If you love ultimate glamour as much as we do, this stunning wedding at Oakmont Country Club from Leeann Marie Photography is bound to leave you grinning from ear-to-ear. Classic and romantic with a bit of flair, Juliana and Dan’s wedding day was gorgeous from start to finish, with no detail (or speck of rose gold!) left behind. After one of the best proposals EVER, these two chose a classic and timeless Pittsburgh wedding venue – and the same place Juliana’s parents wed over 30 years ago – for their reception. It’s timess style and incredible grounds provided the perfect backdrop for their day. A blush, sage green and rose gold color palette was seamlessly blended into every detail, from the metallic pink wedding cake to the flowers and Juliana’s runway-worthy Christian Louboutin shoes. We shouldn’t choose favorites, but we just adore how Juliana and Dan chose to weave family traditions into so many details. From her bouquet down to her garter and a sixpence in her shoe, each piece holds a special piece of history, and THAT is what makes a wedding day truly beautiful. Speaking of beautiful, wait until you see these pics!
About the Couple
Dan and I were set up by my cousin for a high school dance during our senior year. We were both shy at first, but instantly clicked!
The majority of our relationship consisted of long distance. Dan went to pharmacy school in Ohio and I went to college in central PA. However, we defied the odds and made it through!
On April 18, 2017, I was sitting in my apartment after work, wearing baggy sweatpants, no makeup, and glasses. All of a sudden, I heard a knock at my door. When I opened it, I found a beautifully wrapped package and a note saying “Our forever starts now.” Right then, I knew what this was. I was surprised because Dan was living in Cleveland, so I didn’t expect him to be in Pittsburgh on a Tuesday! The note instructed me to “go to the spot where we first ‘locked’ our love.” Before starting our long distance in 2011, we placed a lock on the bridge next to Phipps Conservatory. I hurried to change and raced from Wexford to Oakland. Once I got there, I opened the package and found a new lock with 4/18/17 on it, to lock us into the next chapter of our lives. I placed the lock on the bridge, threw the key over, and found my next clue. “Go to the spot where it all began” – the parking lot of my high school where we first met. I sped over and found my final clue…the spot where Dan asked me to be his girlfriend – the steps of my parents’ house. When I arrived, the steps were adorned with tea lights and there was a final note telling me his plan – how he pretended to be asleep another Tuesday night, missing our nightly FaceTime so that he could ask for my parents permission and how he convinced me to visit my friends in D.C. one weekend so he could buy the ring. When I got to the top of the steps, Dan was waiting there, and got down on one knee and proposed.
About the Wedding
The main theme of the wedding was classic romance with a twist. I love traditional styles, but also things that are unique and different. I wore a traditional silk-satin ball gown but had some added flare with my rose gold Louboutins. Dan did the same with his traditional white jacket and black pants but wore velvet Versace loafers.
Our cake had three layers and contained traditional piping designs on one layer, a layer entirely adorned with pearls, and for flare, a layer dusted in rose gold. Classic with a twist! The venue really dictated the theme. My parents have been members of Oakmont Country Club for 40+ years and their wedding reception was there in 1985! Ever since I was a kid, I always dreamed of having my wedding there. I was inspired by the classic style of the club, but wanted to add my own style with touches of rose gold and a mixture of high and low centerpieces.
In lieu of a guest book, my sister hand painted a sign with a tree and leaves that people signed. We have it hanging in our apartment now! She also painted signs for our signature drinks and one with significant dates in our relationship. We had pictures scattered all over the venue of Dan and I throughout our relationship, including a picture from the first dance we went to as well as our prom picture. Additionally, we had pictures of our parents and grandparents weddings on display.
Another unique thing was my garter – it was handmade with pieces of my mother’s wedding dress, my sister’s wedding dress, my maternal grandmother’s wedding dress, beads from my first communion dress, and a broach from my paternal grandmother. I also wore my sister’s veil from her wedding in 2016.
I also carried a rosary from my paternal grandmother in my dress pocket (yes, my dress had pockets!).
The flowers were inspired by my maternal grandmother because hydrangeas and peonies were her favorite; she always had them growing in her yard. Carrying them in my bouquet made me feel like she was really with me on the wedding day.
Favorite Moment
One of my favorite moments was when Dan and I exchanged vows. The look in his eye was the same one he had when he proposed to me, when he told me he loved me for the first time, and the first time we danced on the night we met.
Also, I loved going out to the middle of the golf course to take pictures! This is a perk that Oakmont only offers to couples who are members of the club, and Leeann did an amazing job on those pictures!
