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Weddings

About

INDEPENDENCE SEAPORT MUSEUM is a “MUST SEE” when considering a location and a venue for your very special, private event.

Located along the Delaware River, this ideal, one-of-a-kind, venue can serve as host for your special event providing panoramic waterfront views including outdoor terraces & patio spaces that overlook both the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman Bridges. The Independence Seaport Museum accommodates events of all sizes from cocktail parties, weddings and corporate events in our scenic ballroom. Additionally, the 500 seat theater is perfect for conferences and theatrical productions. Working closely with our preferred vendors, we take great pride in the ability to customize your event according to your interests, vision and budget.

We can now take you on a private tour of our magnificent Outdoor & Indoor spaces.

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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?

$4,880

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

$3,660

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?

$1,500

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

$1,200

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

Chairs
Event Planning
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Dessert
Server(s)
Wedding Cake

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$14

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Champagne Toast
House Wine
Limited Bar
Open Bar
Premium Liquor

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

20

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

4

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Boat/Yacht
Garden
Historic Building
Loft
Marina
Museum
Park
Rooftop
Waterfront

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Family Style
French Service
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
Limited Bar
Liquor License
Open Bar
Outside Alcohol
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Chairs
Dance Floor
Drapery
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Chocolate Fountain
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Valet
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

May
June
July
August
September
October
November

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
April
December

Reviews of Independence Seaport Museum

E
Etreece Sent on 06/29/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Planning to have event st this venue

The process is amazing beautiful venue and the staff are so professional and respond right away. It’s very affordable
V
Victoria Sent on 11/05/2017
5 out of 5 rating
My dad worked here when I was younger and ever since I attended a 4th of July event on their 4th floor I knew I wanted to get married here. It was such a unique venue with beyond breathtaking views of the city and a great location! The open bar was included in our pricing. Dena was accommodating and we were able to truly cater our day to have the exact experience we were looking for. The staff was great, but it is a place where you have to do setup yourself and reserve vendors on your own. The ceremony took place on the rotunda and we had a cotton candy sunset for cocktail hour on the 4th floor terrace. The venue is a hidden gem that could really provide the wedding of your dreams!
S
Sarah Sent on 06/16/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We just had our wedding ceremony and reception at the Independence Seaport Museum and we could not be happier! The setting is absolutely beautiful, with views overlooking the Delaware River and the ballroom is really spacious with a large terrace outside. We were planning our wedding from a distance and the event coordinator, Dena, was incredible to work with! She was so flexible in updating plans and making any changes we requested and really responsive to all our emails. Steve was there on our wedding day to help ensure everything ran smoothly and he was awesome to work with as well! We had so many compliments on how beautiful our wedding was and the venue had everything to do with that. I highly, highly recommend choosing the Seaport Museum and working with Dena for your wedding!
U
User2479533 Sent on 12/23/2015
5 out of 5 rating
I cannot say enough good things about the Seaport Museum and Janelle, who we worked with there. It is an amazing hidden Philadelphia gem. We planned to have our ceremony on the rotunda but due to rain had to have it in the reception hall with our cocktail hour in the exhibits - it was still super beautiful, and by the time cocktail hour came around the rain was clearing up. Janelle made it possible for our guests to hang out inside in the galleries AND outside on the decks. It was the best of both worlds! She was super accommodating and fun to work with. The Seaport Museum had everything we were looking for (nice big reception hall with a dance floor and attached outdoor space, outdoor ceremony space and awesome rain plan - our guests had a great time exploring the exhibits during cocktail hour) and I wish I could plan more parties here. I became a member for the wedding and will renew my membership for the next year so I can keep coming back!
U
User2452859 Sent on 05/01/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Haven't had the wedding yet, but working with Janelle has been great. She is flexible and allows me to be the laid back bride that I am. She is super genuine and honest which I appreciate during this process. She's also been helping me save wine corks for a wedding project!
V
Valerie Sent on 11/12/2014
5 out of 5 rating
The bridge and groom wanted a place that was in the city but not a ball room..
They wanted their guests to have a beautiful view of the city.
They wanted to add their personal touches to their wedding without having added costs for each idea.
They wanted the place to themselves for their event without any worries about another affair going on in the same venue that day.
They wanted to bring in their caterer.
They wanted to wanted to provide the alcohol.
They wanted an outdoor ceremony with an indoor reception.
They wanted lots of choices and freedom.
They got it all at the Seaport!
U
User1838483 Sent on 09/30/2014
5 out of 5 rating
Working with Janelle and the Independence Seaport Museum team was awesome! We had the times of our lives at our wedding and Janelle helped to make sure that everything ran smoothly through the process. The venue space on the 4th floor has amazing views with a huge dance floor. Our guests also thoroughly enjoyed exploring the museum collections and exhibitions during cocktail hour. The only disappointment was that it rained on our big day so we weren't able to have the ceremony outdoors on the beautiful rotunda... but the ceremony indoors ended up being perfect :)
J
Jillian Sent on 07/25/2011
5 out of 5 rating
Working with Chrissy at Events at ISM was a dream! She was so helpful in making our day as perfect as can be! If you're getting married in Philadelphia, this is the perfect location! You get the city and the water. So easy to get to (really important for out of town guests) and is right next to the Hyatt! All of our guests raved at the beautiful ceremony and reception space!
F
Faye Sent on 05/29/2010
5 out of 5 rating
I was lucky enough to have my wedding at this amazing location. If spectacular views and convenience is what you are after then I would highly recommend ISM for your wedding. It's right next door to the Hyatt, which is great for out of town guests too. We opted to have our ceremony on the Rotunda which allowed amazing views of the Delaware and Ben Franklin Bridge in the background. We then had our cocktail hour in the actual museum (cue great photo ops for guests and a really fun time) and then moved up to the grand ballroom and balcony for our reception, which was breathtaking. What's great about the museum is that they have a range of rooms and spaces, each with a different feel and you can use as many or as few as you want. There is even a small private theater where we had an intimate religious ceremony too. The staff there are wonderful and extremely helpful. Liz and Kelly get special shout outs - they will make sure your day goes well. Thanks ISM!
A
Ann M. Sent on 10/13/2014
4.9 out of 5 rating
To say my wedding was a dream come true would be an understatement. I couldn't imagine a better venue for our day. The Seaport really transformed for our wedding and our guests LOVED walking around the museum. Janelle, our coordinator at the ISM (and Brulee catering) attended to our every need and idea and had exceptional attention to detail. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing! I look forward to visiting the museum in the future with my family to re-live our wedding day experience.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

15

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
EBE Talent EBE Talent Wedding Bands

EBE and the staff at the Independence Seaport Museum work together in perfect harmony, ensuring each event is flawless! It has been our delightful experience that their staff is both attentive and professional. We know from experience that their team works as hard as ours to make sure each event is perfect. That kind of reliability in an event partner is priceless both for industry professionals who provide services and for the fortunate customers who celebrate there!

Preferred Vendors
12th Street Catering
4.9 out of 5 rating , 30 reviews
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Rhubarb Hospitality Collection
4.9 out of 5 rating , 52 reviews
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Sage Catering
4.9 out of 5 rating , 236 reviews
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Map

Independence Seaport Museum frequently asked questions

Independence Seaport Museum includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • Event Planning
  • Set Up
  • Tables
Independence Seaport Museum includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Dessert
  • Server(s)
  • Wedding Cake
The bar service starting price at Independence Seaport Museum includes:
  • Champagne Toast
  • House Wine
  • Limited Bar
  • Open Bar
  • Premium Liquor
The space offered by Independence Seaport Museum for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Boat/Yacht
  • Garden
  • Historic Building
  • Loft
  • Marina
  • Museum
  • Park
  • Rooftop
  • Waterfront
Independence Seaport Museum offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Independence Seaport Museum offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Independence Seaport Museum offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
Independence Seaport Museum offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Drapery
  • Tables
Independence Seaport Museum is recommended by 92% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.6 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.8 in flexibility, 4.7 in professionalism, 4.6 in quality of service, 4.6 in value and 4.4 in average response time.
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