Pittsburgh Bridal Gown Walk Recap: An Epic Girls' Day for a Cause, Community, and Connection

On Sunday, June 8th, The Pittsburgh Bachelorette teamed up with City Girls Who Walk Pittsburgh to host our first-ever event, Bridal Gown Walk: Strut the Streets for a Cure—an unforgettable girls' day out that celebrated friendship, fashion, and female strength, all while raising over $3,000 for a fellow Pittsburgh wedding pro in need.

While the rain may have paused our actual “walk,” the after-party was always part of the plan—and what a party it was. Held at the scenic Coughlin’s Law on Mt. Washington, this event captured everything The Pittsburgh Bachelorette stands for: a brand that brings women together and helps create meaningful, fun, and unforgettable events in the 412.

What made the day truly unforgettable wasn’t just the balloons, the florals, or even the photo booths—it was the feeling. Despite the gray skies, the room radiated warmth, love, and solidarity. You could feel it in every hug, every laugh, every tear shed during the jewelry presentation. Friends, strangers, and small businesses came together not just for a party, but for purpose. It was girlhood at its realest: messy, joyful, deeply connected. The energy in the room reminded us that this is what The Pittsburgh Bachelorette is all about—showing up for each other, lifting one another, and celebrating the power of women coming together.

A Day Designed by Our Dream Vendors

Our goal was clear—support Courtney Esseltine, a local mom and wedding professional from Sheraton Station Square, as she battles stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Every detail of the event was made possible by incredible Pittsburgh-based businesses, many of whom you can find listed in our TPB Vendor Directory, ready to help you create an epic party or experience for your own crew.

Here’s how the day came to life:

• The Cheerful Balloon Co. created a jaw-dropping cherry-themed balloon backdrop that transformed the space.
• Clicksburgh Retro Rentals styled a gorgeous raffle display, and provided a nostalgic photo booth. Their audio guestbook allowed guests to leave heartfelt messages for Courtney and her daughter Margo.
• Becca Bakes Cookies delivered a show-stopping edible photo cookie booth—because what’s more memorable than a cookie with your face on it?
• The Pittsburgh Bachelorette hosted a DIY friendship bracelet bar. It was all about connection, creativity, and our signature vibe: adult female friendships.
• 412Thrive was on hand to educate guests on breast health and provide community support resources.
• The Future of Jewelry brought their mobile customization tools on the road for the first time, letting guests design custom 3D-printed resin pieces. Their emotional presentation of a keepsake necklace they created with Courtney—engraved with “Margo” on one side and her handwritten note “I will always be with you. Love, Mom.” on the other—left the entire room in tears.
• Dixie Surewood, Pittsburgh drag queen extraordinaire, hosted the event with charisma, heart, and high energy that kept the entire party buzzing.
• Fleur Bar hand-wrapped stunning floral arrangements with showstopping florals. My peonies bloomed for over a week! Thank you, Fleur Bar, for offering the most unforgettable and on-brand favors.

📸 Captured by the Best in the 412:

• All event photography was beautifully captured by Erica Hilliard Photography.
• Our videography coverage was handled by Eternal Lens Media.
• In the Moment with Mel was our content creator on site for the enitre day.

🎟️ Generous Donations Made the Raffle a Success

‍Thanks to the incredible generosity of the following local businesses, our raffle, along with our other vendors, helped raise over $3,000 for Courtney and her family:

• Omni William Penn
• Babesburgh Festival
• Bridal Promise Artistry
• Maria V’s Bridal Boutique
• 1:11 Juice
• GBM Running
• P3R
• City Girls Who Walk PGH
• Sheraton Station Square
• Boy Band Brunch at City Winery
• Coughlin’s Law
• War Street Art Salon
• Bella Beautiful Beauty
• The Skin Clique
• Tara Zalewsky Live Painting
• Sky’s the Limit Photography
• Skovranko Yards N’at
• Fierce Ink and Beauty
• Krystle Coll Photography
• Maison De LeCroix

At the Heart of Our Brand: Real Community

This event wasn’t just about bridal gowns or photo booths—it was a full-circle celebration of what The Pittsburgh Bachelorette stands for: building community through unforgettable moments and meaningful support. Whether you’re planning a bachelorette party, birthday bash, or just a girl-powered weekend, our vendor directory is filled with trusted Pittsburgh businesses ready to bring your dream party to life.

Check out our site for:

• Our Events Calendar with the best girl-friendly things to do in Pittsburgh
• Bite Me, Jessie, our food column highlighting where to eat & drink with your crew
• One-of-a-kind gifts, experiences, and decor for every vibe

This Was Just the Beginning

We’re already dreaming up the next big thing. From custom parties to community impact, The Pittsburgh Bachelorette is here to help you find your people, plan your party, and make it unforgettable—one glittery, heartfelt, very Pittsburgh moment at a time.

Wish to donate to Courtney?

Here is her GO FUND ME.

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