7 Reasons to Get Married in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania
You just got engaged (we are so dang excited for you!) and now the never-ending Wedding Planning To Do List is beginning to take shape. We understand that the process of planning your dream wedding can be overwhelming regardless of whether you’re planning a ceremony and reception with all the bells and whistles or choosing to keep it small and intimate. From answering the biggest question, “where do we get married?”, to selecting a photographer, caterer, and much more, the list can seem never-ending. It can be a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry, your hype team at Ohiopyle Weddings is here to help you through this process.
There is almost no better feeling than crossing something off a to do list. Today we’re going to help you do just that by checking off the most important wedding task, location, location, location. There are so many settings and venue styles how are couples ever supposed to make the decision of where to get married? No worries, we’ve got you! We may be biased, but we live in an epic place, Ohiopyle – a small oasis nestled in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. To make your life easier, Ohiopyle Weddings offers an array of venues to create the dream setting for your wedding experience!
Positioned on the southern reaches of the Laurel Ridge, Ohiopyle is a historic borough that covers just 0.5 square miles of small-town charm surrounded by 20,000 acres of Ohiopyle State Park and 14 miles of the Youghiogheny River, the area's crown jewel. This place quite literally has it all. So, it should come as no surprise that we believe it is the perfect place to say “I do”. In case you still need some convincing here are our top 7 reasons you should consider Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania as your wedding destination:
1) An Outdoor Enthusiast’s Dream
Ohiopyle offers 20,000 acres of state parkland, with miles of hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing trails, 14 miles of white water, and easy access to the 27-mile Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail so it is no wonder why Ohiopyle is a mecca for outdoor activity. Whether you love hiking or rafting, Ohiopyle has something for everyone. We recommend making your wedding a multi-day experience by exploring this area with your guests. Adventure-loving couples will find no shortage of things to do while in town to say, "I do."
2) More Than Just Adventure
It’s true that many of the people who visit our little mountain town are looking for adventure, but Ohiopyle offers plenty of opportunity for leisure. Here are some of our top recommendations for relaxing ways to enjoy and explore Ohiopyle.
Elope or have a large wedding at one of our traditional venues. All our venues accentuate the beauty of the Laurel Highlands and are amazing places to tie the knot. Be sure to check out our Traditional Venue and Elopement Packages.
If you want to unwind and relax in a beautiful place, consider booking an Ohiopyle Vacation Rental (OVR). We have plenty of vacation rentals that offer cozy cabin vibes, modern-day amenities, and beautiful views of the surrounding nature. Pro tip: book an OVR with a hot tub and a fire pit! There is nothing more relaxing that enjoying the mountain air while soaking in a hot tub or snacking on smores and sipping a glass of wine by a campfire glow.
Check out some easily accessible must sees in the area: Ohiopyle Falls, Ohiopyle State Park and Visitors Center, Baughman Rock Overlook, the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail, Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, Fort Necessity National Battlefield, and Yough Lake.
Just because you’re in the mountains doesn’t mean you can’t brunch! Check out Braddock’s Restaurant & Tavern for their in house Sunday brunch options. Stonehouse Inn Catering is also more than equipped to whip up a gourmet brunch for you and your wedding guests to enjoy at your OVR. Take it a step further and find a local event rental company to construct a professionally designed tablescape for a catered post wedding day brunch or post elopement celebratory dinner!
Go for a drive on the Laurel Highlands Scenic byway. This is a great way to take in the views without having to break a sweat!
3) Plenty of Options for Guests
From outdoor adventures to more laid-back activities, Ohiopyle offers something for everyone. Guests can hike, bike, or go white-water rafting, or take a leisurely stroll around our charming town. For those interested in history and culture, we recommend visiting landmarks such as Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, or Fort Necessity National Battlefield. Also check out our blog post The History of Ohiopyle: Welcome to Ohiopyle 101 for a little history lesson of this place we call home.
4) One word, Waterfalls
While TLC gave the foreboding recommendation, “don’t go chasin waterfalls” we at Ohiopyle Weddings are recommending the exact opposite! DO go chasin waterfalls because they make for epic private vow ceremony and bridal portrait backdrops, pre-wedding hikes, or are the perfect place to have a celebratory picnic and reflect on how amazing it is to finally be married! It just so happens that Ohiopyle is home to many picturesque waterfalls. Check out our blog post Top 10 Sites To See When In Town For Your Ohiopyle Wedding for our recommendations for must-see spots for tips for how to incorporate these waterfalls into your wedding experience.
5) Gorgeous Setting
Ohiopyle's natural beauty speaks for itself. Whether you're planning a large wedding or an intimate elopement, Ohiopyle's stunning landscapes provide a perfect backdrop for your big day. If looking to utilize the views in Ohiopyle State Park for private vow readings, ceremony locations, or bridal portraits check out our blog post Top 10 Sites To See When In Town For Your Ohiopyle Wedding for our recommendations for must-see spots for tips for how to incorporate these views into your wedding experience. If you’re a couple who wants sweeping views on your wedding day, but doesn’t necessarily want the to hike or deal with the crowds that come with the state park then look no further than our Field of Dreams Elopement Package. This wedding site is nestled amongst mature oaks, hemlocks, and maples within a beautiful wildflower field. It provides uninterrupted views of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Yough Valley without the intrusion of tourism or legal hubbub you may find if trying to wed within the boundaries of Ohiopyle State Park. No matter the time of day, you're bound to experience something magical as the sun and moon rise right over this very spot. There is no better place to share an intimate wedding experience.
6) This place is magnificent in all seasons
Although Ohiopyle experiences a peak in tourism during the summer months, this town is magnificent year-round. When deciding on what time of year to get married we recommend going with your gut and choosing what feels right for you as couple. But as always, we’re here to help and provide additional information to get that pro/con list started! Spring and summer rains transform the entire area into an enchanting green paradise. Seriously, the moss is greener, the ferns more verdant, and a canopy of leaves akin to something you might expect in the Amazon blanket the forests. It is magic. You will see colorful blooms of wildflowers decorate the landscape come the warm weather of spring until the last crisp notes of fall. As summer transitions to fall the hills are painted with shades of reds, golds, yellows, and oranges, creating a breathtaking display that attracts thousands of leaf peepers to the Laurel Highlands each year. This area is nationally recognized by the USA Today Ten Best list as one of the best places to view fall foliage. Trust us with we say, IT. IS. STUNNING. The beauty of the area persists even in the snow, and though you may need a few extra layers, there is nothing more captivating than the snow-covered riverbanks and frozen waterfalls.
7) Small town charm
With a year-round population of 38 people and .5 square miles of city block, Ohiopyle is the epitome of a small town. Nevertheless, its proximity to Ohiopyle State Park and the GAP trail attracts millions of tourists to this charming little town every year. Despite its small size, Ohiopyle has plenty to offer, including live music on warm summer nights, wine and buckwheat pancake festivals in the spring and fall, cozy vacation rentals, and welcoming local residents. Ohiopyle is as quaint a mountain town as it gets which makes it the perfect setting for an unforgettable wedding experience.
Well, there you have it! Our top 7 reasons to get married in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania. Have we convinced you yet?! Either way we would love to chat!
xx Ohiopyle Weddings
Photography Credit: WhatMiaSaw Photography