A Personal Guide to your Ultimate Intimate Wedding in Pittsburgh

You’re probably reading this because you decided to ditch the big classic wedding till next year and have the most authentic and gorgeous intimate wedding by prophesying your love to each other by having a courthouse elopement to focus on you two.

Eloping in Pittsburgh is EPIC!

It’s so EXCITING!! I promise, you won’t regret it. If anything, you might want to have another one next year so you can leave an incredible adventure and have beautiful candid photographs of your devotion to one another.

Let’s get one thing straight—my only rule for your elopement: There are no rules when planning for your intimate wedding ceremony.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating your dream elopement day. If you want more ideas of having an adventure for your elopement in Pittsburgh, where to go and how that would look like, check out this blog post to give you ideas on Pittsburgh must go to locations for your engagement photos and wedding bridal photos, such as The Strip District and Lawrenceville.

How to plan a timeless and epic intimate wedding

Hey there, adventurers! If you’re thinking about skipping the big wedding hoopla and opting for an intimate elopement in Downtown Pittsburgh, you’re in for a real treat.

Pittsburgh’s got this unique vibe – it’s a city with soul, where historic charm meets urban energy. And trust me, it’s the perfect backdrop for your love story. So, grab a cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice) and let’s dive into how you can plan the ultimate intimate celebration in the Steel City!

To start planning your elopement, reach out!

Finding your Dream Location

Finding the spot that speaks to your soul is very important. Whenever I’m talking to couples and we’re planning their engagement photo shoot, or the places where we’ll include in their wedding timeline for bridal photos, I tell them to please share with me what they’re most drawn to visually.

All those photos you’ve been saving on Pinterest and on Instagram are a gem, because it will give us clues as to what you resonate with.

Are you envisioning a quiet ceremony in a tucked-away park, or maybe something a bit more upbeat that we can do at the Strip District? Now’s a good time to take some time to explore your options and consider what vibe resonates with you individually and as a couple. What are your favorite activities to do together?

Going to farmers markets on Sunday or exploring the newest restaurants to later catching the sunset in Shadyside on those late night summer days. Write it all.

If skyscrapers and the city life is what’s calling your name, let’s do that then!

Why Downtown Pittsburgh?

Let’s talk about why Downtown Pittsburgh is the bee’s knees for your elopement. Picture this: stunning riverfront views, charming cobblestone streets, and skyscrapers that seem to touch the sky – it’s like something out of a movie. Whether you’re into cityscapes or like the bar scene, Downtown Pittsburgh offers variety both indoors and outdoors.

Planning your elopement day

The FUN part begins. Planning your elopement day should feel exciting and like a fun experience. Especially after getting the very technical things, such as how to apply for a marriage license in Pennsylvania.

If you still need help about the requirements on how to get married in Pennsylvania, check out this blog post where I list all the steps in hopes of helping any couples who is going through this process.

As I was saying, this is exciting!

Getting Ready

The getting ready of any day is important. Morning routines and how you set your mind and body to take on a new day is one of those things that will set you up for an ‘okay’ day or an incredible high energy one.

The same goes with the getting ready for your wedding day, it’s a special day because you’re preparing yourself to walk down the aisle and say ‘I do’ to spending the rest of your life with your best friend.

My advice is to book a hotel room in one of Pittsburgh’s Downtown Hotels to get ready there. Whether you’re having hair and make-up done professionally, or you’re doing it yourself, you’ll enjoy a relaxed morning and not worry about the heavy traffic to the courtroom or worry about parking.

If this sounds like something you’d like, and you’re looking for elegance, you might want to consider a sophisticated hotel such as The Omni William Penn Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Another of my favorite boutique hotels for its uniqueness and artistic taste in decor is the unique Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh. I’ve taken photos in the lobby of this gorgeous hotel in pittsburgh and I have to say, it was a dream come true.

Having your Wedding Ceremony at the Allegheny County Courthouse

City Hall Wedding – Doing your civil wedding at The Allegheny Courthouse

Have you ever been to the Allegheny County Courthouse located in Downtown Pittsburgh? If not, I invite you to look at these photos and you’ll fall in love with the architecture of this beautiful building located in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh.

As a Destination Wedding Photographer, I appreciate places with stunning architecture, because these places end up being an important part of the storytelling to the bride and groom.

It never gets boring to photograph intimate wedding celebrations at the Allegheny Courthouse, because it’s a truly gorgeous and interesting building with countless spots to make anything extra special.

Because of it’s popularity it books out pretty quickly, so make sure you book your wedding date in advance. You can start the process by visiting The Allegheny County Courthouse website.

In the case of Karen and Jevon, I was able to use spaces of the wedding venue that I had never used for any other elopement. What was important for Karen and Jevon was to have stunning bridal photos, and it they really wanted me to focus on the famous romantic and intimate couple photos Natalia Baqueiro Photography is known, and so we did!

As a photographer that appreciates art, I used the architecture of the courthouse to our advantage. Creating intimacy and drama with the spaces and the different lighting we had while we did the bridal photos.

The staircase is one of my favorite shots. You’re guarantee to having this photo if you book the Allegheny County Court House as the wedding venue to get legally married. The venue will kindly put chairs for your immediate family and friends, making it a lovely intimate celebration of love. Find more information here:

Storytelling with a documentary style to create Artistic Photos

As a documentary intimate wedding photographer my purpose is to give my couples a safe place for them to be themselves, because… let’s face it, having a camera following you around is intimidating and awkward enough, but I promise you that I will do everything in my power to make this experience as fun and beautiful as I can.

Learn more about what to expect when you book Natalia Baqueiro Photography and her documentary intimate storytelling style to find out if it’s something you’d like for your wedding photos.

One of the many things that I do prior to booking any couple is to hear a little bit of their story, what they’re thinking of doing for their wedding and what they want to get out of the day.

That’s the first step, always. Because that will guarantee that I can photograph your elopement in the most authentic way possible.

This spot you see below makes a grand statement with Karen and Jevon being the protagonists of this story where they finally get married on their own terms, and with a wedding that feels true to them.

I’ll stop talking about why you should consider doing your city hall elopement at the Allegheny County courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh now.

I think you got the point of how obsessed I am with this place, and I’m sure you’re now too after seeing the wedding photos of Karen and Jevon’s elopement.  

Documenting Your Love Story while Capturing your Essence

Let’s talk about photography – because these moments are ones you’ll want to treasure forever. Finding the right elopement photographer is key, so take your time to find someone who really gets you as a couple.

Someone that when you see their work, your heart jumps a bit, and you just want to see more. Look for a documentary wedding photographer with a focus for capturing candid, authentic moments—because those are the ones you’ll cherish the most.

If you’d like me to document your wedding or elopement in Pittsburgh or anywhere in the world, reach out as I’m a travel photographer. I love capturing weddings anywhere from Italy to Mexico and create art out of your love story. To inquire and find out availability reach out here!

It’s your Elopement, so Add your Personal Flair

This is your day, so let’s make it uniquely yours. Your wedding, your rules!

Whether it’s a private vow exchange, incorporating a special song, or including a meaningful ritual, don’t be afraid to put it in the timeline.

Yes! Even if it’s just an elopement, please include all the things that are meaningful to you both. After all, it’s these little touches that’ll make your day truly unforgettable.

Karen and Jevon decided to do a private first look, so I coordinated with both Karen and Jevon so they wouldn’t bump into each other as they arrive to the courthouse separately.

After we did their sweet and emotional first look, they went ahead and did their vows right after their first look.

I was the only one who witnessed it so I could document, while the judge and their family were waiting in the front of the courthouse.

Be Present: Live in the Moment

When the big day arrives, take a deep breath, and soak it all in. This is your moment, so make sure you’re fully present and enjoying every second of it.

Make it memorable – After all, this is a once-in a lifetime experience!

After the ceremony, take some time to celebrate – just the two of you. Whether it’s going to downtown and dancing in the streets or if it’s a summer day, doing a picnic in the park, or popping a bottle of champagne in Lawrenceville.  

Have you been dreaming of a city couple photo session that is editorial, elegant and romantic? You might want to check out the Engagement photos I did of Dylan and Mollie at The Industrialist Hotel, Pittsburgh, Autograph Collection. We can do something similar to this if this is the vibe you’re going for your elopement photos.

Or going to Emerald Park in Grandview to watch the Pittsburgh skyline as the sun sets. I’ll obviously be tagging along to document these special moments for you. You will have artistic and gorgeous photos of an unforgettable day where you became a unit!

If you want Ideas to do your wedding photos in Pittsburgh, check out this blog post where I list the Best Pittsburgh Locations for Engagement photos and Bridal Photography.

A Personal Guide to Crafting the Ultimate Elopement in Pittsburgh

So there you have it, guys – your personal guide to crafting the ultimate intimate wedding elopement in Downtown Pittsburgh. With a little bit of planning and a whole lot of love, you can create a day that’s as unique and special as your love story.

So go on, start dreaming – your perfect day is waiting for you in the Steel City! If you need location recommendations, help planning or want me to be your wedding photographer, click here to see if your date is available in my calendar as I often travel for weddings internationally.

If you need more inspiration, check out this blog post of Jill and Dontae intimate elopement in Pittsburgh.

We plan a day around the most important locations for them and we took photos and had a great time celebrating their love. Yep, it was just the three of us, and it was all that they wanted.

We went to Mt. Washington where they got engaged at The Grandview Overlook. We had to stop at The Monongahela Incline. And finally we headed to the Strip District where we spent the remaining of the day at PuttShack Pittsburgh.

Their family met with us later to have drinks and food the remaining of the afternoon at the Strip.

If you’re planning your elopement and you want an experience that is relax, authentic and fun, make sure you send me an inquiry so we can start crafting the right experience for you.

If you need more inspiration when it comes to locations, here’s two guides on the most Iconic Pittsburgh Locations in the Steel City and the Best Pittsburgh Engagement Locations to consider so you can get more ideas on what vibe you’d like.