Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Looking back on April and Jamie’s Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding always brings a smile to my face.  You’d be hard pressed to find two people who are as funny, kind and sincere as they are.  We had a great time photographing the wedding and reception – the day flew past.

Weddings in February are a crapshoot in terms of weather, but we got lucky.  I wasn’t too worried, though.  Even if the weather had been horrible the Grand Concourse is a beautiful place for photos.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Getting Ready

April and her girls got ready at the Sheraton Station Square, so we started out there.

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The big windows on the river side of the hotel provide some beautiful light for portraits.  April looked fantastic!

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April’s dad helps tie a half windsor knot.  It’s a handy thing to know how to do.

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Ruh-Roh!

When we got to the chapel we found out that the florist hadn’t yet arrived with the bouquets.  No bueno, florist 🙁

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Yay!  She arrived!

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

You’ve got some explaining to do, Miss Florist!

This situation provides a really great lesson. Weddings are complicated, emotional events involving human beings – who are by nature fallible.  Kudos to April for being able to keep things in perspective and focus on what was important – two people deeply in love standing in front of their friends and loved ones while they made a promise to each other.  Really, once it was over it was left in the past.  I don’t think another thought was wasted on the flowers arriving late, and everybody went on to enjoy the day.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Ceremony at Duquesne University Chapel

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Waiting to walk down the aisle.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Father McCool has a great sense of humor – April and Jamie thought so, too 🙂

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Wedding rings, or as Father McCool referred to them “The most expensive set of handcuffs you’ll ever see!”  Father James Murphy (right) co-celebrated the ceremony.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

I love this shot by my second photographer Lisa Eggleston of April and Jamie lighting the unity candle.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

A little wink from April.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Jamie gets a hug from his aunt after the ceremony.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Portraits

It was pleasant outside, so we walked around the Duquesne University campus as we took some portraits.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

I told you these two are funny.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Cristal for everyone!  Or Crystal. Whatever 😉

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Annie O’Neill was with us and she shot this image of April and Jamie practicing their first dance on the Smithfield Street Bridge before the reception.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Reception at The Grand Concourse

The happy couple is announced into their reception.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Cake cutting.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Jamie’s niece hit the dance floor with his parents.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

Jamie and his mom share a dance.

Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding

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Last dance.

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I loved everything about this wedding and feel so grateful to have been a part of the day.

Rachel from Pittsburgh Wedding Cinema was on hand to document the day.  We work together in the same unobtrusive, story-telling manner to provide documentary coverage.  Let me know if you’re interested in adding video to your wedding coverage.  Here’s a short piece that she put together from this Duquesne University Chapel and Grand Concourse Wedding:

April & Jaime from Rachel Wagner on Vimeo.

Here’s another great winter wedding: Tera and John