Top 10 Outdoor Garden Venues Near Philadelphia
We’ve been wanting to share our favorite outdoor wedding venues near Philadelphia, but—spoiler alert—we have a lot of favorites. Philly is packed with a variety of options, including historic estates, rustic barns, and waterfront views. So, we decided to start with one of the most classic categories: garden venues. With their mix of greenery, open space, and a touch of elegance, these spots are perfect for an outdoor celebration. Here are a few of our top picks!
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Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, Philadelphia, PA
We’re going to start this off with a goodie – the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. We LOVE it here. Your ceremony and reception can take place in a lush greenhouse enveloped in vibrant, exotic plants or outside in the gardens, making this venue perfect for any weather situation. The park sits on 27 acres offering you an abundance of options for portraits. Our favorite feature is the reflecting pool which is an amazing spot for portraits or, better yet, the ceremony.
Insider Tip: When having your wedding in the greenhouse during peak summer months add fun ways to keep cool like chic paper fans or icy drinks served on the way into the ceremony.
See more from Lexi + Dan’s Horticulture Center wedding on the blog!
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Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, PA
If you’re looking for an outdoor wedding venue rich in natural history, this is it. Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia has it all – quiet garden trails, waterfront meadows, and 18th century architecture. The garden houses a huge variety of flora and fauna including the oldest trees in Philadelphia. The reception will take place in a tent overlooking a beautiful meadow. In all honesty, it’s possibly the most nature-immersed wedding space in Philadelphia. If all of that wasn’t enough, it has a fantastic view of the Philly skyline.
Insider tip: Bartram’s is home to the oldest living ginkgo tree in the United States. Be sure to pay homage to this legend!
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The John James Audubon Center, Audubon, PA
If you would classify yourself as a “relaxed bride” you’re going to want to take a serious look at John James Audubon Center. I’m not sure if it’s the serene natural aura or the amazing staff but weddings here always feel so effortless. The ground’s greenery extends in all directions meaning that no matter if you go simple or extravagant with your florals the space will look amazing. John James Audubon Center offers something we have never seen at any other venue – an owl appearance at your cocktail hour. When we met Owen the Owl we immediately texted the owl lover in our family all the details.
Insider Tip: Ask the caterer to make you a plate of cocktail hour apps and sneak away for a few minutes after the ceremony to sit on the back porch overlooking the meadow (and, of course, take a few golden hour shots while you’re there).
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Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia, PA
Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia has this magical ability to make you feel like a kid again. The grounds are a mix of wild forest groves of unique tree species and formal gardens. One of five stunning ceremony spaces is in a garden featuring a fountain and stone stage. The other four locations are riddled about the lush 92 acres. All of that being said, our favorite part might just have to be the cocktail space. Before entering your tented reception space, your guests will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvre in the treetops surrounded by towering limbs. There is even fun lounging nets if anyone is so daring.
Insider tip: Don’t miss the Katsura tree, it’s the largest of its kind inNorth America and it makes a great shade canopy on a sunny day.
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Curtis Arboretum, Wyncote, PA
There is soooo much to love about this charming outdoor wedding venue. The grounds at Curtis Arboretum are reminiscent of an English estate with stone walkways and patios overlooking the gardens and a sprawling meadow. Something we really love about Curtis Arboretum is how cohesive everything feels. The ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception spaces all flow together seamlessly to create a cozy, intimate feel. Inside you’ll find romantic fresco murals lining the walls creating the perfect setting for your first dance before your outdoor reception.
Insider Tip: Try to line your cocktail hour up with the hour before sunset. That way, when you transition into the reception space the golden light will be falling just as the twinkle lights come on.
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Terrain at Styer’s, Glen Mills, PA
When looking up outdoor wedding venues near Philadelphia, the name Terrain pops up a lot – and for good reason. Their venues are beautiful and they offer three different locations to choose from. Terrain at Styer’s in Glen Mills is the company’s flagship location. Start off your day the cottage core way by getting ready in the Mushroom House. It is absolutely adorable inside and will give you all the fairy vibes you’re looking for. Your ceremony space is thoughtfully adorned by a unique trestle and nestled in the middle of five acres full of ever changing blooms and greenery.
Insider tip: Their bread baked in clay pots is a guest favorite.
Check out a full Terrain at Styer’s wedding on the blog!
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Winterthur Museum, Winterthur, DE
If you’ve been typing “Bridgerton wedding venue” into your pinterest, you’re going to want to look at Winterthur in Delaware. The grounds feel like a royal castle with unique garden displays and lovely architecture around every corner. You’ll get to share a moment to yourselves in the Kissing Tower before entering the open and airy ceremony space with an ornate stone patio and backdrop of lush greenery. Afterwards, enjoy cocktail hour with your loved ones around the reflection pool in the garden.
Insider tip: Choose vendors who have worked here before. It’s very spread out and it’s tricky if you don’t plan for the additional time that is needed to move between locations.
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Glen Foerd, Philadelphia, PA
Glen Foerd has been one of our favorite Philadlephia wedding venues from the very start. Not only is it unique being the only waterfront estate wedding venue in Philadelphia, it’s just downright beautiful. Our favorite thing about Glen Foerd is that the weather doesn’t matter because photos inside the mansion are just as pretty as outside. In addition to the sun room, gallery, and grand staircase, this venue has one of the best wedding suites we’ve seen. It is a spacious two rooms and absolutely gorgeous inside. Once you’re ready, your ceremony will take place right on the Delaware River, overlooking the passing sailboats. The cocktail hour flows inside and out where guests can visit the art gallery on the top floor of the historic mansion or drink cocktails in the garden. The tented reception opens up onto a patio where guests can enjoy late night s’mores. Glen Foerd checks all the boxes and the staff is amazing to work with.
Insider tip: Add the extra time so that you can get dressed in the wedding suite. The photos we get during this time are incredible.
Check out a full Glen Foerd wedding here on the blog!
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Parque Ridley Creek, Glen Mills, PA
One word that comes to mind when I think of Parque is romantic. The estate was given as an engagement gift in 1789 so it now being a wedding venue feels like cosmic fate. Parque is located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s 2600-acre Ridley Creek State Park and it’s got everything – fountains, manicured gardens, flagstone patios, a reflection pool, a ballroom, a stone mansion. I mean what else could you ask for? One thing that makes this venue stand out is the unique architecture throughout. The archways, outcoves, and balconies (to name a few) are a photographer’s dream.
Insider Tip: Have your florist leave your ceremony flowers up until you can circle back and grab a portrait on the steps after you say I do. It’s so worth it.
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Hotel du Village, New Hope PA
We can’t say enough good things about Hotel Du Village in New Hope, Pennsylvania. It has French chateau vibes and everywhere you turn there is a gorgeous garden. Weddings here tend to feel romantic and elevated, yet relaxed. The pond is a great place to share a quiet moment before you walk down the aisle. Cocktail hour is on the back patio with fire pits and flows into the classy piano bar. Every wedding we’ve photographed here has been stunning.
Inside tip: book the entire space for your wedding so you don’t have to share.
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Grace Winery, Glen Mills, PA
Alright, I know we said top 10 but we just couldn’t leave this one out. Grace Winery is one of our absolute favorite outdoor wedding venues in the area. It’s not necessarily a garden but a vineyard is close enough right?
The Inn at Grace Winery in Glen Mills is a unique choice because it perfectly blends romance and playfulness. The vineyard is an intimate get away for the couple while the barn and animals create a fun rustic feel. The aisle is a dramatic set of stairs cascading down from the red barn to the base of a gorgeous amphitheater surrounded by trees where the ceremony takes place. Our favorite part about Grace Winery is all of the different experiences you can have. For instance, you can hold your rehearsal dinner in the vineyard or have wine harvested and made on site served at your reception. Additionally, your closest friends and family can stay on the property in the cottages and historic inn and have an entire weekend to hang out, swim, play bocce, and sip wine in the vineyard.
Insider tip: Ask for carrots to feed Bishop the horse and Rosy the mule. Do this after your ceremony as they sometimes get a little nosey (and try to eat your bouquet, haha).
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Having trouble choosing which Philadelphia outdoor garden wedding venue is for you?
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Consider these two factors to help you decide…
