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.”