Megan and Ryan just celebrated their COVID “We Do Redo” a couple months ago. While they may have wished for different circumstances, their wedding day—a year later—was absolutely stunning! Every magical moment was definitely worth waiting for, and the extra time allowed them to incorporate more personalized wedding details. Plus, they could safely gather with their nearest and dearest for a day (and night!) they’ll never forget!

I hope you enjoy this peek inside their romantic fall wedding with trendy urban vibes in Downtown Pittsburgh. Their wedding day was classic, sophisticated, and even a bit retro all in one! The downtown scene always provides eclectic backdrops to make your photos more memorable, engaging, and wall-worthy.

And, if you’re looking for ways to personalize your wedding even more, Meg and Ryan’s authentically refined ceremony and reception is a great place to start! It’s full of great ideas to make your special day more memorable and meaningful. I had an amazing time capturing Meg and Ryan’s big day because it truly represented them as a couple. Do what makes you happy because you’ll enjoy the day so much more. Plus, your photos will reflect that candid authenticity too!

5 Personalized Wedding Details that Will Make Your Wedding Day Unforgettable

Center your theme around something you enjoy.

What do you love to do together as a couple? Hike your way through national parks? Travel the world together? Root for your favorite sports teams? Live your best life with your four-legged friend(s)? If you share a passion or hobby, infuse it into your wedding day. You don’t have to hang a huge Steelers banner if that doesn’t fit your style (or go for it, if that’s you!). Instead, you could subtly incorporate fun details into your wedding cake, cake toppers, dessert table, centerpieces, wedding favors, table markers, sign designs, etc.

Note: Stick to ONE fun theme to incorporate. For instance, adding travel-inspired table markers, animal-lover desserts, sports team favors might end up looking a little disjointed. You can still have a seamless look while incorporating personalized wedding details.

Choose a meaningful ceremony venue.

Picking a wedding venue is more than finding a pretty place to tie the knot. Choose a venue that holds special meaning for you. Meg and Ryan value tradition and their family’s faith, so they had a gorgeous Catholic Mass wedding ceremony at Saint Peter Catholic Church. Then they took the party over to the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel because they love the city ambiance. Pittsburgh is a part of their story.

Or, you might opt for an outdoor venue if that suits you. Perhaps you want a venue near the place your first met, the same venue where your parents wed, or even a ceremony or reception at your childhood home—backyard and estate weddings have become increasingly popular since the pandemic began.

Include pieces of your family’s history and culture. 

Meg and Ryan set up a designated table to honor loved ones who have passed. It featured beautiful photos, candles, and memoirs. Other ideas include displaying childhood photos at the reception tables or tying photos, lockets, or memoirs to your bridal bouquet. You might also consider catering traditional/cultural food options, playing traditional games, or featuring cultural dances. At the rehearsal dinner or reception, make time for friends and family members to share a few kind words and toasts to the happy couple.

Write your own vows.

 Another way to make the day—especially the ceremony—even more heartfelt is to write your own vows to each other. If you don’t want to read them aloud during the ceremony, you could stick with the standard vows and read your personalized wedding vows to each other privately before or after the ceremony. You could even send them as letters attached to your wedding gifts that you open before the ceremony.

Have fun!

 Slow things down when the big day arrives so you can soak it all in. Take a walk together. Dance when you want to dance. Do what makes you happy on your wedding day rather than what you think people expect of you. It’s your day.

In addition, I’ll encourage you to have fun with the photos and bring some props to try out (like Meg’s adorable retro heart-shaped glasses). You could also try a hat, scarf, umbrella, or personalized jacket. Take advantage of the time of year and incorporate cute seasonal accessories to make your photos—and memories—more fun.

Pittsburgh Wedding Details

Ceremony | Saint Peter Catholic Church
Reception | Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel
Photography |Rachel Wehan Photography
Cake | A Sweet Morsel
Band | The Houserockers
Hair + Makeup | Cardamone’s Salon + Antoinette Medved
Florist | Blue Daisy
Videographer | Pretty Films