The perfect wedding venue varies from couple to couple, but finding the right place for you is essential. Your venue sets the tone and theme for your entire wedding and in many ways, the venue you choose can make or break your entire experience. The venue’s style, ceremony options, staff, and location all have an impact on your planning process. Let’s check out some of the most sought after luxury wedding venues in the Philadelphia metro area.

As a seasoned luxury wedding photographer based in Wilmington, DE, I’ve had the pleasure of photographing plenty of luxury venues in and around Philadelphia. Fun fact: I’m only about a 30 minute drive from center city Philly!

Here are a handful of my favorites. 

Appleford Estate: The Perfect Garden Party Wedding

Location: Villanova, PA

No Philadelphia wedding guide would be complete without giving the Appleford Estate a mention. Situated in the heart of Villanova, the Appleford Estate has 40 years of wedding experience under their belt, winning award after award in the wedding category. 

READ: SUMMER GARDEN PARTY WEDDING AT APPLEFORD ESTATE

The estate is nestled among 24 acres of carefully manicured gardens, woodlands, and meadows—perfect for capturing those intimate first-look shots. Whether you’re looking to tie the knot outdoors in the midst of the blooming flowers and lush greenery, or you’d prefer to say “I do” in the charming 300-year-old house in the heart of the estate, this enchanting setting is perfect for your wedding in the suburbs of Philly. 

The Franklin Institute: Science Meets Elegance

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Who doesn’t want to get married under the stars? The Franklin Institute sits right in downtown Philadelphia and easily tops my list as the most unique wedding destination (it’s a photographer’s dream to shoot!). You can tie the knot—quite literally—beneath the stars in The Fels Planetarium or celebrate on the rooftop deck with a view of Ben Franklin Parkway. This place is truly one of a kind.

Getting married in a museum means endless photo opportunities, but the real star (pun intended) of the Franklin Institute is the planetarium. Whether you’re saying your vows under the Milky Way, cozying up beside the moon, or soaking in a view of the solar system, trust me—the photos will be out of this world.

Brb while I sit here and daydream about all the different Star Wars themed weddings you could pull off in this otherworldly setting. Sigh.

Parque Ridley Creek: English Tudor Style Venue

Location: Media, PA

What’s more dreamy than an English garden wedding? Parque is home to an English Tudor stone building located in the heart of Ridley Creek State Park and another one of Philly’s incredible wedding venues that is an absolute pleasure to photograph.

The same firm that created Central Park designed the gardens at Parque over 100 years ago, resulting in endless intimate outdoor spaces, each with its own unique charm. The old mansion itself wouldn’t look out of place in a Harry Potter film, with endless staircases, stone archways, and candlelit dining tables—perfect for magical shots with your new spouse. 

The Lake House Inn: Waterfront Wedding Venue

Location: Perkasie, PA

The Lake House Inn is a European-inspired lake house on Lake Nockamixon’s waterfront. Once a private residence, the Inn now stands as one of Pennsylvania’s best wedding locations.

The historical inn offers views across the lake and surrounding woodlands—a truly peaceful location, a short drive from New York and Philadelphia. With endless reception rooms, a wine cellar, manicured lawns, and beautiful gardens that overlook the water, it’s one of my favorite wedding venues in the Philadelphia area to shoot, whatever the season. We celebrated a storybook romance between Sara and Jacob as they tied the knot here this past November. I’m still obsessing over their gallery!

Hotel du Village: French Countryside Style Venue

Location: New Hope, PA

Previously a schoolhouse, the Hotel du Village is now an event venue with a French twist. As you enter the property, you’re transported from Pennsylvania to a French country estate. With French-style gardens, towering oak trees, and a stream, the gardens are perfect for an outdoor wedding, whatever the season. The venue can host you, your guests, and your wedding party within it’s 29 luxury guest rooms, making Hotel du Village a destination getaway.

The Hotel du Village states on their site that they have “limitless photo backdrops,” and they’re not lying—the grounds are perfect for romantic wedding photos you’ll cherish for decades to come. 

Holly Hedge Estate: Family Owned Wedding Venue

Location: New Hope, PA

While many large luxury wedding venues in the Philadelphia metro area operate under commercial ownership, Holly Hedge Estate in New Hope has stayed true to its roots—family-owned and operated with over 25 years of experience in luxury weddings. They take an intimate and personal approach to luxury weddings. 

Overlooking the Delaware River, the estate is home to The Old Barn, a favorite for weddings, as well as English Gardens, fountains, ponds, and courtyards. If you’re dreaming of an outdoor wedding that feels private and tucked away, I’m dreaming of capturing perfect photos of your day here. 

Bear Mill Estate: Where History Meets Tranquility

Location: Denver, PA

Just beyond the Philly Metropolitan Area, Bear Mill Estate started life a far cry from luxury as a gristmill in 1739. It has since been transformed to become one of the area’s most luxurious wedding destinations. The historic mill and surrounding grounds come together where history meets tranquility. 

This intimate venue offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for your wedding day, plus onsite accommodations for you and your guests. As a photographer, I’m especially drawn to the water. There’s something about the footbridge that’s just made for dreamy couples portraits. No matter where you say “I do” in Philly, your wedding photos will become some of your most meaningful keepsakes.

That’s why choosing a photographer who takes the time to get to know you, understands your vision, and isn’t afraid to nudge you out of your comfort zone can make all the difference! A forgotten wedding album on a shelf should be artwork you’ll actually want to display.

Looking for the best wedding venues in the Philadelphia area to tie the knot? Let’s chat and I can send you some of my favorite Philadelphia wedding galleries to inspire you!

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