The Blair County Convention Center is a great venue if you’re looking to have an all-inclusive, large wedding in the Altoona area that has catering included. Erin and Paul’s September wedding started in Colver where we were greeted with a flurry of activity and bridesmaids in the living room of their family’s home. Each member of the bridal party was so helpful, accommodating, and sweet to us the entire day. We were especially smitten with the little ring bearer who was the happiest, most cooperative little boy literally ever. I enjoyed photographing the gorgeous bouquet from Peterman’s, laid next to some of Erin’s prettiest details like her invite suite from White lace, shoes with pearl accents, and her very special Virgin Mary pin that belong to her grandmother. Her sister also used this pin at her wedding too! Grandma was with Erin in another special way, too, when her mother placed her grandma’s engagement ring on her finger after she zipped the dress.
The guys shared some laughs, brews, and shots in Paul’s garage before walking to the ceremony at the church just right up the road. It was so nice to be so close to everything! After a beautiful Catholic mass ceremony, Erin and Paul stepped out into the world as Mr. and Mrs. with silk ribbons and bells on sticks being wagged in the wind by their closest friends and family.
After some quick and organized family sessions (these are law enforcement officials, after all! Everyone listened well! hahaha), we got some photos near the historic Lemon House in Gallitzin. Erin and Paul especially liked the civil-war era type wooden fence, and Jackie and I especially liked the tall wildflowers and winding path through the field. A few puffy clouds against the dark blue fall sky made their portraits they stuff we dream of! Just right down the highway was an old stone bridge/archway that we stopped at for some more portraits. The Laurel Highlands truly have the best little hidden gems if you know where to look - like right in the middle of the highway!
It was just a short drive from there to the convention center, where guests mingled outside of the ballroom for cocktail hour. We were lucky to have the whole stunning room to ourselves to photograph before guests entered, and the crystal candelabra-style centerpieces and stunning ruffled cake form Maddie Cakes took everything to another level of elegance. We even got to encounter Erin and Paul experiencing the room and decor for the first time, too!
Erin and Paul started the night of dancing off by their first dance to “Eyes on You” by Chase Rice. She shared with me that it had significance to them because the first concert they ever went to together was to see Chase Rice at Stage AE. In fact, Paul proposed that night in Pittsburgh. She said this about the night:
” We first went to the melting pot for an early valentine’s dinner. We then went up to the top of the incline and he proposed on the overlook at the top of Mt Washington. One of the groomsmans was there to film it, and both of our families knew about it, but I was completely surprised! After we had plans to go to a concert at Stage AE. The concert was for a country artist we both love ... Chase Rice. It’s why we chose Eyes on You for our first dance! It was the first concert we had ever gone to and it was from the night we got engaged.”
We ended the night with a truly epic shot showcasing the stunning architecture of the convention center and highlighting the “thin blue line” that Erin and Paul both dedicate their lives to protect. Thank you both for your service, and thank you for an amazing opportunity to capture your perfect day!
Photographer: Jill Gearhart Photography
Second Photogrpaher: J.Jae Photography
Venue: Blair County Convention Center
Gown: Stella York at White Lace Bridal
Hair: JC Penney
Makeup: JC Penney
Bridesmaids Dresses: Sorella Vita at White Lace Bridal
Rings: Leo Diamond by Kay Jewelers
Invitations: White Lace Bridal
Florals: Peterman’s Floral
Cake: Maddie Cakes
Caterer: Blair County Convention Center
Favors: totallyweddingkoozies.com
DJ: DJ Boomerang
