Kelly and Michael’s winter wedding at Sheraton Station Square is a shimmering example of how to host a romantic December celebration that eludes a traditional holiday wedding theme…without screaming Christmas. Dawn Derbyshire Photography beautifully documented the day’s elegance, from the heartfelt ceremony at Heinz Chapel to the glamorous ballroom reception back at the venue. Kelly wore a Pronovias ballgown from Bridal Beginning, accented with a sparkling belt, while Michael wore a velvet tuxedo – two textures that were echoed throughout their decor with glimmering touches and lush crushed velvet. Stems by Syd designed arrangements featuring rich reds, pinks, and whites, adding warmth to the wintry celebration. At the couple’s head table, two vintage crushed velvet chairs were placed before a striking ivory rose installation wall, with their name illuminated in neon signage. Meanwhile, their Pittsburgh cookie table, provided by Here For The Cookie Table, was displayed on a pink sequined table. Kelly and Michael added countless personal touches to their day, including a white telephone booth adorned with roses – perfect for photo ops.
About the Couple
Kelly and Michael’s love story began in the summer of 2020, as the pandemic eased slightly and they both decided to give online dating a try. Kelly had been on dating apps before and was feeling a bit discouraged by her past experiences. But on the very first day she downloaded Match.com, she matched with Michael – and things instantly clicked.
Because of their busy schedules, they couldn’t meet in person for three weeks. On the day of their first date, Michael was also closing on his first home. Although meeting a stranger at their house wasn’t something Kelly would typically do, she felt safe after realizing she knew his realtor, who was a mutual friend. So, she decided to stop by with a celebratory bottle of champagne in hand.
Nothing about that day went as planned. After a series of delays and Kelly’s Uber getting lost, she finally arrived and got a tour of Michael’s charming new home. The remainder of their date included an unfortunate dining experience and waiting outside in the rain, but they laughed through it all. Kelly remembers falling in love with Michael that very night.
About the Wedding
From the couple…
We wanted our winter wedding to feel romantic, with touches of glam, velvet, and a little sparkle. Hoping to avoid a Christmas-themed vibe, we chose to remove the holiday trees from Heinz Chapel and steered away from pine or berry details in our arrangements.
It was also important to us to have a fun, lively dance party. Having waited a long time to find each other, we wanted the day to be a grand celebration filled with personal touches. We also made sure to include our siblings, nieces, and nephews, giving each family member a special role in the day.
Favorite Moment
We love music and dancing, so choosing our DJ to set the vibe and bring the party was exactly what we wanted. At the end of the night, we asked all our guests to Irish goodbye and meet us in the lobby for an after-party, while we shared a private last dance. It was such a special moment. Michael and I both cried, overwhelmed with love and happiness for our special day.
