I’ve been waiting until Leann and Jason returned from their honeymoon in Hawaii to post their photographs and publish their blog post, but knowing that Jason would have his Iphone with him and be “wired”, I beamed them over a little slideshow before they got back. Like Jason, I have to admit to my left-brain’s addiction to gadgets and watches although maybe not as hard core - I wasn’t interviewed by KDKA in line at the Apple Store at 4AM.

It was an amazing wedding weekend at Nemacolin Woodlands resort, starting with a rehearsal dinner at Mulligans at Mystic Rock. The party on Friday continued with Casino Night - a special event for their friends and family with real casino slot and table games. It was so much fun with baskets and prizes for the play money winners.

The guys began wedding day with a round of golf at Mystic Rock golf course, one of the top courses in the country, while the ladies primped at the Spa.

The weather was a little questionable that morning, but the rain held off and Leann and Jason said their vows on the beautiful plaza courtyard deck overlooking the property.

A reception followed in the Grand Ballroom - the room was beautifully decorated by Something New Florals from Canfield Ohio.

Leann looked just amazing in her Kenneth Pool gown. It was gorgeous.

No Bad Juju, a fantastic band, provided the reception entertainment, while Creative Cakes, who always come up with unique and beautiful designs, really outdid themselves.

Here’s a highlight story of Leann and Jason’s incredible wedding weekend.

Slideshow

Married July 29, 2006 at St. Raphael’s & the Westin, Antonette & Joe are now living in Pittsburgh, PA. (Check out their wedding images!)

I THOUGHT TIME FLEW WHEN WE WERE DATING AND ENGAGED….BUT HOLY COW DOES IT FLY EVEN FASTER ONCE YOU ARE MARRIED. WE BOTH WORK *A LOT* AND THE WEEKS AND MONTHS JUST FLASH BY. WE HAVE 7 NIECES AND NEPHEWS BETWEEN US AND WE ARE ALWAYS BUSY WITH BIRTHDAYS, PARTIES & GAMES.
What is the best part about being married?
IT MAKES YOUR RELATIONSHIP “OFFICIAL” (WOW, I HOPE THAT DOESN’T SOUND CHEESY!!). YOU REALLY ARE A “TEAM.” NOW AND ALL OF THE DECISIONS ARE FOR THE TWO OF YOU–EVEN IF IT’S JUST LITTLE THINGS LIKE WHAT COLOR TO PAINT THE BATHROOM. EVERYTHING WE DO IS “TOGETHER” AND AS A TEAM. IT’S A DIFFERENT KIND OF TOGETHER THAN WHEN YOU ARE DATING OR ENGAGED. EVEN THE LITTLE THINGS ARE “TEAMWORK”. WE ARE SO MUCH BETTER TOGETHER THAN WE EVER WERE APART- WE HELP EACH OTHER STICK TO OUR GOALS- -FOR EXAMPLE- –I.E. WHEN ONE OF US ISNT UP TO GOING TO THE GYM, THE OTHER PUSHES AND WE KEEP TO OUR COMMITMENT TO GO NO LESS THAN 3 DAYS A WEEK.
FOR OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WE WENT TO ITALY. WE STARTED IN THE NORTH AND WORKED OUR WAY SOUTH VIA THE TRAINS AND SPENT OUR LAST 5 DAY’S IN MY PARENT’S VILLAGE IN THE SOUTH OF ITALY SUCH AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR US BOTH- GETTING BACK TO OUR ROOTS AND SEEING WHERE MY PARENTS GREW UP. WE EVEN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A PHOTO AT THE ALTAR IN THE CHURCH WHERE MY PARENTS MARRIED 42 YEARS AGO!
IT WAS A VERY, VERY BUSY FIRST YEAR AND I HAVE TO PINCH MYSELF TO REALLY BELIEVE THAT IT IS ALMOST TIME TO CELEBRATE OUR 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, AND THAT WE HAVE A BABY ON THE WAY! THIS YEAR FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY WE ARE GOING TO GO TO CHICAGO FOR A LONG WEEKEND - SEE A SHOW, DO SOME SHOPPING AND TRY TO CATCH A CUBS GAME.
WE ARE ALSO HOUSE HUNTING- BUT THAT HAS BEEN A SLOW PROCESS….WE ARE BEING PICKY BECAUSE WE DO LOVE THE TOWNHOUSE WE ARE IN, BUT WE’VE QUICKLY OUTGROWN IT! IT’S SUPPOSEDLY A “BUYER’S MARKET” BUT WE HAVEN’T FALLEN IN LOVE WITH A HOUSE ENOUGH YET TO WANT TO BUY IT! PLUS, WE ARE SO BUSY THAT SOMETIMES A FEW WEEKS GO BY AND WE HAVEN’T FOLLOWED UP OR HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK OUT ANY LISTINGS…WE DO NEED TO GET MOVING ON THIS..WE’D LIKE TO MOVE BEFORE OUR LITTLE BABY MAKES HIS OR HER DEBUT!
WE HAVE FRIENDS IN DIFFERENT CITIES THROUGH OUT THE U.S.- WHICH ALSO KEEPS US BUSY. AND IT’S HARD TO STAY IN TOUCH W/ EVERYONE- THANK GOD FOR E MAIL!!! WE JUST SPENT A WEEK IN MEXICO WITH OUR JOE’S BEST FRIEND FROM CHILDHOOD- FRANK AND HIW WIFE STACI AND THEIR LITTLE GIRL AVA- - THEY LIVE IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND AND WE TRY TO MEET UP AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. WE ALSO HAVE GOOD FRIENDS IN SAN DIEGO , TORONTO, AND WASHINGTON D.C.

In a beautiful ceremony and reception at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, Elizabeth and Derek were married on June 14th.

I’ve incorporated a few audio clips just to give you a feel for how much fun everyone had, from getting ready to the end of the party.

Elizabeth surprised Derek with a limo ride from home with the guys - a great group of friends and family who are, well, colorful and fun.

If your favorite salon and makeup artist travel, I always recommend using that service. It’s just one less thing to worry about, especially if Kenny Chesney is in town - it was sure busy downtown and it was nice to have everything in one place.

The Renaissance is a beautiful hotel with an old world feel, yet not stuffy. It has some awesome locations for photographs. Tony Lee, the wedding and special events manager is fantastic. He takes great care of his clients and always does something special for them ( I don’t want to give out any of his secret surprises).

It usually takes a while for families on both sides to get to know each other and integrate, but Elizabeth and Derek’s families have become so close, even before they were married.

Elizabeth has a great sense of humor - she’s such a pleasure to be around. And, she can do that look - fashion passion. Derek’s just a sweet guy - warm and open - and a lot of fun to be around.

Elizabeth’s beautiful gown was a Casablanca creation, cake by Bethel Bakery, florals from Alison McGeary and DJ Spike’s always a lot of fun and has a great feel for the crowd.

Turks and Caicos was their honeymoon destination - some place I’ve always wanted to visit.

Congratulations!

It is hard to believe that winter is officially behind us and tomorrow we start the 2008 wedding season!

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.

The Top 10 Wedding Venues in Pittsburgh

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.

One of our favorite weddings this past fall was the marriage of Jennifer and George. Steve and I really enjoyed their company.

George is a homicide detective in the city and Jennifer is a lawyer who volunteers countless hours with law students doing mock trials. They are healthy, full of energy and it was obvious to us how much they care for each other.

On Friday, George was injured in the line of duty. We are praying for his quick recovery to full health and that his wife, Jennifer and their families find additional strength to get them through this difficult time.

We believe in the power of prayer and positive thinking, so please keep these newlyweds in your thoughts.

Spring is in the air and Barb and I are excited about the start of wedding season. We’ve spent most of the winter in our cave, working on album designs and planning for the upcoming season.

We do really need the down time to recharge the batteries after a long wedding season, but we’re starting to feel that surge of energy and excitement for out first wedding of the season on April 5th.

This is the time of year when all of our couples are beginning to finalize their wedding plans - there are so many details and decisions that it seems to be an impossible task. Here’s a few ideas to get you started on your journey.

Planning a wedding can be a stressful undertaking - we joke that it’s like book camp training for marriage - vows, readings, religion, guest lists, family issues, bridal party decisions, cake, flowers, transportation, photography, wedding dress, bridal party dresses and tuxes, invitations, itinerary, honeymoon - and you and your fiance may have very different ideas, requiring some compromise.

One of the most important decisions revolves around the color scheme for your wedding. You can’t shop for a cake, bridesmaid dresses, tuxes or flowers without having a firm color scheme in mind.

Some brides have a favorite color and know beforehand that their color scheme is going to be based on the favorite color.

If you don’t have a color scheme in mind or a favorite color, don’t dismay, there’s lot of help available online.

Here are the hot, trend-setting colors for spring of 2008.

Fall is typically a time of muted colors but this year is seeing cool hues with bright undertones.

Your color scheme really revolves around your gown. if you’ve selected an ivory, vintage gown with needle lace and button back closure, you may enjoy pastels and neutrals that suit a 1930’s vintage or garden wedding or perhaps Martha Stewart’s more subdued color palette.

If your style leans more towards diamond white A-Line or Empire Waist gowns, investigate some of the more fun and playful palettes like black and white, aqua, lime green and coral.

Your venue’s architecture and ambiance may play a part in your color scheme selection.

Sherwin Williams has a fun online tool to help you select complementary colors - just click “find a color”, select your primary color and it chooses two complimentary selections.

Have fun with your wedding planning and know that everything will work out. Take one thing at a time. You’re wedding is going to be beautiful and all of your family and friends will have a wonderful time while celebrating the beginning of you new life together.