Discover Philadelphia wedding venues with tents, how our list of event spaces can help your search, and match you with your dream location.
Outdoor wedding venues are the best option when your wedding planning needs to be flexible. No matter the party size, at an outdoor wedding venue there is always room for an extra seat.
If you’re looking for an outdoor event space, “does this wedding venue offer a tent?” is the first question you should ask. And if they don’t, your second question should be, “Can they?” Here are our favorite Philadelphia area wedding venues that permit tents on their grounds.
9 Events Spaces With Tents
HollyHedge Estate
Photo by Tree of Life Films and Photography
HollyHedge Estate Bed & Breakfast in New Hope, Pennsylvania opens up its a private, 18th Century estate to weddings and events. The Bucks County venue features more than 21 acres of lush gardens and grounds for outdoor weddings, including historic fieldstone buildings, a traditional stone barn, and a reception facility accommodating 200 guests with 15 on-site guest rooms. HollyHedge has a tent that is not a permanent structure but couples may request it. In fact, they are not charging a fee for it during COVID-19.
Fairmount Park Horticulture Center
Not only does Fairmount Park Horticulture Center have a captivating year-round expansive green house, modern exhibition hall, and intimate spaces inside but it offers outdoor gathering areas, display gardens, a reflecting pool, and more. Its outdoor options allow for large scale events for exceptional weddings your guests will remember for many many years to come.
Hill-Physick House
Imagine your wedding at Hill-Physick House, dating back to 1786 and located just three blocks south of Independence Mall. The grounds of the four story Federal style building has a winding path and grotto, and large city garden featuring plants popular in the 19th century. The garden can accommodate up to 100 guests with a tent. In fact, a tent is required for all outdoor gatherings over 50 seated, or 75 standing, in case of inclement weather.
In addition, while there is no dancing permitted inside the historic house, dancing is allowed in the garden. And if all of this isn’t exciting enough, your site rental costs contribute to a greater purpose – it helps them operate the nonprofit that runs the historic house museums.
Drexelbrook
Whether your celebration is at Drexelbrook or your backyard wedding is catered by Drexelbrook, you will feel safe and taken care of. In addition to indoor weddings and receptions, they offer outdoor events up to 125 guests. Outdoor spaces include the brand new Streetlight Kitchen & Bar patio with views of nature and the creek, the West Terrace, and under the Greek Revival porte-cochère. Drexelbrook has an in-house tent that couples may rent.
Franklin Commons
Host the perfect outdoor event at Franklin Commons. Events of up to 125 people can be hosted in one of its outdoor venue spaces. In fact, multiple outdoor spaces are available! Franklin Commons outdoor spaces combine an art gallery, an eclectic sculpted garden, and a landscaped outdoor ceremony courtyard with a soothing water feature.
Bolingbroke
Just off the back terrace of Bolingbroke, you will find gardens of seasonal flowers, lush plants, evergreens and towering trees. The memorial garden in the rear lawn features a stone stairway situated among shaded trees and foliage. The spacious brick-paved covered patio is flanked by pillars and a beautiful stone ivy covered wall that overlooks the spacious manicured lawn and garden. Tenting is available upon request.
James A. Michener Museum
In addition to this historic Bucks County wedding venue’s indoor spaces such as the Edgar N. Putnam Event Pavilion and Grand Entrance Hall, there is a beautiful outdoor space, Patricia D. Pfundt Sculpture Garden. Just outside of its art galleries, James A. Michener Museum’s 4500 square foot outdoor courtyard space is perfect for ceremonies and receptions.
The sculpture garden features a tranquil reflecting pool set against majestic stone walls that illuminate at night. The terrace can allow a tent up to 40′ x 60′.
Ballroom at Ellis Preserve
Set on a nature preserve and arboretum, The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve is able to put up its in-house tent as needed. The tent is 40′ x 100′ with sides, string lighting, and fans. In fact, the venue also provides generators for lights, a DJ, and bands.
The Gables at Chadds Ford
Surrounded by historic grounds and architecture, The Gables at Chadds Ford boasts beautiful spacious gardens and a rustic barn dating back to 1897. In addition, their open air terrace–accented with seasonal gardens, a peaceful waterfall and a three-tier fountain–allows for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. The terrace may be tented for inclement weather.
Not only does The Gables at Chadds Ford have a tent upon request, they work closely with a tent rental company for those looking for additional coverage.
While these venues do not have a permanent tent (yet), rest assured they have an outstanding relationship with a tent rental, have one on site to utilize or they allow couples to work with a tent vendor.
Would you prefer a wedding venue with a permanent tent? Good news, there are so many more outdoor wedding venues in the Philadelphia area to consider! And here is some advice for planning.
