Pittsburgh is a city of many names: City of Champions. The Most Livable City. The City of Bridges. Take your pick — but there’s clearly one missing. The Event Group would like to nominate Pittsburgh for one more title: the Best City To Get Married In! Ok, this title does not formally exist, but if it did, our fair city is worthy of the distinction. Pittsburgh has shaken off its rust and revealed itself as a true gem — a great destination for your luxury wedding. If there was any doubt in your mind, here are our top 7 reasons why Pittsburgh is the perfect place for your wedding.

7. Perfectly photogenic scenery

This one is a no-brainer. Have you seen Pittsburgh? It’s gorgeous from any angle. Whether your taste is natural and serene (think Schenley Park), industrial-chic (this is the Steel City, after all), or trendy and quirky (a la the Warhol Museum)… Pittsburgh is simply picture-perfect.

Photo by Laura Kathleen Photography

6. Historic and traditional venues…

We’re known for our bridges, but has anyone ever counted our gorgeous turn-of-the-century churches? If churches aren’t what you had in mind, consider Phipps Conservatory’s verdant venues, the stunning arches of the Pennsylvanian, or Hartwood Acres’ pristine gardens. Just imagine how great your photography will turn out.
Photo of The Pennsylvanian by The Brand Studio

5. …and trendy venues

If classic weddings aren’t your style, Pittsburgh offers an array of other exciting and novel venues. Imagine how your guests will rave about how unique your Engine House 25 reception was, how visionary your Mattress Factory ceremony turned out, or how romantic it was that you exchanged vows by the Point. Also consider Heinz History Center, Heinz Field, or PNC Park for a uniquely Pittsburgh event venue.
Photo of Heinz History Center by Elizabeth Vincent Photography

4. Food

Pittsburgh’s culinary scene is on par with the finest in the world, but without inducing sticker-shock. The Event Group has worked with the best of the best in Pittsburgh and can help you decide if you’d prefer a formal gourmet meal, a casual buffet, a trendy cocktail hour, or a backyard luau for your shower, rehearsal dinner or reception. And let’s not forget the cake. Pittsburgh’s bakers and cake artists blend form and function to create beautiful, delicious desserts. Photo from Common Plea Catering

Photo from Rania’s Catering

3. Unique places for out-of-town guests to stay and explore

Out-of-town guests will be thrilled with all the great places to hang out, dine, and visit in Pittsburgh. Your wedding will be the main event, but your guests may also want to spend their downtime sampling local craft spirits at Wigle Whiskey, catching a game at PNC Park, or getting some shut-eye in a glamorous boutique hotel like Hotel Monaco or the magnificent traditional Omni William Penn Hotel. Provide each guest with a list of suggested activities to check out between the wedding and the reception, or encourage them to explore on their own.

Photo of Hotel Monaco by Cris Molina for Kimpton Hotels

2. The cookie table

Yes, the Pittsburgh Cookie Table is real. If you get married in Western Pennsylvania, your guests will shower you with homemade cookies. What other reason could you possibly need to plan your wedding in Pittsburgh?
Photo by Palermo Photography

1. Your reason

No one leaves Pittsburgh without a story to tell. Maybe your story is how you first locked eyes with your sweetheart over Primanti sandwiches. Maybe it’s about your first date at Kennywood. Or maybe it’s about how he proposed on the Mount Washington overlook and now you can’t wait to settle down together in Mount Lebanon. Pittsburgh is part of your story. Make it part of the most exciting day of your life.

Did we miss any reasons to plan your wedding in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments section.

There’s something about a little blue box with a white ribbon that causes hearts to skip a beat. There’s something about a gold-embellished red box that is instantly recognizable. But another top contender for Most Iconic Box is the Mrs. Box.

The Mrs. Box is made of vintage French velvet and comes in a variety of gorgeous colors. According to their website, the boxes’ “materials come from mills that are no longer in existence, so due to the rarity of remaining pieces, each color is limited edition!”

Summer Watkins, owner and designer of The Mrs. Box, explains the production process: “Our boxes are made from vintage velvet. We have a supplier that we work with to go through his remaining stock and purchase what he has available. We normally buy all of a certain color to have our boxes made. We are essentially making them as quickly as we can, as we keep running out—particularly of popular hues like pink!”

Need another reason to covet these stunning boxes? The Mrs. Box offers custom monograms using a vintage hot stamp press machine to imprint your initials with gold, silver, or rose gold foil. Each lid is embossed individually with custom letters made especially for the 40-100 year old velvet.

Watkins, whose name you might recognize from Grey Likes Weddings, explains, “The boxes are meant to be an heirloom and can house anything—from an engagement ring, to a wedding band, to your grandmother’s heirloom ring.”

All photography from TheMrsBox.com

What’s on the inside is what really counts… but a beautiful, custom-made French velvet presentation certainly doesn’t hurt! For the perfect keepsake of life’s big moments, consider The Mrs. Box.

Great food is a key to a great reception. But not just the main meal. Thoughtful brides plan beyond the sit-down dinner and find creative ways to keep guests satisfied during the cocktail hour or as the party goes into the night. Your guests will be appreciative of (and impressed by) these signature snack options – and you’ll look like a party planning goddess!

Ice Cream Cart

On a hot summer afternoon or evening, an ice cream cart will be a cool sweet treat. You can get clever with flavors, naming them after important moments in your relationship. Kennywood Kiss Kona, anyone?

Photo From Lovemydress.com

Food Truck

Have food, will travel. Invite your favorite eatery to your reception! A food truck might not be a replacement for a sitdown meal, but it’s a great cocktail hour or late night treat for guests. Pittsburgh is a haven for great food and food trucks. Read our review of local Pittsburgh food trucks here.

Photo from Bella Christie & Lil Z’s Sweet Boutique.

Coffee or Hot Chocolate Bar

Dancing the night away calls for a good cup of java. Include accouterments like creamers, peppermint sticks, whipped cream, flavored syrups and mix-ins. Mugs and sleeves can also serve as favors. Don’t forget the decaf!   Photo from blog.myweddingreceptionideas.com

Wine or Beer Bar

Invite guests to sip on carefully curated collection of cocktails. Track down the wine you and your fiancé enjoyed on your first date. Or provide a bevy of local beverages. Pittsburgh has a variety of independent local breweries and distillers; impress your guests with local gems like Wigle Whiskey or Arsenal Cider. Photo from www.wiglewhiskey.com

The way to your guests’ hearts is through their stomachs. Trust us, you’ll win them over with any of these wedding snacks and sips! For more ideas for your wedding, make sure to check out our Pinterest boards!