Pittsburgh Marathon, bridal shower, meeting with their officiant, their cat needing emergency surgery, and the list goes on. It was so great to finally meet Mindy and Charlie! I had so much fun with them for their Mellon Park Engagement Session.

Below are a few of my favorites and some snippets of their story!

How did you meet?

Charlie and I met during the summer of 2013. I was an intern at Newport News Shipbuilding and he was working full-time. During that summer we worked in the same building so we got to know each other. I went back to school for my senior year and returned to Newport News Shipbuilding to start work full-time the next summer. We chatted some when I returned to work full-time and ended up getting together for a bike ride followed by dinner at Plaza Azteca (one of my favorite restaurants in town!). Our first official date, however, was at one of the taverns in Colonial Williamsburg, which is a place we love to go back to visit whenever we get the chance!

How did he propose?

Charlie tricked me when he proposed! It wasn’t totally unexpected; we’d talked about it and even gone to look at rings together, but I knew Charlie wanted to get my ring from a local Pittsburgh jewelry store, so I didn’t think he had the ring yet on the day he proposed.

Charlie proposed to me on September 30, 2017 (same weekend we’re getting married this year!). The first thing we did in the morning was to go for a bike ride followed by a trip up to Colonial Williamsburg for lunch (sounds familiar right!). After lunch we walked around Colonial Williamsburg and when we got to the lawn in front of the Governor’s Palace Charlie suggested we get a picture, so he snagged a walker-by to take a few pictures and that’s when he proposed.

The funniest part is, I still didn’t really get suspicious until the guy who was taking pictures for us tried to hand the camera back and Charlie asked him to take a few more.

What are you most excited about for your wedding day?

I’m most excited to finally get to marry Charlie!! We’ve talked about getting married and our future together and I can’t wait to see how our story continues! I’m so excited to share our day with all of our family and friends. I’m also excited to get to see everyone all together!

What is your favorite date night?

My favorite date night is cooking dinner together at home and having a movie night! We have a lot of fun cooking together and I love snuggling on the couch watching TV!

Thank you Mindy and Charlie!!!

m.e.

The post Mindy + Charlie | Engaged appeared first on Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Meaghan Elliott Photography Blog.

Today I am so excited to share this Pittsburgh Intimate Wedding with you!

I love the trend of smaller more intimate affairs. Bring it on!

So the groom? He’s my NEPHEW folks. Isn’t that insane?

And no, I’m not that old. Ha ha, actually I AM that old. But, I was a surprise, so my older 2 sisters are 10 and 11 years older than me. They got a head start on their families. So, this guy made me an Aunt in the big 5th grade. He was the first poopy diaper that I ever changed…. So he really helped me prepare for my current days as a mama. Thanks Jeremy. I owe you big time.

And these two are high school sweethearts. I love high school sweethearts! They made it through attending colleges in different states as well as when Jeremy spent time in another country. They really are an incredible couple. Super kind, loving, mature, and so much laughter. <3

So here’s a little bit of their love story for you!

How did you meet?

We met in high school! We were in marching band together.

How did he propose?

He planned it all out. We went to Disney World to visit my grandparents and see my sister. He made a photo scavenger hunt with prizes. For every two pictures we took, he would get me a dessert. The last picture was during the laser light show. He had my sister take the picture and he proposed.

What are you most excited about for your wedding day?

I’m excited that we are focusing on making the day about us. We get to celebrate us becoming husband and wife with our family there. I’m also excited for the party we are having in June to celebrate our marriage with all of our friends and family.

What do you love the most about your man?

I love how supportive he is. He supports me with everything I do and encourages me to try new things.

These two got the perfect Pittsburgh winter day… just before the crazy snow storm!

They loved Dave and Buster’s so we headed over for a few post wedding!

Thank you Jeremy and Morgan for having me! Love you guys!!!! Can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes you!

m.e.

Their team of vendors:

Caterer/Venue: The LeMont

Video: Francis Rocks Productions

Hair: Philip Pelusi (Robinson Mall)

Florist: A Floral Affair

Dress: MoriLee

The post Jeremy + Morgan | Married appeared first on Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Meaghan Elliott Photography Blog.

Chelsea + Scott!

Chelsea and Scott are the sweetest couple, and I was so excited to finally meet them! Chelsea’s mom grew up in Hawaii, and her family has been traveling to Kauai for YEARS. Her dad’s welcome toast had me in tears. It was so sweet to listen to him talk about watching Chelsea and her sister as toddlers walking in the sand in Kauai all the way through diving later on in teenage years. What a history and amazing memories in such a special place. And, her parents were also married on Kauai 35 years ago.

They rented a few houses up in Hanalei for the week. The ladies house on the left and the guys house on the right.

The cutest stationery, including a little gold pineapple paperclip. Kauai had been very cold (for Kauai) and rainy, but the sun decided to make an appearance for their wedding day, and it didn’t rain. It was perfect timing!

She had the most gorgeous dress. I LOVE the lace detail on the bottom!

Chelsea’s mom stitched the jewelry box. (The mountains of Hanalei.)

The necklace on the left is Chelsea’s and it is from her mom. Chelsea got her sister the same necklace as a gift. 

Presenting lei’s to her parents.

Scott getting ready! LOVED his jacket!

Scott presenting a lei to his dad.

Homemade Bouquets

The ladies actually did their own bouquets. I was super impressed! I thought they looked amazing. 

The First Look.

I love that they exchanged a note before they actually turned to see one another. There was a perfect little path for Chelsea to walk up to meet Scott! 

We only spent a few minutes at the beach for portraits. It was CRAZY windy. 

Waioli Huiia Church

After portraits around the houses, we headed over to the famous little Green Church in Hanalei, Waioli Huiia Church, for some more portraits.

They had their community group from church pray over them prior to the ceremony. It was amazing. Such powerful prayers and sweet friendships.

The Ceremony!

The 2 little 5 month old babies in the wagon were so funny during the ceremony!

Husband and Wife!

Wailua Shaved Ice during cocktail hour!

Thank you Chelsea and Scott for having me document your special day! I am so incredibly honored to have been there! I am so glad that God connected us!

m.e.

The amazing team of Vendors:

Ceremony: Wai’oli Huiia Church

Reception: Wai’oli Mission House

Planner: Lauren with Aloha Bridal Connections

Catering: Contemporary Flavors Catering

Cake: Pastry Studio Kauai 

DJ: Kustom Sounds Kauai

Ukelele: Kenny Rapazo

Flowers (Lei’s and Floral Crowns): North Shore Buds and Blooms

Hair and Makeup: Kauai Wedding Hair and Makeup

Rentals: Kauai Tent

Shave Ice: Wailua Shave Ice

Video: Sandy Swift

To see more like this:

Ryan and Emma

The post Chelsea + Scott | Married! appeared first on Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Meaghan Elliott Photography Blog.

When we moved to Pittsburgh, we met Felicia (Fe) at our church, Northway Oakland. She would watch all of the groups kiddos while we had small group. And, then she watched my kiddos 1-2 days a week, so that I could work! She has the most kind heart, and loved my babies so intentionally. When people love on your babies, it means the world.

So as it goes, Fe had to graduate from Pit and move on with her life. We were sad to see her go, but was so excited that she met Jay, and that I was able to capture their day for them! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for them! Enjoy their West Chester wedding photos!

Here are some of my favorites from the day, and a bit of their story!

I LOVE Fe’s dress, and her room was the PERFECT place to hang it.

So many perfect details from the plants, to the vintage ring, and the vintage hankies for her gals. 

How they met (Felicia’s Perspective)

We met through friends, but we weren’t set up. Jay always says “God set us up.” Friends of mine were hanging out with friends of his, and we were both invited to join. We met, talked for a few hours and the rest is history.

How did he propose?

He told me he was having lunch with his best friend and some other guys from our community group. So he set me up to hang out with his best friend’s wife. Little did i know he was setting up a trellis that he had built the day before before in my front yard and decking it out with flowers and lights. He came back and picked me up and took me home. We parked around the corner and as we walked up i could see something in my yard that didn’t belong there. He walked me up into my yard and reminded me of a promise he made to me on our first date that he wouldn’t propose in six months. This was seven months to the day. He got down on one knee and pulled out a ring pop (an inside joke for us) asked me to marry him, and then pulled out the real ring he had bought a few weeks before. Of course I said yes! and we celebrated with family and friends over dinner.

Jay and his guys! They had the most beautiful January day!

They did a sweet First Look. 

What do you love the most about your man?

What do you love the most about your wife?

What is your favorite date night?

What do you love to do together?

Love the guests praying over them!

Their fabulous team!

The post Fe + Jay | Married! appeared first on Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Meaghan Elliott Photography Blog.

I had this post about ready to go, and was going to share that this pretty mama was 39 weeks, and could have her baby at any minute. We just did these photos last Friday. You might remember this family from their Pittsburgh Family Session. They were headed to Cali, and ended back up here about a year ago! We’re so glad they’re back!

Well, she had baby Vienna this am! Now this sweet family of 3 is a family of 4!

She had me come over for a little last minute maternity session, and I wanted to share a few of my favorites from her Mt. Lebanon Maternity photos.

Vienna is their 2nd daughter.  Their first daughter Versailles is elated about becoming a big sister! She wanted a baby sister so badly! She has loved loving on our sweet Atlee, and now she has her very own baby sister.

Mommy and Versailles! These are the cutest. Also, Bek doesn’t look 39 weeks pregnant to me at all! 

We headed to Mt. Lebanon park for a handful of photos. It was the most beautiful winter day!

Bek is a gorgeous mama!

The sweet family of 3, and now 4!

Welcome to the world sweet Vienna!

Want to see more maternity photos?

m.e.

The post Baby Vienna appeared first on Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Meaghan Elliott Photography Blog.

Roger contacted me about his Pittsburgh proposal to Heather. They would be coming up from Florida for a visit, and she was a huge Steelers fan, so he wanted to do it downtown and in the city of her team. I love that people travel from everywhere for this team!

They were the sweetest! I always get so nervous for proposals! I seriously get butterflies!

Roger proposed in front of Heinz Field, and then we walked around for some photos.

It was super cold and nobody was really around. I just walked around pretending that I was taking photos of the city until they came through.

They  are the cutest!

Thank you Roger (and Heather) for having me for your Pittsburgh Proposal Photography!!! I love when guys get this documented!

Want to see another proposal?

m.e.

The post Pittsburgh Proposal! appeared first on Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Meaghan Elliott Photography Blog.

I have a sweet couple to share with you!  Fells Point has a special place in my heart, and so I love any chance to get back.

This time Josh and Ainsley came with me. Josh and I planned to have dinner at the Woodbury Kitchen as a belated Anniversary Dinner, and Ainsley was going to stay with good friends and their 4 girls for a slumber party, but when I got to the hotel after the session, Ainsley was a bit under the weather. So, Josh and I enjoyed a few beers in the bathroom of ur hotel room while Ainsley slept in our bed. #lifewithkids  Guess we’ll just have to come back again.

Back to Lauren and Billy. We started in Canton at Canton Waterfront Park, and then headed downtown shortly after.

Lauren and Billy are getting married next summer at the Sagamore Pendry Hotel. I can’t wait! It is going to be so beautiful! You’ll have to stay tuned to see their Sagamore Pendry Wedding! It’s a newer venue, and it’s gorgeous!

Meet Lauren & Billy!

By the way… Billy broke his toe the morning of our shoot!!! I felt so bad. He was in some serious pain. He was such a trooper!

How did you meet?

Billy and I met thanks to his sister-in-law Nicole. When I moved to Baltimore, I lived right next door to this fun couple and I would always see the wife in our courtyard and at the same barre classes. After a couple lady dates, I was so excited to have made such a good friend in this new city. One summer night she asked me to join her to drink some beers while she watched her friends and husband play softball… and thats the night I met Billy. They won the championship and he won my heart in a dance off in Claddaughs.

What are you most excited about for your wedding day?

I am most excited to truly marry Billy surrounded by our dearest family and friends. We have the greatest support and it means the world to have everyone come together to celebrate with us!

What do you love the most about Lauren?

She is very smart, motivated, and pretty easy going. She’s beautiful… inside and out.

Here’s their little sweet Dax. He had to make an appearance for photos! 

Quick stop at Gunther on the way to Fells… 

What do you love most about Billy?

He loves me ALL the time. Even when I’m hard to love… he loves me. He makes me laugh and allows me to be myself. Billy is the most patient, thoughtful, and supportive man and is always finding ways to surprise me. I know that forever with him will be the most fun and I will always feel cared for.  He is my favorite person and I am so lucky he picked me.

Lauren wanted to do a few night shots, which is always fun!

Love these with the Sagamore Pendry behind them.

Thank you Lauren and Billy!!!

The post Lauren + Billy | Engaged! appeared first on Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Meaghan Elliott Photography Blog.

Cait and Tom got married in 2013 at the AVAM in Baltimore (you can see their AVAM wedding here), and since then they have had two beautiful little kiddos! I actually got to photograph Chase as a little baby. I can’t believe he is already 3.5! And sweet little Ava is 18 months.

We met for photos at Cromwell Valley Park. It was gorgeous! The morning was a little drizzly… even though there wasn’t a chance of rain, but we shot anyways.

Let’s just talk for a minute about getting family photos. As a mom, it is one of the most stressful things ever (First World Problem though… Have to keep it in perspective). You spend time picking the perfect outfits, you pay a lot of money (that your hubby may or may not agree with), and you hope that your children are perfect little angels on that day. It’s SO MUCH PRESSURE.

And if you have kiddos, you know this is true. You can not control their mood. It’s impossible.

We just did our family photos last week, so I am speaking from experience. Atlee is usually really happy and chill, and smiley. Well, she was NOT AT ALL. Ainsley was in a mood… and Asher, he was great until he was done (after about 10 minutes in). As a mom, inside you are DYING, because the perfect family photos that you were dreaming of, are falling to shambles in front of your eyes, and you are thinking that there is NO WAY that the photographer got anything good.

BUT, there are always good ones, and honestly, I always end up loving our photos, because they really do capture who we are, and the imperfectness of our little family dynamic.

I know Cait was dying inside during their session. I know that Ava and Chase were not their normal selves. When they showed up Chase was crying in the car, and Ava just clung to her mama the entire session. It wasn’t what she envisioned, but Cait and Tom were cool as cucumbers, and we just went for it. <3 And there are some really sweet moments. Love this family so much!

Sweet Chase:

Chases imagination has really come to life in the last 6 months – it’s amazing to watch him in pretend play! Chase is curious and loving, but also stubborn and strong willed. Makes for a fun combo. Ha Ha

Sweet Ava:

Ava’s vocabulary is bursting at the seams, learning new words every week! She adores Chase and tickles from daddy. Ava is inquisitive, but doesn’t stray far from home base until she’s comfortable!

And a few of Cait and Tom.

You’d never know that Ava was clinging to Cait’s leg.

Thank you so much for having me. I adore your sweet little family!

m.e.

The post Sweet G Family! appeared first on Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Meaghan Elliott Photography Blog.

They got married at the Seasons at Magnolia Manor. It’s a new venue in the MD area. They had the most gorgeous fall day! It was overcast (but warm) all morning and just about an hour before things got started the sun came out.

Currently they are enjoying ITALY! So amazing!

Here are some of my favorites from the day… and some snippets of their love story!

How did you meet?

We met at Towson University our sophomore year of college. He was best friends with my “big” in my sorority. I had a date for one of our formals but my big thought Austin was really cute and that I should ditch my current date. So I did! I didn’t realize at the time but my original date had feelings for me and was very upset about the situation. He told me “I hope your new date is worth it.” Well…turns out he was.

How did Austin propose?

Austin proposed in the first apartment we shared together. Long story short, he wrote this AMAZING book for me.  He had it printed and bound and at the end of it asked me to marry him. However, the book that came was not at all what he had ordered. It ended up being a book of 13 year old twin ballerinas haha. So he finally got the new book and couldn’t wait any longer to ask me to be his wife that he did it the second we both got home from work! It was fun and very special. I cry every time I drive past our old apartment because it holds such precious memories for us.

What are you most excited about for your wedding day?

I am most excited for the intimate setting I get to marry my best friend and to have all our families and friends in one single place at one single time. All of these people mean so much to the both of us and to have everyone together makes my heart so happy.

What do you love the most about Austin?

Austin is such a genuine, loyal, and caring guy. He loves his family and friends to no end and it is so special to me to have someone that holds the same values as me.

What do you love doing together?

We like to have coffee in bed every morning, go to concerts, go to Austin’s parents beach house, and play frisbee with Brody. We also love going on evening walks in the neighborhood, dinner at our favorite restaurant, watching the office, and cooking dinner together.

After the ceremony we ran across the street for a few more photos.

What is your favorite date night?

Miss Twist ice cream! At least once or twice a week when we lived in Federal Hill we would take the dog for a walk after dinner and grab some Miss Twist. We always talked about if we got married that we would want her at our wedding and now we are so excited that we booked her!

Thank you Rachel and Austin for having me! Love you guys!

m.e.

And thank you to an amazing team of vendors!

Venue: Seasons at Magnolia Manor

Planner: Christine McFarlane

Florist: Scentsational Florals

Catering: A Taste of Life Catering

Bakery: Once Upon a Crumb

Hair & Makeup: Behind the Veil

Video: Black Tie Video

Bridal Dress: ICON Bridal by MoriLee

Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN by Jenny Yoo

Groom & Groomsman Attire: JoS. A. Bank

DJ/Live Music: Chris Diller

Jewelers: Nelson Coleman Jewelers

Ice Cream Truck: Miss Twist

The post Rachel + Austin | Married! appeared first on Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Meaghan Elliott Photography Blog.

They welcomed their sweet little guy in June. He’s a little miracle.

We actually had maternity photos scheduled, but Luke made an early appearance. Kristi was due on August 19th, but Luke came June 14th….

Here is a small snippet of their story:

Baby Luke

Luke is such a strong and sweet boy. He has overcome so many obstacles since he was born and we are amazed (and incredibly thankful) every day that the tiny baby born in June has grown into a strong and healthy boy. We love to see the wonder in his eyes as he takes in the world, how he curls up on our chests, or wraps his fingers around ours. We love his smile that is full of pure joy, and dreaming about who he will become.

If you are looking for some nursery inspiration, look no further! Luke has the cutest nursery = his mommy has great taste!

Luke’s personality is just starting to emerge, as he’s spending a little more time awake and engaging with us. He’s generally happy and content, and has a sweet disposition. He loves being held and cuddled, reading with Mom and Dad, hanging out with family, lifting his head during tummy time, and looking in the mirror and playing in his play gym.

We headed to the water for a few photos. This dock area is walking distance from their house. It is such a beautiful, peaceful little area. Baby boy took a little nap!

Some of my very favorites from our session. <3

Thank you Kristi and Nathan for having me document this chapter in your lives. Sweet Luke is adorable, and I am so encouraged by your strength as parents. Your faith is so inspiring! Love you!!!

m.e.

The post Baby Luke appeared first on Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Meaghan Elliott Photography Blog.