Real Pittsburgh Weddings

Jennifer Lynn Pieper &
Ernesto O'Farrill Diaz

March 24, 2007

Ceremony

Jennifer and Ernesto opted for a simple Christian ceremony held at the University of Pittsburgh's Heinz Memorial Chapel (Fifth and Bellefield avenues, Oakland; 412/624-4157, heinzchapel.pitt.edu). The Rev. Dr. Maureen Waun officiated.

Flowers

Yvonne James (James Floral and Gift Shoppe, 712 Wood St., Wilkinsburg; 412/731-3794, jamesfloralshoppe.com), a neighbor of the couple's, created dazzling bouquets made of magenta and pink stargazer lilies, yellow Fuji mums and light-pink and magenta roses.

Photographer

Melody Farrin (Melody Farrin Photography; 412/371-7091, melodyfarrin.com)

On the Bride

Jennifer selected an ivory crushed-silk gown in a traditional style but with a modern, asymmetrical cut. Bridesmaids wore magenta gowns with sheer raspberry-colored overlays. (One Enchanted Evening, 11269 Perry Highway, Pine Township; 724/934-4330).

On the Groom

Ernesto and his groomsmen sported tuxedos from Men's Wearhouse (multiple locations; 877/986-9669, tmw.com). Because measurements are taken differently in the men's home country, Mexico, Men's Wearhouse did the out-of-towners' fitting the day before the wedding and delivered apparel the next morning.

Reception

The bride and groom celebrated at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association (4215 Fifth Ave., Oakland; 412/621-2400, paaclub.org) at a party that went on all night. Family and about 80 close friends attended. The guests' favors, silver heart-shaped wine stoppers, were wrapped and adorned with seating cards, custom-designed by Barbara Johnson (More Than Words Fine Papers; 660 Washington Road, Mount Lebanon; 412/343-9673) to match the event's distinctive stationery. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour, multicourse dinner, coffee and dessert bar. At 2 a.m. the party was still hopping, and as a nod to Ernesto's Mexican heritage, the couple served a traditional late-night Mexican breakfast of stuffed poblano peppers, rice and beans.

Cake

Ernesto chose a hexagonal wedding cake decorated with chocolate flowers (Jean-Marc Chatellier's French Bakery, 213 North Ave., Millvale; 412/821-8533, JeanMarcChatellier.com).

Music

There was no shortage of music at this fiesta. Milly Tamburro and Sterling provided music during dinner, while disc jockey Spyderman started spinning at midnight to create a club feel with techno beats (Entertainment Unlimited; 412/343-7700, entertainmentunlimited.com). The couple also hired a mariachi band, a traditional addition to lively parties south of the border to liven up the party in the early morning hours. (Sague Presents Entertainment, Miguel's Mariachi Fiesta, 412/377-1025).

Pieper Diaz wedding