The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania

Rentals

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Winner of 2010 The Knot Best Reception Site

When your special day of commitment and celebration comes, you want everything to be perfect - including the setting. For an evening outdoor ceremony and reception of your dreams, imagine our natural surroundings and beautiful vistas, a historic building and tented area to host your reception, plus caring and attentive staff to assist you. And with a stellar selection of caterers to choose from, you'll be focused on enjoying your day, while leaving the details to us.

The Morris Arboretum is available for weddings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings only, from 6 pm to midnight.
The use of the grounds of the Arboretum for wedding photography is limited to parties that have rented the facilities.
Morris Arboretum is conveniently located in Philadelphia's historic Northwest, just four miles from the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Blue Route/I-476, and 20 minutes from center city Philadelphia. Click here for directions to the Arboretum.
There are bed and breakfast accommodations and an inn in nearby Chestnut Hill, and hotels close by in the Ft. Washington and Plymouth Meeting areas of suburban Montgomery County. For more information, you may wish to contact Adele Waerig.

Receptions

The Widener Visitors Center, an attractive former carriage house, serves as the base for your reception. (In case of inclement weather, the carriage house provides an indoor alternative for your ceremony. Your caterer is prepared to make the necessary transition flawlessly should the need arise.)

With the use of the tented area attached to the Visitors Center, you can accommodate up to 185 guests for a sit-down reception. (Tented area not available November through March)
The Main Gallery of the building is suitable for hosting a smaller reception of up to 65 guests.
Weather permitting, the area in front of the Widener Visitors Center can serve as a lovely outdoor reception site for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.
A bridal dressing area within the building provides a private, pleasant, comfortable retreat for the bride and attendants.
Restrooms are within this building and wheelchair accessible.

Your rental agreement includes:

The use of the grounds of the Arboretum for wedding photography.
Our exclusive list of experienced, reputable caterers, so you are certain of finding a price range and cuisine best suited to your needs and taste.
An on-site staff person throughout the event.
Convenient free parking.
Tables, chairs, lights, side flaps and heaters (if needed) for the tented reception area
Rental of motorized golf cart for an additional fee.

Deposit is due with the signing of the Facility Rental Agreement. The requested date and facility will not be confirmed until the deposit is paid and the agreement is signed.

For more information, contact Adele Waerig, Visitor Services Coordinator, at (215) 247-5777, extension 158.

(Photos courtesy of Kirstin & Chris Casgar, Rafal and Kristy Wlaz, Costello Photograhy and Rebecca Barger Photography)

Check out our Morris Arboretum wedding brochure.

Imagine your wedding on the beautiful grounds of Morris Arboretum - Check out some photographer's blogs for photos from recent weddings and engagement photo sessions:

Summer Morris Arboretum wedding: Carrie and Chris

Bride's wedding photos at Morris Arboretum

Fall Morris Arboretum wedding: Mary & Gurney

Summer Morris Arboretum engagement photo session: Julie and Andrew

September Morris Arboretum wedding - Kimberly & David

May Morris Arboretum engagement photo session- Hariklia & Kostas

Late Summer Morris Arboretum wedding - Merissa and Chris
April engagement photo session at Morris Arboretum - Leah and Neil

Fall engagement photos - Renee and Justin

Wedding in the Morris Arboretum Rose Garden