Hello there! If you’re reading this, you’re probably deep in the trenches of wedding planning and trying to find that perfect venue that checks all your boxes… Well, let me tell you about the WBU Event Venue in Pittsburgh, where my wonderful clients Jennie and Adam got married – it might just be the dream location you’ve been searching for!

WBU Event Venue wedding photos

Pittsburgh’s WBU Event Venue is a multi-use space in the North Side with two event spaces in the 15,000-square foot building. The outdoor area is a beautifully landscaped space with a fire pit, yard games, and a portion of the city skyline greeting you above the trees. It’s the perfect spot for a cocktail hour or relaxed outdoor wedding ceremony; check out these WBU Event Venue wedding photos to explore more of the spaces in use!

The first floor event venue highlights exposed ceilings, original steel beams, and the character of over 100 years of layered paint.

The second floor ballroom is the real gem, stealing the show with the original tin ceiling, a grand horseshoe bar, a wedding lounge, and an expansive space for up to 200 guests.

Read on to see more WBU Event Venue wedding photos as part of Jennie and Adam’s wedding day!

Why You Should Choose WBU Event Venue for Your Pittsburgh Wedding

First off, location matters, and WBU’s position in Pittsburgh gives you the best of both worlds. Nestled in the North Side just outside the bustling downtown area, WBU Event Center weddings offer easy accessibility for out-of-town guests while providing a serene atmosphere away from the city noise. Your guests won’t have to navigate complicated directions, and you’ll still get those gorgeous Pittsburgh skyline views.

One of Pittsburgh’s Unique Wedding Venues

The Workingman’s Beneficial Union (WBU) was built in 1887 as a community center for German American workers in Pittsburgh and originally included a ballroom, bowling alley, and two bars. The WBU fell into disrepair in the 1990s but was brought back to life starting in 2015, when it was renovated to keep many historical aspects while merging with modern architectural style. The WBU Event Venue is a one-of-a-kind historic venue that has a new lease on life!

The space itself is what truly sets WBU Event Center weddings apart. Walking into the main hall feels like stepping into a perfectly balanced blend of classic elegance and modern sophistication. With soaring ceilings and warm wood accents, the Pittsburgh wedding venue creates an instant wow factor without feeling pretentious.

Since the space offers two different indoor spaces as well as an outdoor one, you have lots of options for your wedding day. Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic, intimate gathering or a grand celebration, the flexible layout can accommodate parties from 50 to 300 guests comfortably.

Speaking of flexibility, the WBU Event Venue team understands that your wedding should reflect your unique style. Unlike some venues that force couples into rigid packages, WBU offers customizable options that let you create the celebration that feels authentically “you.” And they have a BYO package option that can saves you lots of money! From the ceremony setup to reception layouts, lighting designs to decor possibilities – you have the freedom to transform the space into your vision.

Pittsburgh wedding venues all in one

Let’s talk about one thing that often causes wedding planning stress: the weather. Pittsburgh weather can be unpredictable, but the WBU Event Venue weddings team has you covered – literally! With two gorgeous indoor spaces and a small covered outdoor terrace, your special day proceeds beautifully rain or shine. The outdoor space, with its twinkling lights and lush greenery, makes for a magical cocktail hour or ceremony space when weather permits.

In Jennie and Adam’s case, they were able to utilize all of the different spaces for their day, allowing them to spend their entire wedding day all in one location- so much less stressful for them! Their cocktail hour was out on the patio, their ceremony was on the first level, and the reception was in the big ballroom. Read on to see more WBU Event Venue wedding photos from their special day…

Food is another area where WBU truly shines. Their in-house culinary team creates memorable dining experiences that go far beyond typical wedding fare. Using locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible, they craft menus that reflect your tastes while impressing even your foodie guests. From elegant plated dinners to interactive food stations, they can accommodate various dining styles and dietary restrictions with ease.

WBU Event Center weddings

One aspect of WBU Event Center weddings that couples consistently praise is the service the team provides to their couples. The dedicated event coordinators at WBU Event Center don’t just rent you a space – they partner with you throughout the planning process. Their experienced team anticipates needs you didn’t even know you had and handles logistics so smoothly that you and your families can truly be present and enjoy every moment of your celebration.

The getting-ready spaces deserve special mention too. The bridal suite is spacious and filled with natural light – perfect for those “getting ready” photos you’ll cherish forever. Multiple mirrors, comfortable seating, and a private bathroom mean your wedding party can prepare in comfort. There’s an equally well-appointed room for the other half of the wedding party too, so everyone has their own space.

Love that this bride and her family were able to sneak a peek at their wedding guests as their arrived, right from the bridal suite!

WBU Event Center wedding photos

You don’t have to leave the WBU Event Center, to create beautiful portraits together! Jennie and Adam chose to minimize portrait time in order to focus on their guests, so we just wandered around the immediate property. In just 10 minutes we created beautiful candids and formal portraits, professional wedding photos both seated and snuggling, standing, and walking- some with a natural backdrop and others with a more urban vibe- and all without being in eyes of their wedding guests. Easy peasy!

Candid WBU Event Center wedding photos

Here are dozens of MY favorite WBU Event Center wedding photos from Jennie and Adam’s big day, for you to enjoy!

I label myself a documentary wedding photographer because I want more than anything to show you the story of your wedding day from your guest’s point of view- all of the joy and laughter and tears and hugs and all of the in between. <3 CANDID moments. Everything you experienced 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 Jennie and Adam’s wedding day:

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 wedding photographer. <3 

Weddings at the WBU Event Center

For couples who care about making eco-conscious choices, WBU has implemented numerous sustainability practices – from energy-efficient lighting to composting food waste and offering digital planning documents to reduce paper use. You can feel good knowing your celebration isn’t coming at the expense of the environment.

And it’s easy to support local and small businesses when you have your wedding at the WBU Event Center! This Varley Street address is conveniently located near the North Shore and downtown Pittsburgh, giving you access to many quality vendors. The area has seen significant development in recent years, making it a great location with plenty of services nearby for wedding planning needs. Specifically nearby you can reach out to The Farmer’s Daughter florist or Prantl’s bakery Northside location. Consider setting your wedding guests up at the Hyatt Place North Shore or the historic boutique Priory Hotel.

The WBU Event Venue Wedding Cost

The little extras often make big impressions, and the WBU Event Center includes many thoughtful touches: a champagne welcome for you and your wedding party upon arrival, a dedicated attendant to help with any last-minute needs, and even next-day collection of your personal items so you don’t need to worry about gathering everything at the end of your reception.

Curious about how much a WBU Event Venue wedding costs? WBU Event Center offers transparent pricing on their website, but for a current estimate, reach out to their event team and expect a response in 24 hours. You can schedule a site visit, too! The WBU Event Venue’s website also has some more basic information about this unique wedding venue here in Pittsburgh. Here is what event coordinator Laura Shaffer has to say about the WBU as a wedding venue:

“The WBU Event Venue is a historic Pittsburgh gem within a 15,000 square foot building offering modern elegance and old world charm with 2 unique event spaces available indoors while also offering an outdoor garden and firepit to enjoy. The building boasts original features like tin ceilings, steel beams, and exposed brick, and its large horseshoe bar facilitates easy guest access. The WBU is committed to providing personalized support, eco-conscious practices and creating unforgettable moments for you and your guests!”

Their event team also was happy to share a virtual tour of the space!

So if you’re looking for a Pittsburgh wedding venue that combines accessibility, beauty, flexibility, and exceptional service, WBU deserves a spot at the top of your list. Your wedding day passes by in a beautiful blur – choosing a venue that handles the details with care allows you to create the joyful, stress-free celebration you deserve.

WBU Event Venue weddings

If you like what you’d see, I’d LOVE to chat with you about your wedding photography… Don’t forget to fill out the form below, to learn more about how I can give you a stress-free wedding photography experience!