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On WeddingWire since 2010

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a historic wedding venue located in the heart of the center city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the nation’s first art museum and school of fine arts. With a convenient location, gorgeous architecture, and top-notch event services, this museum venue is a fabulous location for an elegant event experience.

Facilities and Capacity

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts offers a totally unique wedding experience, where you and your guests can celebrate within the art galleries. The venue is suited to accommodate up to 275 guests at a time, making it a great choice for those planning large, extravagant affairs.

The Historic Landmark Building features a Victorian grand staircase, gorgeous artwork, and plenty of other timeless architecture dating back to 1876.

The Hamilton Building is a turn-of-the-century car showroom turned modern gallery space, particularly ideal for groups up to 250+, that features modern galleries with a bright, airy, and fun feel.

PAFA is a show-stopping venue for not only ceremonies and receptions, but also engagement parties and rehearsal dinners, too.

Services Offered

When having your wedding at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, you will receive only the most professional and attentive service from start to finish. The museum’s in-house catering services can provide exquisite meals for you and your guests. The catering team offers amazing hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dessert, and bar options that will add those amazing touches to your wedding experience.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Yes

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

Yes

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Chairs
China
Clean Up
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Set Up
Tables

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

Cake Cutting
Dessert
Server(s)

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

Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar
Signature Drink

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

7

Describe your venue:

Art Gallery
Historic Building
Museum

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Engagement Party
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Rentals
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

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

What bar services do you provide?

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

What event items are available?

Chairs
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Valet
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

March
April
May
June
September
October
November

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
July
August
December
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Any other questions?

Reviews of Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4.9 out of 5 rating
4.9 out of 5 rating
41 reviews
98% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.7 out of 5 rating
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

Powered by AI

PAFA is a highly recommended wedding venue that has received rave reviews from multiple guests. The staff, including Kate and Harry, are praised for their organization, helpfulness, and accommodation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The venue itself is described as beautiful, unique, and filled with character, with guests particularly loving the opportunity to be surrounded by artwork. The history and intimacy of PAFA make it a dream wedding venue that exceeded the expectations of couples.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

PAFA is a highly recommended wedding venue that has received rave reviews from multiple guests. The staff, including Kate and Harry, are praised for their organization, helpfulness, and accommodation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The venue itself is described as beautiful, unique, and filled with character, with guests particularly loving the opportunity to be surrounded by artwork. The history and intimacy of PAFA make it a dream wedding venue that exceeded the expectations of couples.

Weddingwire
4.9/5 41 reviews
Google
4.6/5 364 reviews
Victoria
Victoria S. Sent on 10/11/2021
5 out of 5 rating

The best venue!

PAFA is incredible, it's the only venue we looked at and it didn't disappoint! We got married in the Historic Building and the photos are gorgeous. Everyone kept commenting on how cool it was to have the museum to ourselves and be in the gallery and it's so special to us that we can go back anytime as museum visitors. We LOVED getting married at PAFA and the staff was amazing to work with. I could not recommend it more!!
S
Stephanie Sent on 08/26/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Micro wedding at PAFA

WOW!!! Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a hidden gem in Philly; full of character, romance, and history. The perfect wedding venue for a wedding. Kate, Director of Events, was so insightful, friendly, and responsive. She connected us to amazing team of vendors, from photographer, florists, and caterer. They all kept us informed, and on track to our big day. PAFA is a magical place to have a wedding; our guests loved that we had the museum to ourselves, and the opportunity for photos are endless. From our first looks on the roof top, to the beautiful pictures in the galleries; everything was a dream. So glad we chose PAFA. It was everything we ever dreamed of plus some. (Photograph credit: Iris and Echo-Maria)
Jamie
Jamie B. Sent on 04/22/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful venue

From the moment we walked into PAFA, we knew it was our wedding venue. It is beautiful, unique, and the staff was truly amazing. We had to reschedule multiple times due to the pandemic, but Kate, Adrienne, Rose, and everyone else was incredibly accommodating. Our guests loved looking at the art and couldn't stop commenting on the beautiful venue. Our wedding went off without a hitch and it was in part thanks to the hard working and organized team at PAFA!
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Awards

41
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2012 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Whipped Bakeshop Whipped Bakeshop Wedding Cakes

PAFA offers both historic charm and modern appeal in its event space offerings, and the in-house catering by Duffy's is spectacular!

Preferred Vendors
Styled Bride
5.0 out of 5 rating , 49 reviews
· Wedding Planners
Emily Wren Photography
5.0 out of 5 rating , 180 reviews
· Wedding Photographers
Lauren James Events
5.0 out of 5 rating , 144 reviews
· Wedding Planners
Fulton Events
5.0 out of 5 rating , 121 reviews
· Wedding Planners
Beautiful Blooms
4.8 out of 5 rating , 302 reviews
· Wedding Florists
Petals Lane, Inc.
5.0 out of 5 rating , 146 reviews
· Wedding Florists

Map

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Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts frequently asked questions

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Set Up
  • Tables
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Dessert
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Champagne Toast
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
  • Signature Drink
The space offered by Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts for wedding events is known for:
  • Art Gallery
  • Historic Building
  • Museum
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Engagement Party
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Rentals
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Chairs
  • Tables
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is recommended by 98% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 5 in quality of service, 5 in professionalism, 4.9 in average response time, 4.9 in value and 4.7 in flexibility.

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