Megan Mihalcin & Anthony Narcisi
By Nicole Barley | Photography by Studio Bash Photography
Tony and Megan first met in a bar — but there’s a lot more to the story. Tony was heading to the airport, picking up his parents from a trip to Italy. Their flight was delayed, and so, he made the fateful decision to take a detour. He stopped by Whispers Pub at the Hartwood Restaurant to have a drink and pass the time — Megan was bartending, and Tony was the only customer. They talked for two hours, and he returned the next week. This time, it was a packed house, and he took the only seat left at the bar. He made friendly conversation with the woman sitting next to him, who turned out to be Megan’s aunt. “They hit it off, and, without me even realizing, it was actually her who gave him my phone number,” laughs Megan.
Not long after, the couple went on their first date, a tour of Tony’s business, La Casa Narcisi Winery, and lunch at Wexford’s Stone Mansion. They returned there nearly two years later, when Tony asked Megan to accompany him on a business dinner. As they being were seated at a private sweetheart table, Megan started to wonder what was going on. Asking the waitress for a few minutes to look over the menu, Tony revealed an engagement ring, hidden in a box of business cards. He got down on one knee and asked for Megan’s hand in marriage. Of course, coinciding with his very romantic, traditional proposal, he’d already asked for her father’s blessing.
The Details — How to Plan a “Classic” Wedding
We think Megan and Tony’s nuptials perfectly embody a classic Pittsburgh wedding. Tony totally agrees. “It was very, very classic, a very traditional wedding,” he says. Of course, in perfect Pittsburgh nuptial fashion, there had to be a cookie table! “It was a total display of love,” says Megan of the 15 people who contributed to the “enormous cookie table. There were literally thousands.”
The Ceremony — Shadyside Presbyterian Church
After their engagement, the couple began looking for a church to join together, and immediately felt at home at Shadyside Presbyterian Church. On their wedding day, Reverend Jim Tinnemeyer provided a personal, poignant sermon, reciting e.e. cummings’ poem, “I Carry Your Heart With Me.” During the ceremony, he also asked Megan and Tony to turn around and “look at all of the people who love you!” The couple concurs that it was a most special moment to see all of their biggest supporters in one place.
Bridge to Love
Megan and her bridesmaids got ready in a patio suite at the Renaissance Hotel Pittsburgh. The Pirates were playing a home stand the weekend of the Narcisis’ wedding, and before the ceremony, the bridal party was able to stroll along the Roberto Clemente Bridge — closed to traffic because of the baseball game — and take plenty of pictures with Aly Bash of Studio Bash Photography. Meanwhile, Derrick Bash took the groom and groomsmen to the Footbridge at Washington’s Landing, where they were getting dressed for the big day.
The Location — Carnegie Music Hall
“The venue itself was our biggest focus. When we went into the Carnegie Music Hall, we knew right away, that was the place we were supposed to do it in,” says Tony. And because the space is so beautiful on its own, says Megan, “We knew wouldn’t have to do much to it.” Going with the mantra of “less is more,” they achieved an extremely elegant evening. The centerpieces of yellow and white flowers, done by Z Florist, are summery, sweet, and have the look of wildflowers.
Here We Go!
This color scheme is subtly black and gold, the unmistakable Pittsburgh color palette. The bridesmaids’ tea-length dresses by Watters & Watters feature lemon-colored satin skirts and creamy lace tops, a perfect compliment to the men’s black tuxedoes. The bride wears an Allure gown from MB Bride. The lace overlay and crystal detailing are simple, classic details, and the deep, V-shaped back, is a dramatic, yet understated twist. Clarissa Boutique added a French bustle for the reception.
Party On
The newlyweds gave their guests custom-labeled mini-bottles of La Casa Narcisi Winery Chardonnay, which featured the Narcisi family crest and the couple’s names. Take-home containers were provided for lots of cookie leftovers, too. Up next? An afterparty! The couple rented out the rooftop deck of Six Penn Kitchen, where they were able to see the fireworks from PNC Park’s Skyblast.
The Narcisis incorporated another tradition into their wedding weekend — a Sunday brunch, planned by Tony’s parents and his brother, Randy. Catered by Siba Cucina and held under a tent on the lawn at the winery, “It was a great way to unwind the next day,” says Megan.
More Details!
- Rehearsal Dinner
Lidia’s Pittsburgh - Salon
Divinity - First Dance
“Better Together,” Jack Johnson - Entertainment
No Bad JuJu. “We loved them!” says Megan. - Honeymoon
Cabo San Lucas