Brianna & Michael | Wedding at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh, PA

You know it’s a good love story when it starts at McDonalds.
However, at the beginning of Bri and Michael’s story, they didn’t know it was a “good” story. In fact, it kind of started off on the wrong foot.

While she was in highschool, Bri got a job at McDonalds and Michael was in charge of training her. And while that might sound promising, Bri’s first impression of Michael was that he was mean.
Through the rest of highschool, they worked together and slowly their friendship grew. Over hot fryers and through crazy dinner rushes, they would tease and nick-pick each other – and eventually, they started dating.

They dated all through the ups and downs of college – Michael is now a Pittsburgh City Police Officer and Bri is an elementary school teacher. (Talk about a powerhouse duo!)

As the fall of 2021 rolled around, Michael began to make plans to propose. He knew that fall was Bri’s absolutely favorite, so he wanted to propose then. But when she came down with COVID (and the rest of the family did too), his plans got pushed back further and further ..

December arrived and the two made plans to go to Phipps to see the lights. Knowing this would be an amazing place to propose, Michael did a ton of research on the layout of Phipps, what rooms had the most lights, and where would be an ideal spot to finally pop the question. He picked out a very specific spot and as they approached it on their stroll through the gardens and lights, they stopped to wait for a family, who was taking photos in “his” spot.

Unfortunately, the family was absolutely determined to get a specific photo of their kids, and (as usual) their kids weren’t interested in cooperating. Michael got super antsy, but clueless, Bri brushed it off: “Michael, they have kids, let’s just go around them.”
But Michael was adamant – he wanted to stop HERE – and so they waited.

Finally the family moved on and Bri and Michael moved into “the spot”. Bri pulled out her phone to take a selfie of the two of them, and as she held up her phone, Michael held up the ring behind her head.
If you know Bri, you can only imagine her reaction – lots of happy, ugly-crying, right there in the middle of Phipps – it was perfect.

And this past Saturday was the big day. Since fall is Bri’s favorite, they planned a mid-October wedding at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. Unfortunately, the weather rolled through in typical Pittsburgh-style and dumped buckets of rain all day long. Thankfully, they had planned an indoor ceremony and reception, and within the walls of Soldiers and Sailors, we stayed warm and dry with TONS of amazing photo opportunities!
It was such a beautiful day: Bri’s vision was breathtaking. From the textured green velvet gowns that her bridesmaids wore, to the gold candelabras and cascading centerpieces, to the moss covered books and tall taper candles – in the setting of the beautiful Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, everything was stunning. And the best part of it all: Bri and her Mom put together everything – from their bouquets, to the centerpieces, to all of the little details that pulled it all together – it was marvelous.

So that they could maximize the time spent with their guests, Bri and Michael choose to do a first look and do all of their portraits before their ceremony. If you think it was probably emotional, you’d be correct.

Bri’s Mom had two patches made that were sewn to the inside of Bri’s dress – they say: “He’s my something blue” – referring to Michael’s status as a police officer.

Even though it was raining and there were puddles everywhere – we did step just outside for about 30 seconds so that we could get at least a few photos with the grandeur of the outside of Soldiers and Sailors!

This might be one of my favorite bridal party photos EVER – and this group was the perfect group to pull it off!!

The auditorium at Soldiers and Sailors is so epic!

Bri gave Bethel Bakery photos of her bouquet and they absolutely hit it out of the park with their design!

I could have photographed Bri’s reception decor and details all day long – everything was so perfect!

I LOVE a good bridal dance – and Bri and Michael’s guests put up a really good fight at the end (see Andrew with the red handkerchief? EPIC.)

Through the entire planning process, I felt like I knew Bri – she was a bridesmaid in Casey’s and Andrew’s wedding (she and Casey are cousins!) It was wonderful seeing and catching up with Casey and Andrew again (second time this year!)

You know a little bit of rain wasn’t going to stop me from getting some epic night portraits in front of Soldiers and Sailors! In fact, the light rain just makes things even more epic!

Huge shout-out and thank you to the amazing team of vendors, as well as friends & family, who helped make Brianna & Michael’s wedding day absolutely perfect!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh, PA
Venue Coordinator: Amber McBride
Catering: The Chef and I Catering in Brackenridge, PA
Bakery: Bethel Bakery in Bethel Park, PA
Linens: Mosaic in Pittsburgh, PA
Invitations: Zazzle
Bridal Gown: Sorelle Bridal Salon in Washington, PA
Bridesmaids Gowns: MB Bride in Greensburg, PA
Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Warehouse
Wedding Rings: Kay Jewelers and Neil Lane
DJ: DJ Ed from 2nd II None Productions in Pittsburgh, PA
Officiant: Lori DiMarco
Second Photographer: Darcie Lindsay Photography in Pittsburgh, PA
Photographer: Kara Abbey Photography in Irwin, PA