St. Paul Cathedral and Heinz History Center Wedding Photos

I hope you’re ready for today’s wedding, because it’s PINTEREST-WORTHY! Alexis and Ryan were both stunning, and they chose two of the best locations in Pittsburgh for their wedding – St. Paul Cathedral (more on why they chose it below!) and Heinz History Center! Get your Pin-It button ready, and leave a comment at the end telling me your favorite photo from their wedding day!

Congratulations Alexis and Ryan!

These two are high school sweethearts, which was a wonderful part of their wedding day story and speeches. Everyone enjoyed a good laugh over some of their high school and college shenanigans, but they have truly grown into amazing adults. The best part about Alexis and Ryan is that – even though they’ve been together for years – they both still absolutely adore each other. They look at each other the way my couples who have only been dating for months do, and that’s something special.

Their parents are both wonderful couples, and even their siblings are great friends (sometimes too good of friends – getting into trouble together!). Theirs are families that have come together to form a close bond, and it’s all because of the love that Alexis and Ryan share.

I absolutely adored working with these two, because I could tell that they trusted me to carry out their wedding day vision. Alexis was always easy to communicate with, and Ryan followed along with my suggestions in such a gentlemanly way. They were active in planning, helpful, kind, generous, and just a joy to be with on their gorgeous wedding day.

Wedding Ceremony at St. Paul Cathedral

One of the best pieces of their wedding day story is this: Alexis’ parents were also married at St. Paul Cathedral, and I got to browse through their wedding album while the girls were getting ready at their home. It was so special to see how they were walking down the aisle together just, what I’m sure seems like a few years ago, and now their oldest daughter was getting ready to walk down the aisle in the same church.

St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland is always a gorgeous wedding ceremony location – one of the prettiest churches in all of Pittsburgh! The long aisle is the best for a bride who really wants to enjoy the walk with her dad, and the white decor and high balcony inside make for some wonderful wedding photo opportunities. (Alexis’ wedding dress from Sorelle Bridal)

I’m always able to move around quite nicely in the building, and the coordinators there are incredibly helpful and kind. If all of my wedding ceremonies were at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh – I would be happy! We were also able to photograph some of their family portraits around the grounds near the rectory, where the light was just to.die.for. Alexis was a glowing bride in that light – I could look at those wedding photos all day! (Flowers by The Farmer’s Daughter)

Carnegie Mellon University Wedding Pictures

After the ceremony and family photos, we hopped in the limo and headed over to the campus at Carnegie Mellon, where the Music Building has just gorgeous architecture. In talking with Alexis, I knew that she wanted light, dreamy, classic portraits from her wedding (her color scheme fit it well!), and so we decided that the light architecture at CMU would make for the perfect backdrop, and something different than the pillars right across from the Cathedral.

We didn’t have to walk very far to get a variety of wedding photos on the Carnegie Mellon Campus, and we took advantage of that gorgeous light, some prompts to get them moving with that cathedral veil, and some genuine wedding-day happiness.

Wedding Reception at Heinz History Center

After photo time, we headed over to the Heinz History Center for the party! Their cocktail hour took place in the Great Hall on the first level, where guests enjoyed some of the Pittsburgh history and interesting exhibits with twinkle lights. After that, the guests were all welcomed upstairs to the Mueller Center, which is on the fifth floor of the History Center.

Alexis and Ryan decorated their wedding reception in Heinz History Center’s Mueller Center space with chandeliers, long table greenery, and high centerpieces with pink uplighting. We also had a beautiful sunset as a backdrop for much of the evening, and the Ovation Band kept the party going. (Linens by Mosaic)

Another highlight of the wedding reception was the COOKIE TABLE mixed with a SLOW-MO PHOTOBOOTH by our dream team partners, Post Script Films (some of our favorite ladies to work with ever)

Some of my favorite things about photographing wedding receptions at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh? The light is always beautiful -whether window light or by using my flash, the patio outside is wonderful for guests to take in the view of the city and sunset, the food by Common Plea is always 100%, and there is plenty of space for guests to dance on the large dance floor!

Thank you again, Alexis + Ryan! Your wedding day was amazing – a true highlight of my year! I wish you all the happiness in the world, and can’t wait to see how gorgeous your babies will be. Because they will. So have a lot. 🙂