From Citizens Bank Park to Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, these spots offer a twist on traditional nuptials.

By Lisa Dukart

Venues set the tone for a wedding. A space with burlap wall treatments can instantly give a bohemian vibe, while one with marble columns and floors, plus a vaulted ceiling can harken back to the elegance of years gone by. Whether you’re going all in on a theme for your wedding, or just want a space that better reflects your personality, these nine Delaware and Pennsylvania venues are sure to make an impression.

Pennsylvania

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

Wedding ceremonies at Citizens Bank Park start at $3,000. Photo by Kaitlin Noel Photography.

Die-hard baseball fans need look no further than Citizens Bank Park for their wedding venue. While most couples make use of the space for a reception during baseball season, (from April through September) fans can even tie the knot on home plate, while their guests look on.

After the nuptials, or for those opting to host a ceremony elsewhere, cocktail hour is held in the Hall of Fame Club, which offers sweeping views of both the ballpark and Center City. Or, for couples marrying during the warmer months, cocktail hour can be held on the main concourse.

Receptions take place at the stadium’s aptly named Diamond Club, which is available year-round (except when the Phillies are in town). Bonus: The space has a patio overlooking the field for picture perfect photos.

Expect noshing as tasty as it is on game day with stadium caterer, Aramark, creating customized menus for couples. Outside vendors for cakes, a DJ and a decorator are allowed, though the ballpark provides those services, as well.

If an up close view of the ballpark and a stadium open exclusively for you isn’t enough, couples can add a visit from the Phillie Phanatic to really hit their wedding day out of the park.

Cost: Ceremonies start at $3,000; Cocktail hour is $1,000; and Diamond Club rental fees start at $6,000, plus food and drink.

1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia,  (215) 218-5100, philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com.

Inn at Grace Winery, Glen Mills

The Inn at Grace Winery is the perfect spot for oenophiles or history buffs to exchange vows. Photo by Kaitlin Hebert/Kaitlin Noel Photography.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Glen Mills, this inn and winery is the perfect spot for oenophiles or history buffs to exchange vows. The 50-acre property is home to a 1734 farmhouse and a 1750s-era barn, which were used during the Revolutionary War, Civil War and the Underground Railroad. Today, the spaces are used as an inn, winery and events space.

The idyllic grounds make a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony and reception, with the added advantage of having some guests be able to stay on-site. The entire property, including the inn and cottages, must be rented for a wedding. The ceremony and reception spaces can accommodate up to 100 guests between December and March, and 140 guests the rest of the year (most couples don’t want a wedding outside in the middle of winter, anyway).

Ceremonies during warmer months are often held in a wooded amphitheater, while receptions are held in the barn. While guests enjoy cocktail hour, couples can make use of the many Instagram-worthy spots for photo ops.

Don’t expect anything short of hyper local wine, as couples can choose estate-made wine, plus catering from Birchtree Catering, Feast Your Eyes Catering, and Di Bruno Brothers Catering.

Cost: $6,500 from December through March; $8,500 in April, July, August and November; and $10,500 for May, June, September and October rentals. Wedding coordination available for additional fees.

50 Sweetwater Road, Glen Mills, (610) 459-4711, gracewinery.com. 

Grey Towers Castle, Glenside

Arcadia University’s Grey Towers Castle is perfect for storybook romances. Photo by Joy Marie Photography.

Those looking for a fairytale space to match their storybook romance will find those qualities at Grey Towers Castle on Arcadia University’s campus. Rebuilt in 1893, the opulent building was inspired by Alnwick Castle in England. Inside, the decor is reminiscent of French luxury, mirroring the styles from the Renaissance through the reign of King Louis XV. Today, the building is listed as a National Historic Landmark. With its grand staircases and archways, it’s no wonder why.

The venue is all the more exclusive for its limited availability, from mid-May through early August, when its Rose and Mirror rooms can each host 175 guests for a sit-down reception.

Cost: $5,000.

450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, Pa.,  (215) 572-2900, arcadia.edu/story/story-grey-towers-castle. 

Phoenixville Foundry, Phoenixville

The Phoenixville Foundry offers 18,000 square feet of events space. Photo courtesy of Phoenixville Foundry.

One of Phoenixville’s oldest buildings, the Foundry was built in 1882 and was used by the Phoenix Iron and Steel Company through the 1970s. Today, it’s been completely overhauled, with its 18,000 square feet serving as an events venue. The Foundry gives a nod to its history with an industrial vibe and visible structures from the past, including a crane. Couples can take photos on the grounds, making use of the truss bridge, a sculpture garden and a patio.

For the wedding, choose from one of three spaces: the Cupola Ballroom and Mezzanine, the West Wing Ballroom and the Heritage Center. The largest of the three spaces, the Cupola Ballroom offers 8,100 square feet and 60-foot ceilings for lots of drama. Accommodating 160 seated guests, couples can customize the space to fit their aesthetic.

With 3,000 square feet, the West Wing Ballroom features high windows for natural light, and can seat 275 guests. A more intimate space, the Heritage Center is perfect for small weddings with close friends and family. At 1,500 square feet, the room holds up to 30 guests and offers views of the Foundry’s wooden jib crane, one of the last and largest in the country.

Catering is available from J. Scott Catering and Queen of Hearts Catering.

Cost: Heritage Center rentals start at $1,000; West Wing Ballroom rentals $1,500-$3,500; and Cupola Ballroom and Mezzanine $3,500-$,6500. Facility-wide exclusive rentals are $4,500-$11,500.

2 N. Main St., Phoenixville, Pa., (610) 917-8400, phoenixvillefoundry.com. 

Radnor Hunt, Malvern

Whether you are an equestrian or in search of an off-the-beaten path venue, this one checks all the boxes. Founded in 1883, the rolling hills on which Radnor Hunt sits make for an idyllic setting for nuptials. Couples can host ceremonies and receptions indoors or outdoors, choosing from the Grand Ballroom, the Small Ballroom and, of course, the grounds, most suitable for fair weather weddings.

The Grand Ballroom brings the outdoors inside thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on the meadow, and can hold 200 seated guests or 160 for buffet receptions. Plus, it offers access to the covered patio. For those hosting intimate weddings, the Small Ballroom is the perfect spot to celebrate tying the knot. Or head outdoors on the preserved land near where the horses run each spring.

Catering is provided by J. Scott Catering, serving up menus replete with items like barbecue braised short rib and Kennett Square mushroom turnovers for hors d’oeuvres, and entrées like pan-seared filet of beef and pan-seared lump crab cake.

Cost: Venue rentals start at $2,500.

826 Providence Road, Malvern, Pa., (610) 644-4439, radnorhunt.org. 

Delaware

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Rehoboth Beach

The Dogfish Craft Brewery is perfect for a casual, industrial atmosphere. Photo by Tiffany Caldwell Photography.

Whether you can’t get enough of the signature 60, 90 or 120 Minute IPAs or just love the casual, industrial atmosphere of a brewery, there’s no better place to celebrate tying the knot than at this Delaware original. 

For those having an intimate affair, the Map Room at sister restaurant Chesapeake & Maine in Rehoboth Beach accommodates up to 32 seated guests and offers an array of culinary options, from traditionally plated meals to family style servings, plus a raw bar.

For couples who want to go all-in on a Dogfish Head-themed wedding, couples and guests can stay at the Dogfish Inn in Lewes.

Cost: Varies by size.

320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del., (302) 226-2739, dogfish.com. 

The Queen, Wilmington

Built in 1789, the Queen is one of Delaware’s most iconic buildings. Photo by Tony Weeg.

This iconic downtown venue was built in 1789, and after a full renovation, is still as iconic today. The music venue makes for a dramatic location for weddings, with ample mood lighting and vaulted ceilings. Thanks to its musical roots, the Queen has state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, plus staging for entertainment and on-site mixologists. Catering is provided by DLS Events, which creates custom menus.

Couples can choose from three locations within the venue: The Olympia Room, the Balcony or the Music Hall. Options include reception, banquet or theater-style seating, hosting as few as 80 guests and as many as 600. Even better, because of its size, the Queen can accommodate everything from getting ready to the ceremony and reception to an after party, without guests ever having to leave.

With its luxe vibes, guests and couples alike will feel like they’ve stepped into the VIP room.

Cost: Rentals range from $5,000-$8,000.

500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del., (202) 730-3331, thequeenwilmington.com.

Wilmington and Western Railroad, Wilmington

Hop aboard one of the century-old trains owned by the Wilmington and Western Railroad for a one-of-a-kind wedding experience. Couples can choose to use the train as transportation for guests, carrying them to and from the Mt. Cuba Picnic Grove for an outdoor ceremony, or tie the knot elsewhere and host the reception on board.

Train rides meander through the Red Clay Valley adding an element few other wedding venues can claim. For those who’d prefer to remain stationary for the reception, the 3,000-square-foot Greenbank Station can also be used for sit down dinners or cocktail hour.

Cost: $1,000-$3,200.

2201 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, Del., (302) 998-1930, wwrr.com.

Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, Winterthur

Best known as one of the homes of the du Pont family, Winterthur has been open to the public for nearly 60 years, showcasing a 90,000-piece collection of American art. Today, the nearly 1,000-acre grounds, which include a 60-acre garden, can be used as the picturesque backdrop for nuptials. The mansion, which houses 175 rooms, is among the largest in the U.S., and lends a grand elegance and history to any event.

Among the available rental spaces are the Reflecting Pool, Visitor Center Pavilion and the Galleries Reception Atrium. Perfect for warm-weather weddings—and swoon-worthy photos—the Reflecting Pool can host up to 350 guests for a ceremony or a standing reception (it holds 80 seated guests for a reception). The Visitor Center Pavilion can hold 350 seated guests or 500 standing guests throughout the year. Replete with trees aglow with lights, the space offers the best of nature from the comfort of the indoors.

Add a little panache to a ceremony or reception in the Galleries Reception Atrium, which seats 200 for a ceremony or 80 for a reception. An extension of the mansion, soaring floor-to-ceiling windows add an airy quality to this space, which can also serve as a cocktail hour reception spot.

Cost: Reflecting Pool rental: $1,250-$3,500, plus membership fees; Visitor Center Pavilion rental: $750-$2,000; Galleries
Reception Atrium rental: $1,000-$2,500, plus membership fees.

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Del., (302) 888-4910, winterthurwedding.com.