Rachel and Ben didn’t stick to just one style for their wedding. Instead, they chose different looks they loved and combined them all. The challenge was making everything fit together nicely. But with the help of their visionary team of vendors, they managed to successfully pull off a renaissance, glam, metal, medieval Carnegie Museum wedding!

The couple chose a truly unique venue for their big day. Their dreamy ceremony took place in the Hall of Sculpture, featuring gold chairs, an altar adorned with flowers, and a flowing drapery backdrop. Meanwhile, the scene was set for a lavish reception at the Music Hall Foyer. Inspired by the Red Wedding feast from Game of Thrones, they showcased lush tablescapes draped in sprawling florals and greenery, with candles and gold accents perfectly complementing the ornate interiors.

Their special day was truly “a wedding like no other.” Just one glance at the photos taken by Rachel Rowland, and you’ll see why. If you and your partner are searching for unique wedding ideas, look no further.

The Couple:

Rachel and Ben

The Wedding:

Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Successfully Pulling Off Their Carnegie Museum Wedding Through Multiple Inspirations

We drew inspiration from multiple aesthetics, which posed the challenge of blending them seamlessly. The venue itself evoked medieval and Renaissance vibes, setting the tone for our celebration. Inspired by the Game of Thrones Red Wedding feast, our head table captured a similar ambiance. Our goal was to create a wedding that reflected us, our style, and our journey together. To personalize the experience, we named each table after bars from our hometown, with our head table honoring where we first met. Ultimately, the best advice I received was to choose what I love rather than stick to one style. This approach led us to our unique blend of Renaissance, glam, metal, and medieval elements for our wedding day.

Wedding Attire Style Inspirations and Personal Touches

I had many style inspirations: Bridget Bardot for my hair and Vivienne Westwood for my overall look. Buying the boots was a bit impulsive, but as a boot lover, I couldn’t resist. I left Ben to choose his outfit entirely on his own—I wanted him to feel confident and in control. It helped that all the groomsmen wore black; his only rule was no navy blue. I’m not a fan of bow ties or neckties. If I were a man, I’d never wear one. They look uncomfortable. So, I found chains and button covers on Etsy as alternatives, which perfectly matched our vibe, and the groomsmen loved them. I faced a challenge in making the bridesmaids stand out from the guests since they were also in black. My Maid of Honor suggested they wear black gloves to match mine, which was a perfect solution. As a bridesmaid gift, I got each of them Vivienne Westwood earrings to match mine, which they wore on the day. It was just perfect.

Personalizing Their Ceremony by Having Brothers as Officiants, Curated Music, and Heartfelt Vows

Having my brothers officiate the wedding was a bit nerve-wracking since I wasn’t sure what they would say—I am their little sister, after all. But it turned out to be incredibly sweet and perfect. We also curated the music for the string quartet, which was amazing. I highly recommend writing and reading your own vows for the ceremony; it made everything so much more personal and allowed our guests to learn more about us and our journey together. Despite our nerves, exchanging our vows was a highlight. Every guest we spoke to afterward told us how special it was.

Breaking the Mold by Embracing Personal Style Over Pinterest Trends

Here’s some advice for other couples: Don’t limit yourselves to a Pinterest board aesthetic! Embrace the things you love that don’t fit into a specific “box.” Everything came together perfectly because it was about what we genuinely liked and resonated with. Also, don’t hesitate to give your guests a dress code. We opted for all-black attire, which looked amazing and made it simpler for everyone to choose what to wear. Plus, let’s face it—everyone looks fabulous in black! I’m incredibly proud of how everything turned out. Planning from a distance, away from our home in Pittsburgh, required a lot of imagination to envision the final look, but it all came together beautifully in the end.

The Perfect Wedding Venue that Ticked All the Right Boxes

Our most important elements were the venue, attire, and food. We were set on having everything indoors, leading us to choose a venue in a city we had never visited. When we discovered the Carnegie Museum Music Hall Foyer through photos, we initially thought it was in Europe—it had that charm. To our surprise, it was just three hours away in Pittsburgh! When we visited in person, we were overwhelmed and even shed a few tears seeing its stunning beauty firsthand. It was perfect for our wedding.

Simple and Meaningful Thank-You Gifts at Their Carnegie Museum Wedding

We opted not to give gifts with our names on them or something guests might not use. Instead, we gave everyone a thank-you card and a $1 scratcher. It was a simple gesture that we hoped would bring some fun and appreciation to our guests.

Personalizing Carnegie Museum Wedding Decor with Professional Flair

I designed our thank-you cards, save-the-dates, and custom cocktail signage myself—I’m a designer by profession, so this was a joyful task. I advise anyone considering DIY projects to choose something you genuinely enjoy doing. For our cocktail sign, I hand-drew our pets on my iPad and then created the sign using Canva. I found frames on Amazon to display them beautifully. I also used Canva for the rest of our designs, which I disliked, but I’ve come to appreciate its affordability, ease of use, and versatility. It’s an excellent software for creative projects.

Congratulations to Rachel and Ben on their Carnegie Museum wedding, which truly was a medieval dream come to life. Thank you to Rachel Rowland for capturing all the unique details that unconventional couples can use as inspiration.

Planning an unforgettable celebration begins with a clear vision and a stellar team. Start by exploring our comprehensive planning and budget guides to kickstart your journey. Then, assemble your dream team of expert vendors from our trusted selection. Together, you can create an event that exceeds all expectations and leaves a lasting impression.