Inspired by the bride’s love of fresh foliage, this greenery inspired wedding at the Circuit Center is romantic and enchanting. Sara and Chris were med school sweethearts, and they wanted a celebration that was very reflective of their styles and personalities. After getting married at Heinz Chapel – by Sara’s grandmother, a Methodist minister – the newlyweds celebrated with family and friends at this Southside blank slate venue. Guests were greeted by soft, white uplighting, tall elevated centerpieces of cascading greenery from greenSinner, runners of eucalyptus dancing down long tables, tall taper candles in glass hurricanes, and gold candelabras. Personalized details like a DIY selfie station, copies of their grandmothers’ cookie recipes as favors, and Boston-themed sweets as a nod to Chris’s home town gave the affair a fun touch. Overall, the look was fresh, sophisticated, and soft – the wedding trifecta! Enjoy the images from Levana Melamed Photography!
About the Couple
Chris and I met in medical school in 2013. He emailed me four times with his phone number, asking me to study with him. When he beat me on a test (the first and only time), I caved. I remember we were studying for a big exam one night and he offered to make me dinner. He had his dad from Boston send scallops and he was so nervous about preparing dinner. It was then I had a feeling he wanted more than to just be my study buddy. We were placed in Buffalo together for our last two years of medical school rotations. We took a leap of faith and moved in together after only being together for a few months.
After about two years, he proposed on Lake Erie. His family was in town and they disappeared while I was taking a shower. To my surprise, there were notes spread throughout the apartment with instructions for me. I knew I had to be ready for a nice dinner and my driver would be waiting. The limo picked me up outside of our small, second-story apartment and there were roses and calla lilies (my favorite flowers) with things he loves about me and our favorite memories tied around the stems, lining the seats of the limo. The driver pulled up to the lake where Chris was waiting. I of course said “Yes!” and we went to dinner at the first restaurant we shared a meal together in Buffalo. I am not going to lie; I was a little sad my family was still in Pittsburgh and not there to share in our special moment. But to my surprise, not only was his family there waiting, but mine was as well. We spent the rest of the night drinking wine together and playing Cards Against Humanity with our newly combined family.
About the Wedding
For our wedding, I knew I wanted something that was “us” more than anything else. We were engaged for two years so I had time to put a lot of thought into the details. I am in love with greenery so I knew I wanted to incorporate a lot of it into the decor. I wanted an enchanted but sophisticated vibe.
The most unique part of the wedding was our ceremony. We wanted something intimate but relaxed. Having my grandma marry us was so special. Rather than doing a traditional candle lighting ceremony, we did a hand blessing ceremony. We had our siblings read poems that were special to us, rather than traditional excerpts. We wrote our own vows that were light hearted but also personal.
To honor our family members that are no longer with us, we framed cookie recipes from our grandmothers’ cook books and made copies to pass out to guests. The cookies were made by my family and designed by my new in-laws from Boston. They added some Boston flair to the traditional Pittsburgh cookie table with gingerbread men decorated as Bruins, Patriots, and Celtics!
Favorite Moment
Walking down the aisle with my dad to marry Chris. We did not do a first look so the moment when we first saw each other was so special. I have always been a “daddy’s girl” so it was really amazing to be sharing that moment with my two favorite men.
Just wait until you see the video footage of Sara and Chris’s big day, captured by So Fresh Films!
