PA Ceremonies: Choosing the Site That's Right for You
The season you marry in will influence where you want to hold your occasion. Winter weddings are perfect for churches, cathedrals, banquet halls, hotels and dedicated wedding locales. Late spring and early summer are great for outdoor weddings or weddings on or near the water. Finally, fall is the time when you can really see Pennsylvania's woodsy glory, and late September and early October feature beautiful, mild days that provide a serene backdrop for your perfect ceremony.When choosing your ceremony site, ask yourself:
- Can this venue accommodate all the guests, friends and family we plan to invite?
- How close is the ceremony site to accommodations such as airports, guest lodgings and other points of interest?
- Is the ceremony part of a package deal that includes reception, beauty treatments, planning assistance, decorations, etc.?
- Does the ceremony site respect religious considerations or requirements?
- Does the site have its own officiant, or do they allow you to choose your own? If so, are there any restrictions on who you can choose?
Undiscovered Gems Among Pennsylvania Ceremony Sites
There are so many wonderful places to get married in PA that it can be difficult to narrow down your choices! Ultimately, it all comes down to what sort of wedding you'd like to have, and where you'd like to have it. If you already know the area and when you'd like to marry, a simple online search for 'town name, PA weddings' or '[zipcode], PA weddings' may help you choose a site.Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are wonderful cities with easy access to the airport, lodging and many notable places of interest that guests can visit when not attending planned events.
If you're marrying in Philadelphia, consider venues such as:
The Morris Arboretum: Pennsylvania's official state arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania, filled with glorious plants and flowers of all different kinds. Great for small weddings!
The Liberty Belle: Have a wedding aboard a Mississippi River-style steamboat on the Delaware River, Philadelphia's primary waterway. Great for 100-300 guests.
The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul: A reverent church which can accommodate large Catholic weddings.
Independence Park: A glorious and historical national park and a marvelous place for outdoor weddings of any size.
The Mutter Museum: Not for the faint-hearted, this museum of medical oddities is a quirky, fun spot for a unique, medium-sized wedding in Philadelphia which you and your guests are sure to remember.
If you're marrying in Pittsburgh, ceremony sites might include churches, banquet halls, fire halls and hotels, but also consider:
Phipps Conservatory: Located just outside of Schenley Park, these botanical gardens provide a gorgeous backdrop for both ceremonies and receptions. A beautiful spot for Pittsburgh wedding photos, as well.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium: Are you and your spouse-to-be animal lovers? Consider a breathtaking after-hours affair at this unique location which can accommodate up to 500 guests.
The Grand Concourse: If you're inviting fewer than 200 guests, look to this venue featuring cathedral ceilings and antique stained-glass windows. This restaurant's striking Edwardian architecture can set the perfect stage for your storybook wedding.
Throughout the rest of the state, you can find ceremony sites for almost any budget. In the Poconos, you'll find many dedicated wedding locations with package deals. Locals in the Susquehanna Valley rave about Keithan's Gardens of Sunbury as an outstanding spot for an outdoor wedding, Rooke Chapel at Bucknell University in Lewisburg is perfect for a small, intimate gathering, and Lillie's Gardens of Chambersburg is a beautiful B&B site appropriate for a spring, summer or fall outdoor wedding.
Take a trip and see the ceremony site in person before deciding. Also, call ahead and let your potential ceremony site know why you are coming, as they may have dedicated staff on hand who can answer any questions you have during your visit.