Hip & Modern Wedding at The Gardens of Stonebridge

This modern wedding at the Gardens of Stonebridge brings together a clean color palette and geometric details for a hip, sleek look. Ashley and Joe wanted a style that would compliment – but not overpower – the natural, understated beauty of their chosen venue. Surrounded by lush foliage and tall trees, the couple said “I do” al fresco style and then celebrated the night away in a tent decorated with white draping, hanging bistro lights, and crystal chandeliers. A new-age spin was put on the decor with geometric elements in the form of terrarium centerpieces and a triangular donut display, while green ivy and eucalyptus against crisp white linens provided a fresh color scheme. Show-stopping pieces included a custom photo backdrop bearing the newlyweds’ last name – Testa – and the personalized denim jacket Ashley donned for portraits. Simple and clean but fun and memorable all at the same time, Ashely and Joe’s stellar wedding was beautifully captured by All Heart Photo & Video.

About the Couple

We went to high school together, but barely spoke to one another. We went to the same gym and developed a friendship that later turned into a relationship. After five years of dating, Joe finally proposed! He “planned” a dinner with our friends on Mt. Washington. We were a bit early, so as we were walking to the restaurant, we stopped to sit on the overlook. There was a present sitting at our spot that said, “Open Me”. Suspiciously, I grabbed the present and looked at Joe who was smiling. I opened the gift and it was a photo album engraved with the words “Five Years”. It held pictures from our past five years of dating in chronological order ending with our first apartment together and a picture of a diamond engagement ring. When I looked up, he was on one knee and asked me to marry him. Through tears, I mumbled, “YES!” After realizing dinner was a plot to get me on Mt. Washington, he drove me to Hotel Monaco where he surprised me with hotel and dinner reservations for that night. We spent the rest of the evening sipping champagne at the hotel’s rooftop bar. As if that weren’t enough, he surprised me the following day with an engagement party with our close family and friends, including my brother who flew in from New York City. We spent the rest of the night in pure bliss as we drank and ate our way through Pittsburgh with our friends and family.

About the Wedding

We always wanted to get married outside and that’s why we chose the Gardens of Stonebridge. The venue really speaks for itself with understated elegance. The large white tent was surrounded by beautiful, lush green landscape with hints of wildflowers, tall wheat grass, and pines. It radiated in the evening with perimeter light bulbs and four large crystal chandeliers. Our table settings held all white linens with pops of gold and copper accents throughout our centerpieces, chiavari chairs, and table numbers. Green ivy and eucalyptus intertwined our copper wire hurricanes to pull in the nature living outside the tent. Our donut cake table was my grandmother’s refurbished dresser my father had work on earlier that year. Luscious greenery cascaded from the drawers as copper shone through our cake stand, donut tiers, and cake topper. The pure simplicity of the white and pops of gold and copper metallic decor enhanced the venue’s natural beauty.

Favorite Moment

Our favorite moments of the day were definitely when our photographer and videographer pulled us away at dusk for our mini session. We could hear and see our family and friends in the distance, but it was such a peaceful, romantic, and quiet time between the two of us. We felt so in love and on a high from the day. Outside of that, obviously seeing all of our friends and family together in one place. I don’t know if that will ever happen again, so being able to celebrate with everyone in one room was electric!