Wedding Photographers & Videographers at Friendship Hill National Historic Site, Point Marion

Wedding photos at Friendship Hill National Historic Site in Point Marion come with a historic country house and wide lawns above the Monongahela River in southern Fayette County. The restored house, with its stone wing, makes a handsome backdrop for portraits of the two of you, and the East Lawn, where the park's own pictures show the sun rising, is open and easy to work in for your photographer and videographer. The grounds are open every day from sunrise to sunset, so early light and evening light are both possible.

With the park's approval, a small wedding ceremony on the grounds is possible. The National Park Service lists weddings among the special events that may need a special use permit, and the park suggests calling before you apply. Plenty of couples come only for portraits on their wedding day. The park's permit page explains when photography and filming need a permit: usually for groups of more than eight, for sets or equipment beyond handheld gear, or for areas closed to visitors. The park also posts reminders each spring for wedding and graduation photos, a sign of how often couples come here for pictures.

There's no reception space at the site, so plan your wedding reception elsewhere in Fayette or Greene County, about an hour south of Pittsburgh. When the visitor center is open, the house is open from 9 am to 5 pm, which helps if guests want a look inside. Bring comfortable shoes for the lawns and paths, and think about where your videographer can catch clear sound outdoors if there is wind.

• Call the park at (724) 329-2501 before you set your date.
• Read the permit page with your photographer and videographer.
• Visit at the time of day you plan to be there to see the light on the lawns.

A little about Friendship Hill National Historic Site

Friendship Hill was the country estate of an early Secretary of the Treasury who served under presidents Jefferson and Madison. The stone wing of the house was added in 1823, and the estate is now preserved by the National Park Service.