A La Dolce Vita Inspired Engagement Session that is as Sweet as You’d Imagine
This autumn engagement session photographed by Mariah Treiber Photography is everything — from the adorable couple to the location they chose that gave off major art-inspired, historical Italian vibes . . . oh, and the heels the bride-to-be wore! We cannot get enough of Natalie and Kyle and what they were going for here.
Natalie and Kyle wanted less Pittsburgh and more Italy when they set out for their engagement session, which makes sense because this couple loves traveling when they aren’t at home together. And you could say they certainly know a thing or two about being home together — Natalie tells us, “Our first date was during the very first lockdown. We sat in the parking lot of Oakmont Bakery and just talked for a few hours — not too exciting, but makes sense in a time when you couldn’t do anything!” But their love of travel never seems far from their hearts, because Natalie says their favorite part of the wedding planning process so far has been planning the honeymoon, which certainly qualifies!
It was a thing of fate when they met at work where they both work for a luxury automotive dealership in Pittsburgh, Natalie explains. “We always joke with people that I sell the cars and he fixes them!”
The proposal story according to Natalie: “Kyle really threw me off with the proposal. We had just moved into our new house, and we barely had any clothes in the house. It was a chilly, rainy, September night. We had just both got done with work, and Kyle wanted us to go to dinner. I really didn’t feel like it, but when he said the restaurant he wanted to go to, it helped push me to go. The restaurant is one of our favorites, Girasole. It is an Italian restaurant in the Shadyside area of Pittsburgh. It is more of a casual, laid-back atmosphere — but the food is 5-star restaurant quality. I went into my bare closet and started to put jeans on. Kyle, who never makes comments about what I wear said, ‘Wait a second… you’re going to wear jeans!? I feel like getting dressed up tonight.’ It should have been a red flag that something was different this night, but I didn’t think anything of it. I had one long sleeve dress in my closet that was my cousin’s, and I just threw it on.
“We go to the restaurant, eat, have a great time there as usual, and I was looking forward to getting dessert — my favorite is their coconut cake. Kyle made me get the dessert to-go, which really isn’t like him, he was all of a sudden rushing us to leave. As soon as we go outside, it was lightly raining, so I start fast-walking to our car. Kyle pulls me aside, sets my dessert he was holding on a sidewalk planter, and that’s when it happened. Right after he proposed, my cousin and best friend both appear from their ‘hiding spots’ since Kyle coordinated with them to capture the moment. I really was shocked, and everyone kept it a secret.”
They plan on marrying in July at Saint Peter Catholic Church with the reception to be at an event center in the city, and we cannot wait to see what they dream up for their big day!
Preserve your bouquet with Pressed Bouquet Shop + take 10% off with code WEDDINGDAYMATCH10. Just for you, lovies.
LEARN MORE
Oh, and by the way, didn’t we tell you Natalie’s shoes are everything?! Ahh…pearl ankle straps, you simply cannot not love them! We wonder what she’ll choose for her wedding. . . .guess we’ll have to all see together.
Photos courtesy of Mariah Treiber Photography
Meet the Photographer
