Remember Vicki and Tom’s engagement session this summer?  I am super excited to present to you Vicki & Tom: the Wedding!

Vicki and the girls got ready at the historic Inn on Negley in Shadyside.

St. Paul’s Cathedral is a gorgeous church.

Vicki and Tom’s bridal party was super fun!

Love Vicki’s unique bouquet–yes, those are artichokes!!

We stopped at Vicki and Tom’s alma mater, W&J, for photos.

The cake was actually made by Vicki’s mom!

Love it when they put on a slide show of old pictures.

The staff at the Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe put on an awesome live demonstration of fiery dessert making.

Vicki and Tom, thank you for letting me be a part of your journey for a little while.  You are two of the nicest people ever, and I wish you all the best in your married life together!  ((Hugs))  Sandy

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Makeup/Hair: MCN Salon

Florisy: Karrie Hlista

Ceremony: St. Paul Cathedral

Reception Venue: Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe

Caterer: Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe

Entertainment: Jeremy Ganss

One of my wedding couples, Heather and Brian Pellegrini, were featured in this month’s issue of Whirl Magazine!!  Along with the details of their wedding, there is a really cute story about their engagement.  To see the full article, click here.  Congratulations, Heather and Brian!  (((Hugs))) Sandy

Here are a few more favorites from their wedding:

I have many favorites from Vicki and Tom’s wedding, but for now I’ll post just one shot.  More to come soon.

I just loved everything about Molly and Matt’s wedding, which was as unique, stylish, and amazing as they are.  We started the day getting ready at the Renaissance Hotel downtown, took a ride on Molly’s Trolley , and ended with a ceremony and reception at an über-cool venue, the Mattress Factory Museum.

Molly, you are simply stunning.I had my good friend, the talented Aaron Varga, shooting with me that day.  Love this image of the guys looking so cool hanging out on the steps.Molly and Matt decided to do a “first look” in one of the empty galleries, and it was so intimate and perfect.  These next two images were taken by Aaron, while I captured the moment from a different angle.As if things couldn’t be any more perfect, Molly and Matt began to rehearse their first dance…the room was quiet, the sound of their footsteps and the soft rustle of her dress sweeping across the floor as they danced…nothing to distract from the moment as their eyes locked…so sweet.

This next image by Aaron.

They had a beautiful self-unification ceremony out in the courtyard.

I loved so many images from this wedding, but I think these next two may be my favorite.

 So, I thought it would be really neat to do a sort of time-lapse photography thing so you could get a behind-the scenes look at what goes into getting ready for a wedding reception.  Through the course of the day I would stop at the same spot and take a shot of the action:

And the gorgeous fruits of everyone’s labor:

Molly surprised Matt with the most fabulous groom’s cake ever.  Wow!

Aaron and I were working very hard that night, pinky swear.

And one last kiss goodnight…

Molly and Matt, it was an honor and a pleasure to be a part of your completely awesome wedding day!  Congratulations and thank you!!  (((Hugs))) Sandy

If you enjoyed these photos from Molly and Matt’s wedding, please take a moment and Like me on Facebook!

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Makeup: Debbie Maker

Hair: Sognatore Salon

Dress: Ann Gregory

Venue: The Mattress Factory Museum

Florist: George Weber, The Botanical Emporium

Bakery: Rania’s Catering

Caterer: Rania’sCatering

Entertainment: Steven Vance Strings (ceremony), Ortner Robers Jazz Trio, Andy Huttlemeyer DJ (412-427-1207)

Eva and Sam celebrated their wedding at the Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill, followed by a reception at the University Club.   Although it rained a good part of the day, it stopped long enough for us to get some beautiful pictures at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial.

Favorite from the day.

Image by Jenny.

I hope I can still dance with my husband someday like this.

I have to give props to my friend Amanda who gave me the idea for a ring shot in water.  And it was a good thing, too, because it was getting dark really fast–the water added that extra sparkle that the shot needed.

Eva and Sam, it was wonderful working with you again!  I wish you all the best in your new life together on the West Coast!

(((Hugs)))  Sandy

If you enjoyed these photos from Eva and Sam’s wedding, please take a moment and like me on Facebook!

And to stay up to date on all the latest news, products, and promotions from Red Lotus Photography, click on the Newsletter tab in the upper left corner of the blog to sign up for my newsletter. :)

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Ceremony:  Church of the Redeemer

Reception Venue: University Club

Flowers:  Dragonfly Florist

Entertainment:  DJ Rockin Bob/DJ Frank

Cake: Fenoglietto’s

I had the opportunity to photograph another awesome couple at the Succop Conservancy recently.  I don’t know what it is about the Succop Conservancy, but when I go there, for some reason it feels like coming home.  It is such a beautiful setting with the perfect blend of rustic elegance and country charm.

Couples who wed at the Succop usually hold their ceremony outdoors near the pond or in front of the Mansion.  I have always wondered what it would be like if it rained on someone’s wedding day, and this time, I got my answer.  Rather than moving the ceremony inside the mansion, Jen and Chris  held their ceremony under a tent adjacent to the pavilion.  And despite the weather, it was wonderful!

The rings were passed around to each one of the guests so that they could be blessed by everyone.  Such a sweet ceremonial tradition.

After dinner we slipped away from the reception for some more photos.  Extra photo time?  Woohoo!

Jen and Chris, it was such an honor being a part of your special day.  I wish you all the best that life has to offer!    ((Hugs)) Sandy

If you enjoyed these photos, please take a moment and like me on Facebook!

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Venue: Succop Conservancy

Officiant: Reverend Mark DeNuzzio

Entertainment: Pifemaster Productions

Bakery: Boldy’s Bakery

Catering: Medure’s Catering

You may remember Cara and Scott from their engagement session a while ago; and now, I present to you Cara & Scott: The Wedding!  This sweet couple held their ceremony and reception at the Mansion at Maple Heights, a lovely venue for an intimate wedding amongst your closest friends and family.

Giving away your daughter has to be one of the hardest things for a dad to do.

I got a big smile on my face when I saw how they used one of their engagement photos!  Image by second shooter and good friend Jenny.

Cara and Scott are animal lovers, and they shared that love with their guests by naming each table after one of their current pets or a pet that they grew up with.  Image by Jenny.

The food by La Creme was seriously good.

First dance.  Image by Jenny.

Cara and Scott, thank you for letting me be a part of your special day!  (((Hugs))) Sandy

If you enjoyed Cara and Scott’s wedding photos, please take a moment to like me on Facebook!

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Venue:  The Mansion at Maple Heights

Officiant: Larry Goyda, Meaningful Marriages

Entertainment: Faure String Trio (Ceremony); Brian Bauer, Eventures Weddings

Bakery: Oakmont Bakery

Caterer: La Creme

Makeup: Jennifer Palermo

Hair: Brooke Rockwell Hair Design

Florist: Bill Chisnell Productions

Linens: Mosaic Linens

Rentals: All Occasions

A beautiful summer day, an awesome couple, and shooting with my friend Aaron Varga – the trifecta for an amazing wedding day!  Ok, there were more factors that made the day even better, like the fun bridal party and fantastic venue, but then what would I call it? Quint-fecta?

Anywho, you may remember Maria and Josh from their engagement session, where we roamed the streets of Butler and found some pretty cool spots for photos. It was so great to work with them again!

Love Maria’s shoes.

As I was looking for a good spot to photograph the rings, I noticed that the family Bible was sitting open on the coffee table.  This book does not collect dust in Maria’s house; there are so many passages highlighted and tagged with stickies that you know how loved and used it is on a daily basis.  Maria says Psalm 91 is one of her mother’s favorites.

Maria has the cutest little sister ever.  It is so sweet how close they are.

One of the things I love about having a second shooter: while I’m getting a shot like this…

Aaron is getting a shot like this at the same time:

Oh, and he’s there to photograph me doing ridiculous things like laying on the ground.  Yes, I will do anything to get the shot!

I love to see a big Greek wedding dance!

The best part was being bombarded by a flying beach ball, lol.

Aaron and I have such a good time shooting together; as he said on his blog, we are both complete photo geeks who feed off of each others enthusiasm for creating cool and unique images.   Behold, the result of our collaborative thinking!

Sooo romantic.

Maria and Josh, I had such a nice time with you again – thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your special day!  (((Hugs))) Sandy

If you like what you see here, like me on Facebook!

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Ceremony: St. Fidelis Church

Reception: Butler Country Club

Flowers: The Bloomery

Cake: Mimi’s Bake Shoppe

Entertainment: Red Hot Chameleon

Just a quick post today, dear Reader; these are some favorites I have been meaning to post from the wedding of my cousin Johnny and his beautiful wife, Nicole.  Hope you like!

It’s been a while since I posted a wedding, dear Reader!  I have been obsessed with building up the newborn and child photography part of my business – but never fear, my brides and grooms-to-be, I haven’t forgotten you!  I have a number of weddings I want to share with you, but I thought I would start with my most recent wedding.  (My photog friend Amanda would be proud of me for setting aside my Obsessive Compulsive Chronilogical Blogging Disorder.)

Maureen and Art were blessed with a beautiful afternoon of sunny weather for their ceremony at the outdoor garden at Phipps Conservatory; the weather forecast was threatening rain, but it held off just for them!

Aren’t this little lego bride and groom adorable??

Maureen’s dress was simply stunning.  There is no other word for it.

Their wedding was full of sweet little details.

They had their rings custom made by a local artist – how cool is that?

Art and his son had awesome Lego cuff links.

Love this reaction to seeing Maureen in her dress.

A moment between mother and daughter.

Before the wedding, Maureen told Art that she just got a “simple dress”.  I loved the look on his face when he saw his gorgeous bride walking down the aisle in that amazing dress.  Wowza!

Art’s brother explained the meaning of a special part of the ceremony, something akin to the unity candle or a sand ceremony, but truly unique.  He began by telling the story of how Maureen, Art, and his kids went on a hike together, and they each found the perfect stick.  They took them home and decorated them, adding ribbons with words and phrases written on them, like favorite pastimes, memories, and other things that were meaningful to them personally.  Then they placed them in an urn full of sand, until the wedding day when they would bind the sticks together.

Image by Jenny.

My second shooter, Jenny, was so thoughtful to bring coins for Maureen and Art to make a wish in the fountain.  I am sure it brought back some fond memories for Jenny, who had her wedding ceremony in the Broderie Room, photographed by yours truly. :)  Thanks, Jenny!

One more look at Maureens fabulous dress, which had so many cool details.

Jenny and I took a moment to have a delightful caffeinated beverage. :D

I just love this shot of a romantic kiss in the pouring rain.

Maureen and Art, thank you for allowing me to capture your amazing wedding day!  (((Hugs))) Sandy

If you liked the images from this wedding, dear Reader, take a moment and like me on Facebook!

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Ceremony/Reception Venue: Phipps Conservatory

Florist: Mt. Lebanon Floral Shop

Entertainment: Steven Vance (String Trio during ceremony), Hard & Purdy (DJ)

Cake: Oakmont Bakery

Makeup: Susie Popovich (412) 951-2774