddings are really for the couples that are completely hands-off.”

The timing of her new pop-up wedding business proved to be fortuitous. With the advent of the pandemic, more brides and grooms were choosing simple pop-up weddings, where they could have an intimate, all-inclusive ceremony with up to 40 guests.

“I was officiating pop-up weddings owned by other vendors and fell in love with this concept,” Felicetti says.

In 2022, she became the owner of The Pop-Up Pittsburgh Wedding Co., although she says the popularity of pop-up weddings has slowed.

“Soon after the pandemic, though, it fell off the radar because everyone was excited that they were back to being able to have full-sized weddings again,” Felicetti says with a laugh.

A Wedding? In This Economy?

More recently, Felicetti has begun coordinating micro-weddings, which offers her clients the same intimate feel as a pop-up wedding but with more customized options, such as decor and dessert choices. Typically, these types of weddings cost between $5,000 to $6,500.

“I see it as being very cyclical,” Felicetti says of the demand for smaller, more cost-effective celebrations. “I think that we’ll have popular years, and then we may not. But with the economy right now, and with what other vendors have been saying, I’m seeing a lot of vendors really liking being involved in the smaller wedding spaces.”

That’s not to say Felicetti has given up on the pop-up wedding side of her business. In October, she’s planning a pop-up event that will take place at Blue Ribbon Farms in Aliquippa. The price tag for such a celebration? An economical $3,575 per couple.

To put that price in perspective, the average cost of a wedding in 2025 is $33,000, according to a study undertaken by The Knot.

Love Overseas

Shanisa Sabdarali and Kyle Klimchock were one of the couples who decided on a pop-up wedding overseen by Felicetti. When they became engaged, Sabdarali, who hails from Trinidad and Tobago, and Klimchock, who grew up in Westmoreland County, were both working as English teachers in Japan.

“We met through some mutual friends on Halloween night; we went to the same party,” Sabdarali says, adding that Klimchock was dressed as Superman. “We had an immediate connection and started dating right after.”

After they got engaged, Klimchock decided to come back to the United States one year before his fiancee to find a new job and put down roots while Sabdarali applied for a K-1 visa, more commonly known as a fiancé visa.

SHANISA SABDARALI AND KYLE KLIMCHOCK WERE MARRIED MAY 18, 2024. | PHOTO BY DANIJELA DJUKIC-OSTROWSKI

With so much going on, the couple left the wedding planning completely in Felicetti’s hands.

“I think planning a wedding is, of course, stressful on its own, but planning a wedding from different time zones is even more stressful,” Sabdarali says. “We knew we wanted something intimate and small, and Kristine and her team definitely had everything down — the venue, the cake, the decorations.”

After connecting over many Zoom calls, in which Felicetti got to know the couple, Sabdarali arrived in the U.S. three days before her wedding took place on May 18, 2024.

She was not disappointed by what she found.

Despite their wedding being one of several celebrations that day at Station House 7 in Delmont (one of Felicetti’s steady locations for pop-up weddings), Sabdarali and Klimchock were able to personalize their big day by placing photos of themselves during their various travels, plus boxes of traditional sweets from Sabdarali’s home country, on each table. They also livestreamed the ceremony for family and friends who were unable to attend the ceremony.

“[Felicetti] really got to know us as a couple, and it just didn’t feel like a generic wedding,” Klimchock says. “It felt really personal, so I think all of that definitely made us feel like this was the right decision and the right way we wanted to get married.”

The Small Yet Luxurious Wedding

Just because a wedding is small doesn’t mean it can’t be luxurious — especially if you have Alexis Allen involved. The owner of Pittsburgh-based Alexis Allen Consulting, Allen is known for planning lavish, impeccably curated weddings, social soirees and charitable gatherings.

For these small yet sumptuous weddings, Allen says the demographics tend to skew towards brides and grooms in their 30s or 40s, or what she likes to call “seasoned” couples embarking on a second marriage.

In these cases, Allen says there’s less pressure on the couple to execute a wedding that will please their elders (who typically contribute financially to their children’s first weddings), freeing them up to plan the big day of their dreams. She recalls how one couple, who were blending families, incorporated their children into their intimate ceremony, which was attended only by their inner circle. They followed it up with a fun reception at the former SLATE studio in the Strip District that was accompanied by a soundtrack blasting ’90s R&B and hip-hop.

“They didn’t have to worry about having to appease the masses,” Allen says. “It was all stuff they loved.”

With a smaller guest list, couples also can invest more in the details, such as customized menus, placement settings and flowers.

“You can put more energy and more investment in making something more intentional and special,” Allen adds.

For one couple planning a second marriage attended by 70 guests, Allen used her ingenuity to turn the Duquesne Club into a glamorous cabaret that the Rat Pack would have been at home in.

“We had a band that came in, and we set up the room very uniquely,” she says. “We had more real estate to play with because there were less people, so we were able to accomplish that intimate setting, but it was still extremely luxurious.”

While she still loves a big bash, Allen predicts more intimate weddings will continue to take place in the future.

“I hope it’s a trend that continues to catch on and gets bigger,” she says. “If someone thinks it’s lacking energy or whatever, it’s actually the complete opposite. It’s really high-energy because you can focus your time and resources in a smaller way.”

PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

What are some ways to ensure a micro-wedding still feels special?

Infuse elements of a larger, more traditional celebration to make your micro-wedding feel more like the special occasion that it is.

First, invest in an amazing photographer and videographer to capture the day and preserve your memories.

An intimate event isn’t any less worthy of beautiful documentation. Involve your guests in the big day by welcoming each of them with a handwritten note or snapping a photo with each guest and mailing a print to them afterward.

Remember that small can still be stylish, so don’t forgo details like quality florals, trendy tablescapes and a gorgeous cake that will make the event memorable. Include wedding traditions like toasts, a first dance or a cake-cutting to remind you of where you are and what you’re celebrating.

Our guest list is very small. How do I avoid hurting the feelings of those who are not invited?

Naturally, a small guest list may lead to some hurt feelings on the part of friends and family who don’t make the cut.

Manage expectations by clearly communicating your desire for an intimate celebration, and prioritize your closest relationships. Be consistent when making decisions about who is invited and who isn’t, applying the same “rules” to both parties.

Find alternative ways to make them feel included, such as livestreaming the ceremony or sharing photos afterward. While offending some loved ones may be unavoidable, remember that this day is about you. You don’t have to explain your choices to anyone.

Commit to your guest-list decisions, and don’t waver.

Victoria Deardorff is the creator and CEO of Pittsburgh’s wedding blog, Burgh Brides.

PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

Where were you when you first heard the news that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged?

On Tuesday, the pro footballer and pop superstar broke the Internet when they announced in a widely shared Instagram post that they are betrothed.

Captioned “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married” followed by a dynamite emoji (T and T — get it?), the joint post on Swift and Kelce’s accounts had more than 30 million likes as of Wednesday.

 

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A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)

The announcement also was accompanied by a carousel of engagement photos that featured Kelce down on one knee before Swift in a lush garden filled with roses, hydrangeas and other florals in romantic shades of pink and cream.

Above the couple is an arched, rose-covered trellis; large-scale stone vases overflowing with even more aesthetic flowers flank them on both sides.

“It’s simple elegance, not too ostentatious,” wedding florist Nicola Paul told the BBC. “It’s been staged in the woods, so you get that lush greenery look.”

Kelce allegedly transformed the backyard of his Kansas City home into a magical secret garden for the proposal, but if any Pittsburghers are considering popping the question in a similar vein, there are a number of enchanting locations around Pittsburgh that give equally dreamlike vibes.

As for the 8-carat Old Mine Brilliant Cut diamond, estimated to be worth $550,000, that Kelce placed on Swift’s finger, you’re on your own there.

PHOTO COURTESY PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

This one is a no brainer.

Set on 5 acres in Schenley Park, the 14-room glasshouse has 23 district gardens, each bursting with colorful flowers and other foliage. Built in 1893, the Victorian greenhouse, of course, has a number of gorgeous locations perfect for engagement photos, particularly the formal French garden in the Broderie Room and the romantic, estate-style Outdoor Gardens.

 

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The National Aviary

Home to more than 500 birds and other animals, Pittsburgh’s National Aviary on the North Side is another lovely location for an engagement to take flight.

Shortly after Swift and Kelce announced their engagement on Aug. 26, the aviary got in on the trend of companies and venues making memes about the couple’s impending marriage with a social media post that featured a cutout of the couple on the aviary’s grounds.

“Travis, our Rose Garden was also an option,” the caption on Instagram read.

PHOTO BY HUCK BEARD

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

Another obvious place for a flower power proposal is the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden in Oakdale.

The venue houses 65 acres of cultivated gardens, woodlands and walking trails that rival the setup in Kelce’s backyard for beauty.

Among the many aesthetically pleasing backdrops are rustic stone walls, a romantic wrought iron gazebo and an arched wooden bridge over a serene pond.

PHOTO BY SETH CULP-RESSLER, THE FRICK PITTSBURGH

The Frick Pittsburgh Museums & Gardens

Who wouldn’t feel like a princess getting engaged in front of Clayton, Henry Clay Frick’s century-old former mansion?

The French Chateau-style building is surrounded by 10 scenic acres lined with lush gardens and a diverse selection of trees that mimic the setting of Kelce’s proposal to Swift.

For more photo ops, check out the center’s car and carriage museum as well as the vintage-style greenhouse, which is a reconstruction of the one that served the Frick family from 1897 through the 1970s.

THE REYNOLDS STREET ENTRANCE TO FRICK PARK | PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

Frick Park

Pittsburgh’s largest historic regional park features numerous amenities, including an environmental center, tennis courts, baseball fields and the iconic Blue Slide Playground — but perhaps the most picture-perfect spot for a proposal in the park’s sprawling 644 acres is the Reynolds Street Gatehouse.

Built more than 70 years ago, the stone arched gatehouse resembles something out of a fairytale, echoing a line from one of Swift’s most famous songs, “Today Was a Fairytale.”

 

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Lake Elizabeth

First conceived in 1868 as a pastoral addition to Allegheny Commons, peaceful Lake Elizabeth on the North Side makes a very Instagramable spot for engagement photos.

The picturesque pond also includes pedestrian walking bridges over the water that come with a view of Downtown’s recognizable skyline in the background.

We’re not sure if even Kelce and Swift’s engagement setting can top that!

ANTHONY SWIDORSKY AND KATE SHEMAK ON THE DUQUESNE INCLINE | PHOTO BY BRITTANY SMELTZER

A North Versailles couple took their love to new heights when, earlier this year, they got married on the Duquesne Incline — 400 feet above ground.

Kate Shemak and Anthony Swidorsky exchanged their marriage vows overlooking the picturesque Pittsburgh skyline in an incline car on Jan. 25, 2025.

Such nuptials are rare. They were told by the incline attendant that theirs was the first on an incline ride in recent memory.

The incline’s 18-person cars are first-come, first-served, so the bridal party had to get crafty. Shemak called ahead and learned that the couple could not reserve a private car.

Instead of changing the venue, the couple decided to “wing it” and invite their guests to meet them at the Duquesne Incline station on Grandview Avenue on Mount Washington.

“We’re all going to show up, our immediate 18 family members, and we’re going to go with it,” Shemak recalls. “I had the exact amount of money, and we were just gonna go, and if we waited with everybody else, we were gonna wait.”

On the day of the wedding, the incline had a few dozen patrons already in line, so the bridal party waited their turn.

ANTHONY SWIDORSKY AND KATE SHEMAK JUST BEFORE THEY GOT MARRIED ON THE DUQUESNE INCLINE IN JANUARY | PHOTO BY BRITTANY SMELTZER

The bride and groom came dressed for the occasion, and when an attendant asked them if they had just gotten married, the bride responded with, “No, we’re going to do it in the car.”

Unbeknownst to the couple, the attendant announced the ceremony to the station below, and upon arrival, the wedding party was greeted with cheers.

Both Anthony and Kate grew up in Pittsburgh and had been together for 3½ years. Even though they were natives, neither had ever ridden the incline before, so that was part of the reason they thought it would be a perfect way to celebrate their connection. The working couple also noted the benefits of a more economical wedding. Kate works as a nurse, and Anthony works for the Center for Organ Recovery and Education.

“Truth be told, we’re two working people, and honestly, a $20,000 or $30,000 wedding just wasn’t in the cards,” Shemak says. “So, we were laying there one day, and I came up with the idea, ‘Why don’t we just get married on the incline?’ ”

While the 52-second ceremony may seem spontaneous, the couple had a plan from the start. Weeks before the wedding, they did a trial run to determine logistics. The bride timed the ride and asked her brother to be the officiant.

While Incline weddings are a rarity, Shemak recommends her experience to brides looking for a nontraditional wedding.

“If anybody is looking for a short, very quick, intimate gathering that is very price-efficient, I’d absolutely recommend it,” she says.

PHOTO BY FULL CIRCLE MEDIA

PHOTO BY FULL CIRCLE MEDIA

When Christine Met Madison

Madison Haduck met her future wife through her sorority sister — who happened to be the actual sister of Christine Chiodo. Madison was at the time a pharmacy student at Duquesne University and a member of Sigma Kappa when Victoria Chiodo invited Christine to their sorority’s charity walk.

Christine later asked Victoria if Madison was single, but nothing more came of their first meeting. Their second meeting was by chance. Christine was working as a nurse at St. Clair Hospital in the South Hills when the two bumped into each other in the halls once again; Madison worked there as a pharmacy technician.

They eventually made plans to attend a party in the South Side together and ended the night at Finn McCools, an Irish pub on East Carson Street.

PHOTO BY FULL CIRCLE MEDIA

They Said Yes

Madison always said she wanted her proposal to mirror the way she and Christine said goodbye each morning: “This is cheesy, but before I leave for work in the morning, I kneel down next to the bed and say, ‘Goodbye and I love you,’” Christine says. “And she would always say, ‘That’s how I want you to propose, just like that.’”

On July 29, 2022, Christine took Madison to Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange in the Strip District, one of their favorite places. Victoria, as well as Christine’s best friend, were at the couple’s house setting up rose petals and a neon “marry me” sign.

“I proposed there in our living room, and I surprised her, and all of her family and friends from out of town came in, and I threw her a surprise engagement party in my parents’ backyard,” Christine says.

Though equally sweet, Madison’s proposal to Christine is now an infamous tale. On Oct. 21, 2022, Madison again enlisted Victoria, this time with her boyfriend, to decorate Christine’s family property in Oakdale. The property’s front porch holds an especially sentimental place in Christine’s heart and thus became the stage for the proposal with a “marry me” sign erected in flowers and candles.

Madison used the same designer Christine had chosen for her engagement ring and gave the ring to Victoria to protect the surprise. She planned everything to a “T” — until the ring was lost.

After a six-hour search, the ring was discovered in a pile of leaves in front of Madison and Christine’s home in Oakdale; it had fallen out of Victoria’s satchel during their errands. Madison tried to stall the proposal, but Christine was coming off of a long shift at work and didn’t want to wait any longer. Madison decided to postpone, until she heard the news the ring had been found. She told Christine she wanted to stop at her grandmother’s house — and Christine refused.

“She’s like, ‘Let’s stop your grandma’s’ and I’m like, ‘No, we’re not stopping my grandma’s, I want to go home, we’ve been waiting for three hours,” Christine says. “We walked down to my grandparents’ house and she was like, ‘Come look at the porch’ and she proposed.”

PHOTO BY FULL CIRCLE MEDIA

The Big Day

The couple chose to have a circle ceremony so that all of their loved ones could see them as they made their vows. “We wanted to feel like we were in a circle of all the people that loved us,” Christine says.This sentiment carried into the newlyweds’ reception as well: “We wanted it to feel like you were going to dinner at your grandparents’ house on a Sunday afternoon.” The reception was full of lively antics.

Midway through, Madison had Christine’s dad cut her long hair all the way to her chin for a grand reveal. Instead of a cake cutting, the couple opted to cut pizzas instead — but, “of course,” they had a Pittsburgh cookie table. Madison and Christine chose Calum Scott’s “No Matter What” to dance with their parents. Christine says the song is about coming out to your parents and being completely accepted by them. “I think at one point I looked up and everybody was on the dance floor,” Christine says. “It wasn’t so much that they were celebrating us, but they were celebrating love and the meaning behind love. And that was one of my favorite parts.”

PHOTO BY FULL CIRCLE MEDIA

Happily Ever After

After honeymooning in London and Italy, Madison and Christine bought a house in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. They have two dogs, Finn and Alle, named for their first date location and their favorite coffee spot.

PHOTO BY FULL CIRCLE MEDIA

Vendors

Ceremony & Reception: Franklin on Penn

Catering: DiAnoia’s Eatery

Dress: Bridal Beginning

Custom Suit: Designer Krista Abboud; David Alan Clothing

Hair: Tina’s Hair Designs (Christine); Simply Captivating (Madison)

Makeup: RC Glam (Christine); See Jane Blush (Madison)

Rings: Custom Rings by Denise Scanlon

Flowers: Field and Hand

Linens: Mosaic Inc.

Welcome Party: Puttery Pittsburgh

Rehearsal: Cadence at the Strip

DJ: Shuges Entertainment, Essex Falls, N.J.

Officiant: Lifelong friend Sarah Stierer

Wedding Planner: Devoted to You

Photography: Full Circle Media

GABRIELLE DALFONSO | PHOTO BY KRISTEN WYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

For a great majority of brides, the most magical moment of wedding planning is the aha moment when she turns around and catches the first glimpse of herself in the gown she’ll wear on the happiest day of her life.

While your wedding dress is certainly the pièce de résistance of your bridal look, the devil’s in the details. It’s not merely a question of whether to veil or not to veil, but how long, what fabric and at what cost? Plus, there’s makeup to consider — as well as accessories and even whether or not to add a second dress.

For advice on that, here’s what local brides had to say about making the most out of your big day.

Related: The Best Ways to Show Your Love for Pittsburgh on Your Wedding Day

Behind the Veil

CATHERINE TOWNLEY | PHOTO BY ALISA GARIN PHOTOGRAPHY

For 2023 bride Gabrielle Dalfonso, the wedding veil actualized the moment beyond dress-up.

“I can’t really put into words how I felt when I tried that veil on with my dress, but it completely transformed me into a bride, and I knew that was the one,” she says. “It complemented my dress perfectly and didn’t overshadow it at all — I actually feel as if it accentuated it and made the look complete.”

Catherine Townley, another 2023 bride, emphasized the drama her cathedral-length veil added to her big entrance and subsequent walk down the aisle.

Yet choosing the right veil for you can be difficult — when else will you need to worry about details such as whether the most trustworthy 6-year-old you know has the grace to assist you with a veil six times their size? Luckily, Nina Rivera, a manager at Anne Gregory Couture in Mt. Lebanon, was happy to share the advice she doles out to brides to prevent downward spirals.

“We tell brides to [pick] a dress first and then a few months after that [to] come back in for an accessories appointment,” Rivera says.

A Second Dress to Impress

RIAH PELUSO | PHOTO BY LEX KING PHOTOGRAPHY

Though the divide-and-conquer sentiment is theoretically helpful, picking the dress is far from simple.

Riah Peluso, who married in 2023, knew that she wanted a timeless satin look for her walk down the aisle but was troubled by the idea of sacrificing a stylistic playfulness from her wedding glam.

“My biggest piece of advice to anyone is to get a second dress,” says Peluso.

This advice is growing exceedingly popular in bridal circles for the flexibility it allows — both aesthetically and physically.

“I knew I would have a long train and more of a fitted dress as well, so it [would be] hard to really get around and move,” says Peluso of her decision to buy a second dress. “I wanted to be able to really move around and enjoy the ceremony and reception.”

Another 2023 bride, Rayna Donatelli-Baciak, took her wardrobe transformation a step further, committing to just one dress, but with a twist; it had three detachable skirts.

“It was nice that I could just attach [them] rather than changing my whole dress, but still had the three different looks that I wanted,” she says. “I think that’s such a great way so that you can be more present during the day.”

All the Small Things

RAYNA DONATELLI-BACIAK | PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

Once you’ve nailed down the dress — or dresses — and have a better idea of how you’d like your hair and makeup to look, it’s time to take up Rivera’s suggestion of returning to find the right veil that matches your vision.

While some gowns are designed with a specific veil to match, many aren’t. When you start from scratch — so to speak — it’s good to think about elements such as lace and embroidery and whether they will enhance or undermine your dress.

For example, “If a bride is choosing something more timeless, classic, very simple with nothing on it, we can kind of go to something more elaborate with a lace trim or a beaded trim or something with pearl detailing,” Rivera says.

Length is another important consideration. Rivera says a longer veil often completes the long line in the back of the dress, while a shorter veil can lend a similar decorative effect but without an overwhelming amount of material.

Townley points out that brides likely will wear their veil for 2 hours total, and suggested considering more affordable options from non-traditional vendors.

“I started looking at Etsy and then Shein for veils,” Townley says, adding, “I ordered five veils and [the] salon where I got my dress from [was] really open to bringing your accessories from outside places.”

Eventually, all the elements swirling around in your head will click. When that happens, you’ll look in a mirror — and a bride will be looking right back at you.

PHOTO: ADOBE IMAGES

How can we raise the bar on the traditional tuxedo or suit for my partner?

Skip the rental, and make a fashion-forward statement with a custom tuxedo or suit. Local boutiques Surmesur, David Alan Clothing, Commonwealth Proper and Samuel Baron Clothiers help clients to custom-design a distinct, personalized wedding-day look. Select your fabric, color, liner, buttons, embroidery and other details during this bespoke experience. The results are a unique style that reflects the person wearing it and a finely tailored tuxedo or suit that fits like a glove.

What are the differences between cocktail and black-tie dress codes for guests?

Black tie is the strictest of all the wedding dress codes, leaving little room for interpretation. It is usually seen at extremely formal or evening weddings. Tuxedos are expected, and a bow tie, cummerbund and patent leather shoes are strongly recommended. Well-tailored suits in rich fabrics and dark colors are acceptable in some circles. Floor-length gowns or elegant jumpsuits are appropriate, as are beading, patterns and bedazzled accessories. The essence of cocktail attire is looking polished and classic, while embellishing your style just a bit. Think of it as a simplified version of black tie with room for playfulness, but it’s by no means casual. Suits and little black dresses with shorter hemlines are appropriate, as is having fun with accessories, prints and colors.

How do we elevate our reception’s food and beverage menu?

Greet them with a glass of Champagne or a signature cocktail. Opt for upscale passed hors d’oeuvres instead of standard, stationed cocktail-hour fare. Incorporate luxury ingredients like truffle, lobster or Wagyu beef. Interactive food stations such as sushi-rolling or a gelato cart provide entertainment while tantalizing the taste buds. Elevating your dining experience can also be as simple as finishing off a beautiful place setting with a luxurious menu card and a fresh flower or sprig of greenery.

Victoria Deardorff is the owner and editor of Pittsburgh’s wedding blog, Burgh Brides.

PHOTO BY ARAUJO PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY ARAUJO PHOTOGRAPHY

When Aldo Met Jenna

When Aldo Pomposini went to let the new hire in at Northwestern Mutual’s Monroeville office in 2017, he didn’t know he’d find his future wife. Jenna Hasson, with her dark hair and Italian features, immediately intrigued Aldo. 

The feeling was mutual. 

“Right when the door opened and I saw him, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s something different here,’” Jenna says.

The two subtly asked their coworkers about one another throughout the day, and that afternoon Aldo approached Jenna and another co-worker to invite them to happy hour. 

Though his intention was to play it casual, his pickup line lives in infamy. 

Jenna — even years later — can barely recount the tale through her laughter: “He was like, ‘Yeah, do you want to go get a chicken wing or something?’” she says. “And I was like, ‘just one chicken wing?’”

PHOTO BY ARAUJO PHOTOGRAPHY

She Said Yes

Seven years after they met, while Jenna attended a Pittsburgh Young Professionals networking event in Lawrenceville, Aldo began staging their apartment for the proposal. He had created a visual timeline of the couple’s relationship: the happy hour outing, their first official date, the first time they said “I love you” to one another.

Everything was down to the detail — Aldo even had chicken wings alongside their timeline — yet, the wild card was Jenna herself. The networking event ran late, then, having no idea what was coming, Jenna spent 30 minutes in the car chatting with her mom before making her way upstairs.

Aldo was waiting in a suit and the room was illuminated in the soft glow of candles and string lights. A big question mark balloon loomed in the background and Aldo would soon have the answer he’d been waiting for.

“I just dropped my stuff at the door and started crying,” Jenna says. 

PHOTO BY ARAUJO PHOTOGRAPHY

The Big Day

The night before their wedding, Jenna tossed and turned, worried that the storm keeping her awake would ruin their special day. 

The next morning, she found herself significantly more calm than she’d expected to be and was able to relax, savoring her favorite part of any wedding: getting ready. Surrounded by a gaggle of her loved ones, Jenna prepared to marry the love of her life with occasional interruptions for pictures to memorialize the occasion.  

Jenna Hasson and Aldo Pomposini were married on August 12, 2023 at the United Church of Christ on Smithfield Street, Downtown. Their reception was held at The Pennsylvanian. And, luckily, the showers began after they took their pictures and ended before their cocktail hour began —  “I heard that’s good luck, right?,” Jenna says.

The couple was committed to providing their guests a feast for the ages. “My family’s Italian and Syrian, his is Italian too,” Jenna says, “and we were like, we have to knock it out of the park with the food.” From memory, the couple rattles off the highlights, including penne alla vodka, eggplant rollatini, beef tips, chicken, potatoes, green beans and grape leaves. 

“To this day, people that came to the wedding, our family and friends, still say how amazing the food was,” says Aldo. 

However, their commitment to dessert somehow rivaled the main course. Murrysville’s Tasty Bakery created the couple’s stunning four-tier wedding cake — Jenna loved it so much she even had a replica made afterward.

And, of course, there was the cookie table. Jenna’s mother took the lead, making the cookie table “her baby,” and amassed 480 dozen — over 5,000 cookies. Luckily Jenna’s mother set some aside for the couple because at the end of the night, they were all gone. 

“We have no regrets about anything throughout the wedding — our vendors, the day, everybody we invited,” Jenna says. “I can look back and I just don’t have one regret about anything.”

PHOTO BY ARAUJO PHOTOGRAPHY

Happily Ever After

Two days after their wedding, Aldo and Jenna took a quick road trip to Kentucky to move Jenna’s younger sister into college. A week and a half later, they left for a mini-moon in Fort Lauderdale and had a relaxing stay at the Ritz-Carlton, a welcome chance for decompression after an exciting fortnight.

Then, in December, they departed for their full-blown, 10-day honeymoon in Anguilla. On their last night, Aldo planned a surprise for Jenna.

“We had a dinner under the stars,” she says. “He had a little canopy set up with twinkle lights and they actually served [us] right on the beach.” A live band from their hotel made their romantic evening complete — they finished their honeymoon by dancing to their first dance song under the moonlight.

Aldo and Jenna are expecting their first child — a girl they plan to name after Aldo’s grandmother, Jovine, who passed away almost a year to the day of their baby’s due date.

PHOTO BY ARAUJO PHOTOGRAPHY

Vendors
Ceremony United Church of Christ on Smithfield Street, Downtown
Reception The Pennsylvanian, Downtown
Caterer Medure’s Catering
Cake Tasty Bakery
Dress Allure Bridal; MB Bride
Headpiece Clarissa’s Boutique
Rings Joyce’s Jewelry
Hair Rebecca’s Salon
Makeup Antonette Medved
Flowers The Farmer’s Daughter Florist
DJ Modern Era Weddings – DJ Mad Mike
Invitations, Monogram & Signage Loree Mayer Design
Videography ShoFilms Cinema
String Quintet Steven Vance Entertainment & Radiant Strings Music
Rentals All Occasions Party Rental & Marbella Rental
Lighting EF Lighting
Linens Lendable Linens
Limo Elite Coach Transportation
Wedding Planner Exhale Events
Photography Cyndi Araujo

PHOTO BY KRISTEN WYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

For Kelli Haselhoff and Adam Cline, their wedding day meant more than celebrating their commitment to each other. The couple called their October 2023 wedding, held at St. Peter Catholic Church on the North Side with a reception at the Renaissance Hotel, “a celebration of family,” centering their love of family throughout their special day.

Kelli hails from a Pittsburgh family, while Cline was born and raised in West Virginia. They wanted their union to embody the blending of their backgrounds — city and country — in a way that honored every person they loved.

To do so, Kelli and Adam created a personalized newspaper for their guests, which both memorialized the big day and gave their loved ones a look into their relationship.

PHOTO BY KRISTEN WYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

Designed entirely in Canva, the newspaper included details about the couple’s love story — how they met (working for a pipeline company) and the progression of their relationship leading up to their engagement. The couple also made sure to include special details about each of the members of their wedding party, including their nieces and nephews who were ages 1 through 7.

Beyond recognizing their loved ones, the couple also felt it was important to introduce the Steel City to those who were unfamiliar.

“We’re both a little nerdy — we’re both engineers — so we included a crossword puzzle just to kind of get people talking,” says Kelli.

PHOTO BY KRISTEN WYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

Clues in the puzzle revealed fun facts such as how the lights atop the Grant Tower Downtown flash to spell Pittsburgh in Morse code and how the neon lights atop the Gulf Tower signal weather conditions in the area.

“We like being challenged and doing crafts or puzzles ourselves, so [we] included that to tell a little bit about ourselves and the things that were important to us,” Kelli says.

PHOTO BY KRISTEN WYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

Beyond the newspaper memento, the newlyweds put heartfelt touches into small details throughout the day. Kelli surprised her mother by taking a few pictures before the ceremony in the dress she wore to marry Kelli’s father in 1982.

The bride also made corsages and boutonnieres out of long-lasting Sola Wood Flowers for special loved ones she wanted to recognize like her godparents.

PHOTO BY KRISTEN WYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

“They may not have been directly in my family … but they’re special, so we [made them] special corsages,” Kelli says.

Making sure to include West Virginia traditions as well, the couple also offered pepperoni rolls in the midst of their Pittsburgh cookie table.

PHOTO BY WEDDINGS BY ALISA

Westmoreland County bride Catherine Clements knew she wanted a spectacular Pittsburgh cookie table at her July 2023 wedding to Aaron Townley after her four older siblings got married and offered plenty of sweet treats at their celebrations.

“There was a lot of hype and excitement from our friends and family that helped contribute cookies,” she says.

PHOTO BY WEDDINGS BY ALISA

The mother-of-the-bride, Daryl Hlavsa, coordinated more than 70 dozen cookies curated by an assembly of loved ones for the newlywed’s reception at LeMont, ensuring each of the 16 contributors was recognized on a handmade sign. Knowing how preoccupied the couple would be, Hlavsa had two of each kind of cookie set aside for them before the treats were put out for guests.

Aaron is a Michigan native unaccustomed to the tradition and had a single request: cookie bridges. Through the power of Facebook bridal groups, the couple discovered Eisels Kustomz, a family-owned business that specializes in Pittsburgh cookie table props, and rented replicas of the Smithfield Bridge as well as one of the three sisters bridges — both of which lit up.

“The cookie bridges were definitely a fun element [that played] into the kind of Pittsburgh theme of the wedding,” Catherine says.

PHOTO BY RACHEL ROWLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY RACHEL ROWLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

When Nick Met Brian

Years before they met, Nick Rubano and Brian Savolskis seemed to have been connected by an invisible string.

They unknowingly followed similar paths to Cleveland for their undergraduate studies before each moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to pursue professional opportunities and for Nick to attend law school.

Their paths never crossed until they both returned to the Pittsburgh region, where they had their first date on Sept. 30, 2016. They shared drinks at Allegheny Wine Mixer before moving on to dinner at Piccolo Forno — while bonding over their shared history.

“We had a great conversation that lasted from Friday to Sunday,” Brian says. “It was the first date that never ended. I think we’re still on it.”

PHOTO BY RACHEL ROWLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

He Said Yes

Four years after their first date, Nick had hoped to propose during a trip to southern Italy in the summer of 2020. When the pandemic forced the couple to cancel their plans, Nick chose a new proposal approach: A trip to Topsail Beach in North Carolina with a group of the couple’s closest friends that August.

On the second day of their trip, Nick proposed on the beach with a ring from local Studebaker Metals — a piece forged in local steel, much like his and Brian’s relationship. The couple spent the rest of their vacation as an extended engagement party.

PHOTO BY RACHEL ROWLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

The Big Day

Nick and Brian meticulously curated their wedding with a chic, inviting atmosphere for their guests. Taking inspiration from their time in southern Florida, the couple transformed the Fairmont Pittsburgh into a golden hour Miami champagne bar for their wedding on Sept. 30, 2023 — the seventh anniversary of their first date.

Two of their friends officiated the ceremony, and three other friends recited pieces from the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court case allowing same-sex marriage, a monologue from the “Will and Grace” episode “Coffee & Commitment,” and a selection of quotes about love by RuPaul.

“We wanted to do something that would resonate,” Nick says. “That sequence [identifies] where the law changed, where we’ve come, and how we’ve progressed [while] stringing along this positivity and this level of love.”

The centerpiece of the reception was a custom bar created by All Occasions Party Rental, where drinks were “sponsored” by their miniature Goldendoodle, Vinnie, including two signature cocktails, the “Vinnie Margarita” and a “Dirty Vintini.” The couple’s cookie table was crafted with creative direction from Nick’s mom who, along with the couple’s aunts, baked more than 20 varieties and a total of 350 dozen cookies. And as a nod to their love of music festivals, the couple had custom merchandise including koozies, sunglasses and fans.

PHOTO BY RACHEL ROWLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Happily Ever After

Nick and Brian honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas. The couple both work for Highmark where Nick, 36, is an attorney in the Regulatory Affairs Department and Brian, 40, is a director of operations. They live in Lawrenceville with their miniature Goldendoodle, Vinnie.

PHOTO BY RACHEL ROWLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Vendors

Photographer Rachel Rowland Photography
Ceremony & Reception Site Fairmont Pittsburgh, Downtown
Caterer & Cake Fairmont Pittsburgh
Dessert Italian cookie table
Hair/Makeup MSTR
Tux/Suit Custom Indochino
Rings Marke Fine Jewelry
Flowers greenSinner
Music & Entertainment DJ Jess
Stationery/Invitations Minted
Favors Custom Nick + Brian Merch
Lighting EF Lighting
Rentals/Linens All Occasions / Lendable Linens
Photobooth Rachel Rowland Photography
Ceremony & Photobooth Backdrops Lucy Blossoms
Officiants Meghan Angus + Matthew Galmoff
Wedding Planner Nick + Brian with creative assistance from Joanna Bazzano, Fairmont, Jimmy + Katlyn, greenSinner.

PHOTO COURTESY PITTSBURGH PIRATES

It started as an offhand comment.

Before her wedding to Shane Cali on Oct. 19, Bethany Nold mentioned to her bridesmaids that it would be amazing if the pierogies that race around the field at Pirates games would show up at her wedding; Shane and Bethany love going to games together.

While getting ready the morning of, bridesmaid Addison Albert pulled out a large box with four costumes inside: Jalapeño Hannah, Potato Pete, Cheese Chester and Oliver Onion, as a surprise for Bethany.

“I was so pumped,” Bethany says. “Not only was I so excited, but I knew everyone else would be.”

PHOTO BY BLISSFULLY BRI PHOTOGRAPHY

She kept the costumes a secret from her guests but she couldn’t resist telling her husband while they were taking photos after the ceremony.

“He was equally as excited,” she says.

But what she didn’t know was that her bridesmaids planned to “race” around the reception upon their entrance at Hotel Monaco.

PHOTO BY BLISSFULLY BRI PHOTOGRAPHY

Albert, a reporter for WTOV9 in Steubenville, posted the video to TikTok with Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow” playing in the background. Many commenters called it “the most Pittsburgh thing ever.” One commenter said: “As a Yinzer. I know the Pierogis raced to the cookie table.”

@addisonalberttv When your brude loves everything Pittsburgh…you deliver. #bride #pittsburgh #bridmaids #bridalpartyentrance #pirates #perogies #pittsburghpirates #pittsburghsteelers #pittsburghpa #pittsburghperogies #hotelmonacopittsburgh ♬ Black and Yellow – Wiz Khalifa

“When the bride loves Everything Pittsburgh…” it was captioned.

“I couldn’t believe how much love and support and excitement everyone else had who wasn’t even there,” Bethany says. “Everyone knows the pierogies.”

PHOTO BY BLISSFULLY BRI PHOTOGRAPHY

Bethany and Shane also had custom NFL jerseys with their new last name, made by their best man and matron of honor, and a custom Terrible “Wedding” Towel.

Many couples enjoy bringing unique Pittsburgh elements into their weddings. And even those without connections to Pittsburgh can get in on the black-and-gold love, like this group who had a special affection for Heinz ketchup.

PHOTOS BY WILD NATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY, DAWN DERBYSHIRE PHOTOGRAPHY AND LEEANN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Many Pittsburgh residents fall in love with all elements of their street and neighborhood. The plethora of quiet yet bustling boroughs in our region provide both exciting activities and sanctuary.

For one couple, the North Side became home.

Looking for more Pittsburgh weddings inspiration? Flip through our latest fall weddings issue.

Casey Farbacher was living on Foreland Street and Will Bunk was living on Arch Street, home to Randyland, when they met in 2016. When they married on May 6, 2023, they deemed the vibrant outdoor art museum founded by local artist Randy Gilson the perfect location for their wedding photoshoot.

“We wanted the colorful elements of Randyland and that unique personality that Arch Street has,” Casey says.

PHOTO BY WILD NATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY

For their ceremony, the couple chose Saint Peter Church, also located on Arch Street, and held an intimate reception at Fig & Ash on East Ohio Street. The couple now lives in Warren, Warren County, so walking down the streets they once called home created a sense of nostalgia on their special day.

“It was really nice to be able to go back there,” Casey says. “That’s where we had our first dates and really just got to know each other and where our relationship started.”

Their photo shoot carried over into the Mexican War Streets.

“We love it [the North Side] — the park, everything about it, it’s so close to everything,” Casey says. “So we wanted to make sure our wedding was our favorite part of Pittsburgh, which really is the North Side.”

Event planner Tori Rippole, owner of La EVENTOR based in the North Side, supports any way to pay homage to Pittsburgh in her clients’ weddings. Just recently, Rippole had clients choose the Heinz History Center for their reception, which she says “is the perfect location” for couples who really want to show off their city.

PHOTO BY DAWN DERBYSHIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

For Megan McBrearty and Lorenzo Selvaggi’s celebration on July 6, 2024, Rippole created a Heinz ketchup-themed escort display with 3-foot-tall ketchup bottles for decoration and mini Heinz ketchup bottles with guests’ names and table number, which doubled as wedding favors. A sign read: “Let’s ketchup,” a tomatoey spin on “Let’s catch up.”

“Guests really loved this,” Rippole says.

PHOTO BY DAWN DERBYSHIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

Related: This Groom Wore a Jacket Made of Heinz Ketchup Packets to His Wedding

The famous Pittsburgh cookie table is one of the most common ways for couples to show their city some love and share a local tradition with their guests. Many of Rippole’s clients have used Pittsburgh bridge displays to hold their cookies; others asked stationery artists to create a sign giving the history of the tradition.

PHOTO BY LEEANN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

“Guests are really going to remember those little hints … and that’s what sets the weddings and events apart,” says Rippole.

Pittsburgh and the city’s culture has become a large part of Taylor Wellman and Alex Clementoni’s relationship. The pair met at the University of Pittsburgh during their undergraduate studies; Taylor had grown up in the Pittsburgh area, while Alex was raised in Williamsport in Central Pennsylvania.

“He came to Pittsburgh for school,” Taylor says. “But even before that, growing up, Alex was a Steelers fan. So he and his family would come to Pittsburgh pretty frequently for Steelers games … He grew up being immersed in Pittsburgh culture.”

After earning their undergraduate degrees, Taylor and Alex went back to Pitt for grad school. When they got engaged, they decided to marry in a location special to their Panther background: Heinz Memorial Chapel. Their wedding was held at the Oakland landmark on June 24, 2023.

The reception, also at Pitt, was at the University Club, where Taylor and Alex entered waving custom Terrible Towels to the song “Renegade,” by Styx, which is played at every Steelers home game.

The Terrible Towels also served as the couples’ favors, and Taylor recalls the excitement that filled the room when they entered and guests waved their towels.

PHOTO BY LEEANN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

“People knew what to do whenever you hear ‘Renegade’ and you have a Terrible Towel,” Taylor says. “It was really loud. I thought it was a really cool way to kind of tie everything together.

“It made that Pittsburgh experience for all of our guests who maybe weren’t from Pittsburgh, too.”

Rippole says the most special weddings are those in which the couple stays true to what they believe in, she says.

“If your heart is telling you to put a bridge on the cookie table or take photos on one of the iconic bridges here in Pittsburgh, do it and do what makes you happy,” Rippole says.

Her advice for couples looking to add Pittsburgh themes into their wedding comes down to one thing: Hire a wedding planner and designer.

“There are so many great planners here in our city, and we really do our best to give our clients what they want and elevate their visions. There are so many creative ways that we can tie in Pittsburgh. The limit truly doesn’t exist.”

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

In Gabriela Citrone’s Connecticut home, there was no rooting for the New England Patriots. 

Gabby, whose family are minority owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers, grew up with a Terrible Towel in hand, cheering for the black and gold as her family flew into Pittsburgh on weekends for football games. 

Early on, Gabby felt an affinity for Pittsburgh. While still a child, she made a big decision about her grown-up life. 

“I always knew that I would fall in love with a Pittsburgh man,” she says. 

Related: Say ‘I Do’ in the 412 with Style Thanks to This Advice from Burgh Brides

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

Jokingly, she said her true love would also need to be a member of the Rooney family. As it turns out, she was right.  

On Oct. 28, 2023, Gabby celebrated her marriage to Dr. J. Gannon Rooney — an anesthesiologist whose famous last name needs no introduction in Pittsburgh — in a blowout, Steelers-themed bash for 500 of their friends and family at (where else?) Acrisure Stadium. 

Planned by Pittsburgh-based Wanderlust Weddings + Events, the epic event was one of three weddings the couple held to recognize their union. The first was a small ceremony last August at Mount Washington’s St. Mary of the Mount church, where Gabby’s parents — who hail from Bethel Park and Latrobe — were also married. 

Less than three weeks later, she and Gannon said “I do” again in an elegant dream wedding in Italy’s Tuscany region, surrounded by close family and friends. 

As for their final wedding celebration at Acrisure Stadium? Well, that was just one big, glamorous party. 

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

“We love to celebrate, and we love to celebrate big in Pittsburgh style,” says Gabby. “We invited my family, my friends, my mom’s family, my mom’s friends, anyone who had been a part of our love story, to Acrisure Stadium.” 

Ali Simcho, co-founder and event producer for Wanderlust Weddings + Events, says the night’s theme was that the couple and their guests had “broken into” the stadium after dark and threw a major party before having to clear out for a Steelers game the next day. The last part happened to be true. 

“We did have to be out by 1 a.m. so that the Steelers could flip the space for the game the next day, so that was a very big challenge,” Simcho says. 

Guests were welcomed into the stadium by the lively Pittsburgh Steeline drumline before walking a green astroturf carpet and entering one of two elevators, which featured photos from the couple’s weddings on Mount Washington and in Italy, that took them to the main reception. 

“We made terrible towels with the date on it as the wedding invite, so it was not very traditional,” Gabby says. “Somebody even sewed that into a dress shirt and wore it to the event; people had so much fun with this party.”

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

Announced by legendary “Voice of the Steelers” Bill Hillgrove, the wedding party entered onto a dance floor made to look like a football field by running through a banner emblazoned with the couple’s names. Instead of flowers, the bridesmaids carried pom poms while the groomsmen waved flags. Every member of the wedding party, including the bride and groom, also ditched the formal footwear in favor of black-and-gold bedazzled sneakers.  

“That was a really fun touch and was also a last-minute thing,” says Gabby, who wore a fitted white gown by Ines Di Santo from Bridal Beginning that exploded into a cascade of ruffles near the knees. “I thought that I was going to have the ladies in heels, but then once we were getting ready, we just decided to switch straight to the sneakers.” 

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

The reception also incorporated elements from the couple’s love story. Simcho was able to recreate a section of Mario’s East Side Saloon in Shadyside, where the couple first met during a Jam on Walnut event, by adding wood paneling and a neon sign to the venue. 

Another area of the stadium was turned into Mr. and Mrs. Rooney’s Neighborhood, a play on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” while other seating areas paid tribute to places that are meaningful to the couple, including a homage to Disney World. 

At the trolley-shaped bar, the event’s bartenders donned red cardigans similar to the ones Fred Rogers always wore. The couple’s dog, Baymax, a Havanese, also played a big role in the wedding. Other fun touches were a giant Heinz ketchup bottle with a Mr. and Mrs. Rooney label and a glamorous cake from Bella Christie’s Sweet Boutique in Aspinwall that looked like a football was smashing through it.  

“It was all just very cute, very personal and fun, and something you do not usually see at an event,” says Simcho, who notes Gabby and her mother, Cindy, worked closely with her to execute their vision. “There was never a dull moment; there was so much to do and see. [The guests] were embraced with so much Pittsburgh fun as soon as they showed up at Acrisure.” 

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

Instead of a bouquet, Gabby tossed a rhinestone-encrusted football to her guests, which included Troy and Theodora Polamalu. The couple also shared a touching tribute to their close family friend Franco Harris, who signed a Steelers jersey congratulating the couple shortly before he died. 

“He was very, very special to our family, and the day that we got engaged on Dec. 24, 2022 — [it] was at that game that was going to honor his 50-year Immaculate Reception anniversary,” Gabby says. “He passed away in the days before that.”  

The night ended with a grand fireworks display on the football field that was heartily cheered on by guests. Today, the couple, who honeymooned in Mexico, reside in Squirrel Hill. Gabby, 28, is the outreach director of her family’s Citrone 33 Foundation, where she oversees special programs and investments in education, health and human services. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2023, Gannon, also 28, is a doctor with UPMC.

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

When Corey Met Michelle

Corey Burns and Michelle Watson met after a mutual friend messaged Michelle on Instagram. She said that she had a guy in mind she thought was perfect for Michelle, and she wanted them to try it out. Michelle shared her phone number with the friend, and Corey, who was living in Washington, D.C. at the time, texted her. When Corey visited Pittsburgh that month, in January 2019, the two had their first date at an art gallery with lunch at Roman Bistro.

While the distance sometimes made things complicated — “He’s a texter, I’m not,” Michelle says with a laugh — she also knew the relationship had potential.

“I committed to texting and long distance to see where it would go,” she says. They spent their time traveling to visit each other, taking cooking classes and going to Miami, their favorite vacation spot.

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

She Said Yes

In January 2022, the couple’s daughter, Elle, was born — three years exactly from the day that they met. Later that year, on Christmas morning, Elle was in charge of the sign that read, “Will You Marry My Daddy?”

“It was a complete surprise. I had no clue it was going on,” Michelle says. “I don’t think he told anyone until the day before.”

Michelle’s mother was there for the big proposal, and Corey had created a PowerPoint presentation with dates for ring shopping so that they could find one together.

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

The Big Day

Michelle and Corey left the brunt of their wedding planning to Michelle’s best friend, event planner Shayla Hawkins.

“We gave her a vision, and she put it together,” Michelle says.

Their vibe, which the couple calls “courthouse chic,” was achieved through everything from the small guest list of 80 people, the black formal-attire dress code and the decision not to have a bridal party. Corey and Michelle were married on the grand staircase of the historical Frick Building, Downtown, where Michelle’s grandfather, a 101-year-old retired judge, had his courtroom. Guests watched their “short and sweet” ceremony from the surrounding balcony.

“It was laid back and fit our personalities, nothing was forced,” Corey says.

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

Happily Ever After

Michelle, 40, and Corey, 41, live in the Hill District in Crawford Square with their now 2 ½-year-old daughter. The couple work together as real estate investors and Realtors, doing everything from rentals to flips, Airbnbs and consulting.

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

Vendors

Photography & Videography: Kristi Telnov Photography
Ceremony: Frick Building, Downtown
Reception: Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse Pittsburgh, Downtown
Cake: Bella Christie’s Sweet Boutique
Ceremony Dress: Luxe Redux Bridal
Reception Dress: Albina Dyla
Hair: Muse Me Hair Studio
Makeup: BeatByNesh Beauty Studio
Tux: Calvin Klein
Rings: Diamonds Direct and Cartier
Floral Design: May Chester Design
Musician: DJ Drummr (Dennis Garner)
Branding & Stationery: Melissa & Seventh Design Studio
Rentals: All Occasions Party Rental
Linens: Mosaic
Custom Towels: Sew Special by V
Photobooth: Moxie Events
Wedding Planner: Shayla Hawkins Events

PHOTO BY DAWN DERBYSHIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

There can be such a thing as too much black and gold; a little goes a long way here. Luckily, saying “I do” in the 412 just got a little easier thanks to these tips from our Pittsburgh wedding planning expert.

What are some advantages of getting married in Pittsburgh?

As if the cookie table wasn’t enough, there are lots of other reasons to get married in Pittsburgh. With ballrooms, barns, museums and more, the variety of local wedding venues offers an option for just about any wedding style, and backdrops like the Point State Park fountain, city skyline and bridges instantly give wedding photos some unique flair. There is also plenty of entertainment for out-of-town guests from professional sports teams to cultural hot spots. Plus, the average cost of a Pittsburgh wedding tends to be below the national average, making it a more affordable place to get married.

What are some tasteful ways to incorporate Pittsburgh into our celebration?

Consider a rehearsal dinner or welcome party at Acrisure Stadium or PNC Park if you’re a sports fan. Name your reception tables after your favorite local sites or the bridges. Treat your guests to pierogies or mini Primanti’s-style sandwiches during cocktail hour or as a late night snack. Feature Eat’n Park Smiley Cookies on your cookie table or offer Sarris chocolate as your favors. A subtle nod to the 412 can still have a big impact.

How can we help out-of-town guests feel welcomed to Pittsburgh?

It may be many guests’ first time visiting, so a list of must-see sites and your favorite restaurants on your wedding website will be helpful. You could also include a few locally made snacks, treats or gifts in your hotel welcome bags, and a list of Pittsburghese words and phrases will have out-of-towners laughing and talking like a yinzer in no time.

Victoria Deardorff is the owner and editor of Pittsburgh’s wedding blog, Burgh Brides.

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

Coming from different backgrounds and cultures meant that Courtney O’Toole and Nadeem Farah got to share a lot of new traditions with their guests. 

Courtney was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school, while Nadeem is Syrian Orthodox. The pair has known each other since elementary school but didn’t start dating until their mid-20s.  

For their wedding on Oct. 7, 2023, they chose an Orthodox Church, St. George Antiochian Cathedral, in Oakland. Following Syrian tradition, the whole family went to the bride’s parents’ house to lead Courtney out with dancing, drums and music. They did the same celebration as the couple exited the church following the ceremony.

“It’s a big party basically, in the street outside of church before the reception happens,” Courtney says. 

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

She says it was the first time some of her family and friends were exposed to some aspects of Syrian culture — and they loved it. 

“Everyone was dancing all night and had the best time,” says Courtney in an email. “My family thought the Syrian traditions were so special and they were all wanting to learn the dances.

“I’ve been around this now for 10 years,” Courtney says. “Even at his graduation party from high school, they had Arabic music and traditional dances. I vividly remember at his graduation party learning how to Dabke [a traditional Levantine folk dance] with his aunts.”  

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

Prior to the wedding, the couple made all of the appetizers, which was a full Mediterranean menu, by hand, with the help of Nadeem’s family. 

“That was a really special part too because we got to show my family, ‘Hey, this is how they do things and this is their food and their culture,’” says Courtney. 

The wedding also featured a traditional Pittsburgh cookie table, filled with hundreds of baked goods. 

The couple is making sure to pass on their traditions to the next generation, too. When Nadeem proposed to Courtney, he had their two boys, Taye and Georgie, hold a sign saying “Will you marry our Baba,” which means father in Arabic. Taye and Georgie served as a groomsman and ring bearer, respectively, and the couple’s 5-year-old daughter, Kaliya, was the flower girl. 

“I’ve just really embraced his culture, and I want my kids to know that part of them,” Courtney says. 

PHOTO BY SARAH P THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Former wedding planner Meghan Stromberg has a total of 126 weddings under her belt. She saved the best for last — her own. 

When she prepared to marry Michael Sapp on Oct. 7, 2023, at his mother’s bed and breakfast in New Wilmington, Lawrence County, she knew she wasn’t going to hire a wedding planner. 

Meghan started her work in weddings at MB Bride in Greensburg while she was attending the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg. Growing up, Meghan along with her sister and mom would watch “Say Yes to the Dress” and “Four Weddings,” which Meghan says sparked her interest in the wedding business.

Following graduation, Meghan moved back home to Pittsburgh to get into the event side of weddings. She worked at Salvatore’s Events and Catering for three years before moving to Airport Marriott. 

“I’ve seen a lot of things work and I’ve seen a lot of things where I had to learn how to duct tape or safety pins to try and salvage the day,” says Meghan. 

One of her goals for the wedding was to design everything to go together, not match. 

“The look I had envisioned was this gypsy, fairytale, Midsummer Night’s Dream mashup,” she says. 

PHOTO BY SARAH P THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Meghan used the help of online resources like Facebook Marketplace to find pieces for the wedding that felt personal.

“A lot of people have open-concept houses now or they might be moving their elderly parents out of their homes and no one has a formal dining room anymore,” says Meghan. “So people are just giving away all these beautiful dining room tables and chairs on Facebook Marketplace, and all this beautiful crystal and beautiful china.”

Her husband helped with planning for the cigar bar and furniture they placed outdoors on the grass.

“My husband is super laid back, he’s also very handy,” says Meghan. “So if I didn’t think something was going to work, he was usually able to help me figure out a way to finagle the idea from my head into making it a reality.”

PHOTO BY SARAH P THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Handling everything herself meant she and her bridesmaids spent the morning of her wedding making the centerpieces — she sent her sister and bridesman to go outside and pick wildflowers to accompany the hand-painted wooden flowers she had done that same morning.

But her experience also taught her the importance of having a timeline. 

“I built in a cushioned 10 to 15 minutes in between everything,” says Meghan. “I wasn’t expecting things to happen on time. That’s also why I didn’t choose to have the wedding at a hotel or at a beautiful banquet hall somewhere because they are more rigid in timing of things.” 

Meghan couldn’t have been more pleased with the end results. 

“It was the wedding of my dreams,” she says.

PHOTO BY SARAH P THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Meghan’s newest feat is Welcome Homewares, a booth in the Painted Tree in Homestead. There, she sells the furniture, wooden flower arrangements, china, crystal and more that she bought and collected for the wedding. 

In her 126 weddings, Meghan saw brides reluctant to dive into various aesthetics that attracted them. 

“I think that people are scared to play around with different fabrics and different colors, and I think they shouldn’t be,” Meghan says. “A lot of times, if you are drawn to something, and it’s speaking to you and it’s your style, then you kind of know that it’s supposed to belong, in a sense.” 

PHOTO BY ALEXA FRANKOVITCH PHOTOGRAPHY

When you picture a group of bridesmaids, it’s likely they’re all dressed in a uniform color and style, matching each one to the next. The unvaried look is a go-to choice for most weddings, as it spotlights the dazzling bride gowned in white on her special day.

But for brides who want to add some flare to their bridal party, mismatched bridesmaid dresses are a stand-out option.

Under the umbrella of mismatched bridesmaid dresses falls three separate categories, according to Brides: different colors in the same styles, different styles in the same color, and different dress styles and colors. 

PHOTO BY ALEXA FRANKOVITCH PHOTOGRAPHY

Chelsey Ptak, who married Michael Evans on Oct. 27, 2023, at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, went with mismatched dresses for her bridesmaids, in both style and color. 

“I wanted something different,” Chelsey says.  

Chelsey picked a variety of styles, and each of her bridesmaids was assigned a specific color. From there, each bridesmaid chose what style she was happiest in.

“I was so specific on colors, I actually spent a lot of time trying to find the dresses, and it wasn’t easy,” Chelsey says. 

PHOTO BY ALEXA FRANKOVITCH PHOTOGRAPHY

“I know how uncomfortable it is being in a dress that you feel, ‘God, this looks hideous on me.’ I wanted to give my friends the ability to choose a style that they think they’re actually going to look good in,” she adds.  

Chelsey and Michael’s wedding was an array of autumnal colors, with the bridesmaids’ dresses as a cherry on top. 

“They loved it,” she says.

PHOTO BY LEX KING PHOTOGRAPHY

Included on the list of Martha Stewart’s trending bridesmaids’ looks of 2024, black gowns are a good option for brides who are aiming to achieve a classic look.

Riah Yost, who married Chris Peluso in November at First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, Downtown, with a reception at the Omni William Penn Hotel, appreciates a neutral vibe in all aspects of her life, whether that be in her home or for her wedding. 

PHOTO BY LEX KING PHOTOGRAPHY

Champagne-colored dresses, also a popular option for brides going the neutral route, was actually Riah’s first choice. 

“When I had some of the girls try them on, I thought black looked a lot better on every skin tone,” Riah says. “I know for the champagne [dresses], it can wash a lot of people out. The black just looked a lot better on every single girl.” 

While the Martha Stewart article states that black gowns are a good option if you’d like to let your bridesmaids pick their own dresses, Riah opted to have a cohesive look for the bridesmaids, all with the same style.

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

Basia Kossecka, who married Joe Federoff in September 2022 at The Pennsylvanian Downtown, also wanted a neutral style in her big day; she’s still happy with her choice.

“Looking back at pictures now, I still like that decision,” Basia says. “You’ll start to not like things as time goes on because new trends come out and new colors. I still like the route I went with.”

PHOTO BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

Basia dreamt of an understated wedding and found that her bridesmaid dresses, all in the same style, enhanced that.

“They fit in perfectly,” Basia says. “That’s exactly what I envisioned. It’s a little more evening-upscale [style]. It definitely helped bring my vision to life the day of.” 

The Martha Stewart list also suggests that the look is perfect for black-tie weddings, which is what Riah chose.

PHOTO BY LEX KING PHOTOGRAPHY

“It looks very sophisticated,” Riah says. “That made it easy to go along with the dress code.”

With its timeless, chic aesthetic, the black bridesmaid gown might become a permanent trend. 

“Black is never going to go out of style. You can really never go wrong with black,” Riah says.

PHOTOS BY LAVENDER LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY

You’ll likely see a lot of Pittsburgh brides wearing white at upcoming weddings, but you may also see them wearing pink or blue.

Rebecca VanRyzin chose the “Charlotte” gown by Lazaro from Bridal Beginning for her Sept. 23 wedding to Andrew Hanus after searching for a year for the perfect look.

“I was a tomboy growing up and refused to wear dresses … choosing a dress seemed like a little bit of a daunting task,” she says.

Surprising herself, she eventually decided on a ballgown silhouette with sparkles, but she still couldn’t narrow her choices down to “the” dress.

“They all seemed to blend together and look the same to me,” she says. 

PHOTOS BY LAVENDER LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY

When she saw a sparkly blush ballgown on Lazaro’s website, she knew it was the one, and tracked down a sample at Bridal Beginning. 

“There are so many things that I love about my dress. The fact that it leaves sparkles everywhere I walk brings me more joy than I care to admit! Whenever I twirled on the dance floor I looked like the most incredible starry midnight sky you have ever seen,” she says. “My dress not being white also brought me so much joy … Every single one of my guests was so surprised to see me walk down the aisle in a pink dress.”

“ANNE” FROM HOUSE OF SAVIN | PHOTO COURTESY BRIDAL BEGINNING

Pam Olivo, owner of Bridal Beginning in Mt. Lebanon, says soft blushes or soft nudes are often offered as an underlay. Hues of blue are catching on, and nods to the ‘50s and ‘60s are also trending with lots of drop waists, longline corsets and full tulle skirts.

PHOTO BY CHASE IMAGES

Carissa Lange married Sean Packer on Aug. 12, 2023, at Shady Elms Farm. She chose an Essense of Australia gown from Bridal Beginning in Moscato, adding two belts for a personalized touch.

“It did give a very ‘blush’ appearance, which is one of the things I loved most about it,” she says.

PHOTO BY CHASE IMAGES

Jenn Mason, the store manager/buying manager at MB Bride & Special Occasion in Greensburg, says she’s noticed soft blush colors making an impression as well as subtle colorful accents being re-introduced. She’s also noticed blue gowns popping up.

“I think that brides are looking for a more picture-perfect look with the new gowns,” she says. “They are more detail-oriented. Gowns with color or gowns with bold detail seem to be what is alluring to our brides.”

PHOTO BY ALEXA FRANKOVITCH PHOTOGRAPHY

Neither Chelsey Ptak nor Michael Evans was particularly looking forward to their first date.

“Both of us were at a point where I would say I was close to giving up on dating,” Chelsey says. 

Despite having gone through a series of bad dates, they both downloaded the dating app Upward on a whim and connected. Mike asked Chelsey to meet him on March 27, 2021, at Thorn Hill Tap House in Wexford. Afterward, they decided to go for a walk around North Park Lake, a spot that would end up playing a pivotal part in their engagement, just 364 days later. 

After their first date, Mike drove straight to one of the only stores open at that time of night and bought a notebook from the Giant Eagle in the South Side. 

“So that’s where I started documenting each day of our relationship all the way up until when I proposed and we got engaged,” Mike says. 

PHOTO BY ALEXA FRANKOVITCH PHOTOGRAPHY

Chelsey had no idea Mike was writing about every day of them being together, and Mike decided to use his letters to lead Chelsey through North Park to a spot where she would find him with a final letter, asking her to be his wife. 

“It was probably a couple of weeks of planning, figuring it out, finding letters I wanted to use, coordinating with everybody,” Mike says. 

On March 27, 2022, he told Chelsey they were going to meet his mom at Narcisi Winery in Gibsonia to celebrate her recent birthday. While she was getting ready, Mike left to “run to Walgreen’s real fast,” which is when he went to North Park to get everything set up. His sister had flown in from Boston and Chelsey’s mom, sister and brother were also enlisted to make everything happen smoothly.

PHOTO BY JEN QUALK – QUALK PHOTOGRAPHY

“I went through the entire 364 days and picked major milestones in our relationship and I printed those out,” Mike says. “I put them in these really nice letters and I hid them all around North Park.” 

When Chelsey made it to the final spot, she saw Mike standing under a tree with dozens of pictures of the couple wrapped around the trunk, and the final letter.

“It was so cute,” Chelsey says. “He had everything done so sweetly.”

That fall, Chelsey and Mike tied the knot at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. 

PHOTO BY ALEXA FRANKOVITCH PHOTOGRAPHY

Both Mike and Chelsey said despite how nervous they were about that first date (they discovered about four months into dating that they had both almost canceled), they knew immediately they had something special.

“If on our first date we can make it around the whole 5-mile loop without feeling awkward or not having anything to talk about, I knew after that that we were probably going to be for the long haul,” Chelsey says.

PHOTOS COURTESY HERE FOR THE COOKIE TABLE

A cookie table is a must when it comes to Pittsburgh weddings. 

But the necessary element can also be a time-consuming one, which is why companies like Here for the Cookie Table and bakeries like Bella Christie’s Sweet Boutique can help with the process. 

Inspired by her own daughter’s wedding, Marsha Houston started Here for the Cookie Table in 2021.

“I wanted to make her this gorgeous cookie table … I spent three and a half hours setting it up,” Houston says. Running from hair and makeup to mother-daughter photos to the actual wedding, there was no time to spare. 

“Eleven o’clock at night, I stood there looking at the cookie table that I now had to clean up, and I thought, ‘No mother or family member should have to do this the day of the wedding.’”

Houston and her team of designers carefully take the sweets and treats from the families to make memorable and inviting displays. 

“I want the display to complement the cookies,” Houston says. “The bakers worked so hard on them and the family wants to see their cookies displayed.” 

If the couple wants the display to be “the star of the show,” though, Houston can make it happen. “We have some that want to make it really special; we’ll add pictures of their parents and their grandparents. 

“If I don’t have something that matches their vibe, I will go find it. I’ve turned chandeliers into display pieces, plant stands, anything I see,” Houston says. 

They even help with the clean-up process. “We get back about 45 minutes before the end of the wedding and have the DJ do a last call for the cookie table.” 

Bella Christie’s Sweet Boutique can handle the cookies themselves if family and friends aren’t available for baking or the couple wants to add variety. 

“You don’t have to worry about asking a bunch of family members to do something extra for the wedding, you can let the bakery handle everything for you,” says Stacey Sterritt from Bella Christie’s.

The bakery will also take on the work of ensuring there’s a variety for a large number of guests, Sterritt says. “We do pretty much anything … classic cookies, gourmet cookies.” 

BELLA CHRISTIE’S CREATED CUSTOM COOKIES FOR MADISON MARTIN AND RYAN VIOLA’S WEDDING IN 2022. | PHOTO BY EVA LIN PHOTOGRAPHY

The bakery offers a “premium” section on their menu, too, including some red velvet cookies, lavender shortbread and French macarons, but it all comes down to what the couple wants.  

“The most rewarding part is definitely seeing the setup when it’s completely finished,” Sterritt says.

PHOTOS BY PHOTOS BY JUST JESS

A cookie table at a Pittsburgh wedding is more than dessert, it can be a centerpiece — and presentation is key.

When Morgan Stout was planning her wedding to Matt Paris for Sept. 30, she wasn’t worried about the details: “as long as I have a really great cookie table.”

With family and friends baking and buying more than 2,000 cookies, Morgan and Matt had to plan carefully for the set up for their reception at Bella Terra Vineyards.

The venue typically places cookie tables right before the barn doors. Two rustic barrels hold up a dark, wood board, making for a warm and welcoming entrance to the reception. 

“The cookie table is the first thing you see. I think it kind of set the vibe,” Morgan says.

Morgan’s mom searched Amazon for tiering systems to fit everything on one table, and the staff at Bella Terra and Morgan’s wedding coordinator, Alyson Huth of Hello Productions, didn’t waste any space.

“I don’t know how they did it, but they managed to squeeze all 2,000 cookies on the table,” Morgan says.

Morgan’s parents, Jennifer and Kevin Stout, her grandmother, Lorraine, and her godmother, Sherry Pawloski, made a colorful and delectable cookie table full of variety with to-go boxes on hand. Homemade offerings included pizzelles, cream wafers, coconut macaroons, pecan tassies and Russian tea cakes. Matt’s mother provided buckeyes, strawberry pinwheel cookies, strawberry pretzel salad cookies and more from Annie’s Gourmet Cupcakes, and Morgan’s mom chose Morgan’s favorite, lady fingers, and peach cookies from Anita’s Sweet Escape Cookies & Sweet Treats.

The elegant but simple brass trays and tiers fit the vintage details of their wedding such as brass candle holders, literary couples on the table numbers and book pages for table runners. 

“The theme of our wedding was like, literary-themed,” Morgan says. “We were both English majors in college, which is where we met.” 

PHOTOS BY LAVENDER LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY

Becca VanRyzin and Andrew Hanus had a bolder take on a vintage cookie table for their wedding at the Heinz History Center, also in September.

“The theme was probably always going to be antique tools and signs, very vintage, because that’s what my entire house looks like,” Becca says.

“The second we saw the venue in combination with who she is, it was a no-brainer,” Andrew says. The couple added to the decor from their own collections, including antique pieces from Andrew’s grandfather.

Becca and Andrew’s cookie table displayed antique trays, Edison bulbs, and the Pittsburgh bridges to share the sweets and the city’s history with guests. Two 8-foot-tall arches made of pipes gave their cookie table a dynamic element, and the bridges perfectly crossed the cookies over to the wedding cake, made by Becca’s younger sister.

The couple offered a variety of sweets including Italian peach cookies, lady fingers and pizzelles. Their friends and family’s “labor of love” was shared through the baklava and a rainbow tower of macaroons made by Becca’s sister, Rachel.

Rachel made mini ice cream cone cookies and personal cookies for the wedding party that were replicas of their outfits. Cookies in the shape of Pennsylvania topped it off. 

The table smoothly blended into the venue, filled with artifacts and industrial history. “We’re ‘90s babies. All of our friends felt like they were back into their own childhood,” Becca says. 

PHOTO COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK

While the Pittsburgh weather, per usual, can’t seem to make up its mind (It’s sunny, now it’s raining again — wait, are those snow flurries?), spring is officially here — and so is wedding season. 

If you’re as indecisive as our region’s meteorological conditions and aren’t sure what to wear to an upcoming celebration, we’ve curated the perfect lineup of versatile, affordable wedding guest attire on Amazon. Best of all, for the procrastinators out there (not that we would know anything about that), these pieces arrive fast!

Besides weddings, these outfits are also ideal for wedding or baby showers, on vacation or any other event you have cooking up for the warmer weather.  

Our forecast shows you looking good.   

(We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.)

Versatile Vision
This flattering square-neck dress with a ruffled hem is great for a formal or casual event. The elegant piece, which comes in a rainbow of colors, is designed with a waist tie and adjustable tie-up straps. Dress it up by pairing it with on-trend platform sandals, or keep it casual by adding a denim jacket and flat shoes. One five-star reviewer noted she ordered 15 dresses before deciding on the ANRABESS mid-length dress in dusty blue. “This one was the only perfect one I found on Amazon,” she shared. “Fits perfect, not see through, adjustable tie straps. I absolutely love it and will order in other colors as it is perfect for a wide range of occasions.”   

ANRABESS Square Neck Ruffle Split Midi Formal Summer Dress: $44.99. Buy Here 

Shoulder On
Another review winner, the PRETTYGARDEN one-shoulder bodycon dress is perfect for a garden wedding. Appropriately, it comes in a plethora of pretty floral prints that scream spring. For a more sophisticated take, the mid-length dress also is available in solid colors, including elegant black and a summer-like apricot. Reviewers note the bohemian-style dress is stretchy, comfortable and flattering, all things we love in an outfit.  

PRETTYGARDEN Summer Midi Bodycon Dress: $47.99. Buy Here   

Lovely Lace
Suitable for a wedding guest, mother of the bride or even the bride herself (the dress comes in bright white), this lace cocktail dress from MEROKEETY wins for versatility — and reviewers agree. The classic cap-sleeved dress, available in numerous hues, has close to 20,000 positive ratings on Amazon. “THIS is THE dress! It’s just beautiful!!! Great quality and it’s also very soft and comfortable!,” raved one reviewer. “I have bought several dresses over the past few months for my upcoming honeymoon — and this dress is better than some of the $400 dresses I’ve tried!” 

MEROKEETY Sleeveless Lace Floral Elegant Cocktail Dress: $52.99. Buy Here 

Wedding Tiers
How fun is this floaty chiffon dress in a multitude of layers? The swing dress has a loose-fit, meaning you’ll be sitting comfortably in the event of a long wedding ceremony — or if you decide to overindulge at the cookie table. The sleeveless dress also has an adorable tie design around the neck and comes in a plethora of colors, although we prefer it in soft pastels such as sunny yellow and blush pink. The frothy dress is also guaranteed to be a hit for graduation parties, vacation dinners and wedding or baby showers.  

ZESICA Sleeveless Halter Tiered Layered Chiffon Dress: $56.99. Buy Here 

Wrap it Up  
If there’s anything more flattering than a wrap dress, we haven’t found it yet. Cinched at the waist, with an asymmetric ruffle trim at the bottom and a high split on one side, this dress is a dream for all body types. “I agree, this dress is incredibly figure flattering,” wrote one reviewer. “I wore the dress to work, and like many other reviewers, received many compliments. One of my coworkers couldn’t believe this was from Amazon!” Although it comes in many colors and patterns, we particularly love this short-sleeved, lightweight dress in a bold, bright print, ideal for a destination wedding in a tropical location. 

PRETTYGARDEN Summer Wrap Maxi Dress: $47.99. Buy Here 

PHOTOS BY LEEANN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

It’s hard to say no to a proposal from a cutie who’s always happy to see you — that’s why these two Pittsburgh grooms-to-be had their furry goldendoodle friends help them with the perfect proposal.

Taylor Wellman and Alex Clementoni had just closed on a home together in 2021, and Alex suggested that they celebrate the milestone with dinner at Monterey Bay Fish Grotto on Mount Washington.

Taylor had a feeling there may be another celebration on the horizon and finished up a nail appointment just before meeting Alex at the restaurant.

“The whole time I was kind of anticipating it … we were by the window overlooking the city, and it just didn’t happen,” Taylor said.

Even after dinner when Alex asked to get a picture at the Mount Washington overlook, it didn’t happen. The couple left dinner to go back home, where their adorable goldendoodle pup, Mac, was patiently waiting.

Mac asked the question with his puppy-dog eyes, wearing a bandana that said, “Will you marry my dad?”

After the commotion, Mac went back to his spot on the couch to sleep. “It was pretty late when we got home … he just passed out on the couch like, ‘I did my job’,” Taylor says.

Mac himself was there for the next happy milestone, joining the couple on their wedding day on June 24, 2023, complete with a navy blue tuxedo to match dad.

PHOTOS BY CHASE IMAGES

Lauren Gregory’s goldendoodle Arthur (Artie) was there to approve of Rob Kachmar from the very beginning after the couple met on Hinge. Eventually, Artie would give his seal of approval for Rob’s proposal to Lauren.

“Rob quickly fell into the role of ‘dad’ … that’s pretty much how I knew he was the one,” Lauren says, and Arthur agreed. “[Artie] was like, yeah, he could be my dad. He’s pretty cool.”

When it came time for Rob to propose, he planned to take Lauren to the North Shore, where they enjoy taking Artie for walks. He told her a photographer friend wanted them to model so they could build their portfolio. Of course, Artie had to come, too.

“We’re down that area a lot and making memories. It’s significant for us,” she says.

The couple took a bunch of photos before Rob pulled a ring out of his pocket and asked Arthur, “Can I marry your mom?”

The couple made sure to choose a wedding venue, ultimately landing on The Pennsylvanian Downtown, where Artie could also attend the festivities on July 15, 2023.

“He’s part of our family,” Lauren says. With four nieces and no nephews between Lauren and Rob, Artie became the ring bearer for the ceremony.

“We didn’t actually give him the ring … no real duties, on the off-chance that he saw something that he had to catch,” Rob jokes.

PHOTOS BY KRISTEN WYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

Abby Young and Brian Kelley’s wedding on June 2, 2023, at The Priory Hotel was perfectly planned, but full of happy surprises.

The couple included numerous personal touches in their day: Abby’s beloved 1920s Art Deco style was woven throughout the decor, and the couple’s shared love for National Parks shined through with table markers that looked like postcards from their travels. Pittsburgh played a role as well with Eat’n Park Smiley Cookies, bridge displays on their cookie table and vintage plates from a Pittsburgh-based company.

But one fun aspect, that also took them back in time, was when a North Side neighbor offered up his classic Cadillac for them to take photos.

Their photographer, Kristen Wynn, had been scouting for a picture-perfect spot near the venue a few days before their wedding. She landed on a modern, black garage door and got the homeowner’s permission to photograph in front of it.

On the day of the wedding, as the bridal party was taking their photos, the homeowner’s daughter popped out to let them know what was behind the garage door: Her father’s classic 1957 Cadillac just waiting to join the photo-op.

The surprise helped bring together their Pittsburgh history-based wedding theme and hosting their day at The Priory, founded in 1888.

“The Priory is pretty old … so we wanted to have as many older-themed things involved,” Abby says. “Obviously ’50s and 1800s don’t quite coincide … but it kind of covered Pittsburgh’s history.”

The Cadillac needed to be jump-started, but this didn’t bother the car’s owner, who was excited to participate.

“He was talking to all of my bridal party about the car for a good 30 minutes as it was all going down … he was very proud,” Abby says.

It turned out that this wasn’t the first time his car had been used for wedding photos, as his daughter is also a photographer and has offered other couples the opportunity, as well. “We got to hear the history about all of the different couples in Pittsburgh throughout the years who have been able to take pictures with his car,” Abby says.

Kristen was ready for the change of pace, with a pair of sunglasses for Abby that made her look extra chic in the seat of the Cadillac.

The impromptu photos ended up being everyone’s favorite pictures, and the couple used one for their thank you cards.

“It kind of just showed how Pittsburgh ‘yinzers’ tend to be, just willing to help out and do something fun,” Abby says.