Wedding Venues That Don't Suck // Best Unique Wedding Venues in Philadelphia, PA, NY & NJ

…….

Why get married somewhere that doesn’t feel like “you,” when you can find a unique and beautiful location that suits you perfectly? There are so many unique wedding venues out there! I’ve put together a list (with photo examples, of course) or some of the best places to celebrate in PA, NY, NJ, and the surrounding areas. From Philadelphia to Brooklyn, to the coast of New Jersey and the mountains (Pennsylvania’s Poconos and New York’s Catskills/Hudson Valley), there are so many amazing locations for all couples. Industrial warehouses, lush conservatories, open gardens, and historic estates…there’s somewhere for everyone, and since I’ve shot weddings for years, I wanted to share my knowledge with you!

Without further ado, in no real order, unique wedding venues that don’t suck…

…….

Fairmount Park Horticultural Center (Fairmount, Philadelphia) – link

With catering from Stephen Starr’s own Starr Events, plus one of the only greenhouse venues in the area, the Horticultural Center is a home run. Every time I get the honor of working here, it’s such a joy, and it seems to fit so many different types of couples. It’s the best of both worlds – you’re surrounded by nature, but you don’t have to worry about a rain plan. The grounds are also amazing, with a huge reflecting pool, and acres of trees and greenery to use as your own playground. If you get married here, bring me along please! This place is the definition of classic while still being one of the most unique wedding venues Philly has to offer. 

Bartram’s Garden (West Philadelphia) – link

One of my favorite venues ever. Tucked away in the middle of nowhere West Philadelphia is Bartram’s Garden, perfect for a garden party style wedding. Your guests can stroll through the country’s oldest botanical garden before making their way over to the tented stone patio to dance the night away. There’s even a view of the city skyline from the meadow nearby! This wedding was featured over on the Wedding Chicks blog – see more from Lexi & Joe’s day here. 

Terrain at Styer’s (Glen Mills, PA) – link

Terrain is Anthropologie’s home and garden center, and a great place for trendy couples to tie the knot. Any season, any weather – it’s gorgeous no matter what. For outdoor ceremonies, the white wooden temple is a stunning backdrop, and in inclement weather, the hot house is just as beautiful. They meticulously decorate the grounds with different vignettes and seasonal displays, so there’s always somewhere beautiful to take photos. Couples can get ready in the Kinfolk-y “Mushroom Hut,” and enjoy a seated dinner in the “Garden Shed.” The design team and coordinators are friendly and helpful, and the food is always amazing! Some notable menu items created by the Terrain catering team include a loaded tater tot bar, boozy ice cream floats, homemade hand pies, and a cookies & milk bar. There are a million reasons why this is everyone’s favorite wedding spot!

Morris House Hotel (Washington Square West, Philadelphia) – link

Maybe it’s because I shot one of my all-time favorite weddings here, but I can’t say enough good things about Morris House Hotel. It’s anything but your average hotel – it’s a historic landmark that’s now a boutique hotel, restaurant, and event space. In the outdoor courtyard, you forget you’re in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Washington Square West neighborhood. The rooms are lovely, and perfect for getting ready or for out of town guests, the food is amazing, and the venue itself is almost too charming. Such an amazing location for an outdoor wedding!

Maison-May (Fort Greene, Brooklyn) – link

Perfect for a brownstone backyard party, Maison-May is great for small weddings with a cool city vibe. With a modern back patio and a cozy all-white upstairs, the food here is incredible. When I worked here, I had some of the best handmade pasta with chicken that fell right off the bone. When you’re doing a meal for 50+ people, the food is usually what suffers, but as Maison-May, it shines.

Power Plant Productions (Old City, Philadelphia) – link

All-white everything – anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with neutral, clean color palettes. This spacious loft-style industrial setting fits the bill, but it can also be transformed into pretty much anything your little heart desires. With white brick walls, high ceilings, and gauzy curtains, it’s a photographer’s dream. There’s ample room to host your ceremony and  reception here, and it’s a real show-stopper when guests walk in for the first time to a beautifully laid out room of tables and decor. Consider holding the ceremony outdoors at any of the historic Old City parks, or for a memorable background – try nearby Race St. Pier.

The Washington at Historic Yellow Springs (Chester Springs, PA) – link

An old Revolutionary inn with stone ruins and tons of character, the Washington at Historic Yellow Springs is a quaint little gem. It can host up to 150 guests in the downstairs reception room, but my favorite places are the smaller nooks and crannies. The upstairs bridal suite, with its minimalist decor. The outdoor courtyard, great for ceremonies or cocktail hour. The very Southern-feeling porch, which looks great every time of year. And of course, across the quiet road, a field where the light always seems to hit juuuuuust right. I’ve shot at Yellow Springs in rain and shine, in spring, summer, and fall, and I always think, “I could get married here.”

23rd Street Armory (Philadelphia) – link

Raw industrial at its best, and definitely one of Philadelphia’s most unique wedding venues. This space is absolutely massive – it can fit 1,000 people, so you can invite your family, friends, plus their family and friends, and every rando you know. This space is best when paired with an outdoor ceremony spot (pop-up wedding, anyone?) and a team of vendors with a vision. When styled properly, it’s dreamy and spacious, and has a few smaller classic-looking rooms for your getting ready suite or back-up ceremony location.

Pocono Springs Camp (East Stroudsburg, PA) – link

If you’ve always dreamed of getting married Wes Anderson-style, maybe a camp wedding is for you. Best of all, your guests can stay on-site in cabins, so you can make a whole weekend of it. There’s even wi-fi. And unlike most camp venues, you’re allowed to have alcohol. Win! Check out Joanna & Zac’s Pocono Springs Camp wedding here. 

Appleford Estate (Villanova, PA) – link

A historic estate in the Villanova area, with literally a million gorgeous backdrops for photos. A rose garden. Authentic interiors. A hedge garden. An old (read: run-down, but so charming) greenhouse. Oh, and a duck pond. Last time I was there, there was not only a mama duck plus ducklings, but a male and female duck making the rounds during cocktail hour. Does it get more adorable? Receptions are hosted in a tented area connected to the house, so it feels more classy than your average backyard tent, but in nice weather, guests can wander the grounds and feel like they’re in the English countryside.

Metropolitan Building (Long Island City, NY) – link

When I first came to the Met Building, I couldn’t believe where I was. Inside of a pretty bland looking building in NYC was a space I’d only dreamed of working at. The 2nd floor is the main event space, where most ceremonies and receptions comfortably flow together. The 4th floor is also an event space, but in my opinion, it’s not as unique or as beautiful as floor #2. Lastly, there’s the third floor. Aka, photo heaven. Many a celebrity has been photographed in this stunner of a space, among vintage furniture and immaculately decorated rooms-within-rooms. Overall, it’s a super memorable place – a personal favorite of mine is the all-blue getting ready room.

Material Culture (East Falls/Germantown, Philadelphia) – link

A magical emporium of international antiques and decorative wares, and a super unique setting for a wedding. You can hang out amongst imported rugs and styled rooms of beautiful, ornate things. Get married underneath the watchful eyes of multi-cultural statues and deities, and have a wedding that’s so quirky, Zooey Deschanel might show up (okay, probably not, but this place just screams “I’m quirky!” in the best way). It doesn’t get more non-traditional as a unique wedding venue than a furniture store. 

Physick House & Powel House (Old City, Philadelphia) – link & link

Nestled in one of the city’s prettiest neighborhoods, Old City, is the Physick House. It’s great for small, mellow weddings – it fits up to 100 people, and there’s a strict noise ordinance after 9pm. Perfect for a laid back couple having a low key dinner reception, or a cocktail party type celebration. The inside is elaborate and regal, but the private outdoor garden is what makes this venue so great. For a similar setting that’s equally beautiful, check out the Powel House, only a block away.

Camp Dark Waters (Medford, NJ) – link

Maybe a Quaker summer camp doesn’t immediately scream “wedding venue,” but it should! With so many couples shying away from tradition and doing their own thing for their nuptials, a camp can be a fun and fresh place for a wedding. With all kinds of activities, and a remote setting, Camp Dark Waters is a great place to set up a white tent and tie the knot. It’s especially gorgeous in the fall, when the trees along the river change colors and show you the very best of the northeast’s seasons.

The Inn at Barley Sheaf (Holicong, PA) – link

Barley Sheaf has everything. A huge manor house with elegant getting ready rooms. An actually nice-looking reception tent as well as a brand new bright white barn reception room. Vast grounds with gardens, fields, and a picturesque, long tree-lined driveway. Oh, and ponies. The whole place screams “countryside,” but in the absolute best way.

Bahdeebahdu (Kensington, Philadelphia) – link

A gallery and workshop, bahdeebahdu is a unique industrial space that can host small weddings for cool people. Featuring the works of R.J. Thornburg and Warren Mulller, this artsy spot is a jaw-dropper in the Kensington/Fishtown area of Philadelphia.

Awbury Arboretum (Germantown, Philadelphia) – link

This Victorian-style home and surrounding garden wonderland are perfect for smaller weddings. The tent is the usual spot for receptions, but for more intimate gatherings, the wide wrap-around porch is perfect for long tables. The grounds feature fields, trees galore, and a literal “secret garden.” I’ve heard that Awbury is exceptionally beautiful in the fall!

Barbuzzo (Center City, Philadelphia) – link

The private upstairs dining room at this Philly staple has a cozy-meets-industrial vibe, perfect for up to 65 guests. Enjoy a gourmet Mediterranean menu (and that damn. salted caramel. budino. SO GOOD!) from some of the city’s favorite restauranteurs, right in the heart of Midtown Village. Barbuzzo is the perfect venue for the laid back couple who loves food and wants to eat it with only their closest pals. Plus, after the wedding, you can visit the main restaurant downstairs and re-live the day through the food. It’s also great for rehearsal dinners – check out this feature on Philly in Love. 

Bok (South Philadelphia) – link

By far, Bok (aka Bok Bar) is one of the more unique wedding venues that Philly has to offer. It’s an old vocation school that takes up an entire block. It’s been revived into offices, workspaces, a thriving rooftop bar, and a space for events small and large. The auditorium is great for ceremonies or for intimate dinner receptions. There’s a gymnasium that can be transformed into a quirky couple’s dream setting, and a workshop that’s straight out of your Anthropologie Pinterest board. The crown jewel is the roof with a skyline view, sure to wow your guests and give you all the romantic cinematic feels. 

Philadelphia Distilling (Fishtown, Philadelphia) – link

This gin distillery is a perfect industrial setting for the couple who loves cocktails and midcentury modern decor. This Fishtown spot features Bluecoat Gin drinks in a downstairs glass-lined bar room, with a separate upstairs room for small ceremonies. Here are some photos from a fun 90’s themed shoot I did there! Definitely one of the best unique wedding venues for the couple who enjoys a fine cocktail in a beautiful loft-style location.

The Asbury Hotel (Asbury Park, NJ) – link

Brooklyn meets LA, but at the shore. So thoughtfully designed that you forget you’re at a hotel, and you forget you’re in New Jersey (I know!). The Asbury has some of the best hotel rooms for getting ready that I’ve ever seen – modern, monochromatic rooms with lots of light. The common lounge area has a huge velvet couch area with games and books, an air hockey table, an insane record collection, and a bleacher-style sitting area for hanging out. It’s basically straight out of your vintage teenage dreams, but with better style. The event space has garage-style doors that lift to join the indoor room with the paved outdoor patio. It’s a new venue, but this place is already a hit.

Anthony Wayne House (Paoli, PA) – link

One of my favorite weddings of 2018 was at the Anthony Wayne House, and as my couple described it, it’s perfect for a celebration that is beautiful but not too fussy. Like a backyard wedding, except you don’t have to deal with the cleanup. With wide open grounds, historic stone buildings, and a clear-top tent, it’s definitely a favorite of mine for a warm weather wedding!

&& More Unique Wedding Venues:

Here are some more awesomely beautiful, non-traditional, and unique wedding venues:

Maas Building (Olde Kensington, Philadelphia)

La Colombe Fishtown (Philadelphia)

Globe Dye Works (Northeast Philadelphia)

Excelsior (Lancaster, PA)

Rodale Institute (Kutztown, PA)

Andalusia (Bensalem, PA)

Reading Art Works (Reading, PA)

The Free Library of Philadelphia (Philadelphia)

The Inn at Fernbrook Farms (Chesterfield, NJ)

Woolverton Inn (Stockton, NJ)

Foxfire Mountain House (Mount Tremper, NY)

Foxfire La Colina (Goshen, NY)

Brooklyn Winery (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Basilica Hudson (Hudson, NY)

Pioneer Works (Red Hook, Brooklyn)

Meadowburn Farm (Vernon, NJ)

FAME at Maken Studios (Kensington, Philadelphia)

The Foundry (Long Island City, NY)

Natirar (Peapack, NJ)

Cedar Lakes Estate (Port Jervis, NY)

Full Moon Resort (Big Indian, NY)

Hayfield Catskills (Maple Crest, NY)

Handsome Hollow (Long Eddy, NY)

Hasbrouck House (Stone Ridge, NY)

Porta (Asbury Park, NJ)

Aurora (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Philadelphia Brewing Company (Kensington, Philadelphia)

More: The Venue Report