I had the pleasure of photographing Carly and Colin’s elegant celebration at The Stables at Connoquenessing, and I’m thrilled that this wedding was featured on Burgh Brides in 2023! This publication feature highlights the beauty of this rustic yet elegant venue in Western Pennsylvania, which provided the perfect backdrop for their contemporary yet timeless day. If you’re planning your wedding at The Stables at Connoquenessing and looking for a photographer whose work at this venue has been recognized by top wedding publications, I’d love to chat about your vision.
I’m proud to share that Carly and Colin’s Stables at Connoquenessing wedding was selected to be featured on Burgh Brides, one of Pittsburgh’s premier wedding blogs, in 2023. This recognition highlights the beauty of this venue and the special moments captured throughout their day. The feature praised the chic color palette of white, gold, black, and dark green that created a modern yet classic atmosphere.
What makes The Stables at Connoquenessing special for wedding photographers is how the venue balances rustic charm with modern amenities. As the Burgh Brides feature noted, the venue “boasts a warm, rustic lower floor perfect for cocktails and a clean, modern barn-like ceremony and receptionspace upstairs” that “doesn’t need much to be beautiful.”
Carly and Colin’s story is one of perfect timing. Though they attended the same college and had mutual connections, they didn’t actually meet until 2014 when their paths crossed on a dating app. Their relationship faced an early challenge when Colin moved to Texas just six months later, making their new relationship a long-distance one for two years.
However, this distance provided them the opportunity to truly get to know each other and appreciate the time they could spend together. Throughout their relationship, they made multiple trips each year to Charlottesville, VA to enjoy the scenery and visit their favorite wineries and breweries. It was at their favorite place, Thatch Winery, where Colin proposed on November 7, 2020.
One of the most beautiful moments of the day was Carly and Colin’s first look. In their own words, “Finally seeing each other for the first time at our first look. That moment felt like it would never come as we were getting ready. When we were able to see each other, all of our nerves just vanished and all we cared about was seeing one another all dressed up. After seven years, this was one of the best moments in our relationship.”
As a photographer, capturing this raw emotion is what makes my job so rewarding. The genuine joy and love between Carly and Colin was palpable in every frame.
Learn more about why first looks make sense for timeline planning on my blog.
The Stables at Connoquenessing offers multiple stunning backdrops for wedding party photos. We used the venue’s historic features and natural surroundings to create beautiful group portraits that complemented the elegant aesthetic of the day.
As your potential Stables at Connoquenessing wedding photographer, I’ll help pose and direct your wedding party to create natural, joyful group portraits that showcase both your relationships and the venue’s unique features. See more examples in my Pittsburgh wedding gallery.
The ceremony space at The Stables at Connoquenessing was transformed into a romantic setting for Carly and Colin’s vows. With panoramic views and the venue’s clean, modern barn-like atmosphere, the space provided the perfect backdrop for their commitment.
What made their ceremony truly special was the simple yet elegant approach to decor. As mentioned in the Burgh Brides feature, they kept things “simple and elegant with lush monochromatic florals from Julie James Designs and painted acrylic signs from Chelsea Helen Designs.”
Carly wore a beautiful Madi Lane wedding dress from Bridal Beginning that featured floral illusion lace sleeves and bodice. With accessories from Clarissa Boutique and a low, sleek chignon, her romantic look perfectly complemented the venue’s elegant atmosphere.
The wedding featured a sophisticated color palette of black, dark green, and gold, which created a timeless aesthetic against the venue’s natural beauty. Simple yet impactful decor with flowers, greenery, and candles enhanced the warm environment that The Stables naturally provides.
As your Stables at Connoquenessing wedding photographer, I’ll guide you to these picturesque spots around the property:
The field next to The Stables at Connoquenessing provided a straightforward yet beautiful backdrop for Carly and Colin’s portraits. This unassuming location offered clean compositions that kept the focus on the couple’s connection.
As an experienced Stables at Connoquenessing wedding photographer, I’ve found that sometimes the simplest locations yield the most authentic moments. Learn more about why location selection matters for wedding portraits on my blog.
What many couples don’t realize is that an experienced Stables at Connoquenessing wedding photographer knows how to find beauty in unexpected places. For Carly and Colin’s first look, I actually used the neighboring funeral home as a backdrop—believe it or not! The elegant architecture and mature landscaping created a sophisticated setting that translated beautifully in photographs, without anyone ever guessing its actual purpose.
This is why trusting your photographer’s vision and experience with the venue is so important. Sometimes the most striking images come from locations you’d never consider on your own.
The reception space at The Stables at Connoquenessing created the perfect atmosphere for Carly and Colin’s celebration. As noted in the Burgh Brides feature, the venue’s “clean, modern barn-like ceremony and reception space” provided an elegant canvas for their chosen aesthetic.
Show Image The reception space decorated for Carly and Colin’s celebration
Their romantic and simple approach with flowers, greenery, and candles enhanced the venue’s natural beauty without overwhelming it. The black, dark green, and gold color scheme created a sophisticated atmosphere that photographed beautifully.
Of course, no Pittsburgh wedding would be complete without a cookie table! The Stables at Connoquenessing provides perfect display areas for these meaningful traditions. Read more about incorporating Pittsburgh traditions into your wedding on my blog and check out my reception detail photography tips.
After photographing Carly and Colin’s beautiful wedding at this venue, I can confidently navigate:
My experience with this venue has even been recognized by Burgh Brides, who featured my photography of Carly and Colin’s celebration. I’d love to help you create a photography plan that showcases all this beautiful venue has to offer.
Read what past couples say about working with me as their wedding photographer.
For more wedding photography inspiration, follow me on Instagram @marienmalloy where I share recent weddings and behind-the-scenes content.
Thank you, Carly and Colin, for choosing me as your Stables at Connoquenessing wedding photographer. For couples currently planning their wedding at this stunning venue, I’d love to connect about capturing your special day with the same attention to detail and emotional storytelling that earned this wedding a feature on Burgh Brides. Learn more about my wedding photography packages and booking process.
Contact me about being your Stables at Connoquenessing wedding photographer →
Con mucho amor,
Copyright 2024 Marien Malloy