Weddings Under Glass: Marissa and Dan

By Heather Poling

Marissa and Dan met 5 years ago when Dan was hired as a mechanic at the car dealership where Marissa worked. Dan noticed Marissa immediately and started trying to get her attention from the day he started. She said, “He was finding any reason to come talk to me. When I would go to our vending machine, out in the shop, he’d bee line for me and strike up a conversation." His persistence eventually paid off once they became Facebook friends. Finally, Marissa asked him to hang out after work to see if they connected. Their wedding took place on the four-year anniversary of their first date!

They dated for a couple years and after weathering an array of ups and downs in their relationship, they decided they wanted to build a life together. Rather than a proposal, they had a heart-to-heart talk about their future together that led to their engagement. While they may have been uncertain, Dan’s mother was not surprised at the news and asked about the wedding planning every time she saw the couple. Sadly, Dan’s mother passed away suddenly the very night they began planning the wedding in earnest. Deeply saddened that she could not be there on the day of the wedding, they resolved to forge ahead with planning the special day as tribute to her

Dan’s son initially moved to Pittsburgh eight years ago to be near his future wife. When his son got married, Marissa and Dan visited Pittsburgh for the wedding. When traveling the couple will always each pick local sights they would like to visit to ensure they make time for each other’s interests. Marissa chose Phipps as one of the things she wanted to see in Pittsburgh. Marissa thought, “if it is warm enough for orchids it will be warm enough for me!” She and Dan fell in love with the Conservatory. The Chihuly glass felt like a bit of home to them since the glass artist is based in Washington where they live. While she didn’t reveal her thoughts to Dan at the time, Marissa thought Phipps would be an amazing place to get married! The couple considered many exciting destinations for their wedding, but ultimately decided Phipps was the perfect place for them to get married.

Marissa and Dan were married in the Broderie Room on January 30th. They wanted a simple wedding to allow the beauty of the venue to shine. They chose emerald green and fuchsia as their colors. Orchids were the focal flower in their arrangements which coordinated well with the Orchid and Bonsai show taking place throughout the Conservatory. They had a small intimate wedding with Dan’s son as the best man and Marissa’s niece as the maid of honor. They included memorial chairs with plaques and small white floral arrangements for their parents to include their memories in the ceremony. Just prior to the ceremony, Dan suggested that they walk down the aisle together so they could start their marriage “the way we are in our relationship, as partners.” 

Marissa says her favorite moment was right after the ceremony. She and Dan had a first dance to a special arrangement of INXS “Never Tear Us Apart” played by their string quartet. The traditional first dance felt right to the unconventional couple, allowing them to enjoy each other and soak in the moment on their special day. She also enjoyed sharing the peace and calm of the Conservatory with her family and friends who had traveled long distances to be a part of the day. They quickly understood why the couple chose to be married at Phipps!

The couple couldn’t decide on one destination for a honeymoon, so they are planning a series of “mini moons” including trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas. They are also planning a reception for all their friends and family that could not come to Pittsburgh for the wedding. They share their home with a new golden retriever puppy, Jackson, two dogs Blitz and Daisey Mae, and two cats, Clementine and Maizy. Marissa says, “it’s a mad house some days!” They are also planning to begin another home renovation soon while they enjoy their first year of marriage together.

 

 

 

Photographer: Connor Hochbein Photograpy 

Officiant: Ronald Cambest 

String Quartet: Sterling and Strings

Flowers: Jim Ludwig's Blumengarten 

Hair and Makeup: Bloom Beauty Parlor

Cake: Whisk and Wildflour