Two years ago, Cody was walking into adoration when he innocently held the door open for a beautiful woman who was walking in behind him. Little did he know that just a few years later he would be watching that same woman walk down the aisle to him in the very same church. How fitting is it that St. Stanislaus in downtown Pittsburgh, where Lauren and Cody’s story first began, is the same church where their marriage began?

Lauren and Cody are two of the kindest souls you’ll ever meet and their story is one of the ones you know only God could have written. It has been so wonderful to get to know these two over the past several months and I have been eagerly awaiting their wedding. I love how intentional both Lauren and Cody are. Every part of their wedding day held deep significance to them and their families and each of the details Lauren gathered for me to photograph had a different story attached to them.

When discussing the option of doing a First Look, it was important to them to keep Christ at the center of it. They ended up deciding to do their First Look inside St. Stanislaus, partly because of the cold and snow but mostly because of how significant it is to their story. I know I probably sound like a broken record, but if you are unsure about First Looks…just scroll down to the photos of theirs. I’m telling you guys, it is worth it!

Following their beautiful Nuptial Mass, we headed to a nearby church garden (the same garden we used for their engagement session in the summer) for some snowy portraits. From there we headed to The Pennsylvanian where their reception was held. The Pennsylvanian, originally built as Pittsburgh’s Union Station in 1900, is one of the most historically significant buildings in Pittsburgh and it is one of the most sought after wedding venues. Just a few days before Lauren and Cody inquired about using it for their wedding, someone else had canceled their wedding and miraculously had canceled for the exact date Lauren and Cody wanted. The quote of their wedding day was “God is in the details” and if that isn’t another perfect example, I don’t know what is.

Lauren and Cody, it was truly an incredible privilege to be welcomed into your families and to be given the gift of photographing your amazing wedding. It has been such a joy getting to know you both!

I also need to make a quick shout to Laura from Laura & Matthew Photography who second shot this wedding with me. Laura is one of my good friends and it was so much fun to finally get to work on a wedding together!

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. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Pittsburgh PA

RECEPTION VENUE // The Pennsylvanian

WEDDING COORDINATOR // Soiree By Souleret

CATERING // Tallulah’s Catering

VIDEOGRAPHER // Emmaus Films

FLORIST // The Farmer’s Daughter

CAKE & ITALIAN COOKIES // BB&Burr

CANNOLIS // Moio’s Italian Pastry Shop

DRESS // The Exquisite Bride

MUSICIANS // Mirella Brun del Re & Brendan Tobin

DJ // Jeremy Ganss Productions

HAIRSTYLIST // Bridal Art by Marissa Julin

MUA // Make-up Design Studio

INVITATIONS // Minted