With history and picturesque settings, the Philadelphia area boasts some of the most beautiful wedding venues. If you’re looking for a timeless place to tie the knot look no further than these top Philadelphia area wedding venues.
Over the years of photographing beautiful weddings in the Philadelphia area, I have documented love stories at some pretty amazing locations. The couples that I tend to work with are looking for venues that have an atmosphere that is authentic and timeless. They are locations that your guests will always remember and that photograph beautifully, too! I have compiled a list of the most elegant, romantic, and timeless Philadelphia wedding venues that I recommend you visit first! These range from traditional historic ballrooms to intimate estates, from grand mansions to stunning outdoor gardens. You cannot go wrong with any of these Philadelphia wedding venues!
Adrienne Matz Photography offers wedding photography in the Philadelphia area. We photograph a timeless kind of love for the classic and elegant couple and enjoy sharing the stories of our wonderful clients through images. We believe in a life built on love, always planning the next adventure, and growing old together. Contact us here for more information!
The Kimmel Center is such a breathtaking location for a wedding! It offers top-notch service, amenities, and beautiful settings for wedding photos. The glass rooftop atrium of the Hamilton Garden is the perfect backdrop for an elegant wedding. Cocktail hour can take place on the level below the garden and has the best view of city hall from the balcony! The Kimmel is home to the fabulous Philadelphia Orchestra and I also love that they host so many amazing artists here. Having a wedding here is an extraordinary experience at an iconic Philly venue. You and your guests are sure to remember dancing beneath the glass dome under the stars! I’m also linking one of my favorite weddings we photographed at the Kimmel Center here!
The Fairmount Horticulture Center is a greenhouse perfect for couples who love being surrounded by nature! It is a stunning venue for an elegant wedding and located right in Fairmount Park. The greenhouse is full of beautiful plants from top to bottom and the space is so versatile that you can really make it your own! I love all of the natural light in this venue and how romantic it feels when the sun goes down. This is one of Philly’s most well-known wedding venues for a reason – it is truly a one of a kind space! View a stunning Horticulture wedding here!
I always use the word “magical” to describe Cairnwood Estate. It’s gorgeous in every season! This venue has a romantic feel and is a stunning representation of gilded age architecture. Did you know that the prestigious New York Public Library and Cairnwood Estate were both designed by the same architects? Cairnwood Estate is full of beautiful rooms for getting ready, in addition to a staircase and fireplace of your dreams. There are many options for your reception space with my favorites being a tent or under string lights on the back porch! The manicured grounds, the gorgeous architecture, and the intimate feeling of the estate make Cairnwood one of my all-time favorite venues!
If you’re looking for an elegant and contemporary space at Philadelphia’s most luxurious hotel look no further than the Four Seasons. We love the polished feel of this venue and the open-air terrace overlooking the city from 60 floors up is simply breathtaking! The meals here are curated by award-winning chefs and your guests can choose to stay right at the Hotel after your wedding which is an experience in itself. Have you seen the infinity pool overlooking the city!? The Four Seasons Philadelphia provides an unparalleled city sanctuary for a modern and elegant wedding. I’m also linking one of my favorite weddings we photographed at the Four Seasons Philadelphia here!
I am in awe of PAFA. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts has educated countless artists and is the oldest art museum and art school in the United States. The combination of its amazing galleries and its beautiful architecture makes this a very unique Philadelphia wedding venue. Did I mention it has the best staircase for portraits!? I love PAFA’s versatility too! Their venue includes a classic space in the historic landmark building in addition to a contemporary space in the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building. Either choice is truly impressive and will lend an elegant air to your wedding. Also the staff there is AWESOME!
Greenville Country Club is a true gem. Its location is just about 45 minutes from Philadelphia in Wilmington, Delaware. The lush gardens, stunning estate, and tented reception space make Greenville Country Club a perfect spot for those looking for an estate garden feel. The ceremony space looks like it is straight out of a fairy tale with a picturesque brick turret overflowing with ivy. If you time it right your guests will enjoy cocktail hour as the sun sets over the countryside. The reception space is tented and strung with market lights for a romantic glow as the lights go down. Greenville Country Club truly is a magical venue and hands down one of our favorite spots. You can find more examples of our work at Greenville Country Club here!
The Barnes Foundation is home to works by Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Modernist masters including Matisse, Picasso, and Renoir. The combination of its amazing galleries and its beautiful modern architecture makes this an unforgettable Philadelphia wedding venue. The private gardens at the Barnes are the perfect spot for portraits, and I personally love the iconic reflecting pond! They also have one of Philadelphia’s largest covered outdoor spaces so you never have to worry about rain and can have the outdoor wedding you always dreamed of. If you have an appreciation for Art and are looking for a modern indoor/outdoor space in the heart of Philadelphia then the Barnes Foundation is a perfect choice for your wedding! You can find more examples of our work at The Barnes Foundation here!
The Hotel Dupont is one of the grandest, most beautiful ballrooms in the Philadelphia area and located about 45 minutes outside the city in Wilmington, Delaware. If you are looking for that wow factor – this is it! The ballroom is golden and luxurious and has been hosting events since 1913. From the ornate chandeliers to the craftsmanship of the ceilings, this venue is full of magnificent details. In addition, your guests can stay right at the Hotel after your wedding which is such an added bonus! Hotel Dupont offers a timeless elegance that makes my heart sing – oh, and you have to see the staircase! You can find a wedding we photographed at the Hotel Dupont here!
Classic in every way, The Union League of Philadelphia is a stunning wedding venue. Founded in 1862 its history and grandeur are very much alive. The Lincoln Ballroom is spacious and luxurious. It’s an old-world dream of a ballroom come to life! Located right on Broad St you can’t miss its iconic twin circular stairs at the main entrance. The Union League also boasts an extensive library in addition to a beautiful white marble staircase leading to the ballroom hallway for portraits. The Union League is a venue and a setting that you and your guests won’t soon forget!
Aldie Mansion is a unique and historic English country estate tucked away in Doylestown, PA. You feel like you have stepped back into time as you explore the stunning property. Some of my favorite features Aldie are the beautiful gardens, luxurious glass windows, and a magnificent 300-year-old Oak tree adorned with market lights. It is a historic venue that is also connected to nature – the perfect combination!
A stunning Philadelphia ballroom, Ballroom at the Ben is a turn-of-the-century masterpiece. We love how the cocktail hour on the mezzanine overlooks the reception area below through the grand arches in the ballroom. If you’re looking for a grandiose setting right in the heart of the city look no further!
Union Trust is a Philadelphia bank building turned wedding venue! It is perfect combination of modern and historic at the same time. The space feels elegant and chic and we love the unique atmosphere it provides for you and your guests.
Perched high atop Macy’s Wannamaker Building in Center City the Crystal Tea Room offers a classic turn of the century charm. Constructed in 1902 as the largest dining room in Philadelphia and one of the largest in the world the Crystal Tea Room holds the status of one of Philly’s most iconic venues. If you’re a fan or beautiful renaissance architecture, incredible service, and breathtaking views this one is for you!
John James Audubon Center is an outdoor-indoor space situated on a picturesque 175 acres of rolling hills and is a bird watchers paradise! There are multiple options for your ceremony including a rustic barn and a beautiful apple orchard. Above all, the John James Audubon Center feels peaceful and intimate and is the perfect venue for nature lovers!
Philander Chase Knox Estate in Valley Forge National Historic Park is a perfect combination of a picturesque estate and a historic outdoor setting. It’s no secret that we love National Parks. In fact, my husband and I were married in Valley Forge National Historic Park! However, at the time Philander Chase Knox Estate was not a wedding venue yet, or else I’m pretty certain this would have been our reception spot! We love the grounds of the park for portraits in addition to the peaceful outdoor ceremony space. The tented reception area is open to the outside which truly feels magical as the sun goes down.
The Bellevue Hotel on the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia has been hosting parties since 1904. The Rose Garden room is a beautiful space for an elegant wedding. We love the view of the city from the 19th floor combined with the historic feel of the balcony. The French Renaissance staircase is exquisite! After your wedding, your guests can stay right at the hotel where famous guests such as Audrey Hepburn have stayed!
The panoramic views of the Independence Hall from the Down Town Club are amazing! I love the simple elegance of the Down Town Club. In addition, the ballroom walls are completely white which leads to an unforgettable first impression. It is a luxurious venue without feeling over the top. The location near Independence National Historic Park allows for some amazing portrait opportunities within walking distance from the venue!
Colonial Dames Society is full of simple elegance. It is traditional and historic with an intimate feel. I love this space for couples having smaller weddings and looking for the feeling of old Philadelphia. It truly is a stunning location and one of our favorite intimate Philadelphia wedding venues!
If you are looking for the French chateau experience, Hotel du Village is a must-see! Located in New Hope, PA, Hotel du Village has beautifully landscaped grounds and a French country estate with 22 guest rooms for your friends and family. We love the intimate feel and the historic charm of the estate.
Parque is located in Hunting Hill Mansion right on the grounds of Ridley Creek State Park. It feels like a getaway destination, intimate and serene. We love the oak-paneled ballroom and the outdoor gardens in the park. The stone structures make the perfect ceremony backdrop! Above all, it is a lovely destination and has a truly elegant and relaxed feel.
A shout out to our home-town venue! The Phoenixville Foundry was home to the Phoenix Iron and Steel company in the late 1800s until the 1970s. Now a contemporary wedding venue with a historic industrial feel, the Phoenixville Foundry is a lovely wedding venue! We love it’s proximity to downtown Phoenixville and similarly, the fact that it’s practically in our backyard.
The Liberty View at Independence Visitor Center overlooks the historic Independence Hall. I just love how you can say your vows on the terrace with the sweeping views of the historic district as the backdrop. This is the perfect setting for a more intimate wedding and has a beautiful open-air option for your reception on the South Terrace. This Philadelphia wedding venue is truly a hidden gem!
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia is a truly memorable location for your wedding. We love the historic, elegant, and stately feel of this space. The marble staircase when you first enter the building is beautiful for photos and Mitchell Hall is the perfect backdrop for a black-tie wedding. We also love the mahogany paneling, the paintings of prominent physicians on the walls, and the historic card catalog in the library! As an added perk the building houses the Mütter Museum which includes anatomical and pathological specimens, wax models, and antique medical equipment. It is truly a unique complement that your guests can browse during cocktail hour!
If you’re looking for a beautiful open space with history, elegance, and a prime location look no further than the Curtis Atrium. We love the art-deco feel of this space and the natural light coming in through the skylights 12-stories above you. The Tiffany mural as you enter the building is stunning and the iconic waterfall in the ballroom is a unique feature that adds to the grand atmosphere of the room. This space feels glamorous and timeless at the same time!
Terrain Gardens at Devon Yard is a beautiful space perfect for couples who are looking for a venue that offers a blend of a horticultural and rustic setting that is beautiful just as it is with very little additional decor required. If you prefer, the space is so versatile you could also go all out and dress it up to make it your own, too! The venue is located right next to Terrain which is such a unique place to explore for photos with lush greenery and gardens. The menu here is full of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients which are so incredibly delicious. If you are looking for a unique location boasting a warm and inviting indoor/outdoor environment with very little extra decor required this is your place!
Thanks so much for reading! I hope this roundup gave you some inspiration when searching for a Philadelphia area wedding venue! Get in touch if you are looking for elegant, romantic, and timeless wedding images.
Adrienne, you’ve captured these venues so beautifully! What a great resource for couples searching for gorgeous wedding venues in the Philadelphia area! Amazing job!
What a wonderful roundup of some of the top wedding venues in the Philadelphia area! Beautiful pictures as always!
These are seriously some of the best Philadelphia wedding venues, especially for classic couples! Your style compliments each venue so well!