Diana and Joe first met at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre where they are both ballet dancers. They formed a connection over the fact that they are both from Ohio and they both have strong Catholic faith. When they first met Diana knew Joe was from Ohio because of his love for the Cleveland Browns! After three and a half years of dating, Joe took Diana to mass on Mt. Washington and proposed to her on the overlook. The couple had a Catholic ceremony at St. Stanislaus and a reception following at the Grand Hall at the Priory.
Diane and Joe had separate Priory townhouses right next to the reception site and it made the getting ready process very convenient! Diana and her mother made her beautiful cathedral length veil. Her mother also gifted her a small blue rosary to wear in her dress pocket – yes, her dress had pockets! Diana wore her mother’s pearl bracelet, carried her grandfather’s monogrammed hankie and used her great aunt’s clutch. Joe wore socks of his hometown football team – the Cleveland Browns.
Diana and Joe did a “first touch” prior to the ceremony where they exchanged cards. During the ceremony, Diana’s aunt and uncle sang and they had a friend play the viola. During the recessional, flower petals fell from the ceiling.
Between the ceremony and reception, we got to take the couple and their bridal party to several photo locations throughout Pittsburgh – the Strip District, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, CMU Columns, Mellon Park Walled Garden and the Clemente Bridge. Ceremony was at 2:00PM and the cocktail hour didn’t start until 6:00PM so we had a great amount of time for photos! Diana even put on her pointe shoes for a few shots! While we were getting their photos, the parents of the bride and groom hosted guests in the Priory townhouses. This is a great option to keep your guests occupied while still having enough time for photos.
The couple had subtle details of their ballet dancing background throughout their reception – the escort cards were made to look like ballet tickets and some of their tables were named after ballets they had done together. Diana and Joe choreographed their first dance. The wedding cake topper was vintage and one that has been used in many weddings on Joe’s side of the family.
We did a sparkler send off with the couple and it was probably one of the biggest ones we have ever seen. After the reception was over, we rode up to Mt. Washington with Diana and Joe to take some final photos since it is such a special place to them where they got engaged.
Note to the couple:
Diana and Joe, we loved working with you! We thank you for choosing Kristen Wynn Photography and wish you a lifetime of love and happiness always Congratulations!
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Vendors:
Prep location: The Priory Hotel
Gown Designer/Salon: Romona Keveza/Something White Bridal
Bride’s Headband: Clarissa Boutique
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bridal Beginning/Dessy Group
Men’s Ties: Dessy
Florist: Budget Blossoms by Jillian
Hair Stylist: Rochelle Noone Hair Creations Salon
Make-Up Artist: Allison Roth Studio
Hotel Accommodations: The Priory Hotel
Transportation: All Star Limousines Worldwide
Cinematographer: Black Guy in Black Tie Wedding Videographer
Ceremony venue: St. Stanislaus Kostka Church
Reception venue: Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at the Priory
Cake: Bella Christie and Lil Z’s Sweet Boutique
Catering: Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at the Priory
Entertainment: Greg Sovek Productions
Rings: Ashcroft & Oak Jewelers
Photographer: Kristen Wynn Photography
