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The results are in for the best Philadelphia wedding venue selections and PartySpace couples overwhelmingly chose garden wedding locations with substantial outdoor space but with options for an indoor celebration. From rustic restaurants to historic mansions, let’s get into it, starting with the most popular Philadelphia area wedding venue of 2022…
The Gables at Chadds Ford
Credit: Toni Marie Photo
The Gables at Chadds Ford is a restaurant, in the rolling hills of historic Brandywine Valley. In fact, it is the top Philadelphia, PA wedding venue of 2022 according to PartySpace visitors. This indoor/outdoor wedding venue boasts an outdoor ceremony garden. The rustic charm of the converted barn, is framed by an exposed timber beams, beautiful gabled ceiling, and a wall of French windows. It is perfect for an ambient wedding reception.
In addition, the second floor boasts a deck and bar. Located just outside of Philadelphia, this cozy banquet venue can accommodate up to 160 guests. It’s considered one of the best Chester County barn wedding venues around!
The fresh menu, grown in-house, is part of what guests love about The Gables at Chadds Ford. The Gables at Chadds Ford offers a full-service banquet of farm-to-table American cuisine. The terrace garden is perfect for your wedding reception or cocktail hour, decorated with a three-tier foundation and stone waterfall at the center.
“The Gables was my dream wedding venue from the first time I stepped foot in the building for dinner. With the rustic barn feel and coziness, I felt it was the perfect fit. Needless to say, the whole team was just that– a dream! Everything from our first tour, food tasting, weeks leading up and the day of was a great experience.
Kelly and her team were there for every question and every need we had. They guided us in each decision and were attentive to our needs. They really made my vision a reality. For example, we wanted to have a nontraditional dessert with apple cider donuts, cupcakes and apple crisp. They did an amazing job at making apple crisp in small mason jars! I am so happy to have said we got married at The Gables at Chadds Ford and this place will always hold a special place in our hearts!”
– Ariana
Moshulu
Credit: Moshulu
Philadelphia’s Tall Ship, Moshulu, is a stationary staple of Penn’s Landing and the second most popular Philadelphia wedding venue on PartySpace this year. This waterfront restaurant venue has it all. For example, Moshulu offers indoor space, private rooms, multiple decks, and an award-winning executive chef. In addition, it has a massive ballroom for up to 1500 guests, and spectacular waterfront views. In fact, Moshulu is considered as one of the best Philadelphia wedding venues with a view!
Moshulu was produced by Fearless Restaurants’s Marty and Sydney Grims. They are famous for Moshulu as well as other popular Pennsylvania restaurant wedding venues like White Dog Cafe, Autograph Brasserie, and Rosalie. Guests lavish praise on the cuisine as much as the views.
This Philadelphia landmark offers classic American cuisine using the finest local ingredients. Explore the Admiral’s Seafood Plateau menu for savory meals on the open-air deck. In fact, Moshulu offers a large variety of menu options and settings. Both are customized to the needs of your group and special occasion. For example, dine at the Captain’s table under the skylight and marvel at the lighted masts by night. Or explore any of the private dining rooms that can fit your unique needs. Moshulu hosts it all from small, intimate ceremonies to large wedding receptions.
“Moshulu was a fantastic venue for our wedding day. Chris Baldwin, the wedding sales manager, was very helpful and accommodating. We had our ceremony outside on the deck and because it was January, Moshulu provided complementary heat lamps to keep everyone warm. The temperature was very pleasant even though it was in the 20s that day. We had a very small wedding (just 10 guests plus the 2 of us) so we were able to use the Captain’s dining room for our meal. The server was very good at his job, attentive but not overbearing. The open bar and Moshulu’s cake added a nice touch to our meal. It was definitely nice to have these things included in our package so we had less to worry about. (We chose not to have a reception because we don’t dance but I’m sure they would have had a nice reception as well). Moshulu was great!”
– Amanda
John James Audubon Center
Credit: Sarah Alderman, AGP Collective
Timeless John James Audubon Center is nestled within 175 acres of foliage in Audubon, PA. It got rave reviews from visitors in 2022. Just a short drive from King of Prussia, PA, the rustic wedding venue includes an apple orchard, 19th-century fieldstone barn, and winding creek. In addition, the outdoor pavilion was recently constructed.
As a wedding venue, it has both indoor and outdoor settings. For instance, the climate-controlled barn and pavilion accommodates from 50 to 230 guests. It intricately sets the stage for any party size in between, any time of the year.
Furthermore, guests praise the spacious, secluded grounds as much as the Jeffrey A. Miller Catering staff itself. They are the ones who coordinate precious moments. In fact, they oversee everything from tours and tastings, until the happy couple sets off for their honeymoon.
However, beyond the remarkable catering, Audubon is a nonprofit nature center. The rustic venue is perfect for those seeking a fairytale wedding, green wedding, or unique photos. John James Audubon Center supports conservation in Mill Grove. In fact, it is located on a bird sanctuary and conducts education programs along with the National Audubon Society.
“With just under 7 days to go until the big day, my fiancé and I are extremely excited for our 10/16/2022 wedding at the John James Audubon Center. We absolutely fell in love with the grounds during our initial tour of the venue (just down the road from our favorite stores and restaurants in the King of Prussia area)! My fiancé and I wanted a blend of nature and rustic grounds, and this checked the boxes for every aspect of our wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.
We found the Pavilion alongside the main trail was perfect for our reception, with a beautiful fireplace behind the sweetheart table, lit outdoor space with a firepit, plenty of space for dancing and sleek vertically-opening doors that allow an entire wall of the space to open to the outside. We’ve worked with Desiree for the initial tour, Shannon and Bonnie for the initial booking/logistics & wonderful group tasting, and Kimberly for our specific event details. The staff at JJAC are all very kind, welcomed our questions along the way (even the dumb ones!), and displayed excellent response times.”
– Julia
Morris Arboretum
Credit: Grace D. Photography
The gardens at Morris Arboretum offer some of the most romantic backdrops for weddings in all of Philadelphia. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that couples ranked this idyllic garden wedding venue among the best of 2022. Morris Arboretum can accommodate up to 175 guests with both indoor and outdoor spaces including tented options. For example, choose between a reception inside the historic Carriage House, constructed in 1888, or have an outdoor cocktail hour. Alternatively, imagine celebrating among magnolia trees, cherry blossoms, witch-hazels, and conifers spanning 92 acres. In fact, these blooms create some of the most beautiful Morris Arboretum wedding photos. Furthermore, the entire property is available for exclusive rental.
Beyond the picturesque photo backdrops, ample free parking — rare in the city — and public visiting hours supports DIY wedding planning along with the accommodating arboretum staff. One guest raved about their Out on a Limb Treetop Experience. As part of Morris Arboretum’s Tree Adventure exhibit, you can perch 50 feet up in the treetops for once-in-a-lifetime views to host a dinner or cocktail reception. The Rose Garden is popular since it re-opened. Therefore, you may want to check their calendar and reserve a date before they are fully booked.
“We had our wedding reception at the Morris Arboretum, and it was perfect! It is a gorgeous setting for photos and guests to explore. While there are restrictions on time (it is a functional public Arboretum, after all) we found them to be very reasonable. Wedding access for photos and guests begins at 4 PM, and you get the tent area from 6 PM to midnight. We had no problems loading/unloading equipment and our vendors were able to set up without a hitch. Since the Arboretum is in a residential zone, they do have limits on noise level. You can have a live band or DJ, as long as they adhere to some rules on amplification. Our DJ was able to work with these limits and pulled off an awesome night of dancing.
Included in the rental are tables, chairs, a beautiful tent with ceiling fans and lights, full use of visitor center facilities (including a large changing room upstairs for the bridal party), space heaters, kitchen area for catering, and access to the entire garden for you and your guests. There’s ample free parking and an Arboretum staff member onsite the entire time. We were thrilled with our experience at the Arboretum, and would definitely recommend it for anyone who wants something unique for their wedding. Anyone can rent a hall or ballroom – but your guests won’t forget a night out under the stars, eating next to a canopy of trees, surrounded by the sights and smells of living, growing flowers and plants!”
– Jen
Aldie Mansion
Credit: Martin Reardon Photography
In beautiful Bucks County, Aldie Mansion comes highly recommended as one of the best wedding venues of 2022 by PartySpace visitors. This historic Doylestown event venue was built in 1927. However, it offers all of the amenities of a modern mansion with a touch of old world elegance. Perfect for large gatherings, the 2400-foot atrium encourages dancing and dining for parties up to 200 guests. However, for a more intimate occasion such as a micro wedding or elopement, you can choose between the library, great hall with original grand fireplaces, or outdoor terrace in this Bucks County wedding venue.
Renting Aldie Mansion for your wedding or special events grants exclusive access to the entire property and premier caterer Jeffrey A. Miller Catering. Want to feel like royalty on your wedding day? This Tudor-style estate is not an hour from Philadelphia, in nearby Bucks County. For historic elegance with contemporary amenities and menus, an abundance of both indoor and outdoor space, and professional service Aldie Mansion is one of the best wedding venues in Philadelphia area.
“Aldie Mansion was my dream venue. After looking unsuccessfully at venue after venue, the minute we stepped on Aldie’s beautifully manicured grounds, I knew this was the place we would be married. Everything about the mansion is unique. From the gardens and the large windows of the reception hall, to the Juliette balcony and bridal suite, to the library and the groom’s room, it was beyond perfect. The day of the wedding, Aldie and JAM (their exclusive caterer) exceeded our expectations in helping us create a wonderful bounty of delicious food, and a great time for all our guests. If you are looking for something beyond a hotel ballroom or banquet hall, Aldie can make your dreams come true!”
– Brianne
The Sage Farmhouse
Credit: The Sage Farmhouse
The Sage Farmhouse has been once again selected as one the most popular venues in the Philadelphia area! Located in Media, Pennsylvania, The Sage Farmhouse at Hillwood Farm is a historic rustic wedding venue built in 1785. This restored farmhouse boasts dreamy indoor and outdoor spaces, and tented options, including a brick courtyard and a hidden garden with a stunning fountain. The very first wedding at this venue was for owner Kim Fink’s eldest daughter. Being a family-owned venue, The Sage Farmhouse offers a personal touch.
The Sage Farmhouse is perfect for an intimate wedding or micro wedding with a maximum capacity of 70 guests. This rustic event venue is also a go-to event venue for bridal showers and other celebrations. With a wedding package, you may even hold your wedding ceremony on the property at no extra cost! With exclusive catering by Cricket Catering, rest assured you will have versatile, made-from-scratch, delicious menu that your wedding guests will be talking about for years to come.
“If you want a unique, classy and fun venue that is run by true hospitality professionals, I cannot recommend Sage Farmhouse highly enough as a wedding venue!! It’s small enough to keep things personal, unique enough to be remembered, the colors and outdoor foliage make for great pictures and the entire staff was awesome.
I was not the type of bride who spent her entire life planning her wedding, but I certainly knew what I wanted–a venue with a personality, one that reflected the style and personality of both me and my groom. No stuffy, run-of-the-mill ballroom affair for this bride and groom! Sage MORE than delivered. The venue is like no other. We received tons of guest compliments. I am SO HAPPY that we had our reception here. Highly recommended!”
– Sylvia
Appleford
Credit: Lindsey Ford Photography
A hidden gem on the Main Line, Appleford is well-regarded as one of the best Philadelphia venues of 2022 (and has been selected by PartySpace visitors every year since 2019). Located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, to reach this country estate you will enjoy the scenic views of a tree-lined drive before marveling at a pond and waterfall, woods, meadows, brick walkways, and fairytale gardens that can be viewed from every window of the house. While the maximum capacity for this indoor/outdoor space is 200, they are also able to host holiday parties, bridal showers, engagement parties, wine tastings and small events.
The 18th century fieldstone home sits on 24 carefully-maintained historic acres that hold an arboretum and bird sanctuary with a permanent tent for year-round events. There is a wealth of space to explore at Appleford and capture photos of cherished memories. You have the option of choosing from several top caterers and preferred vendors, and the Appleford staff has been hailed as responsive and professional throughout the planning process at this Main Line wedding venue.
“We live in NYC, and when we were looking for a location to host our engagement party, we wanted a change of scenery and location. Appleford was just what we were looking for. The beautiful 300-year old stone house was charming and unique, and the permanent tent provided a great space to host our event while overlooking the beautiful gardens and the pond. Laurie, the Director at Appleford, was such a pleasure to work with and made the planning process for the event so much more pleasant and fun. Our guests still talk about how unique and beautiful Appleford was. We feel lucky to have been able to host our event at such a historic venue and would highly recommend Appleford for your special event!”
– Shihan
Cairnwood Estate
Credit: Cairnwood Estate
Cairnwood Estate is one of the top Montgomery County wedding venues of 2022. Located in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, this Gilded Age mansion is just minutes from Bucks county and less than an hour’s drive to Philadelphia’s Center City. Only one reception is hosted at Cairnwood Estate per day which means you have exclusive access to the 26,000 square foot estate, terrace, and bordering gardens (with tenting options available for most of the year) with a 250-guest maximum (300 with tent). This wedding venue offers contemporary amenities including free parking and air conditioning for Pennsylvania summers, with additional upgrades available.
The centerpiece of the mansion is the Great Hall, a spacious and sunny room rising two stories and flanked by a wide and open staircase leading to the second-floor balcony. Three arched glass doors open onto the terrace and lawn beyond. All rooms are large, beautifully decorated, and include fireplaces.
“As soon as Shannon Walko opened the door to Cairnwood I knew it was the place I wanted to have my wedding. In the time between booking (future brides: book early, this place fills up especially on Saturdays for LITERALLY years at a time!) and the day of, as Shannon let us take 8000 private tours and answered all of our questions from the idiotic to the micromanagerial, I knew we had made the right decision.
When the big night we’d been planning for for what seemed like eternity finally arrived, we felt like gilded age millionaires throwing a party for all of our beautiful, fabulous friends (if only for one night!) and Shannon was there with her usual warm smile and kind words of congratulations to share in it with us. We could not be happier with or more grateful to our wonderful Cairnwood hosts, and plan to go back for as many events as we can as soon as we can. Bottom line: this place is a bit pricey, but worth every last penny. Cairnwood is unparalleled in its architectural beauty, fascinating history, consistent personal service, and seemingly endless photo opportunities.”
– Allie
The Farmhouse at People’s Light
Credit: The Farmhouse at People’s Light
A subsidiary of The People’s Light & Theatre Company, this 230-year-old landmark in Malvern, Pennsylvania is consistently rated as one of the best wedding venues of 2022. The Farmhouse at People’s Light is a restored 18th century farmhouse sitting on seven acres of country charm. With both indoor and outdoor spaces, The Farmhouse at People’s Light is able to accommodate up to 175 guests. Must-see spaces on the grounds include the farmhouse, 200-person ballroom, cathedral, indoor pavilion, converted barn theater which seats up to 350, and English gardens.
Wedding packages are all-inclusive at The Farmhouse, and you can even host your micro wedding for an intimate experience complete with ceremony and plated reception. And don’t miss out on the most unique amenity this wedding venue offers — free ticket vouchers for all guests for one performance at the People’s Light! It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most beloved Chester County wedding reception sites.
“Dawn, Richard, and their entire team were amazing to work with. We originally had plans to get married last year somewhere else and than the pandemic hit. Instead of going into the city, we wanted to stay local. Clear communication between Dawn and Richard the entire process. Anything that I could imagine, they made it happen. They kept me calm and reassured me even when we had small issues that had nothing to do with the venue. They were amazing to work with and such a beautiful venue.
I honestly wish I could’ve take a breath in and appreciated the amazing work they did. The food was amazing, the venue is beautiful, everything was wonderful. I could not appreciate them enough. We hope to come back for our vows renewal later on in life and I dearly hope that Dawn and Richard are still making dreams come true because the next people have a very impressive shoe to fit. Thank you Farmhouse at People’s Light for being such an amazing venue!”
– Quyen Trần
Curtis Arboretum
Photo: Curtis Arboretum / Jeffrey A. Miller Catering
Finally, Curtis Arboretum also stood out to PartySpace couples in 2022. In fact, it was awarded Best of 2021 for historic Philadelphia area venues. Located in Wyncote, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Curtis Arboretum is just five miles from Center City Philadelphia.
This indoor/outdoor space consists of Curtis Hall, the original 1893 estate ballroom. In addition, it includes the surrounding 47-acre arboretum which is suitable for up to 120 guests (or up to 175 with terrace and tent). Recently renovated, this wedding venue has added new bride and groom rooms, bathrooms, a wall mural, and paintings. Additionally, there are improvements to the parking lot and grounds for rave reviews.
Furthermore, Curtis Arboretum has been noted as an exceptionally pet-friendly wedding venue by PartySpace couples, with Curtis Dog Park on the lower level. Therefore, if you are looking for a venue with indoor and outdoor spaces, Curtis Arboretum was called “a total experience” in 2022.
“My fiancé and I searched high and low for the perfect venue in the PA/DE/MD area. We really wanted a venue that felt like a total experience for the evening. We certainly found that at Curtis Arboretum with the beautiful shady pergola for our ceremony, impressively manicured grounds for cocktail area, and spacious covered patio for dinner. Our favorite space is the indoor area for dancing– completely refinished with hand painted murals, herringbone flooring and a gorgeous ceiling.”
– Morgan
