Philadelphia Museum Wedding Venues
Museum Wedding Venues In Philadelphia
Are you looking for a wedding venue that is perhaps a bit out of the box? Consider Philadelphia Museum wedding venues! Philadelphia is a city that is lucky to have many beautiful museums and they often have event spaces to host fabulous weddings. There are a wide range of museums that host events, from art museums to medical museums and everything in between. Some have a modern appeal, while others have an ornate historic feel, some are located in center city, others in local parks. There are some pretty unique guest experiences available at these museum spaces, from dining amongst the art to cocktail hour in a science exhibit. There are private rooftops and garden courtyards. From elegant and ornate to modern and fun, I just love the unexpected and unforgettable experience that a museum wedding can provide.
In this post, I will list some of the best Philadelphia locations for museum weddings and highlights from each venue. I hope you enjoy this introduction to the wonderful world of museum event spaces you might want to add to your “must visit” list while wedding venue hunting.
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA)
Favorite Feature: roof deck, staircase for ceremonies
Aesthetic: historic elegance
Number of guests it can accommodate: up to 250
118-128 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Located in the heart of the city on Broad St. this upscale museum wedding venue allows guests to be immersed in the art. You will be dining and dancing surrounded by beautiful art pieces and friends and family can browse through the halls. This unique space offers an experience that is sure to leave an impression on all who are lucky enough to attend. This Philadelphia venue is for couples who appreciate architecture and design.
When you step through the doors of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts you will be whisked away into a magical day. The Historic Landmark Building features Victorian Gothic architecture and is truly awe-inspiring and a favorite place for wedding day photos. They also have a contemporary space next door, the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building which even has access to a roof deck with skyline views. This combination of contemporary and historic is unmatched. From couples’ photos in Cast Hall to wedding party photos on the staircase there is no need to step outside for your wedding photos. If you do choose to pop outside, you will be able to take the iconic “Broad St.” photo right outside the door. I highly recommend this center city museum for a wedding celebration.
Click to see a real PAFA Museum Wedding in Philadelphia or this one Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Philadelphia and read the cool story of this bride’s wedding dress.
Penn Museum
Favorite Feature: Grand entrance into the Warden Garden Ceremony, Dining in the Chinese Rotunda
Aesthetic: Unconventail Elegance, Historic
Number of guests it can accommodate: Up to 300
The Penn Museum is located in West Philadelphia and it is the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. There are some magnificent rooms to have your wedding ceremony and reception. The Sphinx Gallery is one of the most popular spaces and holds 125 guests. It os often used for ceremonies or cocktail hour. Couples love the flexibility in planning the flow of their wedding day and choosing the rooms that suit them best for each part of their day. Who doesn’t love amazing customizable options? Anoher appealing feature is that guests will have access to the exhibits adjacent to the garden or gallery that they choose.
Not only are there impressive inside spaces, but there are inviting outside areas including Stoner Courtyard with a large marble fountain and Warden Garden with Cherry Blossom trees and a Koi Pond as well as Mosaic Courtyard and the Rooftop Terrace(perfect for smaller weddings).
3260 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Barnes Foundation
Favorite Feature: Expansive Covered Terrace, World class Art
Aesthetic: Morden, Creative, Chic Open design
Number of guests it can accommodate: up to 275
This Art Museum has an unbelievable collection of art and an open, modern event space for weddings in Philadelphia. I love that it has one of the city’s largest outside covered terraces which allows for indoor/outdoor flow for celebrating. It also provides a covered area to protect from sun or rain which is unusual and appreciated in an event venue. The grounds around the Barnes Museum include a stunning reflection pool and the clean lines of the building create a pleasing backdrop for wedding photos. This Philadelphia museum wedding venue offers sleek and sophisticated inside areas and outside garden spaces. This museum lends itself to gathering and celebrating and I encourage you to have a look at the unmatched offerings and chic design.
2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130
American Swedish Historical Museum
Favorite Feature: Guests can explore the entire Museum, Located in FDR Park
Aesthetic: Intricate Architecture, Indoor and outdoor space
Number of guests it can accommodate: up to 230 in the tent
The American Swedish Museum is located in FDR Park in south Philadelphia. The park is full of picturesque locations with lots of greenery and even a grand gazebo. The inside space of the museum offers a variety of well-decorated rooms to host your wedding day. The grand staircase can be used for an impressive ceremony or for mixing and mingling during cocktail hour. The foyer is striking and the painted ceiling will definitely catch your eye. The library of the museum has a more modern feel and is popular for couples’ photos or for guests to explore. The New Sweeden Room allows you to have cocktail hour amongst the exhibit and guests can immerse themselves in the museum. Just outside the museum, there is a covered tent for reception and a lawn area for ceremonies and celebrating. The hung market lights make it festive at night. Jeffrey Miller Catering is the exclusive catering offering delicious cuisine, freshly cooked on-site.
1900 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Rodin Museum
Favorite Feature: Outside Garden Courtyard, Reflection Pool
Aesthetic: grand architecture and historic artwork
Number of guests it can accommodate: Up to 125
The Rodin Museum proudly holds the largest public collection of Rodin’s work outside Paris. It is worth a visit and worth considering for your wedding day. This venue is best for smaller weddings and can host up to 125 guests inside or in the outside garden. One of my favorite features is the tranquil Dorrance H. Hamilton Garden. You will walk through this welcoming and picturesque courtyard on your way into the museum. It is ideal for wedding photos and is so popular in Philadelphia that couples who are getting married at other venues will purchase photo permits just to be able to use this garden plaza for their wedding photos! This Philadelphia Museum wedding venue should not be overlooked.
2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130
College of Physicians of Philadelphia/The Mütter Museum
Favorite Features: Outdoor garden, Dessert lounge on specimen tables with boozy bar!
Aesthetic: Historic, elegant, sophisticated
Number of guests it can accommodate: 50 – 250
College of Physicians of Philadelphia is considered the birthplace of American medicine. Dating back to the 18th century, this historic landmark could also be your wedding venue! The venue features multiple spaces to gather and celebrate including features such as a grand staircase and beautiful architecture. It also boasts a lovely outdoor patio space that can be used for your ceremony. You don’t always find this kind of outdoor space in the middle of the city! The ceremony and reception space are in the College of Physicians building but guests are able to explore the adjacent Mutter Museum which highlights medical history and includes many intriguing specimens. The Thompson Gallery, used for cocktail hour, has rotating art exhibits and a modern appeal. Catering By Design is the exclusive catering partner and they also offer an in-house floral studio called “Garnish” for couples who want to streamline their event. This Philadelphia Museum wedding venue is a perfect choice if you are looking for a historic feel, city location, and a night of elegance and fun!
19 S 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
The Franklin Institute
Favorite Feature: Rooftop deck, cocktails in interactive exhibits
Aesthetic: exquisite, awe-inspiring, fun!
Number of guests it can accommodate:
This Philadelphia Museum is a popular, interactive science museum and is fun and educational for all ages. It is a phenomenal venue for a wedding and seems to have it all, from the elegant reception space to the fun and interactive cocktail hour that allows wedding guests to explore the exhibits. There is also a rooftop deck with spectacular city skyline views. This can be used for wedding photos or even for an outside ceremony. There are many spaces within the building that offer intriguing backdrops for photos and the location of the venue offers easy access for outside photos too, such as Swann Memorial Fountain.
This famed Philadelphia museum is an unexpected wedding venue that will leave a lasting impression on all those who attend.
222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Check out this real Museum Wedding Philadelphia Franklin Institute to see the incredible spaces at this Philadelphia venue.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the most iconic landmarks in Philadelphia. Situated at the head of the Parkway, it has a grand presence in the city. It houses a robust collection of art and also hosts unforgettable events and perhaps your wedding! If you are an art lover this may be your venue. Imagine celebrating amongst works of art and dining in the dramatic and glorious Great Stair Hall. If you dream about doing your wedding day couple’s photos in a gallery space or celebrating in the vaulted walkway with soaring ceilings, this is a museum to consider. There are many different spaces within the museum that offer that “wow” factor and the venue has the capacity for very large events. Constellation Culinary Group’s is the exclusive caterer and offers a fantastic menu. If you are looking to celebrate in style have a look at The Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Favorite Feature: Great Stair Hall, Art Deco architecture, Philadelphia Skyline Views
Aesthetic: Creative, Classy, Grand Elegance
Number of guests it can accommodate: Up to 1200
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130
