How to Elope in Pittsburgh

If you’re planning out your elopement (or just doing it spur of the moment), here are a few tips on how to elope in Pittsburgh! Elopements are seriously amazing for so many reasons– they’re less expensive, less stress, more intimate, and you can literally have them pretty much ANYWHERE!

How quickly can I elope in Pittsburgh?

There is a 3-day waiting period in Pennsylvania to get your marriage license, so be aware of this if you plan on eloping here!

P.S. Here’s a list of State Marriage Laws regardless of what state you’re getting married in!

Can I bring friends and family if I elope?

Honestly, it’s up to you! Eloping is a very personal decision, so if you plan on making it truly about the two of you, be very selective about who you invite (especially if you don’t want it to turn into a full-scale wedding.) A lot of people will elope by themselves, and then do a little “elopement after party” afterwards to celebrate with their friends and family!

Where do I find an officiant for my elopement?

In Pennsylvania, you don’t technically need one! Instead, you can do a “Self-Uniting Marriage” ceremony. (This is also referred to as a “Quaker Marriage.”) This type of ceremony only requires signatures from two witnesses in lieu of an officiant. However, if you’d like to hire an officiant, I have a list of recommendations that I can send you!

What are nice places to elope in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh seriously has some of the most diverse locations that you could use for elopements. From forests to city backdrops, you have so much to work with! Most places will charge a rental fee, so be sure to check with them before picking your location! There are also tons of amazing venues around Pennsylvania that have special elopement packages– this way, you can have your ceremony and your honeymoon all rolled into one! Should I worry about getting flowers for my elopement?

This is where it’s totally up to you! Are you the kind of person that loves to DIY? If so, go to Trader Joe’s and make yourself a bouquet! Or if you still want something over-the-top for photos, you can splurge a little and have a professional florist make something for you!

What about hair & makeup for my elopement?

I honestly would say yes, you should! Just because you’re going the simpler route for your wedding doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t look and feel your best. A good hair stylist & makeup artist will make you feel like a million bucks.

I highly recommend La Pomponnee Beauty Artisans for your elopement! They will make you feel like a queen. (And if you’re eloping on-location somewhere, they have the most amazing “Beaute’ Mobile” that can come to you!!!)

Looking for a photographer for your elopement?

I would LOVE to talk to you!! Elopements are seriously my favorite thing ever. I totally understand that if you’re eloping, you might be trying to save a little bit of money on the whole “big wedding” thing, but you DO want amazing photos to remember the day. And since it’s just the two of you, you won’t have to worry about all the stresses of the wedding day – you can just breathe and enjoy yourselves without a hectic timeline! I recently did an elopement out in Philadelphia, and it was seriously the most fun day ever!

Having a photographer that knows the area can make your day run extra smoothly, but it also means that you can get photos in some amazing locations that you might not have thought of otherwise! I’m always scouting for new photography locations & love to create one-of-a-kind artwork for my clients.