Wedding Photo Contest Winner: Ryan & Hannah McGowan For the Observer-Reporter's wedding pho- to contest winners, Ryan and Hannah Mc- Gowan, it was the small details - like their homemade jam favors - that truly made their July 31 wedding unique. "They were really special because my mom and I made them together," Hannah said. "They were little half jars of jam." The high school sweethearts, both 24, met at South Fayette High School in 2014 when Ryan was a senior and Hannah a junior. When Ryan left for college at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, the following year, they found a way to make their relationship work long dis- tance. They continued to make it work while Hannah pursued her degree at Slippery Rock University. When Ryan proposed in August of 2019 during a creekside picnic near Slippery Rock, Hannah was shocked but not surprised. "I could tell he was acting was weird and had an idea something was happening." she said. "So I didn't know what was happening, but I wasn't surprised either. It was a beautiful day, and he had gotten my grandma's picnic basket from my mom, which made it really special." friends and goodies from Sarris Candies. Hannah, working on finishing her doctorate The pair immediately started to plan, know- "We had our names spelled out in choco- in physical therapy, and Ryan, who works for ing they would need to work around Han- lates," Ryan said. "But we didn't get any cook Covestro in Coraopolis as a business intelli- nah's graduate school schedule. By chance, ies. I forgot the takeout box. But we did get gence analyst, honeymooned in Cozumel, their date was far enough in advance to avoid the chocolates." restrictions or a cancellation related to the Their cake, a white cake with apricot filling and COVID-19 pandemic. Mexico and live in Bridgeville. The Details white icing, was also baked by a family friend. Photographer: Tyler Norman, Tyler Norman "We got really lucky." Ryan said. "We picked "We ended up adding it to our tasting last Photography, Pittsburgh July 31, 2021, around Hannah's schedule." As the pandemic unfolded, countless couples said. "It was really good." had to reschedule or alter their plans to adhere To commemorate the night, the couple made DJ: PJ the DJ, Entertainment Unlimited, Inc., to restrictions. minute, and it was by far the best flavor," Ryan Videographer: Patrick Walsh, Shamrock Stu- dios, Pittsburgh a point to visit all 20 tables and snap a photo Houston "It was very nerve-wracking, but we just rode with their guests. it out," Hannah said. "We were lucky enough that things quieted down, and we snuck it in!" "One of Hannah's cousins gave us the idea. They wed at Hannah's family parish, St. Bar- picture with us," Ryan said. "We did it right at Dress: Sorelle Bridal Salon, Washington bara in Bridgeville, and celebrated their nup- the beginning, so it gave everyone a chance to tials with a reception at Valley Brook Coun- mingle. The first couple of photos were really Transportation: The couple used an orange try Club in Canonsburg with 190 family and conservative, but people really started to get friends in attendance. Wedding Planner: Wanderlust Weddings and Events, Pittsburgh We did a big photo blitz, so everyone has a Flowers: Memories in Bloom, Canonsburg classic 1957 GMC bus for their bridal party into it and have fun. We had people standing transportation from Antique Coach Excursion, Washington Ryan's grandmother and mother own Mem- on tables." ories in Bloom in Canonsburg, and with their After an evening of dancing, the couple help, Hannah was able to bring her classy capped their evening with a sparkler send-off. boho vision to life. "I didn't do one color, but a spectrum of pink, said. "We got really lucky because it was the orange and yellow. I went with a warm color end of July, and it was 70 degrees when it scheme," she said. "We did gold candles on the table and long terracotta-colored table runners. The florists really brought the vision to life." "Overall, it was really just a fantastic day, Ryan Sponsored content brought to you by: ist lederal could have been 90." Hannah agreed. Guests enjoyed a cookie room filled with more "There was this nice breeze too," she said. "We than 18 different cookies baked by family and really did get a beautiful day to celebrate." savings and loan association of GREENE COUNTY Wedding Photo Contest Winner: Ryan & Hannah McGowan For the Observer-Reporter's wedding pho- to contest winners, Ryan and Hannah Mc- Gowan, it was the small details - like their homemade jam favors - that truly made their July 31 wedding unique. "They were really special because my mom and I made them together," Hannah said. "They were little half jars of jam." The high school sweethearts, both 24, met at South Fayette High School in 2014 when Ryan was a senior and Hannah a junior. When Ryan left for college at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, the following year, they found a way to make their relationship work long dis- tance. They continued to make it work while Hannah pursued her degree at Slippery Rock University. When Ryan proposed in August of 2019 during a creekside picnic near Slippery Rock, Hannah was shocked but not surprised. "I could tell he was acting was weird and had an idea something was happening." she said. "So I didn't know what was happening, but I wasn't surprised either. It was a beautiful day, and he had gotten my grandma's picnic basket from my mom, which made it really special." friends and goodies from Sarris Candies. Hannah, working on finishing her doctorate The pair immediately started to plan, know- "We had our names spelled out in choco- in physical therapy, and Ryan, who works for ing they would need to work around Han- lates," Ryan said. "But we didn't get any cook Covestro in Coraopolis as a business intelli- nah's graduate school schedule. By chance, ies. I forgot the takeout box. But we did get gence analyst, honeymooned in Cozumel, their date was far enough in advance to avoid the chocolates." restrictions or a cancellation related to the Their cake, a white cake with apricot filling and COVID-19 pandemic. Mexico and live in Bridgeville. The Details white icing, was also baked by a family friend. Photographer: Tyler Norman, Tyler Norman "We got really lucky." Ryan said. "We picked "We ended up adding it to our tasting last Photography, Pittsburgh July 31, 2021, around Hannah's schedule." As the pandemic unfolded, countless couples said. "It was really good." had to reschedule or alter their plans to adhere To commemorate the night, the couple made DJ: PJ the DJ, Entertainment Unlimited, Inc., to restrictions. minute, and it was by far the best flavor," Ryan Videographer: Patrick Walsh, Shamrock Stu- dios, Pittsburgh a point to visit all 20 tables and snap a photo Houston "It was very nerve-wracking, but we just rode with their guests. it out," Hannah said. "We were lucky enough that things quieted down, and we snuck it in!" "One of Hannah's cousins gave us the idea. They wed at Hannah's family parish, St. Bar- picture with us," Ryan said. "We did it right at Dress: Sorelle Bridal Salon, Washington bara in Bridgeville, and celebrated their nup- the beginning, so it gave everyone a chance to tials with a reception at Valley Brook Coun- mingle. The first couple of photos were really Transportation: The couple used an orange try Club in Canonsburg with 190 family and conservative, but people really started to get friends in attendance. Wedding Planner: Wanderlust Weddings and Events, Pittsburgh We did a big photo blitz, so everyone has a Flowers: Memories in Bloom, Canonsburg classic 1957 GMC bus for their bridal party into it and have fun. We had people standing transportation from Antique Coach Excursion, Washington Ryan's grandmother and mother own Mem- on tables." ories in Bloom in Canonsburg, and with their After an evening of dancing, the couple help, Hannah was able to bring her classy capped their evening with a sparkler send-off. boho vision to life. "I didn't do one color, but a spectrum of pink, said. "We got really lucky because it was the orange and yellow. I went with a warm color end of July, and it was 70 degrees when it scheme," she said. "We did gold candles on the table and long terracotta-colored table runners. The florists really brought the vision to life." "Overall, it was really just a fantastic day, Ryan Sponsored content brought to you by: ist lederal could have been 90." Hannah agreed. Guests enjoyed a cookie room filled with more "There was this nice breeze too," she said. "We than 18 different cookies baked by family and really did get a beautiful day to celebrate." savings and loan association of GREENE COUNTY