Simchah Joyner & Rob Capiola
Proving true love prevails, Simchah Joyner and Rob Capiola began their road to forever in good times and in bad. Five months before their planned May 2018 wedding, Rob’s father was given six weeks to live following a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. They hurried to move their big day up to January and did so with ease.
“We planned everything in a month to make sure he could be there,” Simchah says. “He was only around for two weeks to the day after the wedding. It was like he knew. I’m just so glad he could be there. A few days before he passed, he was calling me his new daughter. I’m so glad we could do that for him.”
The emotional day was extra special for the couple, who was married in a beautiful ceremony at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh. The bride donned a sheer, delicate dress with floral touches, a style she unexpectedly fell in love with. She tucked a pair of cuff links that belonged to her late father in her draping bouquet of large white lilies and sparkly accents.
In the tight time frame, Simchah curated much of the reception decor using Pittsburgh Wedding Flea Market, Etsy and Amazon. Pretty pieces in blush pink and rose gold were on display at J. Verno Studios, where the newlywed’s 110 guests gathered to celebrate. Much like how they felt that day, Simchah and Rob did their first dance on “clouds” to Bob Marley’s “Is This Love” with effects by SoundWaves Event Group.
Centerpieces made with branches, blush pink roses, white pearls and gold bows filled the tables as guests noshed on bites by Sausalido, and of course hundreds of cookies, including the bride’s favorite – carrot cake cookies – baked by family and friends. The couple’s tasty almond cake by Giant Eagle featured fresh strawberries and strawberry filling. “Everyone did a really good job,” says Simchah. “Our vendors were so unbelievably helpful. It all worked out perfectly.”
One of her favorite parts of the day? Seeing Rob’s face at the altar. “I walked down to ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ a song that brings up so much emotion for both of us in a good way,” Simchah says.
That night, the fun continued during an after party at the Birmingham Bridge Tavern. Simchah and Rob, who both work in sales, are currently planning their European honeymoon to Paris, Barcelona and Croatia, where Simchah hopes to don her wedding dress again for photos.
Photos: Justin Boyd Photography
Bride’s dress: Berta from Bridal Beginning in Mt. Lebanon
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Badgley Mischka from Rent the Runway
Groom’s Tuxedo: Jos. A. Bank
DJ: SoundWaves Event Group, Belle Vernon
Hair: Ashley Michelle Stylez
Makeup: Bellum Artistry by Gabriel Frank, Parma, Ohio
Florist: Valerie Brooks, Millvale