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Celebrations Spotlight: Laura Paterra and Matthew Barletta
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Matthew Barletta and Laura Paterra
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Matthew Barletta, 26, and Laura Paterra, 27, wed on August 25, 2012. The couple resides in Coraopolis.
Q: How did you meet?
Laura: Matt and I both went to Duquesne University. He was a pharmacy major and I was a marketing/communications major. We knew each other enough to say "hi" occasionally. One day, I ran into him at Walgreens in Canonsburg where I lived at the time. I was filling a prescription. He asked me how I was doing and if I was still singing. I thought it was amazing that he even knew that about me. I sent him a message on Facebook that it was great to see him and the rest is history!
Q: Who introduced you?
Laura: He actually dated my friend's roommate during our freshman year of college and I met him through her.
Q: Where did you each grow up?
Laura: I grew up in Canonsburg and Matt grew up in Hopewell.
Q: Who proposed? How?
Laura: Matt proposed. He was living in Deep Creek, Maryland for a year for work and then moved back to Pittsburgh. When he moved into his new apartment, I helped him get setup. After dinner, we planned to watch "Dexter." But when he put the DVD in, it turned out to be one that he had made of our past two years of dating, complete with quotes, inside jokes, our favorite music and special pictures. At the end, there was a picture of him when he was little (one of my favorites) and above the picture, it said, "Laura, will you marry me?" Then he got down on one knee and proposed. It was the most thoughtful proposal! Of course, I cried the entire time!
Q: Where were you married? Why did you choose that site?
Laura: Duquesne University Chapel. We both went to college there and attended church there, so it meant a lot to both of us, especially since we loved our time at Duquesne so much.
Q: Where was the reception and honeymoon? Why did you choose those sites?
Laura: The reception was also on Duquesne's campus in its ballroom. The honeymoon was in Aruba. We chose Aruba because Matt's cousins had gone there and recommended it to us.
Q: What was the best part? The worst?
Laura: The best part was doing our flash mob dance at the wedding. I choreographed a surprise flash mob during the reception that included our friends, aunts, uncles and bridal party. Matt and I also joined in! The worst part was ending the wedding reception. It flew by and we didn't want it to end!
Q: Who was the oldest guest? Who came the farthest?
Laura: The oldest guest was Matt's grandfather. I believe that my former boss, who traveled from L.A., came the farthest.
Q: What was new, blue, borrowed at your wedding?
Laura: New were my earrings and accessories, blue was my garter and borrowed was my grandma's ring. She was unable to make the wedding because she is in a nursing home, but Duquesne was able to do a live webcast for her so that she could watch it!
Q: What was the funniest thing that happened?
Laura: The funniest thing was watching my brother, Dave, attempt to dance in the flashmob. Matt's friend, Jake, was really funny doing the dance, as well.
Q: Who was your favorite wedding vendor? Why?
Laura: I loved them all, but I especially loved our DJ -- Bill Bara. He was so enthusiastic throughout the entire wedding planning experience. He had everyone out on the dance floor and was great to work with!
Q: What's the most creative wedding present you were given?
Laura: Matt's mother made 13,000 cookies for our wedding. Yes -- 13,000 cookies! She did it all herself through months and months of baking. They were delicious! We had take-out containers for our guests. It was truly a Pittsburgh wedding!
Q: What's the best marriage advice you received?
Laura: The best advice was to always stick up for each other. That is so true.
Q: What is one item of your spouse's that you wish you could throw out?
Laura: He took a ceramic bull figurine from my parents' house when we were moving and it's sitting on a table in our spare room. I hate it.
Q: What is one thing that you do solely because you love your spouse?
Laura: Matt is a WWE fan and I can't stand it. Because I love him, I will watch it with him and try to remain silent because I tend to make fun of it. I know it seems small, but I'm sure he appreciates me letting him watch it in peace!
First Published October 16, 2012 12:00 am
