#sandrachile pittsburgh

[sandrachile]

A Zero Waste Wedding in Pittsburgh

If you have been on Facebook lately, you have probably seen videos of turtles tangled in plastic, birds whose stomachs are full of plastic, and reports about Global Warming.

Whether your political inclinations deny or are against global warming, the truth is, our planet is polluted, and right now, you are either part of the solution or part of the problem, there is no middle ground.

But the problem is that when it comes to bringing environmentalist values to wedding planning, if you are not in California, or don’t have a 6 digit budget, it becomes a little hard, and you might end up giving up for the sake of the circumstances.

So I want to show you, where you should be focusing your energy and resources, but first, let me introduce you to the “Buyerarchy of needs” which will be inspiring our whole journey, and I hope you look at this, read it, meditate on it, and then apply it.

1: Focus on the things that don’t cost you anything, pick a vibe, a feeling as the guidance for your wedding day. 

If you look around for wedding day inspiration, everything is based on color palettes, flowers, or decor. However, since we are trying to be intentional and not use as many material things during the wedding day, it is better to base your inspiration on intangible things rather than material things, instead choose to get inspired by feelings, or the vibe you want your wedding to have. For example, the vibe for the image below was: contemporary, artsy, and fresh.

2: Focus on finding the core vendors for your wedding

(Yes, before setting up a date or even the location). Once you pick the vibe, you will need to gather the elements that will bring your vision together. But Unless you are working with the proper people, translating a concept to reality within a budget, can be hard. So, before even selecting the date for your event or the location, we highly encourage you to select the group of humans that will bring this to life. The core vendors are: Wedding Planner Venue Caterer Officiant Photographer Since the “ethical” journey begins before the wedding day itself, when reaching out to vendors, ask them upfront about what environmental practices they have in place. 

Asking this up front will set the tone for the rest of the planning process, and if this is something that is not present in their practices, your question will surely push them in the right direction.

3: Where and When?:

Choose the date and the venue.

Whether you decide to marry at home, or in a big space, there are some things that you need to take into consideration, such as accessibility for your guest, location of your party hub, weather, and of course, environmental practices. 

If you go for the most popular choice, a venue, ask them and yourself the following questions:

Does your venue send all the garbage to a landfill, or does it have any recycling practices in place? Do they offer furniture, or do you have to rent these items separately? Does the venue have decorative elements, or is it a plain room that needs a lot of stuff to look good? Does it offer in house booze/catering, or can you bring your own?

So many questions, right?

From the low waste perspective, it is a priority to choose a space that offers dishes, cups, and straws that are not plastic. 

(I doubt you want a turtle in the Caribbean to swim among the straws from your wedding day, right? … #justsayin)

4: Let’s tell the world: The stationery (Oh poop! When things get real)

Although an online invitation is often times more eco-friendly, in practice, not everybody is a fan of receiving an email, and being inclusive of older generations who are less e-literate, is a good way to honor them. So when it comes to papers, what alternatives are low waste?

The invitation is the first thing your guests see, it sets the mood for the day, it tells your guests whether joining is going to be worth it, and it announces what kind of party this is going to be. Once the invitations are sent, things get real, and telling your guest that this is an environmentally friendly kinda day deserves to be announced in an environmentally conscious way. Here is where the value of a designer that can custom work for you is a thousand times better than printing some DIY, but make sure the designer is open to working with eco-friendly papers. 

Have you heard about paper made out of elephant poop?

When it comes to being low waste, there is nothing better than options that ethically made, creative, and contribute to giving opportunities to economically and socially marginalized groups. So do your research in regards to papers, and if you are feeling like DIYing, you can DIY the envelopes from the newspapers at your grandma’s house.

PS: Oh! And forget about RSVPs! Nowadays everybody texts, so you can use an automated text message RSVP service which is the easiest way to gather replies from your guests, and automatically organizes and counts for you. SCORE!

(If you never saw paper made of poop, now you did | Stationary by the kick ass: Fresh Cut Prints )

5. Creating a wedding atmosphere: Decorations

One of the things about low waste, is that sometimes it might be a little on the plain side, so for a wedding, which we want to look special, we really have to put thought into what we bring in. 

Using what we have, or what you can realistically keep afterward is key. So, first, my biggest and probably most overlooked decoration element that is also functional is: LIGHTS!!! I’m not talking about regular light bulbs, but lighting can make an amazing decoration, which afterward leaves zero trace.

Another suggestion is to use real plants as a decorative item. Not only they will give you a decoration the day of your wedding, but will decorate your house for the years to come, and imagine having the same plants that witnessed you saying “I do”, witnessing your anniversary year after year!

"Did you know that glass can be recycled forever and ever?"  -- FUN FACT

Another element that is overlooked but it is quite easy to make, and to compost afterward is dry flowers. You can actually invest time in planting your own and meticulously dry. Finally, for any other need, hit your local thrift store! You would be surprised to see the amounts of linen available there.

Oh! And also… keep an eye on the dumpster! Someone else’s garbage always has the potential to be your treasure.

5. Time to get pretty

An element of your wedding that takes a lot of mental energy, a big chunk of your money, and it makes a massive statement in regards to the environment is fashion. And if you want to make a statement, the options for your outfit are: Ethically sourced. Wear your own. Make your own outfit. Or Vintage. This groom decided to wear his own clothes, and the bride opted for the vintage.

The statement piece for the bride was her earrings, which were upcycled. Altogether their outfits were around $30, which allowed more $$ to be allocated for other services.

As you can see, going this route is a great way to maximize your budget, but if you feel uncomfortable with the idea of wearing a vintage style of clothing, you can always purchase vintage garments and budget for the services of a seamstress that can transform your vintage piece and gives it a modern twist.

6. Beauty

I have to be the first in recognizing that zero/low waste and the beauty industry are not the best of friends. Beauty is perhaps one of the most forgotten subjects when it comes to thinking low waste wedding, maybe, because it is not you using that bottle of shampoo that will end up in a landfill, you don’t think much about it. Nowadays there are many makeup products companies using cruelty-free and vegan options (yay). But I learned from Becky, owner of the hair salon that does my hair, Tula Organics, that certain brands go to the extent of manufacturing products with 100% wind power, and they purchase carbon offset credits to balance any climate impact of their aerosol hairsprays.

She also told me about Dragon Master Foundation, a charity organization fighting to find a cure for cancer, and to whom you can send personal care and beauty containers to be recycled. This is an amazing initiative, to make the world greener and fight cancer at the same time.!

In summary:

A low impact, environmentally wedding is not unrealistic. Even if you don’t live in California, it is totally possible right here in Pittsburgh, and even with a small budget. All you might need, is to think through and plan with time, along with a good group of ethically minded wedding vendors.

Supporting Cast: Planner & Aesthetic designer: Devoted To You Events @devotedtoyouevents Florals: greenSinner @greensinner HMUA: Tula Organic @tulaorganic Venue: Kingfly Spirits @kingflyspirits Lightning: EF Lighting @eflighting Plants + Greenery: City Grows @citygrows Photographer: Sandrachile @sandrachilep Invitation Fresh Cut Prints @freshcutprints Paper Mr Ellie Pooh @mr.elliepooh Cake: Mediterra Cake House @mediterracakehouse Jewelry/Accessories Adaptive Reuse @christineterrell Calligrapher- Scarlet Day Calligraphy @scarletdaycalligraphy

[badassbride]

❤️❤️❤️👉🏻 Repost from @sandrachilep - Excited for saturday's pop up weddings at @barmarcopgh (where this picture was taken) and for some upcoming gigs next week. According to the chinese horoscope, this is the year of the dog, and people born in 1982 like me are dogs, so according to the chinese tradition this is my year, and I want to believe that it is 🙌🏼 . [Suit by @thegroomsmansuit • Dress by @katabankobrides • Hair and makeup by @coltonsdelong • Flowers by @leafhopperdesigns ] . . . —————————————————— 📸 #sandrachile #pittsburgh #WeddingPhotographer #PittsburghPhotographer #funphotographer #elopementphotographer #weddingpittsburgh #destinationphotographer #radcouples#hipsterbride #bride #worldchanger #fotografachilena #filltheheart #gotengaged #isaidyes #Livecolorful #loveandwild #radcouples #wildsouls #rockmywedding #alternativetogs #inclusion

[weddingstylish-posts-blog]

Geeks giving back: a beautiful and ethical wedding in Pittsburgh

Photos by Sandrachile

Sharon and Quinn are into all things geek. They met playing online video games, and through the years, their relationship has only strengthened within role playing games, consoles, and comic books. This informed their wedding, but it wasn't everything.

They were also very focused on making ethical decisions like ethical rings, sustainable vendors, vegan food, and a vegan…

[sandrachile]

When your last name is Ho, but you are taking your husband's name, so it's Ho No Mo 🤣😂🤣🤣 . . . . ————————————��————— 📸 #sandrachile #pittsburgh #WeddingPhotographer #PittsburghPhotographer #funphotographer #elopementphotographer #weddingpittsburgh #destinationphotographer #radcouples#hipsterbride #bride #worldchanger #fotografachilena #filltheheart #gotengaged #isaidyes #Livecolorful #loveandwild #radcouples #wildsouls #rockmywedding #unconventionaltogs (at Smithfield, Pennsylvania)

[sandrachile]

Kicking off wedding season a week earlier than last year's, celebrating Hadi + Nick's wedding. This year with something that I'm sure no other photographer would volunteer for: The bride is riding with me. So let's keep our hands together in prayer, that may I not crush, or get lost, or be quintessentially latina and arrive an hour late 😬😂. Happy Wedding Day @not_jamberry ... and see you soon @morninggloryinn 🙌🏼♥️☺️ [PS: the rain can go home] . . . . —————————————————— 📸 #sandrachile #pittsburgh #WeddingPhotographer #PittsburghPhotographer #funphotographer #elopementphotographer #weddingpittsburgh #destinationphotographer #radcouples#hipsterbride #bride #worldchanger #fotografachilena #filltheheart #gotengaged #isaidyes #Livecolorful #loveandwild #radcouples #wildsouls #rockmywedding (at Morning Glory Inn)

[sandrachile]

And to finish #National PizzaDay one of my favorite couples, because the couple that eats pizza 🍕 together, stays together.... right? 😜 . . . —————————————————— 📸 #sandrachile #pittsburgh #PittsburghWeddingPhotographer #PittsburghPhotographer #elopementphotographer #weddingpittsburgh #destinationphotographer #radcouples#hipsterbride #bride #worldchanger #fotografachilena #filltheheart #gotengaged #isaidyes #Livecolorful #radcouples #wildsouls #pizza #couplegoals💑 (at One PPG Place)

[sandrachile]

Fun and Love at Keystone Lake | Pittsburgh PA

Amber + Stephen

When you think about engagement photography, what do you think of?

If you are in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania like I am, you probably think of a couple with matchy nice outfits (meaning, a girl wearing a dress, and a guy wearing a collared shirt of some sort). You might also think of pictures of them in front of one of the gazillion bridges that are a characteristic of this city.

This is not wrong. However, I am ignorant, actually, super ignorant, and when it comes to set expectations for cultural events, I have no preconceived idea of what a couple is actually expecting. People in Chile don’t get engaged the way they do here, and they don’t have engagement pictures taken. The Chilean concept of “dressing nicely” is also different. So when it comes to engagement pictures, my expectations are different because, there are in fact, no set expectations, and lately, I have realized that now that I am a wedding and portrait photographer of couples, this plays to my advantage.

Every once in a while, there is a couple who is open to this lack of expectations and they roll with me and my ideas. This time it was Stephen and Amber.

This easy to laugh, adventurous, festival loving couple were completely open to what I had in mind. Thank God! because I told them: “what if we do your session in the water?”, and instead of running frantically away from me, they were on board!

(A year before, I had actually suggested the same idea to another couple, but the fiance was too afraid his pants would get ruined, so that was the end of my suggestion.)

Stephen’s pure, uncontrollable, excitingly overwhelming, romantic thoughts and feelings towards Amber were evident. He is one thousand percent obsessed with her, and Amber is one thousand percent obsessed with Steve.

So, this pre-wedding session, although different, was, in the end, the most magical representation of their relationship: Adventure, a little bit of nature, laughs, and lots of love.

[sandrachile]

Engagement / Pre-wedding session at Phipps, Pittsburgh

Katie + Matt

I am so grateful of the people that believes in what I do and the way I do things. So as a way to celebrate my followers and my 12th anniversary in the United States, this past July I gifted a photo session to a random person on Instagram. @katielawlson was the lucky winner, and what a coincidence! She was getting married at a Pop Up wedding this year too!. So we took a little walk by Phipps and the Schenley Park area and took some pictures. Katie who follows me on Instagram, and pays attention to what I say, knew that I get motivated by vegan food, so she showed up with a box of vegan goodies for me. How thoughtful of her! Thank you Katie and Matt for your generosity, and thank you for the opportunity to photograph your love.

[sandrachile]

Eco friendly Elopement at Phipps - Pittsburgh

Juliet + Tim

Does wedding planning stresses the heck out of you?

Well, you are not alone, this is why Juliet and Tim completely streamlined it and planned their wedding in ONE WEEK. Yup, I said one week. But if that wasn't enough difficulty, they added an even more fascinating detail: their wedding was planned in a week from out of state.

#LevelGod

Juliet and Tim are a young couple currently going to college in Indiana (the state, not Indiana, PA) They are barely 21 years old, and personally, I am beyond jealous of how they have their life so together (you don't wanna know what I was doing at 21 but you bet it involved large amounts of not knowing what to do with my life, lol).  

They have the cutest little boy, and are planning to eventually move to Pittsburgh, which is why they decided to get hitched right here in The Burgh. Their wedding day was full of "meant to be" events and intentional choices. From the venues, chosen to minimize carbon footprint, to Juliet wardrobe choices (second hand, the most eco friendly way to shop), to yours truly here, chosen because of my ethical approach. The happy couple promised each other love, friendship, and commitment to each other under the Quaker tradition and the Baha'i faith, in a meaningful ceremony surrounded by the 33 people who were able to attend on such a short notice, and the beauty of the Broderie room at Phipps Conservatory.  

"[Phipps is one of the most sustainable buildings in the city]"

During the ceremony I sent Nick (my assistant) to buy a lock, and after the ceremony we all walked in the rain to Schenley Bridge to put it on, giving us the opportunity to take some badass portraits. (Thanks Nick!) After that, the videographers and the couple all got into our van, and we headed to Pointbreezeway, where the perfect fall comfort food, courtesy of Bistro To Go, awaited for us. They chose this reception venue for its character, which did not required decorations, part of their commitment to minimize waste. It was a lovely dinner, with the most fun group of people, if you don't believe me, just scroll down below...  

At the end of the night, thanks to Bistro To Go who allowed us to repurpose the leftovers, we were able to feed homeless people who were getting soaked in the street. Not only a great way to extend the blessing of a wedding beyond the guests, but also an efficient way to reduce any potential waste from the day.  Thank you to Juliete and Tim for their generosity, but also thanks because they were the first couple who provided containers for the food, and these were compostable.  This was also the first time where wedding guests are seriously concerned about helping us pack the food. Between Bistro To Go, Eva from the videographer team, and Nick, we had the task down, but we truly apprecciate their support.

That night we fed 13 people, here are a few of their faces, real grateful individuals that we were able to impact with Juliet and tim's wedding day.

But that is not all! This couple also took advantage of my new and improved business model plan in which the couple can upgrade to a USB in exchange to a donation to charity, and they decided to benefit "Beverly's Birthdays" an organization based in Pittsburgh providing birthday experiences to children at social risk. And finally, $100 of the fee that this couple paid is going to Kiva loans, to support another small business under the category of  "Single parents", per request of Juliet. An amazing experience for an amazing day.

Congratulations Juliet + Tim (and little Kazimir)

Ceremony venue Phipps Conservatory,  Broderie Room Reception pointbreezeway.com Dress alwaysbride.com Shoes dsw.com Groom's outfit  josbank.com Flowers wholefoods.com Videographer MarieMarryMe.com Caterer bistroandcompany.com Cake Piebird piebirdpgh.com Cookie table piebirdpgh.com + gluuteny.com Musician Lisa and Perry Scott from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Favors  pghpopcorn.com Cake topper Made by Juliet's mom, inspired by this post HMUA julealashbeautybar.com Rings are family heirloom from Tim's side and one found at an antique mall in Ohio. Crown from Oleg Cassini & Leather jacket from Top Shop, but purchased at a consignment store. Guy's spotted mismatched sweaters from dad's collection.

[sandrachile]

Engagement and FURBABIES! in Butler PA

Tammy + Nathan

Butler PA is about an hour away from my house, and it's where Nathan and Tammy grew up. These two animal lovers met at work. Even though they had grown up only a few miles from each other, and went to the same high school AND the same college. In the beginning, Nathan and Tammy were just friends and Tammy even tried fixing him up with several of her friends. One day everything clicked... After 11 years together, they are ready to get married. The whole family will be attending the wedding, so it was only fair that the whole family would attend the engagement session as well, and in this case (lucky me!) the whole family meant 3 pekingese FUR BABIES!  Unfortunately, not everybody was as excited as I was... lol

Regardless, this was an adorable engagement session, and Hilda, Trixie Anne, and Ewok simply made my day. 

Congratulations Nathan and Tammy!

Special thanks to Lizi Capuano for showing me around Preston Park

[sandrachile]

Pittsburgh Cookie Table

Let me be honest, I am NOT one who is attracted to wedding traditions, because I believe that traditions conflict with our own individuality, however, there is one local tradition that really steals my heart. If you are not from Pittsburgh, let me enlighten you: The Pittsburgh Cookie Table

In Western Pennsylvania, Every Wedding has a glorious table with cookies.

Nobody knows where the tradition really comes from, but I am sure it is rooted with people not wanting to arrive empty handed to a party. (In my home country of Chile, for example, when you arrive at someone's house, you always bring either bread or sweets). 

I have seen all kinds of cookie tables, my favorite one was the one on Missy & Christina's wedding back in 2015. Not only did they have beautiful cookies, but the display was simply amazing, and oh my God, there were so many! They gathered their family a month before the wedding, and everybody made a batch of cookies, right there in their kitchen. It was a moment of family fun, as well as economical, because everyone collaborated to put this together.

This cookie table thing got me thinking, and wondering more about them. So, I decided to ask around, and get input on cookie table logistics. I gathered the following tips to share with "yinz"  

Tricia:

from @vintagealleyrentalspgh  a local company that styles weddings and events say: www.vintagealleypittsburgh.com

A cookie table does not have to be 50 dozen of cookies on plastic platters.  It can be fun rustic crates, old suitcases or even old drawers filled with goodies. It can be beautiful glass apothecary jars with small signs on the front of them noting the family member made a particular cookie. Jars are a nice way to showcase a family that has contributed to the table and what cookie they made.  It's all about balancing and distributing all of the cookies properly when setting up the table so that it looks even on each side - and the best part of it is - if you are too overwhelmed with the cookie table you can hire a professional to style a beautiful table for you.

Kimberley:

from @kimberley_ashlee a gourmet catering for weddings and events www.kimberleyashleecatering.com

 As a newcomer to Pittsburgh, the Yinzer Cookie Table is a new thing for me. It's endearing, and I can see why guests love it! As an innovator, I am recommending to clients step out of the traditional cookies, and go with macaroons. They come in delicious flavors and such vibrant colors that can tie together event color themes. Truffles are another favorite of mine. The ones we make are customizable, and easy one-biter, that can be packaged to double as a favor.      

Melissa:

from @DevotedToYouEvents  The coolest wedding planner in town www.devotedtoyouevents.org

If you are already planning to do a cookie table at your wedding, you can add some to go boxes or bags and VOILA! your cookie table now becomes your wedding favor. Trust me...your guests will thank you for offering something edible as a take home token from your wedding. As much as they love you, no one needs or wants a magnet, a coaster or one glass with your photo or wedding date engraved. But they will appreciate those cookies after a long night of drinking and dancing and as a BONUS, you more than likely saved money by doubling your cookie table as the favor and were able to allocate that to somewhere more important. 

Nikki:

Nikki Penberg from @VeganPittsburgh an organization that encourages veganism by making it accessible among local restaurants and food vendors. www.veganpittsburgh.com

Expecting vegan guests? Don’t panic! There’s no reason for anyone to be left out when it comes to your traditions! Given the growing demand for vegan options in Pittsburgh, there are many local bakeries and caterers that can accommodate… and the sky’s the limit when it comes to vegan flavors, fillings, and textures! You could easily serve vegan cookies to all your guests, and no one would be the wiser!

As you can tell, everybody has something to say about the cookie table, but no one has said that this tradition has to end (not even me!), so keep them coming, friends, and LONG LIFE to the Pittsburgh Cookie Table!

Published in the Huffington Post

[sandrachile]

Remember yesterday when I requested volunteers to go picture in the snow? Well, I got lucky with these two souls. Thanks Dany and @briraetoro for the bravery, cuz it was COLD, too cold for me. Now I'm going back to hibernation 🤣 _______________________________#loveandwildhearts #lovelope #belovedstories #avengetheskies #filmpalette #junebugweddings #indiebride #indiewedding #Lessstuffmoremeaning #ecowedding #pittsburgh #burghbrides #sandrachile #PittsburghWeddingPhotographer #elopementphotographer #destinationphotographer #radcouples #hipsterbride #weddingseason #radlovestories #elopementcollective #firstandlast #intimateweddings #fpme #FridaEnamorada #BrooklynWeddings (at Walled Garden Mellon Park)

[sandrachile]

About Weddings and elopements…

with Carly + Alex

You don’t need a reception. You don’t need a church. You don’t need a white dress. You don’t need a Tuxedo. You don’t need a gazillion people around you. You don’t need personalized napkins or cups. You don’t need makeup. You don’t even need shoes. What you actually need is:

To stop your lives for a day, to commit to each other. You need a deep understanding of love. The commitment with yourself first, that you will love your significant other despite their failures and mistakes, you will love them at their worse, even more than they can love themselves.

To express each other’s expectations and promises.

To make an effort to wear something that makes you feel special That can mean, a puffy dress, flowers, a tux, high heels, makeup, or no makeup, a big hair, or a shaved head. Feeling special will help you understand that you are indeed special, and acknowledging your worth in a relationship will help you through the tough times.

…And although technically, you could go without a photographer, I need to tell you that you totally one. The pictures will help you remember what love feels like, the day you loved the most.

[sandrachile]

Engagement Session or Excuse to Get Professional Pictures of the Cat?

Rachel + Sam

I like people who stand up against injustice. People who are proactive to create a better world. People who are able to step outside their privilege to empathize with minorities like myself. People who care about the things that truly matter. And this is pretty much the definition of Rachel and Sam, and I’m OBSESSED with them. Rachel and Sam met in college, and after traveling around the globe helping farmers, and strengthening impoverished areas, they decided to get hitched, right here where they live. But pictures make introverts like them nervous, so I suggested to do a test run with an engagement session where they feel more at ease: their home. Personally, I can’t empathize enough, how truly important taking pictures before getting married prepares you for the big day. I want all couples to do it, it really is a huge giant massive help, for them and also for me as the photographer.

I think Rachel and Sam ended up looking super cute, however, at some point there were doubts: Was it this truly an engagement session? or was this just an excuse to get professional pictures of the cat??? … Judge for yourself…

[sandrachile]

Love at first... bratwurst | Brookline - Pittsburgh PA

 Victoria + Josh

Victoria was living a pretty stagnant life in a small college town outside of Pittsburgh. She promised herself that if something amazing didn't happen within a year, she was quitting her job(s) and moving to the city.

A year went by and not much happened, so she fulfilled her own promise and moved to the Burgh.

When she got to Pittsburgh, she was underwhelmed by her first experiences, so he joined meetup.com, Tinder and various other Facebook groups, in hopes of meeting new people with fresh perspectives.

About a month in, her and Josh matched on Tinder.

He messaged first and was very clearly in love with the city he grew up in.

He offered up suggestions for places to go, food to eat, transportation tips, and eventually, they decided to meet up at a local hot dog shop.

Two (very) strong beers and a bratwurst later, it was the best "first date" both of them ever had.

After that that initial date, a handful more came along and it quickly transitioned into   more.

They moved in together after four months and became dog parents after six.

This past April, things got a little twist

when they bought their first home together!!!. (hashtag adulting!)

Josh finally proposed to her in October, right at home.

Because home is such an important element in their lives, I suggested we did their session there.

Often times engagement sessions take place outside, but I am a firm believer that it is always better to stay home :)

[sandrachile]

Chinese-American Wedding in Pittsburgh

Jessica + Mark

The month of June was probably one of the most emotionally loaded months of the year, our country was divided as the president enforced the most controversial anti-illegal immigration strategy ever, separating undocumented children from their adults at the border. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, our calm and quiet Burgh entered the statistics of police brutality with the death of Antwon Rose, a teenager shot in the back during yet another “confusing” incident which resulted in multiple protests, and our calm city was divided with the ones against and the ones in favor... Personally, I am an active advocate of using the opportunities we have to make a stand that empowers others, and Jessica and Mark’s wedding was a vivid depiction of Sandrachile’s core beliefs:

"...walking into marriage with an attitude of gratitude, giving a little something back, taking care of the planet, and creating social impact. "  -- quote from my homepage

Jessica is originally from China and immigrated to California along with her parents when she was only 9 years old. Mark, meanwhile, is a quintessential American kid.

They met in college, and I remember during our first consultation Mark was spell-bound telling me how Jess was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

That same feeling set the tone for the wedding. Mark was taking care of every small detail, just so Jessica would be comfortable, Jessica would be happy, Jessica would be okay. Nothing mattered except her happiness.

The wedding of Mark and Jessica taught me many things, like how in the chinese culture it only rained for important fancy people, so if it rained on your wedding day it was a sign of good luck.

(Glad they believe that, because since this is Pittsburgh, of course it poured).

The ceremony was the perfect time to see this couple's love flow, and also the one thousand faces of Jessica, and her ability to go from tears to laugh on a split second 

After the ceremony came the speeches, and they were EPIC! I always enjoy when the best man is a brother of the groom, they always have the funniest insights.

I also heard the most beautiful and heart melting bridesmaid speech ever, that included the immigration story of Jessica’s family, and the struggles of living separated for 7 years, without visits, the internet, or communicating often. It was such an emotional moment. We all cried, especially me.

Perhaps, it is what encouraged Jessica and Mark to share their honeymoon funds with the ACLU, to help the current immigration crisis.  

I got to witness a tradition that I had not seen for a while, but since the wedding had many foreign guests, Jessica really wanted all the western traditions to be present during the day  

And did I mention how gorgeous was the cake?

I also learned how Jessica had their closest relatives come all the way from China, and despite that huge economical sacrifice, they insisted in preserving the red envelope tradition, which consists of the couple receiving a red envelope with a gift of money intended to help them pay for the cost of the wedding. The money inside the envelope has very strict number related rules, like no uneven numbers or no fours (among many others).  

and how squatting came natural and comfortable for chinese people, because they use that position a lot, so there was a lot of squatting done.

The reception was super fun too. Jessica and Mark were so joyful during their first dance!  

And the father daughter dance was so beautiful and emotional. Jessica said the song they danced was a song her dad used to sing to her when she was a child.  "The Moon Represents My Heart" by Teresa Chang 月亮代表我的心

Mark and his mom did a wonderful and choreographed job as well! I tried to record it, but I'm obviously a better photographer than videographer, lol.

Towards the end of the night, the third night of protests took place a block away from us, and we encountered the protestors on the way to our sunset portraits. We took this opportunity to give the protestors support, inviting them to take some pictures with us, while they taught us what signs to make that implied support and respect. We then hugged and went on our way. It was literally one minute only, but a minute we took to express that we do care, and in an aching world, caring is everything.  

And after all that rain, we got excited that the sun came out to give us a gorgeous sunset

OH.MY.HEART! It was such an empowering day!

Finally, and thanks to Jessica and Mark's generosity, plus the logistical support of Sausalido catering, and Chelsey from the Morning Glory Inn,all the leftover food was packaged and Nick and I drove around downtown looking for homeless people to feed. We ended up feeding 22 people that day!.  

Thank you Jessica and Mark for making me part of such an incredible day!

Venue: Morning Glory Inn Make Up by Shelby Dines Hair Stephanie Gardner from B Salon and Bar Jessica's dress Morilee purchased at Alison Bridal Mark's outfit: Suit by Theory   Bridesmaid's dresses by RenzRags Caterer: Sausalido DJ Jason Kendall Productions Flowers: DIY by the couple from Trader Joe's and Costco Favors: DIY with mini chinese take out containers with chinese candies provided by the mom :) Cake decor: butterflies by Uniqdots  Cake by Bella Christie and Lil Z's Sweet Boutique Wedding favor: DIY souvenirs from China, courtesy of the relatives :) Hair accessories by MADAMECICI