Real Bride Feature // Lauren + Jake

It's all in the details, and #luxereduxbride Lauren's wedding was full of them. Lauren + Jake wanted to show off their love for their city and have a unique wedding that truly captured their love story. They were married at Market Street Pier in downtown Pittsburgh, followed by a modern + fun reception at Floor 2.

"We meet in late 2018 through Hinge (which is really the new meeting at a bar, right?). We finally met in person at Bakersfield downtown, where I walked in, promptly slipped on the floor, slid a few feet and landed on the ground at the corner of the bar where Jake happened to be sitting. He helped me get back on my feet, we laughed, and then proceeded to have a 7 hour date hopping between downtown restaurants. As we got to know each other we realized we had been at the same events over the years, but we never met! So maybe there is something to the cliché 'timing is everything'."

They dated for a few years + the rest was history! To propose, Jake set up a scavenger hunt including some of their first date locations, which made the occasion all the more meaningful.

"The day before we closed on our house, he left me a small envelope that kicked off an adventure across the North Side and Downtown. I was sent on an scavenger hunt to places important to us as a couple. First stop - Federal Galley - a spot where we often had conversations about our future together over a beer or three in the sunshine, often before sharing a nice walk in the park or through the city. My parents and sister were already there with the next note. Second stop - The Warren - the bar where we ended our first date and the bar that become our favorite late night spot in the city (we ended up having our afterparty there!). My sister escorted me to the Warren where I found my childhood friend who greeted me with the third note. Third stop - further downtown, ending up at the restaurant where we first met. Jake’s parents were there with the fourth note that led me back the Northside, where Jake was waiting with my family at this tiny pier between PNC Park and Heinz field. During those long, lockdown walks, we would often comment on how cute it would be to get married on that pier with Pittsburgh as the backdrop. After the rain let up (it had been damp and drizzling), Jake proposed that night, on the pier down the street from our soon-to-be new home, surrounded by our most important people."

Their day was the perfect combination of modern minimalism with an old Hollywood twist. 

Lauren wore a stunning long sleeve, fitted gown by Alon Livne + a Sara Gabriel duet and headpiece. The look was complimented by a sleek 70's inspired hairstyle.

"I chose Luxe Redux because I knew I would need a dress quickly since we wanted to get married in less than a year. But once I saw the selection, I knew that I would have a hard time finding another boutique that was so kind, considerate, and offered such unique pieces."

Even with a slight weather delay, the ceremony was absolute perfection. From the string quartet to on tap drinks for the guests, everything came together beautifully. 

"Our wedding day had 100% chance of rain all day, but thankfully it only rained for 23 minutes right at the start of our ceremony (who’s counting?). Our guests were able to stay dry nearby and kept entertained with beverages from She’s All Tap (Cranberry) featuring Goodlander Cocktail Brewery (East Liberty) cocktails. We were Goodlander’s first wedding and everyone loved their take on alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. We made sure to also include beer and the last tap was Old Thunder Brewing (Blawnox) 340 Lager. The Pittsburgh String Quartet set the mood once the rain let up and we were able to start the ceremony 45 minutes late."

Lauren + Jake's day was full of special moments shared between the two of them.