I first met Diego almost five years ago, during my freshman year at Franciscan University while we prepped to spend the summer on a mission trip in Ecuador. While on that trip Diego would tell me all about Kate and casually talk about their wedding someday and I remember thinking that their relationship was just the sweetest thing. Over the years that have followed, their relationship has grown and they are a beautiful testament to what a holy relationship rooted in Christ truly looks like.

So sufice to say that I have been looking forward to their wedding for quite some time and it could not have been a more blessed and wonderful day! Kate and Diego met at Franciscan University and their mutual love for Our Blessed Lady quickly brought them close together and so it was only fitting that their wedding day was sprinkled with small tributes to Our Lady. From the light blue flowers in Kate’s bouquet to the Auspice Maria belt buckle that Diego wore, to their beautiful Marian household traditions and everything else in between, there was no doubt that these two were wrapped in Our Lady’s mantle all day long!

There were so many emotional moments throughout this day and I have to say, Kate, your gentle and Marian heart makes you an absolutely exquisite crier! They had chosen the song “Beautiful Things” by Gungor for their processional song and Taylor Tripodi did a fantastic job (as always). I don’t think it’s super typical for a couple to choose a non-instrumental song for their processional, especially for a Catholic wedding, but it was incredible and hands down my favorite processional I’ve ever witnessed. The timing was planned absolutely perfectly and the moment that the doors opened and evryone stood up and Taylor began to sing the gentle bridge (“You make me new, You are making me new”) was one of the most sacred and heavenly moments I’ve expereinced and I’m pretty sure just about everyone in the Church was crying.

Kate and Diego, it was such a joy and honor to be the one to document your wedding and I’m thrilled to be able to share my favorite images with you today!

Kate, you were the most radiant and gentle bride!

This image is probably one of my favorites. All those precious flower girls and Kate’s mama watching Kate and Diego pray together just moments before the wedding was to start, it completely melts me.

Ok, get ready for one of the SWEETEST groom’s reactions.

As we were finishing up the wedding party photos, dark storm clouds had rolled in and we had begun to hear distant thunder. Originally we were supposed to take all of Kate and Diego’s portraits at this park before heading to the reception site but with the impending storm, Kate asked if we could just go to one location she had in mind and take as many portraits there as we could before the storm hit us. Kate had seen this rocky riverbed when scouting for portrait locations and had her heart set on some portraits by this stream and I’m so glad we stopped and I’m so thankful the rain held off so we could take some of my favorite images of the day at this gorgeous little spot!

Can we all just agree that these two have the most photogenic and beautiful smiles??? I mean come on!

They had their reception at the Beaver Station Cultural and Event center in downtown Beaver, PA and it was such a fun, unique venue for a reception!

There are live tracks behind the building and trains passed by multiple times over the course of the evening and it was always so exciting for all the little ones present.

Diego’s mom is a sweetheart and so cute! Their mother/son dance was absolutely precious.

Since we only had gotten to do about 10 min of portraits before the massive thunderstorm hit, we snuck outside the reception once the rain had stopped to capture a few more.

I had to include the photo below on the left because they were snuggling together and all of a sudden Kate goes “oh my gosh we’re married!!” and her surreal excitement and joy is just so evident on her face and I LOVE this photo!

Diego washed Kate’s feet instead of doing the garter toss as a symbol of his commitment to serve her as her husband for the rest of their lives and it was so emotional and moving to all of us present.

Thank you Kate & Diego for allowing me to be a part of your wedding! I am so excited to watch this new season of your lives unfold and see all that God is going to do through the testimony of your marriage!

Xoxo,

Mary Kate

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A huge thank you to all the other vendors who came together to make this day possible!

CHURCH // St. Peter’s Parish, Pittsburgh, PA

RECEPTION VENUE // Beaver Station Cultural and Event Center 

MUSICIAN // Taylor Tripodi

CATERING // JPC Event Group

VIDEOGRAPHER // Francis Rocks Production

FLORIST // Nancy Blum

CAKE // Mezza Luna Cafe

DRESS // Bridal Beginnings of Pittsburgh

BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES // Azazie, David’s Bridal, and Tulle and Chantilly

GROOMSMEN ATTIRE // Jos A Bank

INVITATIONS // Minted

HAIRSTYLIST // Heather Gockel – Vintage Salon and Spa