JHP Wedding Photo Highlights 2019

All I can say is WOW! Another wedding season is in the books, and boy was it an absolutely AMAZING one!!! This year, my first wedding of the year was the very first week of January, with a long break for a few months before starting back up in April and going through the end of October!

This was the first year I put a cap on the number of weddings I took, clocking in at a max of 21! Truthfully, with the 70 other portrait-style sessions I took this year, putting a cap on the number of weddings I took allowed me to really focus in on each one and give each couple my full attention and creativity on their big day!

Below, I’ve put together a loooong blog post of some of my favorite photos and moments from each of the weddings I photographed this year, starting with my last wedding, and ending with my first.

But first, to each and every couple (including their family and friends!) who gave me the honor of documenting their day: thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for trusting me with the immense honor and privilege of photographing your wedding day! It was my absolute privilege to come alongside you and serve you during your day. There is no shortage of amazingly talented photographers in the Pittsburgh area, and the fact that you put your trust in me blows my mind. Every one of you is an answer to prayer, and I praise God for our time together! Thank you, thank you, thank you! 💛

Without further ado, some of my favorite wedding moments from 2019. All glory to God for these moments and for these beautiful people and their life-long commitments to each other!

If you’re looking for more information about wedding packages or would like to inquire for a specific wedding date, visit my pricing page here, and my contact page here!

Let me let you in on a little secret: it rained Katie and Shane’s ENTIRE wedding day, but that did not stop us from getting some epic portraits!

Katie brought me this absolutely GORGEOUS tray to style with her details. I was in detail heaven!!!

Quite possibly the best natural light I’ve ever had in a getting ready space! I could shoot here every weekend!

This was their ceremony space 😍

Bright and colorful weddings are always some of my favorites! Alyssa and Ben had THE most beautiful details. Bouquet is by Shady Elms Farm!

They had the most beautiful, glowy light for portraits, too!

Possibly one of my favorite first looks to date! Nick and I cleared this ENTIRE balcony of tables and chairs after realizing that the spot we had originally planned for HD and Jeff’s first look was being used in a race where 2,000 people were going to run through 😂

HD’s sisters were here bridesmaids! 💕 They were just the sweetest!!!

We snagged this shot right before the ceremony. The light was just too perfect!

It was HOT in this room, but it was so worth it for Kayla and Donny’s portraits!

The sweetest father daughter first look, ever. I cried.

Thankful these two let us steal them away for some epic night shots!

We lucked out and the bridge was closed on Krista and Brent’s wedding day! 🎉

The most beautiful ceremony space in all of Pittsburgh. I’m convinced.

This shot is a MUST if you have a wedding at the Pennsylvanian! So thankful that these two made this a priority!

When a rug makes the perfect backdrop for the invitation suite 😍

The getting ready space at Shady Elms Farm is just too beautiful!

A fake first look with the best man!

Ohhhh these two were naturals! 😍

The Grand Estate at Hidden Acres has THE most picturesque staircase!

How absolutely perfect is this bridal party? And these colors?!

One of the most fun exits from any reception ever!

It rained and it poured for this wedding day - but epic photos were still made! 🎉 And these two had the best attitudes about it all!

Literally can’t get over this wedding. It was too beautiful!

White Barn coming in clutch with some clean backdrops!

I am so thankful that these two trusted me - they jumped in fields and walked all over the White Barn’s property to find the best light and locations! Cait and Brian, you two are champs!!

The couple who eats tacos together, stays together 💕

My second shooter took this shot and it’s one of my favorites from Val and Matt’s day! (Photo cred to my husband, Nick!)

Megan brought me this tray for her details and I almost cried tears of joy when I saw it!

Um HELLO! Megan you are stunning!

Loved getting to play with perspective here!

We adore these two! 💕

We had the best day ever with these two fellow Disney lovers! 😍

And they had a fun visitor at their reception!

Photos in the museum with the dinosaurs - a fun challenge!

Becca with the perfect veil hold!

The sweetest downtown courthouse elopement 💕

And last but not least, a January wedding with one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve seen!

And some of the most beautiful details!

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

6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Wedding Venue

Choosing a wedding venue is typically the first thing you’ll do after getting engaged – which totally makes sense! Venues tend to book up super fast (especially in the spring, summer, and fall here in Pittsburgh), so most couples feel the pressure to make sure they lock one in for the season they want quickly!

 But before you commit to a venue, a word to the wise: be careful not to book too fast, without getting the most important pieces of information from your list of potential venues. There are six specific things that I often see overlooked when couples book their venues that are important to remember before signing on the dotted line!

1.     Rain Plan

If it rains on your wedding day (God forbid!), are you happy with the rain plan your venue provides? Do they have a rain plan? Will it cost extra? Where will the ceremony be moved to, if you were planning on an outdoor space to say your vows? And are you okay with that option? Are there any locations you could use for photos if there’s a downpour on your day? (Overhangs, indoor spaces, etc.) It’s important to have an idea of the rain plan before you book so you can make sure you’re okay with it, in the case of inclement weather!

2.     Event Location Proximity

Are all of your wedding day events (getting ready, ceremony, pictures, reception) taking place in the same location, or will you be driving between locations for different parts of your wedding day? From personal experience, one of the BEST decisions we made in regards to our wedding day was the decision to have everything happen in one central location – which meant no traveling between different locations. This reduced stress, was cost effective (we didn’t have to pay for additional transportation, or pay our photographer for a 20-40 minute drive), and saved a ton of time!

3.     Mandatory Vendor List

Does your wedding venue allow you to choose your own vendors, or does it require you to pick from a pre-made list? Many wedding venues have working relationships with vendors local to their area, and if they love working with them, they’ll add them to a list of preferred vendors. While many venues will allow you to bring in other venues and only offer the list as a guide, some venues will require you to choose from those specific vendors. Which is great – unless you have another company in mind for that specific vendor category. Be sure to ask so you aren’t caught off guard after already signing a contract!

4.     Amount of Shade

This might seem like an odd one to throw in, but it’s one of the first things I look for when I’m checking out a venue as a wedding photographer! Why? Many times, portraits of the bridal party and bride and groom will take place at times of the day that aren’t typically known to be the best for photos (a few hours before sunset is typically the best time, while mid day and mid afternoon can be the brightest/most unflattering time for portraits!). Having a plethora of shade to work with for mid-day portraits ensures that your photos will be evenly lit and flattering!

5.     Guest Travel

Where is your wedding venue located in proximity to where most of your guests will be coming from? Or, if the majority of your guests are coming in from out of town, is your venue within close proximity to hotels in the area? Some wedding venues are far out in the middle of nowhere, which means lots of extra driving. If you have a lot of guests coming in from out of town, consider choosing a venue within close(r) proximity to a hotel to accommodate them!

6.     Set up & Clean Up Timeframe

If you are decorating parts of your ceremony/reception, when are you allowed to come in and start decorating? And likewise, if you are required to clean up the decorations from your own venue, how much time will you be given to do so? My husband and I opted to get married on a Friday so that we had the entire day before to set up! The couple whose wedding was held at the same venue the next day only had that very day to set up their décor. For us – we didn’t want to have to deal with that on our wedding day. We just wanted to relax and be present with friends, family, and each other!

Thanks for reading through, and happy planning! 💛

Best of Weddings 2018: Bride & Groom Portraits

Making my “best of weddings: bride & groom portraits” yearly blog post always brings out my sentimental side! I only take a limited number of weddings each year to ensure that I’m able to give the best quality to each of my couples, and this year was filled with some of the most amazing people! I laughed, cried, and even danced with so many of these couples throughout their day, and there were so many weddings this year I was sad to leave because I didn’t want our time together to come to a close!

To all of my brides and grooms: thank you. It’s so hard to convey in words how honored I was to be a part of your days! I hope your photos serve as momentos of how blessed you are by your love and by the loved ones that surround you! 💛

Behind the Scenes 2018

2018 has been one heck of a year from start to finish! There are SO many people who have helped make this year’s weddings and shoots possible; without them, things would most certainly would not have been the same!

The “Behind the Scenes” yearly blog post has become one of my favorites because you get to see some of the faces who help make things possible throughout the year! I have been blessed to work with some amazing second shooters and assistants this year (whose faces you will see in the photos below!). A HUGE thank you to: Nick (my husband!), Alisha, Sara, Taylor, Ashley, Kim, and Jess, all of whom have been a huge help in one way or another! And to all of my friends, family, acquaintances, and clients who have encouraged and supported me throughout this year: I could not be more thankful for you! And most importantly, thank you God for the blessing of being a part of so many incredible moments and memories!

Elizabeth + Jason: The Pennsylvanian Wedding Photos

We arrived at the Pennsylvanian early the day of Elizabeth and Jason’s wedding to drop off our equipment. As we gathered our light stands and sandbags, I looked up into the rotunda of the Pennsylvanian and felt a familiar sense of wonder at it’s unique beauty. Built in 1900 as Pittsburgh’s Union Station, this building has remained a place that draws all types of people from all walks of life - then, as a train station, now, as an event venue (and apartment!). And, of course, this venue was THE perfect fit for Elizabeth and Jason, who currently live in Chicago, and had people from lots of different areas joining them to celebrate their marriage.

One of my absolute favorite touches from Elizabeth and Jason’s ceremony was the location of their ceremony. Right under the front rotunda in the photo you see below, there’s a pillar with the word “Chicago” written over top. To the left of the Chicago pillar, there’s a pillar that says “Pittsburgh” overtop, and to the right of the Chicago pillar, one that says “New York.” Elizabeth and Jason are from Chicago (as I mentioned before), both went to the same school (NYU) in New York (they didn’t know each other at the time - but what an amazing coincidence!), and tied the knot in Pittsburgh. So, of course, it was perfectly fitting to have their ceremony right under the Chicago pillar! It seems like that venue was made JUST for them! And it’s not only where they had their ceremony that paid homage to their journey - but the colors they chose for their wedding, too! Purple and silver are NYU’s colors, perfectly symbolizing a large point of connection in their relationship!

We had an absolute blast photographing these two (even in the crazy Pittsburgh heat and humidity!) and are so thankful to have been a part of their day! Congratulations, Elizabeth and Jason! 💛

Vendors:

Ceremony & Reception: The Pennsylvanian

Hotel Accommodations: The Westin Hotel

Catering: Rania’s Catering

Invitations: Minted

Bride’s Dress: Honey Bridal in Chicago; gown designed by Rebecca Shoneveld

Hair: Elisha Evans Styling

Makeup: Mock Makeup (Danielle Mock)

DJ: Jeremy Ganss Productions

Florist: Bloomer’s Floral

Videographer: Dorosh Documentaries

Pennsylvanian Wedding Photos provided by Jenna Hidinger Photography

Taylor + Gannon: The Pennsylvanian Wedding Photographer

One of the best parts about being a Pittsburgh wedding photographer is having the opportunity to work with couples like Taylor and Gannon and having the opportunity to photograph weddings at pittsburgh wedding venues like the Hotel Monaco and the Pennyslvanian. Taylor and Gannon's wedding was FULL of gorgeous details and pure joy!

Way back when, I actually attended elementary school with Taylor, and now, my husband works at the same church as her parents. So, as you might've guessed, it was a huge honor to be photographing her and Gannon's wedding day! We started off the day at one of my favorite pittsburgh wedding venues - the Hotel Monaco. Themed after Pittsburgh, the Hotel Monaco is packed full of bright, beautiful details, including lots of yellow (one of Pittsburgh's signature colors) and lots of bird-themed decor (inspiration was taken from the Pittsburgh Aviary, another great Pittsburgh wedding venue). After detail shots, we made our way up to the rooftop of the Hotel Monaco for group photos (with the family pup, Digsby, of course!), and for a prayer between the bride and groom.

Both the ceremony and reception were held at the Pennsylvanian, one of the most beautiful Pittsburgh wedding venues I've ever had the privilege to photograph! Every wedding photographer has a bucket list of venues they dream of photographing a wedding at, and the Pennsylvanian just so happened to be one of mine before Taylor and Gannon asked me to be their photographer. Its Beaux-Arts style of architectural decoration makes it the perfect fairytale venue! Everything from the interior ballroom to the rotunda screams elegance and class, and I'm so honored to have been a part of this day! Congratulations again, Taylor and Gannon - I pray you have many happy years together!

Vendors:

Bride’s Dress: Maggie Sottero

Bride’s Shoes: Bella Belle

Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy After Six

Hair: Sara Reichenbach

Makeup: ModelBride - Lori Dunn (Gannon’s aunt)

Tuxes: Vera Wang

Band/DJ: Chris Beeler from Rockin’ Bob’s

Flowers: Pisarcik Greenhouse and Flower Farm

Caterer: Rania’s Catering

Cake/Desserts: Rania’s Catering (cookies by family members)

Videographer: Gonzalez Videography