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Annika + Lee

HOMEGROWN LOVE

A family affair & Pittsburgh rooftop magic

Annika and Lee have known each other their whole lives; their parents went to high school together. Growing up a few blocks away from one another and attending the same grade and high schools, they stayed close growing up. Yet it wasn’t until one night out getting reacquainted that they finally viewed themselves as more than “just friends.” Eighteen months later, during “the most magical day,” Lee took Annika to a chapel in Hawaii and got down on one knee to propose. When asked why they chose to get married in Pittsburgh, the couple gushes, “It’s our HOME. Couldn’t imagine doing it anywhere else.” The moment they stepped inside the Monaco, they knew this was the place for them.

Memorable Details

After sleeping like babies, Annika and her sister sprung out of Monaco’s uber-comfortable beds. They went downstairs for morning coffee and to say hello to family before checking into the Emperor Suite, located on the tip-top floor. The bride gushes that this space (also her honeymoon suite) is “EVERYTHING,” and she could happily live there forever. The highlights? A beautiful soaking tub and a perfect view of the rooftop getting transformed into a magical ceremony space.

"Before, during and after, the staff at Hotel Monaco has been outstanding. Nothing but five stars across the board."

If they could, the couple says they would book their wedding here 1,000 times over.

During the rooftop ceremony, the couple recited their vows under an archway of tree branches and white roses, surrounded by family and friends. Afterward, staff members broke down the chairs as the space got seamlessly transitioned for cocktail hour. As the sun slowly set, passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails circulated on the candlelit roof. From there, everyone was escorted downstairs to the ballroom for the formal reception.

The couple had their sit-down dinner situated in the larger, “gorgeous” ballroom (where they enjoyed a private sweetheart table), the dance floor in the foyer and the desserts and coffee spread in the smaller ballroom. Everyone liked that guests had an opportunity to explore and not feel stuck in one location. The room featured long, rectangular tables with black linens; white long-stemmed roses plus votive candles beautified each table.