Getting engaged on Leap Day has long been about upturning tradition. (It’s been over fifteen years since I finished graduate school, so please forgive me if my citations aren’t quite up to APA standards here). “As legend tells it, the leap year proposal tradition, officially dubbed “Bachelor’s Day” or “Ladies’ Privilege,” began in the 5th century. An Irish nun, St. Brigid of Kildare, told St. Patrick that it was unfair women needed to wait for men to propose, and asked that women be allowed to propose marriage too.” – from the Holden’s Rings website. This website also talks about an Amy Adams’ film called Leap Day – but I haven’t seen it!
That’s the tradition behind proposing on Leap Day, but what about marrying on Leap Day? As a wedding photographer with almost four hundred weddings photographed, I can say I have done a wedding on every single day of the week except a Tuesday at this point and this was my first ever Leap Day wedding.
We weren’t alone – I saw a few other couples in the courthouse as well.
A and S chose to have a small intimate ceremony on Leap Day and then another full ceremony and reception the following Saturday at the Hyatt Hotel.
A and S chose to host an intimate ceremony on the Allegheny County Courthouse grand staircase, sharing this moment with their closest friends and family. There may be nothing as romantic as Pittsburgh in the winter. While A didn’t get the snowfall she dreamt of, there was a spirit of laughter and an unposed, unpretentious, comfortable nature as she readied for the day at the Renaissance Hotel then traveled with her twin brother to the courthouse steps.
After a day’s rest, on Saturday, the couple prepared together in the Presidential Suite at the Hyatt Hotel Pittsburgh International Airport with their three sweet poodles – Pixie (age 15!), Reilly, and Kayla. Pixie played an important part of S’s proposal as she had the ring on her collar when he asked A to marry him.
As an experienced Pittsburgh wedding photographer, I’m ready to photograph your wedding at any of our wonderful venues! But the Hyatt represents a unique challenge among wedding photographers – as another wedding photographer put it in her blog “you know there is nowhere to take photos!” You definitely need to bring your creative hat because there isn’t a lot of green space or grounds, especially when it is raining, yet this hotel is one of the number one choices as it is convenient for out of town guests AND it can host a large wedding. We were able to accomplish all our portraits with the wedding party and family and the pups as well!
A and S embarked on their honeymoon to Iceland – we had such a delightful day with them and their natures complement each other so well!
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Vendors:
Invitation: Vistaprint
Gown Designer: Essence of Australia
Bridal Salon: Marwin Bridal
Shoes: Macy’s
Bridesmaid Dresses: Morilee Madeline Gardner
Men’s Formalwear: Jos A. Bank & Heinz Healey’s
Florist: Parkway Florist
Hair Stylist: Lauren Boback, The Strand Theory
Hotel Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport and Renaissance Downtown Pittsburgh
Ceremony venue: Allegheny County Courthouse
Reception venue: Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport
Cake: Bethel Bakery
Entertainment: HeadTrauma Entertainment, DJ Lovdog
Rings: James Douglas Jewelers LLC
Photo Booth: First Choice Photography
Photographer: Kristen Wynn Photography