Happy Anniversary to an amazing couple! Annie grew up in Latrobe, PA but it wasn’t until she moved across the pond to the UK that she met Dan one night at a bar in Southampton. Not only was he handsome, he was intelligent, insightful, and made great conversation. After a year and a half of dating and long car rides where Dan plays the DJ, (one of Annie’s favorite things about him), they decided they wanted to be together for all the years ahead. For their wedding, Annie and Dan invited all their guests from the US and the UK to come to the Basilica at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania where Annie’s family has been celebrating weddings for generations. Their reception was held at the beautiful Lingrow Farm which they chose for it’s unique rural American setting and peaceful location.
The morning started off at Annie’s mom’s house in Latrobe just a few miles from the church. The light was beautiful inside and out, just like Annie.
We met up with Dan and his groomsmen on the campus at Saint Vincent and did some group photos outside the church before the ceremony.
Since Annie’s father had passed away, his good friend stood in for him to walk Annie down the aisle. It was joyful and emotional all at once.
Some details I loved during the ceremony, including the ornate woodwork inside the basilica and the fact that guests embraced traditions and fashions we don’t see very often at traditional American weddings these days. There were lots of beautiful hats and feather fascinators in the audience.
The best part about a wedding at Saint Vincent College is that you get to take advantage of the campus grounds for photos. We visited Sebastian’s Garden and few other buildings.
After the vows, guests were transported through small towns and past rolling cornfields to Lingrow Farm for the reception. The venue features an original Pennsylvania bank-style barn that was part of a horse farm which has been converted into unique event space. Annie and Dan brought their own style to the party with teacups of flowers, burlap, and paper hearts made from used books rescued from the discard bin.
One of my favorite details of their reception was the display of weddings photos from family and friends taken of them on their own wedding days. It was great to see how styles have changed over the years. We loved this idea so much, we did it at my own sister’s wedding a few weeks ago!
Annie and Dan also had three stunning wedding cakes for guests to enjoy! Two “naked” cakes and the center cake was traditional British wedding cake, (which we Americans would recognize as the fruit cake we eat at holidays), decorated with sugar flowers.
When you have a wedding in the country, you never know when nature will show up! This little guy was almost tromped on in the grass during portraits so we rescued him and gave him his photo shoot debut before returning him to the yard.
We loved their guestbook with it’s custom wood cover highlighting the coming together of two families from two different countries.
After dinner, we took the couple outside for some private photos during the golden hour before sunset.
Meanwhile guests enjoyed take-home snacks from Pittsburgh Popcorn Company.
Annie knows all of my own favorite dance moves!
The night ended around the bonfire out by the barn with s’mores for everyone.
Happy Anniversary Annie and Dan! Hope you guys get to go on a great anniversary celebration trip soon!
Miss and <3 you guys!!
