I was completely humbled and honored to have a photograph that I captured used by Sports Illustrated as a two page spread in a story about Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby in this weeks issue. Although I have been published in SI previously, getting a two page photograph in the magazine is a goal that I set for myself every year. For the first time in my career, I can cross that goal off of my list! The photograph was taken during the Penguins victory over the Boston Bruins at the CONSOL Energy Center on March 17th, 2013. -Vincent

Danielle & Brent were married on a gorgeous Friday afternoon in Verona at the Longue Vue Club. Danielle and Brent have been together for nine years, so Brent heard his shares of “about time!” from family and guests throughout their wonderful night. The path to their wedding was also the subject of both the maid of honor and the best man’s speeches. Without knowing, each listed the various events and news that has happened since Danielle and Brent first got together. With a different perspective, both of the speeches complimented the others well and made for an extremely funny and informative ten minutes to start the reception!

On his way to the wedding, Brent got caught up in a little Friday afternoon Rt. 28 traffic, slowing his arrival. Brent’s brother arrived a bit earlier, and was the one that had to fudge a bit when the girls asked about the groom’s arrival. Danielle didn’t sweat it at all, she was so relaxed that she was joking about even a few minutes before she was ready to walk towards the ceremony.

Speaking of he ceremony, an uninvited guests tried to crash the party. Moments before Danielle & Brent were to have their first kiss, a bumblebee made it’s way to the altar, apparently to give it’s blessings to the happy couple. It buzzed around Danielle’s head for a few minutes with Brent attempting to shoo it away. It finally flew away so Brent could finally kiss his new bride. The bee did not attend the reception. Speaking of the reception, it was a terrible towel swirling, Gangnam Style dancing, spin your date in circles on the dance floor kind of night. Out of the countless moments that I could think of, one of my favorites was when Brent grabbed his mother after a dance together and planted a huge kiss on her cheek while holding her on the dance floor.

It was such a fun and exciting day and I am so grateful to Danielle and Brent for choosing me to document their wedding story! Congratulations to the both of you, I am so thrilled for the both of you!

- Vincent

Ashley and Michael were married at St. Norberts Church and held their reception at the Wendell Inn in Baldwin. Ashley got ready for their wedding at her parents house, joined by her bridesmaids and flower girl as they worked on makeup and hair while looking at Ashley’s childhood photographs.
Michael and his guys celebrated together at his apartment while enjoying their cigars amid continuous laughter. Their limo shuttled them separately to their church, where their family was already waiting to shower Ashley and Michael with love and continuous hugs. Ashley’s entrance was dramatic and unforgettable, as the doors swung open to the silhouette of her and her father arm and arm, waiting to enter.

Their ceremony was a quick one, and was topped of by Ashley and Michael, with enormous smiles, walking past their guests as they exited the beautiful church. After the family portraits, everyone headed over to the Wendell Inn for their reception. The entrances of the bridal party were classic, with many dance moves on full display! In one of the many memorable moments of their night, Michael and his mother were serenaded for the mother-son dance by one of Michael’s friends, whose voice was stunning and captivated the room! As for the dancing, Ashley and Michael were both all in from the start. While Ashley and some of her bridesmaids dominated a part of the dance floor, Michael and his buddies took over in unison with a variety of break dance moves that gave their reception a night club feel. Their reception, and entire day, was an absolute blast and I was honored to be there to document their day! Ashley and Michael, congratulations again and I am so excited and happy for you both!

-Vincent

Katie and Bryan were married on day that was as beautifully sunny and as it was windy! Their ceremony took place at the Duquesne Chapel with their reception held across the Monongahela up on Mt. Washington at the LeMont. I still remember Katie’s initial email to us and how excited she was to talk with us. When an initial inquiry focuses on the quality of our work and her genuine excitement towards her wedding photography, it is such a great feeling. It is hard to not be excited when being around Katie, who is so incredibly thoughtful and complimentary. Bryan and Katie are so sweet together which is so evident from their photographs. I wasn’t sure if Bryan was going to be a dancer type at their reception, but he completely blew me away with his energy!

What we took away from their wedding were some moments that told the true personalities of both Katie and Bryan, as well as their parents and close friends. First off, the speeches were terrific. Bryan is a huge Pittsburgh sports fan and during the best man toast, which was relaying this information, he got a update informing him, and everyone else in attendance, that Pitt won their football game that afternoon. Katie dad’s speech was so touching, going through his memories of Katie as a child and her maid of honor’s speech had many in the crowd shedding tears. Watching Bryan and his mother interact prior to the wedding was special, revealing how close of a relationship they have. It is so much fun to see a mother so proud of her son! It became even more emotional during the mother-son dance at the reception, which had them both in tears. And Katie’s mother, who did so much to make this such a special night for her daughter and new son, sharing an incredibly touching dance with Katie near the end of the reception. Emotion helps create some of the best photographs, in our opinion, and Katie and Bryan gave us so much to work with!

It was an incredible day, and night, and we could not have been happier for both Katie and Bryan! Congratulations to the two of you, we are thrilled for you both!

-Vincent & Elizabeth

Emily and Mike were married in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, with their reception being held at the home of Mike’s parents. The enormous tent was erected in a large field on their property, adjacent to the swimming pool where the cocktail hour would be held. Mother Nature did it’s best to challenge their plans, but was no match for them. A large storm cut through Greensburg right around the time that Emily was getting her make-up on and Mike was watching the classic movie Old School with his groomsmen. Mike watched the radar on his computer nervously while at the same time Emily was having too much fun with her bridesmaids to worry about the weather! The storm cleared quickly, but dumped tons of rain on their parade. Thanks to so many family and friends hard work, the only signs of the storm was a rearranged layout of the table and some soggy areas of grass!

There were so many special, unique moments to Emily and Mike’s wedding day. It will be difficult to forget Emily’s father crying, wiping his eyes as he prepared to walk his daughter down the aisle. Emily’s personality was on full display tried to hide from Mike and the rest of the wedding as she
crawled in the balcony to avoid being spotted. Her laughter during it all made it even more special. You have to love any couple that will be introduced to their adoring crowd at their wedding reception with their dog, as Emily and mike did with Nacho, their dog. Nacho preceded to bark at Emily and Mike during their first dance. Emily’s love for M & M’s was on full display, including the design of their wedding cake. And perhaps most visually impressive, an absolutely stunning fireworks display that lit up the skies over Greensburg for what had to have been ten minutes.

It was an incredibly special night! Emily and Mike, we are thrilled for you both and we are so happy that you chose Elizabeth and I to document your memorable day. Congratulations!!

Lauren and Stephen’s story goes way back,as they went to school together and knew each other back in elementary school. The wedding was on a Sunday afternoon and the weather, the calm surroundings and Lauren and Stephen being so easy going created as relaxed of an atmosphere as is possible at a wedding. Lauren got her makeup done on the porch out side of the bridal room, surrounded by flowers, her bridesmaids and well wishers walking towards the lake. Stephen got ready on the other side of the hotel, sequestered enough so that he and Lauren wouldn’t run into each other by accident. Their ceremony began with their adorable ring bearers and flower girl walking down the aisle with a sign introducing Lauren. Stephen’s eyes were locked on Lauren as and the light from the late afternoon sun lit up the room. The ceremony ended in a Chautauqua tradition, with all of the guests waving handkerchiefs and Lauren and Stephen left the ceremony.

After a quick portrait shoot walking around by the lake, Lauren and Stephen were introduced as husband an wife as they walked down the grand staircase at The Athenaeum. After dinner, the party commented and had everyone moving! So much so that all of the waitresses got together and began a few impromptu dances together throughout the night! It was a wonderful wedding with a fantastic couple and I was so honored that Lauren and Stephen chose me to document their perfect day! Thank you both!!

-Vincent

Joe proposed to Laurie, and almost immediately there was a message from Laurie asking us about what days we were open! Imagine that, they wanted to confirm our availability before even setting a date. That, my friends, is the biggest compliment we can receive. Laurie and Joe were married at the Sheraton Station Square and it was spectacular! They are a special couple and they compliment each other perfectly. Whether it is Laurie being silly and making Joe laugh, Joe playing guitar for her or their deep love for watching Pittsburgh Penguins hockey games together. Add in both of their close relationships with their families, and it is the perfect combination.

Elizabeth and I both have so many favorite moments from their wedding. The tender kiss from her father right before they walked together towards the altar. The chest bump that they did together during the portrait session. Laurie’s fist pump during the ceremony…It’s always a great wedding when the bride does a fist pump. Their cake smash was picture perfect. One of their guests, was on the dance floor doing his best Angus Young air guitar impression, also ended his evening with his shirt off, dancing on top of the head table. There were so many more, but I think my favorite was their final moments of the reception. Amid all of the fun and craziness, Laurie and Joe found each other on the dance floor for an embrace that was so private and personal, but surrounded by all of their loved ones. Truly special.

Laurie and Joe, Elizabeth and I were honored to be a part of your day. I hope our friendship continues and we are so incredibly thrilled for you both! Congratulations again!!