Every couple wants their wedding to be memorable and personal. If you’re looking to infuse some originality – and a dose of local Pittsburgh flavor – into your big day, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 unique Pittsburgh wedding ideas that will make your celebration stand out and have your guests talking about how cool and “so you” your wedding was.
1. Embrace the Pittsburgh Cookie Table (with a Twist)
By now, you know the cookie table is a Pittsburgh classic – we love it, and your guests will too. To make it unique, consider adding a twist. For example, create a “cookie table from around the world” featuring cookies representing your family heritage or places you’ve traveled. Still have the Pittsburgh staples (lady locks, buckeyes, pizzelles), but maybe add Italian biscotti for your honeymoon in Rome, or Mexican wedding cookies as a nod to a favorite trip. Another idea: include a DIY cookie decorating station where guests can frost a Pittsburgh-shaped cookie (yes, cookie cutters in the shape of Pennsylvania or the Steelers logo exist!). Supply sprinkles in black and gold. It’s interactive and fun, especially for kids at the wedding. And don’t forget cute to-go bags with a custom label like “Thank you from the new Mr. & Mrs. [Name] – Yinz come back now, ya hear?” to give it a personal Pittsburghese touch.
2. Sports Team Send-off or Grand Entrance
Pittsburghers are passionate about their sports teams. Whether you bleed black and gold for the Steelers or are a die-hard Penguins hockey fan, consider incorporating that into a big moment. One idea is a grand entrance at your reception with a sports flair: have the DJ play the Steelers’ fight song “Here We Go” as you and your bridal party enter, waving Terrible Towels. Or, for hockey fans, enter under a tunnel of hockey sticks held up by the groomsmen. Alternatively, for a send-off at the end of the night, provide guests with Terrible Towels or rally towels with your names and wedding date printed on them, and have everyone wave them as you make your exit (bonus: it makes for amazing photos, a sea of swirling towels!). This brings that Pittsburgh team spirit to your wedding and will hype up your crowd.
3. Food Truck Late-Night Snack – Pittsburgh Style
Elevate the typical late-night wedding snack by bringing in a food truck featuring Pittsburgh’s iconic eats. Imagine a Primanti Bros food truck pulling up to dish out mini versions of their famous sandwiches (yes, the ones piled with fries and slaw) around 10pm when your guests have been dancing and need a nibble. If sandwiches aren’t your thing, how about a pierogi truck? Pittsburgh has pierogi food trucks that can serve fresh, hot pierogies in various flavors – a nod to our city’s Polish heritage and a sure crowd-pleaser
Another idea: an Eat’n Park Smiley Cookie cart or truck handing out the classic iced smiley face cookies (maybe customized to be smiling bride and groom faces!). Not only does this satisfy late-night cravings, but it’s also a fun surprise that showcases local flavor. Make sure to clear it with your venue and coordinate timing, but guests will love the novelty.4. Personalized Pittsburgh Landmark Centerpieces or Table Names
Instead of generic table numbers, name your tables after famous Pittsburgh landmarks or neighborhoods that have meaning to you. Perhaps “Mount Washington” for the head table (with a mini replica of the incline or a skyline photo as part of the centerpiece), “Schenley Park” for the place you got engaged, “Oakland” for where you went to college, “Strip District,” “South Side,” “Point State Park,” etc. At each table, you can include a little card explaining the significance – “Mount Washington – where John proposed overlooking the city lights” or “Oakland – our old stomping grounds at Pitt”. As a visual, incorporate a small landmark sign or image: a tiny bridge figurine for the table named after one of the famous bridges, or mini street signs. Pittsburgh has a lot of character in its locales, and this idea makes your decor deeply personal and very Pittsburgh. Guests also get a mini tour of your lives through the city.
5. Surprise "Yinzer" Guest Appearance
For a bit of humor and delight, arrange a surprise appearance by a beloved local mascot or figure. One example: the Pittsburgh Pierogi Racing mascots (from Pirates baseball games) – those giant pierogi characters – can sometimes be booked for events. Imagine during your reception, suddenly Cheese Chester or Jalapeño Hannah pierogi comes out on the dance floor to bust a move with your guests! It’s unexpected and totally Pittsburgh. If pierogies aren’t your jam, how about Steely McBeam (the Steelers mascot) or the Penguins’ Iceburgh? For something less sports-y and more culturally iconic, you could have an Andy Warhol impersonator (hey, Warhol is from Pittsburgh!) doing caricatures or just mingling in a silver wig – but that’s pretty avant-garde. The sports mascots are usually a hit with all ages. Coordinate with the respective organizations for availability. Your guests will get a kick out of it, and the photos will be priceless.
6. A Ride on the Duquesne Incline for Photos or Fun
If your wedding events are near Mount Washington or you have some flex time between ceremony and reception, treat your bridal party or even all your guests to a quick ride on the Duquesne Incline. The incline is one of Pittsburgh’s most unique attractions – a historic funicular that climbs Mount Washington, offering stellar views of the skyline. Many couples take photos at the observation deck up top (gorgeous at sunset). To make it unique, you could arrange with the incline operators to have a special ride; maybe you and your new spouse ride it up alone for a few minutes of private time (except for the operator) while guests await at the top with confetti or bubbles. Or take the whole bridal party for a scenic trip – it’s a great experience especially for out-of-towners who’ve never done it. You could even exchange a very private set of vows or words to each other during the ride. Just be sure to check timing (the inclines move slowly and hold a limited number of people). It’s a bit quirky, but definitely memorable.
7. Pittsburgh-Themed Signature Cocktails
Create a menu of signature drinks named after Pittsburgh icons or inside jokes. For example, “The Three Rivers Punch” – a blue and yellow cocktail representing the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio. Or a “Heinz 57 Martini” (perhaps a classic martini with 57 olives? Just kidding – maybe a red tinged martini and a clever name). How about “The Iron City Cooler” – using a splash of Iron City Beer or just a nod in name to the local beer brand. If you met at a Pirates game, a rum and coke could be rebranded as “The Buccaneer.” For a non-alcoholic option, maybe a lemonade or tea named “The Kennywood Thunderbolt” referencing the theme park’s coaster. Display a cute sign with the drink names and descriptions. This not only adds personality but also can tie in with your theme. You can even garnish them with little Pittsburgh symbols (a tiny black-and-gold flag, striped straws in city colors, etc.). Your bartenders will have fun with it, and guests will enjoy ordering a taste of something local.
8. Live Painter to Capture the Skyline or Scene
Hire a live wedding painter, which has become a trend, but give them a Pittsburgh twist: have them paint the city skyline as your event unfolds, or a scene of your reception that prominently features a local view. For instance, if your venue has windows showing downtown, the painter can incorporate that in the painting of your first dance. Or if you’re outdoors with a view, they can include the rivers and buildings as backdrop in the artwork. By the end of the night, you have a one-of-a-kind Pittsburgh art piece that is your wedding. It’s entertainment for guests to watch the artist work throughout the reception, and it’s an heirloom for you. Make sure to discuss with the artist what you want featured (maybe you want them to definitely include PPG Place’s gleaming glass or the Fort Pitt Bridge arch in there). Many live painters are happy to focus on a unique element.
9. Mr. Rogers Tribute
Fred Rogers (of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood) is one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved figures. Pay tribute to the ideals of kindness and community he represented with a small nod at your wedding. Perhaps have a “Mister Rogers Memory”during the reception: a brief moment where you thank your guests for being part of your neighborhood of friends and family. Some couples have done a sing-along of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” as a cute transition or even instead of clinking glasses for a kiss. If singing isn’t your thing, maybe use a quote from him on your program or signage (e.g., “Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle.” – a meaningful quote that could be in your ceremony or speeches). Another idea: incorporate trolley imagery (like the Neighborhood Trolley) in your decor for a subtle reference. It’s a sweet way to include a piece of Pittsburgh’s heart, and older guests especially will appreciate the nostalgia.
10. Favors with Local Flair
Send your guests home with a piece of Pittsburgh. Wedding favors are an easy place to be creative and local. Some unique favor ideas:
- Mini jars of Turner’s Iced Tea (a Pittsburgh beverage staple) with tags saying “Thank yinz – it’s been a hoot!”.
- Little bags of Gardners or Sarris chocolates (local chocolatiers), perhaps chocolate-covered pretzels in black and gold sprinkles.
- A small succulent plant in a pot printed with the Pittsburgh skyline – a favor that grows, just like your love (cheesy but cute).
- Personalized pierogi magnets or ornaments if your wedding is around holidays – lots of local artisans make these.
- Mini bottles of maple syrup from a Pennsylvania farm if you want to highlight the broader region’s products. Attach a note thanking guests and maybe explaining the significance (“We honeymooned in Maine, but we wanted to share a sweet Pennsylvania treat with you – enjoy this maple syrup from our home state!”). The more personal, the better. If you have a particular Pittsburgh thing you both love (say, coffee from Nicholas Coffee Roasters in Market Square), give that! Guests will remember the uniqueness.
These ideas are starting points – feel free to adapt them to fit your personalities. The beauty of a Pittsburgh wedding is the rich tapestry of traditions and local flavor you can draw from. Whether you implement just one or two or all ten of these ideas, your guests will get a wedding experience that’s truly reflective of you and the city you call home. And that combination is bound to wow everyone present. Happy planning, and make it uniquely yours!
