30+ Best Engagement Session Locations in Pittsburgh

Education

March 27, 2024

So you got engaged (congrats!), booked your date, wedding venue and photographer. Now what? Typically the next step is to plan your engagement session so you can send over Save the Dates to all your guests about 12 – 14 months before the big day! But where do you start?

I personally guide my couples through every step of the process leading up to their wedding day and once that contract is signed and we are officially booked, I send over a few resources for my clients so they don’t feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to plan out their engagement session. I send out an Engagement Session Prep Guide so my couples can figure out together what they want the overall theme, or surrounding to be for their session. Of course, if they are up for anything or need recommendations, I send them a few options based on what they are after.

Do you want city vibes or more of a nature scene? Do you want to be dressed up or more casual? What really defines your relationship and how you two are as a couple? I’ve had couples literally bring a volleyball to their engagement session and make it a fun activity. I’ve also had a bride that wanted to recreate the opening scene of Gossip Girl and dance on top of a bar like Serena Van Der Woodsen. The beauty of engagement session planning is that there really aren’t any rules. You can choose to make your session as traditional, or unique as you’d like.

And if you’re stuck on where you want to go for the session, here is a list of over 30 different engagement session locations in Pittsburgh that I’ve personally shot at, for you to look through!

1. The Carnegie Columns

2. Fl 2 – Fairmont Hotel

*Tip – This location has an incredible bar on their second floor restaurant but they typically keep shoots as an exclusive option for couples getting married at Fairmont.

3. Con Alma

4. Lawrenceville

5. Downtown Rooftop

6. The Industralist Hotel

7. PPG Square & Fairmont

8. North Shore

9. Heinz Chapel + Cathedral of Learning

10. The Highline

11. Hot Metal Bridge

12. Roberto Clemente Bridge

13. Carnegie Museum of Art – Inside

Typically it costs the price of a museum ticket for everyone including the photographer to shoot inside the museum, but if you come after 3pm, you will only be charged 1/2 price! Also, try to plan around school field trips!

14. Carnegie Museum of Art – Outside

15. Mexican War Streets

16. Strip District Tire Yard

17. Kennywood Park

18. Coop De Ville

19. Terminal in Strip District

If you are looking for something with a little more nature vibes

I’ve definitely seen a lot more of my couples want a mix of downtown Pittsburgh with an editorial flash session at a bar lately, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love feeling the breeze in my hair as I walk into Mellon Park or take a quick drive down to Cleland Rock outside of Butler. Depending if you want something that matches your outdoor, garden venue a little better, or you just really love the way green pops against your outfits, there’s a TON of parks and fields in and around Pittsburgh. You just may have to know who to ask!