Have you been looking for the perfect garden backdrop to bring your wedding day vision to life? If your after a venue that offers tons of natural beauty, hundreds of flowers and succulents sprinkled throughout a dozen different rooms, and a larger-than-life greenhouse your guests will literally be in awe of, then I highly recommend Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. It’s one of my absolute favorite Pittsburgh Wedding Venues!
That is where Kayla & Alex chose to share their vows on an absolutely beautiful day in mid October. I met these two when they inquired about their wedding and I was actually devastated to let them know I was going to be out of town. However, they loved my work and trusted me as a photographer so much, that they decided to hire my associate team to show up day of, and we’ve literally been friends ever since.
I photographed their engagement session, their baby announcement and their maternity session, but even though I wasn’t physically present on their wedding day, getting to be apart of the planning and post processing was an absolute honor and real joy to relive through these images.
Each of them got ready in a separate location, Kayla’s choice being a really unique, industrial Airbnb. The both shared their mornings with their best friends; doing shots, popping champagne and sharing in all the laughter. When they arrived at the venue, Kayla expressed how badly she wanted to do a first look with Alex prior to the ceremony so they could spend the absolute most time together throughout the day. They met near the cute bridge inside of Phipps Conservatory to share an intimate moment together to read their vows. From Alex’s colorful suit, to Kayla’s stunning curls and braid, the camera absolutely adores these two.
The first look did not take away from Alex OR Kayla feeling all the emotion as she walked toward him barely holding back the tears. Their iconic mid-aisle dip kiss after their official husband and wife announcement was THEE moment and the rest of the night was filled with a packed dance floor, more emotional moments shared with their parents and an almost cake cutting fail.
Obviously while researching wedding venues, you have a list of questions that you want to make sure answer any concerns you have or just give you a true understanding of all the space has the offer!
Phipps Conservatory and Botanic Garden provides options for the ceremony, including the outdoor garden with a view of the Cathedral of Learning or the popular Broderie Room which offers a picturesque setting for an intimate vow exchange. Many guests and couples speak highly of the food served at dinner (which I can’t personally speak to because I wasn’t present, but my associate team also agreed that their meal was delicious).
Venue: Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Garden
Photography: Ashley Sara Photography
Hair & Makeup: Wanderlust PGH & Bloom Beauty Parlor
Florals: Steel City Florals
Cake: Bethel Bakery
Photo Booth: Lux Photobooth
Catering: Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Garden
Dress Shop: Posh Bridal
Groom Tux: The Black Tux
Stationary: Minted