The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Elopement or Micro-wedding
…in the Poconos, Lehigh Valley, or Philadelphia
As a Pennsylvania wedding officiant who loves elopements, I’ve put together this guide for you, because I’d love to be the guide for your Pennsylvania elopement. This post includes everything you need to know and consider if you’re looking to make your wedding day here in PA a truly intimate experience.
There are so many amazing places to elope in Pennsylvania, and the legal side of things is not particularly cumbersome. This guide will tell you not just how to elope in PA, but also when to elope and give you some ideas about where you might choose to do so.
When planning an elopement or micro-wedding, you can focus on just those elements that are most important to you and your partner, whether that’s the dress you wear, the themes of your ceremony, or the spectacular locale where you choose to marry. It’s your day! So throw out the rule book and go for the flair!
ArtsWalk Allentown elopement. Photo: PhotoSynthesis Photography
Chances are you have many questions when it comes to planning an elopement or micro-wedding. This article is intended to provide a ton of information and offer insights gathered from years of experience as a professional wedding officiant - assembled through a combination of direct knowledge and research. You’ll find what you need to know about how to get a marriage license in Pennsylvania, where to begin planning your elopement or micro-wedding, a wide variety of places to elope in eastern Pennsylvania, vendors I can wholeheartedly recommend, and much, much more!
Please note that I am not receiving compensation from any person or business mentioned in this article. All advice and recommendations here are based on my personal observations as a wedding officiant, as well as feedback I’ve heard from couples and other wedding professionals.
I wrote this article to be a true guide to planning an elopement or micro-wedding in Pennsylvania. None of the venues I include here cater primarily to full-sized weddings. Instead, every location in this article:
· specifically caters to small and intimate events, and/or
· charges minimal fees, or
· is public space free to use for small events
There’s a lot to cover, so here are some jumping off points
Definitions: elopements, simple elopements, and micro-weddings
How to Elope in Pennsylvania - Marriage licenses & logistics
When to Elope in Pennsylvania
Where to Elope in Eastern Pennsylvania
Definitions
What is an elopement, and what exactly is a micro-wedding?
To elope is to craft an intentionally small wedding that truly reflects your relationship and focuses on the two of you. Elopements come in at least two sorts, which I’ll call elopements and simple elopements. Both are scaled down, sometimes minimalist, sometimes under-the-radar weddings. An elopement is often not a secret, or at least not entirely. Couples might choose to include a handful of guests. They might plan meticulously or decide to marry (almost) on the spur of the moment. An elopement-friendly venue may be booked, as well as a few wedding professionals.
Simple Elopment
When there are no guests at all, it’s a “simple elopement” – just the two of you. These are more often (though not always) kept under wraps for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you want to take care of the legal side of things quietly, while still planning a larger wedding at a later date, and want your guests fully invested in that future “real wedding.” Or you may prefer to focus just on yourselves, without the pressure to accommodate or even consider anyone else’s expectations.
Elopements allow you to have things exactly as you want them. The fewer wedding professionals you hire, the fewer schedules you will need to coordinate, and the more dates and locations you will likely be able to consider. And for simple elopements, there’s no need to ask guests to hold the date. If you’re looking to have your elopement outdoors, you have many beautiful settings in Pennsylvania to choose from, both urban and wild, which will not require you to pay anything or secure a booking.
Micro-weddings
Micro-weddings can be understood as scaled up elopements or pared down versions of full weddings. There aren’t any exact definitions, but usually they include somewhere between ten and twenty-five guests. Planning a micro-wedding can be budget friendly since you may be able to save on catering and sometimes venue pricing. But keep in mind that reducing your guest count won’t reduce all costs. If you want many of the elements of a full-scale wedding, you will likely end up doing nearly as much planning and booking just as many types of vendors. On the other hand, when you pick and choose just a few elements to include in your micro-wedding, you free up your wedding budget for the things that matter the most.
Planning a Small Wedding
You probably already know this, but it makes sense to begin your planning with what is most important to you. Is it a special location? A date? How you want to feel? The dress you’ll wear? A particular vendor you want to work with? It pays to talk over your priorities with your partner. What do you want to express? What memories do you want to create?
And once you’ve answered these questions for yourself, dig a little deeper still. Ask yourself why those things are most important to you. Being clear about your own and your partner’s priorities will help you as you move through all phases of your planning. So have conversations about this. If you aren’t starting on the same page, explore those whys. Brainstorm to see how you can combine what each of you most wants out of your wedding day.
Begin with whatever you have identified as your highest priority for your day and go from there. It’s perfectly normal to not have all the answers. There’s a lot you won’t know until you’re a fairly far along in your planning. And that’s okay. Why would you be an expert? You’ve probably never done this before! If you need help, experienced wedding professionals can guide you in many ways, even if the two of you are approaching your wedding day with slightly different priorities.
How to Elope in Pennsylvania
Marriage licenses in PA
So what is required to elope in Pennsylvania? Whatever style of wedding you have in mind, you must obtain a marriage license. You can apply for this license in any county of Pennsylvania by going to the courthouse or applying online with a video interview - if the county offers that service. There is no requirement to reside in the state in order to obtain a Pennsylvania marriage license. You do not need to apply for the license in the same county where you plan to marry.
You DO need to apply for your marriage license at least four days prior to the day you wish to marry, and I certainly recommend that you plan to apply at least two weeks prior to your date. There is a three-day “maturation” period for all Pennsylvania marriage licenses, meaning the license becomes valid three days after the court issues it. Once those three days have passed, the license is valid for 60 days.
To obtain a Pennsylvania marriage license you must be 18 years old, and you will need to present proof of your identity (with state-issued IDs) and your Social Security number (either your Social Security card, or a W-2 form from an employer). If you have previously been married, you will need to submit either a death certificate for your previous spouse, or a divorce decree. Some counties will also ask you to state, but not prove, where your parents were born. No blood test is required. License application fees vary slightly from county to county but are approximately $100 or less.
In most counties, there is an option to have your marriage certificate automatically mailed to you after your wedding officiant has filed your marriage license with the courthouse. Other counties will require you to pick up your marriage certificate at the courthouse when it is ready. In a few counties, there is an additional fee to receive a copy of your marriage certificate, or there may be a postage fee to mail it to you.
Witnesses
Pennsylvania does not (under most circumstances – see next paragraph) require any witness signatures on a marriage license. Only the wedding officiant is required to sign any part of the license. They are also legally responsible for filing the license for you. So if you were concerned about having to have at least two people present for your elopement, you can put that issue aside. You can get married with just your wedding officiant.
Self-uniting marriage license
So far I have discussed the standard marriage license, the type used by most couples who marry here. However, Pennsylvania is very unusual in having a second type: the self-uniting marriage license. These licenses do not require you to have a recognized officiant. They are in some ways the ultimate DIY option. But there’s one catch. If you apply for this type of marriage license, you do need two witnesses to sign the license. You must also take responsibility for seeing that the license is properly executed and filed with the courthouse in a timely and legal manner.
This type of license is sometimes referred to as a Quaker license because those of the Quaker faith traditionally did not recognize the authority of church or state to create a marriage. In their view, it was only by the consent of the couple themselves and their announcement to their community that they could become married. As a colony founded on the principle of religious freedom, Pennsylvania made allowances for this Quaker observance within state law, and they persist to this day. There is no requirement to be a Quaker to apply for a self-uniting marriage license. Those of any or no faith may request one.
Other elopement logistics
Once you have your marriage license in hand, you only need either a wedding officiant or your two witnesses. Technically everything else is optional.
There are a few locations that require permits for photography, even if they don’t require reservations for your small event. If you work with a professional photographer, they should know their area well enough to be aware of these requirements. A good photographer probably won’t even trouble their couples with this detail, but instead just take care of it for you. For your own peace of mind, it doesn’t hurt to ask your photographer if a permit is required for any venue you are not paying for, especially if it is a historic site.
Stealth and “Pop-up” elopements or micro-weddings
How much uncertainty would you accept in exchange for a stunning popup elopement location?
Some couples don’t want anyone making a fuss over their wedding, but still want to have a few of their closest friends or family members with them on their special day. They may choose to be married when everyone is gathered for some other reason - Thanksgiving, a “generic” party or picnic, a family beach vacation, housewarming, graduation, or some other cover event. This takes careful planning and requires a willingness to be very laid back, given that you don’t want to draw attention ahead of time. Be aware that you will walk a fine line between keeping your secret until the last moment, and the number of factors you can control. Also be careful not to upstage someone else’s event. Using your own graduation party or a family gathering that you are hosting to have a surprise wedding is all to the good. Someone else’s baby shower or housewarming is their event. Don’t steal their thunder.
There’s always the couple that thrives on chaos, lives for surprises, and might not mind a little adrenaline on their wedding day. “Pop-up” or flash elopements can happen very quickly in crowded public spaces. Since you can’t control what you’ll find on a bustling city street, inside an art gallery or museum, or busy public park, this option is for couples who have a high tolerance for the unpredictable. If bucking “the rules” appeals to you, this may be just your style of ceremony. You may choose to include a few friends who can run interference, or simply arrange the time and place to meet your wedding officiant and see what happens!
Would you brave a snowy winter morning to elope in a special place?
When to Elope in Pennsylvania
Summer and Winter, Weekdays, Mornings
So you’ve decided to elope or have a micro-wedding. When should you plan to tie the knot? If you’re trying for a popular date or season, or if cutting costs is your priority, the answers are:
in low-demand months
on low-demand days of the week
at low-demand times of day
on short notice, but not too short
Wedding vendors have high seasons and low seasons. Most experienced wedding pros will prioritize booking their high season calendar with full-scale weddings. In Pennsylvania the high season is May-June and September-October –– not surprisingly, the months when the weather is reliably best. At all times of year, Saturdays are always in highest demand, followed by Sundays and Fridays. And on spring and autumn weekends, afternoons and evenings are the most popular times of day.
That leaves high summer, winter, Mondays through Thursdays, and mornings as the times of least demand for wedding professionals. If you’re willing to book at these times, you should be able to find available wedding vendors even on relatively short notice. In fact, vendors often prefer to book elopements or micro-weddings on short notice, rather than too far in advance. You might be able to book a vendor on a highly popular spring or autumn Saturday if you specify that you want a morning elopement or micro-wedding. If it works for you, let your vendors know right away that you’re either flexible on time, or planning a weekday or morning event. (And by the way, photographers love early morning light! You can often have wildly popular sites entirely to yourselves if you’re willing to get there just before dawn.)
Choosing to elope on a weekday will open up many options for you. If you want to be in the outdoors, you’ll benefit by having to share parks or other public spaces with fewer people. And if you prefer to book a venue, you’ll find far more availability during the peak months of the year, possibly even on short notice. That said, it will always benefit you to book both venues and vendors as early as you are able. During the busy season, a pro or a venue with fully booked weekends may not want to take on an additional mid-week booking if the notice is too short. A reliable wedding professional will never overcommit and risk disappointing their couples. Allow your wedding team the time they need to plan, so they can bring their A-game to your big day!
If you’re thinking of a winter elopement – wonderful! Snowy landscapes in Pennsylvania can offer dazzling scenery like no other. But you should also be aware that Pennsylvania winters can pose serious challenges. Blizzards and ice storms may make roads impassable, especially in mountainous areas. An experienced wedding officiant or photographer will probably bring this up with you and talk about contingency planning if you’re looking to schedule between December and March. On average, January is the coldest month in Pennsylvania, with high temperatures commonly not reaching above freezing. February is marginally warmer but typically delivers the most snow and wintry precipitation. March is an unpredictable wild card in this state – neither blizzards nor very mild days would be out of the ordinary, particularly towards the end of the month.
Thinking about eloping in summer? Then keep in mind that Pennsylvania has both high temperatures and high humidity in this season. If you choose a heavily wooded or waterside location, you can to some degree mitigate the extreme heat we expect between late June and early September. Early mornings will offer the coolest temperatures of the day, especially in urban areas.
Where to Elope in Pennsylvania
A few general ideas: Most State Parks in Pennsylvania allow weddings, and many boast spots of outstanding natural beauty. Officially, all weddings in State Parks require approval in advance from the park office, although in some Parks this approval is very informal. The Parks vary considerably in the amenities they offer, the fees they charge, and the restrictions they impose. If it’s important to you to include guests but you also want to hike to a rugged spot, consider their stamina and ability to navigate terrain, as well as what sorts of facilities are available. Be sure to do your research.
If a scenic view is less important to you than a sheltered indoor location with accessible bathrooms, consider a favorite restaurant. Many restaurants have private rooms that can be rented for small events. Some restaurants are even willing to close entirely to the public for a day (especially a weekday) or evening to host your micro-wedding. This might involve just one or two wedding vendors, a pre-arranged signature cocktail or champagne, and a series of hors d’oeuvres for your guests, all in the space of a few hours. Especially if this is a restaurant you go to regularly and holds special meaning for you, it never hurts to ask if they’d be willing to host your elopement or micro-wedding.
These columns look good all year round.
If you’ve decided to marry in winter or the shoulder months of the year, consider that cities offer many built environments that look good all year round. Bare trees and browned grasses don’t hold much appeal in these months. On the other hand, architectural elements such as columns, dramatic steps, arches, doorways, vivid murals and even some artful brickwork can set the stage for your micro-wedding and yield great photos too.
If you’re thinking about having a small backyard wedding, there are many advantages, but also a few things you may not have considered. For instance, if you want to rent a tent, tables, folding chairs, plates, and glassware, keep in mind that you may be paying a premium for the rental company to bring these things to your location and pick them up afterward. The same applies to catering. Venues typically have these items on the premises, and the rental fees for them are rolled into the facility fee. If your budget is motivating you to consider this option, bear this in mind and be sure to compare bottom line costs for either a venue or DIY approach.
Finally, if you’re looking for ideas on where to elope in the Poconos, keep in mind that this region is both very large and loosely defined. The same can be said for the Greater Philadelphia area. At the bottom of this page, I’ve included a map showing the location of each wedding venue I recommend. Jump to the map.
Where to Elope in the Poconos
Ballas Meadow Preserve elopement, Address: 345 Kromer Rd, Wind Gap, PA 18091
This expansive preserve features lush fields of wildflowers from late July through August – though the township requests that you admire them rather than tramping through them. Photos using the fields of Ballas Meadow Preserve as a backdrop are ahmazing. Elopements or micro-weddings with ten people or fewer in attendance are allowed without any need for a permit. No audio projection is allowed in the park, so your intimate gathering is perfectly suited to this spot. On weekdays and mornings, you are likely to have the place to yourself.
French Manor Inn and Spa elopement, Address: 50 Huntingdon Drive Newfoundland, PA 18445
This lovely European-looking inn is tucked away in a woodsy corner of the Poconos and offers an elopement package for couples who would like to invite up to eight guests. I’ve officiated small ceremonies here in different seasons, so I can attest that the views are stunning throughout the year, and the grounds beautifully kept. The French Manor Inn’s elopement package offers many luxuries over a two-day stay, including a house-made wedding cake as well as a bridal bouquet. This is a great option if you are looking for a place to retreat and unwind for your wedding day and a bonus day to follow. As of this writing, there’s a discount offered on this package if you book it for mid-week.
Harmony Gardens microwedding, Address: 127 Harmony Ln, Saylorsburg, PA 18353
If you’re looking for a Poconos wedding officiant as well as a gorgeous venue, Harmony Gardens is one of the best options for simplicity and high quality. It has much to offer – a beautifully landscaped and ever improving greenspace laid out just for weddings, an in-house Master Celebrant to officiate your ceremony, and guidance to help you line up other professionals who specifically cater to small weddings. Owner-Celebrant Lois Heckman’s goal is to make your outdoor elopement or small wedding in the Poconos both easy and affordable. Up to 35 guests are permitted at Harmony Gardens, but be aware that reception space is not available.
Hickory Run State Park elopement, Address: 3613 PA-534, White Haven, PA 18661
Hickory Run is a top choice for an outdoor elopement in the Poconos. It boasts scenic waterfalls as well as a small non-denominational chapel, which can provide an indoor option in case of rain. This is an enormous and very beautiful park with many spots to choose from. Hawk Falls provides a spectacular backdrop for photos, as does the boulder field. If you opt for Hawk Falls, you’ll be walking aways from the parking lot. So be sure to consider your footwear and inform your photographer and officiant of this requirement ahead of time. If you enjoy roughing it, you could even plan a honeymoon stay in one of the park’s rustic cabins.
Ledges Hotel summer elopement, Address: 120 Falls Ave, Hawley, PA 18428
If you’d like to have a micro-wedding in northeastern PA with all the dedicated support of experienced staff, the Ledges Hotel in Hawley should be at the top of your shortlist. They literally have it all: a very dramatic natural setting including a graceful waterfall, aesthetic “ruins” where you can hold either your micro-wedding or reception, multi-level decks, shelter in case of inclement weather, in-house catering and lodging for you and your guests. They offer various packages for small weddings and allow you to book out the entire inn if you choose.
Nescopeck State Park elopement, Address: 1137 Honey Hole Rd, Drums, PA 18222
Nescopeck State Park is near Hickory Run State Park, but it has an even quieter vibe. If you want to wander until you feel like the only two people in the world, and exchange vows with just the sounds of nature all around you, this may be the place. With forest, lake, streams, and meadows spread out over thousands of acres, you certainly have the option to find your own perfect spot for a true wilderness elopement in the Poconos.
Harrison Wright Falls, Ricketts Glen State Park elopement, Address: 695 PA-487, Benton, PA 17814
If waterfalls are your thing, this park should be on your short list of places to elope in the Poconos. While waterfalls aren’t rare in this area, Ricketts Glen State Park boasts more than twenty of them, arranged along the 7-mile long Falls Trail. Some of them empty into shallow pools where you might wade to cool off in summer, and even exchange your vows. If you plan to include guests, obviously take the uneven terrain and the need to hike into account. And it wouldn’t hurt to screen your wedding vendor team for their ability to hike either.
Where to Elope in the Lehigh Valley
Allentown ArtsWalk elopement, Address: 24-32 N. Fifth St., Allentown, PA 18101
If you’re wondering where to elope in Allentown, the ArtsWalk is a no-fuss place that’s easy to get to, free to use, and it will generate amazing wedding images. Particularly during weekday off hours, this downtown corridor connecting museums, an art school and a “pocket park” is vibrant yet relaxing. There are bold, colorful murals and greenspaces to serve as a backdrop to photos of your elopement or intimate wedding ceremony.
Allentown Rose Garden elopement, Address: along Parkway Boulevard, Allentown, PA
Another option for an outdoor elopement in Allentown is the Malcolm Gross Rose Gardens. This public space includes roses blooming throughout the growing season, a small classical pavilion that you may use for your ceremony, a willow-lined stream, and ponds with large steppingstones that let you use the reflection on the water to best effect. While the gardens are free to use at any time on a first-come basis, there are some restrictions. No more than 25 people are allowed to gather, and food, drink, rice tossing, and sound amplification are not permitted.
Bank Street or Center Square, Easton elopement
Between Church and Pine Streets in downtown Easton, Bank Street becomes a pedestrian thoroughfare. There are Edison lights strung all across these two blocks of this walkway that make for magical images in the evening or at night. Easton’s Center Square is an easy stroll away and also makes for lovely photographs. If you’re looking for a place to hold a flashmob wedding ceremony, or pop-up elopement, or if you just want to grab some amazing photographs after tying the knot at another the Lehigh Valley wedding venue, this charming cityscape might be just what you’re looking for.
Fox and Finch Studio microwedding, Address: 945 Broadway, Fountain Hill, PA 18015. Photo: Hand and Arrow Photography
While I’ve never been lucky enough to officiate in this remarkable space, I have been there to have professional photographs taken. Fox and Finch is both a photography studio and a rental company for amazing vintage furniture and accessories. So you can just imagine the settings you can easily create for your small wedding! It’s also one of the Lehigh Valley wedding venues close enough to me that I don’t need to charge a travel fee when I officiate there. This atmospheric studio becomes a blank canvas for your imagination, and the modest facility fee includes your usage of any of their rental items you’d like to reserve. There’s room enough to have your ceremony here, to dance, and sit down to beautifully set tables for a reception. Maximum capacity is 40 people. The studio is on the second floor, accessible by staircase.
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center microwedding, Address: 400 Belfast Rd, Nazareth, PA 18064. Photo: Hand and Arrow Photography
At the north end of the Lehigh Valley, there’s a sweet little spot in the Forge Area area of the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, directly across the road from the main building. And it’s ready made for elopements and tiny weddings. This is a beautiful and super affordable choice for an outdoor micro-wedding, and according to the Park ranger’s office, there is steady interest in warm weather dates. Open air pavilions near the ceremony site are perfect for self-catered receptions with a laidback picnic vibe.
Lock Ridge Furnace Park elopement, Address: 525 Franklin Street, Alburtis, PA 18011. Photo: Maeco Photography
Another little-known gem in the Lehigh Valley, Lock Ridge Furnace is a beautiful park featuring what looks like a ruined castle, but is actually a carefully preserved metal refining facility dating from the mid-1800s. If you time your spring elopement just right you may catch an eye-popping purple carpet of grape hyacinths in bloom. Snowy winter scenes here are equally stunning. The portion of the park that includes the ruins may be reserved by permit from Lehigh County Parks and Recreation, which allows you to set up tents and tables. No alcohol or rice/confetti tossing is allowed, but the area has great accessibility.
Trexler Nature Preserve microwedding, Address: 4935 Orchard Rd, Schnecksville, PA 18078. Photo: Hand and Arrow Photography
The Trexler Nature Preserve offers a range of really lovely spots – from a hill overlooking a wooded valley, to the beautiful wide banks of the Jordan Creek, and even two different covered bridges – plus a pedestrian bridge - that span the creek. Many trails crisscross this eleven-hundred-acre park, which is also home to the Lehigh Valley Zoo, which is a wedding venue in its own right. So you may see herds of bison or elk on your visit. Photogenic locations are thick on the ground here, but keep in mind that it is a popular spot at peak times of year.
Where to Elope in Philadelphia (and surrounds)
Bartram’s Gardens elopement, Address: 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143
Historic but homey, elegant but calm is how I would describe this oldest surviving botanical garden in all of North America. And it’s mere minutes from downtown Philadelphia! There’s something deeply peaceful about Bartram’s Garden, and with 50 acres to choose from, there are so many great places to stage photos. If you don’t need the use of the facilities and simply want to use the grounds, this is a lovely choice for a simple elopement. There’s parking on site, usually free, except on festival days, which you will probably want to avoid for your wedding day anyway. Many areas are wheelchair accessible.
Bridgeton House on the Delaware elopement, Address: 1525 River Rd, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
A truly romantic spot on the banks of the Delaware river. This gorgeous boutique hotel caters specifically to simple elopements and weddings with less than 30 guests. Bridgeton House on the Delaware offers a dramatic view of the river and historic bridge as the backdrop for your ceremony. You’ll be pampered by the luxurious rooms and many thoughtful little gestures – all within an hour’s drive of Philadelphia. This very intimate venue offers three different small wedding packages. And if you’re so inclined, you can use their dock to take a dip in the river just after saying “I do!”
Cira Green elopement, Address: 129 S 30th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (twelve floors up) Photo credit: Hand and Arrow Photography
Cira Green is an amazing urban park on top of a parking garage in University City. It’s much better than that sounds. If you want sweeping views of the city, and the ability to hold a pop-up elopement in Philadelphia, this is your place! There are restaurants here, and live events are common on the wide lawns, so check their calendar if you want to avoid especially busy times. If you prefer to have the place to yourself, booking it for private events is also possible. You reach the park (12 stories up) by elevator, thankfully, and the space is wheelchair accessible. Pets are allowed on leashes. Open 7am-7pm.
Philadelphia City Hall microwedding, Address: 1400 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19107. CClicensed Photo: R.Hood Photography
There are many reasons to elope or have a micro-wedding in Philadelphia’s historic and gorgeous City Hall, a very modest budget being high among them. To do so however, you’ll need to navigate a series of hurdles, starting with finding out on which date you will stand in line just to try to get a booking. You’ll only be given this information after you’ve obtained a marriage license. There are also limitations: you may only have eight guests with you, including a photographer. All that being said, you will not find a venue to compare to the classical architecture of this place for anything remotely close to the price of a marriage license. The photo opportunities are unparalleled – just be prepared to navigate some red tape, be flexible, and don’t leave the planning to the last minute.
Morris Arboretum elopement, Address: 100 E Northwestern Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
The beautifully landscaped grounds of Pennsylvania’s official arboretum cover 175 acres and offer many different options for elopement or micro-wedding locations. The Morris Arboretum offers a micro ceremony package that allows up to 15 guests and you may schedule for just after it closes to the public so that you enjoy both the grandeur of this place and your privacy. Pavilions can offer shelter if it should rain. In most seasons, you will have abundant plant life as well as sculptural and classical elements to make for memorable photographs. This is a great choice for an elopement venue not far from Philly.
Pavilion in the Trees elopement, Address: 100 N Horticultural Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19131.
The Treehouse in the Sky elopement, Address: Schuylkill River Trail - Philadelphia to Valley Forge, Philadelphia, PA 19130
If you like the idea of eloping in an airy treehouse that either nestles into a secluded woodland, or boasts an amazing view along the Schuylkill River, you have two fantastic and free options very close to downtown Philadelphia. The Pavilion in the Trees (top image) is a work of art installed at treetop level in 1993 in Lansdowne Glen, which is part of the Horticultural Center within West Fairmount Park. It’s large enough to accommodate a handful of guests for a micro-wedding, and it allows the visitor a bird’s eye view of the glen without the need for strenuous hiking or climbing. The natural materials of this art piece blend into the mature trees all around, lending it a hidden, secret feeling. The Treehouse in the Sky, on the other hand is a crowning grace note of the river trail. While the approaches to this pavilion are paved, they are also steep, which may be challenging for anyone with mobility issues. Note that both locations are open to the public, neither can be reserved, and both require a few minutes of walking to reach them.
Race Street Pier microwedding, Address: Race Street and N Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106
For dramatic backdrops, there’s nothing quite like a suspension bridge over a river large enough to divide two states. Race Street Pier, just under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, is a popular choice for engagement photo session and micro-weddings in Philadelphia. And there’s good news! As of May, 2023 permitting is no longer required for photography or ceremonies. While you might expect a very industrial feel with the looming presence of the bridge, the river is very calming. Your permit will allow you to have up to 50 guests here for two hours, but does not completely close the space to the public. No alcohol is allowed on the pier, but there are numerous nearby restaurants which are happy to host reception.
Bonus: Where to Elope in Western New Jersey
Although this post is devoted to places to elope in eastern Pennsylvania, I didn’t feel that the Delaware River should be an absolute dividing line, even if it does form the eastern border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. There isn’t enough space in this blog to cover the particulars of marriage licensing in New Jersey (maybe in a separate blog post - let me know!), but I did want to include a few places close enough to eastern PA to qualify for honorary inclusion in the Lehigh Valley or the Poconos.
Merrill Creek Park – The lakeside here offers especially stunning views in fall. There are tall grasses in this public park, and the autumn colors in the densely packed trees here boast a color show that outshines most any location found in the Lehigh Valley.
Kittatinny Point – Right on the Delaware river, the mountain on the Pennsylvania side of the river is a wall of color in the autumn, which makes it a stunning backdrop for riverside elopements on the New Jersey side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we include personal vows in our elopement ceremony?
I certainly hope you will find an elopement officiant who will help you include these if you wish to! Your heartfelt words to each other will be the most important parts of your ceremony. If it’s important to you to exchange personal vows, look for a wedding officiant who focuses on you, rather than just delivering the same script for each couple.
What should we bring or wear?
Of course, this is entirely up to you. If you are planning to hike to your elopement spot in a park, you probably won’t want to be wearing high heels. If getting married under a waterfall is your goal, then formal attire is probably not a good match, although some don’t mind the train of their wedding gown “telling the story” of their adventure elopement. For simple elopements in a park, think about bringing a picnic basket with some Champagne and flutes. Or, if you are planning an early morning elopement, maybe your basket could contain a flask of coffee, some decadent baked items, or your favorite breakfast sandwiches. Any food or drink that feels celebratory and special to you is a good choice. If you’d like to include flowers you can certainly arrange in advance for a bridal bouquet from a professional florist. Of course, there are many options for simple grab-and-go bouquets if you’re willing to be flexible on the day of.
Should we hire a photographer for our elopement?
I would recommend it! Most couples treasure pictures of their wedding day, even if they opt to forgo many traditional elements of a large gathering. A professional photographer will capture the adventure, your personalities, and all the little moments beautifully. Yes, your friend or family member knows how to take pictures with their phone, but SO much skill and expertise go into professional wedding photography – from knowing how to work with light, to helping you feel natural and relaxed in front of the lens, to familiarity with many locations that means you’ll get pictures you otherwise would miss out on.
How long will our elopement take?
Elopement appeals to some couples precisely because they want to spend very little time satisfying the legal requirements. If you want to be done in five or ten minutes, you can definitely find an elopement officiant who will provide that shortest and sweetest service. However, if you are making an event out of your elopement, even if it’s just the two of you, it may take longer than you think. Especially if you are working with a photographer or videographer. Most photographers will spend at least a few hours with you. Of course, you’re in charge. If you have a specific amount of time that you want your elopement to last, communicate with your elopement officiant and anyone else on your professional team.
Recommended Photographers
I’ve worked with all of these amazing professionals. Not only are they highly skilled photographers, they’re also genuinely nice human beings who LOVE elopements and micro-weddings.
Why Elope with Katherine?
If you’ve made it this far, I hope you’ve gotten the practical information you need to plan your elopement or micro-wedding. So far, I’ve barely touched on the meaning of your wedding day. Remember (waaaay back at the beginning of the Mesozoic era) when I suggested talking about what is most important to the two of you during the planning phase? I hope that somewhere in that discussion you spoke about exactly what it is you want to celebrate. I want to hear about those things! With me as your wedding officiant for your Pennsylvania elopement or micro-wedding, the words that unite you will be so much more than a script copied and pasted from the internet. They’ll reflect the two of you, and what means the most as you make your commitment. I would love to hear from you - either with questions, or your vision for your day. So…
Places to Elope in Pennsylvania
Both this map and blog post may be updated from time to time.
Whew! You made it to the bottom of this blog! Do you still have questions? Did I leave something out? Do you want to rave about an elopement spot I missed? Or do you just want to let me know how I did with this post? Leave a comment!
