Pittsburgh Wedding Planner | Panoramic Guest Photo

So when your wedding photographer e-mails you a request for your "shot list" (a list of all the people/details that are important to capture on your wedding), you have to include one mega shot of all your guests! Love, love, love this! Something about this type of picture reminds me of your class picture in elementary school or team photo but in a good way :-) Your wedding day is all about celebrating with friends and family that are special to you. Take advantage of the occasion and take one giant group photo that you will have forever. Not to mention, it will be SO fun for you and your hubby to go face-to-face and find everyone in the photo. Or even send it as a thank you photo card so guests can do the same! It's totally do-able if you plan for it by letting your photographer, dj, venue, and wedding planner know ahead of time.

Happy Planning!
{she}
Photo Credit: Stacey McCain, The Knot, Joey Kennedy Photography

Pittsburgh Wedding Planner | Vendor Spotlight: Katia Forero Photography

Warm-spirited, passionate, and genuine are three words that come to mind after I met with Katia Forero. Not to mention I LOVE her accent. She's a Pittsburgh Wedding & Portrait Photographer and prides herself on telling the story of your special day from behind her camera lens. We talked about everything from today's types of brides, to choosing the right photographer that fits your style, to both having an innate reaction to go above and beyond for our clients. Check out Katia Forero Photography on her website and blog and see if she is the right photographer for you. I know you'll love her work as much as we do :-) Meet Katia.

{Tell me a little bit about yourself.}
I am originally from Panama city, Panama but came to the U.S to study Fashion Design and Retail merchandising almost 13 years ago. I married my husband in 2005 and moved to Pittsburgh where I fell in love with photography. I am a storyteller and my camera is the way to tell the story of every couple's wedding day. My camera is an extension of my soul, is the way I see life. I could not imagine doing anything else the rest of my life.

{When did you fall in love with photography?}
I fell in love with photography while working for a Company in St. Louis as a Product Development Coordinator. I was in charge of catalog designs and of course I had to work side by side with the photographer. I was fascinated by this craft and could really picture myself working as a photographer one day.

{What is your number one piece of advice for brides?}
My number one advice for brides is to hire a photographer with which you have an instant connection. It is so important to have a connection with this person; he/she will be telling the story of your wedding day, allow them to get to know you better before your wedding day so they are able to capture your true personalities. You do that and I can assure you you will love your wedding images.

Happy Planning!
{she}

Pittsburgh Wedding Planner | Spotlight: Claire Hudson Photography

Claire Hudson Photography is expanding into the Pittsburgh market. We had a chance to chat with Claire and totally clicked with her personality and style. Fresh. Modern. Elegant; her portfolio is awesome! We love that she offers a package for every bride because she wants to make herself accessible. We love meeting other wedding professionals with great passion and talent!! Looking forward to working with Claire-she's one to watch :-) Here's more about her....

{Tell us a little about yourself and services}
I am a 22 year old photographer based outside of Philadelphia, PA. Growing up in a family of artists, I have a BFA and a fine art approach to wedding photography. I have been photographing weddings for four years and can’t imagine doing anything else, which is why I invest so much of myself in each wedding I photograph. When shooting a wedding, I keep my approach relaxed and natural so as to capture real moments as they happen, not create false memories by being intrusive.

{When did you fall in love with photography?}
I remember walking into my first wedding as a second shooter, heart racing and a huge smile on my face. I had no idea what to expect, but the instant I saw the bride’s face light up as she stepped into her wedding gown...I was smitten. I fell in love with love, as it were, because the joy of a wedding is infectious. To be able to capture those beautiful moments in that first wedding made me addicted to wedding photography and from that point on there was no turning back.

{What is your #1 piece of advice to brides?}
Walk slowly...and I’m not only talking about your walk down the isle. Remember to breathe and enjoy the day, because it will fly by. If you remember to relax and take in every moment to it’s fullest, your weeks of planning and anticipation will pay off. Your vendors are there to assure your day goes perfectly, so don’t worry, just enjoy!

Photo Credit: Claire Hudson

E-Session Sunday

We are tagging along for an e-session for one of our 2012 couples with the fabulous Jenni Grace Photography today! Nowadays couples and photographers are getting so creative with fun engagement sessions. We love to see the final images! We always encourage our clients to take a change of clothes and any fun props (signs, books, balloons, frames, pets, etc.) that really help show their personalities! Highlighting the date is always a key part of an e-session. For today's urban/city shoot, we made a cute date sign incorporating their wedding colors and are bringing along some frames for funky head shots. We were googling (a guilty pleasure) and found some super cool save-the-date shots.....Be Inspired!

Photo Credit: Google Images

Apple of My Eye: Amy & Andrew

Amy & Andrew said 'I do' on a picture-perfect fall day. When we met the couple, Andrew was in his first year of medical residency and Amy was in her last year of medical school so both have very busy and hectic schedules. They were so sweet, simple, and just so easy to work with! Amy's only request was to use barrels of apples as her centerpieces and fall colors. Apple picking is something the couple loves to do together. They donated the apples from the reception to the church. It was the ideal September day with the perfect autumn hues in the florals, custom stationery, and linens. It was our pleasure to see this couple all smiles from beginning to end on their special day! Check out our favorite pics captured by the fabulous Christina Montemurro Photography!

Thanks so much to all of the vendors we worked with!

{Ceremony} Calvary Episcopal Church
{Reception} Sheraton Station Square Hotel
{Photographer} Christina Montemurro Photography
{Linens} Mosaic
{Rentals} All Occasions Party Rental
{Floral Designer} Bloom's Florist
{Cake Designer} Bethel Bakery
{Stationery} Trio Creative Design
{Transportation} Elite Transportation

Love On Top: Angela & Samuel

Fab concept + Beautiful couple + Talented photographer= Ah-mazing pictures! We are so smitten over this e-session of our clients, Angie and Sam, taken by Anne Wilmus Photography! Munaluchi Bridal was too and featured the shoot on their blog :-) The couple will tie the knot next July. Their nuptials will be all things vintage, chic, and fabulous! Here are some of our fav pictures from their e-session....