When it comes to your wedding day, most people instantly think about these grand ceremonies with all of your friends and family. And while that can be amazing for some couples, I am also a huge fan of smaller, more intimate weddings.
As an intimate wedding and elopement photographer, I get to see firsthand just how special a small ceremony is with just you and your partner or a few of the people who mean the most to you.
If that is exactly what you are looking for, one of the first things you’ll want to do is find the perfect venue for your big day. Lucky for you, there are some really incredible small wedding venues in Pennsylvania that give you your once-in-a-lifetime moment while also still feeling very intimate.
So, to help you as you start to plan your wedding, here are a few of my favorite small venues in Pennsylvania and why they are such a great option for your wedding day. Want more inspiration for your intimate wedding check out this fun intimate wedding in the Poconos , this Sweet Drumore Mill Wedding in Lancaster, or this colorful farm wedding in the State College
Best Small Wedding Venues in Pennsylvania
Drumore Mill
If you thought the only waterfall you could get married next to was at the Ledges Hotel, think again. The Drumore Mill is a beautiful venue that also has an incredible waterfall, creating a dreamy backdrop for you and your partner.
The ceremony space is also sort of an indoor/outdoor mix, so you get the best of both worlds. Plus, if you are a bit adventurous, you can even get into the waterfall! One of my couples did this after their ceremony, and it was such an incredible experience (I may or may not have joined them, too!).
The mill itself was built back in the mid-1700s and still has so much of that rustic charm today. While they can host weddings of up to 125 guests, their micro wedding and elopement packages are perfect for anyone looking for an intimate wedding.
You’ll find everything you need, from getting ready spaces, ceremony locations including right next to the waterfall or their Woodland Chapel, and even places for you and some of your guests to stay over.
You really are nestled in your own private world here, just surrounded by nature, so you have such a peaceful atmosphere all around to celebrate this next step you are taking!
Want to see what a Drumore Mill wedding could look like? Check it out here
Promise Ridge
Promise Ridge is definitely one of the most unique small wedding venues in Pennsylvania (and even the country). This venue was actually created by an officiant, Alisa Tongg, right in her own home.
The ridge gives you just absolutely incredible views of the surrounding areas, and you really couldn’t ask for a better backdrop for an intimate wedding. While you are out in a wooded area, they’ve built small, platformed areas that are perfect for your ceremony and reception. I mean, the last thing you want is to have to navigate uneven ground in dress shoes.
You’ll also find small touches that really make all of the difference, like string lights, stone steps, and small touches throughout that really expand on the natural feel of this venue.
Honestly, one of the best things about Promise Ridge is the views, and there are not that many places where you can get a better backdrop in the Poconos!
Click here to see Jessica and Eddie’s modern day Brady Bunch Wedding at Promise Ridge
Portico at the Awbury Arboretum
If you are looking for a small wedding venue in Philly, the Portico is the perfect spot. This venue is really the perfect combination of a more laid-back and chill venue while still feeling very elegant.
Although you are right in Northwest Philly, you really feel like you are in a world of your own here. There are 55 acres surrounding the property, and it truly creates an oasis for you without having to go very far.
Plus, there are so many great places around the property that you can go for some more intimate moments or for some beautiful portraits. Around the grounds, you can find things like meadows, botanical gardens, and a secret garden.
You can also add your own touches to make it extra special for your wedding day (like one of my couples whose grandpop grew flowers for the reception).
Want to see the flowers the couples grandpop grew for the wedding? Click here
Conestoga House and Gardens
The Conestoga House and Gardens dates back to the early 1700s and has almost 8 acres of beautiful land and gardens throughout. From the main building itself to the gorgeous pool surrounded by greenery and the sophisticated yet timeless vibe, this really is an amazing place for a small wedding.
One of the great things about this venue is its natural beauty. There are small touches all throughout the property, and even just the natural aesthetic of the venue creates a dreamy backdrop. This means that you can opt to go really simple with how you decorate for your wedding without feeling like the space is plain or bland.
Terrain
Finally, we have the Terrain wedding venues. You’ll notice I said venues because there are actually a few different properties throughout Pennsylvania that are all created and run by the same people.
All of these properties are unique in their own way, but one thing is for sure – whatever property you choose is going to be absolutely stunning.
The Terrain properties originally started as a place where people could come and experience nature in a relaxing way. As they have grown and opened new locations, that idea of peace and serenity has been carried throughout.
What you get out of it is a venue that feels very high-end and curated while still feeling relaxed and peaceful. Any one of their locations is a great option if you are looking for a way to really feel connected and immersed in nature without having to actually go more than an hour outside of the city.
Want to see what your Terrain wedding could look like? Check out Monica and Matthew’s Intimate Terrain Wedding here
Ledges Hotel
The Ledges Hotel really feels like it was taken straight from a storybook. It is a beautiful stone hotel surrounded by what feels like an enchanting forest and a waterfall. You can literally get married right in front of a waterfall…what more could you ask for?
The hotel is also in a great location, where you feel like you are almost tucked away, which makes the entire day feel so much more intimate and quiet. You can also have your wedding here year-round, and each season provides its own unique vibe, from intense greens in the summer, the perfect yellows and oranges in the fall, and a winter wonderland in the winter.
Another great bonus is that you can plan your entire wedding weekend here. Since this is a hotel, you, your partner, and anyone else you want to include in your special day can all stay right on the property.
This makes it so much easier when it comes to getting ready on your wedding day, but it also gives you the chance to just genuinely connect and have fun with the people closest to you.
Final Thoughts on the Intimate Wedding Venues in Pennsylvania
So, when it comes to finding a small wedding venue in Pennsylvania, you definitely have some incredible options. Whether you are looking for more of a fairytale vibe or something a bit more high-end, there are so many incredible options for your intimate wedding.
Now, all you need is the perfect photographer to capture these moments for you. Being a part of these small weddings and elopements and being able to tell the story of your love and your wedding day is one of my greatest joys.
If you are still looking for the perfect fit for your wedding, I’d love to chat. You can click here to learn more about my wedding photography services, or you can head over here to get in touch and chat about how we can capture these moments together.
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