A soiree along the Allegheny River just calls for something inspired by the Steel City, and this Riverfront Weddings celebration totally delivers. With a color palette of mauve and steely gray, Mack and Nick’s nuptials was one part industrial glam and one part millennial magic. The unique Pittsburgh wedding venue served as a blank slate in which the couple and their all-star team of Pittsburgh wedding vendors could create a variety of ambiances and settings. Each, however, oozed modern, edgy romance. Velvet linens added texture to tables while arrangements of king protea, ranunculus, and anemones by Blossoms by Jilliann brought soft color. Geometric patterns appeared in things like the cake stand, votive holders, and sign easels, adding dimension to even the tiniest of details. Acrylic signs, an asymmetrical ceremony backdrop adorned with fresh florals, and a neon sign bearing the couple’s initials round out some of our favorite elements of the day, all of which were overseen by Poppy Events. But nothing – and we mean nothing – will ever beat those views of the river and iconic bridges from the dock. Don’t believe us? See for yourself in these images from Alex Mowrey Photography and this video from Shannon Chavez Production.
About the Couple
It all started when Heather, a close family friend, asked me if I was dating anyone. When I responded no, she decided to play matchmaker. She started scrolling through her phone, pulling up pictures of every single person she knew that was my age and also single. She looked up from her phone and said, “Nick! Nick loves to work out and eat healthy. He would be perfect for you.” While working out and eating healthy are qualities I’d look for in a potential boyfriend, I was skeptical that she could only name two things we had in common. She proceeded to show me his picture on her phone; suddenly, I was okay with only having two things in common.
Later that week, I went to a class at Orange Theory Fitness. I saw this guy working out a few treadmills over from me. He looked super familiar, but I didn’t know why. Then it dawned on me: that’s definitely the guy Heather wanted to set me up on a blind date with. So after class, I went up to him, introduced myself, and talked about how Heather wanted to set us up on a blind date. Thankfully, he recognized me from the picture she showed him, and told me he would text me soon. A week later, I got a text asking me to meet up for dinner and drinks. Of course, I said yes.
About the Wedding
Our wedding was modern, edgy, and industrial, yet soft and romantic. The venue at Riverfront Weddings is so unique. Each area of the venue has a different vibe – from the white-washed outdoor pavilion where our ceremony, dinner, and dancing took place, to the indoor fireplace room where our guests enjoyed cocktail hour, to the pier overlooking the Allegheny River. The venue allowed our guests to have so many different experiences all in one venue.
We had a muted color palette of gray and mauve with gold accents. The mismatched bridesmaid dresses and matching pocket squares for the groomsman really pulled the entire color palette together. Our velvet linens and acrylic signs, combined with asymmetrical floral installations and geometric elements, were a modern way to transition from summer to fall over Labor Day Weekend. Our centerpieces and florals featured so many gorgeous textures and added so much dimension to the overall look. The escort display was so much fun! Blossoms by Jilliann completed the neon sign with an asymmetrical floral arrangement.
My favorite details were all the little ways we incorporated my late-mother into our day. Amanda at The Iron Horse made ribbon out of my mom’s wedding dress that we wrapped around the bridal bouquet. The gold ring I wore on my right hand was my mom’s engagement and wedding band I had redesigned by Robert Currens. When my dad and I walked down the aisle, the arm I was holding onto him with has a tattoo of my mom’s name, Mende. Even though she couldn’t be there, it’s like they were both walking me down the aisle.
Favorite Moment
Mackenzie:
Our head table consisted of the entire bridal party plus their significant others. It was so special to look to our left and right and see everyone we love with the people they love. I would say our other favorite moment of the day was the Horah (traditional jewish wedding dance)… it was so much fun!
Nick:
Watching Mack walk down the aisle as I sobbed uncontrollably. The officiant was incredible and made the ceremony so special. The food was out of this world, too!
