Kylie Feldbauer, a 2019 Knoch High School graduate, was feeling the weight of preparing for the exam that would determine whether she could call herself a certified physician assistant after six years of college and student rotations through the various fields of medicine.

Although the Slippery Rock University and Marietta College graduate passed the daunting test on her first try in early August, Feldbauer's stress was not completely eliminated.

She still had to plan her wedding.

Kylie's boyfriend of three years, Cameron McChesney, proposed on a beach among the warm breezes of Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, a few days before Christmas 2024.

The couple chose September 2026 as the wedding date, and McChesney gave his future bride the green light to move forward with planning with minimal input from him.

“Cam said himself that he's OK with me having the final say on things,” Feldbauer said.

Armed with a promise of the same amount of financial support from both sets of parents, Feldbauer decided that the first order of business was to nail down a venue.

“I feel like everyone is getting married, and there is so much competition getting the venue you want,” she said.

Feldbauer had seen many pictures and videos from weddings at Hartwood Acres, which straddles Hampton and Indiana townships in northern Allegheny County.

When she and her parents, Jeff and Mary Feldbauer, of Penn Township, toured the venue, she knew the leafy, historic park would be her choice.

Having secured Hartwood Acres, Feldbauer wondered how she would line up services like an officiant, photographer, DJ, florist, caterer and bartender when she was to begin her career at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center the first week of September.

“That's just too much for one person, to find every single thing,” Feldbauer said. “It was a lot, to reach out to these vendors and get the lowest prices.”

So she hired a wedding planner, who is, in turn, finding all the services needed for the nuptials. Feldbauer said the planner contacts her with potential vendors and the soon-to-be Mrs. McChesney meets with them if interested. She said the reduced stress is worth the fee charged by the wedding planner.

Feldbauer will buy a large sheet cake to be sliced for her 150 guests, and McChesney's grandmother has agreed to provide the decadent treats for the traditional Pittsburgh cookie table.

Feldbauer will find a baker to provide a small wedding cake.

“We still wanted the “cutting the cake” moment for us,” she said.

Feldbauer has not yet begun looking for dresses in earnest, but has started a Pinterest board with several versions of the style she favors. She will likely begin shopping for dresses in late September.

“A lot of my friends are getting married, and I've talked to them about where they're getting their dresses,” Feldbauer said.

Alyssa Johnston, wedding coordinator for The Atrium in Franklin Township, and Pine Hall and The Woods, both in Connoquenessing Township, said Feldbauer made the right choice in securing her venue first.

“We recommend booking the venue first so that you have a date,” she said. “We're booking into 2027, if you get engaged today.”

Johnston said she likes to provide a personal experience for brides, almost like their best friend is helping plan the wedding.

She said many couples make nontraditional requests, like having an image of a pet on the napkins, signature drinks named for their cat or dog, or even including their pets in the festivities.

Johnston's April wedding included her dog as the flower girl and her small donkey as the “beer burro” at the reception.

“Those personal touches are a very big thing, and I think the guests enjoy the personalized details,” she said.

Other recent trends, Johnston said, include weddings without a bridal party, and more-intimate events with 100 to 150 guests instead of the traditional 200 or 250.

She said vibrant colors, like colored glass on tables and colorful statement floral pieces, are beginning to replace the trend of using muted shades at weddings.

“I'm loving the trends right now,” Johnston said.

While not wedding planners per se, Experience Butler County assists bridal couples by connecting them with their business partners, said Amy Pack, Experience Butler County president.

She said her organization offers suggestions for hotels, DJs, fireworks, rental companies, transportation, customized gifts or favors, and other vendors for any type of wedding.

“We like to be a one-stop shop for what they need,” Pack said.

Beth Paslawski, sales manager at Experience Butler County, goes to two or three large bridal shows in Pittsburgh per year to set up a booth.

“When I'm talking to brides, some have their venues booked, so I tell them about the services I can provide,” she said.

Paslawski always stresses the importance of booking a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests, and suggests the brides send links to those guests regarding things to do in Butler County. Many times, guests will stay an extra day to enjoy all that the county and region have to offer.

“When I talk to brides about that, you can see their eyes light up because they see the extra special touch they can provide for their guests,” she said.

Transportation for guests from small shuttles to school buses, personalized K-cups from Butler Coffee Lab, bespoke chocolates from Speckled Hen Chocolate Company in Clinton Township, and other goods and services are among the suggestions Paslawski offers to create a seamless and unique wedding experience.

Brides can visit the wedding page on the Experience Butler County website for more information.