Intimate Weddings at Phipps Conservatory

With restrictions on large gatherings intimate weddings are an incredibly popular topic among couples. With that in mind I’ve gathered photos from the last couple of years to show just how perfect small weddings at Phipps are.

A bride and groom hold a bouquet of sunflowers and looks at each other as they stand in front of a french country cottage in an exhibit during their small wedding at Phipps.

Wedding Ceremonies

Phipps has a number of great locations for ceremonies. That’s true for any sized wedding, but it may be especially so for small, intimate weddings. The Broderie Room, for instance, is a nearly perfect spot for a small wedding ceremony.

A bride and groom hold hands with yellow flowers in the foreground as a reverend performs a wedding ceremony in the broderie room during their small wedding at Phipps.

The room offers a lovely environment that changes seasonally. The layout is in the style of a garden at a French country estate with flowerbeds surrounding the couple as they exchange their vows. It’s an intimate space with abundant natural light – almost like being outside but without worrying about the weather!

A same sex couple is wed in the broderie room during their small wedding at Phipps.

Guests can watch from a raised area by the entrance. Can you see yourselves having your ceremony in this beautiful space?

A couple laughs along with their officiant during a small wedding at Phipps

Another great spot for a ceremony is the Outdoor Garden. Yisi and Alan moved into the tent because of rain, but you can see what a ceremony in the Outdoor Garden at Phipps looks like by visiting my Phipps Venue Page.

 

 

Small Receptions

If you’re planning on a small cocktail reception, maybe with heavy hors d’oeuvres or a light supper, then you can also rent the Victoria Room and the adjacent East Room. It’s a nice, low-key place to hang out and enjoy the company of your guests.

A couple cuts a cake decorated with sunflowers after their small wedding at Phipps.

Sara and Henry had a cake decorated to match the Van Gogh theme that was featured at Phipps during their wedding.

A tower of petite cakes with a french theme during a small wedding at Phipps.

While this cake went with a Parisian theme to match the Broderie Room in general.

Pink lily pads decorate the pond in the Victoria Room at Phipps.

Phipps: Perfect for Portraits

OK, I love alliteration so forgive me for the heading to this section 😄 But seriously, is there a better place for portraits than Phipps Conservatory? Both inside and outside there are so many lovely spots that you never have to travel far. Which is important when your guest list is small and you don’t want to spend a ton of time away from them while you travel around town for portraits.

A couple embraces during a portrait next to an outdoor lily pond at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

The lily pond outside of the Broderie Room is a lovely outdoor setting for photos.

A groom carries his bride in his arms in front of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

Afterwards, Cyrus carried Amy to the front of the conservatory where we did the family formals.

A bride holds her bouquet of flowers in the Children's Discovery Garden before her small wedding at Phipps

The Children’s Discovery Garden isn’t just for kids. It’s also a great spot for bridal portraits.

A bride and groom share a moment in the Orchid Room after their small wedding at Phipps.

You can also head indoors for photos in the Orchid Room.

A bride smiles as she leans against her groom after their small wedding at Phipps.

The Gallery Room…

A same sex couple pose for portraits while wearing white dresses and sneakers before their small wedding at Phipps.

The Sunken Garden…

A groom kisses his bride's forehead as they sit on a bench in the Palm Court after their small wedding at Phipps.

Or the Palm Court. I love to chase the light to see what opportunities are available in the conservatory and the gardens. With the ever-changing exhibits there’s always something new and unique to shoot at Phipps. So if you’re looking for an intimate spot, small weddings at Phipps ought to be on your radar. Contact them at eventsales@phipps.conservatory.org or 412/315-0685 for more info. You can always contact me, too. Use the contact form, email joe@joeappelphotography.com or call me at 412/999-7363. I’m looking forward to talking with you about your wedding. Here’s a link to my info about small and intimate weddings.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a perfect spot for small weddings in Pittsburgh.

Here’s a link to a page I put together that’s devoted to information about weddings at Phipps Conservatory.