Real Pittsburgh Weddings: Brendan and Ellie

Brendan Murray and Ellie Tiskus first connected at a bar in the summer of 2022.

4 hours ago

Jamie Crow,

PHOTO BY LEEANN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Brendan Murray and Ellie Tiskus
August 2, 2025

PHOTO BY LEEANN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

When Brendan Met Ellie

Brendan Murray and Ellie Tiskus first connected at a bar in the summer of 2022 — a meeting Ellie calls ironic as she describes the couple as “old souls.” At the time, Brendan was working as a bouncer at Doggie’s Pub in State College following his graduation from Penn State University’s Naval ROTC program.

After meeting Brendan during a night out with her friends, Ellie asked for his number; the pair agreed to go on a breakfast date the next morning. Brendan was transparent about his Navy plans and Ellie, who at the time had one more year of her undergraduate program at Penn State, was clear about her plans to attend law school following graduation.

“We just said we’d give it a shot,” Ellie says. “If we want to make this work, we will.”

PHOTO BY LEEANN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

She Said Yes

The couple dated long distance for more than a year, with Brendan in Pensacola, Fla., completing naval flight school and Ellie attending law school at the University of San Diego.

Ahead of Ellie’s first Thanksgiving away from her family, Brendan flew out to see her. He proposed on Thanksgiving day — but not before the couple ran a turkey trot race and hiked at Torrey Pines State Beach, which is where Brendan popped the question. “He made me work for my ring,” Ellie says.

PHOTO BY LEEANN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

The Big Day

Brendan and Ellie’s wedding day was a simple, elegant celebration highlighting their faith and time with their loved ones.

As the eldest daughter, Ellie’s first look with her dad was a special moment — and a way to ease the nerves of father and daughter alike. The couple crafted their own Mass for a ceremony at Heinz Chapel in Oakland, performed by the Rev. Michael Darcy, which included a veneration to Mary.

The couple exited the chapel under a traditional military sword arch, with help from Brendan’s fellow servicemembers to honor the couple and welcome Ellie to military life. Brendan wore his Service Dress Whites, which were complemented by the bright-pink pop of color worn by the bridesmaids.

Beginning with a balcony entrance at Downtown’s Duquesne Club, the couple’s reception included an ice cream bar as a nod to Brendan’s sweet tooth and to one of their first dates — an ice cream crawl in State College.

Happily Ever After

After years of being long distance, Brendan, who turns 26 in February, and Ellie, 24, moved to San Diego; Brendan is a Naval Officer serving as an MH-60 Romeo Pilot and Ellie is completing her final year of law school at the University of San Diego.