Winter Wedding at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Pittsburgh | Anna + Tony

We kicked off our 2023 wedding season with Anna and Tony’s beautiful winter wedding at St. Stanislaus Koska Church in downtown Pittsburgh. From Anna’s gorgeous getting-ready suite to the stunning ballroom at the historic Omni William Penn Hotel, this day was picturesque from start to end.  But even more striking than the beauty of the locations was the deep love for these two by their family and friends.  Many happy tears were shed throughout their day; everyone was so happy these two were finally at their wedding day.

After sharing one of the most joy filled first looks I’ve ever witnessed, we took some photos in the courtyard of Old St. Patrick’s Church, just down the road from St. Stan’s. It was frigid, with cold biting wind.  But we made it through! I loved the bridesmaids’ black velvet dresses! Such a classy look for a winter wedding! After we warmed up, it was time for these two to get married!

Tony comes from a big family with many priestly vocations. One of his brothers was the deacon who preached, what I think, was the best wedding Mass homily I’ve ever heard.  It brought me to tears! He spoke of the imagery of husband and wife as Adam and Eve, in the garden, worshiping God as a family, and how we as married couples are called to cultivate our own Eden in our homes, worshiping our Lord with our spouse and children. Marriage between man and woman was instituted by God from the beginning and nothing changes that. After photographing over 60 weddings and hearing the Nuptial Blessing prayed so many times, I hadn’t noticed this one part that Deacon Gruber focused on:

“O God, by whom woman is joined to man
and the companionship they had in the beginning
is endowed with the one blessing
not forfeited by original sin
nor washed away by the flood.”

He pointed out that this blessing and companionship of marriage continues down till today, it was not forfeited by original sin (as many things were) and God continues His plan to bring more souls to Himself with the help of man and woman.  What a gift! (Also, I am not doing this homily justice, I WISH I had recorded it so I could pray with it more later!)

After Mass, we headed to the classy Omni William Penn Hotel and got ready to dance the night away in the glorious ballroom.  And no Pittsburgh wedding would be complete without a cooking table! I, not being from Pittsburgh myself, think this is one of the coolest traditions for a wedding reception!  Anna and Tony’s family and friends tore up the dance floor!

Anna and Tony, we are so thrilled you are husband and wife and it was such a joy to meet your amazing friends and loving family! We hope you’re having an amazing time in Italy and Germany! God bless you both!

xoxo,

Laura

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Dress Designer: Justin Alexander

Bridal Studio: This Magic Moment

Florist: Fragile Paradise

Church: St. Stanislaus Kostka

Reception: Omni William Penn Hotel

DJ: Klicker Production

Cake: The Butterwood Bake Consortium

Hair: Summer Hair Salon

Makeup: J Casaldi Artistry 

Bridesmaid Dresses: Revelry

Groomsmen Attire: Jos A Bank 

Invitation: The Knot

 

See their engagement session HERE