Zhanjie & Roger - Heinz Chapel & Union Hall/Bar Marco Wedding Photos {Pittsburgh Wedding Pho
Zhanjie and Roger's amazing same sex wedding at Heinz Chapel in Pittsburgh and reception at Union Hall at Bar Marco was probably one of my biggest highlights of this year! It was a day full of firsts for us and I couldn't have been more proud to have shared this day with the grooms. I truly loved everything about this day!
Zhanjie and Roger were referred to me by my friends over at Hot Metal Studio. I've long been a fan of their work and their family is super welcoming. Zhanjie was super set on having a film inspired look to his wedding photos at Heinz Chapel and Union Hall/Bar Marco, and while I always edit with film in mind, I often modernize the look by eliminating the grain or drastically reducing it. For this wedding, I kept the Portra edits true to look to resonate with Zhanjie's dream wedding photos.
We started our afternoon off at the couple's newly purchased home in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh. This charming neighborhood is a newer built one with tree lined streets and a nice overlook towards the hills prior to the Squirrel Hill Tunnel. After taking the detail and getting ready shots, we walked down the street to both views and captured some gorgeous portraits right in their neighborhood!
After a short drive (although we ran into a little bit of congestion in Oakland), we arrived early enough to grab more portraits outside of Heinz Chapel and inside of the Cathedral of Learning for more wedding photos. It's been years since I visited the Cathedral of Learning's cultural rooms, so I look forward to returning to explore the uniqueness of the building. While we waiting for Heinz Chapel's previous wedding to clear out, Roger's son joined us and we were able to get a few shots of the grooms outside of Heinz Chapel with their close friends.
When the moment arrived, we entered into Heinz Chapel for their wedding ceremony! Aside from being a same sex wedding, it was also a multi-cultural wedding self-uniting ceremony with two of their close friends reading passages in both English and Spanish. As the ceremony continued on after 5pm, the sun was shining through the gorgeous stained glass windows of Heinz Chapel and casted an incredible display of rainbows on the stonework inside. It was truly breath-taking and perfect for their ceremony! The duo said theirs vows in front of an intimate crowd filled with family and friends. As my first time being at Heinz Chapel for a wedding, it certainly did not disappoint!
We wrapped up wedding party portraits just outside of the back entrance of the Cathedral of Learning and headed over to Pittsburgh's Strip District to Union Hall at Bar Marco for their reception. I was super excited to finally see the location for their wedding reception and the set up! The space is a bright white room filled with modern pop-style abstract artwork and has an amazing copper ceiling. The duo decorated the space (with help by friends and family) in a clean and modern look. This same sex wedding reception at Union Hall/Bar Marco was full of life and great music! After toasts and dinner, Gavas Beat performed live for the guests to dance the night away with Latin and salsa beats! As a final hurrah, the grooms wanted a few quick nighttime portraits out on the bustling streets of the Strip District on Penn Ave. We ended the night after this portion and I couldn't have been more thankful for sharing the day with them! I loved everything about this multi cultural same sex wedding in some amazing parts of Pittsburgh at Heinz Chapel and Union Hall/Bar Marco! What an amazing opportunity to document their day. Thank you and congrats to Zhanjie and Roger!
Photographer: Lovas Photography (Rachel & David)
Ceremony: Heinz Memorial Chapel
Reception: Union Hall/Bar Marco
Suits: Surmesur.com
Cake: Jim Priory Fine Pastries
DJ: DJ Mateo
Band: Gavas Beat
