This Pittsburgh Wedding Exuded a Victorian Flair

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Setting: Ceremony – museum; Reception – private club
Wedding season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: 18 months
Number of guests: 250
Wedding theme/style: Classic and timeless with a hint of Victorian flair for the reception.

Taylor and Ryan were introduced by a mutual friend while they were both finishing up a senior years of college. “We saw each other at a few group hangouts in Manhattan over the coming months, but our interactions were limited given Ryan still lived in Connecticut,” Taylor shared. Ryan began to come into the city more often and finally asked Taylor on a date. Not long after, they started formally dating, and even after the wedding, they still live in different cities and have been together for nine years.

Ryan planned a low-key proposal with just the two of them in their mutual friend’s gorgeous backyard, followed by champagne and caviar with a surprise from all of her family and close friends. The engagement night ended with a curated dinner that included all her favorite dishes and wine pairings shared with her favorite people.

Taylor chose a stunning white gown with a heart-shaped bodice and a full skirt that flows effortlessly to the ground. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and she carried a bouquet of white orchids, which added a natural elegance to her look. The morning was filled with light and laughter as Taylor and the bridesmaids in sleek green dresses went to a photo session with her before the ceremony. Meanwhile, the groom and his groomsmen in matching black tuxedos were preparing for the festivities to begin.

Carl S. Miller, the photographer, accompanied the couple throughout the day. His photos shine with natural light that highlights the joy and lovely surroundings. He managed to find the perfect balance between elegance and spontaneity — each picture is a burst of real happiness and celebration, showing off his skill in capturing the day’s spirit.

Taylor wanted her wedding ceremony in a place that naturally looked great, without needing many decorations. She has always loved The Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens for its beautiful front steps and architecture. It turned out to be the perfect setting for her wish for an effortless yet sophisticated wedding, and she was really grateful that the weather was nice.

“After our ceremony, Ryan’s father, the master of cars, drove us to our reception in a Lincoln Continental that had “just married” on the back of the car. It was 20 minutes of just us enjoying the moment right after we were officially married. And Pittsburgh showed us a lot of love – lots of honks, waves, and congratulations from every car around!” – said Taylor.

The reception took place at the Duquesne Club‘s Ballroom. The couple used mirrors on each table to highlight its beauty, adding crystal touches and simple flowers for decoration.

“Our officiant, Andrew Masich, Ph.D., gave us a Civil War-era musician’s sword as a wedding gift. He also taught Ryan how to perform sabrage, which he did and opened a bottle of Veuve Clicquot in front of everyone. It was perfect, and we toasted with champagne in special Baccarat flutes given to us for our wedding. It was a really special and incredibly fun moment,” the bride shared.

“When cutting our cake, we didn’t realize that the majority of it was styrofoam. We ended up forcibly breaking our Waterford Crystal cake-cutting utensils while trying to cut through the styrofoam,” the bride recounted with a laugh. “Carl, the photographer, captured a really funny picture of this moment. We still laugh about it all the time,” she concluded.