Bride & groom exchanging rings at wedding ceremony at Terrene Pittsburgh

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Terrene Pittsburgh in Station Square

Who doesn’t love a Sunday brunch wedding? Nicole and Craig held an intimate spring brunch wedding at Terrene Pittsburgh, located in Station Square.

Spring was in the air. The vibe was casual yet beautiful and romantic.

The Couple

Nicole and Craig met at work several years ago and were friends for a while. Craig was there to help Nicole through hardship, specifically losing her husband, the father of her children. Their bond grew deeper, and their wedding day was a day to celebrate their love, friendship, and official joining of their two families.

As avid coffee lovers, hosting a brunch wedding was a great fit for them and provided a light, casual atmosphere that was inviting for the children and families who were there to witness their union.

The Vibe

While April can be a tricky month to plan a wedding in Pittsburgh, the weather on this particular Sunday did not disappoint! It was quite warm, but a nice breeze blew through the venue’s open doors. The greenery that hung from the venue’s ceiling and florals created by Jim Ludwig’s Bloomengarten Florist gave off fresh, spring vibes. Flowy fabrics and warm candles added a touch of romance that took the space from industrial cafe to a unique wedding venue.

The Venue

While the couple may have chosen the venue because of its ability to be dressed up and feel moody yet simple, let’s not forget about the food. Terrene is owned by Kimberley Ashlee Catering, who provides exceptional food for events there.

While the venue always has greenery hanging from the ceiling that draws the eye upward, many of the metal surfaces get covered by greenery boxes and other items to transform the space, making for a more inviting experience.

Terrene ended up being an incredible wedding venue and is wonderful if you’re looking for somewhere unique or small for your intimate wedding.

Attire & Decor

Nicole opted for a trainless dress to fit the more casual nature of the wedding, yet she looked anything but casual. The plunge neckline was perfect on her! Craig opted for a spring green sport jacket and floral tie. Their kids’ attire was beautifully paired with the color palette for the wedding.

The wedding color palette featured ivory, blush, dusty rose, and greenery. Nicole also loves rose gold, so subtle elements of it were incorporated into the day.

Hoop bouquets were a fun twist on your average bouquet for Nicole and their daughters.

Getting Ready

Nicole used Beauty Justified by Justine Lynn for her hair and makeup for her first wedding, and choosing Justine again was an easy choice for her this time around.

The couple and their children met their photographer, Jess Vogelsang, at Allegheny Commons Park for some outdoor pre-wedding photos. The weather was beautiful, the park provided the perfect backdrop, and Jess truly captured light spring vibes with her photo-taking and editing style.

The Ceremony

In preparing for the wedding ceremony at Terrene, guests sat at their tables, while a few seats were reserved up front for immediate family. The couple entered to a song called, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” which was mirrored in their greenery wall backdrop.

A close relative led the beginning of the ceremony before the couple united themselves, exchanging heart-felt vows that had many (including me!) in tears. After their kiss, they ended with their own special handshake, which was a testimonial to their deep sense of friendship.

After the ceremony, hugs were exchanged with family, and witnesses signed their self-uniting marriage license.

The Reception

Nicole’s daughter kicked off the post-ceremony events by reading a letter she wrote for the couple. Nicole and Craig stood in front of her, as per her request, to act as a shield between herself and the room full of people. So cute!

From beautiful salmon and bagel spreads to breakfast flatbreads and phenomenal mac n’ cheese, the brunch buffet was both eye-catching and delicious. Brunch cocktails added to the ambience. Background music chosen by the couple played as guests ate and mingled.

A special element to the day was the choice of entertainment. The couple wanted a less traditional event, rather than a DJ and dancing, so they opted for “Magician & Storyteller,” Jon Tai, to keep guests engaged. As one group after another made their way to Jon Tai’s table to hang out, they were delighted as he performed acts of mind-reading in a personable and friendly manner.

Eco-Friendly Elements

As an eco-friendly wedding planner, I love planning micro-weddings in particular, as they tend to be less traditional and create less waste.

For this wedding, the couple also made eco-friendly choices like:

Opting for edible/consumable favors
Avoiding plastic decor
Skipping day-of stationery
Forgoing extra cake/dessert that might go to waste
And reusing the flowers at another weekend event

Working Together

The year prior, the couple was looking for someone to help them plan and design their micro-wedding when they came across Eco & Ivory.

Even if you’re planning a micro-wedding, you tend to have to think through and plan many of the same components as if the guest count were higher. Keeping guests entertained and the event flowing also becomes another factor to think through when you’re not going the traditional route with a DJ and dancing. And I love helping couples explore the unique options that are out there!

Helping the couple conceptualize a design and layout for the space and then bring it to life was an exciting part of the process. It was so much fun working in such a non-traditional space!

Want to work together? Learn more about ways I can help guide you through the planning process here!

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