Planning your Valley Green Inn Wedding Philadelphia PA
Valley Green Inn Wedding Planning
If you love being outside, surrounded by nature and you are dreaming about getting married on the banks of a river with forest and trails and a delightful covered patio for the reception, this Wissahickon wedding venue in Philadelphia just might be what you are looking for. The Valley Green Inn is a destination for couples who love nature. Let this blog post be your guide for planning your Valley Green Inn wedding
Here Are A few of My Favorite Features at the Venue:
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- You are immersed in nature at this wedding venue
- You are in Philadelephia, yet it feels like the wilderness
- The ceremony site is outside on the banks of the creek
- Fresh, delicious food!
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Wissahickon Valley Park
This woodsy venue is nestled in Wissahickon Valley Park and offers a peaceful respite from the nearby hustle and bustle of the city. This large urban park spans over 2,000 acres between the Montgomery County border and the Schuylkill River. There is a beautifully maintained and well-used path for walking and riding bikes called Forbidden Drive that runs the length of the park while more rugged hiking trails lead up into the woods. There is something magical about this hidden sanctuary. I can’t think of a more beautiful backdrop than nature. The forest and Wissahickon Creek can become the built-in decor for your outdoor wedding ceremony. This idyllic setting will be enjoyed by you and admired by your guests and will stand out as a memorable wedding experience!
Outdoor Wedding Ceremony by The Creek
The outdoor ceremony space at Valley Green Inn is one of a kind. It is right across the path from the restaurant and on the bank of the creek. A gravel path will lead you down the aisle, past your guests seated on the grassy lawn, and up to the altar where you will exchange your wedding vows. The canopy of green in the summer months seems to usher you down the aisle and welcome your friends and family. Since it is right along Forbidden Drive, there will be people walking, biking, and hiking by as you have your ceremony, but it doesn’t seem to distract from the sweet exchange of the couple.
In the case of rain on your wedding day, they even have an additional tented space where the ceremony can be held, and guests can stay dry all while still enjoying the surrounding beauty. This is always a relief and will put couples at ease no matter the weather. Some even find rain on a wedding day romantic or a sign of good luck!
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour is such a fun part of a wedding day. Right after the ceremony, there is so much love and excitement bubbling in the air, they did it! There are lots of hugs and congratulations, food and drinks. At Valley Green Inn, cocktail hour is often held in the outside tented area, and guests can spill outside to gaze at the ducks in the creek or mingle under the trees. If the entire venue is rented, then guests can also relax on the front porch. There is such an easy, fun and celebratory feeling during the post-ceremony time, and the wedding couple and guests can truly enjoy the open space and woodsy surroundings.
Wedding Photos in Wissahickon Park
Once you have your ceremony, you can take advantage of the beautiful surroundings for wedding day photos in the Wissahockon Valley Park. Here are my 3 favorite places for wedding photos at Valley Green Inn
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- FORBIDDEN DRIVE: You have the lovely wide trail that offers a perfect place for couple’s photos, wedding party photos, and family photos. It is also shaded if you are looking for a cooler place to take refuge from the sun on hot summer days.
- WISSAHOCKON CREEK: I love the water views along the creek, which is a very unique feature, and the arched bridges that can be seen in the background.
- VALLEY GREEN INN: The venue itself is historic and picturesque and makes a pretty and recognizable backdrop for your wedding photos
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All within steps of the venue, you have a variety of nature scenes to choose from. The greens of spring and summer are vibrant and lush, and in the fall, when the leaves change colors, you are in for a treat with their showy rainbow of oranges, yellows, and reds. As a Philadelphia wedding photographer, I am always thrilled when I get the chance to photograph weddings at the special wedding venue in the Wissahickon Park.
Covered Reception Area at Valley Green Inn
I appreciate that there is a covered patio space for your reception. This allows you to truly enjoy being in this beautiful location while also being covered in case it sprinkles and being shaded from the sun. Some venues are in a beautiful location, but once you go inside for your reception, you completely disconnect from where you are. The setup at this nature-forward location gives you the best of both worlds with this indoor/outdoor feeling. There are even heaters in the reception area, so if there is a chill in the air on a fall wedding day, you and your guests will be cozy and warm. The “walls” of the reception area can remain open on warm days and can be closed up if needed. With seating for up to 200, this venue can accommodate a variety of wedding sizes, from a micro wedding to a bigger guest list. There is a lower level of seating, also covered, and adjacent to this main patio, that serves as additional seating for larger celebrations.
Planning your Valley Green Inn Wedding
What’s included
The Valley Green Inn is a one-stop shop and many things are included in their wedding packages, such as ceremony space, reception, and catering. This makes planning less stressful and your day more relaxed and fun. An on-site venue coordinator is also available on your wedding day to take care of setup and breakdown. They are accommodating to each couple and can make adjustments to cater to individual needs.
In-house Restaurant
The Valley Green Inn is a full-time working restaurant that is open for lunch and dinner and a lovely Sunday brunch. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a meal after a stroll down Forbidden Drive. Having an in-house restaurant allows this Philadelphia wedding venue to offer exclusive catering, which streamlines your wedding planning and provides a wonderful menu for your celebration. The culinary team creates fresh and delicious dishes that will delight your guests. They offer innovative and tasty American cuisine that roatotes with the seasans. Recent lunch and dinner menus have featured chili-rubbed filet Medallion and Braised Lamb Barbacoa. For Brunch weddings, they have offered specialties such as Stuffed French Toast and a Belgian Waffle Bar. Check out the current event menus at Valley Green Inn to see what could be on the menu for your wedding day. You and your wedding guests will be in for a treat with top-notch food and service.
Real Weddings
Valley Green Inn is truly a beloved landmark in Philadelphia and features nature-filled views, the peaceful Wissahickon Creek, and a wonderful team to help your wedding day vision become a reality. Click the links below to view real weddings at The Valley Green Inn.
Valley Green Inn Wedding Philadelphia Pa
Woodsy Philadelphia Weeding in Wissahickon Valley Park
Photography for Your Valley Green Inn Wedding
If you are looking for a photographer for your wedding at Valley Green Inn, I would love to chat with you! As someone who has had the joy of photographing many weddings here, I know the lay of the land, and it is definitely one of my favorite woodsy venues in Philadelphia. I would love to hear the vision for your day and share any tips from my experiences working there. You can contact me here. I can’t wait to chat!
Valley Green Wedding Reviews
See what couples are saying about their experiences with Valley Green Inn wedding planning. You can check out reviews on The Knot, Wedding Wire, and Google:
Valley Green Inn Wedding Venue
Valley Green Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128
215.247.1730
About Valley Green Inn
This historic site was built in 1650 and was originally called Edward Rinker’s Temperance Tavern. It is the last roadhouse that is still standing along Forbidden Drive. Fairmount Park Commission purchased the land in 1873. Over the last 125 years, the inn was rehabed five times. This preserved historic structure is now under the ownership of The Friends of the Wissahickon and you can learn more about the long and interesting history here or here. People have been gathering at The Valley Green Inn for quite a long time and it is wonderful that it is still a hub for people to congregate and celebrate. Whether lounging on their welcoming porch or feeling the warmth of the fireplace inside the restaurant, there is a cozy atmosphere that is refreshingly welcoming.
