Courtney Elizabeth Collins & Gregory Benson << Courtney spotted this Maggie Sottero gown online and fell in love. She searched local stores for the one-shoulder ball gown, finally finding it at Mary’s Bride and Formal. “It was meant to be. It was the color I wanted and my size,” says Courtney.
Though Courtney Elizabeth Collins and Gregory Benson both grew up in Sewickley, and worked only a block away from each other in Downtown Pittsburgh, they never crossed paths until meeting at a mutual friend’s party in 2011. Five months later, while cheering on steeplechase races at My Lady’s Manor in Washington, D.C., Greg popped the question. “Between mint juleps and seersucker, he got on one knee and asked if I would be his wife. I immediately said yes!” says Courtney Elizabeth. Allegheny Country Club hosted their summer garden wedding, and although the bride wanted an outdoor celebration, the couple booked the ballroom just in case the weather did not cooperate. “Our wedding day turned out to be the hottest day of the year! The high was 97, and it was so humid,” she says. Instead, their 100 guests enjoyed air conditioning while dancing to music spun by DJ Pete Massella. A “preppy” color scheme of petal pink and Kelly green decorated the venue, and centerpieces of pink and green cabbage roses, hydrangeas, roses, berries, ferns, and twisted willow, designed by Flowerama Pittsburgh, graced the tables. The couple shared their first dance to Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”
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Cara Cambest & Rob Regner << Cara looked gorgeous in a Robin Jillian gown from MB Bride. A birdcage veil, fuchsia heels, and her mother’s pearls completed the look.
Cara Cambest and Rob Regner began their relationship as co-workers and soon realized they were meant to be much more than that. Three years later, Cara and Rob road-tripped to Columbus, Ohio, celebrating their anniversary. After dinner, Cara began to peruse the dessert menu, when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rob place something on the table. It was a ring box, and an overwhelmed Cara burst into tears of joy, so nervous that she forgot to say yes at first! After a beautiful ceremony in Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden’s Outdoor Garden, guests headed to the Duquesne University Power Center Ballroom for a Pittsburgh-themed reception. Pictures of Pittsburgh landmarks and centerpieces of fuchsia spray roses and white calla lilies, designed by Donna Delestienne, topped each table. An ice sculpture in the shape of the Pittsburgh skyline served as a conversation starter during cocktail hour; mini Heinz ketchup bottles were handed out as favors; and Anne Lehman Designs created city-themed save the date cards, invitations, and programs. The couple wowed guests with a unique first dance, starting off slowly to the Rascal Flatts song, “God Bless the Broken Road,” before busting out into a choreographed dance to Chris Brown’s “Forever.” After dinner, guests enjoyed slices of the four-tier white batter and mango-filled Bethel Bakery cake. Says the bride, “The whole day was absolutely amazing.” Submit your wedding for WHIRL’s consideration at whirlmagazine.com. Photographs from David Kantz, Sean Davies
wh i r lm a g a z i n e . c o m / W h irl
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