Sacred Heart & Twentieth Century Club Wedding | Sophie & Ben
This ceremony has to be one of my favorites. First, Sacred Heart in Shadyside is an absolutely beautiful church. The chapel off the main sanctuary just lights up when the sun hits the stained glass. Sophie & Ben’s ceremony started off with the bells being rung. They rang so loudly you could feel it in your chest. Then the a cappella choir began. It was solemn and beautiful.
The rest of the day was so much fun. Their wedding party (which consisted of their siblings) were a blast to work with, and we ended up with great lighting around the church for photos. We finished with some classic shots at their venue, the Twentieth Century Club. I’ll let the images tell the story!
Vendors:
Invitations: Dinglewood Design & Press
Church: Sacred Heart
Church florals: Passiflora
Reception: The Twentieth Century Club, Pittsburgh
Cake: Homemade
Reception florals: Gidas Flowers
Band: Bachelor Boys Band
Dress: Bridal Beginning Pittsburgh Designer: Lea-Ann Belter Bridal
Shoes: Badgley Mischka Bride
Veil: Handmade by grandma! <3
Hair & Makeup: AtHome Beauty Studio
Suit: Brooks Brothers
The Wedding Advice I’d Give You After Photographing Weddings for 13+ Years
After photographing weddings for more than a decade, I have seen a LOT.
Perfectly planned timelines. Timelines that immediately went off the rails. 90-degree ceremonies. Snow. Missing boutonnieres. Champagne explosions. Veils with minds of their own. Flower kids who absolutely refused to participate.
And some really, really incredible wedding days.
So if you're planning a wedding in Pittsburgh, here's the advice I wish I could give every couple before their wedding day:
First Look or No First Look?
First looks are one of those wedding decisions the internet has somehow turned into a VERY BIG DEAL.
So, should you do one?
My deeply unsatisfying photographer answer is:
It depends.
I'm not going to tell every couple they need a first look because it's "better for photos."
Your wedding isn't a photoshoot, remember?
But after photographing weddings for years, there are definitely situations where I think a first look makes the day significantly easier.


How to Actually Get Candid Wedding Photos (Without Pretending Your Photographer Isn’t There)
Tips for real weddings.