Kyprian & Emily | Wedding at St. Mary’s Dome (Byzantine Catholic Church) in Latrobe, PA

Did you know that Facebook has a dating “app” wing of their website?
I didn’t.
It makes sense though – Facebook knows “everything” about us (our interests, likes, friends) – so it seems logical that Facebook would be a powerful place to put people together.

Unfortunately though, the algorithm wasn’t quite working out for Emily.
It just kept pairing her up with non-dateable guy, after non-dateable guy. She was on the verge of giving up on the app, when she decided to give it one last chance.
And that’s when Kyprian came up.

He looked normal, and it turns out: they had a ton in common – they both had written in their profiles that they loved music, that their faith was of upmost importance to them, and they BOTH loved Taco Bell.

They chatted for a week before going on their first date and as the evening was wrapping up, all Emily could think was: “I never want this evening to end. I just want to stay and continue talking to this guy for the rest of my life.”
And, you could say that the rest is history.

Fast forward to December of last year – Kenny G was coming to The Palace Theater in Greensburg and Emily had been dying to see him in concert. She and Kyp and her parents got tickets, they got all dressed up, and the evening finally arrived.
Little did Emily know – but Kyp had plans to make the evening extra special.

As they were walking up to The Palace, a slight chill in the air, under the sparkling lights of the marque above them, Kyp stopped Emily and said, “I have something to give you.”
And he dropped down to one knee and presented her with a Taco Bell sauce packet that said: “Marry me.”
He’d been searching for that particular sauce packet forever and he finally had found one in Belle Vernon. From sauce packet to soulmate – of course, Emily said YES!

And this past Saturday was the big day. I try not to use the word “perfect” lightly when it comes to wedding days, but Saturday truly was pretty close to perfect. Everything flowed so smoothly, the timeline was on-time (or even early) all day, and the weather held out and the rain stayed away while we needed to be outside for portraits (and then poured as soon as we went into the reception). The day was full of emotion, joy, and love, and it was amazing.

Emily and her Mom have the sweetest friendship – beyond the typical mother/daughter relationships I usually see on wedding days – it was precious!

Emily and Kyprian were married at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Bradenville, PA – I have photographed a lot of weddings, but never a Byzantine Catholic Mass. It was such a beautiful and meaningful service and had so many different symbolic things – it was a stunning service to witness.

It isn’t entirely uncommon for a couple to have a specific pose that they want to re-create on their wedding day – something that has become their tradition and they do it everywhere they go.
Well, Emily and Kyprian are no different, but instead of a “pose”, they have “the grim” – this face that Kyp makes that they’ve made a tradition out of photographing through their entire relationship – so their wedding day could be no different!

Along with their traditional wedding ceremony, Emily and Kyprian chose to write personal vows to one another that they read privately during their portraits.
I love when a couple does this! It’s always so emotional and beautiful and gives the bride and groom a chance to really say what’s on their heart, without 200 guests listening on.

You know I couldn’t pass up the chance to photograph their wedding rings with THE Taco Bell sauce packet!

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

Ceremony Venue: St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Bradenville, PA
Reception Venue: St. Mary’s Dome in Bradenville, PA
Getting Ready Location: Springhill Suites Pittsburgh Latrobe in Latrobe, PA
Catering: Long’s Catering LLC in Crabtree, PA
Bakery: Lisa Wherry
Invitations: Elegant Wedding Invitations
Hair Stylist: Britni Addis
Florals: Blossoms and Branches LLC in Latrobe, PA
Bridal Gown: Kimberly Jaymes Bridal in Latrobe, PA
Seamstress: Ashley McIntosh
Bridesmaid’s Gowns: David’s Bridal
Groom’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse
Wedding Rings: Kenyon Jewelers in Wilkinsburg, PA
DJ: Ted Knisely
Transportation: Tony Kovach
Videographer: Steve Sensebaugh Films in Reynoldsville, PA
Photographer: Kara Abbey Photography in Irwin, PA