Why, yes, you can have a pastel color scheme and still be chic and contemporary! Don’t believe us? Check out this wedding at The Priory from Leeann Marie Photography and Jeremy Scott Films. While Annemarie and Luke found it hard to convey the style they liked, they had a much easier time communicating what they didn’t like. With a little help from wedding planner Alexis Allen of Shayla Hawkins Events, what they ended up with was a sophisticated soiree in the softest of shades. Pale blue, pink, sage, and lavender were woven expertly together with modern shades of gray, gold, and mauve. Pittsburgh wedding florist Hens and Chicks brought the palette to life with lush arrangements in corresponding hues, while baby blue taper candles gave added color to the tables. Glass calligraphy table numbers and a seating chart were gorgeous finishing touches. If you thought pink and blue were just for baby showers, you were totally wrong.
About the Couple
It all started in 2012 when Luke and I met at Duquesne University during one of the more nerdy events that Duquesne hosts – a free lunch for Greek Life students with good grades. Luke and his friend Tom were excited; I was dragged to the lunch by one of my good friends. She had to leave early for class, so I was left flying solo. Luke and I were making awkward small talk until the event organizers started showing a funny Ellen Degeneres video. I started laughing hysterically at the clip. The rest is history. For the next several months, we spent time getting to know each other and officially started dating in the summer of 2012.
Luke knew it was really important to me to be surrounded by family and close friends when we got engaged. He planned a surprise engagement at Duquesne University in late August 2017 on a weekend when I would least suspect it. Overlooking Duquesne’s campus, Luke asked me if I would spend the rest of my life with him. The next surprise that Luke orchestrated (with much behind-the-scenes assistance) was for all of our family members and eight of our closest friends to travel to Pittsburgh for a surprise party afterward. Not one person missed the event, flying in from New York, Chicago, Atlanta, D.C. and Boston; I was beyond ecstatic.
About the Wedding
It was really important to have a clean and elegant look for the wedding. I had a hard time articulating what I liked, but could easily describe what I didn’t like. We wanted something beautiful, but nothing too over the top. Alexis helped us create a vision that we LOVED.
We both have large families and they are an important part of our lives. We had a co-bachelor and bachelorette because we wanted to spend a weekend with all of our friends and siblings, rather than be apart. We decided to not have a best man or maid of honor and instead, our siblings gave speeches at the reception.