Set in the gardens and historic halls of Linden Hall, Pennsylvania, Sarah and Stephen’s August wedding embraced the soft beauty of peach and blush tones, overflowing florals, and personal touches throughout the day. With a ceremony framed by spiraling blooms, a custom cake designed to look like a flower, and a reception that moved effortlessly from elegant dinner to a dance floor filled with 2000s party hits, the celebration struck a perfect balance between classic romance and relaxed summer joy.
Location: Dawson, Pennsylvania, USA
Style: Classic, romantic, relaxed
Time of planning: 7 months
Number of guests: 120
Setting: Ceremony – garden, reception – mansion
Season: Summer
Sarah Lederach and Stephen Furbacher first met at a Pittsburgh tailgate, two years after mutual friends had unsuccessfully tried to set them up. “Stephen bought me a ticket and asked me to come with him. Cliché, but the rest is history.” They had recently moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, when Stephen proposed during a holiday trip back to Pittsburgh. He chose a place that held deep meaning for both of them—Sewickley Heights Borough Park—and popped the question in a clearing after a trail run. “There was no need for this, so I was immediately suspicious,” Sarah laughed. “He brought me to a clearing in the center of the park and proposed, confirming my suspicions!”
Bridal Morning
Sarah’s wedding morning began in the light-filled bridal suite of Linden Hall’s historic mansion, surrounded by soft pastels, laughter, and the warmth of close friends. She slipped into the “Halsey” dress by Justin Alexander—a satin mermaid silhouette with a pointed sweetheart neckline that framed her collarbones with simple elegance. “I didn’t set out to wear two dresses,” she shared, “but since their combined price was within my budget, I decided not to choose between the two.” Her choice to embrace both looks reflected her relaxed approach to the day—one guided by ease, beauty, and what felt right. As sunlight filtered through the windows, she added her grandmother’s sapphire ring and a pair of yellow diamond drop earrings, keeping the details personal and understated.
Her look came together with custom-made peep-toe pumps by Diane Hassall, lips tinted in Rose de Vents by Dior, and Jo Malone’s “Peony and Blush Suede” perfume for a soft floral finish. The Bloom Beauty Parlor team styled her hair into polished, loose waves that framed her face, while makeup artist Marie Miclot created a glowy, natural look that let her skin breathe. “Both of the dresses felt very ‘me.’ They were comfortable and they gave me confidence.” Bridesmaids joined her in soft, luminous satin dresses in a peachy blush tone that echoed the floral palette—quietly reinforcing the palette that shaped the entire day.
Groom's Fashion
Stephen got ready with his groomsmen in one of Linden Hall’s richly paneled rooms, pulling on a classic black tuxedo custom made by BLVDier in Chicago. He finished the look with polished Allen Edmonds shoes and a pair of his grandfather’s cufflinks—a subtle but meaningful detail. “The custom tailoring made Stephen feel at home in his tux,” Sarah shared. Confident and relaxed, he stepped into the day with timeless elegance and just the right amount of sentiment.
First Look
Sarah stepped through the doors of Linden Hall in her satin dress, meeting Stephen in the mansion’s sunlit conservatory for their first look. Surrounded by lush potted plants and soft reflections off the glass ceiling, the moment felt quiet and full of ease. Sarah’s gown caught the light with every step, and Stephen’s expression said everything. Their wedding party joined soon after, bringing warm energy and excitement as they took photos throughout the historic property before the ceremony began.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place in the garden of the historic mansion, surrounded by the golden light of late summer and the soft rustle of trees. The setting already felt romantic, but the florals gave it a full transformation. Flowers lined the aisle in loose, natural arrangements and spiraled up the white columns of the garden house where Sarah and Stephen exchanged vows. The palette followed the same warm peach and blush tones from the rest of the wedding, creating a soft contrast with the greenery of the landscape. The overall effect was both elegant and relaxed—like stepping into a secret garden.
The couple kept the ceremony short and meaningful. A string quartet played classical music as guests took their seats, and one of their close friends officiated with a lighthearted and personal script that captured their story with warmth and sincerity. Their dog Damian, a 16-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, was also there—his presence deeply important to them both. “The guests appreciated the brevity of the ceremony and that it wasn’t bogged down by tradition.” Sarah shared.
"The ceremony was better than we could have hoped for and we ended it feeling so lucky and loved by our family and friends."
Decor & Setting
For the reception tables were dressed in soft blush linens from Lendable Linens and set with delicate glassware and gold chairs. Centerpieces alternated between tall, dramatic arrangements and low, garden-style bowls filled with peach roses, cream hydrangeas, and soft pink dahlias, all created by The Farmer’s Daughter Flowers. Flickering candles in tall glass vessels added a glow that made the whole space feel warm and celebratory. A cookie table—a Pittsburgh wedding tradition—overflowed with homemade sweets, from biscotti to sugar-dusted peach cookies, lovingly displayed for guests to graze throughout the evening.
"“The peach and blush palette transferred to all styling choices of the wedding."
Private Moment
As the sun began to dip behind the Laurel Highlands, the newlyweds stepped outside for a quiet moment alone. The grounds of the mansion offered the perfect backdrop: wide lawns, warm golden light, and a peaceful stillness that felt like a pause between celebration and memory. They walked hand in hand, exchanged a few smiles, and took in the softness of the day.
Sarah McCloskey Photography captured those in-between moments with calm precision—the quiet emotion in Stephen’s gesture, the curve of Sarah’s smile just before she looked away, the way her silhouette lit up in the last light. “Sarah carries out her work with a calm and confident professionalism that is admirable and reassuring on a stressful wedding day. She’s an amazing, kind person who you will want to work with!” the couple said. Her lens gave space for those unscripted moments to breathe, preserving not just what it looked like, but exactly how it felt.
"When we opened our gallery, her photos brought back all of the fullness of heart and the love we felt for each other and from our friends and family that day, and they’ll do that forever."
Reception
The reception took place inside Linden Hall, where high ceilings, ornate walls, and candlelight added richness to the already romantic atmosphere. For the night, Sarah changed into her second dress—a sleek halter gown by Made With Love Bridal. The couple made their entrance down the dramatic staircase to a room filled with applause.
Their first dance was to “Heaven Is” by Kacey Musgraves, and they leaned into every moment—laughing, spinning, and holding on to each other while their guests cheered them on. The energy was light and joyful, with a touch of nostalgia, setting the perfect tone for the celebration ahead.
Dinner followed in the ballroom, where guests gathered at candlelit tables. Events by Emily had planned the timing seamlessly, allowing room for toasts that struck the perfect balance of warmth and humor. Friends and family offered stories that left everyone laughing and tearing up in turn, while the couple shared quiet smiles from their seats, surrounded by people who had traveled from across the country to be there.
The cake by Wedding Cakes by Colby was one of the most eye-catching pieces of the evening—sculpted to resemble a blooming flower with layers of soft white petals. Sarah and Stephen served two flavors—champagne cake with raspberry and lemon cake with raspberry—both of which disappeared quickly from guests’ plates. They cut into it together, laughing and sneaking frosting with their fingers, a moment of lightness that perfectly matched the laid-back elegance of the day.
As night fell, the party moved into full swing. The couple had told their DJs from Loyalty Entertainment they wanted a throwback playlist of 2000s party hits, and they delivered. “We basically wanted to relive our college party days,” Sarah shared. Guests filled the dance floor from the first beat and didn’t let up, with napkins flying, drinks in hand, and pure joy radiating in every direction. The mansion’s wraparound porch gave guests a place to cool off between songs and take in the moonlit view of the hills—an ending as vibrant as it was sentimental.
"The joy we could see in our friends made us so happy and feel truly loved!"
Advice from the couple:
• Everyone will say that the wedding day rushes by, which is absolutely true. For that reason, spend each part of your day doing exactly what you want to do. Your expectations are the only ones that should matter.
• Also, if you commit to a curfew the night before, stick to it at all costs! I, Sarah, stayed up too late drinking wine with my friends on Friday, and regretfully didn’t feel fresh for the actual wedding!
PHOTOGRAPHER Sarah McCloskey Photography | PLANNER Events by Emily | VENUE Linden Hall | FLORALS The Farmer’s Daughter Flowers | MAKEUP Marie Miclot Makeup | HAIR Bloom Beauty Parlor | DRESSES Justin Alexander, Made With Love Bridal | SUIT BLVDier | CAKE Wedding Cakes by Colby | LINEN Lendable Linens | DJ Loyalty Entertainment
