If you’re looking for the best wedding venues in central PA, you’re in the right place!
While the wedding planning process can be a lot of fun, it can also be hard trying to narrow down where your dream wedding should be held. With mansions, overlooks, inns, and more, the entirety of central Pennsylvania really is your oyster.
As a Pennsylvania wedding photographer, I’ve captured my fair share of weddings for couples, at a variety of venues, from inexpensive wedding venues in central PA to those that are more upscale and luxurious.
To help make your wedding planning a bit easier, I’ve rounded up the top central PA wedding venues in no particular order. Keep reading, grab your notebook, and start planning!
Best Wedding Venues in Central PA
Historic Shady Lane, Manchester
First up is one of the best wedding venues in PA, Historic Shady Lane! Located in Manchester, this outdoor venue is historical and features an 1890s glass greenhouse – how magical is that?
This York-county wedding venue has 34 acres and dates back to 1682 when first owned by William Penn. Over the years, it served as a whiskey distillery and even a rose garden ceremony spot. It officially started to host weddings in 1948.
Today, there’s really no type of wedding that Historic Shady Lane wouldn’t be a great fit for, with buildings spanning 3 centuries, beautiful greenery, and a variety of package options.
Note that Historic Shady Lane hosts weddings between the months of May to October. They aren’t an exclusive wedding venue, so you are allowed to choose your own vendors to make the day truly your own.
Stone Mill Inn, Hallam
If an inn venue is more your style, look no further than Hallam’s own Stone Mill Inn. This 11-acre estate has a historic 18th-century vibe that’s truly romantic and timeless. It was built by a family in 1736 and was added to a lot over the years until it became what it is today.
One of the aspects that make Stone Mill Inn so enchanting is that it has a variety of spaces for you to choose from! Here’s a glimpse of what you can find:
- A suite with hair and makeup stations, private bathrooms, and a coffee station
- The Abbey, which has a classic vibe outdoors
- The Woodlands, with an enchanting fairytale atmosphere featuring beautiful trees, lighting, and even water
- The Fountain, with its romantic rose garden
- The Mill, which dates back to 1737, has romantic chandeliers
- The Tent, filled with twinkle lights, a huge wood-fired pizza oven (YUM), and a giant fireplace
- The Moongate, which serves as the entrance and is one of the best photo spots at the Stone Mill Inn
Truly, no matter where you choose at Stone Mill Inn, you can’t go wrong. This is one of the venues that are best if you want a whimsical fairytale wedding!
Appleford Estate, Villanova
If you are looking for the perfect garden venue for your wedding, Appleford Estate in Villanova is your spot. The venue features perfectly manicured gardens, a beautiful residence with an amazing stone exterior that looks great in photos, and an outdoor tent for your reception!
The outdoor space here creates a beautiful place for you and your partner to say I do. Plus with all of the gardens throughout, there are plenty of spots to escape to for a few intimate moments with your partner.
Moonstone Manor, Elizabethtown
Moonstone Manor is a truly captivating wedding venue in Elizabethtown. Dating back to the 1730s, this romantic location feels like you’re stepping into another world, especially when it’s fully decorated.
At Moonstone Manor, there are more than 20 acres of land, including picturesque gardens, an outdoor woodland pavilion that can host 250 guests, a few ceremony sites, a golf cart service, and multiple balconies that look out to the creek and the entire estate. Oh, and did I mention there’s even a historic original bell tower that you can stumble upon?
When it comes to the actual ceremony, you can choose between Creekside, the woodland pavilion, Grist Mill stone ruins, or even a Victorian gazebo. The reception then can take place underneath a tent with twinkle lights and lively chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
If you’re looking to elope or have a micro-wedding, Moonstone Manor also accommodates those. You can choose a 2-hour time slot on one of their available dates and have up to 10 guests!
Historic Stonebrook Farm, Perkasie
Historic Stonebrook Farm gives you the perfect combination of rustic and modern for your wedding. The farm has a ton of beautiful spots throughout including a stone barn that has heat and a/c so you will be comfortable regardless of what season you get married.
Weddings here include use of their getting ready suites, handmade tables and chairs for your reception, and access to the property for your engagement photos! Plus there are five different locations you can choose from for your ceremony, ranging from their indoor Bank Barn to their Heifer Barn Garden and even in front of their amazing Big Ash Tree. The hardest part about planning your wedding here will be choosing where you actually want to have your ceremony!
Hazelwood Weddings, New Oxford
New Oxford’s Hazelwood Weddings is one of my favorite wedding venues in central PA. Not only do you get professional wedding coordination here, but you also get an all-inclusive venue with modern vibes.
There are so many great spots throughout Hazelwood Weddings. There’s the Veranda, which is a clean space with outdoor air, as well as many outdoor locations. Preparation suites are also available, as well as custom-made furniture to add a unique touch to your big day.
Hazelwood Weddings is also climate-controlled, and because they are all-inclusive, you’ll have the Hazelwood team on your side to help you plan your dream wedding. There are also many great hotels conveniently located nearby, as well as multiple restaurants.
One thing I also love about Hazelwood Weddings is that they are an inclusive wedding venue option here in central PA, and they welcome all couples.
The Manor at Mountain View, Harrisburg
Harrisburg’s The Manor at Mountain View is another beautiful wedding venue. This is a great spot to get married if you want a larger wedding, as they can accommodate up to 475 guests!
At this venue, you’ll get exclusive property use on your wedding day, and they even have a rainy day option in case the weather goes awry (don’t worry, rainy day wedding photos are honestly magnificent).
There’s both a suite and a tavern here that you can use to get ready. The suite has 6 private bedrooms with a kitchenette and even a coffee bar. Meanwhile, the tavern features a literal pub, Xbox, foosball table, and on-site dressing spot.
Historic King Mansion, Harrisburg
Another great location in Harrisburg, if The Manor at Mountain View isn’t your style, is Historic King Mansion. This is actually a historic landmark dating back to the 1920s with major Great Gatsby vibes.
Situated right along a river, Historic King Mansion features many amenities, like on-site parking, 6 hours of event type, and multiple preparation rooms ranging from Study access to multiple suites. Plus, there are covered balconies with classic Italian columns that overlook the on-site river (these make for incredible photo spots).
In addition, Historic King Mansion has a complimentary ceremony rehearsal that you’re able to schedule one month before your wedding date, and you can get reduced rates by getting married in the off-season. If you want your wedding to have 1920s vibes meets European aesthetics, Historic King Mansion might be a great option for you.
The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion, Mechanicsburg
Last but certainly not least is The Willows at Aschombe Mansion in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. This historic mansion has 22 acres of land, and the architecture of the mansion itself is truly magical.
One of the great things about The Willows is that they have three different options for packages, ranging from single to three-day, so you can pick the one that works best for your specific wedding. Their three-day option includes everything from an onsite ceremony rehearsal to the ability to host an on-site farewell brunch with your loved ones!
Because of the type of location, you can also stay overnight, right at The Willows. They have a variety of luxury suites, so you don’t even have to travel from a nearby hotel. With both indoor and outdoor spots for your ceremony, you can’t go wrong with a wedding here!
Final Thoughts: Central PA Wedding Venues
I hope that this blog post gave you some inspiration when it comes to all the possibilities that the best wedding venues in central PA have. No matter where you choose to have your big day, I know it’s going to be every bit as magical as you dreamed it would be.
Oh, by the way… if you’re still looking for a photographer to capture it all, I’d love for you to get in touch. You can contact me here and learn more about my wedding photography packages here.
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