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.

PHOTO BY KRISTY LUMSDEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Getting married on a Leap Day means a “real” anniversary every four years. Christina Gilpin and Donna Hayes planned for this when they got married on Leap Day in 2020 and decided to celebrate their anniversary with a vacation.

“We call it the big year,” Christina says. “On the off years, we just go out to dinner or something super casual.”

Originally, the two were thinking of celebrating their “big year” with a trip to Australia, but they just spent the last year remodeling and moving into a new home in the San Francisco Bay area, so they settled on Maui instead.

“Hawaii is a little more accessible to us,” Christina says.

The couple planned five days of fun together, where they don’t have to worry about anything and can just enjoy each other’s company.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTINA GILPIN AND DONNA HAYES

“We plan on just reading books and laying out on the water, and I think Donna’s gonna do some snorkeling … the rest of the time we are literally going to wing it.”

For the actual anniversary day, they planned a whale-watching tour.

“For the past week, [Donna] has been counting down the days,” Christina says. “We’re pretty much always gonna choose a beach destination for anniversaries … every four years, we’re gonna do something bigger.”

PHOTOS BY JORGE SANTIAGO PHOTOGRAPHY

When Joe Met Gina

Joe Gruber had his heart set on Gina Iacoboni since he noticed her at their elementary school Christmas show at St. Sebastian School in Belle Vernon. Joe built up the courage in middle school to ask out Gina, but she turned him down twice. “I gave it a few shots, and then in high school we kind of went our own ways,” Joe says.

After reconnecting seven years later while in separate colleges, Joe’s interest in Gina grew stronger. “I realized I got to know her more than the person I knew in middle school,” Joe says. During their winter break, the two met back in their hometown and he saw another opportunity.

While driving through town, they stopped at St. Sebastian School where they met, and Joe asked her out again.

This time, she said yes.

“I think we were both older … he had all of these qualities that were just amazing, and I really liked him at that point,” Gina says.

She Said Yes

After their sixth anniversary, Joe worked with his and Gina’s parents to get her ready for a special night. He told Gina they were going out to dinner, then at the last moment told her his car broke down and asked her to pick him up at St. Sebastian School.

Gina walked into the school’s gym to find that Joe had staged it with fairy lights and roses leading down an aisle to a backdrop that said, “Marry me.” He was waiting there with their families and even two of her best furry friends, Oscar and Capo.

“It definitely was the same place that I knew we were going to get married, so I figured that’d be a good place to [propose],” Joe says.

The Big Day

Gina and Joe married at St. Sebastian Church connected to the school. Their “fairytale-enchantment” themed reception followed at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown with flowers all around, greenery hanging from the chandelier and even a Pittsburgh-themed cookie table.

The day had touches of Disney, with the couple starting the celebration off with a grand entrance and dance with smoke machines to the song from “Happily Ever After” at Disney’s Magic Kindom fireworks show.

Happily Ever After

Gina and Joe are happily using their youthful years to travel and take in the simple, magical moments together.

“Even doing the small, mundane things … so cooking or sitting down watching TV … it’s special,” Gina says.

“The next thing is a dog, house and kids,” Joe says.

Ceremony Site St Sebastian Church, Belle Vernon
Reception Site Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Caterer Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Cake Bethel Bakery
Dessert Cookie table by moms, aunts and friends
Dress Bridal Beginning
Hair Marie Bialon
Makeup Allison Renock Makeup
Tux/suit Men’s Warehouse
Rings Garcia Jewelers
Flowers Rosebud Floral
Music & Lighting SoundWaves Entertainment
Stationery/Invitations The Knot
Rentals/Linens Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Videographer OCL Video
Photobooth Jorge Santiago Photography
Transportation Red Carpet Limousine
Officiant Revered Jacob Gruber (cousin of the groom)
Wedding Planner Ashlyn Yaley at the Wyndham Grand
Photographer Jorge Santiago Photography

PHOTOS BY KRISTEN WYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

Some things just never go out of style. On that list of things, especially when it comes to dresses, are bows.  

Whether it’s as a classy statement piece or a way to add simple-yet-elegant details, bows have made a comeback in the fashion world.

When Erin McMahon and Garrett Vanderhoof were preparing for their Christmas-time wedding at Kimpton Hotel Monaco in 2022, Erin chose a dress with a new “angle” on bows.

“As a kid, I pictured a ball gown, and as an adult, I think I pictured more of what I went with … more form-fitting,” Erin says. Rather than the “Disney-Princess” look, she chose a sophisticated trumpet skirt dress with a semi-sweetheart neckline and a big and sleek diagonal bow in the back. 

“I really liked that it had something extra, but the rest of it was very simple, so you had that one kind of ‘statement.’” 

Kristin Dugan, studio manager from Anne Gregory Couture in Mt. Lebanon, says brides are gravitating toward dresses with cleaner silhouettes and adding on smaller details or statements for their look. 

“It seems popular now to pick more plain dresses that are just clean. It’s more about the lines and the structure more so than it is the design on it, and then the veil is super elaborate.”

Erin’s look fit right into the classic Christmas vibe, as she even added twinkling details from head to toe. She kept her veil simple with a bejeweled hairpiece that matched the embellishments on the front belt of the bow and the knot on the bow itself. Even her shoes matched the jewels. 

Bows alone can come in many different styles. Torrie Fratini’s wedding dress had a more coquette-style bow to tie together her Paris-themed reception when she married Eric Paris at the Priory in July 2023. She had her own vision when she also chose a form-fitting, trumpet skirt dress that originally had a bedazzled back. 

PHOTOS BY LEEANN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

“I thought I wanted this bling,” Torrie says. “I always kind of wanted that ‘princess-y’ look.” 

She found a soft bow with thick, long ribbons that draped perfectly with the train of her dress. 

“I felt like this was my year to get married with bows and pearls in the trend because that’s a combination of what I love.” 

Her veil was lightly covered in pearls so it didn’t cover the bow that brought together the altered plain, deep v-cut back of her dress. Even her flower girl had a matching dress with a bow in the back. 

“A lot of girls are coming in now … looking for something more classic,” Kristin says. “Bows are still classic, you know. They’re never going to go out of style.”

PHOTOS BY ALWAYS ANTONELLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Imagine getting to re-listen to the laughs and heartwarming voices of friends and family from your wedding night against the irreplaceable sounds of celebration.

That’s why these Pittsburgh couples chose to include audio guest books at their weddings — they not only act as a specialized way to replay a couple’s big day but also as an elegant display piece.

Audio guest books are typically crafted to look like a vintage or retro-styled phone, giving a nostalgic feeling evoking how hearing a voice can take you back in time. Couples can record their own personalized message, like a voicemail greeting, that invites guests to leave an audio message (as opposed to a traditional written message). At the end of the night, the phone is simply unplugged and shipped back to the guest book company to extract and save the audio. Couples can receive their messages after their special day as audio files or on vinyl.

When Brittany Pent married Michael Rohm on New Year’s Eve in 2022, they set up an audio guest book through the company FêteFone with a fun greeting for their guests:

Michael: “Hi everyone, this is Mike & Britt, sorry we can’t come to the phone right now,”
Brittany: “We are busy getting married today — leave a message after the tone.”

Brittany and Michael had a chic lounge area at their reception at Veltre’s Wedding & Event Centre with a side table where friends and family curiously picked up the handset to leave a message.

“It was funny to hear how messages progressed over the night,” Brittany says, “hearing the music in the distance, chatter and excitement in our guests’ voices.”

Brittany and Michael received the collected recordings of their loved ones’ voices about two months after their wedding as a vinyl record and have gone back to listen to it on a record player Brittany’s mom gave them.

“I loved it happening that way … we got to relive it two months later … and then it’s also really fun because it’s a cute display as well,” Brittany says.

PHOTOS BY COURTNEY RUTLEDGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Samantha Jamison and her husband Drake D’Angelo requested their audio guest book from company After the Tone as a digital file. For their vintage-themed wedding, the pink rotary phone used to record their guests fit in perfectly.

“I think there’s something to be said about capturing someone’s handwriting versus their voice,” Samantha says of why they chose an audio guest book. One of her favorite photos was of her grandma using the phone.

“I had already seen the photos and then I hear my grandma’s voice,” Samantha recalls.

This non-traditional element can make a fun experience for guests. too. “It was just funny to hear some of [Drake’s] friends … They would leave a message and then probably go back to the party, come back and say something funny,” Samantha says.

Guests don’t have to worry about making their messages look aesthetic and legible or taking up too much space in the guestbook.

“I just feel like it gave you a lot of leeway to share whatever was on your mind, or share that special memory,” Brittany says. “My mom left the last message and replayed the entire night for us.”

PHOTOS BY CARL S. MILLER WEDDINGS

When Meredith Cain and Patrick Reeves wed in September at The Frick Pittsburgh, they dreamed of an elegant and enchanting garden party.

They enlisted the event planners at Hello Productions, who worked with The Farmer’s Daughter Flowers to create a grand entrance piece for the reception tent, as well as arrangements on the king’s table and surrounding accent areas repurposed from the ceremony.

Alyson Huth, event coordinator/social media manager at Hello Productions, says they embraced The Frick’s natural beauty for their creation.

“Meredith and Patrick’s wedding was one of my favorites,” she says. “We put together a design with an array of blooms and greens that gave a reminiscence of the summer coming to a close with the welcoming of a beautiful fall afternoon.

“The inspiration was whimsical, yet elegant to capture the formal affair.”

When it comes to wedding florals, showstopping statements are only getting bigger and better.

The ‘Wow’ Factor

At The Pennsylvanian Downtown for their June 2022 wedding, Heather Dean and Carmen Connolly danced under a floral canopy with flowers from The Farmer’s Daughter Flowers, lighting and truss by EF Lighting, linens by Mosaic and rentals by All Occasions Party Rental and Marbella Event Furniture & Decor Rental — all put together with a vision by wedding planner Soiree by Souleret.

Company owner Shayne Souleret says dance floor installations are becoming more popular, in part because it’s a focal point for the celebration during a couple’s first dance or parent dances.

“People are always trying to do something different, and centerpieces are at every single wedding, but I think people are trying to bring one ‘wow’ or statement area,” she says.

She also notes couples can reuse the statement areas throughout the night; a flower wall might be used to hang escort cards and later be transformed into a selfie station or photo booth backdrop.

“You’re doubling your impact,” she says.

Another place she likes to recommend couples focus their flowers is an elaborate bridal table.

“It’s kind of the biggest bang for your buck there, and the reason I say that is because everyone is looking at the head table most of the evening,” she says. “I always like to draw everyone’s attention to that part of the space.”

Jorge Ramon, a lead on the design team at florist May Chester Design, crafted a floral installation that served as a grand backdrop for the bride and groom’s king table at Gina Borelli and Ulysses Ator’s June 3 reception at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Oakland. The couple posed on a vintage tufted sofa from Vintage Alley Rentals for portrait photos in front of the flowers, and the area was heavily photographed during the reception speeches.

Ramon says floral installations are becoming more of an immersive experience, whether with a floating wisteria ceiling above a king’s table or a bar completely wrapped in hydrangea.

“The statement pieces are bigger while creating a breathtaking floral experience for the guest that is tactile and close up,” he says.

Mary Beth McConahey, who owns Mary Beth McConahey Floral Design, says more couples are using the art and architecture of their venues, whether it’s fountains, chandeliers, staircases or arches, and building on them for statement pieces guests are sure to remember.

“It’s only getting bigger and more extravagant in terms of installations,” she says.

AT THEIR JUNE 2022 WEDDING, HEATHER DEAN AND CARMEN CONNOLLY DANCED THE NIGHT AWAY UNDER A FLORAL CANOPY CONSTRUCTED IN THE PENNSYLVANIAN FOR THEIR CELEBRATION.

Pretty and Petite

If there’s one area where couples are keeping things small, it’s in the bridal bouquet. McConahey says she’s getting a lot of requests for “mini bouquets,” which have a royal connection.

“It’s a throwback to that kind of timeless style of the 1950s and ‘60s,” she says, referencing Princess Grace’s famously simple bouquet of posies for her wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956. The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and her sister, Pippa Middleton, also had small bouquets for their weddings, McConahey notes.

“It’s so simple, so chic — it’s elegance at its finest,” she says. “And Pittsburgh brides are going for it this year.”

Of course, for every trend in the wedding world, there are those couples who want the opposite. McConahey has also been tasked with a few large, cascading bridal bouquets akin to what Princess Diana carried at her wedding in 1981.

With the small bouquets, McConahey has noticed an increased interest in sustainability. Some couples ask for foam-free storage for their flowers or they want flowers grown locally, which is an easy request for her to fulfill as she grows most of her flowers in her Greensburg backyard.

For tabletops, she’s noticing couples are asking for a more meadow-like aesthetic, with flowers arranged in moss or greenery rather than compotes and vases that hold a few colorful blossoms.

She’s also noticed Pittsburgh couples opting for no flowers, instead requesting all greenery on their day.

“There is something new under the sun in bouquets,” she says. Brides are asking for “oversized, wild, mixed greens, really textured. It’s chic; it’s cool. I’ve not seen that before … To see a bride with just greens in her hand is very shocking, very beautiful.”

A Singular Focus

Ramon says he’s also seeing strong style statements with all-white wedding florals.

“The floral element here is luxe — white roses and orchids steal the show and create a formality without being fussy,” he says. “Single buds vases with a single flower, white blooms and lush, textured arrangements make a modern statement while reinterpreting a very classic and timeless look.”

At Community Flower Shop in Overbrook, wedding and events director Miranda Wilder says it’s common for couples to focus on a single type of flower, often roses, perhaps decorating with white-rose bud vases throughout their wedding. Others are keeping their focus on a single color, perhaps all-white flowers with a lot of baby’s breath, a huge trend right now.

“You have some people who are really into that and some people who have really leaned into a lot of color,” she says.

Many people are having a smaller wedding, and when the guest list is smaller, there may be more room in the budget for flowers, she says.

According to The Knot, couples spent an average of $2,400 on a wedding florist in 2022. Wilder says couples should have some idea of how much they’d like to spend before meeting with a florist; she also recommends booking your florist about a year ahead of your wedding.

“I always tell people to reach out sooner rather than later, and that really works for all vendors just to make sure you get the people you want,” she says.

If a couple has a date set, their venue booked and some sort of color scheme chosen, the florist can get started, she says. From there, the options are limitless.

“If someone comes to us with an idea we can find a way to make it happen,” she says.

PHOTOS BY COURTNEY RUTLEDGE PHOTOGRAPHY

How do you choose who will officiate your wedding? For these two Pittsburgh couples, the answer was easy: the person was related to them. 

Samantha Jamison is the triplet sister of singer Chris Jamison, but asking him to perform at her wedding when she married Drake D’Angelo in 2022 didn’t feel right. 

“He’s sung at many weddings, and … you can’t go wrong with having Chris Jamison sing at your wedding — but I thought it would be even a little more special to incorporate him in a more unique way,” Samantha says. 

Samantha and Chris’ sisters were her co-maids-of-honor, and her older brother was a reader during the ceremony. Drake’s cousin was his best man. 

“For my husband and I, it was definitely important to involve as many family members as possible in our wedding,” she says.

PHOTOS BY ABBIE TYLER PHOTOGRAPHY

When Jaclyn Stankus and Zac Kuchta married in 2022, they also wanted family involved. Zac’s father, David Kuchta, was a pastor, and the couple knew he was the person they wanted with them at the altar.

“I feel like from the moment we got engaged, we knew that’s who we wanted to have as our pastor and marry us because that’s special in and of itself,” Jaclyn says.

It was special to Zac’s father as well; he retired shortly after the couple got married, so officiating their wedding was his last act as pastor.

During the ceremony, held in 2022 at Heinz Memorial Chapel, Zac’s father cracked some jokes about his son and talked about his own marriage to Zac’s mother.

“I feel the personal touch he added was bringing in personal stories from our lives,” Jaclyn says. 

“The stories were genuine and real.” 

During Drake and Samantha’s ceremony, Chris spoke of his and Samantha’s childhood (“growing up a triplet, you have a special bond,” Samantha says) and incorporated some funny family stories, but the bulk of his message was about their Christian faith.

“Not only did we think it would be special to have him as my brother be a co-officiant for our wedding, I had a feeling he’d put together a really meaningful message that was rooted in scripture, which was really important to my husband and myself,” Samantha says.

As Chris is not an ordained minister, the couple asked a family member’s former co-worker, former Orchard Hill Church care pastor George Palombo, to assist, and he officiated the exchange of the vows and rings. 

Overall, Samantha says she thinks her brother appreciated his significant role. 

“There’s just something special about having all of the people you love in the same room and they’re all involved in some way,” she says.

PHOTOS BY WE ARE THE RICHARDS

Gina Caputo and Jeff Schallick’s love story involves numerous missed connections.

Jeff graduated from the University of Pittsburgh just before Gina began her freshman year. Gina attended the same church Jeff had while in school and went on the church’s annual mission trip to a foster home in Arizona — the only year Jeff didn’t make the trip.

Finally, mutual friends attempted to set them up, and Gina and Jeff met in person at a church event after Jeff moved back to Pittsburgh. They went out to lunch later that week, and after three hours eating and talking, neither one of them wanted to leave.

It was fitting that in his vows, Jeff talked about how fortunate he felt that they found one another.

“I remember him talking about how lucky he felt that everything lined up the way that it did for us, if one thing had been different in our story that we wouldn’t have met — we wouldn’t be together,” Gina says.

According to The Knot 2021 Real Wedding Study, 47% of couples wrote their own vows, putting aside the traditional “to death do us part.” Gina says she initially didn’t want to write her own vows to profess in public, but her friend who served as their wedding planner gave her a nudge. She ordered notebooks for them to write down their vows from Etsy with their first initials and wedding date inscribed on the cover.

“Once we got to the ceremony, it was just a really special moment,” she says. “I’m glad we did it that in the end … that everyone else could share in that with us was so special.”

Laura Phillipsie loves to write, and she and husband Derek Dibrell have been writing letters to each other ever since they met.

When they married in 2022 at Over Eden on the rooftop of the Tryp Hotel in Lawrenceville, Laura said it made sense that they shared their personal vows in front of family and friends.

“I knew that writing our own vows would be something that … I wanted,” she says.

Her vows included some lighthearted moments but also talked about how the couple had both lost their fathers, Laura when she was 24 and Derek in 2020.

The couple says their vows ended up being very similar to one another’s. Both mentioned it was hard to believe they were getting married just down the street from the spot where they had their first date almost six years to the day.

They also both mentioned the fact that Derek is a professional photographer, and Laura hates being photographed.

“I remember saying when I first met him and he told me he was a photographer I cringed because I am pretty shy by nature and I don’t like my photo being taken,” Laura says.

But as they dated, Laura became more open to Derek taking her photo; he also helped her to have courage to re-learn how to ride a bike, and they both mentioned in their vows how Laura has become more courageous over the years.

Derek says the couple inadvertently ended up speaking their vows with no microphone, which ended up being a good thing.

“It was more special because it was like I was just sharing it with her,” he says.

PHOTOS BY KRISTEN WYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

When Brian Met Caitlyn

Brian Dunning and Caitlyn Mendicino met about 12 years ago at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where both were studying ballet. They became good friends through a joint program where a mix of high school juniors and seniors and college freshmen and sophomores would dance together. In 2016, they reunited at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in their graduate program, and it was there Cailtyn says it felt like love at first sight when she saw him in the studio. Their friendship started back where it had left off years before and became a relationship.

She Said Yes

From 2018 to 2021, Brian and Caitlyn dated long distance, as Brian was dancing for Dayton Ballet in Ohio and Caitlyn was dancing for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. One weekend in October 2020, Brian came to Caitlyn’s parents’ house in Armstrong County for a visit. There, he proposed at a pond where her grandfather used to go fishing in a special and intimate moment. “My mom was watching from her kitchen windows with her binoculars,” says Caitlyn.

The Big Day

When Caitlyn’s parents got married, they chose to have a winter wedding. To pay homage to this, the couple wanted their own to be near Christmastime, settling on a New Year’s Eve date.

Brian recalls being quite nervous that day, but the moment he saw Caitlyn, it all went away.

“There was something about seeing her for the first time,” he says. She wore her mother’s wedding gown, shortened to tea length to make it her own. The couple took wedding photos at the top of Mount Washington.

Caitlyn is not only a ballet dancer but also the owner of her own bee-keeping business, Ballerina Bees. Her reception dress had her Ballerina Bees logo embroidered into the skirt’s inside, and bee-inspired desserts made by Caitlyn’s aunt adorned the cookie table.

One of the couple’s favorite moments was when the wedding excitement died down a bit. “The dance is over. The speeches are over. The ceremony is over. Now it’s just us and our friends and family,” says Brian.

Just fewer than 200 people attended the reception, and Caitlyn remembers feeling grateful for having all their loved ones together in one room. “When will that ever happen again?” she says.

Happily Ever After

Brian and Caitlyn live with their cat and dog in Caitlyn’s grandfather’s former house in the South Side Slopes. Caitlyn still dances with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in addition to her bee-keeping business, and Brian is now a retired ballet dancer and is finishing his degree in business administration while managing a Starbucks.

Ceremony Venue St. Mary of the Mount Church, Mount Washington
Reception Venue Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square
Catering Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square
Cake Bethel Bakery
Ceremony Gown Bride’s mother’s dress redesigned by Kathleen Sullivan from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Reception Gown Sherry Cohen
Make-Up Artist Bride
Shoes Badgley Mischka
Jewelry Borrowed from bride’s mother
Bridesmaid Dresses Azazie
Men’s Formalwear Jos. A. Bank
Rings Brooks Diamonds
Flowers Gidas Flowers
Entertainment DJ Scott Alexander
Linens Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square
Favors Honey from Ballerina Bees
Late Night Food The Pretzel Shop
Invitations The Knot
Transportation Elite Coach Transportation Inc.
Photography Kristen Wynn Photography

PHOTOS BY TALIA NELSON PHOTOGRAPHY

When Angela Baguet planned an eco-conscious styled shoot to showcase how the local wedding industry can be beautiful and sustainable, she wasn’t anticipating one aspect that would make the event even more sustainable.

The couple chosen to model turned the event into their actual wedding.

“We thought, wow, that really is an extra way to make the shoot more sustainable and their elopement more sustainable — combining two events into one,” says Baguet, who owns Eco & Ivory Event Design.

The couple, Cindy Tang and Robert McDonald, answered photographer Talia Nelson’s call to be models for the April shoot. The Pittsburgh couple’s own wedding had been getting pushed back due to Robert’s potential military deployments, so as the date for the shoot approached, they asked Baguet if an officiant friend could marry them on the spot.

“I was thrilled,” Baguet says.

Baguet started planning the secret garden-themed wedding shoot after meeting with Jodi Colella, owner of Station House 7 in Delmont and the Pittsburgh Wedding Flea Market. Baguet says Station House 7 was a perfect setting both for its atmosphere — black iron window bars inspired the secret garden theme — and for Colella’s commitment to sustainability.

“Because it’s a small space she does more intimate weddings there … that’s another thing with sustainability, if you can cut down on your guest count and hold something more intimate, that’s in line with my vision.”

Bloom Beauty Parlor provided Cindy with cruelty-free hair and makeup styling, The Copper Petal used seasonal blooms from their local farm and even the cake by Alex Robba was a faux display complete with edible mini cakes to reduce food waste.

Some vendors, such as Angela Pro Design, which created stationery for the shoot with seed paper and other alternatives, were not exclusively eco-conscious, but Baguet says they were willing to make adjustments to go green for the event. Gemma Bridal, which provided the dress for the shoot, is also not 100% green but carries some gowns that are responsibly sourced.

“This is especially promising for couples who are looking for sustainable vendors in Pittsburgh but can’t seem to find many,” Baguet says. “It’s nice to know that there are vendors out there who will make earth-friendly accommodations.”

Venue Station House 7
Planner & Designer Eco & Ivory Event Design
Photographer Talia Nelson Photography
Videographer Capture Life Films
Florist The Copper Petal 
Rentals Pippa’s Pieces Vintage Rentals
Linens Lendable Linens 

Stationery Angela Pro Design
Signage/Place cards Dot and Rose Co. 
Cake Alex Robba Cake
Dress Gemma Bridal 
Menswear Surmesur
Hair & Makeup Bloom Beauty Parlor 
Watch Oris; Joyce’s Jewelry
Gemstone ring Pittsburgh Antique Shops

PHOTOS BY LAUREN RENEE PHOTOGRAPHY

When Shohini Met Neil

It seemed like fate that Neil Carleton and Shohini Ghosh-Choudhary met at a group interview for the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in November 2017 — they were the first two to arrive in the room. 

“We just sat down next to each other and started talking,” says Shohini. “He had a nice blue suit on.” 

They both happened to have undergraduate degrees in engineering, uncommon amongst other students in their M.D./Ph.D. program. 

“I just remember Shohini being incredibly easy to talk to,” says Neil. 

They talked on and off the whole day and sat next to each other at dinner with all the other program applicants. They would share many classes together in their first two years of med school, and Neil, after apartment-hunting with Shohini’s personal recommendations, eventually settled on living in her building, where he landed one floor apart from her. 

She Said Yes

On a chilly night in November 2021 at the Point State Park fountain Downtown, Neil got down on one knee. 

“As far as the proposal goes, I knew when it was going to happen because he was not good at keeping secrets,” says Shohini. 

Inspired by “Song for Another Time” by Old Dominion, in which the lyrics consist of song titles, Neil’s proposal speech included lyrics from some of her favorite songs. 

“When he first started talking, I was like, ‘What’s happening?’” Shohini laughs. 

Much later, he did a second proposal at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., in order to reiterate his commitment to her in a place she loved — it’s a city they have always enjoyed visiting and may move to someday.

Neil fondly recalls what it was like to look for and design the perfect ring for her. “I really do finally look back and really enjoy working on that process,” he says.  

The Big Day

The couple married on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, at an Indian-fusion wedding at the Omni William Penn Hotel, preceded by a Hindu ceremony and followed by a night of dancing with friends, family and even their two dogs, Otis and Stevie, clad in their own Indian outfits. 

Shohini was born in Assam, India, and Neil’s maternal side of the family is from Mumbai. “So it was our goal to bring in some traditional elements with a modern spin,” says Neil.

Neil wore a plum tux, and Shohini’s ceremony outfit weighed 25 pounds and took a team of four people to get on. Her Mehndi (wedding-day henna) took four hours to complete. 

The couple had a sweetheart table, an Indian wedding swing and, at the welcome party, a “marketplace” table where guests could choose from Indian earrings, bracelets and purses to wear and keep. They served Indian food, were married under a traditional Indian mandap, and Shohini’s bridesmaids carried a chadar as they walked down the aisle to symbolize walking the bride into married life. 

“Seeing her walk down the aisle,” says Neil, “I think was something I’ll never forget.”

Happily Ever After

Despite Neil and Shohini’s busy grad school schedules, they still find time for each other. They both expressed that having all of the wedding planning in the rearview is a relief. 

“I feel like it’s been really easy,” says Shohini, of married life. 

“It’s everything I hoped for and much, much more,” says Neil. 

A honeymoon awaits the couple in Portugal and Spain.

Ceremony & Reception Omni William Penn Hotel, Downtown
Caterer Taj Mahal and Omni William Penn
Cake Alex Robba Cake
Dessert/Cookie Table Family, friends and Grandview Bakery
Flowers Mary Beth McConahey Floral Design
Hair & Makeup Julea Beauty
Reception Dress JadeByMK
Suit The Black Tux
Groom’s Ceremony Outfit Aynaa World
Invitations & Stationery Minted
Linens Mosaic
Rentals All Occasions Party Rental
Indian Decor Pearl Celebrations
Henna Diva Mehndi Arts
Band John Parker Band
Videography Just Hitched Wedding Films
Lighting Pinnacle (through Omni William Penn)
Officiant Shri Sureshchandra Joshi (Joshiji) from Hindu Jain Temple
Pet Care FairyTail Pet Care
Wedding Planner Soiree by Souleret
Photographer Lauren Renee Photography

PHOTOS BY KEHLEY SHANK PHOTOGRAPHY

When John Met Christina

John and Christina met on the popular dating site, Plenty of Fish, in August 2016, when they connected on their shared love for martial arts, as well as cooking. “I’m always introducing John to new foods,” says Christina. 

At the time, she was doing judo, a Japanese form of martial arts, and John was doing Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art based on karate, and was a fourth-degree black belt. 

She Said Yes

John and Christina both love Halloween, and every year Christina and her friends gather from their respective cities and celebrate.

In October 2020, John joined the group at a cabin at Raystown Lake in central Pennsylvania. The group dressed in costumes and then gathered to take pictures. Their friends, who were all in on the proposal, directed Christina to face away from John for the photo. When she turned back around, John was on one knee. 

“I was so shocked,” she says. “I just had no suspicion this was happening at all.” 

The Big Day

Their wedding day on Oct. 28, 2022, was infused with nods to Halloween, from the orange, pumpkin-shaped wedding cake, adorned with a cake topper reading, “I put a spell on you,” to the color scheme of rich purples and emerald greens. The ceremony and reception were held at the National Aviary, where chirping birds could be heard throughout and guests were free to explore. There were also two birds (a penguin and owl) in attendance, with their trainers in tow.

It was also a day full of emotion. John was teary-eyed when he first saw Christina for their photo session.

“I’m starting to tear up right now just even thinking of it,” he says. “She looked so amazing and beautiful in her wedding dress.”

Christina’s cousin and best friend since childhood, Trever Stoll, owned the title of man-of-honor, giving a moving speech that brought everyone to tears.

Happily Ever After

During their honeymoon in Los Angeles, Christina and John crammed as much as they could into their itinerary. They toured the Warner Bros. Studio, dined in Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, scoped out Beverly Hills and even trained with 9th Degree Black Belt martial artist and actor, Master Ho Sik Pak. 

The couple, who lives in Irwin, enjoy simply spending time together, whether watching movies or getting together with friends. Their basement is converted into a kind of dojo, where John teaches students his own style of martial arts called Wei Son Do.

Ceremony & Reception National Aviary, North Side
Caterer Atria’s
Cake Oakmont Bakery
Desserts/Cookie Table Maddy’s Bakery (groom’s parents) and bride’s grandma
Dress MB Bride & Special Occasion
Suits Men’s Wearhouse
Christina’s Ring Disney engagement ring
Flowers & Decor DIY
Music DJ Diamond Dave

PHOTOS BY KRISTI TELNOV PHOTOGRAPHY

Wedding guests often have a hard time deciding what to wear in an effort to look their best without outshining the couple getting married. An all-black dress code is one way to alleviate their stress and ensure stunning photographs at the end of the day.

Ali Simcho, co-founder and event producer for Wanderlust Weddings and Events, has noticed that many of her clients are younger and prefer more modern trends such as neutral colors, white flowers and greenery. “That’s about what 90% of my couples probably say on one of our first design calls,” she says.

She’s had many clients dabble in the idea of an all-black dress code for their wedding guests, but not many have actually followed through with it, perhaps due to its perceived impractical or strict nature.

Yet she feels that all-white or all-black dress codes are fun and approachable for guests.

“I think that it will definitely be a hot take on a lot of weddings coming up here,” says Simcho. “I think overall just remember that it’s your day.”

Emilie Davis, who married David Zubasic on Aug. 18, 2023, stumbled upon the idea for a pastel dress code and later an all-black dress code, which she found to be elegant, clean and crisp.

“From that moment on, I was like, this is what I’m doing,” she says. “Everybody’s gonna think I’m absolutely nuts, but I don’t care.”

While an all-black dress code may seem like a bold expectation for guests, many appreciate having guidance when deciding what to wear. And lots of people already have black attire in their closet.

“A lot of my girlfriends were like, ‘Oh my gosh, thank you so much, you just made my life so much easier,’” says Emilie.

“When we had came out and we were announced, looking down [from the balcony], I think that’s when we really saw everybody in one area all in black and in that space,” she says. “It just looks so, so classy.”

Morgan Durkacz, who married Raymond Rose on Aug. 19, 2023, has always loved bright colors, yet gravitates toward neutrals for more serious events.

“I wear black to most weddings anyways, because it’s just the safest way as a wedding guest,” says Morgan, who initially wanted her bridesmaids to be in all black before asking all of her guests to dress in black to go in a slightly different direction.

“I love that with Morgan’s wedding, I think everybody just kind of felt the same,” says Simcho, who is Morgan’s cousin along with her wedding planner.

“They became a part of the aesthetic of the wedding,” says Morgan.

Like Emilie, she envisioned a more traditional style wedding, with a touch of elegance, old glam and royalty.

“I just wanted it to feel like how my parents’ wedding felt, with a little more modern touch,” says Morgan.

While these brides wanted everyone to wear black, they encouraged creativity and individuality and didn’t want guests going out of their way to rent a new tux or buy a new high-end dress. They even included specific inspiration and examples of outfits and accessories on their wedding websites and save-the-dates.

Whether it’s a short dress, long dress, jumpsuit, or whether there’s a pop of color in the shoes, tie, or jewelry, they left a lot of room for people to express themselves. One of Emilie’s guests wore hot pink heels.

Some of the guests at these two weddings weren’t as initially fond of the trend, some of Emilie’s family calling it “bougie.”

“Some of the older people were like, ‘Why do we have to wear black? Is it a funeral?’” says Morgan.

So, advice for brides-to-be? Morgan believes it’s best to present the dress code in a clear and approachable way.

“It’s definitely different, but it was honestly worth it,” she says. “If you’re gonna do it, I would say go all in.”

PHOTO BY MILLIS MEMORIES

Eight photographers. One wedding shoot.

To showcase the grandeur of the Laurel Highlands — and the possibilities for couples looking to elope there — Lanie Greenbaum of Ohiopyle Weddings gathered eight (mostly local) photographers to create eight distinct styled shoots. The theme was: “I Do” Circa 1982, inspired by ’80s ski lodge aesthetic, perfect for anyone looking to go retro on their big day.

Mia Custer, owner of Whatmiasaw Photography, who teamed up with Greenbaum on executing the day, envisioned the theme to have a similar feel to Wham!’s “Last Christmas” music video released in 1986.

“Like a super cheesy ’80s wedding but still kind of make it modern, elevate it, and it just kind of ran from there,” she says.

PHOTO BY LALAYEAGS PHOTOGRAPHY

Ohiopyle’s elopement and intimate wedding packages are for couples who are looking for non-traditional days, whether they want to spend money on elements of their day such as food or music rather than a large venue or just want a small wedding.

“We are marketing towards couples looking to have a smaller, more unique, intimate and authentic wedding experience out here,” says Greenbaum.

The photographers and vendors from all over the region gathered at one of the vacation rentals available when choosing an Ohiopyle Weddings’ intimate wedding package. Twisted Rose Co. supplied flowers, and The Stone House Restaurant and Country Inn did the catering. All the day-of styling and design was completed by Wild Roots Events in Ohiopyle, which Greenbaum owns with her sister-in-law, Abby Greenbaum.

PHOTO BY WHATMIASAW PHOTOGRAPHY

For her photos, Custer took inspiration from Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin’s wedding shoot, by featuring the words “till death do us part” on her model’s veil, similar to Baldwin’s.

Amelia Gross from Millis Memories took several photos of the champagne tower backlit by vintage lanterns, creating a moody and warm feel. Laura Daniels from LaLaYeags Photography took lighter photos of the couple sitting on a pool table surrounded by smoke.

PHOTO BY LALAYEAGS PHOTOGRAPHY

To keep the vintage look, Greenbaum attempted to channel every 1980s bride’s dream. The bride wore a puffed-sleeve dress and the groom’s jacket was covered in a plaid pattern. To create the ski lodge vibe, they made fake snow for the ceremony area.

The acting newlyweds, Abby Banton and Caleb Gartmann, are friends of Custer’s and married in real life, rather than models.

“Mia is a super out-of-the-box thinker,” Greenbaum says. “She’s talented and really wanted to shift her focus and photography to focus on capturing couples marrying in a truly authentic and intimate way.”

PHOTO BY MILLIS MEMORIES

Staying true to the intimate and fun nature of the shoot, once the day wrapped the photographers were encouraged to enjoy a slice of the wedding cake from Fluff Stuffs Cake. Many of them stuck around to socialize, drinking champagne and taking photos of one another for fun.

“I build pretty much anything, in any business I’m in, with community over competition,” says Custer. “I’m going to be the first one to have a million recommendations because I love my photographer friends, but I think it’s because I believe that every single one of us does something differently and not necessarily better than the other.”

PHOTOS BY STEVEN DRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Contest Winner

The cookie table tradition was important for Lauren Kelly and Mike Gielarowski, who held their reception on July 9, 2022, at the Longue Vue Club in Penn Hills.

“I’m half Italian and half Middle Eastern, and on the Italian side, I feel like it’s a really big tradition for us. It’s so special just because when people find out you’re getting married, they come out of the woodwork wanting to bake cookies,” says Lauren.

Lauren says that her mom had a rule — six cookies for each guest. However, Lauren and Mike wanted to make sure their 160 guests had extras to take home. On the big day, the cookie table ended up having 2,196 cookies.

“That was like over one dozen cookies per guest,” says Lauren.

The wedding had a simple color scheme of black and white, so the friends and family members who baked kept the look of the cookies exciting but classic. Cookie varieties included chocolate chip, French macarons and Oreo cheesecake.

To match the aesthetic of Lauren and Mike’s wedding invitations, the bakers added slight hints of lavender with muffin papers individually wrapping the cookies.

“We had a pretty large sign displayed on our cookie table that actually listed everyone that baked, because we wanted to really thank them and make sure they were recognized for everything they did,” Lauren says.

Runners Up

PHOTOS BY DANIELLE DURBIN FILM & PHOTO

Lauren Altman and Michael Herron both grew up in Pittsburgh, so naturally, their cookie table at Chatham Village in Mt. Washington on their Sept. 24, 2022, wedding day was full of nods to the city.

The son of Lauren’s friend from work designed model bridges, including the Smithfield Street Bridge, the Roberto Clemente Bridge, and the Fort Pitt Bridge, and 3-D printed the bases to decorate the table. Lauren’s brother then hand-painted the bridges and added gravel for a more authentic look.

“With the history of the Pittsburgh cookie table, we added a few other Pittsburgh-themed signs around on the cookie table,” she says.

PHOTOS BY COURTNEY RUTLEDGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Samantha Jamison and Drake D’Angelo had lace tablecloths, vintage glam cake stands and warm-glow faux LED candelabras to decorate their cookie table on Oct. 21, 2022, at Twelve Oaks Mansion in Mars.

Their table featured a spread of 35 types of cookies, which were mostly baked by Sammi’s grandmother, who she described as “the big baker” of the family. Her aunt also bought a custom pizzelle iron that printed their last name “D’Angelo.”

Since both sides of the family are huge dessert fans, Sammi and Drake wanted a cookie table that reflected their sweet tooth.

“It was definitely a labor of love that my mom coordinated,” Sammi says.

PHOTOS BY STEVEN DRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

When Devin met Alicia
Alicia McAllister and Devin Arvin attended the same K-12 school, Imani Christian Academy in East Hills, but it wasn’t until they attended the same summer camp in 2008 that they became friends. Back at school, Devin would often carry Alicia’s books to class; one of their mutual friends took notice and coaxed the two to start dating. The early years of their relationship consisted mostly of talking on the phone, sometimes all night or until they fell asleep. The high school sweethearts went on to attend Penn State Behrend in Erie, where Alicia got a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Devin got a bachelor’s degree in management information systems.

She Said Yes
In 2020, the couple had booked a trip to Miami and the Florida Keys where Devin planned to pop the question. However, the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the trip, and he had to get creative. While isolated in their Swissvale apartment, Devin crafted a scrapbook of their relationship — the last page contained the words “the day you said yes” with Alicia’s ring inside an envelope.

The Big Day
Their wedding day was “the fulfillment of a 15-year promise of everyone watching us grow up and to see the people that we had become at that point,” says Devin. Their colors were navy blue, burgundy and champagne, and Alicia wore a custom dress from DiDomenico Design. The couple wanted to “jump the broom,” an act that symbolizes a new beginning and the joining of two families. “We incorporated that into our wedding just to pay homage to our ancestors and because it’s a big tradition in African American weddings,” says Alicia.

Happily Ever After
Alicia and Devin, both 29, have moved to Florida, where they live with their 4-year-old cat, Theo. They’ve been focusing on traveling and exploring their new home away from the snow. Alicia is a therapist and Devin works for Concord Management Inc.

Vendors 
Ceremony & Reception: Pittsburgh Field Club, Fox Chapel.
Caterer: Pittsburgh Field Club.
Flowers: greenSinner.
Hair: BeBe Lee Beauty Lounge.
Make-Up: Faces By Cute Face Studio.
Dress: Kelsy Dominick Hall; DiDomenico Design.
Bridal Accessories: SWEETV.
Rings: Garcia Jewelers (bride) and David Yurman (groom).
Suits: Men’s Wearhouse.
Cake: Bella Christie’s Sweet Boutique.
Dessert/Cookie Table: Oakmont Bakery.
Invitations & Stationery: Just Write By Ashley.
Linens: Mosaic.
DJ: DJ Solo Dolo.
Videography: Dorosh Documentaries.
Lighting: EF Lighting.
Wedding: Planner Shayla Hawkins Events.
Officiant: Elder Timothy Walker, Petra International Ministries.

PHOTOS BY STEVEN DRAY PHOTOGRAPHY (KELLY-GIELAROWSKI AND OAKMONT BAKERY)

Weddings are typically associated with glitter and glam, but many couples are embracing simplicity in their big day’s aesthetic.

One of the biggest ways is through the cake. Couples are no longer smashing colorful and hyper-decorated cake in each other’s faces, but rather “naked” cakes with a bare and elegant design.

In planning her July 9, 2022 wedding to Mike Gielarowski, Lauren Kelly wanted to keep things classic with all white linens, flowers and centerpieces. Completing the ambience for her reception at the Longue Vue Club in Penn Hills was her cake from Oakmont Bakery — clean with only orchids adorning the side.

“You don’t have to feel pressured to do this crazy intricate cake,” Lauren says. “Anything that just has a classic look and simple look can be equally as beautiful.”

PHOTO BY ABBIE TYLER PHOTOGRAPHY (KUCHTA)

With extravagant decorative elements less popular, some couples have begun using color tinted buttercream instead to add the “wow” factor. Jaclynn Stankus, who married Zac Kuchta on Aug. 27, 2022, says she knew she wanted a standout cake. She worked with Tasty Bakery in Murrysville to keep the design simple and classic with a pale pink tint as she’d always imagined.

Small details can also add individuality; simple toppers and fresh-cut flowers have replaced the statuesque bride and groom toppers and intricate gumpaste flowers.

“It’s like smooth iced buttercream or textured buttercream,” says Courtney Daniels, wedding cake coordinator for Oakmont Bakery. “We’ve totally trended away from the big, elegant, gigantic, ornate wedding cakes.”

Over the past six months, a majority of all wedding cake sales have been their “classic” style, which is plain icing with no design or detail, according to Daniels. She credits the transition to the shift in types of wedding venues; more and more couples are getting married in barns and other rustic venues as opposed to grand halls.

“Now it’s all the smaller, simpler, more natural looking weddings,” she says.

PHOTOS BY LEEANN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Love letters. While it’s a practice as old as time, notes and poetry to express romantic sentiment are still popular in weddings today. 

Gabby Zacharia and Raymond Krivanek began their wedding day on Nov. 26, 2022, with preparations sealed off and separate from one another. 

Not wanting to set eyes on one another until Gabby entered Epiphany Church in the Hill District, the couple decided instead to be with one another for the morning of their big day through words in the form of personalized letters to one another. 

“We kind of just wanted to keep that spark of us seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle,” says Gabby. “But we wanted some way to kind of connect beforehand since you go the whole day without seeing each other.”

Gabby spent the morning taking photos in matching pajamas with her bridesmaids and doing final makeup touches. Ray received a toast from his groomsmen as he waited to see his bride. They both sat down and read the words their soon-to-be-spouse penned for them.

The love letters had a similar effect as writing personal vows. The couple, together for five and half years, says that they took a few days before the wedding to reflect on their relationship and write it all down. On the day, close friends were tasked with exchanging the soon-to-be wed’s thoughts. 

“It’s a really great way to connect beforehand,” says Gabby.

Love letters before the ceremony don’t need to be extravagantly decorated; Ray’s letter to Gabby was written on notebook paper. 

The letters, while just a piece of paper, embodied the couple’s love beyond their wedding day. 

“If we ever go through rough patches in our marriage or just want to look back at those notes and kind of be reminded of how we felt on our wedding day,” says Gabby. “We’ll always have those notes to look back on.”

PHOTOS BY WILD NATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY

For Heather Dean and Carmen Connolly, a wedding inspired by the Roaring ’20s just made sense. 

After growing up in the same town and attending the same grade school, Heather and Carmen’s paths finally crossed in 2019 at their local saloon. After they dated for two years, Carmen popped the question during an intimate walk with their dog, Rex.

Heather always dreamt of an intimate and stunning destination wedding in Italy, while Carmen envisioned a huge Pittsburgh wedding to accommodate his large family. 

Bringing their visions together, the couple opted for a grand Pittsburgh wedding.

“I wanted to create an experience for people,” says Heather. With more than 300 guests invited, the couple spent months ironing out the details planning an unforgettable event that paid homage to this iconic era.

“I love old things,” says Heather. “I’m an old-timey person and I love history. So I really wanted to find a venue that shows off Pittsburgh’s history and also has an art deco vibe to it.” After a long search, the couple landed on the Pennsylvanian, a former Downtown train station constructed in 1900, as their wedding location. They enlisted Soirée by Souleret to bring their vision to life.

The two tied the knot on June 10, 2022, at St. Bernard Church in Mt. Lebanon before moving on to cocktail hour beneath the dome of the Pennsylvanian. From the moment guests arrived, they were transported back in time. 

The highlight of cocktail hour was the Champagne showgirl, an entertainer elegantly strolling through the crowd with glasses of champagne displayed on her skirt. The cigar station, Carmen’s personal favorite touch, featured artisans hand-rolling cigars for guests. Wedding guests mingled in the stunning court, enjoying live jazz music and sipping drinks from the martini bar. 

The couple’s most treasured moment of the night was their first glimpse of the venue. They slipped away from cocktail hour and had a private entrance, where they finally witnessed the culmination of all of their planning.

A scene straight out of “The Great Gatsby,” the venue was adorned with velvet chairs, elegant table settings and a towering palm trellis, inspired by the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

The couple’s attention to detail was evident in every aspect of their wedding from vintage suitcases used as card boxes to the luxurious gold color scheme. Heather took inspiration from her favorite speakeasy bars in New York and Chicago, with dim lighting, velvet lamp shades and neon signs. 

Heather’s love for the bygone era was also evident in her dress and even her ring. Her dress was adorned with sparkles and bows wrapped around her shoulders, and her ring, a vintage marquise diamond from the 20s, was customized with her late grandmother’s baguettes.

There were many Pittsburgh touches at the wedding, inspired by love for their hometown: Farmer’s Daughter Flowers the floral arrangements, Leaf and Bean ran the cigar station and a Prima Coffee cart catered to guests. The final touch was late-night Primanti Bros. sandwiches for guests.