Jen & Jim's Wedding - St. Stanislaus Kostka and Shannopin Country Club - Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer Christina Montemurro

I’d been looking forward to Jen and Jim’s wedding ever since their engagement session last fall. At last, it was here! And it’s time for me to share some favorites and a little insight behind the scenes, too. I have to thank Erica Dietz for photographing this wedding with me – some of the photos below are Erica’s.

I began the day with Jen and her bridesmaids at her parents’ house, where Sara of Caviar and Curls was putting finishing touches on hair and makeup. I usually begin by photographing the bride’s dress and any other details she has. But you have to be flexible! When I arrived, Jen was in the makeup chair, and her mom and bridesmaids were all around her, sharing stories and many laughs. So I held off on the details, instead capturing some candids of the smiles and laughs. Then everyone took a break to eat – perfect opportunity for me to move on to photographing things instead of people.

I liked this spot for hanging the dress, but the existing lighting was a little flat. So I got a little creative, and put a flash inside a glass lantern, and pointed it up at the dress. That made this interesting pattern of light.
Jen’s nephews were pretty amazed by the whole experience!
Photographers love dresses with lots of buttons or a corset back. Gives us lots of time to move around and capture different angles!

So pretty! Love Jen’s dress from The White Orchid and how about that bouquet by Fox and the Fleur? Meanwhile, Erica was with Jim at the Westin.

When Jen and Jim were first dating, they lived on opposite sides of the city. The Strip District was in between and became their go-to meeting spot, so it was only fitting that they got married at St. Stanislaus, that iconic church at the end of Smallman Street.

I asked Erica to get a few photos of the exterior of the church. I love this one so much, because it captures so much of what the Strip is all about. You have the church building, of course, and two groomsmen standing outside to open doors for guests. But the Strip is a bustling marketplace, and I love that there’s also the produce truck, as well as a few random people sitting on the steps of the church.
This little ring bearer got a little waylaid on his way down the aisle and was delighted when he finally found someone he knew!

Jen and Jim’s reception was held at Shannopin Country Club, which is just outside downtown Pittsburgh. The forecast had predicted showers and overcast skies, but look what we got! So thankful.

That sky! Wow.

Love my silhouettes.
Jim’s a golfer. We may or may not have borrowed this club from a friendly golfer who was passing by.
Jen and Jim were very excited about their cocktail hour, which featured a steel drum band and some of the most amazing food I’ve ever eaten at a wedding. Seriously, the tuna tartare was out of this world. So while we easily could have spent hours exploring the golf course and taking advantage of the weather and scenery, we made sure to keep the photos moving along so we’d wrap up in plenty of time for them to mingle, eat and relax. The Shannopin ballroom looked amazing! Loved the pin spot lighting by EF Lighting.

Jen and Jim broke with cookie table tradition and instead had these gorgeous doughnuts and desserts by Signature Desserts. Don’t they look amazing?!

Their first dance, “You and Me” by Dave Matthews Band.

Speeches are always a favorite part of the day for me, and this wedding featured four amazing speeches. Honestly, even the blessing (not pictured) made me laugh. Before Father of the Bride Bob spoke, I did not know that Jen had once bungee jumped off a European skyscraper. Wow. Glad that went ok.

Jen and Bob busted out some fancy moves for their dance to “Do You Love Me?” by the Contours.

Dance party time! You know it’s going to be a great party with DJ Jeremy Ganss there, and this was surely a great party!

Congratulations, Jen & Jim! So happy for you both.