Renaissance Pittsburgh Wedding
Alyssa and Ben’s Renaissance Pittsburgh wedding took place on one of those perfect late summer days with bright blue skies and pleasant temperatures. Looking at these photos kind of makes me wish that spring would stop fooling around and get here already! That’s all I’m going to say about the weather. What I really want to talk about is just how much everybody enjoyed being with Alyssa and Ben to celebrate their wedding. Happiness is contagious and their families and friends were filled with smiles and laughter from the beginning of the day through the end of the evening.
Getting Ready
Alyssa checks her makeup while her bridesmaids watch. This is such a great suite at the Renaissance, it’s spacious and filled with light.
Ben sent a card. He has a way with words 🙂
Some details including Alyssa’s beautiful dress, Godiva Chocolate gifts for the ladies, and the bride’s bouquet from Gidas Flowers.
Alyssa’s mom Karen buttons up her dress.
The guys figure out how to put on their boutonnieres.
The First Look
The first look was on the balcony outside of the couple’s suite. Such a lovely space for a private moment.
The Ceremony
After leaving the Renaissance we headed to the ceremony which took place at the Bower Hill Community Church in Mt. Lebanon.
Alyssa and her dad Ken watch as the flower girl Quinlan walks into the sanctuary with a big smile on her face.
Then it was their turn to enter.
Ben watches from his spot near the altar.
Church rules say that photography is only allowed from the balcony. I like to be up close, but this is a pretty great view.
Knowing ahead of time what the situation was going to be allowed me to be prepared with a long telephoto lens so that I wouldn’t be too far removed from the action.
We took some portraits around the church before heading to the West End Overlook, where the lead photo was taken.
On to the Reception
The Symphony Ballroom at the Renaissance had some seriously beautiful light coming through the windows when we got there. I did some detail shots while the cocktail hour was going on:
The bridal party had a long table in front of the window just off of the dance floor in the middle of the room. It’s a nice way to arrange the space.
Each of the tables had these great pictures of the couple from when they were kids. They haven’t changed a bit!
Alyssa and Ben make their entrance.
They went right into their first dance before cutting the cake.
Then it was dancing, dancing, dancing!
Karen brought Alyssa a bowl of ice cream to the dance floor. Moms are the best 🙂
Towards the end of the evening Alyssa and Ben’s fellow alums from Northeastern University brought out the school’s flag.
One last portrait: This one beneath the leaded glass skylight in the lobby of the Renaissance. A lovely ending to a fantastic Renaissance Pittsburgh Wedding.
Filed under: Renaissance Pittsburgh Wedding and Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers