If today’s wedding at the Grand Concourse doesn’t completely give you those swoon-worthy vibes, you might want to check your pulse. Just one look at these incredible images from Lauren Renee Photography and we guarantee your heart will be pumping faster! Aly and Van wanted a celebration that combined romance with the vintage, art deco style of their chosen reception venue. With a little help from Pittsburgh wedding planner Soiree by Souleret, what they got was beyond their wildest dreams. A sea of candlelight; a color palette of soft peach, sage green, and white; and bridesmaids in mismatched styles helped to set the tone. However, the piece de resistance of this wedding was most definitely the cocktail area. The Grand Concourse’s patio was absolutely transformed by Mocha Rose Floral and Event Design. Airy draping and a ceiling of dripping greenery and fresh florals created a dream-like oasis that is something out of a fairy tale. We dare you to check out the gorgeous memories and NOT fall in love!
About the Couple
We initially met online though a dating app. However, we lived two hours apart so I didn’t think it would go anywhere. Van invited me to a Steelers/Panthers pre-season game in Charlotte. My love of the Steelers was the one thing that could get me to drive two hours for a first date! We hit it off that night and the rest is history.
Van proposed on an awesome 10-mile hike in Asheville, NC. He proposed 5 miles in at the top with amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
About the Wedding
I wanted something classic and romantic. We both loved the old time-y vibe and beautiful architecture of the Grand Concourse, but we also wanted to lighten things up a bit. We went with white, green, and light peach/coral for flowers and a LOT of candles inside to bring light in. We tried to channel our inner Frank Sinatra and Great Gatsby (but not-as-ornate vibes) while not competing with the natural beauty of the restaurant. We used the outside patio as our chance to go crazy and fell in love with floral ceilings when looking at idea boards! Everything was beyond our wildest dreams and we were speechless, especially when we saw that jaw-dropping patio!!!
Favorite Moment
My favorite moment was saying our self-written vows at the altar. I was so nervous but it was worth it to have that personal moment. It felt like it was just him and me in the church.
Van says his favorite moment was me coming down the aisle.
