Check out our top 5 unique wedding venues in Philadelphia and get inspired for your next event!
One of the biggest reasons I love planning weddings in Philly is the diversity of venues available. If you
want a classic ballroom or rustic barn, there are plenty to choose from, but if you’re looking for an
industrial space or even a private space in a restaurant or blank canvas completely for you to bring in your full creativity, those spaces are plentiful too!
Here are just five of my favorite, unique Philadelphia venues we love!
1. PAFA
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts also known as PAFA, is a stunning museum on Broad Street in the heart of Philadelphia. Unlike most venues in the city, this museum also serves as a school with
undergraduate and graduate programs year-round. Founded in 1805, the venue encompasses the best of the best art and gives off a moody and unique vibe you will not find elsewhere.
With two buildings, there are several options where to hold your ceremony and reception based on your wedding size and with their student’s rotating art, each wedding is truly unique since the art is constantly changing.
For the couple that loves cocktails and wants a cool, trendy spot, Philadelphia Distilling is the perfect wedding venue. This cool Fishtown space is home of the Bluecoat brand and has a unique and fun vibe. The venue has an awesome 30-foot marble bar with vast windows and views of their copper pot stills. It is perfect for smaller weddings (up to 120 guests) and modern couples looking for a cocktail style reception and non-traditional space.
Photos from Alex Medvick Photography
Any coffee lovers here? The beautiful La Colombe flagship location in Fishtown could be
your venue. But even if you are not a coffee lover, this space is so fun and unique, that you would love it no matter what, It is one of the biggest cafes in the city and has a vast built-in bar, various rooms
and is part restaurant, part bakery and part bar! With its brick walls and high ceilings the
room feels plentiful and never crowded.
Photos from Stokes. Architecture + Design
If you need to combine a love for pizza and stunning views of Philly, then look no further, Emmy Squared Pizza is the venue for you!. Originating in Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY, this family of restaurants were co-founded by Emily and Matthew Hyland. They opened in the Queen Village neighborhood of Philly in late 2019, and their Detroit-style rectangular pizza stole my heart. In their Philly location, their roof top is beautiful and the perfect spot to catch the sunset and to tie the knot!
Photos by Alyssa Christine Photography
The MAAS Building in Olde Kensington was built in 1859 and went from a brewery to trolley car repair shop, then was vacant until 2008. Now, it is a multi-purpose space and has private workspaces as well as public spaces that hold art and cultural events as well as weddings!
There is the option to just rent out the second-floor event space or the full building which includes a garden and patio area as well as the kitchen and cottage suite. This is definitely a venue you can do it all in as long as the weather cooperates. Capacity for this building would be on the smaller size but it would create an intimate backyard wedding feel.
The looks of this place can be very industrial and rustic, but with a bit of imagination (and a good budget), you could transform this space into a chic, unique venue for your wedding. Add from the beginning additional budget to rent better chairs for the ceremony (take a look at the below photos and you'll see what I mean!) and some cool lounge sets for the patio area.
With new venues popping up for what it seems like every minute, it is so hard to keep up on the latest and coolest venues, but we hope these 5 unique Philly wedding venues that have been around for many years, are a source of inspiration to think outside the box and select a space that fits you and your partner's personalities, don't settle for anything less!
Cheers!
Andi