The 15 Best Engagement Session Locations in and Around Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA

You may not even be engaged yet and are already thinking about the perfect location for your engagement photos and where in this great city of Pittsburgh may look best! The question I get asked the most is where should we have our engagement photos? I know there are so many different and amazing options whether that’s a more nature vibe, urban chic, adventurous options, and even a cozy in home experience. I’m about to lay out some great options that you can consider for your engagement photos in Pittsburgh and nearby areas. It’s always great when there is beauty and the overall vibe is what you are going for there are always great spots to consider. Without further adieu, here are the top 15 places in Pittsburgh for your engagement session photo locations!

1. The North Shore (Downtown)

2. Phipps + Schenely Park (Oakland)

3. Point State Park (Downtown)

4. Mellon Park (Bakery Square)

5. South Side + (Downtown)

6. Mingo Creek Park (Washington)

7. Mt Washington Overlook (Mt Washington)

8. South Park (South Hills)

9. Twin Lakes Park (Greensburg)

10. Boyce Park (North Hills)

11. Round Hill Park (Elizabeth)

12. Peter’s Lake (Peter’s Township)

13. Hartwood Acres Mansion (Allison Park)

14. Kennywood (West Mifflin)

15. Frick Park (Point Breeze)

Other Ideas

1. Your Wedding Venue’s Grounds

2. At Your House

3. Destination-travel somewhere you love

4. Anywhere meaningful!!!

Don’t be afraid to make a cool suggestion that is more out of the box or brainstorm even more ideas! I had a couple ask about a hot air ballon ride once (sadly it didn’t work out because it was going to be too windy-super bummer!!). I’ve even had a session in Sarris Candies in their Ice Cream Parlor! Let’s blow the lid off of boring location ideas and get creative.

Always remember, you are never left to figure any of this out on your own. We send out a questionnaire to get a good feel on what you both are really wanting in terms of style choices and overall look and feel you are going for. Keep in mind that there are other factors that you could determine prior to choosing a location that could help this part super simple for you!! Read some of those reasons here.

The Engagement session is meant to be one of the most fun experiences of your experience with us and we can’t wait to capture your joy and love wherever that takes us!

Bridal Sessions | What You Need to Know + Helpful Tips

Do you want some advice on how to prepare for you Bridal Session and all those amazing tips to remember?

First of all, what’s a bridal session? It’s an old Southern tradition that originated over in Europe that focuses on the bride before the wedding day. This is such a wonderful opportunity to have some really beautiful portraits of the bride and in a more relaxed environment. This means the works…getting to work with your bridal hair and make-up artists, put on all your jewelry, see your bouquet, and most importantly you get to put on that stunning dress!! Everything should be cohesive so on your wedding day your portraits blend in with the rest of your portraits. This is a good time though if you did want to make any changes you will know whether or not if you absolutely want to!! These photos will be top secret until after the wedding of course, but some couples like to display a portrait for the reception!

Here’s a checklist on what you want to do or consider before your bridal session!

1. Chat with your bridal salon. If your dress is getting altered, when will you be picking it up and will everything be completed prior to your bridal session? Typically, sessions should be about 3-4 weeks prior to your wedding date!

2. What type of location are you considering? Strictly indoors or outdoors? There’s plenty of beautiful places in Pittsburgh but it’s good to keep in mind the crazy weather we get here and some indoor locations would require a fee to reserve the space. You can always chat with your venue to see if they would allow you on the property (more so during the week)! Keep in mind the train on your gown and also your veil as we will need to be careful to keep both clean and make sure we stay with the style and vibe of your wedding vision!

3. Hair + Make-up trials. This is the perfect time to schedule your trials with your HMUA team for your bridal look. Most HMUA teams will need a bit of notice, so make sure you contact them in advance so you can get on their books. Seeing your make-up and hair in portraits is a better representation of how you will look-sometimes in person you think it might be a bit too dark or too bold of a color but on camera it will be the perfect contrast! If you decide after seeing photos that it’s a bit much and you’d like to change anything, you can show them specifically what you’d like to alter.

4. Gather your accessories. This means earrings, necklaces, rings (don’t forget to have yours cleaned-at least before the wedding day!), and anything else that you are incorporating! I always suggest getting a little bag and putting these accessories into your shoe box so it’s all together and you don’t forget anything!

5. Talk to your florist. Having your wedding bouquet is a key part of your bridal portraits. Once you talk to your florist, they will be able to provide you with a duplicate of the bouquet you will hold on your wedding day. We will make sure we keep it in ideal conditions until we are ready to shoot so it can soak up all the water and keep out of the heat so it looks fresh in your portraits!

6. Don’t forget to eat and stay hydrated! The last thing you want to deal with is hanger. Bring along a water bottle, a bottle of champagne, or whatever makes you happy! A couple snacks that aren’t too messy are a great idea as well. A power or granola bar is perfect during breaks if you need a little pick me up!

7. Don’t come alone. Bring along 1-2 people you would be comfortable with having around for your portraits whether that is mom, a sister, a bridesmaid or another family member/friend that wouldn’t mind helping out moving the dress around and holding the bouquet every once in awhile. Plus, it will help you feel even more relaxed so you can have a great time!

8. Remember to relax. Going off of my last point, you want to ultimately enjoy your time with us and having your bridal portraits taken should be fun. This help calm you on wedding day, confirm your thoughts on the overall look, and have some really great memories and beautiful portraits to remember this season of life!

9. Ask questions. If you still aren’t sure and would like to discuss anything, shoot me an email or give me a call. We can walk through different options and come up with a game plan that you are super excited about!!

Photography- Happy Out Photography

Planning- Moelleux Events

Florals- Moelleux Events

Model- Ari Stant

Hair- no5hairco by Chanel

Make Up- Nataliya Kovchan

Dress- Lovely Bride / Designer- Emmy Mae Bridal

Cake- Dessert First

Invitation Suite- Paige Poppe 

Locations- Foothills Golf Club/Papago Park AZ

How to Prepare for Cavanaugh's 2 Day Pittsburgh Bridal Show | Wyndham Grand Downtown Hotel

So you’re newly engaged, congrats!! Now everyone is hounding you for your color palette, the wedding date, how you’ll wear your hair, and all the other wedding related craziness you have had yet to jump into! I mean, it’s only been 3 days Aunt Barbara…there is such a thing as enjoying your time being engaged after all.

Whether you want to get a jump start on planning the wedding or have been engaged and are ready to start making decisions, attending a bridal show can be an eye-opener for any engaged couple!

Our favorite bridal show in Pittsburgh is the 2 day extravaganza that Dan Cavanaugh hosts at the Wyndham Grand Downtown right across from Point State Park. This year the Cavanaugh Bridal show will be from January 27th 12-4pm and January 28th 10-3pm. Rally your bridesmaids, mom, or even your S/O to join you as you walk through the abundance of all types of wedding vendors and enjoy a lot of awesome freebies, drinks, food tastings, great conversation, and more.

I wanted to share my personal wisdom of bridal shows to make this an eye-opening experience so you can be prepared and can know what to expect when attending the Cavanaugh’s Bridal show at the Wyndham in 2019.

So, Why Attend the Cavanaugh’s 2 Day Bridal Show?

1. Best Place to quickly decide your tastes and preferences

2. Talk to your potential vendors in person before putting down any money

3. See their products/services first hand

4. Compare alike vendors

5. Save some major $$$

6. Prizes!!

What can I do to Prepare to Attend a Bridal Show?

1. Do some research on the vendors who will be attending (here’s a list + map of the businesses attending! - https://lovestartshere.com/january-26-27-wyndham-grand-exhibitors) *We’re in booth 71!

2. Have an open mind if you are early into the planning process

3. Give yourself the whole afternoon to really immerse yourself instead of rushing through

4. Don’t hide from booths, but listen to your gut if someone is being too pushy

5. Make address labels or stickers with your wedding date (if applicable), you and your fiancé’s names, your address, email, and a phone number. It may save you from repeatedly writing it down.

   PRO TIP: make a wedding email address to keep things separated and organized!

6. Take your checkbook or be ready to spend some money to secure a vendor you really love!!!

7. Have a great time planning and try not to feel overwhelmed!

8. If you like a vendor and can’t make a decision right away, ask for an appointment!

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So, what are we offering at the show?

The FIRST 5 Brides to book at the show either Saturday or Sunday will receive this cute little tote!

Brides that book within 30 days of the show will receive $300 OFF any wedding package!

Free engagement ring styled photo when you stop by our booth!

We are happy to chat and be a non-pressure spot if you feel overwhelmed-we are in booth 71. See you there!!

Any other questions, just leave us a comment below!