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Weddings

About

Looking for a one-of-a-kind setting for your next special occasion? Invite your guests to experience the lure of The Woodlands where an 18th-century mansion and stable, along with elaborate Victorian funerary monuments sit nestled in a 54-acre lush, pastoral oasis in West Philadelphia.

The Woodlands offers a variety of options so you can create something unique to your needs:

- The grand Hamilton Mansion, the oldest example of Federal architecture in the country, boasts bright and elegant event spaces including the spacious drawing room, lofty circular vestibule, and the stately main ballroom complete with a magnificent covered portico.

- The rustic stable offers a wonderful backdrop for your outdoor ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception.

- The vast, park-like grounds are a modern oasis with majestic trees and curving green contours, just perfect for alfresco cocktails and dining.

Why host your event here?

Designated a National Historic Landmark District in recognition of its unique history and rich resources, The Woodlands is not your typical hotel ballroom or “wedding factory”.

Located in the heart of University City, the entrance to The Woodlands is located directly across from SEPTA's 40th Street Trolley Portal and is a short walk or bike ride from the University of Pennsylvania, University of the Sciences, and the VA Hospital.

All of The Woodlands' spaces are unfurnished, providing you the opportunity to conceive and design the perfect setting for your special affair.

From fine dining to food trucks, we allow many different catering options. Ask us about our preferred vendors.

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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?

$4,600

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

$1,200

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?

$4,600

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

$1,200

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Parking

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

2

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

4

Describe your venue:

Garden
Historic Building
Mansion
Park

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
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?

Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Pet Friendly
Wifi

What bar services do you provide?

Outside Alcohol

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

April
May
June
September
October

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
July
August

Reviews of The Woodlands

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
3 reviews
99% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.8 out of 5 rating
A
Aralene Sent on 08/09/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful vibe in a unique location

The Woodlands allowed us to have exactly the kind of wedding we were hoping to have thanks to their beautiful ambiance and flexibility. We had a cocktail camper and taco bar, bounce house and funnel cake station, and mostly picnic blanket seating for 200 guests. It is an actual working cemetery, and we leaned in a little bit to the theme by using #tilldeathdouspart and asking our band to play "Closer Walk with Thee" when we processed in and out for the ceremony. You have to make sure that you want to plan a flexible wedding as there's a lot more planning when you're in control of all of the details, but we couldn't have asked for a better day. When it started downpouring in the middle of our father-daughter and mother-son dances, Natalie the event coordinator was there with a huge umbrella. She also helped corral the guests when it was time to start the ceremony and helped close the doors as we exited the mansion so that our pictures were as beautiful as possible. It was great to have someone else on our team, helping out with the details. Sure, a cemetery isn't everyone's first thought for a wedding venue, but if you're looking for a beautiful location, close to public transportation, able to accommodate a large number of guests, without killing your budget, this is a really great option to consider. I personally loved that the fees go towards historic preservation. It's such a valuable part of the community and it's great to know that part of our expenses will help preserve a part of West Philadelphia's history. Photo credit Rebecca Gudelunas.
L
Liz Sent on 10/15/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Having our wedding at the Woodlands was the best choice we made in the whole process. The mansion is gorgeous, it is in the city but feels secluded, and it is unique. The staff, especially Julia, were fantastic.
D
Danielle Sent on 09/18/2015
4.9 out of 5 rating
Woodlands was the perfect place for our wedding. We lived around the corner at the time and often walked through the cemetery with our dogs, so it felt very comfortable. The historic mansion provides a beautiful backdrop for photos and required very little in the way of decoration (we just had potted herbs and fresh flowers in jars). The size felt just right for our 85-ish guests, granted we did have the tables set up outside. The staff were very helpful in helping us plan everything, especially considering we didn't have a wedding planner. They were also very understanding with surprise problems, such as the equipment rental service being uncommunicative and very late in delivering tables and chairs. Overall, it was very inexpensive compared to other venues in the city and couldn't have asked for a better day.

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Exotic Fever Records Exotic Fever Records Wedding Bands

I got married here in April 2015. The venue was beautiful and the staff were incredible in working with us to create a beautiful day. Affordable, comfortable, and achingly graceful. Highly recommended for people who want something other than a canned wedding experience. Also great for indoors and outdoors flexibility. katy otto

Map

The Woodlands frequently asked questions

The Woodlands includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Parking
The space offered by The Woodlands for wedding events is known for:
  • Garden
  • Historic Building
  • Mansion
  • Park
The Woodlands offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
The Woodlands offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
The Woodlands offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wifi
The Woodlands is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.

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