Colleen+Brett | A Vintage City Elopement in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, PA
When Colleen+Brett reached out to me last month about eloping in Pittsburgh on a spring day in May, my heart skipped. It was a much needed inquiry during the midst of this pandemic. From their initial email, I knew they were my people. Their guests? Their three dogs. The location? A park near their home in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Lawrenceville.
Colleen and Brett first met through Tinder while Brett was in-between fishing seasons. After some time spent trying to coordinate a first date, they eventually met at the now closed Pittsburgh cocktail bar, Tender. Brett said “I knew I found a good one when she essentially ordered everything on the food menu for us to share.” Colleen recalls two events that lead her to know she was in love with Brett. One being their long relaxed two day dates in-between Brett’s fishing trips, filled with lingering meals and just being themselves. The other was a much less luxurious experience but still meaningful nonetheless. On their second date Brett took it in stride when Colleen’s late dog Felipe fell asleep on his head. Even though Felipe’s teeth were rotting which led to very stinky breath, Brett accepted him as he was and didn't make him move. To Colleen this was a beautiful act of love, given to her aging pup.
How they got to the eloping part, 2 weeks ago is a bit fuzzy, as they can’t totally remember when or how it started. For a good while they had been semi-seriously planning a wedding in the Aldi “stuff” aisle. I mean who doesn't love that little random part of Aldi? But when the pandemic happened they spent a month together, mostly on the sofa, and they agreed that it just felt really good to be together. One night while sitting together Colleen said to Brett “what do you think about getting married in the next few weeks?” It was natural, not a big production or major milestone which was perfectly them.
And when they told people that they would be eloping in the park with their dogs, responses ranged from “I thought you had already” to “I thought you two would do that soon!”. Seeing that their friends and loved ones have such a natural support for their relationship made the decision feel even more natural. This love became apparent as we walked with them to Arsenal Park, as many of their neighborhood friends waited on sidewalk corners to wish them well from a distance. And though they eloped alone, their friends were with them in the little details of their day. Cake and flowers created by two of Colleen’s girlfriends, food by their friend Joey at the Vandel, flower petals thrown about their doorstep by old neighbors, masks that Brett’s mom made out of his Grandmother’s wedding dress. Each element contained the love of someone close to them.
Initially Colleen had a vision of a sunny warm elopement day in May, but once the day arrived the weather was unseasonably cold and even snowed a bit! They rolled with all of it, and took it with grace! Their infectious positive, loving energy allowed for a beautiful day regardless of mother nature’s plans. They were totally content spending the day together with their dogs, strolling around their neighborhood and eating their favorite food from The Vandel paired with fine wine. It was a damn good day.
We couldn't have asked for a more thoughtful, kind and positive couple to kick off this ever changing Pittsburgh wedding season. Thank-you Brett+Colleen for sharing your beautifully intentional elopement wedding day with the two of us and for allowing us into the tiny spaces of your relationship. We wish you a lifetime filled with delicious food, awesome vintage finds and all of the dog kisses you heart could ever want!
| VENDOR LOVE |
Venue: Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, PA
Photographer: Liz Capuano Photography + Jp Janicki
Food: The Vandal
Cake: Jess Wagner
Flowers: Katie Matson
Rings: Jewelry By Alicia And Scott
Dress: BHLDN
Groom Attire: Bonobos
Dog Attire: Pet Glam Store