Gateway Clipper Fleet

Sail into Romance!

Pittsburgh, PA

Service area

Holds ceremonies and receptions

4.7

Praised by couples for:

Amenities

Helpful staff

Guests comfort

Having our wedding on the Gateway Clipper was the best decision ever! Planning was so easy thanks to Noel. She was incredibly informative and truly made it all about what we wanted and our preferences. From the initial planning to the ceremony and reception, everything went so smoothly. The entire staff was incredibly nice and accommodating to us and our guests. If you want a beautiful venue and a stress-free experience, I highly recommend the Gateway Clipper and Noel!

Karissa B.

5.0

Absolutely wonderful!!!!! WOW!! Planning was VERY easy, communication was extremely smooth, staff are professional and on top of it all! Thank you to the Gateway Clipper Staff, especially Noel (!!!!!!) for making our day absolutely PERFECT! 🎆🥂

Nicole J.

5.0

Gateway Clipper Fleet Weddings

MANAGER

Typically responds within 24h

AWARD WINNER

Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot

The Gateway Clipper Fleet is a classic riverboat venue in Pittsburgh, PA, hosting weddings and milestone events. This stunning cruise boat brings couples and wedding parties on sightseeing journeys along the iconic Three Rivers. Providing breathtaking views of the city skyline from a tranquil distance, it offers the perfect setting for a romantic wedding experience. The Gateway Clipper Fleet is an ideal choice for couples seeking an alternative celebration. They have been hosting milestone occasions for over 50 years, facilitating unique and memorable moments for passengers. They welcome couples from all over and accommodate all ceremony styles, including religious and humanist. The boat is an expansive and versatile space with a capacity for up to 350 loved ones. While it is a great place to host lavish parties, it can also be easily rearranged to suit more intimate gatherings. To begin your day at this one-of-a-kind venue, you can apply the finishing touches to your wedding outfit from the comfort of their onboard dressing suite. After, you can exchange vows on the deck with the sound of the river rushing in the background. The deck is a neutral space that offers the perfect blank canvas for applying a personal touch. Receptions are hosted in their main function space furnished with elegant decor including decadent curtains with ornate fringing and stunning Persian rugs. Here you can dine with loved ones, followed by a magical evening of music and dancing. Jumpstart your occasion by contacting The Gateway Clipper Fleet for a friendly chat. Their expert staff can assist you with planning, helping you transform your special day into something spectacular. They offer a wide range of packages tailored to suit your needs and budget. All packages include a champagne toast, buffet-style dinner service with elegant linens, an open bar, custom-made wedding cake, and DJ services. They also provide an onboard cruise director and day-of coordinator to ensure everything runs seamlessly, allowing you to focus on having an amazing time with your guests. Be sure to check out the gallery for an exclusive 360° Virtual Tour, and experience the breathtaking beauty of Gateway Clipper Fleet today! Check us out on socials! https://www.gatewayclipper.com/private-events-weddings/ https://www.pinterest.com/GatewayClipperWeddings/ https://www.instagram.com/gatewayclipper/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/GatewayClipperFleet?fref=ts

68+ years in business

Speaks English

Large team (21+ members)

Amenities + details

Amenities

Ceremony Area

Dressing Room

Handicap Accessible

Indoor Event Space

Outdoor Event Space

Reception Area

Ceremony Types

Civil Union

Commitment Ceremony

Elopement

Interfaith Ceremony

Non-Religious Ceremony

Religious Ceremony

Second Wedding

Vow Renewal Ceremony

Settings

Ballroom

Cruise

Historic Venue

Restaurant

Rooftop

Venue Service Offerings

Bar & Drinks

Cakes & Desserts

Other Desserts

Food & Catering

Planning

Wedding Design

Rentals & Equipment

Service Staff

Transportation

Shuttle Service

Awards and Affiliations

2013 'Best of Weddings'

Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding

Meet the team

Gateway Clipper Fleet Weddings
Sales Manager
We can't wait to plan your special day!
Hannah Roth
Vice President
Hello! Thank you for considering the Gateway Clipper Fleet to host your special day. We are thrilled about the possibility of working with you and your fiancé. Please take a look at our website and browse our wedding packages. We invite you down for a site visit to see your options and discuss questions. Talk to you soon!

4.7

out of 5.0

59 reviews

Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Review Summary

This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.

The Gateway Clipper provided a beautiful, stress-free wedding experience with easy planning and helpful, professional staff. Minor issues (a planner change and a cake problem) were quickly resolved and didn't affect the day; service, food, DJs and bartenders were praised. Guests loved the skyline views and the venue's packages made planning simple.

Search reviews

Karissa B

Highlighted review.

Having our wedding on the Gateway Clipper was the best decision ever! Planning was so easy thanks to Noel. She was incredibly informative and truly made it all about what we wanted...

and our preferences. From the initial planning to the ceremony and reception, everything went so smoothly. The entire staff was incredibly nice and accommodating to us and our guests. If you want a beautiful venue and a stress-free experience, I highly recommend the Gateway Clipper and Noel!

Response from Gateway Clipper Fleet

Thank you so much for the kind words! I loved being a part of your special day! We cannot ...

wait to host you for your anniversary! -Noel

Nicole J

Absolutely wonderful!!!!! WOW!! Planning was VERY easy, communication was extremely smooth, staff are professional and on top of it all! Thank you to the Gateway Clipper Staff, es...

pecially Noel (!!!!!!) for making our day absolutely PERFECT! 🎆🥂

Any questions?

Anastasia B

Our wedding couldn’t have been more perfect! From Noel, the person we were in contact with most leading up to the day, to the cruise director and staff on the boat, we are so happy...

to have chosen them for our reception!

Jacey M

We have worked with the gateway clipper to plan our special day over the past year. To Patti, Daniel, Noel, Shauna, DJ Chachi, and the boat crew… thank you so much for our day. Th...

ere was some bumps because our planner had left the gateway clipper halfway through our journey, but Noel and Daniel assisted us in making this right. We also had issues with Lincoln Bakery, but the team worked with us on getting a new cake from Oakmont Bakery. Patti was also very willing to assist us when questions arose. Noel was so responsive and even showed us the boat over a video call when we had to come up with the layout. The packages they offer are great too and make planning very simple. My biggest thanks is to the boat crew and staff. They worked so hard and we couldn’t have had a beautiful day without them. The bartenders were so hospitable and kind, Shauna and DJ Chachi made transitions seamless, and the food was great. Our guests all raved about how amazing the wedding was! - The Mellingers 🤍

Shirley P

We had our ceremony and reception on the Duchess this past weekend and the day could not have been any more than incredible. Our guests loved being able to go up to the deck and ta...

ke in the amazing city skyline views during the evening. Angela was fantastic at helping us put together the event and made everything stress-free.

Amber N

LOVE LOVE LOVED our Gateway Clipper reception. We had people who live in Pittsburgh and people who have never been to Pittsburgh at our reception, and they loved everything about t...

he boat. The food was amazing, they had great preferred vendors, the staff went above and beyond, and the views were phenomenal. I couldn't recommend the Gateway Clipper enough.

Kati Jo B

We loved our evening on the Duchess! Most of our guests were from out of town... They still cannot stop talking about how beautiful the views were on our dinner cruise. The staff w...

ere great and made the night one we will never forget! Megan made the whole planning process was a breeze, even though we live over 800 miles away. The night went by too quick :)

Gwen K

We got married on 08/20/2022 and had our reception on the Gateway Clipper. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and we were very happy with how everything went. We started the pl...

anning process in 2021 with one event coordinator and then were transitioned to working with Megan when she took over that position. I feel that she picked up our coordination very easily and the transition was smooth. On the day of our wedding, we were assisted by Cruise Directors Gillian and Stormi. They were both awesome!! I cannot thank them enough for all that they did from helping our wedding party execute their entrances, to serving my new wife the largest plate of mashed potatoes ever (at her request), and just generally making sure everyone was happy all night long. For any engaged couples looking into the Clipper, you should note that if you book with them, you are required to use their catering and their specific DJ company. We had no issues with this and were very happy with the food and entertainment for the evening, but if you were hoping to use a specific vendor, it is something you should be aware of.

Elizabeth R

The Gateway Clipper Fleet was incredible! We absolutely loved the experience from start to finish. So many other vendors were included in the price. The up-front details team, big ...

shout out to Megan, helped us all along through the process and took our requests in stride and fulfilled everyone. During the event, every single crew member checked in with us and our guests and ensured that everyone was enjoying themselves. The night was a complete success! We appreciate everything seeming effortless even though we know that an immeasurable amount of work went into making things spectacular.

Renée F

We scheduled our wedding on the Gateway Clipper as a last minute change due to the COVID-19 pandemic; in fact, with the amazing help from Dan, the wedding coordinator at Gateway Cl...

ipper Fleet, we planned our wedding in less than a month. Dan was always available and answered every email and question we had very timely; we couldn't have done it without his help and patience! Everything went perfectly on our special day amid so many uncertainties, we couldn't have been happier with how our wedding turned out. The staff was so helpful, they set up and boxed up all of our decorations which was one less thing I had to worry about on an already hectic day and everything turned out beautifully! The weather was amazing and it was absolutely perfect night to be cruising on the river. Our guests loved our wedding as it was unique and quite intimate with just our closest friends and family there. The DJ was also amazing which is included with the package. He called us ahead of time to talk details and send us paperwork to complete of all of the song requests etc. Bethel Bakery made the wedding cake (also included in the package) and our guests loved it. Since it was all inclusive, it made planning seamless and easy especially on our very short timeline. We absolutely recommend the Gateway Clipper to anyone who wants a stress free, all inclusive and beautiful, unique wedding on the water overlooking the city. It was so perfect and we will always how amazing our wedding day was!

Misty M

My husband and I live out of town and were looking for a venue that had a lot included so there was minimal for us to do! I was also looking for something that was not a tradition...

al ballroom, as it was both of our second marriages. Not long after we booked, the Covid-19 pandemic started. Dan, the wedding coordinator, was amazing! He was quick at responding, and once we got closer and restrictions changed, he worked with management to figure out how to best help us still get married-giving us multiple options to choose from. Having to do minimal with the vendors already contracted with them was perfect for our out of town situation. The day of the wedding the staff was AMAZING! Dan and the rest of the staff had taken care of everything. It was perfect. Our family and friends could not stop raving about the amazing experience they had from the food, cake, music, and just overall good time! We couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding day! We would highly recommend the Gateway Clipper!

Marla V

Great staff! Great DJ! Great day :)

Jackie S

My husband and I wish we could relive our wedding day again and again. The gateway clipper offered a beautiful cermoney package and was a unique reception choice. They were organiz...

ed and had everything from cake to the DJ included in the wedding packages. They were flexible as we kept changing our dates and making modifications. Steve Anderson the wedding coordinator couldn't of been more kind and helpful. He helped us sort out the details and was always quick to answer any questions or address any concerns. The food was delicious and our guests complimented us on the heart felt ceremony given by the captain. The staff made sure our wedding day was perfect and I can not thank them enough.

Brit B

We used the Empress boat for our ceremony in May 2016, and could not have been happier! The Gateway Clipper team is amazingly thoughtful and organized. We were looking for a venu...

e on pretty short notice, and reached out to their coordinator Steve in February 2016. He was one of my favorite vendors we worked with! He thought of everything as we went through the planning process, always answered my questions instantly, and was unfailingly kind when things slipped my mind or I accidentally asked him a question a second time. He's also incredibly enthusiastic and genuinely happy to help each of his couples, which is great because, you know, some vendors can be really jaded. Steve always felt as excited about our wedding as we were! We planned a ceremony on the top deck of the boat, but thanks to non-stop rain literally all day, had to move things inside to the dance floor. The Gateway Clipper Team was ON IT -- they made the switch to inside seamlessly (everything still looked amazing), and Steve made sure I was always shielded from the rain when I arrived at the dock, covering me with umbrellas and even giving me the jacket off of his own back! Wedding day bad weather could have been stressful, but I didn't feel stressed at all given how thoughtful the team was. And despite the rain, everyone loved the cruise -- especially our out of town guests! The Gateway Clipper team are calm, experienced professionals and could not be nicer -- I was never even close to stressed about working with them, even though I was planning my wedding from the other side of the country! To call them "attentive and nice" feels like an understatement. Team, thank you again for a flawless wedding ceremony! :)

Tonilyn L

We could not possibly rave enough about this phenomenal site for our special day! With so many out-of-town guests, we selected The Gateway Clipper Fleet because we wanted to show o...

ff our fair city and create a memorable night. We were blown away by the staff, the vessel, the ease of working with suggested vendors, and the dedication of all of those involved in our wedding. Steve Anderson was the pivotal part of planning for our day. His enthusiasm, time, talent, and ideas made the process so easy, and his staff worked tirelessly to create a magical evening! From the seamless set up and tear down (completed entirely by staff of the Clipper!) to the attention to our guests during the ceremony and reception, we were beyond impressed, and we would absolutely recommend this venue for anyone wanting to make an impression and lasting memories for their happily-ever-after. Thank you, Gateway Clipper, for the perfect wedding!

Jessica T

Me and my husband Mike were planning our wedding in Pittsburgh from Texas so working with professional vendors was very important. When we learned of the Gateway Clipper Fleet wed...

ding packages, we contacted them to get info and pricing, since it sounded like a really unique reception idea. Our event planner was Steve Anderson and from the moment I contacted him, I was hooked. We were really happy with the prices per guest for what the package came with and that Steve would essentially assist me with every step (very important for out of town planning, but just overall awesome to have - no need for a wedding planner with them!). The planning process couldn't have been much easier. Steve sent me everything we needed to choose and provide ourselves for the entire night to go smoothly. The best part was that everything from the chair covers, to the DJ, to the food, and staff exceeded our expectations. The upper deck was easily everyone's favorite place due to the amazing views, but everyone complimented us on almost every aspect of the reception. Mike and I could not have asked for a better night spent with our friends and family on the Gateway Clipper Fleet!

Lacey P

My husband and I had our ceremony and reception on the Gateway Clipper in mid-May and it was amazing! We decided early on that we wanted to find a place that allowed the planning a...

nd wedding day prep to be as stress-free as possible at a reasonable price, and we found it! Our wedding planner, Steve Anderson, guided us every step of the way and was available whenever we needed him. He went above and beyond to make sure our day went off without a hitch. It would not have been the same day without him. The Gateway Clipper staff during our reception was phenomenal. They made sure my husband and I got to try all of our food and never allowed our glasses to be empty. They were pleasant and helpful to our guests. If I had to do it all over, I would choose the Gateway Clipper again.

Marissa S

We only had our wedding ceremony on the Clipper, but our guests absolutely loved it! They got an incredible view of the city of Pittsburgh while getting to participate in our speci...

al day. The entire staff at the Gateway Clipper was wonderful to work with throughout the entire wedding planning process! They were all so friendly, helpful and willing to do whatever it took to make my wedding day absolutely perfect! They were very flexible in allowing us to decorate however we wanted, as we had a very distinct vision. They also worked with us to make it enjoyable for our guests by opening up the bar after the ceremony and sailing the Allegheny while we took pictures on the top deck. Again, they made our dream wedding become a reality and I am so glad that we had our wedding ceremony on the Gateway Clipper! I would absolutely recommend this is a wedding venue to anyone looking for something different!

Lori W

Just had our wedding on the Princess, only way to describe it was the best night of our lives. The staff was awesome and Steve Anderson was amazing!

Marissa G

My husband and I wanted to do something different, and were so excited when we found out Gateway Clipper did wedding receptions. The total cost mentioned was after taxes, for 100 p...

eople, and covered food, open bar, DJ (who was awesome), all linens and tableware, wedding cake, etc details which all came with our package. Our wedding coordinator was always very quick to help us and answered all of our questions. The staff set up the boat exactly as we asked on the wedding day. And that day-wow the reception was gorgeous. The views of the city from the outside deck were amazing as well. All of our guests had a great time and loved that we did something different! We would relive it if we could!

Stacy K

We held our wedding reception on the Empress vessel. It was the perfect unique venue for us to show off the city to our guests from out of town. It is also so conveniently located!...

We blocked off rooms at the Sheridan so our guests from out of town were able to easily fly in, take a cab to Station Square and have everything they needed as far as food and entertainment within walking distance. The convenience was also very beneficial after the reception when we went out with our guests for a few more drinks. Our guest list was about 200 so it was also important for us to have a large dance floor, but also to have things to do for guests who do not dance. I don’t mean to brag, but so many of our guests that that this was the best wedding reception that had been to. It was just such a fun venue! You also do not have to worry about decorating too much as you would with a cookie cutter wedding venue because the view is so spectacular. Steve Anderson worked with us each step of the way, and was always available and friendly to help with any questions or issues we had. Our packaged included Steve’s services as our event planner, a DJ (who was great by the way) from First Class Entertainment, a cake (we chose Lincoln Bakery, but Bethel Bakery is also an option), chair covers and bows, open bar, a champagne toast, cocktail hour h’orderves and dinner. Everything in the package was good quality and it was nice having a one stop shop so to speak. As someone who did not hire a wedding planner and did everything myself, it helped to have everything going through the Gateway Clipper. Both my husband and I highly recommend choosing the Gateway Clipper for your event and all of our guests would agree!

Anonymous

My daughter recently got married on the Gateway Clipper and it was FANTASTIC! The wedding planner, Steve Anderson was knowledgeable and great to work with. Price is very reasonable...

and includes many top notch items, and it's the best way to show off the city. Food was excellent! All of our guests had a wonderful time and remarked on how great this venue was. HIGHLY recommend!

Anonymous

My husband Justin Walker and I chose the Gateway Clipper for our wedding ceremony and reception. Their attention to detail was beyond exceptional. Steve Anderson is hands down the ...

best wedding planner there is. He is a wonderful caring and easy-going individual to work with and made sure our experience was stress free. He is a great asset to the Gateway Clipper. The setup and venue was absolutely breathtaking and very beautiful. Food was delicious and the cake was phenomenal. DJ Cha-Che with First Class Entertainment kept the party live and had everyone dancing the entire time. He was fun and caring. The boat was beautiful and the staff was excellent and made sure we had the time of our life. All of our guests had a wonderful time. It truly is a unique and memorable event that we will cherish forever. We would definitely recommend the Gateway Clipper for any future event or even just a night out on the town!!

Anonymous

My husband and I recently had our wedding/reception on The Queen. Hannah was our coordinator and her and the entire staff were so professional and a lot of fun. We were shocked a...

t how much was included in the price. Being the youngest of 4, my parents have been through many weddings and this was by far the least expensive but most fun! It was classy and elegant. Our wedding was in Sept and our family and friends are still talking about it being the best they've ever attended. Seriously, look no further. Our wedding was everything we dreamed it would be and more mostly in part due to Hannah and the Gateway Clipper staff. They made sure everything went smoothly. We would do it all over again if we could!

Lindsey P

Awesome food! Very helpful people! If something isn't going right they did something to make it right! Very fun and different! Guests will love!

Anonymous

Let me start this by saying Steve Anderson was/is the best! We lived out of state and only came to see the boat once about a month before the wedding. We went by word of mouth to ...

book the venue. I was beyond pleased with Steve and the staff at the Gateway Clipper. I felt completely at ease with everything and I trusted them 100%. I knew we were in good hands. The wedding itself was directed by Ashley and she was awesome! My husband kept (and keeps) praising the attentiveness of all the staff aboard the boat. Very detail oriented and make you and your day top priority. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Toni W

I recently held my wedding reception on the Gateway Clipper's Princess. I planned the wedding in a very short amount of time and was impressed with how Steve and the rest of the s...

taff were able to pull things together so quickly and accurately. I enjoyed working with Steve and was beyond pleased with the reception. One of the items that made the night particularly fun and memorable was the photo booth. I have so many fun pictures of each of my wedding guests - and they also had a lot of fun taking them (at times, there was a line!). I highly recommend. My cake from Bethel Bakery was beautiful and delicious - again, I highly recommend. Kudos to the team at the Gateway Clipper for a job very well done!

Rebecca A

The Gateway Clipper was a great find for our reception. They provided everything we needed for a wonderful stress-free party: food, bar service, waitstaff, tables and linens, DJ (T...

odd from First Class Entertainment), cake (from Bethel Bakery- AMAZING!), a hotel for the newlywed couple at the Sheraton in Station Square, and a team of knowledgeable planners to help the day go smoothly. The food was great and we were able to try everything at a tasting beforehand and customize our menu. Our guests had a great time and we had a beautiful evening on the rivers. We would definitely recommend this vendor to anyone in Pittsburgh.

Ellen C

When we originally planned our wedding, we had started working with one employee, however about nine months away from our date, the employee was let go. After she was gone, Hannah ...

took over and did a wonderful job! She came in and introduced herself and ensured everything was perfect for our wedding day. The reason I chose the Gateway Clipper was because of the value. There are so many items included in the package and it is truly worry free since you do not have to worry about coordinating vendors. I have already recommended the GCF to another friend. They made my wedding day very special!

Katie S

My husband and I really enjoyed our special day on the Gateway Clipper Fleet. Steve Anderson, our wedding planner was beyond the best thing that could have happened to us. He truly...

cared about making our day, our day! Not only did he plan our wedding with us, he spent the day of our wedding decorating and running around making sure we were taken care of. Our guests loved the view of the city and thought the idea of the boat was very unique. The food was amazing, the service was wonderful and the crew was fabulous. We also enjoyed our DJ-he made sure we stayed on schedule and ensured we had a blast. We loved it and would recommend the Gateway Clipper Fleet to everyone who loves the city of Pittsburgh! Best wishes!

Jess R

Our "wedding planner" was changed 3 times with in the 9 months dealing with them and on our actual wedding day the last wedding planner wasn't even there since it was a Saturday. W...

e almost didn't have a stop to the dock after dinner for the priest and grandparents to get off because the info wasn't passed onto the girl that was helping us that day and from the beginning we had told them we wanted that stop after dinner. Every time they changed planners the information was clearly not passed along to the next correctly. There was no communication between any of the office workers at all. As for the staff on the boat the day of the wedding they we're so wonderful! Very professional! They did set up everything exactly the way I wanted and everyone there was very professional, they just lack in communication skills.

Tracy G

If you want a wedding that keeps your guests talking for weeks afterwards, usually using the phrase, "Best wedding I have ever attended..." then book the Gateway Clipper fleet. My ...

husband and I had our wedding on the Princess and it was beyond even my biggest dreams. When I walked on that boat and saw it decorated, it took my breath away. We had our service and reception on the boat and we got married on a Sunday--Sundays are discounted, so we were able to provide our guests with the best package offered because of the discount. The package includes your cake and dj service, as well as a night stay at the Sheraton Station Square, so it really is budget friendly. Our wedding planner, Joanna, was amazing. She answered all of our emails, phone calls, etc, in a very timely manner, and was up for all of our crazy suggestions. The only "negative" that my husband and I agreed on after the wedding--we should have paid for more time on the boat. We were booked for 5 hours and between boarding, the service, dinner, etc, it went way too fast. Another 1 1/2 would have been perfect. I know it was my wedding and I know that all brides feel the same, but I had the best wedding ever. I can't imagine anyone having a more perfect wedding than my husband and I--and our guests agree with that statement. Our goal was to have the best celebration ever--Mission Accomplished! Thank you Gateway Clipper Fleet and Joanna!!!

Laura Z

The Gateway Clipper was a really unique opportunity for a wedding reception. We had a fantastic time! The Clipper let us depart from the Convention Center rather than Station Sq...

uare, which was very convenient. We loved the food, the DJ, the cake, and even though some guests went to the wrong dock, the Clipper went and got them! We loved the attention to detail in the entire reception, and the great way the atmosphere was handled. The staff were scarce unless needed, and they managed everything well. The only issues were with the Gateway Clipper planning staff themselves. We went through three planners since Sept. 2013 to our wedding in Sept. 2014--and not through "bridezilla" actions! They just left the Clipper and we didn't know they were gone until someone else FINALLY got back to us. We also had trouble with our table assignments--the Clipper wasn't clear, and then we wasted time fixing the tables. The Clipper can't really vary things a lot, being a boat, but it was very frustrating. Other than that, a stellar time, and well worth the money!

Paloma D

My husband and I decided to go with the Gateway Clipper because of the unique experience it could offer to our guests. Our experience dealing with the team at the Clipper was disap...

pointing overall. There were multiple situations in which we were disappointed and tried to communicate that to the organization and they choose not only not to find solutions but in general to treat a paying customer with a bad attitude. Explanation below: 1. Lost three expensive items (total value worth over $500). Instead of helping they chose to write an email saying "best of luck finding your items". The staff on the boat was suppose to pack up our things at the end of the night and somehow these items were never returned to us. 2. The bar. Despite numerous communications, we ended up with a bar that wasn't what we expected due to information that was lost in translation from one sales person to another. After trying to remedy the situation the management team was rude and not helpful. In addition we asked for bar basics (bitters, etc) and they agreed to this. Nothing was there on our wedding day. 3. Change in sales team. The person we originally started planning with was no longer with the organization about 3 months before the wedding. They never reached out to make us aware of this and instead we found out when we tired to get a hold of her and got a bounce back email. This was the beginning of the problems. Generally they were not flexible and poor communicators. However, I will say the staff we had the day of our wedding were phenomenal. The food was great and our guests had a great time. The DJ was great to work with and kept the energy up. The venue provided the unique experience we were hoping for and we enjoyed our day. If you are looking for a unique experience - get the Clipper. For the money we spent we wanted a better experience with our venue, but instead they treated us like we weren't spending enough money and therefore weren't important.

Hillary H

I had my wedding on the Gateway Clipper's Princess boat on 8/31/13 and it was the BEST time of my life! It was the perfect wedding! The food, music ( DJ Kevin -from First Class Ent...

ertainment who comes with the Clipper package), and everything else was perfect! Denise from the Clipper was amazing! She planned everything exactly how I wanted it and she was very nice, professional and always prompt! The Clipper also includes many thing in their package making planning super easy ( DJ, hotel for bride and groom, cake, food, alcohol, linens ect). I can not rave about my wedding on the Princess enough! Everyone said that it was the best wedding that they ever attended and they were right!!

Heather G

We had several out of town guests and wanted to give them a great view of the city so we decided to do our ceremony and reception onboard the Gateway Clipper! We had 100 guests so...

we used one of the smaller ships - the Princess. So many things are included with their wedding package (officiant, food, cake, DJ) - it took a lot of the guess work out of things and the vendors are used to working with the staff and made everything run seamlessly. The food was amazing!!! The cake came from Lincoln Bakery and was amazing too! The DJ was so nice and so much fun! We used Captain Mike to do our ceremony while parked at the point with the fountain and city in the background - it was truly memorable and everyone got to see a great view of the city! Our wedding planner was Denise Dell she was very helpful and walked us through everything we needed to figure out. The day of the event you have an onboard Wedding Coordinator that keeps everything on schedule and directs you what to do - thank goodness for her!!! She kept the show running and made sure we didn't miss anything! One concern I had going into this was having all of our pictures on the boat so we were actually able to dock at PNC park and get off the boat to take some scenic pictures around the park, on the Clemente bridge, and along the waterfront. We would highly recommend this venue for ceremony and/or reception to anyone - especially if you have out of town guests that would love to see the city for the first time!

Gina L

The wedding was absolutely breathtaking. There is no better view of the city of Pittsburgh than when you're on the water. The food was amazing. The DJ they provided worked well and...

played exactly what we wanted. Denise was our coordinator and she always responded to e-mails quickly. She made everything so hassle-free. The only thing I was disappointed in was the bakery that they contract with. I would recommend using your own bakery. It was perfect having an all-inclusive wedding, it took a load off of my shoulders having to find and meet with a DJ and compare prices, as well as linens, etc. The staff was great and they seemed to be having a good time themselves. I highly recommend this to anyone and cannot say enough great things about it.

Darcy H

We had a lot of out-of-town guests so what better way to show off our city? We were hooked with the all-inclusive package which is so much easier and cheaper than finding vendors i...

ndividually, and we were happily surprised with the great quality of each. The staff and servers on the Clipper could not have been more friendly, helpful and accommodating. The food was excellent. Couldn't have been better! I highly recommend the Clipper!

Dani M

The Gateway Clipper staff was very friendly and professional. They truly went above and beyond in making our girls' night special aboard the boat.

Jamie S

I am giving 4 stars because I LOVE the Clipper, but this particular event deserves no stars. Anyway, for my bachelorette party, my sister found a "Friday Night Jamz Moonlight Danc...

e Cruise". We had issues the whole time. People were smoking pot at the front of the boat (on all levels) so the smoke carried back to us and it was skunky and awful no matter where we went. None of the crew stopped them. The food line was insane. My friends waited in line for over an hour and a half. Drinks took at least 30 minutes. It was an awful experience, but I think it was just that my sister picked the wrong cruise.

Leigh Y

The Gateway Clipper is a great place for a wedding reception. The planning process is very efficient and they make sure that every last detail is thought of and accounted for. Th...

e only downside was that I was from out of town and was unable to meet with the wedding coordinator in person. We had scheduled a meeting but she cancelled. It would have given me piece of mind to have met with her in person but we were able to do all the remaining coordination over the phone and the event went off without any problems. I ordered off the Allegheny buffet and the food was so delicious. The DJ and cake which was also provided from the Gateway Clipper were both really good as well. Overall, I would recommend the Gateway Clipper for all brides that want to ensure they get the whole package in one place and want an evening that will be memorable for their guests.

Laura F

My husband and I got engaged on a cruise ship, so in keeping with the nautical theme we wanted to get married on a boat. The Clipper was FANTASTIC for our reception. We booked them...

two years in advance to ensure our date. We did have a few issues, mainly relating to the ceremony. We had a wedding of 125 guests and we told them this at the time of booking. We were not informed until 17 DAYS prior to our wedding that the ceremony space on the top deck of our boat could only seat 90 people. They thought it was perfectly acceptable to have our guests stand, which I found absolutely unacceptable. Also, we extended our reception time, but it never specified that the large sum we paid to extend our time did not include the DJ or the alcohol. Five days before our wedding an additional $1,000 was added to our bill. That being said our guests had a wonderful time and didn't even seem to mind that tight ceremony seating. They loved having the option of going out on the top deck to see Pittsburgh as they sailed by, or staying inside and dancing. I would 100% recommend the Clipper for a reception...but I wish we would have been able to book our ceremony somewhere else.

Mandy M

Ashley and Alaina were wonderful to work with to plan our day. Our guests loved the venue as well and were saying it was the best wedding they have gone to. It was a beautiful ni...

ght and most of our guests enjoyed the top deck watching the views of Pittsburgh!

Laura G

The wedding package the Gateway Clipper was great, especially for planning on a short time horizon (I got married less than six months after getting engaged)! It reduced the number...

of other vendors I needed to find, while still offering me options to make my wedding absolutely perfect. They set up the catering, the bakery and the DJ, and all of the options they provided were flexible. The food was good, and the cake was delicious. I wanted a cake decorated with fondant. The usual bakery they use only does buttercream, and the Gateway Clipper gave me the option to use a different bakery (I can't remember which one it was). They were quick to answer questions via email and were helpful in my set-up. The day of went so smoothly and I would definitely recommend the Gateway Clipper Fleet for any event, particularly a wedding.

Nicole D

Very accommodating and responded back in a timely manner

Jennifer S

we did an hour sight seeing tour with my whole bridal party and family for the start of my bacherlotte party. it was very nice that even my flower girl and younger cousins could sp...

end some time with us before we headed out to the bars.

Amy D

Everyone we worked with through the Gateway Clipper from the learning stage, contract stage, planning and actual event execution was very smooth and professional. Ashley was great...

in answering all of our questions quickly and with a positive energy. It was a beautiful wedding and well run reception that had all our guests talking about it! My new husband and I as well as both of our families were so happy with the entire day! Our only complaint is that the celebration did not last longer.

Keiria P

The main event coordinator was extremely helpful, she answered phone calls and emails within a timely manner. On the day of, the MOB got stuck in traffic and was late to start deco...

rating. I made one phone call to Ashley (event coordinator) and she immediately started decorating (I had put specific directions in one of the boxes). By the time we got to the venue (arrived early for pictures) they had taken care of almost everything. The MOB had arrived by that point, and Ashley later told me that the MOB was a "rock star" for the way she took action and got everything done. The also postponed letting people on so that everything was completely decorated. Ashley was not the cruise director once the reception started, but she introduced the cruise director to DH and I. From then on, anything we needed the CD made sure it was taken care of. Even a month later, people are still commenting on how amazing the reception was! The clipper also takes care of the catering, and interacts with the baker. It was really an all-inclusive deal. Highly Recommended!!!

Jacqueline C

I never actually met with the wedding coordinator, Ashley Barna, but our experience was very good overall. Ashley kept us on track with selections and gentle payment reminders in ...

the months leading up to our wedding. For a unique venue, this was a great choice! We had many out of town guests who were able to see just about the entire city even though they were in for only one night. Our wedding was on the Princess, which is very intimate. The dance floor is rather small but serviced our small wedding fine. The catering was good, the bar was wonderful, and our cruise director (I can't remember her name, maybe Amanda?) was absolutely superb. She made everything run smoothly that day and was a great problem solver and nerve soother. The price may seem steep until you consider that the cost includes the ceremony site, reception site, catering, open bar, the wedding cake, the DJ, 4.5 hours of cruise time, and lodging at the Sheraton for the bride and groom. For nearly one-stop shopping and a memorable event, Gateway Clipper is definitely worth considering.

Melissa J

Overall my husband and I had a wonderful wedding ceremony on the Gateway Clipper. We had a few glitches upon the way that we were not happy with though. At the last minute they p...

lanned another event on our boat leading almost right up until our ceremony causing us to only have a few minutes to get everything on the boat/decorate. Also, the microphone did not work at the beginning of the ceremony and it caused an awkward pause. On the bright side, Maura was wonderful in helping us deal with a problem with our minister and made sure everyone was where they needed to be. The only other thing we had an issue with was how expensive it was to have any drinks/food aboard. Overall we would suggest a ceremony on the Gateway Clipper if you are looking for a unique setting.

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350 West Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, PA

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(412) 355-7965

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Gateway Clipper Fleet

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