Jake & Tara’s Grand Estate at Hidden Acres Wedding

Wedding

Jan 14, 2020

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Hidden Acres Wedding Krystal Healy Photography

Jake and Tara were married on July 14th 2018, with a ceremony and reception at the Grand Estate at Hidden Acres. I loved being a part of their celebration!

Almost 11 years ago, Tara and Jake met for the first time in Pittsburgh through mutual friends and started to gravitate to each other at social events. They both thought they were “just friends,” but in August 2014, they met up just the two of them for the first time. Neither of them was sure if it was a date, but they were excited to see how things went.

Unfortunately, Jake texted Tara the morning of the “maybe-a-date” to tell her that he was in the hospital—he had torn his rotator cuff! Jake insisted that he was completely fine and that it didn’t really hurt, and she was immensely relieved that they didn’t have to cancel their plans! He showed up to the evening with a sling, but that didn’t seem to matter once they got talking for eight hours and finally took the step from being friends to being in a relationship.

At the time, Tara was moving to Boston for law school. So, for 3 years, they worked things out long-distance. They would fly out to see one another across 4 different states! During one of the times they were together, they hiked to the Roanoke Star at the top of Mill Mountain, where Jake proposed. So now, needless to say, they are excited to finally be married and no longer be doing the long-distance thing.

Tara and Jake’s Grand Estate Wedding

Tara and Jake wanted to get married at the Grand Estate because they both grew up surrounded by the woods and wanted to have a gorgeous outdoor venue. My associate photographer and second shooter, Lizzy, and I have to agree that this was an amazing choice, too. The Grand Estate at Hidden Acres was the perfect venue for their wedding with its gorgeous scenery and stunning gardens. It was so fun to photograph—and it was great for the “glorified slumber party” that Jake and Tara wanted to have with their bridal party, since most of them were traveling from out of state.

One of the moments that stuck out to me the most for this wedding was when the groomsmen presented Tara with a love letter that Jake had written to her. They played intro music and everything as they brought her a scroll on a “royal” pillow and bowed to her on the way! He’d even written the letter in Old English. I’ve never seen anything like that!

Tara & Jake, thank you for letting me be part of your wedding celebrations as your wedding photographer. I’m so excited for you both as you take on the world together!

Featured Pittsburgh Wedding Vendors

Dress Designer and Shop Purchased: Justin Alexander | One Enchanted Evening

Suit/Tux Shop: Jos. A. Bank

Hairstylist: Beauty Justified by Justine

Makeup Artist: Beauty Justified by Justine

Invitation (Paper Goods): Minted

Entertainment/Live Band: Midwest Dueling Pianos

Officiant: The Honorable Elizabeth K. Dillon

Videographer: Toast Wedding Films

Florist: Posies by Patti

Bakery: Bella Christie

Coordinator: Hello Productions (Natasha Brody)

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