Rachel + Peter: Southpointe Golf Club Wedding Photos

Rachel & Peter’s wedding day was filled to the brim with so much love and fun! I had the pleasure of meeting Rachel at her sister’s wedding almost 2 years ago, along with the rest of her incredible family. To say that we were honored to be a part of BOTH of these incredible weddings is an understatement!

With an emphasis on love and family, Rachel and Peter’s wedding day was nothing short of amazing - but their wedding day didn’t happen without some setbacks. These two were forced to move their date from spring of 2020 to spring of 2021 (due to you know what), and while many of the details (both small and large) changed from one year to the next, the celebration of the most important piece of the day did not: the celebration of a marriage. While, yes, weddings are beautiful and fun and meaningful, the marriage is what we come to celebrate - the union of a man and a woman, under God’s design. And truly, you could see that that was what led Rachel and Peter’s hearts into their wedding day! Not the absence of what could have been, but the plenty of what WAS able to be.

These are the best wedding days to be a part of - the ones that fill the soul and focus on what matters most. And, Rachel and Peter, I can’t thank you enough for allowing us to be a part of this beautiful celebration! We pray perseverance and dedication within your marriage for all of the years to come!

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Vendors: The Renaissance Hotel, Southpointe Golf Club (Reception), St. Mary of the Mount (Ceremony), Prantl’s Bakery, Captured Memories by Allison (Videographer), Birdy Grey (Bridesmaid Dresses), This Magic Moment Bridal, House of Couture Designs, Blossoms by Jilliann, Dj Bryan Hoover, Beauty Justified by Justine, Brooks Brothers (Groom’s Tux), Minted, Greenvelope, Fr Nathanael Polinski (Officiant), Jenna Hidinger Photography

Amber & Chris: LeMont Restaurant Wedding Photos

It all started a few years ago, when Amber and Chris happened to walk into the same bar one night. They had both been taking a break from dating - but something was different after their first interaction.

They started dating soon after, and got engaged in 2019.

Fast forward to 2020 (you all know where this is going by now! ). Surprise: a pandemic hit! But Amber & Chris were determined to get married, no matter what. They changed venues, they downsized, and many things changed leading up to their day. But ultimately, they wanted just one thing: to be married, finally - and to honor God in the process. So they forged ahead!

And truly - their wedding day was so, so full of joy! And it was about what truly matters most. Congratulations, Amber & Chris! You two are an absolute joy and we pray all the best for you as you enter marriage together!

Vendors: Calvary United Methodist Church, LeMont Restaurant, Lush Pittsburgh (makeup), Nicole Stevenson (hair), Magic Moments DJ, Lady Birds (cake), Peggy’s Floral, Bradley Atom (videography), Minted (invitation), Sorelle’s (Bride’s dress), Jenna Hidinger Photography

Brett & Colleen's Epic Early Fall Wedding Day

This was an EPIC wedding day from start to finish.

Brett & Colleen tied the knot late September in one of the most beautiful, unique wedding days I’ve ever had the privilege to be a part of! Every piece of this wedding day was thoughtfully planned to dazzle guests, and create an atmosphere filled with whimsical details and unexpected surprises.

From the photos below, you probably couldn’t even guess that Brett & Colleen were forced to moved their wedding reception to a private estate in Sewickley just months before their date, due to Covid. MANY of their original plans changed - then changed again. But these two never lost heart! While Colleen pushed forward in her intensive medical program, Brett took the reigns with planning and simply gave Colleen the (fun!) job of finding a dress, and showing up the day of - then to simply enjoy the magic of their wedding day! And if you’ve ever been a bride, you know what a gift something like that would be!

What stands out to me most about these two is the fact that they never let the “dazzle” of their day outshine their love for each other. It’s easy to get lost in the glitz and glamour of a wedding day - but, truly, these two were able to focus on each other and enjoy their day, very much thanks to all of Brett’s planning, and to the team of professionals below.

Brett & Colleen, we are SO THANKFUL to have been a part of your wedding day. What a blessing it was to celebrate with you both!

Vendors: All in Good Taste Productions (Caterer, Planner, Forist, Cake Artist), St. Mary’s Sharpsburg (Church), Dorosh Documentaries (Videographer), Modern Era Weddings (DJ), Marie Michlot (Makeup), Katrina Kahill (Hair), Luna Boutiqe by Daalarna Couture (Bride’s Dress), BHLDN (Bridesmaid Dresses), Surmesur (Menswear), Nota Bene (Invitations), Party Savvy

Lauren & Nick: Southpointe Golf Club Wedding Photos

Plans changed, but love remains the same ❤️

Congratulations to Lauren & Nick on their absolutely stunning wedding day back in September! From getting ready in their newly purchased home to a reception at the nearby golf club, Lauren & Nick's day was personal, light hearted, & full of joy the whole way through! I’m so excited to share a few of my favorites from their stunning wedding day!

Vendors: Bridal Beginning Pittsburgh, Southpointe Golf Club, ShoFilms, Glam To Go, Wenning Entertainment, Fields of Heather Floral & Gift Shop, Antonette Medved Makeup, and a huge thanks to Taylor Dymond for second shooting!

4 Important Things to Note About Photo Sessions in the City

I’ve always felt #blessed living just a half hour from a major city like Pittsburgh. It has so much to offer in terms of photography backdrops, and provides the perfect personal space for couples, seniors, and families who call Pittsburgh home!

I’ve realized, however, that taking photos in the city is a bit different than somewhere like Hartwood Acres, Historic Harmony, or McConnell’s Mill. There’s a bit of extra planning and preparation that goes into a photo session in the city - things like sporting events, parking, and walking distance to and from locations all have the ability to impact your session. Below, I’ve compiled a list of four important things to note about photo sessions in the city!

1.     Planning to arrive early (leaving time for traffic, parking, and walking to our starting point) is key.

It usually takes a little longer to get to where you need to be when having a photo session in the city. Unexpected traffic, hard-to-find parking, and having to park a few blocks from your intended destination can all add extra time onto the beginning of a session. If you’re having your photos taken in the city, it’s important to leave ample extra time prior to your session start time for unexpected surprises! Once I had to park so far from a session starting point that I walked for fifteen minutes straight before actually arriving, due to lack of parking. Give yourself extra time!

2.     Choosing a date and time when there isn’t some other major event going on is oh-so vital.

In Pittsburgh, we love our sports, and when there’s a sporting event going on (especially a Pirates game!), certain parts of the city (i.e., the North Shore!) are SO hard to get to. Often times bridges and streets are closed down, too, which means lots more traffic! Not to mention, all of the extra people walking around make clean backdrops a bit more difficult.

Some other events to consider checking on specifically for Pittsburgh: Steeler games, Pens games, Pirate games, music concerts, the Arts Festival, parades, etc.

3.     You might be walking… a lot!

A lot of times, locations I use in the city for photos require a bit of extra walking! It’s often easier to walk from place to place rather than going back to the parking garage to get your car, to try to find parking again. Walking from place to place is usually much quicker!

I often suggest seniors, couples, and families bring an extra pair of “comfortable shoes” for walking longer distances – especially if you’re a female who’s planning to wear heels!

4.     You might garner a bit of an audience.

Cities are generally busier than other popular photo locations (like parks!), and sometimes people like to stop and stare. If you’re uncomfortable with the thought of having your photo taken in front of people, consider choosing a more private location (or at least starting at a more private location, like a park inside the city, then moving to the busier parts!) Or, consider a less busy season (like winter!) where people aren’t hanging around the city leisurely!

Finally, know this: you can’t go wrong with a session in the city, and with a photo session in Pittsburgh, your photos will, without a doubt, be so epic!

Do you have any questions about photo sessions in the city? Comment your q’s below!

Krista & Brent: Early Fall Wedding at The Pennsylvanian

Krista and Brent’s wedding took place late September at one of my all time favorite Pittsburgh venues: the Pennsylvanian! From its naturally lit Rotunda ceremony space to its indoor Grand Hall, every space the Pennsylvanian offers to couples is spectacular in every way (and, fun fact, used to be a part of Pittsburgh’s Penn Station, and, per their website is “considered one of the great pieces of Beaux-Arts architecture in America”). If you live in Pittsburgh and have never visited the Pennsylvanian before, you must check it out for yourself!

Krista and Brent were introduced by their former roommates, specifically when IU was playing UNC in the Sweet 16 a few years ago! Though neither lived in Pittsburgh at the time, Krista says that a trip back to Pittsburgh (when she met Brent’s family for the first time) is when she knew Brent was “the one!” so of course (after they got engaged!) they decided that Pittsburgh was the perfect location to officially tie the knot!

One of my absolute favorite touches from Krista and Brent’s ceremony was the location of their ceremony under the outdoor Rotunda. The Rotunda has four large pillars, each with a different name of a city at the top. Krista and Brent chose to say their vows underneath the pillar that reads “Chicago,” which is where they currently live - talk about perfect!!!

Congratulations, Krista and Brent! It was such an honor to be a part of your wedding day - I hope these photos continue to remind you of this epic day and of the vows you made to each other for many, many, many years to come! 💛

Vendors: The Pennsylvanian (Ceremony & Reception), The Farmer’s Daughter (Floral Arrangements), Jeremy Ganss Productions (DJ), Beauty by Joy (Makeup), Hair by Kara Burnell, Marie Gabriel (Bride’s Dress), Adrianna Papell (Bridesmaid Dresses), Rania's Catering

Communicating Style & Aesthetic to Your Wedding Photographer

When I first started photographing weddings, a seasoned wedding photographer told me: “All weddings are literally the same. The only thing that changes are the people – but besides that, everything is the same from weekend to weekend.”

While the wedding day might have a similar set up or timeline with getting ready photos, followed by a first look or ceremony, followed by portraits, then a reception, after photographing 100+ weddings, I would argue that so many things change from weekend to weekend, making each wedding completely unique. The general, skeletal framework may remain – but things are always changing.

For one, the couple changes, which changes the vibe of the day itself. I might have a quiet, romantic, love-to-be-close-to-each-other couple one weekend, then an outgoing, silly, fun, crazy couple the next – which, consequently, changes the way I photograph them, always keeping me on my toes! Likewise, I might have a laid back wedding on a farm one weekend, and an upscale, black tie wedding the next.

You might be wondering, “but why does this matter?”

Because the aesthetic of each wedding is so different – from the couple themselves, to the venue, to the theme, to the styling and décor – I’ve found that weddings can start to feel the same when I’m unaware of what makes each wedding unique.

Now, there are a few things I do in advance to get the general vibe of a wedding day. For example:

• I always try and chat with the couple before they book to talk about their pending style and aesthetic (but I do know that a lot can change from when you start wedding planning to when the wedding actually happens!)

• Which is why I send a follow up questionnaire a few months before the wedding day to get some of the more solid details, like the colors, theme, and other specific details.

• I also check out the venues and photo locations beforehand. Most venues each have a personality all their own! A wedding that takes place on a farm in a barn has a much different feel than one that takes place in a historical hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.

When I know in advance what makes a wedding unique, I can plan. (And boy do I love planning! No, that’s not sarcasm! ;) ). From the portraits, to the details, to everything in between, knowing the vision, aesthetic, and style behind a wedding helps me come prepared from the get go. Your photographer can gather a lot of things from who you are and from the locations you choose, but there are some things that can only be communicated by you: like the theme, style, and aesthetic. And communicating these things in advance to your photographer can actually give you better images!

Let me share a few of my favorite examples:

FALL WEDDING AT SHADY ELMS FARM

This wedding is by far one of my favorite examples of communicating style and aesthetic beforehand, and how it can have a profound impact on your wedding day!

When Lyndsay (the bride) first started the conversation with me about her wedding day, she had a true vision: bright, colorful, laid back, classy barn elegance. She painted a vision of colorful florals and eclectic details, which made it easy for me to make style based decisions on their wedding day.

PORTRAITS

While we had a few portrait locations planned for Lyndsay and Justin’s wedding day, and all of them were nature focused. But before this shot - none of them had a ton of bright, bold color, like she had talked about during our numerous emails, phone calls, and final planning meeting. When I showed up the day of the wedding, I knew that to create cohesion between the bridal details, reception details, and portraits, it would be helpful to include some portraits with bright color! The scene in the photo above stood out to me as THE perfect spot to bridge the style gap in their day, and to make some of their portraits cohesive with the bright, bold style of their details!

BRIDAL DETAILS

And - speaking of details - knowing the vision and style of the wedding before I showed up on their wedding day helped me make styling choices cohesive with the vision of the wedding. For example, you’ll notice that the invitation below is very simple (and gorgeous - designed by the bride!). I knew when I saw it that I wanted to bring something bright and colorful into the frame in order to really make the shot “pop” and match the style of the wedding. Lucky for me, Shady Elms Farm does all of the floral arrangements for their weddings, so I was able to simply ask them for a few extra flowers to frame the invitation with. I also chose a bright yellow ring box to compliment the vibrant color palette, creating a photo of the invitation that complimented the style of the rest of the wedding day!

Knowing that Lyndsay was planning on having lots of eclectic details at the wedding also gave me the understanding that I could fill my background a bit more with different textures and details. Also, when I think of a farm, I think of overgrowth, flowers, plants, etc., a vibe which I feel was matched through the way the details were photographed!

EARLY FALL WEDDING IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH

Now, we’ll contrast the farm wedding above with a classy black tie city wedding below! Next up: Janelle and Josh’s Embassy Suites Downtown Pittsburgh wedding!

I had a clear understanding of Janelle and Josh’s wedding from the emails we exchanged and the questionnaires they filled out - when I saw their wedding venue, I saw it to be the perfect match of everything she had described to me: a classy, modern, black tie city wedding. And knowing some of the more specific style details in advance helped me make location choices for both the portraits and for the details that were consistent with the overall feel of the wedding!

PORTRAITS

We’ll start with the portraits! Choosing locations for Janelle and Josh’s wedding was quite easy, knowing that 1) they were having a classy affair, and 2) they wanted to showcase the city. So when it came to their portraits, you’ll notice in the slideshow below portraits that showcase the city (on the street, with buildings in the background, in the iconic Pittsburgh Strawberry Way), and, since their wedding was so perfectly colored to match their reception venue, photos in the venue that provide that classy, upscale feel!

BRIDAL DETAILS

Sometimes I struggle with finding the perfect spot to photograph bridal details, because I want the backgrounds (including colors) of each detail shot to compliment the photos from the rest of the wedding. With Janelle and Josh’s wedding… I knew as soon as I walked into the hotel that their details had to be shot in the lobby! And lucky for me, since I had enough information style and aesthetic wise to know what they were looking for in advance, I was able to choose specific locations in the lobby I would use for their details photos beforehand. Which was so helpful the day of the wedding! I was able to work faster on the details because I had already formulated a plan!

In addition to knowing that elements in the lobby of the hotel would make excellent backdrops for their details, I was able to bring a few extra elements with me on the wedding day to use for styling, because I had an idea of what would compliment the details. For example, in the invitation suite photo below, the only elements that were from the bride were the shoes, the invitation suite, and the purse. The lace, gold box, leaves, and small flowers were items I brought with me to enhance the set up!

WHY STYLE & AESTHETIC MATTERS TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

In summary, when a photographer knows the style and aesthetic of a wedding beforehand, they can…

• Help recommend portrait locations that fit the style of the overall wedding, helping to create a cohesive gallery from the wedding day that tells the story of the day through each section of the day.

• Be prepared to photograph bridal details by either choosing a location in advance, or bringing styling elements to help further compliment and tell the story of those details, and of the wedding as a whole.

• Focus more on the couple, bridal party, and family members. At least, for me this is true! When I know more in advance, I prepare more in advance, which frees up some of my brain space to focus on the people immediately around me - rather than on trying to find the perfect spot to photograph the invitation suite!

WHAT TO COMMUNICATE

If you’re a bride reading this, you might be wondering: what would be helpful to communicate to my photographer about my style and aesthetic beforehand? Below are a few pieces of information that are personally helpful for me to know before going into a wedding day!

• What the invitation suite looks like. Even better if you can send me one beforehand!

• Your wedding colors.

• What your dress looks like. The bride’s dress tends to set the tone and style for the wedding as a whole!

• What type and color of florals you’ll be using in your bouquets and boutonnieres.

MORAL OF THE STORY

So, the more of the story: don’t forget to communicate your style and aesthetic to your wedding photographer! In fact, make it a priority! For any couples who book their wedding with me, I send out a questionnaire a few months before the wedding with a few questions about style to get a better idea of the aesthetic beforehand so I can come prepared. That, along with checking out the reception and ceremony venue beforehand, give me a better understanding into each couple’s day, and the best way I can go about approaching the day and preparing beforehand.

But to any of my couples who might be reading this: never hesitate to over communicate on style and aesthetic to me! As someone who’s invested in your day, I love to be prepared for each and every wedding I photograph to the very best of my ability.

Amanda + Chris: Allegheny County Courthouse Elopement

Amanda and Chris’s elopement was technically my very first wedding of the 2019 season! And let me tell you - the more elopements I photograph, the more I completely fall in love with them! The intimacy and stress-freeness (is that a word? 😉) the couples I work with experience when eloping is like none other!

Their elopement took place on a Friday morning at the Allegheny County Courthouse, on the beautiful Grand Staircase. Integral Weddings officiated the grand occasion, and after their short (but sweet!) ceremony, we took a few photos with family, then spent the next hour and a half walking around Pittsburgh with the new Mr. & Mrs.!

Amanda and Chris, what an honor it was to work with you! It’s easy to see how much you love each other, and that you’re truly the best of friends. Congratulations on your marriage and on this new season of life! 💛

Also, I need to give a huge shoutout to Jill of Jill Gearhart Photography for helping me carry equipment, and for adding some additional photos to Amanda and Chris’s gallery (you’ll see a few photos of hers sprinkled in below!).

4 Reasons to Hire a Proposal Photographer

The day my now-husband proposed to me was a BLUR. From start to finish, I could hardly remember the whole ordeal (it was a lip-dub proposal, so it lasted a bit longer than a typical proposal!). Two of the things I am most thankful for from that day are this video, and the photos that were taken by our photographer. To look back on that video and on those photos and see the raw emotion makes me cry every. Single. Time. I couldn’t be more thankful for that gift and that Nick thought through not only hiring a photographer, but also a videographer!

 If you are planning on proposing – first, congratulations! And second: consider hiring a professional photographer. From the perspective of someone who was proposed to and from someone who talks to many engaged couples, here are a few reasons why you might want to consider hiring a professional proposal photographer:

1.  Your soon-to-be fiancé will thank you!

One of the BIGGEST comments I hear from my brides who don’t have photos of their proposal is “I wish we had photos of when it happened!” And the second biggest? “I wish we had GOOD photos of when he proposed!” Trust me: your fiancé will thank you! There’s nothing like being able to go back and revisit that raw, candid emotion!

2.  You’ll have photos from the moment to share with your friends and family!

If you’re planning on having the moment between just the two of you, you’ll be able to share the emotion and excitement with your friends and family who didn’t get to witness!

3.  A professional photographer can help you plan and give you tips!

A professional photographer will be able to help you find a great spot, give you tips on the best time of day to shoot, and are pros at remaining inconspicuous and maneuvering in crowded locations with unforeseen disruptions. These photos are SO important. Make sure you find someone who will do whatever they possibly can to get the shot!

4.  You can use the photos for your wedding!

What’s better than having the very beginning of this new adventure captured to use as Save the Dates, in a guest book, or as décor at the wedding itself?!

Looking for a proposal photographer for your engagement? Reach out using the contact tab above!

Embassy Suites Downtown Pittsburgh: Favorite Pittsburgh Wedding Venues

Alright friends, it's time for another installment of my favorite Pittsburgh wedding venues! Today, I’m excited to introduce you to another one of my favorites, located right in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh: the Embassy Suites Downtown Pittsburgh! MUCH, much different from my previous favorite wedding venues (Lingrow Farms, Shady Elms Farm), this hotel is a top favorite of mine for so many reasons!

In these venue highlights, I want to share some of my favorite attributes of each venue when it comes specifically to photos – mainly, why I love shooting there, how picturesque the venue is from a photographer’s point of view, and how rain could affect your wedding photos at each venue. My hope is to help viewers see the potential of each wedding venue I highlight specifically from a photography perspective so you can ensure that your photos will be gorgeous!

Picturesque:

My favorite thing about this venue: it used to be a BANK. That's right, a legitimate, functioning BANK. And they left all of the most beautiful parts for guests to enjoy, including a vault (which looks epic in photos) and tons of art deco, black and gold design all throughout the lobby. It's truly classic meets modern, and there are SO many options for bridal party, bride & groom, AND detail photos!

In addition to having a beautiful interior space, the Embassy Suites Downtown Pittsburgh is one walk across the street away from Mellon Park, Strawberry Way, and only a few short blocks from other gorgeous and iconic downtown Pittsburgh locations!

This hotel also has a gorgeous and modern cocktail hour and ballroom space, and if you're feeling adventurous, Mellon Park lights up BEAUTIFULLY at night, making for some truly epic night time portraits!

Rain Plan:

This venue is definitely on your side in the case of rain. With BEAUTIFUL interior decoration, there are more than enough spaces to work with (though you might have a little trouble fitting everyone in if you have a huge bridal party!). I think I could have an entire bride & groom portrait session in the lobby and not even get bored! And don't even get me started on the elevators - most certainly the most gorgeous elevator doors I've ever seen!

Other Mentionables:

I feel like the photos speak for themselves with this one! You HAVE to check them out!!!

If you are a bride who is looking into Embassy Suites Downtown Pittsburgh as a potential wedding venue, I would love to chat with you more! Feel free to email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com with any questions you might have!