Josh & Alisa // Stratigos Banquet Center Wedding in Irwin, PA

When Josh & Alisa got engaged in August of 2016 and began to plan their wedding, they joked with each other that St. Patrick’s Day would be the perfect day to get married. If you can’t tell from the red hair: Alisa is Irish & was actually born in Ireland! What started as a joke though turned into a real possibility when they realized that in 2018, St. Patrick’s Day would fall on a Saturday.

But I’m getting ahead of myself! Josh & Alisa met while in college together at the University of Pittsburgh in Greensburg. They dated for about 4 years before they planned a vacation together to Florida. Their trip was two-fold: they wanted to go to Disney World (can you tell why we instantly connected?) and to go visit Josh’s Grandma who lives in Naples, Florida.

Josh knew he wanted to propose on their trip. And just about everyone else knew he was going to propose on their vacation too, except Alisa, who was pleasantly & quietly left in complete darkness. Josh even talked to Alisa’s Dad (who still lives in Ireland), to ask his permission to ask Alisa to marry him. Calling Ireland is no small feat, but it was important to Josh, so he made it happen! And if that fact alone doesn’t prove the gentleman that Josh is, I’m not sure what does!

Without any formal or pre-conceived ideas about where & when he was going to propose, Josh asked his Grandma if she had any suggestions. Between the two of them, they came up with a plan.

It all started with Josh’s Grandma taking Josh & Alisa to brunch. And not just any brunch, but brunch at a private restaurant, on a private beach. After their delicious meal, Josh’s Grandma suggested they go down to the water & take a walk. She walked with them for a while, but then casually suggested that they go on ahead of her.

As they walked, Josh began talking his way up to the proposal. He told Alisa that he loved her, and she cheerily responded that she loved him too. He told Alisa that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, and she cheerily responded that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him too. He even made the statement: “I talked to your Dad,” to which Alisa responded, “You did? How’s he doing?” She was 100% completely oblivious to what was to come!

Finally, on the shores of Naples, Florida, on a gorgeous private beach, Josh got down on one knee. Their previous conversation completely forgotten about, Alisa was so surprised. Of course, Josh asked that all important question, and of course, Alisa said yes.

So, the wedding planning began! The ball was set in motion for a green & gold themed St. Patrick’s Day wedding in March of 2018: 19 months in the future. However, with 5 months to go until their wedding day, they were thrown a curve-ball: they found out that Alisa was pregnant. Being the absolute sweetest couple in the whole world, they rolled with the news. Nothing would stop their upcoming wedding, even if Alisa did have to buy a new wedding dress (don’t worry though, we ran out on a freezing cold day in November & took photos in the first dress she had bought – those photos have been (obviously) kept under wraps up until now – I can’t wait to share those – soon!)

Josh & Alisa – I literally cannot say enough good things about the two of you. Together, you both are one of the sweetest, most caring, generous, and thoughtful couples I have ever worked with. It’s obviously my job to “keep an eye” on the bride & groom on their wedding day (in a good, trying-not-to-miss-any-sweet-moments kind of way) and I absolutely loved watching the two of you at your reception. As the bride & groom, the day is technically all about you guys, but the two of you purposely turned the focus to your family & friends who were attending your wedding. It was so refreshing to witness and I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed celebrating with you on Saturday!

Josh & Alisa opted to do a First Look (which, was more like a “second look”, if you consider the photos we took back in November) so that we could take all of their portraits before the ceremony & there would be more time to enjoy the company of their guests afterward. We went to Indian Lake Park & it made the perfect backdrop for photos!

One of the best “pros” to doing a First Look is the anxiety & stress it relieves. Alisa was super chill getting ready for the wedding, but when I first saw Josh, I could tell that he was a bundle of nerves. He kept pacing, had a slight shake to his hands, and was all-too-serious. In the moments after he saw Alisa, he completely calmed down though. You could see it in his frame, he was breathing again & his smile came back! First Look for-the-win again!

On top of all of that! As Alisa was walking up to Josh, it began to snow! Ever so slightly, it gently started to flurry – it was so pretty!! It only lasted for a few moments, but it added a touch of magic to the day!

Look who stole the show (bowtie & all)!

And then it was off to Stratigos Banquet Center for the ceremony & reception! Everyone was so glad to get inside & warmed up – seriously! Josh & Alisa and their bridal party were such champs for taking photos outside – you seriously cannot tell, but it was cold enough to snow, so it was cold!!

And just in case you were worried that doing a First Look (and doing it twice in Josh & Alisa’s case!) would result in less emotion walking down the aisle, it didn’t hinder that at all.

Josh & Alisa’s cookie table was SO delightful! Pittsburgh weddings: I love you!

One of my favorite photos of the entire day!

2nd II None Productions never disappoints! They are masters of keeping the dance floor hopping all night long!

Huge shout-out and thank you to the amazing team of vendors, as well as friends & family, who helped make Josh & Alisa’s wedding day absolutely perfect!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Stratigos Banquet Center in Irwin, PA
Catering: Stratigos Banquet Center in Irwin, PA
Bridal Gown Retailer: MB Bride in Greensburg, PA
Bridesmaids Gown Retailer: David’s Bridal
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Warehouse
Makeup: Karen Bielic (Mary Kay Rep) in Rector, PA
Getting Ready Location: Hampton Inn & Suites in Irwin, PA
Portrait Location: Indian Lake Park in North Huntingdon, PA
Florist: Logan’s Floral in Youngwood, PA
Cake: Minerva’s Bakery in McKeesport, PA
Invitations: RSVP Greensburg, in Greensburg, PA
Bride’s Ring Designer: Vera Wang
Favors: EFavorMart.com
DJ: 2nd II None Productions in Pittsburgh, PA
Officiant: Rev. Dr. David Anderson Jr.
Photographer: Kara Abbey Photography in Irwin, PA