Having met on New Year’s Eve over 11 years ago, Danielle and Tanner’s chic December 31st wedding at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh was the perfect homage to the day they first locked eyes. Picturesque river views, soaring ceilings, and modern accents set the tone for the hotel ballroom celebration. The space perfectly embodied Danielle and Tanner’s Pittsburgh roots, while throwing nods to their years spent in the Big Apple. The ceremony space swelled with the beautiful music of a string quartet while Danielle walked down the aisle in a stunning Hayley Paige wedding dress from Luxe Redux Bridal. Beneath the cascading silk skirt peaked the perfect something blue: a pair of gorgeous Manolo Blahnik pumps! The reception room was romantic yet entirely sexy thanks to crystal chiavari chairs, champagne colored florals, and lush, velvet linens from Mosaic. After a quick dress change into a gorgeous, satin slip mermaid gown by THEIA Bridal from Blanc de Blanc Bridal, Danielle and Tanner entered the party to the Steelers game day entrance song and their guests waved their napkins passionately like Terrible Towels. In perfect Pittsburgh fashion, sweet treats included a delectable 5-tier cake from Bethel Bakery and an overflowing cookie table of over 300 dozen (yes, you read that right) sweet treats! What better way to kick off another year of health, wealth, and happiness? Enjoy more of this beautiful wedding as captured by the talented Tyler Norman Photography!
About the Couple
Tanner and I were both born and raised in Pittsburgh but attended different schools throughout our childhood. Our friend groups always meshed though, so we knew of each other. The first night we “met” and spent quality time together was over 11 years ago at a New Year’s Eve get-together. Our mutual friend invited us to a New Year’s Eve celebration at her cabin at Seven Springs. Thanks to Tanner’s many knee surgeries from sports injuries and my lack of interest in the sport, neither of us don’t ski. So, we spent the day together and quickly hit it off.
We dated throughout our years together at Union College, but we separated to pursue our careers in different cities – I made my way to New York City to begin my PR career, while Tanner headed back to Pittsburgh to begin his sales career. We were separated for a few years.
In 2017, a job relocated Tanner to New York City. He moved into the Financial District – just two blocks away from me, but neither of us were aware. One day, when we were both dating new partners, we ran into each other. No, actually, we ran into each other while turning the aisle at the neighborhood grocery store. I accidentally knocked the rotisserie chicken from Tanner’s hands (ha!). We then learned we had been living two blocks from each other without knowing. Following this run-in, we’d continue to see each other on the streets of Manhattan but nothing came of it.
In 2018, my father unexpectedly passed away. Tanner caught wind through our mutual hometown friends; he immediately reached out and asked to see me. The following day, we had a long dinner to catch up. After dinner, Tanner walked me 24 blocks in the opposite direction just so we could keep chatting. After that dinner, I felt my Dad had somehow brought Tanner back into my life but I wasn’t quite sure why just yet.
Just as we rekindled our relationship, Tanner’s job relocated him to Westchester County, New York, requiring him to move out of Manhattan, but I was not ready to part with the city…just yet. We stayed in touch throughout the year, making trips to and from the city to see one another until Tanner finally convinced me to make the move to Westchester to start our next chapter together as a couple, again.
In 2020, Tanner won a work trip to Hawaii, where he would plan an elaborate proposal on the beach. When the pandemic hit, the trip was rescheduled. When the pandemic continued, the trip was called off. Tanner had to pivot, and pivot quickly. Tanner moved up the proposal date and rescheduled his once-beach proposal in Hawaii to a beach proposal in South Carolina during his annual (not so romantic) family vacation.
Tanner ended up pulling off a beautiful beach proposal on June 12, 2020, complete with romantic touches, a photographer hiding in the sand dunes, and our families eagerly watching from their beach house windows.
About the Wedding
Our wedding had very different look/theme/style per room and moments throughout the evening. We assumed our guests would think we’d go the glitz an glam route for New Year’s Eve. However, we went for more of a modern chic aesthetic for the overall vibe, which was inspired by our New York lifestyle and Pittsburgh roots.
The ceremony room was modern and minimalist with candles on the wall shelves, a cursive gold “J’ projected, clear chiavari chairs, and white decor throughout. Two large white columns with urns filled with simple floral pieces flanked each side of the ceremony stage/wedding aisle. Our white aisle runner included a replica of the cursive gold “J” being projected on the wall. We also had a beautiful quartet play music as guests entered, for the wedding party entrances, and for the recessional. This was in honor of my late grandfather who was a part of a barbershop quartet.
As guests made their way to cocktail hour in the foyer, we played up the glitz and glam for NYE with interactive ivory and gold sequins linens and small but elegant floral arrangements throughout the space. Instead of a traditional guest book, we had all of our guests sign a wooden board to hang in our future home. The quartet continued playing throughout the cocktail hour, as well.
As guests entered the reception space, they were welcomed into a chic room. When discussing the room atmosphere with our florist, we kept finding our way back to “modern with art deco flair.” The room was anything but uniform, as the tables were designed to be a mix of rose and silver velvet and violet linens, along with tall and short floral arrangements and candelabras, all with clear chiavari chairs. It gave it a real romantic yet sexy vibe every corner you turned.
And, of course, we can’t forget the Pittsburgh cookie table. Our out-of-town guests were beyond surprised, as many had never come across one at a wedding. Tanner’s mother and grandmother played a huge role in baking over 300 dozen cookies for our wedding!
Favorite Moment
There were so many favorite moments but one that rises to the top was when we were given a sneak peek of our reception space at the Wyndham before our guests. We also had a few moments on the dance floor with just the two of us!
