Wedding Ceremony Only Location - Philly/Southern NJ area

Been to a few weddings and ceremonies at the Merion. Would recommend just having it there. They do a beautiful job and the rooms are gorgeous. By the time you find somewhere else inside during the holiday season I can't imagine you would have much. Our venue charges $500 for ceremony.

Why don't you just have it at the Merion?

That seems much more convenient than trying to shuttle people places.

Especially since in Cinninson- it's like- THIS IS GREAT- then you turn right and all the sudden you're like OMG I"M GOING OT LOSE A KIDNEY.

Its' a bizarre area.

I guess we will have to just go with The Merion if we can't find anywhere else. Just wondering if anyone knows of a more affordable spot for the ceremony that might still work out.

The ease of being in the same location and allowing people to just drink and eat- IMHO- well worth the price of admission.

I agree with @Jo. Convenience is key and if you already love it, then it'll be worth the price. Finding a place that's a lot less than $950 is probably not going to happen, especially around the holidays. Companies have probably already started booked space for their holiday parties.

I agree with PP. You don't have much options because of the weather unless you're willing to go with a religious ceremony. Doesn't seem like it's the case and they will require a donation as well. They would also be around the same price between 800-1000.

Phillyspacefinder.com

I love Material Culture off Wissahickon if your wedding has a funky vibe. Friends got married at the Awbury Arboretum which was beautiful. Ethical Society in town is decent too.

Do it there. Your'e going to be looking at a permit fee, chairs and setup fees, decor. and travel.

Just do it there.

A separate venue fee, decor, chairs, and transportation will easily exceed the $950 quoted from your reception space.

And honestly, as a guest, it's much more enjoyable when everything is in one location.

Our venue is charging us $1000 for the ceremony but the way I look at it I am saving approx $1500 or more on limo cost

The Merion was a great choice! Great staircase, back area and beautiful front with fountain for pictures. If you wanted somewhere else to take pictures, along the Delaware river in Riverton is close by (Riverton Yacht Club area)- If you wanted to do a first look somewhere private/ away from guests its definitely a great place to go, only about 5 or 10 minutes away by car.

The places we looked at for ceremony only were way more expensive than what your reception venue is charging. It's understandable since these ceremony only venues still need to make money. I say keep it all in the same venue. $1k is pretty reasonable for the rentals, assuming doc (since venues like the Merion usually have that included), and overall convenience. A limo or shuttle between locations won't be cheap either so you're not going to be saving much in the long run.

Honestly it will be harder to find something for less than $950. A place holding just the ceremony needs to charge enough to make it worth their while. I am having a small ceremony and had a hard time finding anything less than that amount. In total I should be spending around $750 including chair rental and my ceremony is at a city park. I don't live in your area though.