Weddings

Viktorija and Michael’s Wedding at the Heinz History Center Sports Museum

Viktorija and Michael met years ago when they were in college.  They were good friends with many mutual friends, but went their separate ways upon graduation.  All of their friends thought that they should have dated, but they did not.  A few  years ago, Michael was looking for an old friend in an alumni database when he came upon Viktorija’s sister’s name.  He emailed Marija to say “hello” and see how her family was doing.  Marija passed along Michael’s new contact information to Viktorija.  Viktorija emailed Michael and they agreed to meet “at 9pm in the lobby of the Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel for libations.”  When they met, they both knew that they had just reconnected with their future spouse.

They celebrated their wedding celebration last weekend at the  Heinz History Center.  I absolutely love the Heinz History Center, my favorite part being the exhibits in the The Great Hall at the Heinz History Center.

Vik and Michael arrived together with their families for some portraits before the ceremony.  Here we are on the 6th floor in a beautiful space.

They are both just lovely. 

I do love this trolley.  I photographed it extensively from the opposite side last fall when I was here for Alison and Paul’s wedding.

This is the theater in the Heinz History Center Sports Museum where they would exchange their vows a few hours later.

Together they greeted their guests and enjoyed their cocktail hour with music from Steven Vance – European Band.

At 7pm, it was show time and everyone moved upstairs to the Sports Museum to watch a video that Viktorija and Michael had created about their families’ lives.  Video production by  Video Masters of Pittsburgh.
I like how everyone is smiling (and later crying) while watching.

Vik and Michael watched from above.

Together they made their way down to the waiting crowd.  Photo by Ryan.

How can you not love a wedding where everyone waives a Terrible Towel when you arrive?  Well, I guess if  you’re not a Steelers fan.  This was also hilarious because Vik’s family is from Cleveland (I did catch her mom, Petronela, waiving a Terrible Towel.  Busted!!!).

Reverend Mark gave a beautiful ceremony.

When Rev. Mark asked for the rings, Vik’s parents, Petronela and Vencel gave a fake ring as a joke.  They thought it was hilarious (it was).

Vik and Michael enter the Great Hall.  Photo by Ryan from his favorite perch.

When they entered the reception, the new celebrities autographed these footballs.

And threw them to a few lucky guests.

After a great dinner by Common Plea, DJ Kelli Burns played their first dance song.

Michael and his mom, Denise.

Awwww.

What is better than one wedding cake? Well, 9 cakes, of course.  These cake centerpieces are by Creative Cakes by Gwen.  The theme of each cake is a significant part of their relationship.  At each table, the cake was cut by the couple who has been married for the longest amount of time.  (I heard that the Snickers cake tasted like Snickers!)

Congratulations, Viktorija and Michael!  I wish you many happy years together.

I'm Randi Voss, a professional wedding and portrait photographer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I specialize in photographing fun, happy weddings working throughout the wedding day as both a photojournalist and a portraiture artist. Have a look around my blog to see what I've been doing lately, both personally, and professionally, and get to know me better. View the Galleries to see some of my favorite photos. Leave a comment to let me know your thoughts. Sincerely, Randi

7 Comments

  • Nina

    OMG! First I LOVE this venue. LOVE. I LOVE her dress…love. And please… those cakes… are you kidding. Best thing I’ve ever seen. Amazing! Great shots Randi!

  • Maura Minteer

    Randi, you really captured this unique and historic wedding in grand style!! Viktorija and Michael will go down in history as the first couple ever married in the Sports Museum! Special thanks to Anne Madarasz, Director of the Sports Museum, for giving us the go-ahead, Brad Burmeister, Eric Picard and Gretchen Breslawski who synched up the videos and brought this creative bride’s idea concept to life. Love the picture of her mom wiping tears with the terrible towel!! So glad you were on this wedding, thank you!

  • Viktorija

    Randi,
    These pictures are grand..Michael and I extremely enjoyed working with you. It all came together thanks to everyone who was involved:)Michael is so handsome, inside and out! He loves the action shot of him throwing the ball! It is hard to pick a favorite, and that problem is a good problem to have. We can’t wait to see the album!

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