PHOTOS BY BRITTANY LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
In July 2020, just months after their engagement began, Elena LaQuatra and her fiancé Jordan were forced to postpone their wedding indefinitely due to the pandemic.
This made the WTAE anchor even more determined to make their celebration as special as possible.
“As we started planning the second time around, I was like, ‘I don’t want to overlook anything. If there’s something I want for my wedding, we’ll do it,” she said.
This included a 360° photo booth, live painting, fireworks, and all three flavors of cake. Elena says she realized it was important to do what they could to make the day feel special, even the aspects that may seem like minor details to others.
“I know I don’t need [the photo booth], but it’s so cool, and you only get married once,” Elena says. “I think it was one of the biggest hits of the wedding. People loved it, and I was so happy when the guests appreciated all the little details.
The couple originally hoped to wed in February 2021, but they wanted to be sure they could safely invite all of their family and friends to the wedding.
“When we first got engaged, we were 100% focused on the wedding, the wedding and planning everything,” Jordan says. “Then, holy cow…this global pandemic happened and we had to reorient our strategy. … It was interesting because it also tested our relationship. If you can get through that, you can get through anything. I hope this is the worst thing we have ever experienced.
Their wedding date ended up being January 22.
Elena says she felt overwhelmed with excitement the moment she woke up. She had been scared to sleep because she had spent so many late nights packing welcome bags, wedding favors, thank you notes and countless other little details, but she was more than ready to finally begin her journey. daytime.
“I was so emotional about it [because] I was so ready to get married,” Elena says. “It had been such a long commitment – two and a half years – that it was so exciting that it was time and everything was falling into place. We could finally call each other husband and wife at the end of the day.
The couple had a traditional Greek ceremony at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Mount Lebanon in honor of Elena’s Greek heritage.
Jordan says one of the most emotional parts of his day was watching Elena walk down the aisle.
“That’s definitely when I really started to cry,” Jordan says, “because I knew we’d crossed paths and we were going to get married, you know? … I’m the only one know what [that moment] felt, and that’s something I’ll keep forever.
Jordan says he enjoyed planning the wedding and would encourage other newlyweds to get involved in their own celebration.
“A decent number of guys I’ve talked to about it always say, ‘Let her plan. It’s his day,” he said. “No, it’s your day together.” Be part of it. … Don’t have this blunt attitude of, ‘Oh, she’s going to plan it, and I’m just going to show up.’ “
The couple are planning to travel to Italy for their honeymoon this summer and are excited to see what awaits them.
“What I love most about being married is looking forward to the next thing, [such as] start a family at some point and enjoy life as a married couple now,” says Elena.
Sellers
Ceremony place Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, Mount Lebanon
Place of reception Omni William Penn Hotel, Downtown
Cake Maisy Cakes
Dress Bridal Couture by Dimitra, BERTA Bridal, Valentini Spose (Ceremony); Celestial Brides and Prom, Sherri Hill (Reception)
Beauty Makeup by Ashle-a, Salon Eleven, Simply Captivating, Shannon Cole Makeup, Beat By Nesh, Erin Brown
Jewelry Jewelers LJ Marks, Stefanie Somers
Shoes Sophia Webster, Badgley Mischka
tuxedo David Alan Clothing
Bow tie Knotzland Bowtie Co.
flowers Dormont Florist
Entertainment Legacy BAND, The Greek Company Orchestra, Mikey Dee Entertainment
Rentals All Occasion Party Rentals, Vintage Alley Rentals, Dzign Studio
Invitations/signage Custom designs
Household linen Mosaic Event and Party Rentals
Live painting Lisa Marie paints
photo booth Moxie Kiosk
Pyrotechnics Savvy Fresh Group
Videography ShoFilms
Transportation Transportation by elite coach
wedding planner Reverie events and weddings
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