Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel offers a beautiful backdrop with stunning views overlooking the city of Erie to the south and Presque Isle Bay to the north. You can have both your ceremony and reception here. That coupled with the fact that it’s within walking distance of most of Erie’s iconic landmarks makes it a perfect choice for your wedding day.

Here are a few tips to get the best out of your sessions at this beautiful wedding venue.

erie, pa wedding venue

Take Cover

With Erie's ever-changing weather, it's likely you'll have to find cover on short notice. With the westerly winds approaching the city, rain is quite common in Erie. But don't let that stop you from using the city as a backdrop. You can capture some really great photos whether it's sunny or cloudy. The sky bridge connecting the Sheraton to the Erie County Convention Center is a perfect place to take cover when you feel a drizzle coming. There are views of both the city of Erie and Presque Isle Bay to use as a backdrop, keeping you dry and warm.

Take Advantage of Heights

There are multiple ground level terraces that have Presque Isle Bay and Erie's Bicentennial Tower as backdrops. The Bicentennial Tower stands nearly 200 feet tall, making it one of the tallest structures in Erie. This height allows you to overlook the beautiful city and its surrounding areas. What better way to capture some powerful memories than by doing it at these incredible heights near the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel?

Time It Right 

With access to the Convention Center and its outside terraces, you can take full advantage of Erie's famous sunsets. I use an app called The Photographer's Ephemeris (TPE), which allows me to calculate the exact time and angle of the sun. This shows how the sun's light will fall on the land, whether it's day or night. So if you're out during the sunset, TPE helps me time your shoot perfectly.

Engage in Erie's History & Culture

If historic architecture is your thing, the US Brig Niagara (when she's in port) and the Erie Art Museum are within a two minute drive of Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel. The US Brig Niagara sails the Great Lakes, preserving and interpreting the story of the Battle of Lake Erie. The museum holds a collection of 8,000 artifacts including American ceramics, Tibetan paintings, Indian bronzes, photography, and more. We can stop for photos at both places and be back in time for cocktail hour! You'll get to learn some of Erie's history and capture some stunning bridal portraits. 

Is the Sheraton your ideal wedding venue? Want to see more of our favorite downtown Erie wedding venues and portrait locations? Check out our Downtown Erie Wedding Venue page to get some inspiration for your wedding planning.

You want to have your Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel wedding photographed by someone with experience capturing the venue. Reach out to us to inquire about availability and to learn more about our personalized approach to wedding and engagement photography in Erie, PA. We can't wait to hear from you!