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About
The German Society of Pennsylvania, established in 1764, offers a historic and elegant setting for weddings in Philadelphia. Our three-story brick building combines classic Colonial architecture with unique spaces to accommodate various aspects of your celebration. Please note: This venue is strictly a rental space and does not include catering, decorations, or additional amenities.
Event Spaces:
Barthelmes Auditorium (Ballroom): An elegant space ideal for ceremonies and receptions, featuring ample room for dining and dancing.
Joseph Horner Memorial Library: A two-story library with galleried bookcases, antique furniture, and wood paneling, providing a unique backdrop for ceremonies or intimate gatherings.
Ratskeller: A cozy, tavern-like dining area perfect for cocktail hours or casual receptions.
Leidy Terrace: A spacious outdoor area suitable for open-air events or additional reception space.
Capacity: Our venue can accommodate up to 200 guests, depending on the selected spaces and event configuration.
Rental Details:
Rental fees range from $1,000 to $7,000 based on the chosen rooms and event duration.
A refundable security deposit of $500 is required.
Discounts are available for booking multiple rooms.
Tables and chairs available to use, but can be rented from an outside vendor.
This is a venue rental only. All vendors, including catering, linen and décor must be arranged separately by the renter.
Amenities:
Public parking nearby
Historic ambiance with unique architectural features
For inquiries and bookings, please contact us at: 📧 Email: info@germansociety.org 📍 Address: 611 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
By choosing The German Society of Pennsylvania for your wedding, you not only experience a unique and historic venue but also support our mission to promote German-American heritage and culture.
Visit our website for more details and pricing:www.germansociety.org
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I cannot thank Liesel and the GSP enough! What a beautiful wedding reception venue for our daughter, Katie and our new son-in-law, Austin.
The auditorium worked perfectly for the reception! The floor to ceiling windows added the perfect touch of ambience with their filtered light. Acoustics in the grand room with high ceilings were phenomenal for our DJ as everyone danced and had a great time! The bar area and cocktail tables were perfect for a pre-reception cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres., We were grateful to use the balcony to hang a custom banner for the couple. The gorgeous and historic library left our photographer so happy with her pictures.
I could go on. It was just such a perfect evening! We are so grateful to Liesel and highly recommend the GSP! We have two more daughters. Here’s hoping :-)
Rob L. Sent on 03/21/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Gorgeous Affordable Venue
The German Society of Pennsylvania was the perfect location for our winter wedding! We used the Library for our ceremony and seamlessly transitioned to the Auditorium for our reception. It was so easy not having our guests need to travel in the cold weather between the two events. The Library was a beautiful space that needed little decor to look even more amazing than it already is and the Auditorium was very easily customizable to fit our needs. Liesl was such a huge help in answering our questions and letting us see the space on multiple occasions to help plan our wedding vision. The space was very affordable and doesn't have a contract caterer which allowed us to save quite a bit of money finding our own caterer. They also let us use their tables and chairs for free which saved on costs as well. We were so happy with them and would recommend them fully to anyone looking for a lovely and affordable wedding venue in Philadelphia.
Sarah Sent on 07/02/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Beautiful & unique!
My husband and I were married here on 5/11/19. We would absolutely recommend the German Society for other couples looking for a unique & beautiful venue for their big day. Our ceremony took place in their gorgeous courtyard & we had our reception in the historic auditorium. GSP allows you to totally personalize your day. Liesl in the front office is quick to communicate with you and answered all of my many questions. Our day of chaperone, Cathy, was also wonderful and Tony, the President, was friendly when we worked with him directly & actually came to the venue the day of to deal with a leaky fridge issue personally. All in all, a wonderful experience start to finish!
Mary Sent on 01/14/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Beautiful venue
We had our reception in the library, a room that is typically not used for food/drink events, but GSP graciously allowed an exception after we fell in love with the space. Everyone commented on how stunning the venue was.
We worked primarily with Liesl, who was helpful and responsive throughout the process. The Society does have a lot of rules regarding the preservation of their space, but I found this reasonable. For instance, no spike-heeled shoes. I simply noted this on the invitation and guests respected it. They also require insurance, a person working at the door, etc, and out caterer took care of all of this. We chose a caterer from GSP's preferred list (Diverse Catering), and I think that helped a lot. GSP also requires a member of their staff to be on site during the event. The staff member was respectful and unobtrusive.
I should also mention that we had our wedding during a period when the venue is usually closed (between Christmas and New Year's), so we are especially grateful that GSP allowed an exception for the timing as well as for the library. It was a truly unforgettable event.
Cailyn Sent on 10/04/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
I have no idea why there are any negative reviews for the German Society. I had such a wonderful & easy experience working with them especially Liesl. At the time of our first walk through there was no air conditioning but they told us it was scheduled for installation that spring & by our final walk through it was installed & worked perfectly through the night! Liesl was very responsive to my 100+ emails that I sent over the year of planning & was very accommodating during our setup time. We did have chaperones for the night of our wedding but they were very pleasant & helpful, they gave our wedding planning a walkie talkie and would come assist us whenever we needed anything. The building itself is amazing. We had our ceremony in the library and multiple guest came up to us because they were so interested they wanted to go back in a walk around a little. If you want a unique and beautiful wedding venue that's super affordable, this is the place for you, there are no decorations required because the building is beautiful on its own.
Nikki Sent on 06/10/2013
4.6 out of 5 rating
4.6
My husband and I are so happy we chose this location for our wedding ceremony and reception. We got compliment after compliment after compliment about how beautiful, stunning, and unique our wedding day was at the German Society of Pennsylvania. This place fit our budget and we fell in love with the look and charm of the building, as well as the staff member, Beate, who worked with us through the whole process. Everything turned out perfect!
Allison Sent on 10/25/2011
4.6 out of 5 rating
4.6
My fiance and I fell in love with the building when we attended an event there a few years back. It is a beautiful old building with lots of historic details, and was perfect for our wedding reception!
Carol Sent on 03/31/2015
2.8 out of 5 rating
2.8
We went with the German Society because the ballroom is beautiful and for the cost, you get use of the ballroom for almost 12 hours (11am-11pm)! Our primary contact was Caroline and she was professional and quick to respond. The rest of the staff was not particularly accommodating. They are very sentimental about their dance floor, which was drilled into my head more times then necessary during my meeting with the general manager. In fact, I found the tone of most of the meeting to be condescending and vaguely threatening. I was repeatedly reminded of the need for insurance (pretty standard) and the fact women aren't supposed to wear stilettos (I'll see what I can do about that but I'm not turning anyone away for their footwear--its a floor it gets walked upon) and the fact the place needs to be cleaned at the end of the night (well, duh). These things were repeated ad nauseam as though they were difficult items for me to understand. I was repeatedly reminded that my security deposit was at stake if I didn't meet my end of the contract. Again, duh.
The night of the reception we had a overseer from the German Society on site to make sure nothing went out of the ordinary. When I parked I was told I would have to move because they were going to get a shipment of construction material. I did not move my car because I was certain the shipment would not come between 5pm and 11pm Sat evening. No shipment arrived. Early in the evening some of my guests attempted to enter the front door but the German Society associate would not open it for them, even at my request. I had to unlock the door?! I was told that if anyone not on my guest list entered the building I would be fined. Some of my guests were last minute additions and were not on the guest list. They entered. I was not fined. The only reason I believe things went smoothly is because the caterer I had contracted (Diverse Catering) had extensive experience with this venue and made sure their neuroses were soothed.
Donna Sent on 10/17/2017
0.9 out of 5 rating
0.9
My son got married here and the assured them that the air conditioning would be hooked up and parking lot finished before their wedding. The day before we found out there was no ac and they never let us know. It was 90 degrees. We had to call an get emergency air hooked up at midnight that cost us $6600.00. The president told us it was my sons fault because he only told them their "might" be ac. He was an awful person and very deceitful. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. Not worth dealing with the likes of him. BTW his name is Tony. 9/2017
Regina Sent on 10/12/2016
0.9 out of 5 rating
0.9
The following is the letter I submitted to the director and I have yet to receive a response. For space, I have only added major parts:
While I was dressed in a small robe getting my makeup done, the site chaperone barged into the room to obtain his belongings; he did not make himself known. Moments later, as I was in my undergarments, he stormed into the room a second time! Again, I demanded to know why he was there and why he did not knock on the door. When I explained to him that I was to have the room to myself, he completely ignored me and left. In addition to his vulgar behavior towards me, I learned that he was demeaning to my hired staff, specifically my door person and owner of the cleaning crew.
-He commanded door person stay at the door because his boss was afraid that terrorists would enter the building (this was extremely offensive as it was mentioned after a guest showed up in Muslim garb)
-He did not respond to inquiries over the walkie-talkie he provided to the doorperson;
-He made Carla the cleaning crew set up chairs for the following day's event
-He came onto the owner of the cleaning crew
While I understand that his connections to the site prevents him from being terminated, I would like a written apology from him for his utterly disgusting and grossly unprofessional behavior by October 5, 2016. I am mortified that a man other than my husband saw me half naked twice, and I am completely embarrassed at how he treated my staffers. No bride should ever have such an experience on a day that was meant to be joyous. I trust that you will respond in a timely fashion.
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The German Society of Pennsylvania frequently asked questions
The German Society of Pennsylvania includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
Chairs
Parking
Tables
The space offered by The German Society of Pennsylvania for wedding events is known for:
Ballroom
Historic Building
Mansion
The German Society of Pennsylvania offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor
The German Society of Pennsylvania offers the following types of wedding events:
Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
The German Society of Pennsylvania offers the following services for wedding events:
Outside Vendors
Wifi
The German Society of Pennsylvania offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
Chairs
Dance Floor
Furniture
Tables
The German Society of Pennsylvania is recommended by 71% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 3.6 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 3.9 in value, 3.6 in average response time, 3.5 in quality of service, 3.5 in professionalism and 3.2 in flexibility.
