From Mount Washington to the Strip District to a Butler County farm, newlyweds in Pittsburgh have lots of exciting backdrops to choose from for wedding pictures.
“The great thing about Pittsburgh is that you can do something urban or something very dramatic,” said Joe Appel of Joe Appel Photography.
Since wedding days are so busy, couples often don’t have time to travel to different locations for wedding pictures. So it’s important for photographers to find a spot that offers different vantage points, said Katie Laslavic of Tiny Pigeons Photography. But the location isn’t the most important part of the picture, she said.
Ultimately, “wedding pictures are about the two people in love [who] are getting married that day.”
Here’s a list of some of Pittsburghers’ favorite places to capture the happy couple on film:
PNC Park
If you’re a Pirates fan, getting shots in front of this beautiful ballpark is a sure hit, said Drew Nelson, who stitched together eight pictures to create a pano-shot of a wedding party in front of PNC Park on the North Shore.
Since the field is so close to the Allegheny River, brides and grooms also can get interesting shots near the water looking toward Downtown Pittsburgh, Mr. Appel said.
Strip District
“You get a more urban, city feel in the Strip District,” said Leigh Nelson of Lavender Leigh Photography.
One of Ms. Nelson’s favorite places to photograph weddings is a parking lot in the bustling Strip. For different backgrounds and views of the city, the couple merely has to walk a few feet to switch from a red-brick building with ivy creeping up the side to a spectacular city skyline.
Union Station and Grand Concourse
Union Station, more commonly known as Penn Station, is a former train station-turned-apartment building Downtown that is a picturesque spot for people getting hitched. Amid its grand, curving stone arches, “you get a very natural, very romantic feeling,” said Ms. Laslavic.
Newylweds get that same feeling plus a river view at the Grand Concourse, the former Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Station in Station Square on the South Side, another favorite spot for the special day.
Mellon Institute
The huge Roman columns and steps of this Oakland landmark make a classical backdrop for even the largest wedding party. Or you can sneak away for a few pictures of just the bride and groom on their wedding day, said Mr. Appel.
The long hall behind the columns allows for more dramatic, romantic pictures of the couple. It’s also ideal for rainy days because the party can take beautiful pictures while keeping dry.
Mount Washington
Located high above the city, Mount Washington has long been the go-to spot for couples who want a bird’s-eye view of Pittsburgh in their photos — even in winter. Elena Rorabaugh had her wedding pictures taken there with her husband in January 2014.
”I used to live on Mount Washington and I always knew that I wanted to get married and have pictures taken there because the view of the city is breathtaking,“ she said.
”The way the overlook hangs out over the mountain almost makes you feel like you can reach out and touch the city.”
West End Overlook
This spot in Elliot offers a slightly different vantage point of the Point compared with Mount Washington. As a bonus, newlyweds can be framed by the Ohio River and a few of Pittsburgh’s many bridges.
“The whole skyline is visible from the West End Overlook,” said Mike Leonardi of Candidly Yours Photography. “You can see the river, the Point and Heinz Field. It really encompasses Pittsburgh.”
Hilltop Park
Hilltop Park is one of Ms. Nelson’s best-kept secrets for great wedding pictures. The small park in Irwin is partially hidden from the world by large trees, but a walk down a small path reveals hills dotted with bright yellow flowers, suggesting a rural getaway.
Mayernik Center
It’s easy to pretend you had a wedding in the woods if you have pictures taken (or your reception) at the log cabin in Mayernik Center. Only you and your guests will know that it’s just off of I-279 in Ohio Township, within Avonworth Community Park.
“It has the feeling that you’re out in the middle of nowhere in an intimate log cabin setting,” said Lauren Pearlman of Lauren Pearlman Photography.
That’s true whether the wedding party is surrounded by winter snow or the lush green trees of summer. The venue is available for events year-round.
For All Family Farms
For a real country wedding, you’ll have to head farther north to Butler County. This pretty farm is a newcomer in the field of wedding photos and receptions.
A barn that seats up to 130 guests inside and many more outside is perfect for medium to large weddings.
“It’s really a unique kind of Pittsburgh location that probably not a lot of people know about yet,” said Michelle Sabourin of MWM Photography.
-- Jewell Porter is a former Post-Gazette intern.
First Published: September 10, 2015, 1:08 a.m.
Updated: September 10, 2015, 5:37 a.m.