Today’s Fox Chapel Golf Club wedding is a fine art lover’s dream come true. It’s delicate and sophisticated, yet packs a mighty, memorable punch. With a color palette of soft blues, greens, ivory, and gold, the look was one of fresh, earthy vibes. While Gina looked like a walking dream in her Maggie Sottero wedding dress from Bridal Beginning, her bridesmaids were just as stylish in an array of colors and patterns designed by The Dessy Group and also purchased at Bridal Beginning. After a traditional ceremony at Oakland’s St. Paul Cathedral, guests were greeted by modern day elegance at the reception venue. Breathtaking florals, gilded details, and a sea of candlelight provided a romantic ambiance while Soiree by Souleret made sure all of the thoughtful details were just right. Enjoy this gorgeously designed celebration as captured through the eyes of Joey Kennedy Photography and Post Script Films.
About the Couple
Ryan met Gina during their very first day as freshmen at Penn State University. They lived in the same dorm that year and became friends. It wasn’t until their first week back at school, two years later, that they went on their first date. After that, the rest was history.
The couple dated throughout college and during Ryan’s time as a Submarine Officer in the United States Navy for five years after graduation. Gina and Ryan’s love remained strong though years of deployments, trainings, and living states apart. The time apart only made the couple know they had to cherish the times that they did see each other and treat that quality time as a valuable gift.
Ryan decided to propose to Gina during one of his trips to Pittsburgh from Connecticut, where he was stationed. Ryan suggested that they spend the weekend at Nemacolin to celebrate Gina’s birthday.
When they arrived at Nemacolin, the couple had brunch at Laurtec. Ryan recalls being so nervous that he was hardly able to eat. After brunch, the couple went to their suite. Upon entering the room, roses were displayed everywhere and written out in petals was “Will you Marry Me?” Gina was speechless as Ryan got down on one knee and proposed. After being overwhelmed with joy and FaceTiming both of their families immediately, they enjoyed champagne and strawberries in their room, a day at the spa, and a wonderful dinner at Aqeous. The entire weekend getaway was perfect and a wonderful way to kick off the engagement.
About the Wedding
Even though Gina and Ryan are Pittsburgh transplants, it was important to them to have their wedding in the ‘Burgh. The couple was so excited to share what they love about Pittsburgh with their out-of-town family and friends. This included the famous Pittsburgh cookie table, a weekend to-do guide filled with the couple’s favorites places, and welcome bags that included Sarris candy and Pittsburgh Popcorn.
Family and traditions were an important part of the day. Gina used a piece of her grandmother’s light blue wedding dress to wrap her bouquet and restored pictures of her Italian ancestors from the early 1900s for the memory table.
St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oakland was the perfect setting for the Catholic ceremony due to its sheer beauty and jaw dropping size. Gina and Ryan fell in love with the garden feel of Fox Chapel Golf Club’s atrium, which was where the reception was held. Guests enjoyed dancing the night away and eating the late night French fry bar before taking the shuttle to Bakery Square to continue the celebration. It was a perfect wedding day and the couple would not change a thing.
Favorite Moment
Gina’s favorite moment of the day was time with Ryan when they first arrived at Fox Chapel Golf Club and saw the space transformed with greenery, beautiful floral arrangements, and floating candles. They were able to have a few minutes together and soak in the fact that the day was just as perfect as they dreamed.
