8 tips for your Portico Wedding at Awbury Arboretum Philadelphia

 

 Looking to get married in a natural, beautiful setting in Philadelphia?

If so, Portico wedding venue at  Awbury Arboretum should be on your short list of venues to check out! It is tucked away in the Germantown section of the city and is a true hidden gem. As soon as you drive up off the main road and turn onto the driveway, you are enveloped by nature’s beauty! This historic space is a pleasing combination of meadows, ponds, woods, and lawns, creating a lush and relaxing oasis for your wedding day.

 

 

Here are 8 Tips for your Portico Wedding at Awbury Arboretum

 

 

 

Birchtree Catering

Portico at Awbury Arboretum is lucky to have Peachtree Catering as its exclusive catering company. It’s one less thing to worry about on your wedding day. You will be blown away when you go to one of their tasting and get to experience their culinary delights first hand. They come up with the most creative and delicious flavor combinations, always fresh and unforgettable. The quality of their food and the freshness of their ingredients are evident from their salads all the way to their desserts. They create an entire eating experience that touches all of your senses from sight to texture, smell, and, of course, taste! They take great care and great pride in creating interesting arrangements on their plates that will leave you wanting more. They truly understand how to entertain, an you can feel and taste their love for what they do. Peachtree Catering & Events was founded in 1985 and is still going and growing and catering some of the best wedding venues in the Philadelphia area.

 

 

Outside Ceremony

The outside space is so peaceful. It creates a wonderful garden party feel, and there are multiple locations that can be used for your ceremony at the Portico wedding venue. You can select which space works best for your day. You could choose the front lawn facing the woods and the meadow. There is a lovely space behind the tented reception area on the back lawn. Or you could choose to set up behind the Frances Cope house, using the back porch at the alter area for the couple. I love that you have choices and can select the space that aligns with your vision for your wedding ceremony. I mean really you can’t go wrong because they are all outside in the open air and in my opinion, equally beautiful.

 

 

 

Cocktail Hour at The Francis Cope House

Often, the cocktail hour is hosted in the back and front of the Frances Cope house, with guests mingling through the house, on the magnificent wrap-around porch, and spilling out onto the lawns, creating a seamless flow for the party. I am a sucker for a big wrap around porch. It feels like a summer dream and the perfect place to sip cocktails and chat with friends and family. The Victorian stone mansion anchers the wedding day, and guests move freely through the house.

 

 

Outside Tented Reception Space

Portico has a tented reception space ready for your post-ceremony meal. There are endless ways you can decorate the flexible space. The flagstone patio and white tent give a bright and spacious feel to your reception. The twinkle lights add a festive feel, and you can configure the reception area to fit your vision. I have seen the space with rectangular farm tables or rounds, and there is a covered walkway that leads from the Francis Cope house to the tent, so even if there is a sprinkle of rai,n you and your guests will stay dry.

 

 

Bridal Suite at Portico

I absolutely love the bridal suite at Portico. It is wonderful to have a beautiful space for a couple to get ready on their wedding day right at the venue at which you are getting married. Sometimes, getting-ready spaces at wedding venues are kind of tucked away and not that aesthetically pleasing, but Portico’s bridal suite is just the opposite. It was created with the wedding couple in mind and has a big window with lovely natural light streaming in. It is spacious and and furnished well. There are even pretty places for wedding dress photos and to take pictures of your wedding day details. It is nice to have this on-site space to settle into for the wedding day right in the Francis Cope House.

 

 

Informal, Relaxed Atmosphere At Portico

If you are going to for a low-key, relaxed day, Portico at Awbury’s unique grounds is worth a look. There is something about being in nature that brings calm and ease to the day. The rustic elegance of the space and historic house are not pretentious and seem to set the tone for a good time.

 

Wedding Photography at Portico

Wedding photography at Portico in Philadelphia is always so much fun! Since it is located in a preserved arboretum, there are 365 degrees of nature and beauty, from the blossoming flowers in the springtime to the rolling meadow. There are so many pretty areas for photos. The porch of the Fracnis Cope house makes for classic wedding photos, and I love using the steps to showcase a wedding dress or long veil. The steps are also ideal for wedding party photos.

 

 

Come for a Visit!

The grounds of Awbury are open to visitors 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. You could also enjoy one of their programs or events, which could be an engaging way to see the space and participate in the variety of experiences they host. You can also just stroll through the property of walk the trails. Check out the map of Abury Arboretum. If you go for a visit, you may want to check out the The Farm at Awbury which is across Washington Lane(pedestrian entrances at 6336 Ardleigh St and 901 E. Washington Ln, Philadelphia, PA 19138)  and not a part of the wedding venue but it has some cool things going on there, such as the Philly Goat Project,  Awbury Cluck Protrol, Phaildelphia’s Beekeepers Guild any much more!

 

 

Wedding Inspiration for Awbury Arboretum

Want to browse some real weddings at Portico to get inspired for your big day? Here are a few weddings that you will want to check out:

Awbury Arboretum Wedding Photos   and Awbury Arboretum Wedding

Curious to hear what other couples have to say about their Portico at Awbury Wedding experience? You can read what other couples have to say on Wedding Wire.

Peachtree Catering Sister Locations 

Peachtree is the exclusive caterer at a few other wedding venues you may want to check out:

• Parque in Pennsylvania’s Ridley Creek State Park
• Pomme Natural and charming, wedding venue on Philadelphia’s Maine Line in Radnor
• The Willows elegant mansion venue is located in Vilanova, Pennsylvania

 

Awbury Arboretum

This 55-acre nature sanctuary in northwest Philadlephia is a delightful Arboretum that has been free of charge and open for the enjoyment of the public for over 100 years.

Awbury Arboretum’s  Mission

This is not exactly a wedding planning tip, but it is nice to know that Awbury Arboretum has a wonderful mission! They aim to connect the community with nature while preserving the home and landscape. Having your wedding here helps with this mission. They also feature local artists in the Cope House. Always feels good to work with an organization with heart and action.

 

 

Portico at Awbury Arboretum

1 Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19138

(215) 849-2855