A few years back I started working at an all vegan restaurant. I had been craving a change in my life. This was it. You know when you start a new chapter in your life and can feel in your bones how much good is going to follow it? Working there led to so many transformations both big and small. One of those shifts was how I thought about other woman. Before that time I’ll admit I was usually pretty closed off to having any girlfriends and never wanted to connect to other women. But during my time working there my entire perspective changed. I some how spontaneously gained a tribe of amazing and unique ladies who all had something different to offer the world. One of those women was Kate.
Kate and Chad are kind people; the type of people who go out of their way to spread compassion to anyone who might cross their path.
They met while Kate was managing a community program that paired adults with children so that they can read and spend time together. Chad was a volunteer “reading buddy”. After some urging from coworkers Kate invited Chad out to get drinks. For their first date they met up at Kelly's Bar in East Liberty PA. And by their second date Chad had won Kate over through cooking a homemade dinner from the popular vegan cookbook, Thug Kitchen.
Chad and Kate proved that short engagements and rapid wedding planning can work, if you are willing to let those that love you help. Chad proposed this past July in the Allegheny National Forest and by October they were saying I do! I’m pretty sure this is secretly every girl’s wedding goals, less time to be stressed and more time to feel blessed.
It really was a collective effort. Their fathers married them during a meaningful ceremony. A good friend made the gorgeous bouquet and hairpiece along with playing her cello during the ceremony. SaludPgh and Campfired catered some delicious plant based Caribbean food and vegan pizza as appetizers. Friends and family brought pies in lieu of cake. The day really felt more like a large family gathering than a wedding.
Witnessing everyone come together for these two sincerely joyful people truly gave so much more significance to the entire wedding day and I am so grateful Jp and I were a part of it!
Photography: Liz Capuano Photography/Second Shooter JohnPaul Janicki
Venue: Sewickley Hills Borough Building
Caterer: SaludPgh + Campfired
Cellist: Iron City Cello
Bouquet+Hair Piece: Rachel Smith
Hair/Make-Up: Sean's Signature Salon
Dress: Lulus