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