Finding out which is the best wedding venue for your wedding is extremely important. It’s the place where you’ll spend one of the most important moments of your life. That’s where all the people you love the most will be cheering for you, so taking it serious is important.

Finding a Pittsburgh wedding venue can be…let’s just say nothing short than an adventure. Figuring out what actual date you’re getting married and checking if your desired venue is available on that date can be challenging, especially with wedding venues and vendors booking out years ahead of time.

Maybe your spouse-to-be and their family want something a bit different than what you have envisioned, and agreeing on a place that aligns with everybody’s taste can be tricky. And not to mention finding a beautiful-yet-affordable location that is interesting and different. The process of choosing a place to get married can be a bit challenging.

But don’t throw your hands up and elope just yet – if you’re looking to get married in Pittsburgh then my list of the five most interesting wedding venues in Pittsburgh will be just the thing you need to get started on your search!

Yes… We have so many natural places here and barns, but we also have very cool, artsy wedding venues that will speak to all those souls looking for a little bit more than just what you expect when you think of the steel city.

The National Aviary

Have you ever wondered if you could have your wedding in a space full of nature and a crazy cool mission? Well, the National Aviary, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only independent indoor nonprofit aviary in the United States. It is also the country’s largest aviary, and the only one accorded honorary “National” status by the United States Congress.

Not to mentioned that this venue is a stunning space with great lighting and in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods Pittsburgh has, the Mexican War Streets located in the Central Northside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is a historic district filled with restored row houses, community gardens, and tree-lined streets and alleyways. During the fall it displays a gorgeous canvas for all photo occasions with it’s beautiful streets and colorful trees.

The National Aviary is a historic park and wedding venues in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that offers couples a one-of-a-kind experience for their wedding day. The venue’s flexible event spaces can be transformed to fit your vision. Are you an animal lover? Because you can walk through their tropical exhibits and even arrange for special appearances from some of their animals, including owls, parrots, and penguins. How original is that?!

The National Aviary has been a staple in the Pittsburgh community. And now you can have your wedding in this memorable space, too. It can comfortably have up to 175 of your friends and family and like I mentioned before, it’s location is amazing in Allegheny-West, one of the central neighborhoods of Pittsburgh located a few blocks north of the Allegheny River.

It does book in advance, so if you’re interested, make sure you inquire with them sooner rather than later.

Check out their website here: https://www.aviary.org/plan-your-event/weddings/

Heinz History Center

Located in the Strip District of Pittsburgh is an is the largest history museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and it’s a venue for anyone who wants to add a touch of art to their nuptials. Whether you’re looking to plan a large celebration with all your friends and family or a pop-up wedding with a Pittsburgh twist, the Heinz History Center is the perfect venue to make your special day unforgettable.

Heinz History Center is a nice size: It can accommodate weddings that have anywhere from 40 to 325 guests. The non-traditional atmosphere, central location, exciting exhibitions, and their professional staff all help to bring your vision to life and offer a unique experience for you, your family, and friends.

Beware, The Heinz History Center tend to get a lot of inquiries and, as such, fills up quite quickly. With all their year-round events held there, it’s best to get in touch earlier rather than. It’s seriously such an interesting and beautiful venue and is still in the heart of the city.

Check out their website here: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/about/event-rentals/weddings/

The Museum Lab

The Museum Lab in Pittsburgh is a unique setting for your wedding ceremony and reception that merges 1890s architectural highlights with modern design features and amenities!

With a “beautiful ruin” style, MuseumLab retains much of its past grandeur and historic roots while updating to modern features and amenities. With an ornate entrance, high arches, unique spaces, and inspiring artwork, MuseumLab makes a lasting impression.

They have options when it comes to having your ceremony, from the assembly hall & gathering space to the Grable Gallery, which is a grand room featuring a laser-cut ceiling installation by designer FreelandBuck, inspired by the stained-glass skylight of MuseumLab’s past. However, you have other options with a variety of event options in Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, located next door to MuseumLab. From a banquet-sized grand hall to exhibit areas, a theater, and classrooms, you may find the perfect space to have your wedding.

Check out their website here: https://museumlab.org/party/weddings/

Kingfly Spirits

Ah! Kingfly Spirits it’s a gem in the heart of Pittsburgh. This is a warm and cozy wedding venues for those who want something interesting and different for their wedding. I envisioned this space as that place where you can hose all your friends and family and entertain them as if you were at home, but with all the perks of having it in an artsy, cool venue.

Built in 1907, the 11,000 square foot structure at on of my favorite neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, the strip! This wedding venue  was originally used as a horse stable on land leased from the estate of Mary Schenley. Recipient of the 2019 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Construction Award for Rehabilitation and a 2021 AIA Pennsylvania Merit Award for Architectural Excellence.

The large bar area downstairs accommodates 100 people, and the former hayloft, now an event space, is designed to accommodate an additional 160 people. You can choose anywhere from 80 to 260ish of your family and friends comfortably.

Another of my favorite things about this venue is that it’s a 12-hour rental. The venue also includes staffing for the bar, initial tour and final meetings with vendors, trash removal, and cleaning fees. The first floor is fully outfitted with furniture to provide casual seating arrangements with high-top tables, sofas, lounge chairs and bistro tables. One of those places where your only worry should be to have fun and celebrate the day away!

Check out their website here: https://www.kingflyspirits.com/venue-rentals

The National Aviary

Have you ever wondered if you could have your wedding in a space full of nature and a crazy cool mission? Well, the National Aviary, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only independent indoor nonprofit aviary in the United States. It is also the country’s largest aviary, and the only one accorded honorary “National” status by the United States Congress.

Not to mentioned that this venue is a stunning space with great lighting and in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods Pittsburgh has, the Mexican War Streets located in the Central Northside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is a historic district filled with restored row houses, community gardens, and tree-lined streets and alleyways. During the fall it displays a gorgeous canvas for all photo occasions with it’s beautiful streets and colorful trees.

The National Aviary is a historic park and wedding venues in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that offers couples a one-of-a-kind experience for their wedding day. The venue’s flexible event spaces can be transformed to fit your vision. Are you an animal lover? Because you can walk through their tropical exhibits and even arrange for special appearances from some of their animals, including owls, parrots, and penguins. How original is that?!

The National Aviary has been a staple in the Pittsburgh community. And now you can have your wedding in this memorable space, too. It can comfortably have up to 175 of your friends and family and like I mentioned before, it’s location is amazing in Allegheny-West, one of the central neighborhoods of Pittsburgh located a few blocks north of the Allegheny River.

It does book in advance, so if you’re interested, make sure you inquire with them sooner rather than later.

Check out their website here: https://www.aviary.org/plan-your-event/weddings/

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Let me give you one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh, and the reasons why this might be the perfect venue for your wedding day.

If you choose Phipps Conservatory for your wedding day, then you’re in for a treat! Not only is this gorgeous location in one of the most iconic Pittsburgh neighborhoods in Schenley park, but within a short radius you can stop at one of Oakland’s unique bars, or go to the Cathedral of Learning for sunset photos, or to one of the many bridges that are nearby with a gorgeous view of Pittsburgh.

Let me give you a little bit more on the history of this place, Phipps Conservatory is an exquisite garden venue opened to the public back in 1893. Ever since, it has been a source of wonder, beauty, and instruction for generations of Pittsburghers and visitors from around the world.  

Phipps Conservatory has several fine indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces. The four-tiered outdoor garden comprises nearly an acre of lush lawns and gardens, and at its center stands a large, picturesque fountain. The garden can be used as a ceremony or reception space, and seasonal tents, capable of covering up to 200 guests and a dance floor, are available.

The multi-level Tropical Forest is the facility’s largest display area. Covering 12,000 square feet, it teems with lush tropical flora and features a treetop lookout, a fishpond, waterfalls, and gently-meandering paths.

The Broderie Room, along with the East Room, the Victoria Room, and the Sunken Garden, make up the conservatory’s East Wing, which can accommodate 60 guests for a cocktail-style reception or 36 for a seated buffet. The entire Phipps facility, a total of 14 rooms, is also available for rental and it can host up to 300 guests!

It really depends on how intimate or big you’d like your wedding to be, and you can choose what is best for you.

Check out their website here: https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/plan-your-event/weddings

Heinz

One quick note before you go…

Pittsburgh is a beautiful steel city with lots of hidden gems regarding venues. However, Pittsburgh is also known for giving its residents four seasons in one day. For that reason, as you plan your wedding day, with Natalia Baqueiro Photography make sure to carefully consider the time of year. And have a backup plan that can be carried out indoors! After all, you don’t want your perfect wedding ruined by the weather! If you’d like a documentary wedding photographer, you can inquire here!