My fiance and I are looking for innexpensive outdoor wedding venues in the Pittsburgh area. Ideally we'd love to have our wedding at a barn-type setting, but so far all the ones we've looked at have been a bit expensive. We havent set a budget yet exactly, but I know that it will definitely be on the low end of things. We are likely paying for it ourselves with possibly (hopefully) a little bit of help from my dad (but it probably won't be much.) So right now we are just trying to get an idea of things. We're hoping to get married in October 2013.
One of the options we were considering was to have it at one of the Pittsburgh parks - like Schenley or Mellon. My fiance and I both grew up outsde of the city and honestly have never explored the parks in Pittsburgh much. So I was wondering, does anybody have suggestions on what parks in Pittsburgh would be best? Do any of the shelters have the setup to host the reception as well? Also, I've heard that theres a lottery of some sort to reserve a park or shelter - is anyone familiar with that process?
Thank you for any input

Re: city park wedding
Be sure that the spaces you look at have electrical outlets and check the bathrooms. Also check to see if you need a liquor license.
I have heard that North Park is nice. Here is the place that you can rent out there:
http://www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/images/gallery/np/lodge.aspx
the Mayernik center in the North Hills is nice, too.
http://www.avonworthcommunitypark.org/facilities/mayernik.php
Robin Hill is nice and there is a place called Blueberry Hill Park, in Franklin Park.
http://www.franklinparkborough.us/rentals/activitycenter.html
</div><div>Thank you!</div><div>
</div>In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_city-park-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:116Discussion:e1e64803-5b6e-4746-809f-e1bd195fb88bPost:bf761a3a-7223-4efa-aad7-f2ef35b8b509">Re: city park wedding</a>:
[QUOTE]We are getting married at the West End Overlook in the West End/Elliot neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh. It is essentially the view from Mt. Washington, but further down the river so you actually see both sides of the point. We rented the building to ensure no one will, but are not using it. We are only having our ceremony here, but depending on size you are allowed to tent it and host the reception. The location is basically right above the West End Bridge. The views are amazing! A lot of folks get wedding pics up here. You can find more info on our wedding website. <a href="http://elmsgeletko.ourwedding.com/view/7670528913696406/8579285" rel="nofollow">http://elmsgeletko.ourwedding.com/view/7670528913696406/8579285</a> Good luck!
Posted by colleenelms[/QUOTE]