Meghan and Josh's Wedding - Renaissance Hotel Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer Christina Montemurro

I’m nearing the end of my 11th season photographing Pittsburgh weddings. (It’s not over! Still several more to go.) While there are many venues I’ve been to repeatedly (looking at you in particular, Heinz History Center and Carnegie Museum), there are still a few that I’ve never been to. I can now cross the Renaissance Hotel off my list! Well, technically this was not my first time. I’ve been there to photograph brides and grooms getting ready many times, and I assisted Leeann at a reception there last year. But this was the first time photographing a ceremony and reception there.

I met Meghan back at Katie & Derek’s wedding, when Meghan was one of Katie’s bridesmaids. So there were some familiar faces, as Katie and her sister (Megan!) were two of Meghan’s five bridesmaids.

Meghan and Josh wanted a day free from complicated logistics, so they could maximize spending time with their family and friends. I’d say that worked out perfectly! Meghan and Josh got ready in separate rooms. Meghan and her bridesmaids were fortunate enough to have one of the amazing renovated suites, with tons of natural light and a huge balcony. While Pittsburgh has a lot of nice hotels, balconies are extremely hard to come by. This one is amazing, and was a perfect spot for Meghan and Josh’s first look. After that, we went with the bridal party across the street for a few photos.

Meghan and Josh’s ceremony was on the Grand Staircase in the lobby. The architecture truly is grand, and the florals provided by Blumengarten were the perfect accent. Photographer’s note: it is really dark in the lobby. Like, ISO 10000 dark. I set up two strobes in the balcony, and I’m so glad I did! Not only did that allow me a lower ISO (this means less grain/noise and sharper photos) but it also separated the subjects from the background and provided shape and definition.

After the ceremony, guests just had to go up one floor to the ballroom to enjoy cocktail hour and then dinner and dancing. And this was DEFINITELY a dancing crowd. All the formal events took place before dinner, so after dinner, there was no lull… just a huge party with a dance floor that stayed full all night, with DJ Craig Evans keeping the party going.

Many thanks to Erica Dietz for photographing this wedding with me – some of the images below are hers.

Here are some of my favorites. Enjoy!

How about this color combination? Loved these bridesmaids dresses together with the multicolor bouquets, and especially the eucalyptus!
We had originally planned to have Meghan and Josh’s first look down by the river. But the balcony was a lot simpler logistically, offered more privacy, and is all around awesome. In fact… I had my 40th birthday party right here. I mean, someday in the distant future, if I ever turn 40, maybe I’ll have my 40th birthday party here. Yeah, that.

Erica spotted Josh, his brother Matt and Meghan’s brother Matt walking in perfect synchronization. Love it.

Brava to Meghan for braving the cold for these photos!

All of the printed items were amazing. Loved them all!

To give an idea about the lighting… in this next photo, I turned off the supplemental lighting…
… and here it is back on again. What a difference!

Ok, I normally don’t share this many dancing photos. But I’m just going to go for it, because this was one super party!

When the cousins are getting grouped together, and are still waiting on a couple more to show up, but then Living on a Prayer comes on…
The back flip is amazing, but I love the reactions even more :)