If you’ve never considered a holiday wedding, today’s feature just might change your mind. Colleen always knew she wanted a winter affair. In order to have that and spread a little bit of Christmas cheer, she and Zack chose December 17 as their wedding day. From there, a mix of vintage, classic, and winter magic vibes followed. The Pittsburgh Golf Club’s sophisticated yet comfortable ballroom provided a unique space for the celebration while the venue’s evergreens, garland, wreaths, and twinkle lights added the perfect amount of holiday decor. Here are a few of my favorites that you should be on the look out for!
- The striking color palette. Inspired by a bridal bouquet Colleen once saw on a blog, cranberry red and dusty blue was a rich combo that added warmth and depth to this wedding day.
- That cake! The four-tiered buttercream confection was adorned with gold glitter ribbon, amazing deep red flowers, and a wooden laser cut topper that was perfectly suited for the occasion. In a word, it was adorable!
- A sweet ending. What is a winter night without some cocoa? The couple’s guests were treated to a fun hot chocolate bar with all of the fixings!
Aaron Varga Photography captured all of the Christmas-y magic. If you agree that this truly is the most wonderful time of the year, you’re going to love these images. Happy Holidays!
Here’s Pictory Productions with the cutest, holiday-est wedding film everrrr! Love this SO MUCH!
From the bride…
When and how did you two meet?
Believe it or not, Zack and I went to GRADE SCHOOL together! We overlapped being in school a few years before we both switched schools and went different ways – until about 10 years later! I always joke and say we are in the same yearbooks at such a young age! We reconnected at the end of my junior year of high school at Oakland Catholic and at the end of his freshman year at Saint Vincent College. Zack texted me after getting my number from my cousin. We had our first date and the rest was history!
Juicy details on the proposal, please! Where, when, how?
Zack and I had a fall weekend trip planned to The Gateway Lodge in Cooks Forest, Pa and I had mentioned to my sister in law that I thought he would propose there! Well, that was the original plan but since I had mentioned that, my sister in law let Zack know and he decided to surprise me even earlier with a proposal. I had just passed my state boards to practice as an Occupational Therapist, as well as just landed my first job, and Zack had just completed his MBA. We had planned to go to church and then head to a nice dinner on Mt. Washington to celebrate. We went to church that evening at Saint Peter’s on the North Side (where we would eventually get married) and then headed to take the incline up to the LeMont. Typically I am a BIG picture taker and Zack is not. We got to the top and he said, “Hey, let’s go take a photo on the lookout.” Knowing that he isn’t a fan of taking too many pictures, I just brushed it off and replied “Nah, let’s just get to dinner. I am hungry.” I do not mess around when it comes to food 🙂 Plus, the weather was overcast and a little breezy. He insisted on walking over and taking a look, so we did. We were standing there looking over downtown. The next thing I knew, I had turned around and there he was on one knee, asking me to marry him! I was in total shock and had not been expecting it at all! Of course, I said yes. After getting some pictures and awes from the others on the lookout, we headed to an amazing dinner. After dinner our families were all waiting for us back at my parents’ house for an engagement party with a cake, champagne, and beautiful Waterford toasting flutes to use that evening and at our wedding 🙂
Describe the look, theme, style, and colors of the wedding.
I would like to think that our wedding was a mix of a holiday, classic, and vintage feel. Beginning with Saint Peter’s, the church was originally established back in 1850! It is such an historic church that knew I wanted to incorporate an old, classic feel to our theme. Our reception venue, The Pittsburgh Golf Club, also has the same vintage feel, which was perfect! Adding in the beauty of Christmas decor at both our ceremony and reception was the icing on the cake! It turned out perfectly and we were just in awe when seeing everything for the first time! I felt as if I could just stop and gaze for hours throughout different parts of the day!
What inspired your vision?
Believe it or not, a bridal bouquet that I found on a blog had inspired my whole color palette and vision! I always knew I wanted a winter wedding while also keeping in mind that winter in Pittsburgh can mean so many different weather patterns! I chose the week before Christmas knowing that I wanted to focus on having a winter theme with some Christmas elements added in! The vintage, classic look was inspired by both our ceremony and reception venue.
What made your wedding unique?
I was really hoping for winter-like weather and woke up to the iciest morning we had thus far that winter! My dad was chipping ice off our our driveway at 6 a.m. and I was praying that everyone was going to be on time and most importantly, get where they needed to be safely! Needless to say, we had a gorgeous icy background and snow on the ground for pictures. It made the day even more perfect and will be a story Zack and I will love to tell for years to come! 🙂
What was your favorite moment of the day?
I think my favorite part of the day was when Zack and I had gone to the bar to get a drink sometime later into the reception. We both were just standing together, taking a minute or two to take in all that was happening around us. Dancing, laughing, smiles – all fun! I can remember saying to him, “I just don’t want the night to end!” Watching everyone around us had just solidified that all the hard work had payed off! It was the best feeling to know that everyone was enjoying themselves! It was a great moment for Zack and I also because we were able to take everything in together! This is so important to do with one another because everyone is right when they say that the day just goes by so, so fast!
What advice would you give to other Burgh Brides planning their big day?
Rely on others to help throughout the planning! You cannot do it all on your own! Designate to mom, sisters, MOHs, bridesmaids, aunts, or whomever you feel comfortable with handling some of the different parts of your big day! Also, do things the way you envision them. It’s your day, which only happens once, and you do not want to have any regrets looking back! Last, DON’T SWEAT the SMALL STUFF!! If something isn’t quite perfect or doesn’t come out exactly how you wanted, it’s you and only you who knows that! Everyone will think it’s beautiful and won’t know any differently! For me, honestly I can say it was the perfect day and I wouldn’t change a single thing!
Any must haves, must dos, or can’t live withouts? Anything you would do differently?
I originally was unsure about whether to do a videographer, but boy am I happy that I chose to have Megan capture our day! Our wedding video is AMAZING and will be something we watch every year, if not more than that because it is THAT GOOD! I also would say to most definitely splurge on your photographer! The pictures are really the only thing left after the day is over and you want them to be displayed and in an album, which you will LOVE to look through! Aaron definitely was amazing and we are so, so in love with the photos!
Vendors
Bride’s Dress: Pronovias from Van Cleve Wedding Pavilion | Bride’s Accessories: Macy’s | Bride’s Shoes: Saks Off 5th | Bridesmaids Dresses: Dessy from Candalina Brides | Cake: The Pittsburgh Golf Club | Caterer: The Pittsburgh Golf Club | Caricature Artist: Sam Thong | Ceremony Location: Saint Peter Catholic Church | DJ: John Wiggins of FlipSide DJs | Flowers: Mocha Rose | Hair: Lavish Salon & Spa | Linens: The Pittsburgh Golf Club | Makeup: Valarie Panei | Menswear: Calvin Klein from Men’s Wearhouse | Photographer: Aaron Varga Photography | Reception Venue: The Pittsburgh Golf Club | Stationery: Invitations by Dawn | Videography: Pictory Productions
