Do you find yourself scrolling through Instagram posts of weddings that all look the same? Are you searching for a venue both meaningful and unconventional for your special day? Luckily, we thought of some for you! Keep reading to see our Top 10 List of unique Pennsylvania wedding venues sure to make your day special and leave your guests saying “Wow!”
1. State Parks
Pennsylvania is known for its rolling hills and its mesmerizing natural landscapes, so why not use them as the backdrop for your love story? According to the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, almost all state parks in Pennsylvania offer space for wedding ceremonies and events, and some even offer full service wedding packages. Before scheduling, however, you must get pre-approval from the park office.
Some personal favorites of PA Wedding Guide include: Cherry Springs State Park, The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park and Ohiopyle State Park. Cherry Springs is one of the best places on the East Coast for stargazing, quite a romantic post-ceremony activity enjoyable for all. The Nature Inn offers convenient on-site lodging for guests while ensuring a scenic wedding location with a gorgeous lake setting. Ohiopyle offers a plethora of location options, including a scenic mountain overlook, beautiful waterfalls and its infamous Riverside Flat Rocks.
Carly D’Angelo of Wild North Weddings
2. Planetariums
Want an out-of-this-world venue, (the pun was too good to pass up) but don’t want an outdoor wedding? Consider one of the 15 planetariums in Pennsylvania to host your ceremony or late-night star viewing for guests. Picture your procession illuminated by the stars of the Milky Way while a dreamy, orchestral melody plays in the background. You step up to the altar where your lover awaits, starry-eyed. After the I-dos, you and your guests celebrate in the larger museum gallery space, enjoying Glenn Miller’s so-called Moonlight Cocktail (or mocktail, for younger guests) before sneaking back into the planetarium for a late-night showing to end your day with a bang. The best part? No bug bites at the end of the night!
Neag Planetarium Wedding | Amy Stauffer of Life Story Photography
3. Zoos
This is for all the animal lovers out there. Plenty of Pennsylvania zoos offer lovely wedding environments that seamlessly blend animal encounters and classy, intimate indoor ceremonies for an event enjoyable for all ages. If you’re looking for a smaller zoo venue, check out Elmwood Park Zoo, a nonprofit organization in Norristown, PA. They offer five different rentable locations, including an entire zoo rental and a Beer Garden. Guests can add on animal meet and greets, giraffe feedings and carousel rides to their package for some extra fun. If you’re looking for a bigger location, check out the Philadelphia Zoo with its signature Tiger Catwalk or the Pittsburgh Zoo and its beautiful National Aviary. Whatever vibe you’re going for, a Pennsylvania zoo is sure to make your wedding memorable.
Elmwood Park Zoo Wedding | Rebecca Barger of Rebecca Barger Photography
4. Amusement Parks
Wait, you can get married in an amusement park? Yes, luckily enough for all you thrill seekers out there, amusement park weddings are an actual thing, and plenty of Pennsylvania parks are hopping on the wedding trend. If you’re looking for a fun post-ceremony outing, consider getting married in one of Hershsey’s many wedding locales and moving the evening party to Hershey Park. For die-hard amusement park junkies, consider tying the knot at Kennywood, a National Historic Landmark which offers wedding ceremony rentals with catered picnic food. Couples can even say their vows right before the roller coaster takes off, a unique take on the newlywed sendoff. Just remember to keep all arms, legs and wedding trains in the vehicle at all times!
Hershey Park | Justin Ward of Justin Ward Photography
5. Museums
By far the most jaw-dropping photos in this list capture the purple-hazed wedding setup at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Museums are often overlooked because of their reputation as boring, dull places. However, they boast some of the most beautiful, natural decorations for events, and the Franklin Institute is a prime example. Get married in their planetarium, which offers a plethora of stary images. If you’re looking for the real deal, consider exchanging vows on their rooftop deck while the moon illuminates the night. More of a history buff? Host your reception in front of the giant Benjamin Franklin statue in the museum entryway. If you’re looking for a more colorful venue, check out Randyland Art Museum in Pittsburgh, with its compelling streetscapes that offer an industrial setting with vivid imagery. Couples can get married there and move their reception to another popular Pittsburgh museum, The Mattress Factory, or other Pittsburgh wedding locales, many of which are mentioned in this post.
Franklin Institute Wedding | Philip Gabriel Photography
6. Historical Landmarks
One of the perks of living in a state founded in the 18th century is the number of historical landmarks you can find at every corner. Luckily, many of these are still in working condition, and offer event rentals ideal for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Some notable options include the observation deck atop the Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh, Old Main in State College and Stotesbury Mansion in Philadelphia, which was fittingly built as a wedding present in 1870. If you want a timeless wedding that reflects you and your partner’s unending love for each other, a historical landmark may be the perfect venue for you.
Duquesne Incline Wedding | Kristen Wynn of Kristen Wynn Photography
7. Sports Stadiums
For all you couples who are sports Phanatics out there (get it?), you may consider getting married in your favorite sports stadiums around Pennsylvania. If you’re a fan of the Fightin ‘Phils, rent space in Citizens Bank Park, which offers both indoor and outdoor locales. Not a fan of Philly sports? Don’t worry, Pittsburgh fans. Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, offers many wedding packages. You can even get married right on the field! If you enjoy Winter sports more, PGH Arena also boosts a variety of rooms available for wedding receptions. In general, most sports stadiums host wedding events, so if you have a favorite arena in mind, call to ask them!
Citizens Bank Park Wedding | Chelsea Fluharty from Chelsea Fluharty Photography
8. Gardens
If you love flora and fauna, there may be no wedding venue that tops the beautiful backdrop of some of Pennsylvania’s most iconic outdoor locales. Longwood Gardens, located in Chester County, offers various spaces to rent, the biggest with a 1,000 person capacity for a reception-style event. Say “I do” among the flowers and stars at this 1,100 acre gem. If you’re looking for a smaller wedding, consider the historic Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh or the Penn State Arboretum in State College. Both places offer wedding services on a smaller, more intimate scale, but with plenty of picturesque views. Just remember to bring your allergy medication!
Longwood Gardens Wedding | Kir Tuben of Kir2ben Photography
9. Eco-Friendly
Number nine on our list pays homage to all of the small-town operations around Pennsylvania that offer more affordable, sustainable and local wedding venues. An area close to our hearts is RE Farm Cafe, located in State College. RE Farm offers a restaurant and farm space for every part of your wedding day, including catering with farm-fresh, delicious food. Some other venues include Historic Ashland, located in York County and 100% solar-powered, and The Pump House in Bloomsburg, an establishment dedicated to becoming a carbon neutral facility. If you and your partner have a proverbial green thumb and an eco-friendly venue is vital to your wedding experience, these sites may be the ones for you.
RE Farm Café Wedding | Jana Scott of Jana Scott Photography
10. On The Water
Our last venue idea gives you the chance to reenact that famous Titanic scene (*swoon*) while celebrating your nuptials in a more intimate setting. Located on one of Pittsburgh’s famous rivers, the Gateway Clipper offers a beautiful backdrop as you cruise around Steel City. If you’re looking for a quieter water area, consider the Victorian Princess on Lake Erie. This 120-capacity boat is powered by two paddle wheels and has three levels. Get seasick but love the aesthetic of getting married on the water? Check out The Estuary, a beautiful floating dock located in Philadelphia. Your guests can bust some moves on its modest, open-space dance floor or go on rotating boat rides on the dock’s signature wooden boat. Either way, the space is sure to impress and make your day one to remember.
Gateway Clipper Wedding | Jill Gearhart of Jill Gearhart Photography
While compiling research and venues for this post, it became clear that you can basically hold a wedding ceremony anywhere. Since Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of states that offers a self-uniting marriage license, you technically only need two witnesses and notably no officiant to be legally married. If you choose this route, it means you can get married wherever your heart desires! Hopefully this list has shown you that the sky’s the limit when it comes to wedding venues in Pennsylvania. Whether you take advantage of the natural geographical features or the various industrial cities, the perfect wedding venue for you can be found here.
Simply dive into the comprehensive venue filtering system on PA Wedding Guide to discover these one-of-a-kind venues for your special day!
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