Let’s be real – finding the perfect downtown Pittsburgh wedding venue can feel like finding your soulmate. And I’m here to tell you that the Duquesne Power Center Ballroom might just be the wedding venue of your dreams. Anna and Phil chose to celebrate their wedding reception right in the Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom at Duquesne Power Center, and it turned out beautifully!

I am excited to share some pictures of the event space here, along with some of my own favorite photos from their wedding at Duquesne University.

Downtown Pittsburgh Wedding Venues: Why the Duquesne Power Center Ballroom could be Your Ultimate Choice

First things first, this isn’t your average downtown Pittsburgh wedding venues space. With a location high up showing off stunning views of the city, along with customizable event spaces in modern, open layouts, Duquesne Power Center Ballroom is elegant, versatile, and absolutely stunning. Its soaring ceilings and walls of windows give this Duquesne University wedding venue a blank canvas that you can transform into whatever wedding vision you’ve been dreaming about.

Judging by Anna and Phil’s experience, the event coordination staff at the Power Center is fantastic to work with, too! As Philip and Anna said:

“Duquesne was wonderful to work with from start to finish. The event coordinators are well-versed in their job and we could tell they and the catering staff both genuinely enjoy and care about what they do. The tasting was a really fun experience; they had a wide breadth of items to try from their menu including appetizers to entrees, and also displayed different table layouts and linen choices. We were able to visit the venue whenever we needed with a coordinator and in the weeks leading up to the wedding were very organized and communicated efficiently, including with the finance department. Overall, they were kind, well versed in their line of work, professional, and we loved being able to see our favorite city outside while surrounded by the people we love most.”

Location Perfect for a Duquesne University Wedding

Situated in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, the Duquesne Power Center Ballroom offers something many other downtown Pittsburgh wedding venues can’t – incredible accessibility. Your out-of-town guests will love how easy it is to find, and the surrounding Duquesne University campus provides a picturesque backdrop for those all-important Duquesne Power Center wedding photos. Imagine capturing moments with classic university architecture and Pittsburgh’s iconic skyline in the background- even once the sun sets!

It’s a bonus that weddings at the Power Center Ballroom include parking validation for their Forbes Garage- not just for guests, but for vendors, too. Convenient for a downtown venue!

Flexibility That Makes Your Duquesne University Wedding Planning a Breeze

One of the biggest headaches in wedding planning? Finding a venue that can accommodate your unique vision. The Duquesne Power Center Ballroom is basically the swiss army knife of downtown Pittsburgh wedding venues. The cocktail hour space (the Fides Shepperson Suite) comes fully furnished and ready to go, without needing any further touches/decorating expenses, nice and easy on the budget.

The Dougherty Ballroom itself truly shines with its adaptable floor plans that can transform to match any wedding size or style, along with walls and walls of windows that show off the beautiful Pittsburgh city skyline views that Duquesne offers at the top of the hill. The Dougherty Ballroom comes equipped with dance floor, tables / chairs, professional lighting systems that can create any mood you desire, and state-of-the-art sound equipment ensures that every moment sounds as beautiful as it looks.

Not to mention a fabulous wrap around balcony that your guests can wander out and relax on, when taking a break from the dance floor! These features make it a standout among downtown Pittsburgh wedding venues.

Oh and I can’t neglect to mention the most fabulous thing about this downtown Pittsburgh wedding venue- its ample bathroom space! The women’s room alone has 6 sinks and 14 stalls. 🙂

More Than Just a Venue for Your Duquesne University Wedding

The Duquesne Power Center Ballroom comes with something many other venues don’t (and I’m not just talking about the beautiful views of downtown Pittsburgh)… They have a professional events team that actually wants to make your day perfect. These aren’t just staff members; they’re wedding wizards who can help you navigate everything from table arrangements to last-minute emergencies, ensuring your Duquesne University wedding is flawless.

The Duquesne Power Center Ballroom: A Venue with History for Your Duquesne Power Center Wedding Photos

There’s something special about getting married in a space connected to Duquesne University. This isn’t just a random event space – it’s a venue with character, with stories, with a sense of tradition. Your Duquesne University wedding becomes part of a larger narrative of celebration and community, and provides an incredible backdrop for your Duquesne Power Center wedding photos. In fact, the wedding reception package is exclusive to Duquesne alumni, children of alumni, current students, or employees- celebrating those who have a connection to Duquesne University.

Technical Perks for Your Downtown Pittsburgh Wedding Venue

Tech-savvy couples will be thrilled with the Duquesne Power Center Ballroom’s capabilities. The advanced audiovisual system is perfect for slideshows, wedding videos, and those emotional speeches. Sophisticated lighting systems can match any color scheme you’ve dreamed of, and the sound systems ensure that your first dance song sounds absolutely perfect – making your downtown Pittsburgh wedding venue truly special. At Anna and Phil’s wedding, they chose to include uplighting to customize the space and worked with the wonderful Pittsburgh DJ Eric Schiemer, another experienced professional in the Pittsburgh area. He did an amazing job!

Candid Duquesne University Power Center Ballroom wedding photos

Here are dozens of MY favorite Power Center Ballroom wedding photos from Anna and Phil’s big day, for you to enjoy!

I consider myself a documentary wedding photographer because I want to take you behind the scenes of your own wedding- to show you the story of your wedding day from your GUEST’s point of view- everything you experienced, yes, but also a million tiny moments that you missed on a day that goes by WAY TOO QUICKLY!!

These are some special found moments from Anna and Phil’s wedding day at the Power Center Ballroom on Duquesne’s campus:

After 20 years of photographing weddings here’s my hot take: Yep, portraits are important, and a lot of fun to capture… but anticipating / finding art in the candid moments is way harder. And it’s a challenge that I would love to take on for you! Please reach out to chat about the experience you would have working with me as your Pittsburgh wedding photographer. <3 

Nearby Accommodations for Your Duquesne University Wedding Guests

When it comes to keeping your out-of-town guests comfortable, the Duquesne Power Center Ballroom’s downtown Pittsburgh location means several fantastic hotels are just a short distance away. The Omni William Penn offers luxurious rooms with stunning city views and is just a 15 minute walk from the downtown Pittsburgh wedding venue. Next door for those seeking a more modern option, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco provides funky accommodations with access to a rooftop bar. Another great choice is the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, conveniently located adjacent to the university and offering modern rooms for wedding guests.

At the center of downtown Pittsburgh event venues, clearly Duquesne University weddings have lots of options for hotels. Check out this view!

The Pittsburgh Advantage | Your Downtown Wedding Venues

Pittsburgh is a city of beautiful contrasts – industrial heritage meets modern sophistication. The Duquesne Power Center Ballroom captures that essence perfectly. It’s sophisticated without being stuffy, modern without losing warmth – the ideal downtown Pittsburgh wedding venue.

Local Downtown Pittsburgh Wedding Vendors to Complete Your Perfect Day

Your Duquesne University wedding wouldn’t be complete without the perfect local vendors to bring your vision to life. Downtown Pittsburgh is a treasure trove of incredible wedding service providers… For stunning floral arrangements, Blumengarten and Hens and Chicks create breathtaking bouquets and centerpieces that will make your Duquesne Power Center wedding photos truly magical. When it comes to wedding cakes, Grandview and Prantl’s would be the perfect companies to reach out to, offering custom designs that are both delicious and photogenic.

Transportation-wise, Molly’s Trolleys provides top-notch service for wedding parties, ensuring you’ll arrive in style to your Duquesne Power Center Ballroom celebration. For hair and makeup, Beauty Justified offers on-site services that will have you looking absolutely stunning for your big day. And definitely consider one of the many fabulous wedding planners that Pittsburgh has to offer- who will ensure that you don’t have a thing to worry about on your wedding day, but treasuring all your family and friends!

Pro Tips for Your Duquesne University Wedding

When considering the Duquesne Power Center Ballroom for your downtown Pittsburgh wedding venues, keep a few things in mind. Book early, as this venue is no secret and dates fill up quickly. Schedule a tour during different times of day to see how the light changes and how the space might look during your wedding. Be sure to talk to their events team about customization options for your Duquesne Power Center wedding photos.

You can learn more about weddings at the Power Center Ballroom here on Duquesne’s website, and reach out to one of their event coordinators directly by email. Here are what the event coordinators have to say about the Power Center Pittsburgh wedding venue:

“Nestled in the heart of Duquesne University and downtown, the Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom in the Power Center offers an elegant and sophisticated setting for wedding receptions for our current students, employees, alumni, and children of alumni. Our ballroom accommodates 150-300 guests and features stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, two outdoor terraces, and breathtaking views of downtown Pittsburgh. Our package includes a dedicated wedding coordinator that provides support throughout the planning process, as well as day-of coordinating to ensure every detail is executed flawlessly without you having to worry about a thing!

When people ask me what I love most about planning and executing weddings, I tell them this: it’s the privilege–the pure privilege of getting to be a part of someone’s love story and hopefully one of the best days of their lives. It’s an honor that I take seriously and an honor that fuels my passion for the business.”

-Mackenzie Lefoster

 

What about your Duquesne University Wedding Photos?

Duquesne alumni often want to take their wedding photos on campus, but I am happy to recommend other locations for those who are looking for something a little different. Just reach out using the Contact Form below, and I’d love to share more information about wedding photography for your big day!