I get to meet Jessica and Jason last summer, thanks to their wedding coordinator, Jodi of the Accents Unlimited Pittsburgh who’s been referring clients to me for their wedding photography needs. Although they now live in Manassas, VA, their wedding is in Pittsburgh, PA!
They’re not the first “out of towners” who has hired me in the past, if I count back.. I think I’ve got at least 7 weddings in the last two years where the bride and groom actually reside outside of Pittsburgh but decided that Pittsburgh is somehow “Special” to them.

Their wedding photos are here, along with the slideshow.. take a seat and enjoy!

See more of their wedding pictures! Click here for Pittsburgh Wedding Online Gallery of Jessica & Jason. (Use Coupon code “GIVEME20OFF” for 20% off any prints!)

Wedding Ceremony:
Saint Peter Parish
711 W Commons
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Priest: Father Gilbert

Wedding Venues:
Grand Concourse Pittsburgh
100 West Station Square Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1183
(412) 261-1717
Grand Concourse Contact: email to Brian E. George

Hotel:
Sheraton Station Square
300 West Station Square Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 261-2000

Makeup Artist: Lyndsie Hinch – Pittsburgh Makeup
Hair Stylist: Monica Kitta
Florist: April Schwietz – Mocha Rose
DiscJockey & Announcer: Steven Vance
Wedding Coordinator: Jodi Colella – Accents Unlimited

My Take on Grand Concourse:
You live in Pittsburgh but you don’t know the Grand Concourse? you must be joking, right?…
well, if you want to “treat” your guests, this is the place! the food is fabulous-o! service is top notch!
if you’re visiting Pittsburgh, you should try the Grand Concourse, I’ll be going back there for the Sunday brunch with Shierly and Ethan pretty soon.
hope to see you there!

It’s my first time to be in Ellwood City, and we didn’t get lost (thanks to google maps), the Castle along with the beautiful golf-course can be seen easily from the street.
Shakespeare is very interesting as it is both a restaurant/pub, a golf-club, and a banquet place. Plenty of parking spaces, lots of rocks and greeneries..
The ceremony was held at the back balcony of the castle, a small but cozy area..
I wasn’t able to get too much of the preparation shots of Chrissy and the girls (they are inside the “ladies locker room”), but Andi and I get to hang out with Ben and the groomsmen at the “gentleman’s locker room”.

After the ceremony, we get to take a lot of pictures outside the castle, I really like the big 15 feet castle doors, it truly adds a character to the formal family pictures.
There are a lots of kids in the party.. and kids love photographers, you know! :p

Chrissy and Ben went to Jamaica, at the Secrets in Montego Bay.. can’t wait to see their honeymoon pictures!
for now, let’s re-live their wedding day with these pictures and slideshows!

I took many more photos, click here for Pittsburgh Wedding Online Gallery of Christina & Ben. (Use Coupon code “GIVEME20OFF” for 20% off any prints!)

Wedding Venue:
The Shakespeare’s
1495 Mercer Road
Ellwood City, PA 16117
724.752-4653
DJ: Faraone Bros. 724.657-8809

My take on Shakespeare’s in Ellwood City, PA:
If you like the “Renaissance” theme, you will love this place!. (Think about Knights in shining armor era and the possibility of using horses/carriages for your wedding!)
It’s about 1 hour north of Pittsburgh, so it’s not too bad of a drive.
The food is built-in.. so there’s no need to cater somewhere else since it’s also a restaurant!
Plenty of photo-ops location around the area.. the greeneries around the golf course, the front of the castle, etc2.. parking is easy also.
if there’s one thing that I find “missing”, it’s the “bridal party room” where the bride can get ready so male photographers don’t have to wait outside the ladies’ locker room.
It’s a killer for a “moment freaks” like me to miss all the photo-opportunities because I can’t get inside.
Other than that.. it’s a place for the knight-in-shining armor to get hitched with his lovely princess.

The day is great.. the temperature is in Middle 80s with the sun and cloud altering their appearances, little kids are playing in the park, the adults are BBQ-ing at the shelter. I know it’s going to be a beautiful day!
The Mayernik Center has been “prepped-up”, the cakes are placed(yummy!!), the tables and chairs are dressed up, great!
One thing that I notice is the center pieces, the huge champagne glass filled with real lime and lemon! oh I love them! I mean.. not only they are so colorful and pretty, they made me T-H-I-R-S-T-Y!.

The ceremony doesn’t start until 5:00PM so I get to take some getting ready photos with them, it seemed that everyone is relax and happy!
(Scott was a little nervous I think, but it’s to be expected, with a bride as pretty as Jess, who wouldn’t?)

well I could go on and on to write up a summary of their beautiful wedding at the Mayernik center, but my role today is not as a reporter, but as their “photo-journalist”, so let’s see the photos and slideshows instead! Congrats to the new Mr. & Mrs. Singer!! have fun at the Riviera maya, Mehico!

I took many more photos, click here for Pittsburgh Wedding Online Gallery of Jessica & Scott. (Use Coupon code “GIVEME20OFF” for 20% off any prints!)

Officiant: Rev. Mary Ann Trifaro
Wedding Venue:
Mayernik Center
498 Camp Horne Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Venue Contact: email to Megan Galbraith
Floral arrangements: Joyce Smith – Floral Designer 412.760.9800 or 412.370.4127
DJ: email to DJ X’PRESS PRODUCTIONS

Now, I’ve been to Mayernik for several times from 2008, so I have to give a review of this venue:
First of all, the coordinator, Megan.. she’s one of the nicest person I’ve worked with.
she’s very accommodating and professional. go ahead and talk to her, you will know what I mean.
I would be so happy to cover more weddings there, just for the fact that I know I’ll be welcomed by her courteous manner.
now about the center itself: Mayernik is very close to Pittsburgh, just 2 exit after McKnight Road Exit on 279, so it’s just a short drive from the city.
There’s the “famous bridge” built by the boyscout, which is a treat for the wedding party picture. The picture on the bridge alone makes Mayernik worth the trip!
There’s also a playground for children.. some great photo ops there too, but the alley is kinda small to navigate for adults, better be careful when you climb!.
The backyard of the center is big, a perfect size for an outdoor ceremony.
Parking spaces? plenty!..
All in all, if you’re considering Mayernik Center for a wedding, I’ll be more than happy to vouch for them!