New Website, New Logo!

Check out our new website and new logo! Great Expectation Events is always changing with the times! We have made an overall, updated our pictures, our information and our packages! Check them out and we look forward to working with you soon!!!

Time to be Thanksful...

Check out Jenni Grace Photography who is giving away a FREE photo shot! What a great opportunity to nominate a friend or family member!

New Blogs are Coming Soon!!

We've been so busy the last month we have not had enough time to update our blog with all of the gorgeous weddings we have had!! Stay tuned in the coming weeks for these additions to be made!!

Looking for something unique?

If you are looking for a unique favor for a wedding, bridal shower, baby shower, or even your welcome baskets for any event, you need Crispery Rice Krispie treats! These special and unique, and wonderfully tasty treats are perfect to add to any event! They are excellent, and they taste just as good as they look!!




They have wonderful, affordable gift options as well! It would be a great treat to send to your mom on Mother's Day or as a thank you gift for someone special. The impressive flavors are to die for, including peanut butter, smores and original! You have never had a Rice Krispie treat like this before! Visit The Crispery at www.thecrispery.com

Victoria & Alpay Reloaded!

It's not too often that I get a quick shot with my brides, but it seems my last two brides I've had the opportunity to pose with! Here is Victoria and myself towards the end of the evening! This photo was taken by the very talented Caryn Azure! She is just fantastic and has already updated her blog with pictures from that day! Be sure to check her out! You can view her blog and see some fantastic shots by clicking here.

Alle & Brian

Be sure to check out the FANTASTIC photos by Joanna Fassinger captured at my June wedding of Alle & Brian! They are just marvelous!!!

Click here to check them out!!!

Congrats to Victoria & Alpay!

I had the opportunity to work with Victoria for over a year on this gorgeous wedding. There are so many details I hope that I can hit on all of them in this blog entry. This is one of the few weddings were I truly felt the passion between the bride and groom. They are beautiful people inside and out! It was also a great opportunity to see new cultures mesh into one family, which is always a beautiful thing!

The wedding began in the beautiful St. Paul's Cathedral in Oakland where Victoria's sister was also married 11 years ago! What a family history and tradition in this church!







The reception was at the Concordia Club, which is a gorgeous venue not too far from the church. I loved it there! Unfortunately, Pitt has purchased this property and this is their "final" wedding season. Hopefully Pitt allows this venue to continue because it is just gorgeous and intimate!

This is a shot of the head table and the stage where Dr. Zoo set-up. The flowers were just breathtaking and done by DesignSpace.




Following Dr. Zoo playing, Istar, a local Turkish band picked-up where they left off for a Turkish After party. This was the sign that was displayed for guests to know to stick around!

Here is a quick shot of their unity candle which was brought from the church into the reception site for everyone to see!
Alpay's mom traveled from Turkey to be with her son during his wedding. She also brought with her, her receipie for Balkava! Alpay and Victoria worked to translate the receipie into English and the baker of the cake & cookie, Food Glorious Food, made the baklava from her receipie! They used this as their grooms cake and let me tell you, it was to0 die for!

Below is a quick shot of their "vintage" cake topper. Victoria, in trying to find the most perfect cake topper, purchased a few vintage toppers. She included these toppers in topiary's at the wedding. I loved this idea, and it was a wonderful detail!

The cake, pictured below, was made of fondant and was just to die for! It was made by Food Glorious Food!

Dr. Zoot provided the entertainment!


Victoria & Alpay danced their first dance with grace!


Instead of a traditional "cookie table" the bride opted to have a plate of cookies placed at each table. This was a great way to showcase the cookies without a whole table.

Sal, from Dr. Zoot even got in on dancing with the bride!







Istar and Bernie, a local belly dancer, got the crowd up and moving after Dr. Zoot wrapped up. This was sooo much fun!









Here is a quick shot of Istar!

Here are just a few quick videos that I took thorughout the evening. As the room got darker, it was harder to see through my camera:



I can't thank Victoria & Alpay for letting me be a part of their marvelous day! It was truly "Metropolitan Romance!"

Vendors to make your day memorable:
Church- St. Paul Cathedral
Reception- Concordia Club
Event Planner - Tiffany, Great Expectation Events
Photographer- Caryn Azure
Band- Dr. Zoot
After Party Turkish Band- Ishtar
Cake, Cookies and Bakalava - Food Glorious Food
Lighting- Vincent Lighting
Florals - DesignSpace
Belly Dancer - Bernie (contact me for more info)
Cocktail Pianist- Enrique Bernardo
Organist - JR Daniels

Best Wishes Victoria & Alpay!

I can't wait for tomorrow's Metro Romance wedding of Victoria & Alpay! Check out early next week for exciting pictures!

Best Wishes John & Stephanie!

July 11, 2009 I had the wonderful experience of being a friend and a wedding planner for John & Stephanie. They had a gorgeous 7/11 wedding in Pittsburgh. I was thrilled to be their guest, friend and planner. I am so happy for these two and can't wait to see what the future holds for them!

Stephanie chose to do a black and white wedding, sticking with those colors (no accent colors), each bridesmaid was able to chose their own gown and they accented this with each groomsmen receiving their own tie as a gift at the rehearsal dinner.

Here are some shots from the day



It's not often that I get the opportunity to take pics with the bride!



The history center is a great location for any event!


John & Stephanie enjoying their time together as husband and wife!

The bagpiper added some elegance to this gorgeous event!


Stephanie sharing a moment with her father.



They got a little messy, but it cleaned up nicely.


The cake was made be John's Mom.


Here is a room shot.

















What perfect shoes!









Here are the vendors that made this day so special:

DJ- Jeremy Ganss
Videography: Novosel Productions
Photography: Photos By Nick
Limo: Elite
Reception: Heinz History Center
Caterer: Common Plea

Best Wishes to Alle & Brian!

**Photo by Joanna Fassinger***

This past weekend I had the pleasure of working with Alle, Brian & their family. They are truly an amazing couple and they each have an unique sense of style, fashion and sophisication! Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your day! It was great to see everything come together so well! I met Alle and her mom about a year ago and we've been planning ever since! This black and white damask with lime green accents came together throughout the year and is truly one of the most gorgeous weddings I've seen!

Here is a quick shot of the cocktail centerpieces, I love the limes!

Here is quick shot of the table numbers that we had customized:

Instead of a traditional cake table we did a dessert bar, which was out of this world!

Here is a quick shot of Alle and Brian's card box!

Instead of individual place cards we did one large seating chart.

Here is a shot of the cake, which fit in perfectly with the design!

Just a few videos I grabbed throughout the night:

Vendors to make your wedding fabolous:

Wedding Cordination: Great Expectation Events
Photography: Joanna Fassinger
Recpetion: Longue Vue Country Club
Florals: Mocha Rose
DJ/Entertainment: Jeremy Ganass Productions, DJ Doug
Cake: Creative Cakes by Gwen
Limo: Tortorice Limo
Bride's Gown: White Orchid

Again, I can't thank this family enough for letting me be a part of this wonderful day!