It was a big challenge for the families and bridal party to make it in and out of The Renaissance Hotel during the G20, but everything worked out and everyone finally arrived.

Their ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral was followed by a reception at Le Mont, which Candace an Matt chose to showcase the beauty of Pittsburgh’s skyline. Barb and I always enjoy working there – it’s a beautiful room and the staff and service are always efficient and professional.

It was drizzling most of the day and chilly, but the bridal party were good sports and forged outside at the West End Overlook. We had a lot of fun.

The Finesse Band with Sal Richetti, one of the top bands in the city were in rare form – they really sounded great and the guests responded – a super fun party and the end of a perfect day.

Le Mont provided their cake, Gordon Shu the videography, Bloomingdalia the florals, Molly’s Trolly the transportation and Candace’s gorgeous gown was a Stephen Yearick creation from Ann Gregory.

Candace and Matt just returned from what they said was an amazing honeymoon in Greece.

Slideshow follows:

Good Luck Ashley!

The first information given to judges about a contestant is contained in a fact sheet.  It contains a brief snapshot at the type of activities you enjoy, the highlights of your life, and other tidbits about you.  They know that my full name is Ashley Rebekah Duespohl, and I am competing for the title of Miss Pennsylvania because I am the current Miss Mercer County.  They know that I currently reside in Pittsburgh where I attend school at Duquesne University as a senior Biology major.  They then move on to read about my many achievements in scholastics, music, and dance, as well as my goal to pursue a career in medicine.  Or they can read about my two puppies who love to sing along when I play piano, or how I refuse to eat chicken, peaches, or cottage cheese.

But what the fact sheet cannot tell the panel is that I did not start competing in the Miss America Organization’s pageants until high school, beginning with the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen local in Butler my sophomore year of high school.  One of the greatest benefits of  the pageants at that age was the amount of public speaking and interview practice that would be nearly impossible to have otherwise.  The ability to speak one’s mind in front of an audience of hundreds as well as a panel of judges is something that very few public speaking courses could offer.  And the interview experience in front of a panel that can ask nearly anything within reason prepares that contestant, and prepared myself, to have a competitive edge in interviews in the job market.  The comfort and ease at which I can now walk into job interviews with is incredible, and I cannot give credit for that to anything other than my pageant experiences.

Along with all of the amazing experience that pageantry offers, it also lends itself to the humorous or embarrassing stories.  One of the facets of competing in the pageant world is learning and experiencing the wonder that is, for lack of a better term, known as “butt glue.” There are so many varieties that different contestants prefer, from the roll-on body glue to super glue, most of which should never touch skin.  My personal preference is the 3M Multipurpose Adhesive, which clearly states on the label to avoid any skin contact.  During the week we rehearse many times in full dress and make-up, which includes spraying on the glue to hold a swimsuit in place.  This glue is fabulous because when you spray it on Tuesday morning for rehearsal, your swimsuit still stays in place for the competition Saturday night without a re-application!  Fabulous! Right?  It would seem that way, until you put on your Span (another wonderful invention by the way) then they stick to you just as well as your swimsuit did.  Then when you finally peel those back off, the sweat pants that you put on to relax and go to bed, Yup! Those will be stuck too.  It is one of those embarrassing and slightly awkward stories to explain because you think that if you spray the glue on, you would know how to get it back off.  That is not always the case, and it especially is not mine, and two years later after first falling in love with how well it holds, I am left to question why even Goo-Gone does not remove it.

I think the greatest part of competing in the pageants is how many great friends that I have made throughout my years of competing.  I have met girls who live throughout the state who are some of my best friends.  This also has to be my favorite aspect of the competition because as cheesy and sappy as it sounds, win or lose, no matter what you have your friends to talk about the day with afterward.  The bond that you form with each other backstage during the pageant is unbelievable, and anyone who becomes involved even if only competing in one pageant will form lasting friendships with everyone there.

In order to compete girls should know that the directors are there to help.  If interested in competing, they can go to the Miss Pennsylvania website (www.MissPA.org) and find a local pageant that interests them, or that is close to their home.  Most of the local’s have their own websites, and the director’s e-mails are also available on the website.  The local executive directors are willing to help and give any information and advice necessary to those interested in competing.
This year, the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant is being held in Pittsburgh at the Syria Mosque on June 24, 25 & 27th.  For more information:  http://www.misspa.org/tickets.htm

We enjoy photographing weddings and watching two  people start a new family;  young couples with their brand new babies;  young families busy with activities; parents of teenagers steadying themselves to let them loose alone; (yeah, that pretty much describes me!) and finally, proud grandparents with growing clans.  We are constantly reminded how quickly each of these stages pass.

Check out these 2 little doll faces!

We learned of the  event when we were contacted by friends Adam & Jake Miller.  They are both active in the local Teens for the Cure chapter, which helped collect and organize donations for the event’s raffle.

Each Philip Pelusi salon worked as a team to create a timeless look for their models – every one representing a different decade.  The transformation of the models was incredible – see for yourself!  As impressive, was the spirit of cooperation and the dedication that it took to put this show together and make it work.  And work it they did!

The one morning that I venture out on the Bike trail without Steve, I get propositioned. I am not making this up. Steve was golfing with his photography buddies this morning and Kate needed to be picked up from rowing practice at 9 am. Perfect, I thought, I will head to the river a little early, take a quick ride downtown and swing back around to pick her up from practice.

As I rounded the corner from PNC Park to Heinz Field, I noticed this eccentric looking boat moored along the river. How cool, I thought – that boat has every fun piece of outdoor equipment known to man attached to it. A bike, a sailboat, a canoe, a kayak and a grill, paddles and a boat motor. The owner, Warren (not his real name, but that is how I will refer to him) was a few feet away chatting with a couple of police officers that were parked in a van. He looked, well, pretty much like the boat. How much more harmless could the situation possible be, right? Wrong. I made my scheduled turn around at Heinz Field and decided to ask if I could take some photos of the boat, and Warren said ‘Sure’. I asked him where he was going and he said, ‘New Orleans.’ I asked where he was coming from and he said ‘Warren, PA’. (Hence the name).

I snapped a few photos on my cellphone and that’s when it happened. Warren yells at the top of his lungs (cops by his side) – ‘Open the door and go inside – you can take some pictures of my bed – and then get in it!’

‘Nice try, Warren!’ I screamed back -at that same time I jumped on my bike and peddled away as fast as I could and never looked back.

I hope Warren has a safe trek down the river to New Orleans. I am sure he will be fine – since it’s clear that he is one smooth operator.

Downtown Pittsburgh taken with my Iphone.

We hit the bike trail yesterday morning before it got too hot. It’s been great to get out and do some riding again and after this past week, a nice break to clear our heads a little.

The light just after dawn was beautiful, which got me thinking a bit about questions I receive at almost every wedding, which usually begins with “what lens do you suggest for my digital SLR? I’m not happy with my photographs – they all look like snapshots”.

My answer usually starts with “it’s not really about the lens, it’s the light that makes a great picture.”

On the other hand, the zoom lens that comes with most digital SLR’s is a poor compromise and I always suggest that the next purchase should be, first, a removable flash and secondly, a 50mm 1.8 lens that can be had for around $100. It’s one of the best investments you can make to improve your photographs.

A fast lens lets in up to 8 times as much light as most consumer zoom lens at it’s widest aperture, allowing you opportunities to photograph in natural light without flash – try increasing your ISO to 800 and set your aperture to 1.8. You’ll be amazed at the results.

Using on camera flash, especially the little pop-up flashes on digital SLR’s is a sure fire way to make your subjects look flat – the deer in the headlights look. A removable flash allows you to move your flash head to bounce your flash off a wall, ceiling or reflector and will dramatically improve your photographs, giving them more of a 3 dimensional look.

If you can, photograph during the “sweet light”,  just after sunrise or just before sunset.

It doesn’t take a sophisticated camera to make a great photograph during these times – like my little 2 megapixel Iphone camera.

We celebrated tonight by attending Kerrumba, a night of dancing, dinner and auctions to benefit the elementary school that David, Nina and Kate attended. Truly the best part of the evening was seeing so many old friends that were a part of our everyday life when the kids were little. Teachers, principals, and neighbors all let their hair down and mingled for a great cause. Steve and I left the party a little early, because we have an early start tomorrow morning.

We are really looking forward to Shalini & Jim’s wedding. We’ll begin at the Westin with the ladies getting ready, head to Heinz Chapel for the ceremony and celebrate with the newlyweds back at the Westin. I can just imagine what must be going through their heads tonight as they dream about their wedding day – tomorrow!

I am excited about getting back into wedding mode! We have a few things planned for blog postings and our newsletter this season. I will focus on all of the beautiful wedding details that make each couple’s day special (with photographs and buying guides); and I will be starting a special feature just for wedding guests. Look for that soon, as well as a link to subscribe to our newsletter next month.

Steve and I are really blessed to work with the top wedding vendors in the city. I will share with you our thoughts on the best of the best over the coming weeks. This will give us a chance to thank our favorite vendors while letting you know who we love and why.

This week, I will start with Wedding Venues, specifically, The Omni William Penn Hotel. Steve and I have photographed events in every ballroom and reception room in the hotel and the experience is always the same – fabulous food, fabulous service and a beautiful location. When you walk into the lobby it is easy to see why couples choose the Omni for their receptions, and in some cases, their ceremonies as well, (Johanna & AJ and Sarika & Sri come to mind.) The elegant details of the hotel speak of a time gone by, but the hotel glitters as if it were brand new. You are greeted at the door (always) by a friendly bellman offering assistance.

To find out more about the hotel, I asked an expert, Lora Peluso, Director of Catering and Conference Services. According to Lora, “The Omni William Penn has been a premier location for wedding and special events since it opened in 1916. Our weddings are custom designed with our brides and we have 3 ballrooms and unique rooms such as the Bob and Delores Hope Room, and Lawrence Welk Room for smaller affairs.”

I think that the following rave review of the Hotel by Lora will convince you that the Omni should be at the top of your venue list too! This makes me want to check myself in for a few days of pampering.

What is your favorite part of working at the Omni William Penn?
Besides the spectacular space, it is the staff. The Staff of the William Penn takes such pride in working here and it shows in how we serve our guests. They work with passion, and care, and it shows.

What is your favorite dish on the catering menu?
Our Culinary team is so creative it is hard to select just one. We are constantly updating our menu to incorporate the latest food trends. My personal favorite is the lavender scented lamb chops. They are fabulous!!!

Can you tell me which reception room is your favorite, and why?
All of our rooms are unique which is what makes hosting an event here so great. The Grand Ballroom along with the Urban Room are spectacular. However, the William Penn Ballroom, which is on the lower level actually provides a beautiful backdrop for a wedding, with 10 chandeliers but a lower ceiling than the Grand Ballroom, it sparkles and provides a warm and inviting setting. The ballroom will be renovated soon to update the colors and make it flow with the rest of the hotel.

Are you allowed to share with us the name of any famous guests that have stayed at the Omni that may surprise us?
It may surprise you to know that every president since FDR has been in our ballroom. Charles Lindberg was hosted here after his famous flight. The William Penn’s archive of pictures is pretty impressive. Most recently, Bon Jovi, Oprah, Keith Urban, Wayne Gretzky, Brett Favre, Bishop Desmond TuTu, the list can continue……

Tell us one time that you feel that the staff went above and beyond the call of duty to make someone’s stay memorable?
Our staff is truly amazing. A grandmother of the Groom forgot her insulin medicine. She remembered during the wedding reception. It was late and most pharmacies were closed. Our Front desk people assisted in finding a late night pharmacy, which is not as easy as you might think in Pittsburgh. However, so as not to interrupt the guests at their reception, our security staff drove to the pharmacy and picked up the medication for the grandmother. They never had to ask. One guest was late for a meeting and left her car with the doorman. As it turned out, the car was almost out of gas and would not make it to the woman’s next meeting; she wanted to know the nearest gas station. When she came out of her meeting, and called for her car, it was there for her and the tank was full. Our doorman and the valet staff took it upon themselves to take care of the guest. These are stories that the guests write to the GM and Omni Corporate about our staff.

Finally, of all the magnificent places to hold a wedding in Pittsburgh, Why do you think that couples should choose the Omni for their wedding celebrations?
The Omni William Penn stands for timeless elegance and beauty. The William Penn staff creates memories. What bride doesn’t want to be introduced from the Balcony under glittering chandeliers? If you ask the people of Pittsburgh, where they would want to be, they will tell you – The William Penn.

For more information about booking your wedding or event at The Omni William Penn Hotel contact their wedding specialist at 412-281-7100 or visit their website.