Real Weddings 2012 :: Kate & Bernie 5.26.12

Kate & Bernie's wedding day was filled with loads of bright colors...perfect for an early summer wedding! Kate and I started planning nearly 2 years before their big day, which gave us plenty of time to perfect all of the details. With the help of the fabulous Mocha Rose team, the flower arrangements were stunning and definitely one-of-a-kind!

Kate & Bernie's day started off with a spa treatment for Kate and her bridesmaids right onsite at Chestnut Ridge...not a bad way to start your wedding day, huh? The girls got ready in the spa, and the guys got ready next door at the Hampton Inn. Since everything was within walking distance to Chestnut Ridge, Kate & Bernie got lucky and didn't have to rent any transportation for the day...definitely a big bonus! 

May 26th was a HOT one, but that didn't stop the bridal party from setting out onto the golf course property to snag a few photos before the ceremony began. Kate & Bernie wanted to keep things traditional, so with the help of the couple's photographer, Leeann Marie, we kept the two of them separated until it was time to say "I Do". 

Kate & Bernie tied the knot inside the Crystal Terrace room at Chestnut Ridge. It was a short and sweet ceremony officiated by Rev. Mark DeNuzzio.

Following the ceremony, guests headed over to the London Ballroom (just steps away from where the ceremony had taken place) where they enjoyed a three-course sit down meal, some photo booth fun, an amazing dessert spread, and an evening full of dancing. No detail was overlooked. Kate even treated her guests to a few extra surprises - flip flops for the ladies and a cigar bar for the guys. Oh, and I can't forget the cake - Kate & Bernie's wedding cake was probably the most talked about cake ever. Kudos to Tammy from Cakes by Tammy for designing this gorgeous cake! :)

It was an awesome night, and we couldn't be more happy for this great couple! Congratulations again, Kate & Bernie!!

The Wedding Team

Wedding Planner Simply Perfect Weddings

Ceremony + Reception Venue Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort

Photographer Leeann Marie Photography

Videographer Nate Sherer Video

Floral Designer Mocha Rose Floral Designs

DJ 5th Ace Entertainment

Bakery Cakes by Tammy 

Photo Booth Photobooth Pittsburgh

Ceremony Musicians Steven Vance Strolling Violins

Officiant A Simple Vow (Rev. Mark DeNuzzio)

Rentals (Chiavari Chairs) All Occasions Party Rental

All photos courtesy of Leeann Marie Photography.

Real Weddings 2012 :: Emily & Eryk 4.28.12

Where do I start with Emily & Eryk's wedding?! I got to know Emily and her family very well over the course of our wedding planning and I am absolutely smitten with them! I first started off planning Emily's sisters' wedding (which will be debuted on the blog soon!), and after several months of planning Alison's wedding, Alison passed my name along to Emily. Emily and I hit it off right away, and before I knew it I was helping to plan both sisters' weddings just 2 months apart from each other...talk about a busy time in their household! ;) 

Emily & Eryk's wedding day started off with hair and makeup for the ladies at Emily's parents' home. We planned plenty of time for hair & makeup so the ladies could be fully pampered that morning. Following hair & makeup, Emily and her bridesmaids set out for a photo session around the family's property. It was a bit chilly and damp on their wedding day, but Emily was still smiling through it all and was seriously one of the most happy and cheerful brides I've seen :)

Emily & Eryk exchanged vows at St. John & Paul Catholic Church in Sewickley. Prior to the ceremony beginning, guests were treated with a variety of romantic music selections from harpist, Julia Ann Scott. Having the harpist play as guests arrived was a nice change from the traditional organ.

Following the nuptials, guests made their way downtown to the Omni William Penn for cocktails, dinner, and dancing. The Omni was the perfect location for Emily & Eryk's formal wedding reception. Guests enjoyed amazing cuisine, stunning decor, and not to mention an incredible dance set by In the Mood (I mean, just LOOK at that packed dance floor!). 

Emily & Eryk's wedding was the perfect kick off to our 2012 wedding season!

Congratulations again to Emily & Eryk!!

The Wedding Team

Wedding Planner Simply Perfect Weddings

Ceremony Venue St. John & Paul Catholic Church

Reception Venue Omni William Penn

Photographer Bellissima Photography

Videographer Pittsburgh Wedding DVD

Floral Designer Karrie Hlista Designs

Band Three Rivers Entertainment & Production (In the Mood)

Harpist Julia Ann Scott

Transportation Amore Limousines

Stationery Purple Wagon Designs  

All photos courtesy of Bellissima Photography.

Real Weddings 2011 :: Laura & George 10.8.11

Classic. Elegant. Romantic. These are just a few words I would use to describe Laura & George's wedding day.

Their wedding day started out with hair and makeup for Laura and her bridesmaids at Laura's parent's home just a few short miles away from the church. After a few hours of pampering, the entire bridal party made their way over to East Liberty Presbyterian Church for some bridal party/family portraits, along with Laura & George's "First Look". I'm sure you've heard me say this a hundred times, but I absolutely LOVE the intimacy of a "First Look". This was my first time working at East Liberty Presbyterian, and I have to say that I was rather impressed. The inside of the church is absolutely stunning (just look at the gorgeous ceremony shots taken by the lovely Milla Chappell), and to add to the church's beauty, there is an adorable little courtyard that set the scene for some great portraits of the bridal party. 

Following their vows Laura & George, along with their guests, made their way over to The Pittsburgh Golf Club for cocktails, dinner, and dancing. The Pittsburgh Golf Club also happens to be one of my favorite venues...I like to call it the "hidden gem" of Pittsburgh, as not many people seem to know about it. The space is incredibly elegant and charming, and the staff is top notch...definitely an A+ in my book!

The light on October 8th was positively stunning, and Milla was able to capture some amazingly gorgeous portraits of Laura & George before they headed inside to greet their guests.

The evening ended with a grand sparkler exit as these two love birds were sent away in a classic Rolls Royce. It was truly the perfect ending to a perfect day. 

Congratulations again to Laura & George!

The Wedding Team 

Wedding Planner Simply Perfect Weddings
Ceremony Venue East Liberty Presbyterian 
Reception Venue The Pittsburgh Golf Club
Photographer Milla C Photography
Floral Designer Karrie Hlista Designs
Band Studio E's Protege
Makeup Anna Skin Care
Transportation (Shuttle) Lenzner Coach Lines    
Transportation (Rolls Royce) Classic Limousine
 
All photos courtesy of Milla C Photography.

Real Weddings 2011 :: Lindsay & Andrew 9.24.11

Lindsay and Andrew were married on a gorgeous fall day in September. We had been keeping a close eye on the weather the week prior (and preparing back-up plans just in case), but September 24th turned out to be a picture perfect fall day. 

Lindsay and Andrew wanted to be able to enjoy themselves during cocktails, so they opted to have the majority of their photos taken prior to the ceremony, including a "First Look". Their photos were taken around the Oakland area - mostly outside of their church, St. Paul's Cathedral, and across the street at the ever popular Mellon Institute. After photos were completed, Lindsay and Andrew made their way over to the church where they tied the knot during a beautiful Catholic mass. {Side note: since their photo locations and both venues were all within walking distance of each other in Oakland, Lindsay & Andrew were able to skip the limo and transportation costs!} 

Following the ceremony, guests were greeted by a bag piper playing outside of the church who led each and every one of them across the street to the Mellon Institute for a group photo. Yep, you read that right - all 181 of their guests were led in a bag piper processional through the streets of Oakland. It took a lot of coordination, but in the end, it turned out fantastic! Kuddos to the couple's fab photographer, Joey Kennedy, for pulling off the great shot (pictured above). Post-amazing group photo, the guests were then led down the street a few blocks to The University Club, where the rooftop cocktail hour and ballroom reception were set to take place. 

It was an amazing day, and we couldn't be more happier for this adorable couple! Congratulations again to Lindsay & Andrew!

The Wedding Team 

Wedding Planner Simply Perfect Weddings
Ceremony Venue St. Paul's Cathedral 
Reception Venue The University Club
Photographer Joey Kennedy Photography
Floral Designer Dee's Florals 
DJ Bill Bara
Makeup Pittsburgh Makeup
Hair Monica Kitta (412.537.5107)
Bag Piper Pittsburgh Piper

All photos courtesy of Joey Kennedy Photography.