Why are wedding venues so expensive in Philly?!?!

Weddings are definitely expensive in Philadelphia!!

Do you have any flexibility with the size of your guest list?? Food & booze can easily run $100 per person with is $10,000 for 100 guests!

WeddingWire also has a good round-up of 6 Affordable Wedding Venues in Philadelphia!

Check out your local VFW'S and Fire halls

What is your vision for your wedding? If you are having a religious ceremony, check out churches/sacred spaces that also have very nice reception rooms. You and your officiant will have to coordinate with that space a bit, and you'll want to confirm whether there are any restrictions around alcohol service or late-night music, but it could be an option.

Perhaps an indie art gallery space could be a solution? Remember too, that many spaces in Philly might require you to think through parking options for your guests.

How about checking out rental spaces at PAFA, or on Penn or Drexel's campus? You also have time to become a member of a museum or other nonprofit, which could grant you discounted access to their spaces.

I offer those ideas, although we live in the burbs and ultimately chose to get married in the Brandywine Valley, technically right across the border in Delaware.

The Buck hotel in Feasterville only requires a minimum of 50 guests. Decent prices, around $95-$110 per person, which includes in-house catering and open bar. I booked there for May 2023.