Pittsburgh National Aviary Wedding

Birds and books and ballroom

Courtney, a busy professor and doctoral candidate, and her mom, one of my favorite high school teachers, reached out to us to keep wedding planning moving along; they were off to a great start, but needed guidance and tools to keep them on track - especially when it came to unifying their disparate design ideas: an eclectic mix of vibrant jewel tones, a unique venue, and vintage personal collections. Read on for proof that you really can incorporate your favorite things in your wedding design - without making it look like a garage sale.

Courtney and Ryan chose the National Aviary in Pittsburgh as their wedding ceremony and reception venue. The Rose Garden was a perfect private space for the ceremony, and felt magical with its tall hedges and beautiful bird sculptures. During cocktail hour, guests were able to explore the Aviary and see some of the hundreds of beautiful birds who call it home. You know we love a unique cocktail hour activity! The Garden Room was a beautiful setting for their fall reception, with its cozy fireplaces, wall of windows to enjoy the view of the park, and ample space for both a buffet and dance floor - where the groom and his mom shared a traditional Argentinian ballroom dance before guests danced the night away.

How did we keep their heirloom collections a central part of the design, while also unifying them with their unique venue? Consistency. Repeating the same colors found in the ceremony garden in the wedding party’s attire, floral elements, linens, and even some of their menu offerings created consistency throughout the events of the day, and a unified backdrop that allowed their vintage book collection and heirloom pieces to shine.

I feel honored when any couple invites me to be a part of their wedding celebration, but when friends and family do? It’s extra special. I was so excited to reconnect and serve their family in this way. They’re just as lovely as I remembered, and getting to serve Courtney and Ryan over the course of a very busy year of their lives was a joy.