Phipps Conservatory Wedding | Pittsburgh PA | Ali & Rahil
Rahil and Ali met while working at the same hospital. By the time they got to Phipps Conservatory on their wedding day, they were already married — a courthouse elopement in May 2023, small and intentional, just immediate family and close friends. What came next was everything else.
At Phipps, they said “I do” twice in one day. An Indian ceremony in the morning, a non-denominational ceremony in the afternoon, both held outdoors in the gardens, both families present for all of it. Mr. and Mrs., three times over — and finally, the celebration they had been saving for everyone who mattered.
Phipps sits in Schenley Park, a few minutes from downtown Pittsburgh — 15 acres of botanical gardens, a 14-room glasshouse, and grounds that have been evolving since 1893. For a couple bringing family in from India, the UK, and Canada — many of whom were meeting Ali for the first time — it was the right kind of place. Big enough to hold the occasion, beautiful enough to make the trip feel worth it.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
One Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
First opened in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a place that has always been on the frontlines of sustainability. Across the 15 acres, you will find a 14-room glasshouse as well as 23 gardens. They lead the way in green practices and sustainable architecture so you can have memorable visits for years to come. The garden is just a few minutes from Pittsburgh, putting you right in the midst of nature without taking you too far away from the city. And while every single foot of Phipps Conservatory is beautiful, it’s also exceptionally versatile for weddings. From bonsais and orchards to tropical plants, you can find it all right here in Phipps!
Details of the Grounds
With Phipps Conservatory, every part of your wedding can be hosted on the grounds if you choose. When you arrive on the morning of your wedding, you will be taken to the bridal suite, where you can put on all the finishing touches alongside your party. You can take your time taking candid pictures and settling down your nerves before the ceremony begins.
For the ceremony, you will have your choice of spaces. If you do want to host this portion outside, you can use the Outdoor Garden. This four-tiered space is lush and green with mature trees along the sides. There are perennials all around with a fountain right in the center. It’s bright and sunny with plenty of space for your guests to watch.
If you would prefer something inside, I think you will adore the Special Events Hall. This space has high ceilings with windows that look out over the rest of the gardens. You can keep these unobstructed for natural views, or you can make the room feel more intimate by covering them with white drapery. Whatever you choose, you are going to have the ability to make this space your own!
The Tropical Conservatory Wedding Space At Phipps
The Tropical Conservatory can also serve as a ceremony space for smaller weddings. Your guests will be seated on the terrace and watch as you exchange vows in front of a waterfall. While this is an enclosed, climate-controlled space, the glass walls and ceilings will give you the illusion of an outdoor event.
The Tropical Forest Conservatory can be converted into a cocktail hour space where your guests can enjoy signature drinks and hors d’oeuvres. As you take your wedding pictures, they can stroll along the path and look at the koi pond.
Outside receptions take place in the Outdoor Garden where you will have a tent complete with a dance floor. If you prefer the interiors, the Special Events Hall will be the spot for you! This area has state-of-the-art AV equipment to keep your entertainment moving along!
Phipps Conservatory can hold up to 200 guests. You can choose to rent out individual rooms, or you can reserve the entire facility.
Photography Opportunities
Believe me when I say Phipps Conservatory is a wedding photographer’s dream! The entirety of the grounds are lush and beautiful, with plenty of backdrops you can use throughout your wedding. The exterior of the glass house will serve as a sophisticated background as you share a kiss with your new spouse. Meanwhile, the perennials in the outdoor garden are fabulous for pictures with your wedding party. I also love including the Borderie Room in these pics. This small room was designed to look reminiscent of a Louis XIV chateau with hedges planted around vibrant flowers. Because it has a glass ceiling, there will be plenty of natural light for these pics!
Wedding Details
Finally, let’s talk about all the ways Phipps Conservatory will spoil you through the wedding planning process. They have wedding packages that are perfect for all wedding sizes. It doesn’t matter if you are throwing a huge celebration or a small elopement. They will treat you with the same amount of care and will ensure your wedding is nothing less than perfect! They offer event planning services and will make sure you go into the day feeling totally confident.
When you book your wedding, they are going to provide you with all the things you need for your day. First of all, they are going to be on hand for the set-up and the clean-up, and they will be there to keep things running smoothly. They have tables and chairs onsite, plus they can take care of the bar equipment, glassware, silverware, and flatware. Your catering will be included in the prices, and they can handle desserts if you’d like. Their bartenders will be on the scene mixing up drinks and serving house wine or liquor. You will also have servers for your food.
The grounds are wheelchair accessible with valet parking for all your guests. They are more than happy to work with outside vendors and will make sure you have all the accommodations you need for your dream wedding. They have onsite rentals as well as decor solutions, and they can provide tents in case the forecast starts to call for rain.
A Real Phipps Conservatory Wedding Day
With the wedding being a mixed-cultural, yet non-traditional, wedding, lots of the day was unique! Although the couple eloped at the courthouse, they still wanted to get the chance to respect each other’s culture and traditions, and ultimately wanted to celebrate surrounded by all of their family and friends. The couple used specific colors of gold, ivory, and beige with hints of greens, and their Phipps Conservatory venue was loaded with greenery already! The bride wore a traditional red, bronze, gold, and sage outfit for her Indian ceremony, and her wedding dress was ivory with gold accents and tons of beading. The florals featured warm tones and tropical greenery will be a big focal point. The couple wanted their day at Phipps Conservatory to be a fun time to really celebrate with their families, while also appreciating the other side of their traditions.
Your Day Will Be Absolutely Stunning At The Phipps Conservatory Wedding Venue
If you are looking for the perfect venue for your Pittsburgh wedding, I think you are absolutely going to love the Phipps Conservatory wedding venue! With tons of natural beauty and versatile venue options, your wedding is going to be everything you’ve ever wanted.
Once you have your wedding venue, it’s time to start thinking about your photographer! That’s exactly why I am here. I am a Pittsburgh wedding photographer, and I adore working with couples to make sure they can remember every second of their celebration. If you think I might be the best match for you, let’s chat about it! Send me a message today to find out more!
- Love Above the City: A Rooftop at Exchange Place Wedding
- A Joyful Fusion: Love at a Bartram’s Garden Wedding
- Capturing Love at a Timeless Rose Bank Winery Wedding
- Gorgeous Weddings At Duke Sculpture Garden At Dixon Mansion!
Thank You To The Amazing Vendors Who Helped Make This Real Wedding Day Happen
- Venue- Phipps– David Swank (catering), Deborah Gorman (sales)
- Florist- Blooms- Michael Jacobs
- Decorator and Silk Florals- Peacock Creations- Tara
- Cake- Bella Christie
- Henna- Kadambari Arts
- DJ/lighting- T.J. Harris
- Dhol and Tabla Player and Safa Tying- MC Goons- Goondeep
- Strings Couplet- City Six Strings
- H&M- Allison Nicole Roth (Makeup); Emma Hackworthy (Hair)
- Linens- Lendable Linens- Ed Amori
- Rentals- All Occasions
- Rentals- Vintage Alley- Mikette Stinebiser
- Hindu Pandit/Officiant- Hindu Jain Temple- Joshi-Ji
- Office Manager Hindu Jain Temple
- Reverend- Dina McGee
- White Wedding Dress- PenLiv Bridal, purchased from Bridal Beginnings
- Bridesmaids Dresses- Revelry
- Stationary- Oh Joyful Day
- Indian Wedding Lehenga- Manyavar & Mohey
- Wedding Day-of Coordinator- Jade Granda
