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“Leaping” into the Wedding Season on 2-29-20

Leap Day and Leap Year Weddings are always popular. The brides and grooms will always remember the date and usually plan for a extra special celebration every 4 years. We helped 2 couples “leap” into married life on 2/29/20.

Carly chose a winter themed look – with all white flowers, flowing cedar, ency, brier berries and gold accents. The bouquet contains whites anemones- open white roses, lisanthisis, and dusty miller accent Very classic for February 29th Wedding.

Our 2nd bride chose all deep rich burgundy / red tones for her bouquets- which looked very elegant against the bridesmaids black dress. Flowing greenery, deep burgundy cymbidium orchids and roses with hypericum berries were used to captured an elegant winter vibe.

Beautiful Heinz Chapel and Soldiers and Sailors Hall were the setting for this wedding. We wish both of our brides the very best! Thank you choosing Parkway Florist to be part of your very special day.

Our Fall 2019 End of the Year Review

September through December always seem to bring crazy busy times here at Parkway Florist. We’ve been producing flowers for so many weddings that we often don’t take the time necessary to show you the finished work. Here are a two trends we noticed in 2019…

Cascades are back!

 

Brides are loving a more organic, greenery, flowing aesthetic!

If you’re getting married in 2020, we would love to speak with you about your wedding flowers. Call us soon to schedule a free consultation – (412) 937-1100.

9.20.2019 -Holly & Kyle say “I Do!”

Sometimes  we have the chance to really think outside the box with our floral designs., challenging our creativity as well as imagination.  Holly and Kyle love antiques and wanted to incorporate them into their centerpieces.   We can only imagine the hours the couple spent,  visiting antique stores and flea markets,  to find the gems they brought to us. One fun find was the Red Flyer  wagon that the ringbearer came  down the aisle in, pulled by the flower girl.

The newlyweds said their vows in front of friends and family in the beautiful Heinz Chapel. Two traditional altarpieces of stargazer lilies, pink and white snapdragons, pink and white larkspur, pink roses, and lush eucalyptus stood out against the rich dark wood of the altar.

heinz chapel 9_20

Holly’s bridal bouquet (#1047) really played with texture.  It included maidenhair ferns cascading among pink garden roses, cafe au lait and pink dahlias,  small touches of dusty miller, pink larkspur and calcynia.

bouquets 1047

The bridal party bouquets continued on the beautiful texture with flowers are  very seasonal  – calcynia and pink bunny tail!  The maid of honor carried a bouquet (#1048) of light and medium pink roses, pink dahlias, calcynia, and fluffy pink bunny tail.  The bridesmaids carried bouquets of light and medium pink roses accented with calcynia (#1049).

 

The ringbearer even got flowers of his own! Raggedy Ann and Andy took a ride down the aisle with him, and   white  flowered ribbons trailed behind the wagon.   Light pink miniature gerbera daisies and pink dahlias were fastened to the ribbons.

heinz chapel wagon 9_20

St. Nicholas Hall, just a street or two over from Heinz Chapel, was the setting for the wedding  reception.

Holly and Kyle’s centerpieces went beyond just looking beautiful.   They were symbols of important stories in their time together.   Next to each centerpiece,  the couple provided an  album with pictures and text to explain these stories. One centerpiece was made atop a baby scale, blooming with lilies, garden roses, pink larkspur, pink roses, pink bunny tail, and flowing eucalyptus.

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Another centerpiece featured an antique rotary phone, which reminded us of Wilson Pickett’s romantic song “634-5789.” We designed this arrangement with white hydrangea, pink roses, burgundy amaranthus, ruscus, willow eucalyptus, flax and wild grasses.

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The next centerpiece featured an antique camera, which we have focused in on creamy, full roses. Light pink orchids, green hydrangea, and bear grass made up the rest of the ring.  (Butterflies were landing on the roses as the camera focused for a close-up.)

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It would be too fun if this antique radio could be playing Pickett’s tune! This arrangement (#650) featured white roses, maidenhair fern, billy balls, flax, willow eucalyptus, and other grasses which draped down elegantly.

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On one side of this centerpiece (#651) you’ll find a distinguished antique clock, and on the other, a tall arrangement of white mums, pink dahlias, flax, ruscus,   gunny eucalyptus, and Russian olive.

 

We buried an antique sewing machine in blooms for one of the centerpieces (#652)!  Pink dahlias, pink bunny tail, baby’s breath, scabiosa, gomphrena, and eucalyptus created a tapestry of flowers beside the vintage Sewmor machine.

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Both Holly and Kyle have very special fur friends in their lives, which they represented in one of the centerpieces (#653).  A cat can be seen looking into a little pond, in which we floated a rose.  Around the statue are light pink hydrangea, light pink larkspur, pink bunny tail, gomphrena, scabiosa,  gunny eucalyptus and bear grass.

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The final centerpiece (#654) featured a vintage typewriter which displayed a portion of Elizabeth Barrett’s classic sonnet “How Do I Love Thee.”   Curly willow and flax were draped over the typewriter, and pink dahlias, pink roses, dusty miller, ruscus, and calcynia bloomed up the side of the typewriter. The album that Holly and Kyle provided on this table contained the newlyweds’ vows for each other.

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Of course, it wouldn’t be a wedding without a wedding cake! We decorated the intricately iced cake (#164) with white gardenias and light pink spray roses.

cake 164

It was a pleasure to assist  Holly and Kyle to make their creative vision a reality.   The creativity of designing arrangements around these antiques was truly  challenging!   We wish the newlyweds all the best in their married life  adventures. Thank you for allowing us to play a part in your special day!!

8-31-3019 Over A Year in the Making…

We began working with Lindsay and her Mom, Amy,  in the late summer of 2018 in preparation for the late summer 2019 wedding.   Many conversations, and emails later, some tweaking to the plan…..and a little magic & fairy dust…..and we had a wedding!

There were actually two wedding ceremonies that took place.  First, Lindsay & Alex were married in the north hills of Pittsburgh, in a traditional Russian Orthodox ceremony.  Then,   after a few photographs, the journey to Greentree, and the second wedding of the day!

Lindsay and Alex were then  united during a Presbyterian  wedding ceremony at Unity Presbyterian Church,  right down the street from us here in Greentree!  We furnished two altarpieces, garland for the candelabras, and vases of white hydrangea, pink roses, and pink larkspur for the ceremony.  (Presbyterian churches are generally a little “understated”, so the additional flowers and candles helped to set a festive mood).

Unity Presbyterian

Lindsay’s bridal bouquet (#1033) was a traditional round bouquet with Sahara and Vendella roses, Gardenias, Stephanotis with pearls, and  a little blue thistle.  (the secret ingredient here).

bouquets 1033

Her Maid of Honor carried a bouquet (#1034) of white hydrangea, white Vendella roses and mauve Faith roses.  Her bridesmaids carried bouquets (#1035) of white hydrangea and mauve Faith roses, while  her junior bridesmaids carried a smaller version, with the same flowers (#1036).

 

The reception took place in downtown Pittsburgh at The Westin Pittsburgh.  Guests were greeted  at the top of the escalator by an elevated  arrangement on  the place card table (#121), lush with white hydrangea, white roses, pink larkspur, silver dollar and seeded eucalyptus.

placecard 121

Inside the ballroom, the centerpieces were entirely romantic.  We designed long and low centerpieces (#640) of white hydrangea, white roses, and white spray roses in gold containers, and surrounded them with votive candles and  cylinders of floating candles.

centerpieces 640 lit

Bethel Bakery supplied a yummy looking cake, which we  also decorated with fresh flowers (#162).    The ombre gold cake was stunning  with our white roses and light pink spray roses.

cake 162

It was a pleasure working with you, Lindsay and Alex, as well as your family, Lindsay,  to achieve your Best Day Ever!   We wish you both  many years of happiness as you embark on this new adventure together.  God Bless and have a great journey!

Historic Old St. Luke’s Church 8-17-19

Nestled away in Scott Township is a hidden gem of a church called Old St. Luke’s Church.    If you were not looking for it, you would not know that this is a beautiful, restored church, that is still periodically used today.

Travel in time with me to a long ago era…….Close your eyes & just imagine………

Old St Luke’s was a Frontier Church, dating from prior to the Revolutionary War days.  According to literature available, Old St. Luke’s was one of the oldest frontier churches of any denomination west of the Allegheny Mountains.  Colonial militiamen who accompanied General John Forbes on his mission to capture Ft. Duquesne in 1758 returned later to settle & become landowners along the Chartiers Creek Valley.  Many of the streets in this section of Scott Twp. are named after the men who were part of General Forbes’ military mission, and are also buried in the graveyard surrounding the church today.

Major William Lea was a member of the Forbes expedition & received a King’s Grant of 335 acres of land in 1770 from King George of England.  He set aside 10 rods square for the Church & Burial Ground.  Title to the land was duly recorded in West Augusta County, Virginia.  (Pennsylvania did not exist yet.  We were still considered to be part of Virginia).

Major Lea married the love of his life, Dorothy Nelson, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.   They returned to the Chartiers Valley area to build their house, and the log church that superseded Old St. Luke’s Church.  Their daughter, Jane, was born & baptized in Old St. Luke’s Church in December, 1774.  She was the first settler’s child born in Chartiers Valley, west of the Allegheny Mountains.  (Jane died in 1859, at age 85, and is buried in the cemetery that surrounds the church).

About 1790, the log stockade church was replaced by a frame building.  And in 1852, the present stone church was erected.  During the Whiskey Rebellion,  when England imposed unreasonable excise taxes on locally produced products, the church became a gathering point for many — while many were driven away from the church.   (The Whiskey Rebellion was one of the many skirmishes  leading up to the Revolutionary War).

This church, still small by today’s standards, seats roughly 90 to 100 people.

The pipe organ, still played today, was purchased in England by Trinity Episcopal Church of Pittsburgh, and was brought over the mountains by mule.  This organ was given to Old St Luke’s Church in 1852, when Trinity acquired a new organ.  This organ is the oldest pipe organ west of the Allegheny mountains, and is still played today for all weddings and ceremonies held in the church.

By many accounts, the cemetery surrounding the church contains the graves of over 200 or more individuals.  Some of the graves are marked.  Some are not.   Some headstones have disappeared over the years due to weather, time and in some cases vandalism.  Archaeological work by Dr. Ron Carlyle in 1991 and later work by a CMU computer group have identified where a number of graves are potentially located.

Old St Luke’s Church & Burial grounds & Garden is now a non-profit corporation, and is maintained by volunteers, and thru donations.   It does not hold regular church services, or have a regular congregation.   It is available for wedding ceremonies for a fee of $500. + separate fees for the organist and clergy.  (For wedding information — please call 724-745-8278).

Tours of the church & burial grounds are conducted each Sunday from Memorial Day thru Labor Day — Sundays — 1:30 to 4:00 pm.   Group tours are also available (Call ahead 412-531-9333).

More information about Old St. Luke’s Church can be found at: www.oldsaintlukes.org. This gem is close by the city, yet hidden from most views.  We invite you to take a ride on a Sunday, and enjoy  a journey back in time!

 

7-27-2019 – A Grand Debut for Our New Square Arch

On Saturday, 7/27/2019, Chelsea and J.R. said ‘I do!’ It was a beautiful sunny evening, perfect for a wedding ceremony in the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott’s Courtyard Garden.

Chelsea carried a bouquet (#1016) of pink and white lisianthus, vendela and playa blanca roses, light pink astilbe, white hydrangea, Queen Anne’s lace, black cherry Sweet Williams, silver dollar eucalyptus and dusty miller.

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Her bridesmaids carried bouquets (#1017) of blush garden spirit roses, veronica, Queen Anne’s lace, and gunny eucalyptus.

bouquets 1017

The couple exchanged vows in front of our square wooden arch, draped with white fabric, and adorned with many many flowers.  White lilies, white lisianthus, pink snapdragons, white stock flower, silver dollar eucalyptus, and many more flowers added a little extra beauty to the already stunning surroundings.

rectangle arch

We sprinkled rose petals down the aisle and lined the aisle with white lanterns topped with artificial pink hydrangea.

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It was a pleasure working with Chelsea and J.R., thank you both for allowing us to play a part in your special day!  We absolutely love this photo of the newlyweds with Chelsea’s parents in front of the arch – it came out lovely.  We wish the happy couple much love and happiness!

7_27 Marriott Bride Arch

6-22-2019 – Hot Pink Flowers, Hot Summer Day

Brittany and Corey said “I do” on June 22nd, 2019!  They said their vows in the picturesque Courtyard Garden of the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott. Their photographer was Chase Images, and they took this gorgeous photo of the newlyweds in the courtyard!

brittany dalessio couple

Brittany carried a bouquet (#993) of bright stargazer lilies and hot pink roses.  Her bridesmaids carried similar bouquets (#994) of stargazer lilies, hot pink roses, and white waxflower.

The ceremony took place between two bright altarpieces on top of our pillars, featuring white hydrangea, white stock flowers, pink Gerber daisies, stargazer lilies, pink snapdragon, and pink larkspur.  You can see them pictured below, with the bride!

bride and mom

The reception took place inside the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott in their Grand Ballroom.  On the placecard table, we provided a vase (#117) of white hydrangea, Stargazer lilies, pink larkspur, light pink roses, and gunny eucalyptus.

placecard table 117

Inside the ballroom, the tables were decorated with alternating low and high centerpieces.  Both the low (#628a) and high (#628b) centerpieces featured white hydrangea and pale pink roses.

We decorated their wedding cake (#159) from Bethel Bakery with light pink roses and spray roses.  The cake topper was just too cute!

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We had a wonderful time working with Brittany and Corey to help them prepare for their big day!  Thank you to the happy couple for allowing us to play a part in your special day!!!

6-15-2019 – Ohio, Here We Come!

Our adventures over the weekend took us to Saint Peters Church in Steubenville, Ohio for Carmela and Primo’s wedding.  This stunning church was a wonderful venue for our lovely couple.  The pews (#24) were decorated with tulle and gerber daisies, giving an extra pop of color.

The bride carried a full bouquet of champagne and white roses and Queen Anne’s lace (#987).bouquets 987

Her bridesmaids carried bright bouquets (#988) of light coral gerber daisies, light coral roses, green hypericum berries, and gunny eucalyptus.

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Their reception took place at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott here in Pennsylvania.  Guests were greeted by a vase of coral flowers on the placecard table (#115).

placecard table 115

Inside the Grand Ballroom, each table was adorned by low centerpieces (#626) similar to the bridesmaids’ bouquets: light coral roses, light coral gerber daisies, green hypericum berries, and silver dollar eucalyptus.

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We also decorated the newlyweds’ four tier cake from Bethel Bakery with light coral roses and pink spray roses.

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It was a pleasure working with Carmella and Primo on their big day!  We wish them luck and love in this new adventure!

6-1-2019 – A Summer Garden Wedding

What a beautiful day for a wedding!

Sara & Anthony must have prayed really really hard for a beautiful day, because June 1st turned out to have the best weather so far this year in Pittsburgh!  Beautiful plexiglas signs welcomed and directed guests to the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott courtyard for a short, non-denominational service, conducted by Ronald Cambest.

Sara chose all white flowers for her bridal bouquet, accented with Picassa mini callas.  Her bridesmaids, dressed in dark plum, and carried white rose and waxflower bouquets.

Our pipe and drape, adorned with beautiful purple and lavender flowers,  provided an elegant backdrop for the ceremony and for pictures after the service.  Following the service & pictures, we moved the pieces from the pipe & drape  into the ballroom to adorn the head table.

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Inside the ballroom, the cake was trimmed with lavender roses and spray roses.

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The centerpieces were low on the tables and combined as many purple flowers in a variety of shades as we could find!

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Congratulations to Sara & Tony!  Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day.

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5-25-2019 – An Eclectic French Renaissance Wedding

Every once in a while, we have a bride that comes in full to the brim with ideas for her wedding.  One of our Saturday brides this weekend, Leeann, was one of those brides!  Ribbons, wildflowers, dream catchers, and so many more beautiful elements came together to make her vision a reality.

Leeann carried a dreamy bouquet (#974) of pink peonies, hot pink ranunculus, pink asters, pink lisianthus, Queen Anne’s lace, light blue delphinium, and lots of monte casino asters!

bouquets 974

Her bridesmaids carried bouquets (#975) of pink lisianthus, blue thistle, light blue delphinium, Queen Anne’s lace and lots of monte casino asters!  They truly looked like handfuls of wildflowers.

bouquets 975

The ceremony took place in the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott’s courtyard garden, and the bride and groom said their vows in front of our hexagon arch.  We decorated the arch with nearly a hundred opalescent ribbons to create a flowy, romantic contrast to the bold geometric shape of the arch.  A large spray of pastel flowers sat atop the arch.

5_25_Messner Couple Pic

The aisle was decorated with bunches of flowers tied to chairs with opalescent ribbons.

Leeann and Chris’s reception took place in the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott’s Grand Ballroom.  The spray from the top of the arch was transported inside to sit on the King’s table in front of the newlyweds.

5_25_Messner Kings Table

The centerpieces (#621) were lush arrangements of peonies, ranunculus, light and dark blue delphinium, monte casino asters, stock, and light pink roses made up in whitewash wooden planter boxes.

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It was a picture perfect day, with beautiful weather to boot.  We hope you all enjoy the photos of the flowers as much as we do!  Leeann and Chris, we wish you all the best in your adventures to come, and we are thankful that you’ve allowed to be a part of your special day.