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.