Glam Hotel Monaco Wedding

Sometimes in life you get the chance to meet and work with people who just get you. They trust you! Jodi and Fanda are these people! Their glam Hotel Monaco wedding is one I will remember forever. I love an intimate crowd, and that is exactly what they had. With their absolute closest friends and family by their side, Jodi and Fanda pledged their love and commitment and I am honored to be a witness to it.

Congrats to you both! And read more about their special day below:

What was your inspiration behind your Glam Hotel Monaco Wedding?

Three very weird but three of my favorite things. Marie Antoinette, Tuscany Italy, and Downtown Pittsburgh.   

Advice to share with brides planning now?

Start as early as possible! Meaning, don’t be embarrassed to start planning your wedding from the time you’re a teenager if it’s something you’re passionate about. Don’t be afraid to ask for budget costs ahead of time, so you have an idea of what your dream wedding costs. You can have a beautiful vision in your head, but when push comes to shove you realize somehow somewhere someone has to pay for the dream. Better to prepare yourself for the costs now, so you’re not disappointed when the time comes. Be prepared for the cost of flowers if you love them. They were probably the most expensive part of the wedding, but so worth it! All of my friends told me they wish they would have not skimped on the floral budget. I also basically used every idea I’ve had on my Pinterest wedding board, which is ten plus years old, so t’s never too early to start planning. Including choosing the date. It’s a crucial part of the wedding, and nothing can really be done until that is decided. There is a very overwhelming feeling of choosing a date the minute you get engaged, and a lot has to be considered from weather to family members birthdays, holidays, etc. One last thing, stay true to yourself and don’t ask for other’s opinions when it comes to the design. Everyone has different tastes, but only you know your true vision and what makes you happy. Stick to your guns, because others’ opinions will only make your vision cloudy not clear.

How did you and your spouse meet?

On August 24. 2019 (five years from the day we are now married) my now husband was a lifeguard at Trump National Country Club in DC where I’m a member. He came over to save a caterpillar from drowning in the pool. He just picked him up with his bare hands and I was so impressed, seeing how I use about five ply toilet paper to pick up any bug and then say a small prayer and flush it down the toilet. I proceeded to tell him how brave he was, and he simply replied, “It’s my job.” Everytime he would be on his rotation by my seat we would start talking, and I soon learned that he was from the Czech Republic and we both have a mutual appreciation of the great hockey player Jaromir Jagr. Finding more in common by the end of the day, I gave him my number since he was an employee and I was a member, and I didn’t want him getting in trouble. I assumed he had a girlfriend back home, but just thought he might like to have a friend to have a drink with since I know it can be lonely as an American in America, and I can’t imagine what it would be like as a foreigner. Luckily, not only did he text me back but he was in fact single as well. 

Proposal Details! How did it happen? 🙂

November 20th 2022 was a very cold, but beautiful day in Pittsburgh. We were getting ready to attend the Steelers Bengals game in many many many layers of clothing, and Fanda wanted a picture on my mother’s balcony which has a view of the stadium. This is a typical request of Fanda’s, and I wasn’t thinking much of it. What I did keep thinking in my head was, “I better get a ring after this,” because not only was it so cold, but football isn’t really my thing. I’m a hockey girl, but I do hold a soft spot in my heart for the Steelers. Totally unsuspecting and just trying to be brave during the cold, I was so shocked when Fanda got on one knee, and I saw the rectangular indentation of a box in his pocket.

What was your favorite memory from your Glam Hotel Monaco Wedding?

This is tough, because everything was so beautiful. What sticks out in my mind though is seeing Fanda when I turned the corner. He was so handsome and just smiling at me and just super calm. I on the other hand was focusing on not crying and fainting, so I probably didn’t look so good. That moment combined with just how beautiful everything was from the venue, to the flowers, the linens, the chairs, and the plates was so perfect. The Fox and the Fleur absolutely killed it with the flowers. I think that would be my second favorite.

Glam Hotel Monaco Wedding Vendors

Photography: Steven Dray Photography

Venue: Kimpton Hotel Monaco

Event Design: Shayla Hawkins Events

Florist: Fox and the Fleur

Wedding Dress Designer: Pronovias

Wedding Dress Boutique: Kleinfield

Hairstylist Name: Genavieve Fidei – Glam to Go

Make-up Artist Name: Alyssa Natale – Glam to Go

Accessory Information: Veil – Pronovias, Earrings – Jennifer Behr

Bride’s Shoe Designer: Jimmy Choo

Bride’s Ring Designer: Engagement Ring – Wiesner Family Heirloom, Band – Sylvie – Midtown Jewelers

Bridesmaid’s Dress Designer: Jenny Yoo – Bella Bridesmaids / Earrings – Jennifer Behr

Groom Attire Designer: Bandi Vamos – Czech Republic

Groom Ring Designer: Lashbrook – Midtown Jewelers

Videographer: Light Motion Studios / James Palanza

Paper Goods: Loree Mayer Design

Calligrapher: Judith Browne

Entertainment: Drella Quartet

Linen Rentals: Mosaic, Inc.

Furniture Rentals: All Occasions

Signs – Lorre Mayer Design

Custom Painted Champagne Bottle – Avoir le Chic

Mirror Aisle/Cake Stand/Bar Wrap – Speedpro Pittsburgh

Cookies – Reston Confections

Lighting – Encore