Well, the 2012 wedding photography season has wrapped up for me! I am shooting one more wedding December 1, but I’ll be shooting video that day, so I’m all done with wedding photos for the year. What an amazing wedding to end on! Laura and Andrew are an absolutely beautiful couple, inside and out. They lucked out with an unseasonably warm, sunny November day and were surrounded by an amazing group of family and friends, many of whom traveled great distances to spend this day with them. All day I heard guests speaking about how much they love Laura and Andrew – how warm, thoughtful and sincere they are. I’d certainly thought the same in the little bit I’d gotten to know them.

I usually try to narrow down the photos a little more than this… but hey, it’s the last one of the year, so I’m going to go ahead and get carried away.

The day began with Laura and her 10 beautiful bridesmaids getting ready at the Omni William Penn downtown. These elegant bridesmaids dresses were from White House Black Market.

Kim – this one’s for you. Laura’s stunning gown is by Johnna Ho. While I was with Laura and her bridesmaids at the Omni, my fabulous second shooter Katia Forero was with Andrew and his 12 (!) groomsmen. Then it was the ladies’ turn for portraits. This plaza in downtown Pittsburgh had the most amazing natural light I’ve ever seen. We were clearly there at the perfect time of year and the perfect time of day. The sun was low enough in the sky to provide perfect backlighting, but it was also reflecting off of one of the buildings and providing gorgeous soft light from the other direction. I could not get over how perfect it was! And look at how perfect Laura looks in this perfect light. Just gorgeous. Laura and Andrew’s ceremony was at Epiphany Catholic Church. That’s the beautiful red one right by the Consol Energy Center. Laura and Andrew live in New York City. To remind them of home, their priest played a quick audio excerpt of the sound of traffic and the subway. Many thanks to Ryan McLaughlin who came to assist with lighting and carrying gear. It was dark after the ceremony, so all photos from this point on required some kind of lighting. Ryan helped make this process go so much faster! Katia said “B&H should have a Ryan in their catalogue!” We spent a few more minutes capturing portraits of this beautiful couple at the Omni. Laura and Andrew met on the dance floor of a club in Atlanta. So naturally they were introduced to the song that was playing when they met, “Walk It Out.” And then this led right into their first dance, “You Make Loving Fun.” Laura and her father Keith danced to “You’ve Got a Friend.”Family and friends were all gathered around. I had turned to shoot the crowd when suddenly I saw this woman react to something… what was it? … that would be Keith’s glasses. What a great choice to have the band In the Mood there! They had a fantastic range, and played a well-balanced mix of classics of yesterday and today. Andrew’s dad, Greg, and Andrew’s grandmother.

Congratulations, Laura & Andrew! I couldn’t be happier for you and I hope you are enjoying your honeymoon in SOUTH AFRICA!!!

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The Credits

Reception: Omni William Penn

Band: In the Mood, Three Rivers Entertainment

Ceremony: Epiphany Catholic Church

Florist: KSKennedy

Wedding Planning: Kate and Campbell Creative Weddings & Events

Hair & Makeup: The Verve Salon

Laura’s Dress: Johnna Ho

Bridesmaids Dresses: White House Black Market

Cake: Bethel Bakery

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Christina Montemurro Photography is a top-rated photography studio specializing in special events, including weddings and bar mitzvahs, serving the greater Pittsburgh area. Christina’s focus is on creating genuine, heartfelt, relaxed images, with extraordinary attention to detail and customer service. Contact Christina now to check availability for your engagement session, wedding, bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah. Christina has been rated among top Pittsburgh photographers. You can read reviews by Christina’s past brides and grooms here and here.