We have the fortune to live and work in a truly incredible place in both time and location. Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, boasts a proud and rich history for our nation and is continuing to forge a path into the future. We have some of the greatest historical sites, cutting edge high-rises and urban architecture, THE most dedicated sports fans, and a commitment to love in it’s many forms. It can be easy to overlook these incredible aspects to the city we call home, but as soon as you start looking through all of the phenomenal Philadelphia wedding venues, it becomes so clear! This is an amazing place to get married!
Philadelphia weddings are in a league of their own. There are so many incredible venues in the city proper that offer a little something for everyone. After years of experience, here’s our updated list of Philadelphia Wedding Venues We Love for couples who want to begin their happily ever after in this amazing place:
- The College of Physicians
- The Lucy
- Crystal Tea Room
- ONE North Broad
- Ballroom at the Ben
- The Arts Ballroom
- Water Works by Cescaphe
- The Free Library of Philadelphia
- Kimmel Center
- Racquet Club of Philadelphia
1. The College of Physicians – Warm & Cozy Historical Ballroom
Housing the Mütter Museum, the College of Physicians is one of our favorite venues in the city. Every time we are at the College of Physicians, we find something new to love about it.
The elegant, mahogany-lined ballroom is warmly appointed with wood paneling lining the entire room. There are also lovely oil painting portraits of famous and influential physicians throughout the years. There are so many old world touches, like globe light wall sconces, that just create an atmosphere of elegance.
Adjacent to the ballroom is the library, with its giant stained glass picture windows and wooden catalog drawers filled with all of the cards for the vast medical library on site. This room has some of the most beautiful light in the city and creates a perfect backdrop for indoor wedding ceremonies or an elegant coffee & dessert nightcap.
Beyond the obvious adoration we have for the upstairs of the College of Physicians, you can’t negate the impact that the grand marble staircase will have on your guests as they head to the party.
Looking for a gorgeous place downtown to have an outdoor ceremony? The College of Physicians has you covered there, too! The courtyard is fast becoming one of our favorite spots to get a moment of fresh air amidst the hustle of the city. I It feels like your own private garden.
With creeping greenery climbing up the brick wall, the courtyard is a natural focal point for your ceremony. The drama the garden creates for the wedding processional gives you the feel of old world elegance in the modern age. More and more, we find our couples are opting to have their ceremony in the courtyard and we couldn’t be happier.
And, of course, we love that this venue is run by Catering by Design. These consummate professionals always pull out all the stops for their couples! If you want old world style with a touch of drama and bathed in warmth, this is definitely a venue to check out
The College of Physicians • 19 S 22nd St, Philadelphia PA 19103
2. The Lucy by Cescaphe
Right in the heart of Center City alongside Broad St, the Lucy by Cescaphe is one of the poshest new venues around. Stylish and warm, we love the multiple levels for your wedding.
With its highly anticipated launch just a year ago, it’s hard to imagine a best of Philadelphia wedding venues list that wouldn’t include this post new addition!
The beautifully draped ceremony room on the uppermost level, ensures that you are the focus of the ceremony. The long aisle builds the drama of the moment and will give everyone the chance to really soak in your wedding day ensemble. You’ll be on cloud nine as you exchange your vows and rings in the softness of this space.
Once you’ve tied the knot, you can venture down to the loft that overlooks the fabulous ballroom to soak in the whitewashed brick and marvel at the chevron hardwood flooring. After the mouth-watering cocktail hour has ended, guests will make their way back down the plush stairs to the ballroom.
We love how the alcoves alongside the dancefloor are lit by hanging brass geometric chandeliers that bring yet another element of style to your wedding. These can also be draped in florals for a truly show stopping look.
As you enjoy the world class Cescaphe hospitality, you’ll soon tear up the dance floor all night. And when you need a chance to cool off, you can sneak outside for the classic shot down Broad Street with just a few steps. This chic venue is sure to leave you wishing you could be there every night!
The Lucy by Cescaphe • 231 S Broad St, Philadelphia PA 19107
3. The Crystal Tea Room
There are few places that proclaim Old World grandeur the way that the Crystal Tea Room does. Located in the historic Wanamaker Building just across the street from City Hall, this opulent ballroom promises to make every wedding one to remember.
In a delightful contrast, the atrium leading into the Crystal Tea Room, where cocktail hour is held, is a beautiful modern space. There are wooden trellis alcoves where guests can have a seat if they would like, and enjoy the fabulous hospitality of the crew at Finley Catering. Their mouth-watering menu is sure to have options to wow even the most discriminating palates.
When you enter the Crystal Tea Room, you are immediately struck by the sheer size of the ballroom. With a maximum guest count of 1200, there is ample space for all your guests to dance the night away, with a full band playing, and then some. So, go ahead, get a little crazy with your guest list!
Through the years, this timeless venue has remained one of the best in the city, and was even host to a wedding officiated by Colin Jost, with his then fiance Scarlett Johansson attending as a guest. You never know who you might rub elbows with when you host your wedding at this historic Philadelphia gem.
The Crystal Tea Room • 100 Penn Square East, Wanamaker Building 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107
4. ONE North Broad
ONE North Broad, another Catering by Design exclusive venue, is the historic Masonic Temple in the shadow of City Hall. Tall and proud, it sits regal and opulent. You are hard pressed to find a venue that offers so much under one roof.
The luxurious checkerboard marble of the Grand Hall that greets you and your guests as they enter, lets everyone know that this will be a night to remember. To the left is the Franklin Ballroom. A stately space with looming marble columns, stained glass windows, and the big man himself, Ben Franklin, overlooking the soiree. The heart and soul of elegant historic Philadelphia.
In addition to the grand ballroom, the Starlight room is another breathtaking space at ONE North Broad. The magnificent vaulted ceiling is speckled with intricate stars that twinkle down on you and your best friends and closest family as you enjoy a phenomenal cocktail hour. This is a view that won’t soon leave the minds and imaginations of all.
If you have your ceremony on location, the Corinthian room is a spot that will surely stand out among the plethora of churches in the city (though we love them too!). The mild green and unique plush benches that line the room lead your eye to the giant Corinthian columns and statues. Your ceremony is guaranteed to be one of a kind when you bring your own flavor to the “altar.” And although this is the most popular, there are several other ceremony rooms of varying size and designs!
All in all, ONE North Broad stands out among Philadelphia wedding venues, unmatched in history and elegant architecture.
ONE North Broad • One N Broad St, Philadelphia PA 19107
5. Ballroom at the Ben – Posh Classic Ballroom
If a truly classic ballroom is your heart’s desire, look no further than, the Ballroom at the Ben. The wonderful balcony and grand staircase allows every bride and groom to feel grandeur as they walk down the aisle. The rich atmosphere is almost palpable. The incredible food served by Finley Catering will blow you away, so make sure you build in time to get to eat. It’s a truly magical place and somewhere we love shooting over and over!
Your celebration begins on the mezzanine overlooking the reception room. No one hosts a cocktail like our dear friends at Finley! The delicious & abundant food is sure to be something your guests remember for a long time to come. A cocktail hour comes to an end, you can leave your guests on the mezzanine while you sneak down into the the ballroom alone. . .
One of the special things about Ballroom at the Ben is the ability to dance your first dance while your guests look on from the balcony. It’s a unique way to make sure everyone can see you and your love share your first married dance, especially if it’s choreographed! Afterwards, you and your wedding party can make a statement entrance as you come down the grand staircase and bust some moves on the dance floor. The high ceiling and giant dance floor make the Ballroom at the Ben feel grand and ready for a great party.
If you find that you need a breather from ripping up the dance floor, you can also sneak out to the outdoor balcony for some shots at night to capture some of the city vibe. All this and more makes this Philadelphia venue is an utter delight.
The Ballroom at the Ben • 834 Chestnut St, Philadelphia PA 19107
6. The Arts Ballroom
For a clean, bright, and modern ballroom, the Arts Ballroom is sure to delight! The delicate colors and marble fireplace are so inviting and just waiting for your style to make it sing.
Even though it feels very intimate, the Arts Ballroom is actually quite large and capable of hosting all your guests without feeling crowded. This is helped by the separate cocktail hour room which is later transformed into a dessert lovers paradise. This is truly a unique find if you have a larger guest list but don’t want to feel disconnected from all your guests.
The bridal suite upstairs is the perfect place to freshen up before making your fabulous entrance down the staircase. You can be sure that you’ll greet your guests in style as the spotlight follows you down the steps onto your dance floor and sticks with you during your first dance. The room melts away as you share your first dance as a married couple.
This is another great venue just a short walk from Broad Street. After dark, when the city is all aglow, we love to sneak out for a little mini-session to capture one of Philly’s most iconic sights with the latest love story on display.
Arts Ballroom • 1324 Locust St, Philadelphia PA 19107
7. Water Works by Cescaphe
Cescaphe is synonymous with quality when it comes to weddings in Philadelphia. They have a wide variety of venues for every taste, and Water Works is one of our favorites. This beautiful place has several options for hosting your soiree and our very own cinema director Kiersten just recently tied the knot there. The stunning views of the Art Museum and skyline to one side and Boathouse Row on the other, make this one of the most scenic places to get married in the city.
During the pandemic, Cescaphe added a permanent tent to the Pavilion which leads out to the gazebo to allow for more open air events. This means that you have three incredible options for your reception in one location! The indoor Engine House ballroom is a bit more intimate, with delicate shades of blue and charming wall accents, which makes it perfect for a smaller guest count. Your guests will all feel they have the seat of honor as they celebrate you.
The larger Mill House is grandiose and the open air columns help bring the outside in. You’ll all dance the night away with a fresh breeze to cool you down. As the sun sets over the river, you’ll be bathed in golden sunshine and treated to vibrant hues as toasts are made. This is all in addition to the exquisite menu Cescaphe’s staff will be preparing for you all to savor.
Is Water Works the right venue for you? We’ve developed a handy guide to all the Cescaphe venues here!
Water Works • 640 Waterworks Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19130
8. The Free Library of Philadelphia
In the great works of literature, love is an omnipresent theme. So why not celebrate that most lauded attribute among the greatest love stories there are? The Free Library of Philadelphia is just the place for a perfect bibliophile’s wedding.
The Grand Foyer is a spectacular place for your marriage ceremony. The brilliant white marble is elegant and timeless. The stage is set for your romance to begin its next chapter as you exchange your vows and say I do. If you have an epic wedding with an ample guest count, you can remain here for your reception. The Beaux Arts architecture and grand feel will spark the imagination for all to write their own story here.
Upstairs, on the Skyline terrace, the iconic Philadelphia silhouette looms overhead. Another beautiful place for your wedding ceremony or for your cocktail hour. As the evening comes on, the buildings light and the entire terrace is bathed in the warm glow of sparkling lights.
Just because you make your way inside, doesn’t mean that the views go away. The large glass windows of the Skyline room allow you to celebrate all night in the shadow of giants. This is a fabulous space for those with a more intimate wedding.
Free Library • 1901 Vine St, Philadelphia PA 19103
9. Kimmel Center
Jose Garces is one of the more famous chefs you’ll come across, and he has a fantastic catering division that is the exclusive caterer of the Kimmel Center venues. Iconic Philadelphia cultural center and a celebrity chef? Yes, please!
One of the most amazing venues is the Hamilton Garden, a glittering gem on top of one of the theaters. The stunning architecture of the glass ceiling of the Kimmel Center is the star of the show, letting in massive amounts of natural light for your ceremony and beyond. You can eat, drink, and be merry under a living sky that shifts colors throughout the day. One less thing to worry about for decor!
We love the Kimmel Center for its centrality to all the great Philadelphia photo locations. It’s just an elevator ride down to the iconic Broad Street shot down towards City Hall. You could also take a trolley down to Old City quickly, or go the other way to the Art Museum area. You’re spoiled for choice.
When you and your guests are ready to take in the evening, Garces Catering will serve sumptuous food and gourmet drinks all night long. Everyone is sure to leave full of joy, love, and delicious morsels when the lights cut back on.
Kimmel Center • 300 S Broad St, Philadelphia PA 19102
10. Racquet Club of Philadelphia
Built in 1889, the Racquet Club of Philadelphia was once the must have membership in the city. With such aristocratic pastimes as squash, court tennis, and racquets available to pursue, this was the place to be. And it is still one of those most beautiful venues in the city.
When you enter the Racquet Club of Philadelphia you are instantly struck by the grand staircase and hall. This is a great place for your ceremony, and even better for making an impressive entrance into your reception before dancing the night away.
The dining room to the left is a colonial blue with ample space for up to 240 of your friends and family to dine and enjoy one another’s company. Jeffrey A Miller catering will serve a meal you won’t soon forget, and guests will rave about it for years to come.
Upstairs is the actual racquets courts, and you can go up there for some photos! We love making creative use of this space. What unique wedding day portraits you’ll have from your special day.
Racquet Club of Philadelphia • 215 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
So there you have it. Whether you are a cutting edge big city trendsetter or a history buff who loves the simple beauty of nature, there’s something in and around Philadelphia for you. We love this place, and we hope to see you at your wedding enjoying this place just as much as we do!
So, what do you think? Did we nail this list of our favorite Philadelphia wedding venues or do you think we missed the mark – we’re always looking to explore new & amazing places, so maybe you’ll be the person to introduce us to our next favorite!
Not sold on the city vibes? No worries. We have our favorite suburban Philadelphia wedding venues right over here!
Planning a wedding around Philadelphia and looking for someone to capture your special day? We’d love to connect with you! We’re now booking selected remaining 2022 & 2023 dates. Tell us more about your day here:
