Gretchen & Andrew’s Parisian-inspired celebration

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By Janelle Harb

What began as a chance meeting in the early months of the pandemic turned into a love story that would take place over the course of several cities for Buffalo native Andrew and his now wife, Gretchen.

While visiting friends in Pittsburgh during summer 2020, Gretchen met Andrew for the first time. “We met with masks on, but it was a really instant connection,” he jokes. Upon graduating from her physician assistant program, Gretchen moved to Pittsburgh to join Andrew, where their relationship officially began.

While on Gretchen’s first trip to Paris, Andrew secretly orchestrated an elaborate proposal under the Eiffel Tower. “I initially thought we were going on a boat cruise,” Gretchen says, “and we ended up under the Eiffel Tower with this huge setup: flowers, a photographer, a violinist.”

The biggest surprise came moments later when both of their parents appeared. “It took a lot of deception, but it was a really special moment,” Andrew says.

Day-of details

That romantic Parisian moment became the inspiration for their wedding celebration at the Admiral Room. Drawn to its classic architecture, the couple envisioned a timeless, elegant affair with subtle European flair.

“We love that Parisian aesthetic, so we wanted that to be a big part of our wedding,” Gretchen says.

With wax-sealed invitations and place cards alongside Eiffel Tower motifs on their custom signage and dessert spread, to an ice sculpture nodding to both Paris and Gretchen’s background as an ice skater, every detail felt cohesive and intentional.

Florals also played a starring role throughout the day.

“I love flowers so much, I just wanted flowers everywhere,” Gretchen says. Working with William’s Florist, she leaned into all-white, traditional blooms like roses and peonies, which echoed the floral appliqués on her Ukrainian-made gown and matching veil. “Everything just matched beautifully,” she says.

Andrew opted for a classic black-tie look for himself and his groomsmen, which he said felt like a fresh take and “really reinforced the significance of the day.”

Another accent to the big city vibe was a live fashion sketch-style portrait artist who sketched guests throughout the reception, offering an elevated alternative to a traditional photo booth. Guests were photographed and then illustrated in artist Scout Landry’s signature style, creating keepsakes that felt both personal and artistic.

“People loved getting an actual portrait of themselves,” Gretchen says. “It was such a special, unexpected touch.”

That blend of old-world elegance and modern personality continued into the dance floor,where electronic music added an unexpected edge.

Above all, the couple hoped guests would walk away feeling the romance and gravitas of the day.

“We wanted it to feel very timeless,” Gretchen says. “Very family-oriented, sophisticated, but not trying too hard.”