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Pricing information

Reception
$1,500 starting price
Ceremony
$1,500 starting price
Reception
$1,500 starting price
Ceremony
$1,500 starting price

About

On WeddingWire since 2016

The Allegheny County Courthouse is a National Historic Landmark and the masterpiece of architect Henry Hobson Richardson. Construction began in 1884 and was completed in 1888.

Inside, the elegant Grand Staircase features soaring arches and ornate columns, as well as five murals by artist Vincent Nesbert and flags of the states.

Outside at the center of the Allegheny County Courthouse is a beautiful courtyard that features a central fountain and four landscaped gardens. The building rises dramatically around the courtyard, giving guests spectacular views of the 229-foot granite bell tower, turrets, arched windows, and steep slate roofs.

Whether it’s an intimate elopement on the Grand Staircase or a grand celebration under the stars,
the Allegheny County Courthouse provides an unforgettable backdrop for your special event.

Capacity for a seated dinner in the courtyard is 150, and we accept reservation requests 18 months in advance of your date.

AMMENITIES AND STAFF SUPPORT
For private special events, including wedding ceremonies plus receptions, you may rent the grand staircase and courtyard on a weekend or on a weekday evening after 5PM. For after-hours events, we can accommodate up to 150 people for a seated diner in the courtyard, and more for a standing, cocktail-style event.

With private, after-hours rentals, we provide:
• white garden chairs
• (6’) banquet tables
• high- or low-top cocktail tables
• Venue Coordinator, Building Security, Custodians, Electrician

Your food, alcohol, linens, décor, etc. would be supplied by vendors of your choice.

ELOPMENTS AND SMALL CEREMONIES
To accommodate elopements and simple ceremonies, the Allegheny County Courthouse allows couples to reserve the Grand Staircase and Gallery area inside the courthouse in two-hour increments. Weekday ceremonies may be held during business hours (9AM until 5PM), excluding holidays and pending venue availability. We’ll set white folding chairs, theater-style, for up to 50 guests. There is no charge for the venue nor for the chairs for this type of ceremony.

Please understand that the courthouse is open to the public during free weddings, and we do not provide an officiant nor handle marriage licenses.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$1,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$1,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$1,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$1,500

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Chairs
Clean Up
Set Up
Tables

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

3

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

2

Describe your venue:

Historic Building

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Elopements

What event services do you offer?

Event Rentals
Outside Vendors

What event items are available?

Chairs
Tables

What transportation and access is available?

Wheelchair Access
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Any other questions?

Reviews of The Allegheny County Courthouse

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4.8 out of 5 rating
4.8 out of 5 rating
10 reviews
96% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.9 out of 5 rating
Weddingwire
4.8/5 10 reviews
Google
4.4/5 47 reviews
T
Tim Sent on 12/28/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We knew, the moment that we saw the Grand Staircase/Lobby area, that the Courthouse was exactly the place we wanted to get married. The Grand Staircase just has such an incredible atmosphere and architectural features -- it was the perfect place to hold our ceremony/cocktail hour. Furthermore, as we were having a December wedding, once we saw pictures of the Christmas tree they put in the courtyard and the garlands on the archways, we were 100% convinced that we wanted to have our wedding there. During our actual wedding day, our photographer found so many beautiful and unique locations to take wedding pictures at. The building just has such incredible character, it serves as the perfect backdrop for a ceremony.

However, that was just the tip of the iceberg for what made the Courthouse so perfect. Truly, it was the various staff members that went above and beyond, treating our wedding day like it was as important to them as it obviously was to us. Most impressive of all was the event coordinator, Alex, who was quick to respond to every pestering question I sent to her (often within minutes of me sending her an email). Alex was always incredibly professional, friendly, patient and helpful. Furthermore, my husband and I were a tad clueless about how exactly we wanted the ceremony to go, but Alex provided the ideas and the expertise that resulted in a beautiful ceremony. Finally, Alex and her staff (including Katie who also did a fantastic job), made sure everything was set up and beautifully arranged for the day of the ceremony. Everything ran as smoothly and perfectly as I could have imagined during our wedding day, and I know it was because Alex and Katie were behind the scenes managing everything.

TL;DR: If I could give the Courthouse a rating higher than 5 stars, I would. Our wedding day was absolutely perfect, and it was because Alex and the rest of the Courthouse staff went above and beyond to make it that way.
K
Kelly Sent on 02/06/2018
5 out of 5 rating
We could not be any happier with our "Courthouse" wedding! From the moment we met with Alex, I felt extremely comfortable. She understood our vision for a unique ceremony space and was extremely attentive with all of my questions as I moved through the planning process. She really helped us stick with our budget as well- providing ideas to enhance the area. We got married on NYE and the staircase was decorated for the Holiday's still. We ended up having a larger guest list than when we originally booked the ceremony space. Alex reassured us they would accomodate and she was able to fit 180 seats in the lobby for our guests!! We got married in 6 degree's and the sidewalks were completely treated for all of our guest's. I highly recommend the Staircase at the Allegheny County Courthouse if you are looking for an urban feel and unique space. As large as the ceilings and archway's are, standing on the landing with 180 of our closest friends and family felt like we most intimate ceremony we could have had.
P
Paige Sent on 09/29/2017
5 out of 5 rating
What a great experience! My husband and I was staying on a strict budget of under 5 grand. Since I moved to Pittsburgh I fell in love with the Allegheny Courthouse but more so when I learned the Day Time price .... FREE!

We arrived around 2:40p to have a private meet up in the courtyard. Then went through security together. Married by 3:15p.

Alex was great and made sure there was 50 white chairs out for my guest to sit. Throughout she was checking in and made sure any questions we had were answered.

We’d totally go back to renew our vows here!
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Awards

10
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Love Place Photography Love Place Photography Wedding Photographers

Attended and photographed a beautiful wedding on the grand staircase this past Friday. It was a lovely and short ceremony and you cannot beat the courthouse interior and courtyard for absolutely stunning photos

Map

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The Allegheny County Courthouse frequently asked questions

The Allegheny County Courthouse includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • Clean Up
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The space offered by The Allegheny County Courthouse for wedding events is known for:
  • Historic Building
The Allegheny County Courthouse offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
The Allegheny County Courthouse offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Elopements
The Allegheny County Courthouse offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Event Rentals
  • Outside Vendors
The Allegheny County Courthouse offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Chairs
  • Tables
The Allegheny County Courthouse is recommended by 96% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.8 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.9 in flexibility, 4.8 in quality of service, 4.8 in average response time, 4.8 in professionalism and 4.8 in value.

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