The Best Small Wedding Venues in Philadelphia, PA

The Best Small Wedding Venues in Philadelphia, PA

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3 Wedding Venues in Philadelphia, PA

Beaches, waterfront settings
Up to 50 guests
Available on September 13, 2026
Moshulu 

5.0

Philadelphia, PA
  • Up to 200 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $10,000

Create your own storybook wedding aboard a Philadelphia landmark. Our private rooms take full advantage of the unparalleled views of Philadelphia’s waterfront and skyline, including the newly remodeled State Room. Our multi-level decks offer a glorious open-air experience, as well as tented space, which is heated for year-round use. The finest cuisine is paired with our skilled professionals, resulting in a memorable wedding for you and your guests.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Handles all cleanup logistics
  • Has a dance floor to dance the night away
  • Full catering menu to choose from

Venue considerations

  • No on-site guest accommodations
  • Large venue, not ideal for small guest lists
  • Not wheelchair accessible
The Moshulu was the first venue we looked at and we instantly fell in love and knew it was where we wanted to host our wedding reception. First, the ship is absolutely stunning and we knew it would give such a unique experience to our guests. Because it has such charm and character, we were able to focus on key details like centerpieces and signage rather than needing to worry about dressing a blank space! But more importantly, we knew it was where we wanted to have our wedding because of how well we were treated by the Moshulu staff during every single interaction from our first tour until the big day! Jake was the absolute best to work with through everything! We found many other venues stick to a “cookie cutter” approach or up charge for every little thing… but as a vendor, the Moshulu was so incredibly flexible, collaborative, and accommodating with their wedding package to truly make it OUR day. It was such a pleasure to collaborate (and we really do mean collaborate!) with Jake and team on our vision, and our guests commented on the beauty of the ship all night long! We would highly recommend anyone host their event at the Moshulu!
Michael F., 2 years ago
Independence Seaport Museum 
Philadelphia, PA
  • Up to 400 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor

Located on Penn’s Landing, the Independence Seaport Museum can answer all of your needs to make your event exceptional. We love opening our Museum galleries, historic ships, and facility at large to welcome your guests into an experience they will remember for years to come. From exuberant family celebrations to sophisticated cocktail hours, we can tailor our offerings to your rental. Our Museum boasts two floors of exhibits, a large ballroom and terrace, outdoor and indoor spaces with riverfront views, a 400-plus-seat theater, and National Historic Landmark ship Cruiser Olympia, all of which can be used for your event.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Provides event staff
  • Provides setup and cleanup
  • Dressing room available

Venue considerations

  • Venue feels large for events with small guest lists
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • No free parking
Rivers Casino Philadelphia Event Center 
Philadelphia, PA
  • Up to 600 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor

Whether you’re hoping to host a large wedding or a more intimate one, we have you covered. The Event Center features over 10,000 square feet that can be configured to create the space of your dreams. You and your guests will also have access to a waterfront balcony throughout the evening. The perfect spot to take in some of Philly’s most stunning views of the Delaware River and Ben Franklin Bridge.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Handles all cleanup logistics
  • Provides event staff
  • All-inclusive venue packages

Venue considerations

  • Not for you if you are looking for something nontraditional
  • On-site parking not available
  • Not wheelchair accessible

Location flexible? Discover venues near Philadelphia, PA

About wedding venues in Philadelphia, PA

Why Is Philadelphia the Perfect Wedding Destination for You?

Philadelphia's wedding scene gives you the best of both worlds - colonial charm alongside urban sophistication. You'll find venues housed in stunning 18th-century mansions and cleverly converted industrial spaces throughout the city. Each neighborhood offers its own distinct backdrop for your special day. Old City woos couples with romantic cobblestone streets while Center City venues showcase breathtaking skyline views from rooftop locations. Philadelphia spaces often come with built-in architectural elements like ornate ceiling medallions grand staircases and historic facades that actually reduce your decoration needs. Museum venues let you celebrate surrounded by priceless artworks and your wedding budget helps support cultural preservation efforts at the same time.

What Does a Philadelphia Wedding Actually Cost?

Philadelphia weddings range widely in cost with venue expenses typically making up about 15% of what you'll spend overall. For a 50-guest wedding you're looking at around $21,904 total while a 100-guest celebration jumps to $36,244. Bigger gatherings of 150 guests average $49,725 and 200-guest weddings come in around $61,773. Large celebrations with 250 guests typically cost $73,821 while 300-guest events reach about $85,869.

Number of GuestsTotal Wedding Budget
50 guests$21,904
100 guests$36,244
150 guests$49,725
200 guests$61,773
250 guests$73,821
300 guests$85,869

Venue costs in Philadelphia typically run between $6,700 and $8,200 which is actually competitive compared to the national range of $6,500-$12,000. October is hands-down the most requested month for Philadelphia weddings so expect premium pricing during this peak fall period.

Which Historic Venues Capture Philadelphia's Architectural Legacy?

The Arts Ballroom dazzles with sweeping staircases and vintage crystal chandeliers and can accommodate up to 250 of your guests. ONE North Broad showcases stunning Masonic Temple architecture with ceremonial rooms and intricate mosaic floors you won't find anywhere else. Le Meridien occupies the historic Georgian revival-style YMCA building where you'll appreciate the original brick facade and preserved architectural details throughout your celebration. These venues incorporate Philadelphia's industrial heritage too. You'll find exposed brick walls original timber beams and even preserved machinery elements that add authentic character to your wedding day.

Which Philadelphia Venues Excel at Accessibility?

Fleisher Art Memorial prioritizes inclusivity with wheelchair-accessible entrances lift systems to the main lobby ramps into gallery spaces and both accessible and gender-inclusive restrooms. Portico at Awbury Arboretum offers wheelchair-accessible ceremony spaces for up to 160 guests within gorgeous Victorian-style gardens plus a charming wrap-around porch. Bartram's Garden provides wheelchair-accessible main entrances with select paths featuring curb cuts. It can host up to 300 guests while treating everyone to spectacular skyline views. Accessibility matters and these venues get it right.

Where Can You Find Culinary Excellence at Philadelphia Wedding Venues?

The Four Seasons Philadelphia partners with James Beard Award-winning Chef Greg Vernick and Michelin Star Chef Jean Georges to create luxurious fine dining experiences your guests will talk about for years. Morimoto at The Horticulture Center gives you natural garden settings combined with Chef Masaharu Morimoto's culinary artistry - a perfect pairing. Osteria serves up seasonal Northern Italian cuisine by James Beard Award winner Chef Jeff Michaud that transforms traditional recipes into wedding-worthy dishes. Zahav provides romantic settings with Chef Mike Solomonov's celebrated cuisine bringing Mediterranean flavors to your celebration. The Arts Ballroom can be paired with renowned steakhouse dining through partnerships with establishments like Butcher & Singer for a classic Philadelphia experience.

How Can Zola Help With Your Philadelphia Wedding Planning?

Zola's Philadelphia vendor marketplace connects you directly with venues you can filter by accessibility features cultural accommodation capabilities and seasonal availability. Create a custom wedding website showcasing your chosen Philadelphia venue complete with neighborhood recommendations for out-of-town guests. Track your Philadelphia wedding budget across all categories knowing venue expenses typically represent 15% of your total costs. Zola's guest management tools help you coordinate accommodation blocks at nearby hotels which is essential for Center City Philadelphia venues with limited on-site lodging options. Wedding planning gets a whole lot easier.

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