Laura and Mark’s Awesome Wedding

Hi!  On Friday, one of my best friends, Laura, got married!  She married a lovely man named Mark whom she met on a blind date set up by some Administrators at work.  Mark and Laura both work at the University of Pittsburgh.  Mark works with Pitt Womens’ Basketball and Laura is a Clinical Instructor and Aerobics Coordinator working on her PhD.  They were both nervous about going on a blind date, but obviously, things worked out.  Also, the matchmakers were both able to come to the wedding!  You, blog readers, might remember them from their engagement session.

I have known Laura since we were 13 and in middle school.  She was cooler than me then, and she is cooler than me now!  haha  Here are some images from her gorgeous and fun wedding.

Laura and her bridesmaids spent their morning at the The Spa at Nail Galleria in the Omni William Penn.  She then went to her parents’ home to get ready.  I had been to her house many times while growing up, but I’d never been in several rooms in her house as they belonged to her older sisters!  Since her sisters are married with homes of their own, Laura got ready in one of these rooms.

Laura and Mark had a “first look” meeting before the ceremony.  We took these in this beautiful area next to the church’s school.  Laura and I worked on some bridal portraits before Mark arrived.

When Mark came out to meet her, he was all smiles….and so was she!

We had a great portrait session!

The rest of the bridal party joined us so we took all of the necessary shots.  After the ceremony, we took a few family shots and headed to the reception.  I think it s great when a couple can attend their cocktail hour.  Friends and family have come so far to see the wedding and its great spend the wedding day with the people you’ve invited.

This beautiful pin attached to Laura’s bouquet belonged to Mark’s grandmother.

The light was perfect just before they got on the limo bus to go to the reception.  This is a seriously gorgeous couple!

Their first dance.

Laura is a aerobics/pilates/yoga/everything/dance instructor and personal trainer.  During the line dances, you could hear Laura giving instructions and encouragement to the guests.  Mark turned and said to me “Look, Laura is turning this into a dance class.”  He loved it.

Now it was Mark’s turn to lead.

My absolute favorite moment of the whole day.  Laura was singing “Boom Boom Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas right into my camera.  This is totally her personality!  I laughed so hard that my abs hurt when I saw this next image on my camera’s screen.

Laura is always the life of the party.  She was in a dance-off with Ryan’s brother, Chris when Ryan and I got married. And this one was definitely “I’m so 3008 – you so 2000-late!”

But things were so fun and easy all day!  The party went late into the night…..

Laura was so happy at the end of the night!  Congratulations Laura and Mark!  I love you!

Ceremony: St Therese in Munhall
Reception: Cefalo’s
Flowers: Plants and Flowers by Lisa
Salon: Spa at Nail Galleria – Owner, Michelle Yaksich
Entertainment: Jankowski DJ: 412.761.7077
Transportation: Tortorice Limo