I love this bride. And not just because she happens to be the “Secret Agent L” who spent her days bestowing goodwill to all in Pittsburgh (although, that’s totally enough to adore her). No, I also love her, because she has a smile that is contagious and a joyous energy that is so amazing, it almost bursts from your computer screen. She’s one of those ladies you just wish you knew… and her wedding to her handsome beau captured by Veronica Varos? A drop-dead gorgeous day filled with sooo much love, it’s palpable. Click here for more.
From Veronica Varos… I was just browsing my Twitter feed the first time I stumbled upon Secret Agent L. It was years ago. All of a sudden, it seemed like everyone was tweeting about a new movement that had started in Pittsburgh, but was spreading all over. An anonymous woman with the twitter handle @SecretAgentL was behind it all. Buy a small gift – a bit of candy, a gift card, a motivational book – and leave it somewhere for someone to find accompanied by a card explaining that the gift was for YOU! (You being anyone who stumbled upon it.) People were finding her gifts and paying it forward by doing the same.
Soon after, things skyrocketed for Laura, aka, Secret Agent L. From CNN to Huffington Post to Glamour Magazine – she was all over the place and the city of Pittsburgh couldn’t have been more proud.
Eventually, I met Laura and her then-boyfriend Ross for a portrait session. Their chemistry was so obvious and they were clearly bursting with love for each another. They spent much of their session holding one another and giggling. It wasn’t long before I heard about the engagement. I was over-the-moon excited for them.
On the big day, the weather was flawless. From their bridal suite at the Renaissance Hotel, Laura and her bridesmaids watched as Pittsburgh set up the bridge party to welcome the touring giant rubber duck. It was an incredibly relaxed and joyous atmosphere. Her makeup application was repeatedly (and adorably) interrupted by friends and family members she hadn’t seen in ages streaming through. There were many hugs, lots of laughs, and a few shrieks of pure and utter joy. It was clear the day would be an emotional one for all involved.
I left the ladies to spend time with Ross and his best man while they finished preparing. In true super-excited groom fashion, between the tying of the tie and the final bits of nervous dressing, plenty of silly faces were made and lots of laughs were had. In those moments, he never stopped smiling and you could feel the big moment drawing nearer as his excitement grew.
Ross headed for the altar while Laura made her way up the stairs to meet her father. She held her his arm and as she watched her mother walk down the aisle, she began to cry. “Get it together, Miller, we have a job to do,” she said while laughing.
The ceremony began and the breathtakingly beautiful music echoed in the giant cathedral. Teary eyed guests stood with their hands to their mouths as Laura’s father lifted her veil and handed her off to Ross.
Photography: Veronica Varos | Flowers: Blooms Florist | Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Oakmont Bakery | Ceremony Location: St. Paul's Cathedral | Reception Location: Pittsburgh Athletic Association | Catering: Pittsburgh Athletic Association | Band: Jason Kendall Productions | Tux: Vera Wang | Transportation: Elite Transportation | Hotel: Renaissance Pittsburgh | St. Paul Cathedral: St. Paul's Cathedral