Looking to see what church may be the most beautiful backdrop to your wedding nuptials here in the Pittsburgh area? I have photographed hundreds of church weddings, and Pittsburgh is not lacking on gorgeous architecture and scenery for a wedding inside of a Holy building! There are so many wedding churches and parishes to name, but here are a few of the ones I find to be exceptionally beautiful for a wedding ceremony here in the Pittsburgh area.
Epiphany Catholic Church
DIVINE MERCY PARISH
Epiphany Catholic Church is located next to PPG Paints arena in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh. The pretty red exterior of the building is eye-catching, and the interior is vast and structural. I have photographed numerous wedding ceremonies in this space, and the music is always lovely and there is a long aisle for the wedding processional. I also like that there is balcony access and the narthex of the church makes for great wedding photos – either portraits or family photos!
Chapel of the Holy Spirit
DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY
The Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Duquesne University is a pretty church to hold your wedding ceremony, especially if you are a Duquesne grad (which maybe you have to be in order to reserve the space – check on this!) The church sanctuary is not huge, although it can certainly fit at least 200 people on a guest list. It has an intimate feel, while still boasting vaulted ceilings and white marble touches. The aisle length here is ‘medium’, so you get a good walk in, but it’s not overwhelming.
St. Malachy Church
ARCHANGEL GABRIEL PARISH
St. Malachy Church is one that I was introduced to a long time ago when a friend was married in this open, light-filled ceremony space. The church is in Kennedy Township outside of the city, but it is unique and so I wanted to add it to this list. The ceiling has a fan-type design, and there are huge windows in the front near the altar, which make for a wedding ceremony filled with tons of natural light – something you don’t see in many Catholic churches!
First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh
What can I say about the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh? Stunning! Stunning! This church is simply beautiful! From the gothic stone architecture of the outside to the beautiful wooden interior, this church is just a visual masterpiece. There are huge, wooden ‘doors’ at the front near the altar, which then open in a grand manner for the wedding ceremony and reveal the altar area. It’s pretty impressive! They do have very strict photography policies, but they are trumped by the style of the building and Wow factor!
Heinz Memorial Chapel
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
Heinz Memorial Chapel holds a special place in my heart, as the church where I was married years ago! It’s an ode to the University of Pittsburgh, and boasts beautiful wooden architecture and a grand style. Weddings at Heinz Memorial Chapel are always beautiful, and guests love visiting the campus to experience the grandeur of this Pittsburgh staple. I have so many details about Heinz Chapel to share with you!
Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church
I wanted to photograph a wedding in this church for the longest time, especially because I am often photographing wedding receptions at the Fox Chapel Golf Club down the road from the church. Every time I drove past Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church it I would think I need a Fox Chapel wedding that includes a ceremony there!. Well, sure enough that opportunity eventually arose and I was delighted! This stunning church is light, bright, and classicly-elegant. With the white walls and plenty of windows, it brings in ton of natural light. The hanging chandeliers are a beautiful touch and the aisle is nice and long for an entrance in style!
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
SHRINES OF PITTSBURGH
This one is a hidden gem! I very rarely photograph a wedding on Polish Hill, so I had never heard of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church until a ceremony there just a few years ago. It was beautiful! This church features a beautiful dome, golf interior, and lots of ornate style. The aisle is long, and the Byzantine architecture really draws you in. This is a great “old Pittsburgh” church if you are looking to really pay homage to the Pittsburgh Polish history!
Old St. Luke’s Church
If I could pick one of the cutest churches in Pittsburgh, Old St. Luke’s Church would be one of them! This is a small church with tons of adorable charm! The stone walls are just wonderful, and the post-and-beam ceiling is a perfect touch. The church itself has an intimate feeling that highlights the ceremony and the guests surrounding the wedding couple. There is a little cemetery next to the church that gets great light and has pretty fall foliage too! The exterior of the church is a great backdrop for photos.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
ST JUDE PARISH
A perfect place for a wedding in Shadyside, Sacred Heart Church of Pittsburgh has been a common go-to for wedding ceremonies for ages! The church is made of stone and has a small baptismal area / bridal area off of the side of the entrance. The aisle at Sacred Heart Church is very long and grand if you want to make a big entrance! I also love the altar space, which has ornate hanging lanterns overheard. I’m also partial to the Chapel of Mary at Sacred Heart, because it’s a separate room that is private with lots of stained glass – a prime photo opportunity! The last bit that I specifically enjoy about Sacred Heart is the covered valet area on the side of the church. This is a great place for family photos after the ceremony and offers a covered, yet outdoor, photo location in a pinch.
St Raphael Church
ST JUDE PARISH
If you’re looking for an art-deco style church in Pittsburgh, St Raphael Church in Morningside is a wonderful option! My husband and I attended this church when we lived in Morningside, and I remember winning their raffle at the annual fair – ha! The architecture and style on the interior of this church is different than other Pittsburgh churches, since it boasts an art deco style. It was renovated a few years ago and is in great condition and is becoming a more popular choice amongst my couples. The aisle here is long and the stained glass is very pretty!
St Stanislaus Kostka Church
SHRINES OF PITTSBURGH
St Stan!! All local wedding photographers refer to this church as St Stan, but it’s full name is St Stanislaus Kostka Church – a Polish church in the heart of Pittbsurgh’s Strip District. It’s very popular for wedding ceremonies and has lots of space for guests, large banners hanging from the ceilings, a large balcony for your photographer to grab overhead angles, and an intricate altar for a focal point.
St Bernard Church
ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH –MT LEBANON
Located in the heart of Mt.Lebanon, St. Bernard Church is a staple for the South Hills weddings. I especially love the roof of this church (random, right?), with it’s colorful tiles! It’s a great backdrop for wedding photos before or after the ceremony! The staff at the church is always very organized, sending my brides down the long aisle perfectly. The church itself is very large, with grand pillars and a big, gold altar area. Picture perfect!
ST MARY OF THE MOUNT CHURCH
MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE PARISH
If you drive through downtown Pittsburgh, you can see the beautiful St Mary of the Mount Church resting high on Mt. Washington. It’s golden and illuminated at night, with it’s beautiful view of downtown Pittsburgh. The interior of the church is large without being overwhelming, but the exterior and it’s view is the showstopper of this venue. Walk directly across the street to access one of the Grandview Overlooks for a few wedding photos either before or after your ceremony inside of St Mary of the Mount.
ST. PAUL CATHEDRAL
ST PAUL CATHEDRAL PARISH – OAKLAND
The height of Pittsburgh’s Catholic Church venues, I photograph numerous weddings at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland, PIttsburgh every year. It’s big, it’s grand, it’s got a giant aisle for your wedding processional. The white marble is divine, the feeling is grand, and the wedding ceremonies at Saint Paul Cathedral never disappoint. Whether you’re taking in the sanctity of the space or enjoying the numerous photo opportunities outside of the church, you’ll never be disappointed here.
ST PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH
CHRIST OUR SAVIOR PARISH
This may be one of my favorite Catholic Churches in Pittsburgh, because sometimes I think it’s a little overlooked. Saint Peter Catholic Church a great central location to the city, the interior is really pretty, it’s got great nooks and crannys for interesting images after the ceremony, and the wedding staff is very friendly! It’s simple to shuttle guests here from downtown reception venues, and Allegheny Commons West park immediately across the street is also a wonderful location for post-ceremony pictures as well!
ST. ROSALIA CHURCH
ST. PAUL CATHEDRAL PARISH – GREENFIELD
St. Rosalia, located in the Greenfield area of Pittsburgh, is another less-frequented church that deserves some attention for a wedding ceremony. I like the arched altar space, the large interior, and the location with a large entry foyer and sidewalk space. There are some green areas on the side of the church between the chapel and the school that make for great family photos as well!
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH
A great option if you are having a downtown Pittsburgh wedding reception, Trinity Episcopal Church is located right on Sixth Avenue and has a wonderful, old Pittsburgh feel. The exterior architecture is a gothic style, and the interior has large stone columns. Although the chapel area has a vaulted ceiling, I have always felt like my weddings here also had an intimate feel to the ceremony space and a serenity to them as well.
