This is the story of Brea and Ben’s book inspired wedding at Sanaview Farms. The rustic Pittsburgh wedding venue was the perfect setting for a celebration with vintage vibes and literary details. The protagonists’ vision for their wedding was a perfect blend of authenticity and fun, and they spared no effort in bringing this vibe to life. Romance truly met nostalgia at every turn. Brea, known for her creative flair, infused the wedding with vintage postcards serving as a guest book and a giant custom crossword puzzle bringing some fun to the cocktail hour. Additionally, vintage hand-lettered mirrors posed as signs and meticulously styled centerpieces were all crafted by the bride herself. Guests found their table assignments in an old-fashioned upcycled library card catalog, with a stunning hand-crafted 6-foot-tall book wall backdrop nearby that was created by Brea and her family. From the unity tree ceremony and exchange of wedding bands from Seita Jewelers to an exciting party that went well into the night, the day was surrounded by a rich autumnal color palette. Like a well-loved book, the images captured by Jill Gearhart Photography depict a dreamy, cozy day…one with the happiest of endings!
About the Couple
Brea and Ben met on Hinge in 2018 while they were both living in Washington, DC. Ben broke the ice by sharing the concert he was dying to go to next. After a few messages, they decided to meet at a nearby bar for drinks. Conversation came easily as they connected over music, family, hobbies, and everything in between. After almost three years of dating and countless adventures, Ben popped the question during a romantic weekend away in Charlottesville, Virginia. Brea, of course, said yes!
About the Wedding
Brea and Ben’s wedding was on a beautiful fall day when the leaves were in peak transition. Their wedding was inspired by their desire to plan a ceremony that was authentic and genuine to them as a couple and to also plan a fun party with thoughtful touches to celebrate their love with the people that mean so much to them.
Their theme could best be described as a mix of vintage and boho with lots of bookish and literary elements. Some of the vibes and feelings that the couple wanted to evoke were coziness, warmth, and comfort – from the blankets available to guests at the ceremony to the warm pink color palette of the bridesmaids. While the wedding and reception took place in a barn on a farm, they didn’t want the theme to lean too rustic, though they did embrace some of the more casual and laid back elements of the venue.
Brea is a creative person who loves crafting and thrifting, so she was excited about the opportunity to bring some creative touches to the decor. Those touches ended up being some of the unique elements. Perhaps one of the most unique elements was the 6-foot tall book wall backdrop handcrafted by Brea and her family. Other unique and personal elements included an old-fashioned library card catalog where guests could find their table assignments, vintage postcards guests could sign as the guest book, and a giant custom crossword puzzle with clues about the bride and groom that family and friends could fill out during cocktail hour.
Favorite Moment
While they say it may be a little cliche, Brea and Ben’s favorite moment of the day would have to be marrying each other in front of so many of our favorite people – including their personal vows and unity tree ceremony. However, they say that dancing the night away and indulging in their cookie table are a close second!
