Unique Public Spaces to Host Your Pretty Pennsylvania Wedding

As wedding planning begins, the venue is at the top of the list. Past traditional ballrooms or banquet halls, Pennsylvania has many unique spaces to offer that you won’t even recognize once you add your special touch. Just like couples who get married on the beach, there are local areas that can provide a lot more magic than what might seem on the surface. Not only are these options cost-effective, but the variety is endless for your special day.

Pennsylvania’s natural beauty is always up for display and is a great backdrop for photos. Whether you're overlooking the misty mountains of Central Pennsylvania, fall foliage, snow-covered hills or blooming flowers of the spring, there are breathtaking views no matter the time of year.

Public parks and gardens allow for a variety in guest count, including a big gathering or more intimate celebration. There is no shortage of picturesque places to choose from throughout the state and you never know, there might be a park out there that matches your wedding style just right.

Some Pennsylvania parks and gardens that stand out as potential wedding venues are Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Tyler Arboretum in Media, Point State Park in Pittsburgh and Nockamixon State Park in Quakertown.

Pennsylvania’s weather can be unpredictable. A way to combat sudden rain or beating sun, while still enjoying the best parts of your day, is considering a covered pavilion to host your event. Providing a more centralized place to host rather than an open park, a pavilion can be the perfect place for your celebration.

Pavilions offer lots of potential to decorate however you choose and the location can be transformed into many different styles. Whether you're aiming for that classic rustic aesthetic, romantic ambience or somewhere in between, pavilions allow you to make all your wildest dreams come to life. They're also perfect when opting for a more simple design, if the over the top feel isn’t what you want.

Some available pavilions for rent might market themselves as a wedding venue and some might not, but it doesn't mean it can’t become one. A few that aren’t new to hosting events are River’s Edge Garden Pavilion, Four Season Pavilion in Beaver, The Willow House and Pavilion in Bolivar and any state park that has pavilions.

A place with rich history like Pennsylvania means there are also many historic sites and museums throughout the state that might be the perfect fit for your perfect day. Couples looking for a historic estate as their venue, but want a cheaper alternative, should check out these unique properties.

If you really want to showcase where you grew up, or appreciate the roots of where you found your soulmate, this is it. Historic venues hold much more character than the newly renovated ballroom and the old architecture can add to the grandeur of your photos. A museum can also offer outdoor grounds, giving you more choice between an indoor or outdoor celebration.

Fonthill Castle & Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Baker Mansion in Altoona, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Pearl S. Buck House in Perkasie are all historic sites that could be the one for your big day.

It can be hard to find the perfect venue when so many factors are involved, but looking past traditional ideas opens new possibilities to best celebrate your day of love. Public areas are also easier to visit ahead of time without appointment to see if it might work or not. There are pros and cons to every option, but that doesn’t mean Pennsylvania's parks don’t have beauty too.