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The most beautiful, historic places to get married in Philly

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Editor's note: This article was last published in May 2018 and has since been updated with the most recent information.

In a city as old as Philadelphia, there’s no shortage of beautiful places to get married that are also steeped in history. There is, of course, City Hall and the Horticultural Center. But have you ever considered saying “I do” in an old prison? Or maybe you’d prefer to stick to a greener venue; Bartram’s Garden has you covered there.

Whether you want to go the more traditional route or get hitched off the beaten path, here are 22 venues in Philly are all beautiful and historic places to get hitched.

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Philadelphia City Hall

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Yes, you can get married at any city hall, but Philly's takes the cake. It's the largest city building in the country, and offers gorgeous interiors and exteriors for wedding photos after the ceremony.

College of Physicians of Philadelphia

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Most know this place as the Mutter Museum, with its glass-enclosed wall of skulls and medical oddities, but the New Beaux-Arts style building can be rented out for your wedding day for a truly unique setting (no skulls involved).

Stotesbury Mansion

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How fitting it is to get hitched in the very mansion that was built in 1870 for Henry McKean as a wedding present. Fun fact: During the Prohibition, a mirror maze and hidden doors were installed to cover up the crazy parties that took place here.

Colonial Dames

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The headquarters of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, Pennsylvania is tucked away on Latimer Street and dates back to 1923. The HQ's four-season garden, where many of weddings take place, was designed by one of the first female landscape architects, Marion Coffin.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

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This historic building designed by Frank Furness houses an immense collection of American art within its stunning interiors—and all of your guests will be able to ogle it while you get hitched. Plus: The whole space is yours for the entire day.

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The Curtis Center

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The historic Curtis Center on Washington Square can host 175-500 guests in its jaw-droppingly beautiful atrium. And the 750-square-foot Tiffany mosaic makes for a perfect backdrop for wedding photos.

Physick House

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This historic home of Dr. Philip Syng Physick, who treated high-profile patients like President Andrew Jackson, rents out its lovely digs for weddings. Sorry, but no dancing allowed inside the home—that's limited to the garden.

Visit Philly

Powel House

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This historic home of power couple Samuel and Elizabeth Powel was a popular spot for entertaining notables like President George Washington and his wife Martha. Like the Physick House (above), dancing is only permitted in the gardens.

Christ Church

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This historic church in Old City was frequented by the likes of Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, and other patriots during its heyday. It was founded in 1695 and the beautiful sounds of the church bells (brought over from England in the 18th Century) would accent a truly historic Philly wedding.

Courtesy of Norman Maddeaux/Flickr

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul

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This immense Catholic cathedral took nearly two decades to build—1846-1864—and was designed by architect Napolean LeBrun, while Constantino Brumidi is responsible for its stunning interiors. If you want to say, "I do," here, you'll have to act fast to get on its 2018 waiting list—a minimum of six months’ notice are required.

Flickr/Joe Coyle

The Franklin Institute

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Want to get hitched in the science museum that you frequented on countless school trips growing up? Ben Franklin would approve. In addition to the beautiful atrium, you can also get married on the rooftop deck that overlooks the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

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The Philadelphia Museum of Art only recently offered up its historic space as a wedding venue, perfect for couples looking for a place that marries art and architecture. For a smaller, more intimate weddings, check out the nearby Rodin Museum and Art Deco Perelman Building, also run by the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

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Water Works Restaurant & Lounge

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Sitting along the water, you’d be convinced you were enjoying a wedding on the Tiber in Rome, it’s that gorgeous. But it’s also uniquely Philly. With views of Boathouse Row, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Center City skyline, it's no wonder that the historic Fairmount Waterworks is one of the most popular historic wedding spots in the city.

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Eastern State Penitentiary

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You and your S.O. will make quite the statement getting theoretically locked down in this historic prison. The cellblocks are lit by LED lights for the event, showing off the penitentiary's impressive architecture.

Fairmount Park Horticultural Center

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This Fairmount Park greenhouse is seriously something special, with both indoor and outdoor space, but If you want to get married in this gorgeous setting, act fast—so does everyone else.

A post shared by The Knot (@theknot) on

Belmont Mansion

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Considered one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in the country, this mansion in Fairmount Park dates back to the early 18th century. Today, it serves as a museum for the Underground Railroad, and offers tremendous city skyline views from its plateau.

A post shared by Sean Blanda (@seanblanda) on

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

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With 300,000 square feet of space, there are plenty of gorgeous atriums, halls, and gallery rooms to get hitched. The courtyard offers a beautiful backdrop for wedding photos, too.

A post shared by Penn Museum (@pennmuseum) on

The Woodlands

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Don't think of it as a cemetery—think of it as the original neoclassical home of William Hamilton. Its gardens were once described as rivals to those of England, by Thomas Jefferson. The stable is also available for rent.

A post shared by The Woodlands (@woodlandsphila) on

Bartram's Garden

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This 45-acre National Historic Landmark on the west banks of the Schuylkill River offers a country setting for weddings while still in city limits. Bonus: there’s plenty of places to stroll and explore around the gardens.

The exterior of a stone house in Philadelphia. There is a path with grass and shrubs on both sides in front of the house. The house has a grey roof. Photo by Kory Aversa

Morris Arboretum

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When you get married at this historic arboretum in Chestnut Hill, all 92 acres are yours alone for the day. The ceremony can take place on the grounds, while the reception moves over to the 100-year-old carriage house. Don't worry: There's a golf cart to help you cover all that ground that day.

Wikimedia Commons

Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site

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Also known as Old Swedes', this Episcopal church dates back to 1698, which means you'd be getting married in one of the oldest churches and buildings in Philly. Fun fact: Betsy Ross married Joseph Ashbourn here in 1777.

The exterior of Gloria Dei Church Historic Site in Philadelphia. The facade is grey and white. There is a red brick path and a graveyard in front of the church. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Glen Foerd Mansion

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This gorgeous and historic mansion is the only estate located right on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. It seats up to 350 guests.

Wikimedia Commons

Philadelphia City Hall

Yes, you can get married at any city hall, but Philly's takes the cake. It's the largest city building in the country, and offers gorgeous interiors and exteriors for wedding photos after the ceremony.

College of Physicians of Philadelphia

Most know this place as the Mutter Museum, with its glass-enclosed wall of skulls and medical oddities, but the New Beaux-Arts style building can be rented out for your wedding day for a truly unique setting (no skulls involved).

Stotesbury Mansion

How fitting it is to get hitched in the very mansion that was built in 1870 for Henry McKean as a wedding present. Fun fact: During the Prohibition, a mirror maze and hidden doors were installed to cover up the crazy parties that took place here.

Colonial Dames

The headquarters of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, Pennsylvania is tucked away on Latimer Street and dates back to 1923. The HQ's four-season garden, where many of weddings take place, was designed by one of the first female landscape architects, Marion Coffin.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

This historic building designed by Frank Furness houses an immense collection of American art within its stunning interiors—and all of your guests will be able to ogle it while you get hitched. Plus: The whole space is yours for the entire day.

A post shared by snfoto (@snfoto) on

The Curtis Center

The historic Curtis Center on Washington Square can host 175-500 guests in its jaw-droppingly beautiful atrium. And the 750-square-foot Tiffany mosaic makes for a perfect backdrop for wedding photos.

Physick House

This historic home of Dr. Philip Syng Physick, who treated high-profile patients like President Andrew Jackson, rents out its lovely digs for weddings. Sorry, but no dancing allowed inside the home—that's limited to the garden.

Visit Philly

Powel House

This historic home of power couple Samuel and Elizabeth Powel was a popular spot for entertaining notables like President George Washington and his wife Martha. Like the Physick House (above), dancing is only permitted in the gardens.

Christ Church

This historic church in Old City was frequented by the likes of Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, and other patriots during its heyday. It was founded in 1695 and the beautiful sounds of the church bells (brought over from England in the 18th Century) would accent a truly historic Philly wedding.

Courtesy of Norman Maddeaux/Flickr

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul

This immense Catholic cathedral took nearly two decades to build—1846-1864—and was designed by architect Napolean LeBrun, while Constantino Brumidi is responsible for its stunning interiors. If you want to say, "I do," here, you'll have to act fast to get on its 2018 waiting list—a minimum of six months’ notice are required.

Flickr/Joe Coyle

The Franklin Institute

Want to get hitched in the science museum that you frequented on countless school trips growing up? Ben Franklin would approve. In addition to the beautiful atrium, you can also get married on the rooftop deck that overlooks the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art only recently offered up its historic space as a wedding venue, perfect for couples looking for a place that marries art and architecture. For a smaller, more intimate weddings, check out the nearby Rodin Museum and Art Deco Perelman Building, also run by the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Shutterstock

Water Works Restaurant & Lounge

Sitting along the water, you’d be convinced you were enjoying a wedding on the Tiber in Rome, it’s that gorgeous. But it’s also uniquely Philly. With views of Boathouse Row, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Center City skyline, it's no wonder that the historic Fairmount Waterworks is one of the most popular historic wedding spots in the city.

A post shared by Jim Cheney (@uncoveringpa) on

Eastern State Penitentiary

You and your S.O. will make quite the statement getting theoretically locked down in this historic prison. The cellblocks are lit by LED lights for the event, showing off the penitentiary's impressive architecture.

Fairmount Park Horticultural Center

This Fairmount Park greenhouse is seriously something special, with both indoor and outdoor space, but If you want to get married in this gorgeous setting, act fast—so does everyone else.

A post shared by The Knot (@theknot) on

Belmont Mansion

Considered one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in the country, this mansion in Fairmount Park dates back to the early 18th century. Today, it serves as a museum for the Underground Railroad, and offers tremendous city skyline views from its plateau.

A post shared by Sean Blanda (@seanblanda) on

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

With 300,000 square feet of space, there are plenty of gorgeous atriums, halls, and gallery rooms to get hitched. The courtyard offers a beautiful backdrop for wedding photos, too.

A post shared by Penn Museum (@pennmuseum) on

The Woodlands

Don't think of it as a cemetery—think of it as the original neoclassical home of William Hamilton. Its gardens were once described as rivals to those of England, by Thomas Jefferson. The stable is also available for rent.

A post shared by The Woodlands (@woodlandsphila) on

Bartram's Garden

This 45-acre National Historic Landmark on the west banks of the Schuylkill River offers a country setting for weddings while still in city limits. Bonus: there’s plenty of places to stroll and explore around the gardens.

The exterior of a stone house in Philadelphia. There is a path with grass and shrubs on both sides in front of the house. The house has a grey roof. Photo by Kory Aversa

Morris Arboretum

When you get married at this historic arboretum in Chestnut Hill, all 92 acres are yours alone for the day. The ceremony can take place on the grounds, while the reception moves over to the 100-year-old carriage house. Don't worry: There's a golf cart to help you cover all that ground that day.

Wikimedia Commons

Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site

Also known as Old Swedes', this Episcopal church dates back to 1698, which means you'd be getting married in one of the oldest churches and buildings in Philly. Fun fact: Betsy Ross married Joseph Ashbourn here in 1777.

The exterior of Gloria Dei Church Historic Site in Philadelphia. The facade is grey and white. There is a red brick path and a graveyard in front of the church. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Glen Foerd Mansion

This gorgeous and historic mansion is the only estate located right on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. It seats up to 350 guests.

Wikimedia Commons