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The Date
07 Oct 2023
I have arrived in Pittsburgh

The happy couple

Seth and TJ met in October of 2016 at a nerdy local MakerFaire. Things moved fast and their love grew stronger. A little over a year later, they purchased their first house together. They traveled across continents together, built Ikea furniture, and even adopted a sassy German Shepherd. Fast forward five years after their first date, and these two engineers took the next step and got engaged in the clouds. Now they would like your help commemorating their partnership with a wedding celebration that promises to be like no other!

TJ Watson. A walking smile with a plucky attitude. TJ was born in Florida but grew up in Connecticut. He came to Pittsburgh for an internship between academic paths, and found a good reason to stay! A hardware engineer by trade, TJ enjoys quiet nights in or tinkering with his 3D printer. When working hand-in-hand with Seth, there's no challenge that cannot be overcome.

Seth Vargo. A strong, independent man with a warm heart. Seth was born and raised in Pennsylvania. A software engineer by trade, Seth enjoys playing board games with friends or emulating old video games. What he lacks in luck he makes up for in sheer talent, and with his trusty emotional-support TJ by his side, there is no problem too large to be solved.

Get directions

Ceremony

Buhl Planetarium

Currently undergoing renovations, the Buhl Planetarium at the Carnegie Science Center allows you to fly to the moon, soar among the stars, and even travel through time, all without leaving Pittsburgh! Come take a seat under the dome and experience a truly unique wedding ceremony among the laser lights.

Celebration

Point View Hall

The reception will take place at the Point View Hall in the Carnegie Science Center. This floor has a beautiful balcony view of downtown Pittsburgh. There will be delicious catered meals, free alcoholic (and non-alcoholic) drinks for those of age, and presumably some nerdy dancing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where is the wedding ceremony and reception?

The wedding ceremony and reception will take place at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

What is the dress code?

Nerdy Wedding is a formal event. All required wedding activities will be entirely indoors. This means tuxedos, full suits, cocktail dresses, or ballroom gowns. During the reception, there is an optional outdoor area available, weather permitting. As a reminder, the Carnegie Science Center is a non-smoking facility, including outdoor areas and within 50 feet of the building.

What time does the event start?

The event will begin at 5:00pm ET and last beyond most normal adult bedtime.

Is there a preferred hotel?

The official wedding hotel is The Landing Hotel Pittsburgh, but do not book directly with the hotel. The hotel is within walking distance to the wedding venue (0.2 mi). We are subsidizing the room costs so you will only pay ~$150/night when you reserve your room(s) through the RSVP form. Do not book directly with the hotel as you will pay over $500/night and miss out on important information and special events.

Is there a pre-arrival dinner?

We are having a pre-arrival dinner at Senti Restaurant for all guests in town on on Friday, October 6 at 6:00pm. Please note your attendance on the RSVP form. We strongly recommend take a rideshare or car-pool, as parking is extremely limited. The dress code for the pre-arrival dinner is Dressy Casual.

Do you have a gift registry?

Your attendance is the only gift we need. We will not have a gift registry, and there will not be a gift table at the wedding. We will have a small basket for cards, but there is no expectation of gifts.

What are the wedding colors?

The official event colors are navy blue and ivory.

What kind of food will be available?

There will be assorted appetizers during the cocktail hour prior to the celebration dinner. There are three celebration dinner options:

  • Beef - Braised Short Rib with roasted garlic and demi glace.
  • Chicken - Roasted Chicken Breast stuffed with prosciutto, fontina, and sage.
  • Vegetarian - Brown Butter Butternut Squash Ravioli with goat cheese and thyme.
All meals served with smoked cheddar polenta and honey-thyme glazed carrots.

What if I have a food allergy or intolerance?

Please note any dietary preferences or allergens on the RSVP form. If you have specific concerns, please contact us directly and we will alert our catering staff. As Seth and TJ both have various allergies, we take food allergies very seriously.

What kind of drinks will be available?

The complimentary open bar selection includes:

  • Specialty drinks - Liquid nitrogen cocktails.
  • Liquor - Tito's, Jim Beam, Jack Daniel's, Beefeater, Dewar's, Sauza Silver Plata, Bacardi, Captain Morgan spiced rum.
  • Wine - Oak Grove Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay.
  • Beer - Standford Brut, Miller Lite, Dos Equis, Fat Head's Sunshine Daydream Session IPA, Great Lakes Eliot Ness Amber Lager.
  • Non-alcoholic - Mocktails, Assorted Sodas, Water.
Complimentary alcohol will only be available to guests that are at least 21 years of age with valid identification. Pennsylvania law forbids bartenders from serving visibly intoxicated persons, and our staff reserve the right to refuse alcohol service to anyone.

Are children welcome?

All guests must be 12 years of age or older. The venue does not offer childcare options.

Can I take photos during the event?

Unless otherwise noted, you can take photos anywhere in the museum. Because the wedding ceremony is in the planetarium, you may not use flash photography during the ceremony.

Is there parking?

If you park at the Carnegie Science Center, parking is included for our event. If you are staying at the official wedding hotel, complimentary valet parking is also included.

What are your COVID-19 policies and procedures?

We are continuously monitoring the COVID-19 situation. As we near closer to the event, you will be required to comply with any applicable laws and mandates at that time. This may include providing proof of vaccination or wearing masks. At present, in accordance with Pennsylvania and Federal laws, we must maintain a detailed list of all guests and their contact information leading up to and 14 days following the event. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.