Receptions at the Pittsburgh Zoo happen among the exhibits, after the public has gone. The PPG Aquarium seats 230, or holds 630 standing, with the tanks lit behind the tables; the aquatic exhibit area takes 200 seated. The Garden Tent is the larger outdoor option at 300 seated and up to 500 for a cocktail reception, and comes with tent uplighting, bistro lights, tables and white chairs. Rentals run four hours — daytime between 11am and 4pm, or evening between 6pm and 11pm — and all noise must stop at 11pm under Pittsburgh's sound ordinance. Guest parking is free in the main lot, though guests walk in from there, which is worth knowing for anyone in heels.
Best seasons to marry here
Plan your day here
When are you getting married?
Pick a day and I'll work out the light for it — sunset here, when golden hour opens, and the ceremony time that puts you inside it.
Planning your timeline
| Month | Sunset | Ceremony | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5:16 PM | 3:16 PM | 3.4″ |
| February | 5:54 PM | 3:54 PM | 2.9″ |
| March | 7:25 PM | 5:25 PM | 3.7″ |
| April | 7:57 PM | 5:57 PM | 3.7″ |
| May | 8:28 PM | 6:28 PM | 3.9″ |
| June | 8:51 PM | 6:51 PM | 4.5″ |
| July | 8:49 PM | 6:49 PM | 4.5″ |
| August | 8:18 PM | 6:18 PM | 3.6″ |
| September | 7:29 PM | 5:29 PM | 4.2″ |
| October | 6:40 PM | 4:40 PM | 3.3″ |
| November | 5:02 PM | 3:02 PM | 3.3″ |
| December | 4:53 PM | 2:53 PM | 3.7″ |
Sunset times are calculated for this venue's coordinates, shown in EDT for the 15th of each month in 2026. Golden hour is the 60 minutes before sunset. The ceremony start is my rule of thumb — about 2 hours before sunset, so a short ceremony and family photos still leave the two of you in golden light. Adjust it to your own timeline. Average temperatures and rainfall are NOAA 1991–2020 normals from ACMETONIA LOCK 3, 6.6 miles away.
Amenities & Inclusions
Music Curfew
11:00 PM
Rental Hours
4 hrs included
Rain Backup Plan
The Garden Tent is covered, and the aquarium spaces are indoors
Verify Before You Book
Coordinates resolved from OpenStreetMap for the street address. Capacity, price tier, curfew, rain plan, sunset orientation and shade all still to be filled in.
Rob Craven
Lead Photographer
Best Shots & Hidden Gems
Aquarium tanks as a lit backdrop after dark, the Garden Tent at dusk, the grounds once the public has gone
I know this venue's best angles, lighting, and hidden gems.
Wedding photography in Pittsburgh & Western PA →7370 Baker Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Pittsburgh, PA
Parking
Free guest parking in the Zoo's main lot; guests walk to the venue
Nearest Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
