Sabina and Sabia celebrated their love as an LGBTQ+ couple in a colorful spring wedding at Highland Park, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with nostalgic retro charm infused throughout.
Wanting their wedding day to be unconventional and completely their own, they tossed aside typical wedding traditions that didn’t fit their needs and created their own.
To us, queer culture meant not only having a queer wedding and creating a joyful space for our community but bucking any traditions, particularly gendered ones, that didn’t fit us. We wore what we wanted, we walked down the aisle together, and we were intentional about the space we created and how people engaged.
– Sabina & Sabia
The couple chose to read their vows to each other privately before their family and friends joined them for an intimate ceremony in Highland Park.
Instead of flower girls, the ceremony opened with flowers thrown by Sabina’s brothers – both adults and decked out in matching flower fanny packs. The brides then walked down the aisle together, stepping into a commitment ceremony led by a dear friend of theirs.
At the ceremony’s conclusion, Sabina and Sabia exited hand-in-hand through a shower of bubbles from their guests. The celebration continued at a vibrant Mexican eatery, Tako Torta, where their guests enjoyed custom cocktails, dancing, video games, board games, delicious food, and assorted desserts.
Their cheerful wedding celebration was one of many milestones celebrated that weekend. Together, they celebrated Sabina’s graduation from medical school, exchanged vows, and embarked on a cross-country move together. The weekend was everything they dreamed of and more!
Keep scrolling for more details on Sabina and Sabia’s love story.
- Couple: Sabina Spigner & Sabia Prescott
- Occupations: Sabina: OBGYN | Sabia: Education Policy
- Wedding date: May 20th, 2023
- Wedding location: Pittsburgh, PA
Quick Facts:
- Gifts for one another: A move across the country 9 days later
- Ceremony entrance song: “No Ordinary” by Labrinth
- First dance song: “Conversations in the Dark” by John Legend
How did you meet?
We met on OkCupid.
Tell us about the proposal…
We had each planned to propose to the other while on a trip to Philadelphia, where we first met. While we were there, Sabia proposed first in Elfreth’s Alley, where we went on one of our first dates. The plans for the day got a little side-tracked and by the time we got there, it was dark, Sabina was in pain from having run a road race that day, and things were not lining up. Sabia proposed anyway and Sabina said yes. The next day, Sabina had a whole proposal planned in a park near where we used to live. She coordinated a whole picnic and proposed in the park over lunch.
The ceremony…
Here come the brides…
Wedding style, attire, and shopping experience…
Our wedding style was nontraditional and colorful, just like the wedding itself. Sabina wore a burnt orange suit and Sabia wore a dark teal suit. We knew early on that we’d both wear suits, and we knew we wanted to be colorful but not clashing. We chose a color palette that was bright, and fun, and included some of each of our favorite colors. Shopping was fairly straightforward, Sabina used Suit Shop, a favorite of hers, and Sabia got her first custom suit from Indochino. Both were perfect, comfortable, and inclusive.
Reception space…
The details…
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
Queer culture means a lot to us and it guided our planning process. There’s still so much pressure and expectation to incorporate traditional wedding rituals into the ceremony and reception, and we thought hard about each piece. To us, queer culture meant not only having a queer wedding and creating a joyful space for our community but bucking any traditions, particularly gendered ones, that didn’t fit us. We wore what we wanted, we walked down the aisle together, and we were intentional about the space we created and how people engaged. We invited our guests to bring pictures of their love, to dance with us, and to dress as they felt comfortable.
What is your best memory from your wedding?
Sabia: Standing at the podium, with Sabina and one of our best friends, who married us, looking out into the audience of people we love most and seeing everyone together. I stopped at that moment to really take in this community we brought together and how much love we were all feeling right then. It was really special to see lots of people from different parts of our lives come together.
Sabina: At the beginning of the reception, Sabia and I gave a brief speech welcoming everyone and thanking our amazing vendors. It was so beautiful to be able to look at the reception space into the small crowd to see all of our close friends and family there to support us. I remember feeling overwhelmed with love, joy, and pride for this space and community that the two of us had intentionally curated for the wedding. It was absolutely perfect.
The couple that plays together, stays together…
Sweet details…
Cutting the cake…
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
Prioritize yourself because it’s your day. There is a lot of external pressure during wedding planning, sometimes from lots of different folks involved. Think about what you really want and draw boundaries around that vision. Also, be intentional about where and how you are spending your money. We specifically worked with vendors who were queer and/or BIPOC and supported small businesses which helped to both cut costs and keep us in line with our values.
Looking for more retro weddings?
Click here.
Vendors:
- Photography: Maya Lovro Photography
- Day of Planner: Wildly Loved
- Florist: Wild Botanical Design
- Reception Venue: Tako Torta
- Ceremony Venue: Highland Park Lake Point Shelter
- Makeup: JuLea Beauty Bar
- Bakery: Yaz Bakery
- Stationery: Paper Doll Calligraphy & Design
- Sabia’s Suit: Indochino
- Sabina’s Suit: Suit Shop
- Rings: Holden Rings
- Officiant: Erin Marie (Friend)
Leave a Reply