▷ 🥇 The Pittsburgh Wedding Guide to Getting Married in PA

Leeann Marie Photography

If you are planning a wedding in Pittsburgh, you probably have a lot of questions. What is the best time of year to get married here? What wedding venues in Pittsburgh do couples like? How can I help my out-of-town guests? Is a Terrible Towel an Acceptable Wedding Photo Prop? Well, you’re in luck. We’re here to answer all your Pittsburgh wedding questions and help you plan your big day stress-free (and see the photo above for the answer to the Terrible Towel question – in a word, yes).

Here’s everything you need to know about wedding planning in Pittsburgh.

The basics

Wondering how much a wedding in Pittsburgh costs? It turns out that weddings in Pittsburgh aren’t among the most expensive in the country. In fact, the cost of getting married in Pittsburgh is $ 26,000, which is just below the national average of $ 27,000. September is the most popular month to get married in the area, and the average size of a Pittsburgh wedding is 130 guests, which is around the national average.

When planning your Pittsburgh wedding, it is a good idea to ensure that your wedding weekend does not conflict with any major events in the area. These events can mean traffic jams or overbooked hotels. In Pittsburgh, major events include the Three Rivers Festival of the Arts in early June, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March, the Wings Air Show over Pittsburgh in June or July, the Pittsburgh Regatta and the Celebration of the Fourth of July in July, the Pittsburgh Marathon in May and the Pittsburgh Night of Light in mid-November. You’ll also want to stay on top of the Steelers’ schedule, especially if your wedding is near Heinz Field.

How to get there and move

Your out-of-town guests will likely fly into the Pittsburgh International Airport, which is about 30 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. There is a bus that runs between the airport and the city center every half hour. Once your guests have arrived in Pittsburgh, there are a variety of public transportation options, including a bus and light rail, known as the T. You’ll also find apps like Uber and Lyft, as well as bike and car rentals.

Leeann Marie Photography

Weather

Located in western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh is known for its cold, snowy winters and warm summers. January is the coldest month (and while it may be one of the least popular for weddings, there are still some amazing venues for Pittsburgh weddings in the winter), and July is the hottest. The city receives about 38 inches of rain per year, which is around the national average.

Wedding venues

There is a wide variety of wedding venues in Pittsburgh to suit each couple’s style. Whether you’re looking for a rustic farmhouse, a grand estate, or something totally off the beaten path, Pittsburgh is sure to have a space you’ll love. Some of these venues also host pre-wedding events, such as rehearsal dinners and bridal showers. Here are some of the most popular types of Pittsburgh wedding venues.

• If you agree to venture out of town for your perfect wedding, check out these rustic wedding venues, including barns and farms, in the Pittsburgh area.

  Take a look at the rustic wedding venues in the Pittsburgh area “

• Mansion We love the romantic and historic atmosphere of a mansion wedding. Turns out there are several beautiful mansion mansion wedding venues in Pittsburgh, including the beautiful Hartwood Acres mansion and the scenic Audubon at Succop Nature Park.

  Take a look at the mansion’s wedding venues in Pittsburgh “

• OutdoorHave you always dreamed of getting married outside? There are many outdoor wedding venues in Pittsburgh, including the National Aviary, the William Country Club, and the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens. You will love all the amazing scenery (and photo ops!) In these places.

  Take a look at Pittsburgh’s outdoor wedding venues “

• Unique For some couples, the standard event space is not enough. If you are planning a Pittsburgh wedding, you will be delighted to know that there are many unique venues to choose from. In particular, we love the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, the Andy Warhol Museum, and even the PNC Park — yes, these Pittsburgh landmarks are all hosting weddings and special events!

  Take a look at unique places in Pittsburgh “

• Small Your wedding doesn’t have to be huge or amazing. In fact, there are many small Pittsburgh wedding venues that host more intimate events – the Morning Glory Inn, Blue Moon Rising on Deep Creek Lake, and Olive or Twist to name a few!

  Take a look at the small wedding venues in Pittsburgh “

• WinterWinter may be considered the off-season wedding, but there are actually many incredible spaces that host beautiful (and cozy!) Winter weddings. From the Fluted Mushroom and Circuit Center to the Omni William Penn Hotel, you will have many spaces to choose from for your cold weather wedding!
  Take a look at Pittsburgh’s winter wedding venues “

Photograph by Kristen Wynn

Requirements for marriage

If you are hosting a Pittsburgh wedding, it is essential that you know the marriage license laws. Here’s the rundown: You’ll need to complete the application (which you can do online) and then appear together in person at the Allegheny County Marriage License Office, which is located on Grant Street. It costs $ 80 to get a marriage license, and there is a three-day waiting period, which means you can’t actually have your wedding for three days after you get your license. It is recommended that you apply for your marriage license 2 or 3 weeks before your wedding date, although the license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. In Pennsylvania you can apply for a self-union marriage license, which does not require an officiant, or a traditional marriage license, which does require an ordained officiant to marry you.

Wedding accommodation

Whether you’re hosting your wedding in downtown Pittsburgh, on the south side, or on the outskirts of town, there may be out-of-town guests who need a place to stay. We recommend reserving blocks of hotel rooms in accommodations conveniently located near your meeting place (walking is preferable, but can also be reached by car within a short distance). It is a good idea to reserve blocks of rooms in some hotels with different prices. You should reserve your room blocks soon after securing your venue, and be sure to inform your guests about these accommodations through your wedding website.

Things to do in Pittsburgh

Be sure to share your favorite things to do in Pittsburgh with your out-of-town guests. They will probably want ideas of how to spend their free time before and after their wedding day, and they will be grateful for your recommendations. Here are some of our favorite attractions in Pittsburgh:

• Duquesne Incline This historic cable car climbs Mount Washington and offers friends and family an incredible view of downtown Pittsburgh; Plus, there is a museum at the top so your loved ones can explore the history of Pittsburgh.
• Point State Park: If you are celebrating your wedding during the warmer months, your guests will love visiting this park, located at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, which form the Ohio River.
• Carnegie MuseumsPittsburgh is home to several amazing museums, many of them named after Carnegie. These museums include the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (especially great for kids!), The Carnegie Science Center, and the Andy Warhol Museum.
• Heinz History Center – Explore the vast and unique history of Pittsburgh at this museum, which features more than 40,000 artifacts.
• Wigle Whiskey DistilleryEvery Saturday (and some Fridays), your guests can enjoy a tour of this famous distillery and sample some of their famous whiskeys, gins, rums and vodkas, and learn some history in the process. You can even book a private tour just for your friends and family!

Pittsburgh Wedding Inspiration

Pittsburgh weddings have a style of their own, so be sure to check out the royal weddings held in the area for inspiration for your own big day. These are some of our favorites:

Cassie and Dylan’s wedding at the Heinz Memorial Chapel, with a reception at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts ” Elegant wedding of Abigail and William at the Fox Chapel Golf Club ” Megan and James Spring Wedding at the Pittsburgh Botanical Gardens ” Galyn and Martin s Art Deco Wedding at the Grand Concourse “