Kim & Dan | Spring Wedding at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA

After all of Dan’s persistence in asking Kim out on a date (and her ignoring him & then canceling on him) – you might have guessed that the moment he had the engagement ring in his hand, that he would propose – but that’s not exactly how it all worked out.

You see, Kim had her Grandma’s diamond ring. It needed repaired & they planned to set it in a new setting, so toward the end of 2018, Dan & Kim took that precious diamond to a jewelers for the repairs & new setting. Kim & Dan looked at options & Kim told Dan what she liked, but ultimately, she left the design of the new ring up to him.

A few weeks went by & Kim knew he had the ring back. It was hidden in their apartment, but she knew he had it! And so, as each day came & went, Kim wondered: “Is today the day Dan proposes?” The holidays came & went, important dates came & went, and still Kim found herself riding this roller coaster of waking up every single day & wondering if today was the big day.

Ultimately, Dan waited over 6 (brutal) months to propose to Kim. In fact, so much time has passed that Kim began to wonder if he was ever going to pop the question. And as every day passed, she became more anxious because she really wanted to plan a summer 2020 wedding & they were already mid-summer 2019 & no proposal yet!

On July 4th, 2019, they went up to Mt. Lebanon to watch the fireworks. Kim had a small, passing thought, wondering if tonight would finally be the night? As they walked, hand in hand, Kim glanced down & saw that Dan’s cargo pocket in his shorts was slightly open, and inside she spotted the edge of a ring box.

So, obviously, it came as no surprise shortly after, when Dan popped the question. Of course, Kim excitedly answered yes.

I wish their engagement story ended there, but alas: 2020.
I distinctly remember chatting with Kim & Dan during their late summer 2019 engagement session about what a “fun” year 2020 was going to be! I mean, the date was just epic, so it was bound to be fantastic!

Of course, you know how completely opposite that statement ended up turning out! With all the super strict regulations in Allegheny County last summer, they made the impossible decision to reschedule their day for the spring of 2021 (we chatted & I remember saying: “All these crazy restrictions have to be lifted by then, right?!”)
The last few months have been a roller coaster ride, to say the least, but this past Saturday was finally the big day. I know it wasn’t 100% what Kim & Dan had envisioned when they began planning their wedding, back in 2019, but it was still perfect. Surrounded by just 50 of their closest family & friends, they officially became husband & wife & I could not have been happier to celebrate with them all!

Kim & Dan – I know the last year has been the craziest year ever & I know that you had to make some of the hardest & most difficult decisions of your entire life. I know that those decisions have been absolutely heart-breaking to work thru, but every single time I talked with you both, you were brave & graceful, and handling all the unknowns like champs. I feel like, a lesser couple would have broken under the stress of not knowing what was going to happen & how to proceed in planning their wedding, but I feel like those decisions just left you both stronger.
Even on your wedding day, with the threat of rain & having to make tough decisions about your ceremony being indoors vs. outdoors: you handled those choices with grace. You both approached the day with a calm, laid-back, simply happy-to-have-finally-arrived, place, and it was marvelous to witness. I know Saturday wasn’t “perfect”, but it was because you both finally got married & I could not be happier for the two of you!!

Kim & Dan’s dog, Ellie, was with us as the girls got ready! She is the sweetest, most chill pup (and I secretly wanted to steal her).

A lot of jokes were made on Saturday about how Kim’s list of “favorite people” might not exactly have Dan at the top. Instead, the list probably looks a little more like: Ellie and then Kim’s niece & nephew – who were the ring bearer & flower girl on Saturday! And, after being with them all day Saturday, I might have to agree.

This photo of Kim’s niece looking up at her, as her Mama (Kim’s sister) buttoned Kim’s dress up, might just be one of my new very favorite photos!!

Kim & Dan told me from the first time we chatted that they wanted to do a First Look – they wanted to do all of their formal portraits before the ceremony so that afterwards, they would be free to enjoy their guests.
(And, as you’ll see, it also gave us the ability to take some fun photos with Ellie!)

Spring Wedding at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA - Portraits on the North Shore

Oh Kim – you are just RADIANT!

Their ceremony programs were perfect!!

As the ceremony started, and we got to the point where Kim’s niece & nephew were to proceed in, they simply walked right by the aisle & kept on going – with just a wave back at everyone who was saying: “No, wait! Come back!”

After their ceremony was over, we were able to sneak off into the Desert Room for a few quiet moments all to ourselves!! It was amazing.

Spring Wedding at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA - Portraits in the Desert Room

Back to the reception!

Do you see Dan & Kim’s pets on their cake?! Omigoodness, I was absolutely obsessed!!

Even though rain pushed their outdoor ceremony indoors, it simply made me super excited for some epic night photos! I love shooting at night in the rain!!