The Gardens at Applecross Reviews

First off, online photos do NOT do this venue justice. We looked at Applecross last August and from the moment we walked in, we knew this was our venue. It is absolutely beautiful and the directer, Susie, made us feel so comfortable and at ease during the whole process.
She answered any questions I had and that really showed that she cared about her couples. I’m SO happy we went with Applecross!
The day of our wedding, everything went PERFECTLY! I owe that to Susie, her assistant Heather, the Gardens At Applecross staff and all of our vendors! I did not have to worry about a thing.
Our guests all commented on how the venue was beautiful and the food was amazing!
I truly couldn’t have asked for a better day! So if you’re thinking about Applecross as your wedding venue, DO IT! You will NOT be disappointed!
OH! They were also pet friendly, which really won us over! If we had to do it all over again, I’d pick Applecross in a heartbeat!

Nothing but 5 stars for this wonderful wedding venue! Our son got married on 11/22/25 and it could not have been more perfect. Susie, Dan and the whole crew at Applecross made this day one of the most memorable events for our family and friends. The food, cocktails, event space, and staff were superb! We are forever grateful to all!!

My husband and I were married this past September, and held our reception at The Gardens at Applecross in Downingtown, PA. We chose this venue for many reasons: the close proximity to our home, the beautiful outdoor patio reserved for the cocktail hour, the large/spacious ballroom with high ceilings, multiple floor length windows with natural lighting, and lastly--the amazing Chef Dan who goes so above and beyond for every couple! Chef Dan made us feel like we were the only bride & groom to ever be married at Applecross. He treated us like royalty at our food tasting, and delivered big time on the day of our actual wedding. Applecross uses the wonderful Christina's Catering, which boasts delicious, gourmet food at a reasonable price. Each guest received a duet entree so that guests did not have to choose between 2 entrees--this really impressed us. Additionally, 7 hors oeuvres & several desserts are included in the cost. Wedding cake also included in the venue package. Dan and Tina are a pleasure to work with; they are so approachable. They granted us a few exceptions and concessions because they are good, genuine people. We felt like they became our friends throughout the wedding experience! Their service was very fast on wedding day and no guests were ever left waiting. Applecross offers free parking, a luxurious ballroom that fit our 11-person band. The venue also comes with its own dancefloor lighting so we did not have to pay for any upgrades. We are very pleased with the venue overall--Susie the venue coordinator is very attentive and good at her job! She paid excellent attention to our vision and helped arrange everything to our precise liking. Susie responds very quickly and was never hard to reach. My husband and I would highly recommend The Gardens at Applecross for other couples looking at get married!

The Gardens at Applecross is an absolute beautiful place to get married! I knew that right away when I looked at it, and our wedding guests were non-stop complimenting the beauty of the venue! Besides the beauty of the place, the coordinators, Christina's Catering and all their staff were extremely flexible, kind, and ready to make the day go just as the bride wanted! I can not thank them enough for calming my nerves and making sure I got just what I asked for! I recommend this venue to everyone and anyone wanting to get married! The space was big and breathtaking, the food delicious, and any type of drink could be found at the bar! Many thanks to the Gardens at Applecross & Christina's Catering for making my wedding dreams come true, truly!
Love, Melissa (The Bride)

The Gardens at Applecross is absolutely the best wedding venue and Christinas Catering is the Rockstar of wedding Catering pros. Our family and friends are still raving about our wedding for the past six months. Dan, Tina and the staff were so helpful throughout our wedding planning process and made our wedding day our wedding day perfect!!!!!!

We absolutely loved our private tasting and planning meeting with our parents at applecross with Dan. We knew we were in good hands and felt at ease that our wedding day food would be perfect....And it WAS!!!! We chose their elegance package with 7 appetizers butlered by their waitstaff during our first hour and they even served to all our guests inside & outside the building. Dan took wonderful care of us and our guests. Our wedding meal was wonderful and Dan kept us on time throughout the evening. We are so happy.We chose to have our wedding at The Gardens at Applecross!!!!!

Christine’s Catering absolutely blew us away! From the moment we sat down with the chef, Dan, we felt immediately comfortable. He walked us through the entire wedding process, from the dress rehearsal to the food tasting, even through the day of the wedding. Dan was always available for questions we may have had and was always exceptionally polite and helpful.
The fact that Dan would make a drive all the way to our house for the food tasting was also huge! We were able to enjoy the delicious food from the comfort of our own home. Sitting besides our loved ones and being able to determine which appetizers, entrees, and different assorted food items we would like during our big day made the entire process stress-free.
The wedding day went exceptionally well. Of course, the bride and I were served first, and all the tables were fed promptly and without complaint. The fact that it was a set meal as well was super helpful. Everyone could list their food allergies beforehand and everyone’s nutritional needs were met.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience working with Dan and his team. He even helped us with carrying items to the car after the wedding and went above-and-beyond with what was asked of him. The day went off without a hitch because of his and his team’s tireless work to make the experience one we will never forget and will always look back fondly.

My husband and I got married at The Gardens at Applecross on 5/10/25. The day was a true dream. Everyone loved the venue, it so beautiful. The food was wonderful and everything came together so perfectly! It truly was the best day ever and wouldn’t have been possible without Dan, Tina, David and all of the amazing staff at Applecross. Dan, David and Tina spend extra attention to detail and ensure everything runs smoothly. I felt like I had nothing to worry about the day of because they handled everything with ease. Now, we will be trying to convince our friends to get married there so we can be a guest next time and be able to enjoy this amazing place again!

I need to express exactly how I felt on my wedding day at The Gardens at Applecross. The few weeks leading up to our wedding was very difficult. My Dad who is my best friend was admitted to the ICU which was very scary. It made it very hard to navigate planning the wedding while stressing about him and knowing he would not get to see me get married. The week of my wedding, my niece (one of the flower girls) was admitted to CHOP which meant my sister (maid of honor) would also not be there. It was bad news every hour. Totally felt lost and I just wanted to cancel. The team all reached out to check in on me and continued to offer help in any way they could. The morning of the wedding the storms came rolling in. I just felt so overwhelmed and stressed. We arrive to Applecross, we walk in the doors and the weight that I was carrying was no longer on my shoulders.. Everyone was so welcoming, kind and empathetic. Dan treated us like royalty. The whole building was breathtaking. The food was outstanding. I could not have dreamed of a better wedding. Not one complaint. They made sure to check on me, my husband and everyone else that was there with us several times. They stayed right on time with every single part of the day. They did not miss a beat. The bartenders were so polite and friendly. They made sure any dietary restrictions were not only perfected but that the guest enjoyed it. I will cherish this day for the rest of my life and that is because they run such an amazing team.. I never once felt like it was a transaction deal to just throw a party or just some random venue we picked. At the end of the night, anytime I tried to lift something a staff member ran over to grab it for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The staff truly felt like family and that was what I really needed considering my main family members could not be there with me.

As someone who has worked in the upscale event industry for several years, I’ve seen some truly stunning venues, but from the moment I first saw The Gardens at Applecross, I was completely captivated. I originally visited as a vendor, not a client, and even then I knew this place was something special. There’s an undeniable sense of romance here that sets it apart from anything else I had seen.

The venue is immaculately maintained and every detail is so thoughtfully designed. The ceremony and cocktail hour spaces are truly among the highlights. The outdoor area is an absolute dream—lush, peaceful, and picturesque in every direction. My guests were blown away by how beautiful everything was and couldn’t stop raving about it.

As a former wedding and event planner, one thing that was especially important to me was having a strong Plan B in case of rain. The Gardens at Applecross checks that box beautifully. Their indoor space is large, elegant, and more than capable of hosting the entire event comfortably and stylishly if needed. That peace of mind was huge for me. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to have the most stunning weather on my wedding day, a sunny 80-degree day in April, but it was a relief knowing the backup plan was just as lovely.

Working with David, the venue coordinator, was a wonderful experience. He was extremely responsive, kind, and accommodating throughout the entire process. He and Christinas Catering, the exclusive caterer, made a fantastic team and truly brought our day to life with warmth and professionalism.

The Gardens at Applecross is a dream venue in every way. I’m so grateful we chose it for our big day.

We had the most incredible experience with The Gardens at Applecross and Christina's Catering for our wedding! From the moment we toured the venue, we knew it was the perfect setting—stunning views and beautifully maintained grounds. The pictures do not do it justice! We were their first wedding of the 2025 season and they made it the most magical day.

I planned our wedding in 4 months and even though I was very stressed about it, they assured me everything would turn out exactly the way I wanted it to. AND THEY WERE RIGHT. Everyone was so impressed with the space, the staff, the FOOD, and just how everything flowed so well. If you choose The Gardens at Applecross, then you're choosing to work with pros. You just need to trust them!

Walking through this experience wasn't just a passive observation; it was an immersion into a meticulously crafted world. You don't just sense the details, you feel them – the subtle shift in the ambient lighting, the carefully chosen textures underfoot, etc. Every element felt deliberately placed, weaving together a tapestry of sensory moments that elevated the entire experience from memorable to truly unforgettable.

My (now) husband and I cannot emphasize enough the second-to-none day we were gifted at The Gardens of Applecross. Dave and Christina ensured all of our wants and needs were met and exceeded from our initial tour through post-wedding correspondences! The food was superb, the grounds were breathtaking, and above all, Dave and Christina made sure that we were holistically happy... the entire day. We feel so blessed to have had them as our mentors and supporters on the most special day of our lives and would HIGHLY recommend couples book their wedding here!

We are extremely happy with our choice to use Christina's Catering for our wedding at The Gardens at Applecross. The planning, food and service was Outstanding!!!. From our first visit in July, 2023 to our wedding day, Chef Dan, Tina, David & Christina's Catering team were extremely knowledgeable and provided seamless coordination and attentive service. Their commitment to excellence and ensuring our satisfaction was evident throughout the entire evening. Our guests are still raving about our food selections, desserts, staff, bar AND the property! Our outdoor wedding ceremony was simply beautiful and better than we imagined. Christina's Catering at the Gardens truly elevated our wedding celebration, and we are grateful for their professionalism & very friendly service to make our day special.

I cannot recommend Christinas Catering and The Gardens at Applecross enough! From our first meeting, they were incredibly attentive and genuinely excited about our wedding. The food was amazing and they took the time to understand our vision and brought it to life beautifully. The venue is absolutely stunning and we are still getting compliments about how beautiful the day was. We were very DIY centered (we made everything personally) and were very stressed about getting everything to the venue and set up on the day of. Dan David and Tina were so accommodating to help us get everything to the venue on time. We ended up hiring a team to set up the decorations that we had brought to the venue the day of. “Bridal backstage crew” went above and beyond to ensure everything was set up to perfection and listened to how we wanted everything to look. So professional and I seriously do not know what we would have done without them! It took so much stress off of us to have them there the morning of to set up. If you’re looking for someone who will not only meet but exceed your expectations, The gardens at Applecross and Bridal Backstage crew is the way to go. Thank you both for making our day so special!

In June we had the pleasure of being invited to a bridal open house by Christina's Catering at The Gardens at Applecross. Christina's Catering service provided an impressive array of appetizers, desserts and wedding cake. Their table setup was impressive and just how we imagined from our conversations with Tina and the amazing food tasting with Dan the chef. The waitstaff and bartender were professionally dressed and very friendly. This experience made us excited for our wedding day in August and calmed our wedding jitters. Thank you to Dave for taking us on a delightful grounds tour. It is a spectacular wedding venue!!

Our experience with Christina's Catering was nothing short of exceptional for our June wedding. From our very first meeting with Tina & Dan 2 years ago and to the day of our wedding they were incredibly attentive to our needs. They not only promptly addressed all our questions but also went above and beyond to ensure that every detail was taken care for a memorable wedding reception and it was "stress-free".
Throughout the planning process, we were pleasantly surprised by how they anticipated things we hadn't even considered. This proactive approach helped alleviate any potential stress, allowing us to fully enjoy our special day. Dan & Tina's thoughtfulness extended to small touches that made a big difference in the smooth running of our wedding. In conclusion, we would highly recommend Christina's Catering for their dedicated support, attention to detail, and overall professionalism. The venue was the perfect combination of elegance and romantic. Christina's Catering truly made our wedding a memorable and delightful occasion.

The venue itself is absolutely beautiful. We fell in love with it from the moment we saw it. Over the span of 10 months from seeing & booking the venue, David has enhanced the grounds & made it even more BEAUTIFUL. He has an eye for design! David is also very PHENOMENAL to work with. He has been in the business for over 30 years & we knew that we could rely on him every step of the way. I am absolutely thrilled that my wedding was here & I wouldn't have changed a single thing.

We just had our Fall Wedding at The Gardens at Applecross! It was Oct 14th and as much as we were looking forward to a Fall, Outdoor Wedding......it poured. And I mean poured. The entire day. It was too bad, but Dave, the Venue Coordinator, was ready to move it inside and we were prepared. We moved that outdoor Fall wedding inside. Dave made sure we had everything we needed that morning. Now for the caterers; not only was the food fabulous, so was the service. One of the things we wanted was the food to be amazing. They hit it out of the park and then some. The appetizers were fantastic. The salad was fresh. The main courses were to die for. We had the teriyaki salmon and the beef tenderloin. My guests were stunned. Each was wonderful and since a couple of people canceled coming to my wedding last minute, my new husband and I got to eat both. It was amazing. We also got the chocolate covered strawberries, the mini cannolis, and assorted cheesecakes. People RAVED about it. I'm still getting rave reviews. Towards the end of the night they served cheesesteak sliders which my out of town guests loved. Now let's talk about the service. AMAZING. Dan, the main chief and owner, crushed it. He was organizing the servers when they got there early. Had a team meeting to make sure they were good to go and was constantly making sure I (the bride) was alright. His wife Tina, the other owner, was amazing as well. They split up and made sure the cocktail section was set up and someone was always making sure my fiance and I had food. I was getting my dress bustled and Dan asked if I wanted something. I admitted I was dying to try the hors d'oeuvres and he brought in an entire plate for myself and everyone in the room. It was awesome. Then Dan made sure we got our salad course and when we were ready for our entrees. He also made sure no one touched our food until he checked with us that we were actually done! No whisking away food! We actually got to eat on our wedding day which most people never get to do. Dan also made sure we got drinks too. Just amazing. They helped us pack up everything including the gifts and put away the top of the wedding cake for us to take home. I will recommend them till the end of time and will totally use them again if I get the chance in the future

We had a beautiful wedding thanks to Dan and David and the Applecross team!

We haven't even had our wedding yet and I feel compelled to write this review. Dave the coordinator has been the most reachable and accommodating person I have worked with through this process. Dave is not only beyond qualified and experienced, but he offers valued advice and truly aspires to make every single wedding such a dream come true. I cannot quantify the minutes I have spent on the phone with Dave, him answering every question I have as well as offering his overwhelming knowledge of weddings that he has learned over the years. This venue is a dream, with every detail and forethought carefully placed. (down to the pavers that won't get your high heel stuck in them). If you are planning a wedding, you will be lucky to book with Dave at the Gardens at Applecross.

I am the mother of the bride. Our family's experience with The Gardens at Applecross was excellent. David McCracken is clearly experienced and helped us make the best choices throughout the year-long planning process. Our family really enjoyed working with him. He was always available to answer our questions (and his suggestions resulted in a beautiful, organized and fun wedding day that we were able to enjoy!) The venue is breathtaking both inside and out, so much attention to every detail. We especially loved the garden area (where the ceremony took place) and the stunning ballroom, full of windows to showcase the autumn leaves and landscaping outdoors. We could not be happier that we chose this incredible place.

I attended a wedding this past weekend at The Gardens at Applecross. Immediately, I was impressed by their outdoor ceremony space. The gardens and grounds are beautiful, especially for photos / video. The room is extremely modern and the built in lighting was incredible. Dave was very friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. Highly recommend!

This venue is absolutely beautiful!! Exactly what we were looking for!! Both the inside and outside spaces were perfectly designed for hosting a wedding!! All of the tables and chairs for the ceremony and reception were set up prior to our arrival according to the agreed upon floorplan. However, we did find that David, the venue coordinator, wasn't as helpful as he makes himself out to be. The only reason our wedding day was a success was because of the incredible vendors we hired including our day of coordinator, our catering company, our DJ, and our photographer! He was touring a couple during our first look, which we found to be extremely unprofessional. I have no problem with hosting tours on our wedding day, but not during such a personal and special moment. He was given a timeline of our wedding day and was in agreement. Therefore, there is no excuse for having a tour during our first look. We also selected Budweiser as one of our beers. It was even written into our final contract. However, it was not displayed as an option for guests. My mother had to specifically ask David where the Budweiser was and why it was not available. We found that he easily forgot about little details, which only adds to your stress as the bride and groom. We recommend this venue, but if you do decide to book this venue for your wedding, we would suggest hiring the appropriate vendors to make your big day run smoothly!

We got married at The Gardens at Applecross — a stunning venue that truly takes your breath away when you first see it. We booked it right away after meeting David, who was wonderful to work with. Unfortunately, he left the company about two months before our wedding, and from there, things started to feel less organized.

The rehearsal was rushed and stressful, and I wasn’t allowed to drop anything off early, which added unnecessary pressure. Our tasting with Dan was pleasant, but the food wasn’t what we expected — presentation was poor, and some items tasted reheated. We gave the benefit of the doubt, but on the wedding day, several guests told us their steak came out completely cold, which was disappointing given the price point.

On the wedding day itself, things flowed mostly on their own — the ceremony and reception were beautiful — but I had very little interaction with the coordinator or Dan. The gardens themselves are lovely, but many of the flowers looked wilted, and the sun positioning during the ceremony made it difficult to enjoy the moment fully.

Overall, it was still a special day because of the people around us, but I do feel that the service and attention to detail didn’t quite match the high standards the venue is known for.