Wedding Venues in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A church wedding ceremony is a deep tradition in Pittsburgh. In Oakland, St. Paul Cathedral and Heinz Memorial Chapel are two of the best-known wedding churches in the city, and neighborhoods from Lawrenceville to the South Side and Polish Hill have historic parish churches of their own. Many Catholic parishes were merged in recent years, so check which church building your parish uses for weddings. Parishes often ask you to get in touch six months to a year before your wedding day, and some churches welcome only members, so call early and ask.

Pittsburgh's halls give a wedding reception a real sense of place. Couples choose Phipps Conservatory, the Heinz History Center, the Grand Concourse at Station Square and event spaces in the Strip District and Lawrenceville, or take the party onto the rivers with the Gateway Clipper. Out in the suburbs, banquet halls and event centers in the North Hills, the South Hills, Monroeville and Washington County handle dinner and dancing for large guest lists.

For a country wedding, head north into Butler County, south into Washington County or east toward Ligonier and the Laurel Highlands, or down into Fayette and Greene counties around Uniontown and Waynesburg. Barns, farms and wineries in these hills host ceremonies on their grounds and receptions in restored barns, often with everything on one property and plenty of room for photos.

Hotels and clubs keep the day easy for guests coming from out of town. Downtown hotels such as the Omni William Penn and the Fairmont put your reception steps from the rivers and the stadiums, and resorts like Seven Springs and Nemacolin turn a wedding into a weekend in the mountains. Country clubs across the region host receptions too, though some ask about membership or a sponsor, and not every club holds ceremonies on site.

Parks and overlooks are where many Pittsburgh couples go for their wedding photos and video. The West End Overlook and the Grandview Avenue overlooks on Mount Washington look straight down on the city and its rivers, Point State Park sits where the rivers meet, and Schenley Park, Mellon Park, Hartwood Acres and the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden add gardens and woods. Farther out, Ohiopyle State Park and the national park sites near Farmington give you waterfalls, river gorges and mountain views. Some host ceremonies and some are for pictures only, and most need a permit, so read each venue's page before you plan.