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The Fairmount Park Horticultural Center. Image credit: Stephen Starr Events
The Fairmount Park Horticultural Center. Image credit: Stephen Starr Events

23 Amazing Venues for Your Non-Country Club Wedding

By Julie Davis
8 comments / new
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The Fairmount Park Horticultural Center. Image credit: Stephen Starr Events
By Julie Davis
8 comments / new

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Between budget constraints and the guest list, wedding planning can get downright ugly. Presented in alphabetical order, these 23 Philadelphia-area wedding venues can prettify even the unholiest of nuptial melodramas, whether you're seeking a historical setting, a waterfront ceremony, or something a little quirkier.

Update for June 2014: Be sure to check out our updated map for 2014!


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Andalusia

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With its sprawling lawns and manicured gardens, Andalusia is like something out of a fairytale; but the cost of holding a wedding at this historic waterfront property will bring you back to reality.
1237 State Road, Bensalem, PA 19020
(215) 245-5479
(215) 245-5479

Bartram's Garden

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Tie the knot among garden grounds that once inspired luminaries like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.
54th St. and Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 729-5281
(215) 729-5281

Christ Church

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Founded in 1695, Christ Church was sanctum to parishioners Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross. Franklin is buried in its burial grounds, three blocks from the church.
20 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 922-1695
(215) 922-1695

Belmont Mansion

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The grounds of this eighteenth-century, Palladian-style mansion offer an awesome view of the Philly skyline.
2000 Belmont Mansion Dr, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 878-8844
(215) 878-8844

College of Physicians of Philadelphia

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A chance at an after-hours tour of the Mütter Museum will make it a little easier to endure longwinded wedding vows.
19 S 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-3737
(215) 563-3737

Colonial Dames

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Tucked away on Latimer Street, the NSCDA's headquarters is one of Philadelphia's oldest colonial buildings.
1630 Latimer St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 735–6737
(215) 735–6737

Curtis Arboretum

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Once the "music room" of the Curtis estate, Curtis Hall sits on a 45-acre arboretum in Wyncote.
1250 Church Road, Wyncote, PA 19095
(215) 885-2428
(215) 885-2428

Fairmount Park Horticultural Center

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Want to dance under the moonlight in this popular Fairmount Park greenhouse? Better get in line—so does everyone else.
North Horticultural Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131
(267) 886-1472
(267) 886-1472

The Franklin Institute

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Ben Franklin knows that's your third piece of wedding cake. Ben Franklin approves.
222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 448-1200
(215) 448-1200

Glen Foerd Mansion

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This Victorian mansion houses an art gallery featuring works by Rembrandt, Monet, and van Gogh.
5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 11914
(215) 632-5330
(215) 632-5330

Hunting Hill Mansion at Ridley Creek State Park

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Ridley Creek State Park is home to Hunting Hill Mansion, an English-Tudor style mansion-house that sits on 2,000 acres of lawn and forest.
1023 Sycamore Mills Road, Media, PA 19063
(610) 892-3908
(610) 892-3908

Mask and Wig Clubroom

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Part ski lodge, part reception hall, the Mag and Wig Clubroom comes complete with dark wood paneling, a baby grand piano, a bar and fireplace, and antler chandeliers.
310 S 36th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 923-4229
(215) 923-4229

Morris Arboretum

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Part of UPenn, the Morris Arboretum is a 92-acre historic public garden near Chestnut Hill.
100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-5777
(215) 247-5777

Moshulu

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This floating restaurant in Penn's Landing doubles as the world's largest four-masted sailing ship still afloat.
401 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 923-2500
(215) 923-2500

Also featured in:

Philadelphia City Hall

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If the thought of place cards and entertaining distant relatives is enough to give you hives, consider a quickie marriage at City Hall.
1 Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 686-0321
(215) 686-0321

Also featured in:

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

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Get hitched within Isaiah Zagar's iconic labyrinth of mirror mosaics and sculptures.
1020 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 733-0390
(215) 733-0390

Physick House

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Physick House appeals to history buffs as the only freestanding Federal townhouse remaining in the Society Hill section of the city.
321 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA
(610) 316-6272
(610) 316-6272

Powel House

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Purchased in 1769 by wealthy colonials Samuel and Elizabeth Willing Powel, the Powel House hosted notable figures like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and John Adams.
244 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 627-0364
(215) 627-0364

Ridgeland Mansion

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The proceeds from renting Ridgeland Mansion benefit the Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia.
4200 Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131
(267) 297-0125
(267) 297-0125

Stotesbury Mansion

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During the Prohibition, the owners of this Rittenhouse Square mansion installed a mirror maze and hidden doors to divert authorities from their wild parties.
1923 Walnut St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
(215) 567-2910
(215) 567-2910

Terrain at Styer's

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URBN Inc.'s garden brand, Terrain, is a fitting backdrop for the DIY/garden wedding aesthetic.
914 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342
(610) 459-2400
(610) 459-2400

Water Works Restaurant & Lounge

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Between the bride and groom and views of the Schuylkill River, Boathouse Row, and the Art Museum, guests will have plenty to ogle.
640 Water Works Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 236-9000
(215) 236-9000

The Woodlands

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Embrace the good vibes of over 30,000 deceased well-wishers.
4000 Woodland Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 386-2181
(215) 386-2181

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Andalusia

1237 State Road, Bensalem, PA 19020
With its sprawling lawns and manicured gardens, Andalusia is like something out of a fairytale; but the cost of holding a wedding at this historic waterfront property will bring you back to reality.
1237 State Road, Bensalem, PA 19020
(215) 245-5479
(215) 245-5479

Bartram's Garden

54th St. and Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143
Tie the knot among garden grounds that once inspired luminaries like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.
54th St. and Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 729-5281
(215) 729-5281

Christ Church

20 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Founded in 1695, Christ Church was sanctum to parishioners Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross. Franklin is buried in its burial grounds, three blocks from the church.
20 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 922-1695
(215) 922-1695

Belmont Mansion

2000 Belmont Mansion Dr, Philadelphia, PA
The grounds of this eighteenth-century, Palladian-style mansion offer an awesome view of the Philly skyline.
2000 Belmont Mansion Dr, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 878-8844
(215) 878-8844

College of Physicians of Philadelphia

19 S 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
A chance at an after-hours tour of the Mütter Museum will make it a little easier to endure longwinded wedding vows.
19 S 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-3737
(215) 563-3737

Colonial Dames

1630 Latimer St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Tucked away on Latimer Street, the NSCDA's headquarters is one of Philadelphia's oldest colonial buildings.
1630 Latimer St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 735–6737
(215) 735–6737

Curtis Arboretum

1250 Church Road, Wyncote, PA 19095
Once the "music room" of the Curtis estate, Curtis Hall sits on a 45-acre arboretum in Wyncote.
1250 Church Road, Wyncote, PA 19095
(215) 885-2428
(215) 885-2428

Fairmount Park Horticultural Center

North Horticultural Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Want to dance under the moonlight in this popular Fairmount Park greenhouse? Better get in line—so does everyone else.
North Horticultural Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131
(267) 886-1472
(267) 886-1472

The Franklin Institute

222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Ben Franklin knows that's your third piece of wedding cake. Ben Franklin approves.
222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 448-1200
(215) 448-1200

Glen Foerd Mansion

5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 11914
This Victorian mansion houses an art gallery featuring works by Rembrandt, Monet, and van Gogh.
5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 11914
(215) 632-5330
(215) 632-5330

Hunting Hill Mansion at Ridley Creek State Park

1023 Sycamore Mills Road, Media, PA 19063
Ridley Creek State Park is home to Hunting Hill Mansion, an English-Tudor style mansion-house that sits on 2,000 acres of lawn and forest.
1023 Sycamore Mills Road, Media, PA 19063
(610) 892-3908
(610) 892-3908

Mask and Wig Clubroom

310 S 36th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Part ski lodge, part reception hall, the Mag and Wig Clubroom comes complete with dark wood paneling, a baby grand piano, a bar and fireplace, and antler chandeliers.
310 S 36th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 923-4229
(215) 923-4229

Morris Arboretum

100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118
Part of UPenn, the Morris Arboretum is a 92-acre historic public garden near Chestnut Hill.
100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-5777
(215) 247-5777

Moshulu

401 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
This floating restaurant in Penn's Landing doubles as the world's largest four-masted sailing ship still afloat.
401 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 923-2500
(215) 923-2500

Philadelphia City Hall

1 Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA 19102
If the thought of place cards and entertaining distant relatives is enough to give you hives, consider a quickie marriage at City Hall.
1 Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 686-0321
(215) 686-0321

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

1020 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Get hitched within Isaiah Zagar's iconic labyrinth of mirror mosaics and sculptures.
1020 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 733-0390
(215) 733-0390

Physick House

321 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA
Physick House appeals to history buffs as the only freestanding Federal townhouse remaining in the Society Hill section of the city.
321 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA
(610) 316-6272
(610) 316-6272

Powel House

244 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Purchased in 1769 by wealthy colonials Samuel and Elizabeth Willing Powel, the Powel House hosted notable figures like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and John Adams.
244 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 627-0364
(215) 627-0364

Ridgeland Mansion

4200 Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131
The proceeds from renting Ridgeland Mansion benefit the Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia.
4200 Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131
(267) 297-0125
(267) 297-0125

Stotesbury Mansion

1923 Walnut St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
During the Prohibition, the owners of this Rittenhouse Square mansion installed a mirror maze and hidden doors to divert authorities from their wild parties.
1923 Walnut St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
(215) 567-2910
(215) 567-2910

Terrain at Styer's

914 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342
URBN Inc.'s garden brand, Terrain, is a fitting backdrop for the DIY/garden wedding aesthetic.
914 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342
(610) 459-2400
(610) 459-2400

Water Works Restaurant & Lounge

640 Water Works Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Between the bride and groom and views of the Schuylkill River, Boathouse Row, and the Art Museum, guests will have plenty to ogle.
640 Water Works Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 236-9000
(215) 236-9000