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Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary
Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary
Wedding Ceremony Site 1
Wedding Ceremony Site 1
Pre Reception
Pre Reception
Wedding Ceremony Site 2
Wedding Ceremony Site 2
Reception Al Fresco
Reception Al Fresco
Wedding Ceremony Site 3
Wedding Ceremony Site 3
Carriage House Reception
Carriage House Reception
Carriage House Reception
Carriage House Reception
Wedding Ceremony Site 4
Wedding Ceremony Site 4
Barn Wedding
Barn Wedding
Couple in the woods
Couple in the woods
Newly weds with friends
Newly weds with friends
Couple exchanging vows
Couple exchanging vows
Wedding Ceremony Site 5
Wedding Ceremony Site 5
Groom holding bride
Groom holding bride
Newly weds dancing
Newly weds dancing

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At Dusk

About

Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary is a wedding venue located in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. Charming and historical, this incredible rustic venue is the ideal setting for your perfect country wedding. From thick wooden beams to original hardwood, the Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary provides a vintage aesthetic complimented by the simplicity of natural beauty. Plan a unique wedding inspired by nature at the Sanctuary, tucked away amidst 500 forested acres. Stunning views will set the backdrop for the rustic wedding of your dreams at this historic nature preserve!

Facilities and Capacity
The Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary is proud to offer a one-of-a-kind wedding venue for your special day. Choose the ceremony location that best suits your needs, whether you are hosting a small gathering or a vibrant party.

The Watres Lodge is perfect for an intimate sit-down dinner of up to 25 people. Or, utilize the space for a lively cocktail party or reception for up to 150 standing guests, with a candlelit ambiance and access to both the living and dining room. Enjoy stunning, scenic views from the dining room of the Sanctuary’s natural landscape while you enjoy the most special day of your life.

The Carriage House and Barn instantly transports you back in time with a rustic downstairs event space with a capacity for up to 50 wedding guests.

The Tented Outdoor Area offers an outdoor option with a large open space. With a capacity of up to 150 people. This option is perfect for showcasing the natural beauty of Pennsylvania.

Lodging is available on-site for friends, family members, and wedding parties to relax before or after the celebration.

Lacawac Sanctuary is a nature center, environmental education facility, ecological research station, and historic venue located in the heart of the Northern Poconos on the shore of Lake Wallenpaupack. The rental of Lacawac Sanctuary's Historic Lodge for your special day benefits Lacawac’s mission to preserve and protect our natural and historical heritage, which protects open spaces, and educates the public on our natural resources and historic places like the Watres Lodge.

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$3,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$3,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$500

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
Event Planning
Parking
Set Up
Tables

Reviews of Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary

Write a review
Write a review
Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary - 1
Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary - 2
Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary - 3
+17 User photos
Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary - 4
Jenny
Jenny Sent on 09/29/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Nature Lovers Dream Venue

The moment we entered the gate and saw the wooded forest and historic buildings, we knew we found our wedding venue. Lacawac Sanctuary was the first and only venue we visited. We fell in love instantly. Lacawac has so much to offer and allows you to be creative with design, set up, and flow. From the restored barn, to the private lake, to the historic lodge and beautiful grounds (that allow for a large tent). As an event planner, I was in my element, finding inspiration everywhere. I enjoyed having the ability to select all of the vendors that would bring my vision to life.

Craig was great to work with during the planning process. He answered all of our questions and was very accommodating. He was able to work with us so we could safely host our wedding and get married in 2020 during a pandemic. We were the first couple to get married at Lacawac during COVID. We were able to keep our original wedding date, and since everything was outdoors, we had plenty of room to spread out and utilize all of the various spaces throughout the property. Our guests have not stopped talking about our wedding, how much fun they had, and what a treat it was to get away to such a beautiful location.

We rented the Lodge and Ice House for the weekend and we all enjoyed it so much. Having the ceremony, reception, and lodging for family all in one place was fantastic. We can’t wait to go back. This nature sanctuary will always have a special place in our hearts.
  • Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary - 5
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Francesca
Francesca Sent on 10/22/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Truly magical!

We had our September wedding of 75 people at Lacawac in 2025. It was THE BEST DECISION EVER! Craig is so wonderful and lovely to work with! The site is BREATHTAKING and there are so many spaces to hold the ceremony and reception. We had 75 people at the lake dock and it was so pretty and then had our reception under their new fully covered, paved and heated pavilion. Our whole wedding party stayed the weekend in the lodge and it was so fun/great to have everyone on site the whole time. Everyone said it was the most unique wedding venue they had been to, and the money goes towards an amazing mission! The only thing is, I think other people recommended this, definitely have a wedding coordinator, as the space is GIANT and can confuse people. We went with Ester & Tye at Bissou and they were amazing! But Craig, the head of Lacawac, although not a wedding coordinator, was very great to work with leading up and helps tailor the space to your needs! Plenty of bathrooms and parking for people, and the amount of lodging they have onsite (for an extra fee) is such a great perk, to have everyone get to get ready and stay together. The whole place is TRULY MAGICAL!!
  • Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary - 8
  • Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary - 9
  • +12 photos
    Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary - 10
J
Julia Sent on 02/10/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Gorgeous, easy to work with, great cause

Lacawac was the first and only place we toured to get married. Craig was a joy to work with, incredibly responsive and accommodating, and the venue was able to perfectly execute on the vision we came up with. We got married beneath the trees, danced the night away in the barn, had a stunning cocktail hour on the grounds in front of the barn, and had a modern, colorful, and well-organized dinner under the tent. We loved Lacawac, our friends and family were so impressed by the beauty of the venue. If you're looking for a nature inspired wedding, you found the right place!
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J
Jade Sent on 09/18/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Pennsylvania's Best Kept Secret

Lacawac is a gorgeous venue that does great work in research and education, and they are a wonderful wedding venue. You couldnt ask for a better place for a rustic mountain wedding!!!
Nicole
Nicole Sent on 05/28/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Our DREAM venue

After visiting countless venues in search of "the one" that would meet all of our preferences, we found Lacawac - a literal dream come true. We rented the entire property for two days of festivities, and couldn't be happier with the outcome. Not only are the views breathtaking, but the history of the grounds provided an unmatched "vibe" compared to other vendors that we had considered. Everything was up to our standards of excellence, and Craig, President of Lacawac, was an absolute pleasure to work with (including the accommodation of postponing our original wedding date due to COVID-19). We truly couldn't have had a more perfect wedding weekend, and Lacawac was the real MVP.

If you're considering this venue for your wedding or event, DO NOT HESITATE TO BOOK IT!
A
Aidan Sent on 03/29/2018
5 out of 5 rating
Not only was Craig extremely professional and accommodating, the grounds were even more amazing than we could have imagined. We rented the lodge for the entire weekend (Wednesday through Sunday) and it was everything that we wanted and more. The staff was fantastic, the grounds were beautiful, and we are already booking our next trip back with friends because it has now become one of our favorite places to go. If you decide to come here for any type of event, you will not regret it. 10/10!
M
Mark Sent on 03/20/2018
5 out of 5 rating
What an amazing venue! It was beautiful, clean, well cared for, and the staff was exceptional throughout the process. We had a truly incredible experience hosting our wedding at Lacawac, and cannot say enough good things about it.
C
Craig Sent on 04/11/2017
5 out of 5 rating
A beautiful property, historic and rustic.
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Awards

8

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Professional Network & Endorsements

2 Endorsements
Fox Hill Farm Fox Hill Farm Barn & Farm Weddings

As a wedding floral designer, I've had the pleasure and honor to work at the Lacawac Sanctuary's Historic Waters Lodge. It is a beautiful combination of history, simple elegance, and the outdoors. I would recommend it to any couple looking for a unique venue in northeast PA.

Michelle Lee Photography Michelle Lee Photography Wedding Photographers

I have shot a couple of weddings at Watres Lodge at Lacawac Sanctuary, each one more stunning and unique than the other! It is an amazing place and the woods, the ferns, THAT LAKE!! Spectacular and so affordable and accommodating for couples! Definitely check this venue out if you are looking for fabulous photo ops!

Preferred Vendors
Rustic Charm Vintage Rentals
Rustic Charm Vintage Rentals
5.0 out of 5 rating , 14 reviews
· Wedding Rentals

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