Our Top Garden Wedding Venues in the City

Philadelphia might be known for its history and skyline, but hidden within the city are gardens that feel like escapes. If you’ve ever imagined saying your vows surrounded by flowers, trees, and open skies, you don’t have to leave the city limits. Some of our favorite weddings have unfolded in these green spaces, and they prove again and again that Philly can be both urban and wildly romantic at the same time. Let’s get to our favorite garden wedding venues in Philadelphia.

Fairmount Park Horticulture Center

The Fairmount Park Horticulture Center is one of those venues that makes you forget you’re in the middle of a city. The greenhouse is filled with palms and tropical greenery, creating a backdrop that feels magical year round. Just outside, the reflecting pool and gardens frame ceremonies in a way that never needs extra decoration.

Inside the greenhouse, dinner and dancing glow under string lights and candles. It’s airy and elegant during the day and transforms into something warm and intimate at night. With so much space to work with, it’s a perfect choice for bigger weddings while still feeling deeply connected to nature.

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Bartram’s Garden

There’s something special about Bartram’s Garden. Maybe it’s the history, since it’s the oldest surviving botanical garden in the country, or maybe it’s the way the skyline peeks out just beyond the trees. Weddings here always feel tucked away and private even though you’re only minutes from downtown.

The lawns stretch down to the river, meadows bloom with wildflowers, and the paths wind through trees that have stood for centuries. Couples who choose Bartram’s often want that balance of nature and city, a setting that feels timeless and alive all at once. It’s the kind of place where every step offers another beautiful spot for photos.

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Morris Arboretum & Gardens

The Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania is perfect if you’re looking for variety. With 92 acres to explore, there are endless options for ceremonies and portraits. You might choose a rose garden surrounded by blooms or stand beneath tall trees that seem to frame the moment just for you. Every corner has its own charm.

Receptions at Morris Arboretum are often held under a tent with lights strung overhead, giving the night a glow that feels like a true garden party. Guests wander between fountains and sculptures while you take portraits in the evening light. It’s one of those venues where the whole day flows so naturally that you almost forget you’re at a wedding and not in your own private garden.

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Portico at Awbury Arboretum

Tucked into Germantown, the Awbury Arboretum feels like one of Philadelphia’s best hidden treasures. At its heart is Portico, the wedding space built around the historic Francis Cope House. The gardens, meadows, and porches give it the feeling of a relaxed countryside celebration without ever leaving the city.

Couples exchange vows under trees or on the lawn before moving into cocktail hour that feels like a garden party. Receptions flow under a tent while the Arboretum stretches all around. Portico is the kind of venue where every path and every stone wall feels like a backdrop waiting to be photographed. It’s classic and personal all at once.

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Glen Foerd

Perched on the Delaware River, Glen Foerd brings together the elegance of a historic estate with the romance of a garden. The mansion’s porches and verandas overlook lawns that stretch down to the water. It’s grand without being overwhelming, and the mix of architecture and greenery gives you the best of both worlds.

Ceremonies on the lawn feel classic, cocktail hour by the river is unforgettable, and receptions spill between the gardens and the mansion. Glen Foerd has this way of making guests feel like they’ve stepped into a private retreat, and it photographs beautifully in every season.

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Valley Green Inn

Nestled in Wissahickon Valley Park, the Valley Green Inn is a true woodland escape. The inn sits beside the creek and is surrounded by forest trails and meadows. It feels worlds away, yet it’s still in the city, which makes it a unique find for couples who love nature but want to stay close to home.

Ceremonies here often happen under the canopy of trees or right by the water. The inn itself has a cozy, historic feel that’s perfect for smaller, more intimate receptions. For portraits, the trails, bridges, and rushing creek create an endless list of spots that capture the quiet beauty of this setting.

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Choosing the Right Garden Venue

Each of these venues has its own personality. Some bring elegance and history, others lean into meadows or forest retreats. Think about the season, the size of your guest list, and the atmosphere that feels most like you. Do you imagine walking through a greenhouse filled with palms, or celebrating beside a river as the sun sets?

What they all share is that feeling of stepping into something timeless. A garden wedding in Philadelphia isn’t just about flowers and trees, it’s about slowing down and being surrounded by something alive. We’ve been lucky to capture so many celebrations in these spaces and each one has felt completely its own. If you’re planning your day, we’d love to show you what’s possible in the gardens of this city.