Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer | Christina Montemurro

Lisa and Bill’s wedding day may very well have been the hottest, most humid day of 2011. But you’d never have known it to look at them – they both looked radiant and so incredibly happy all day long.

I began the day at Bill and Lisa’s house, where Lisa and her bridesmaids got ready. Bill had told me that Lisa just moved in – so I thought that the house might be a little chaotic, with unpacked boxes lying around. Wrong. Very, very wrong. Not only was everything well-organized, but the entire house was so clean, I don’t think I could have found a speck of dust anywhere. Well done, Bill!

Here, flower girl Makayla has just arrived and is getting her first look at the beautiful bride getting the finishing touches on her hair.

Lots of hands – Lisa’s mom and bridesmaids help her into her gorgeous gown.Lisa’s bridesmaids got a little emotional watching but had each other for support.Up until a few days ago, I planned to shoot Lisa and Bill’s wedding alone. But in a fantastic demonstration that sometimes things work out just perfectly all by themselves, at the last minute I was joined by Tracey Vendilli. Two years ago, I was the second shooter at Tracey’s wedding. Tracey is honing her photography skills – keep an eye out for her! She’s already doing great. Just before the ceremony, she captured this image of Lisa.Lisa and Bill’s ceremony took place at Duquesne University Chapel. This was my third wedding there this year, and the third wedding performed by Father Naos McCool. He’s the best! So consistently charming and engaging.After the ceremony, the bridal party drove over to Mellon Park for pictures.Next photo by Tracey.What a stunning bride!Lisa got compliments all day on her beautiful veil. I loved how the sunlight accented the lace edging.Lisa and Bill’s reception was at Edgewood Country Club (don’t be fooled – it’s actually in Churchill). Lisa put lots of time and effort into creating the candelabra and floral centerpieces, and the room looked fantastic. Uplighting was provided by Second II None Productions.Lisa’s sister, matron of honor Lori, revealed that her nickname for Lisa is “The Beast.”Second II None Productions provided the night’s entertainment as well as the uplighting. If you are looking for a low-key, mellow, quiet wedding… then DJ Willy may not be your guy. But if you want someone whose enthusiasm and energy is so extreme that you may worry the speakers are going to blow… someone who is going to rally your guests, and keep them dancing and entertained – then I’d suggest you do not pass go and contact DJ Willy. The next two photos were actually taken during dinner!Congratulations Lisa and Bill! I hope you have a fantastic time in Hawaii.

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The Credits

Ceremony: Duquesne University Chapel

Reception Venue:
Edgewood Country Club

Flowers: Donati

Centerpieces: created by Lisa herself!

Lisa’s Dress: Ella Bridals from Exquisite Bride

DJs: Second II None Productions

Uplighting: Second II None Productions

Cake: Fenoglietto’s Bakery

This past Saturday was the long-awaited wedding of Julia and Chris. These two met as freshmen at Penn State and have been together for the long haul ever since.

The warm August day couldn’t have been more different than the last time I saw them! Saturday was a beautiful day all day long, with never a threat of rain. An ideal summer wedding day!

I began the day at Julia’s parents’ beautiful home in Pittsburgh’s South Hills.

Julia’s sister, Stephanie, and her mom, Rose, helped her get ready. These two were so wonderful, making sure Julia had everything she needed. Love Rose’s expression here as she sees her daughter transformed into a gorgeous bride.

Meanwhile, my assistant Alisa Innocenti was with groom Chris and some of his groomsmen. What’s so funny here? I have no idea.

Team Julia waits for her to make her descent…Julia and Chris were married at St. Mary of the Mount on Mount Washington. We took a few quick portraits outside the church. Julia’s perfect makeup by talented makeup artist (and Julia’s friend) Simone Jene.From Mount Washington, we drove over to Mellon Park. There was a wedding in process in the walled garden, but still many great photo locations elsewhere in the park.And I must add that Julia and Chris had a FANTASTIC bridal party. About 85% of them, like Julia and Chris, are Penn State grads. Coincidence? I think not. (Love you too, Pitt people… I’m married to a Pitt grad, so we share the love in my house.)

Love the bridesmaids’ dresses color!Photo by Alisa.Bride and groom portrait time! Julia and Chris scheduled ample time for photos between the ceremony and reception. That plus them being so incredibly happy and super gorgeous made for some very lovely portraits. Love these!Photo by Alisa.Getting the reception started at the LeMont! DJ Scott Miser of Magic Moments made sure everything ran smoothly. We were also joined by videographers Gordon and Barb Schu.First dance: “The Way I Am.”The LeMont of course has an amazing view of downtown Pittsburgh. Three of the four walls in the reception room are lined with windows. It can be a little tricky getting the lighting right in here so that you can see both the people giving toasts as well as the view outside – but it’s worth taking the time to get it right for a shot with this backdrop.Julia and Chris and Alisa and I stepped out for just a couple minutes for a few more portraits co-starring the lights of Pittsburgh. There are quite a few boats in the Allegheny River, perhaps trying to catch a glimpse of the preseason Steelers game that was going on at Heinz Field.Party time! Photo by Alisa.Julia’s mom, Rose, handmade this extraordinary quilt masterpiece as a gift for the newlyweds. What a treasure! Quilts play an important part in my family too, as my mom is a quiltmaker. (And also, Rose is from Italy, and my mom’s an Italian teacher, so I felt a special warmth for Rose immediately.)Now what’s Chris so happy about? I believe it was “Juke Box Hero.”I had a lot of favorite moments throughout the day, but these last two are way up at the top. First, Chris dancing with his charming grandmother Ida (to C. Lo’s “Forget You”). Ida had more dance partners. Right after I took this, she turned to me and said, “I’m dancing with my grandsons!” Awwww.Congratulations Julia and Chris! Wishing you an amazing honeymoon in Hawaii.

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The Credits

Reception Venue:
The LeMont

Ceremony: St. Mary of the Mount

Flowers: Mount Lebanon Floral Shop

Julia”s dress: Ysa Makino from Anne Gregory

Bridesmaids’ dresses: Jim Hjelm from Bridal Beginning

Videographer: Gordon Schu Productions

DJ: Scott Miser,  Magic Moments

Cake: Fenoglietto’s Bakery

Hair: Jackie Schwartzmiller

Makeup: Simone Shollito