A review from a photographer! Let me tell you about some of the beautiful locations at Shady Elms Farm for your upcoming wedding. I think it’s safe to say that I’m a huge fan of this barn venue in Pittsburgh and will tell you why in the coming sections of this post.
First and foremost, as a wedding photographer, the one thing that I notice about Shady Elms beyond a lot of barn and outdoor venues where I have worked, is the attention to detail and light. Each of the spaces for the main events of the wedding play on the available light and the direction of the light, which is really important for the wedding pictures!
Here, I’ll detail for you:
- Getting Ready Bridal Suite
- Ceremony Site
- Cocktail Hour Location
- Wedding Photo Spots
- Reception Barn
- Reception Tent
Shady Elms Bridal Suite
This is a prime example of where the owners (who I love!) have really thought of the photography and the client in designing their space. The bridal suite is located on the lower level of the Shady Elms Barn, and has multiple spaces with purpose. There are some changing rooms specifically for the wedding party where they can get dressed with some privacy. There is also a long table where the wedding party can have lunch together before the rest of the daily events begin. Usually lunch is just placed in a random spot and not a focus, but this ensures that everyone is well-fed and takes the time for a meal before the craziness of the wedding day.
Additionally, the bridal suite has a large room with lots of ample natural light! The large room has a mirror with an over-hanging hook for the wedding dress (makes photography easy!) and tons of large windows that actually bring in ample natural light. They used white boards on the wall to amplify the beautiful existing light, so there was not a need for overhead canned lights which often cause harsh shadows on faces. There was also lots of room to place flowers and belongings without the room feeling cluttered.
Shady Elms Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Site
The outdoor wedding ceremony site has been the same for years, but that’s because it’s an absolutely beautiful choice and no changes are needed! The ceremony site is situated East to West, so that at any point in the day the sunlight will be consistent on the bride and groom. I photograph lots of wedding ceremonies that have other orientations and often one person will be in bright sun and the other will be in the shade. This makes crisp, even photography incredibly difficult. Not a worry at Shady Elms! With wedding ceremonies often well past the noon hour, the light sets behind the ceremony site and the backlit images are ethereal and dreamy and romantic.
The ceremony site also has lots of room for guest seating, a long aisle for entrances, and a ivy-adorned pergola at the front with a hanging chandelier. There is little need for additional decor, although some of my couples do add more flowers to the site or hanging flowers on the guest chairs.
Cocktail Hour Location at Shady Elms Farm
After the wedding ceremony, guests do not need to travel far to attend the cocktail hour. They can mingle between the Carriage House and The Tent and enjoy the scenery of the Farm. The Carriage House often has a spot for tall guest tables, easy-pour non-alcoholic drinks, and a bar for other beverages. There is also seating inside of the Carriage House if some of the older guests would like to relax in comfort.
If the cocktail hour also spans to the Tent, there can be a large hors d’oeuvres table and additional seating for guests. You can also set out lawn games during this time and guest can sign the guestbook in the Chicken Coop!
Wedding Photo Spots
Shady Elms Farm offers tons of locations for wedding photos on the property! I particularly love a few locations, including the tall pine trees across from the lake. These pine trees get great evening light shining through them and offer a lot of color, and also a lot of shade on hot days. They are great for more contrasy-colorful images and a good go-to for lots of easy portraits.
The lake at Shady Elms is pretty in the late evening, as it’s fun to stand on the dock or get photos with the post-and-beam rails around the lake. These are classic yet contemporary for a farm wedding!
There is a pretty swing that hangs between the ceremony and reception sites and it’s often adorned with flowers and perfect for a few whimsical photos on site.
Additionally, in the back of the Carriage House there are beautiful spots with trees, color, and interesting garden elements. This is a little gem on the property that I like to use for something different and interesting visually. The sun hits really nicely in this area as well!
And – of course – you can walk up the hill to the fields for photos on the upper hill farming area!
Reception Barn
I was in this barn before it was renovated, and any time I see it now I’m so impressed with the changes and upgrades that were made to this space! It’s simply beautiful! I am a big supporter of temperature-controlled barns in Pittsburgh, because you really never know what the weather will bring. Having HVAC inside of a barn space allows you and your guests to eat and party in comfort and makes a huge difference on a wedding day.
The barn itself was expanded to have a rear section. This allows for more seating and large windows overlooking the pastures – a great touch! They also added glass front doors to the barn, which have a bit of a modern flair and also allow lots of natural light into a space that could otherwise photograph dark.
There are lots of hung lights and draping in the barn, which make it feel like a wedding party place without being cheesy. I also like the iron lights that they put up on the sides of the barn where some of the guest seating is located. Again, this helps the space to appear a bit more bright and inviting.
To the side of the main reception space there is a separate room for the Bar, where guests can sneak away to grab a cocktail.
There is a set of stairs leading downstairs to the photobooth area and the restrooms. The restrooms are a good size, clean, and welcoming. There is also a smoking area outside that can be accessed through an exit door near the restrooms.
Reception Tent
If you’re planning an outdoor wedding reception at Shady Elms Farm, the reception tent is a modern, classic tent that is available on the property. I love the spires of the tent and the overall size of the space. There is room for a dance floor and lots of guest tables, as well as a bar area and space to enjoy the evening scenery. The reception tent can accommodate up to 400 guests, so it’s a great choice if you have a larger guest count for your event.
One of the best things about Shady Elms Farm is that they are a pretty all-inclusive event venue here in the Pittsburgh area. All you need to bring is your wedding photographer, DJ, Officiant, Cake, and alcohol. Everything else is covered, and their decor and scenery are spectacular. They make it look like you spent a lot of time decorating and really – you don’t need to!
