A Beautiful Garden Wedding
Morris Arboretum is the perfect venue for a truly memorable wedding in Philadelphia, PA. Imagine saying "I do" among towering trees and lovely vistas. The grounds will be exclusively yours - all 92 acres of lush, romantic gardens, bubbling fountains, and historic features. Mother Nature provides the backdrop for a beautiful outdoor ceremony, while we provide a historic Carriage House with a tented area for reception and friendly, knowledgeable staff.
What You'll Love About Morris Arboretum
Couples found them to be professional, accommodating, and versatile. They also appreciated its stunning natural beauty, exceptional staff, and seamless event coordination. Check out the review section for more information.
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Pricing details
Starting prices
Reception
$3,100
Reception
$3,100
Ceremony
Contact for price
Bar services
Contact for price
Catering
Contact for price
- Couples usually spend $6,250
- Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees.
- Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices. Peak season for this venue is May-Jun and Sept-Oct.
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Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Handicap Accessible
Reception Area
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Guest Capacity
Up to 200
Settings
Garden
Historic Venue
Park
Tented
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Food & Catering
Planning
Rentals & Equipment
Any questions?
Availability
Reviews
4.7
out of 5.040 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
The Morris Arboretum is highly praised by multiple reviewers for its stunning natural beauty, exceptional staff, and seamless event coordination. The lush greenery and picturesque setting create a magical and unique outdoor backdrop for weddings. Guests highlight the venue's versatility, accommodating staff, and attention to detail in ensuring a memorable experience. From the impeccable landscapes to the personalized service, the Morris Arboretum is recommended for couples seeking an enchanting and well-organized wedding celebration in a lush garden setting.Review photos
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Alice X
5.0
9/08/2024
The arboretum is a beautiful place to host your wedding. It is a bit of a gamble in terms of what kind of weather you get on the big day. Sarah Ruth was extremely easy to work with from the initial zoom meeting to our wedding day. The week of the wedding, we were a bit nervous with the persistent storms and the hurricane warnings but our caterer Ashley Power and Morris were able to anticipate and come up with plan A/B/C and they were very flexible with the ceremony and cocktail locations. At the end of the day everything worked out fine and the weather and the gardens were gorgeous. We love the Morris Arboretum and we are so glad we could spend out special and memorable day there.
Alyssa G
5.0
9/07/2024
From the first tour we took to view the venue, to the end of our wedding night - The Morris Arboretum team was helpful, professional, and communicative. They totally exceeded my expectations and always ensured our needs were met. I would 10/10 recommend!
Any questions?
KARI O
5.0
8/28/2024
What an amazing venue to hold a wedding reception. Because Morris is a public garden, there were a few more logistics required than a typical wedding venue. However, their staff were so helpful in working through those details, and the little bit of extra planning required was SO worth it because the location was just stunning. We had 80 guests and felt like 70-120 would probably be the sweet spot here. We had our cocktail hour on “Out on a Limb” as the sun was setting and that might have been the highlight of our reception. Our guests loved having the opportunity to stroll the gardens and this was something that a typical venue just wouldn't be able to offer. We are so pleased we held our reception at Morris Arboretum and highly recommend!
Pamela M
5.0
8/22/2024
We recently held our son’s and his fiancé’s wedding at the Morris Arboretum, and it was nothing short of fabulous. The venue's natural beauty provided the perfect backdrop for our special day. The staff was incredibly organized and attentive, making the event run smoothly. Every detail was taken care of, allowing us to enjoy our celebration without any worries. We couldn't have asked for a better venue. I highly recommend Morris Arboretum to anyone seeking an enchanting and well-coordinated wedding experience!
Cristen S
5.0
7/13/2024
We recently celebrated our wedding at the Morris Arboretum and it was an absolute dream come true. The venue is lush, green, and full of life, providing the perfect wild outdoor setting for our special day.
From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the natural beauty and serene atmosphere of Morris. The gardens were meticulously maintained, bursting with vibrant flowers and greenery. Walking through the pathways surrounded by such beauty made us and our guests feel like we were in a secluded paradise. The views were simply breathtaking, with every angle offering a picturesque scene that was perfect for photos.
The staff at Morris were exceptional. They were attentive, accommodating, and ensured that every detail was taken care of. Their professionalism and warm hospitality made the entire planning process a breeze and allowed us to relax and enjoy our day without any worries.
Our guests were equally enchanted by the venue. The combination of beautiful landscapes, charming walkways, and open spaces provided an idyllic setting for both our ceremony and reception. The panoramic views of the gardens and the surrounding nature made every moment feel magical and special.
One of the highlights was the versatility of the space. Whether it was the intimate ceremony area nestled within the gardens, the picturesque spots for cocktail hour with stunning views, or the expansive reception area under the stars, every part of the venue contributed to the unique and unforgettable experience.
Dominique D
5.0
5/12/2024
Super friendly staff. They were accommodating and helped stay on track with the timing of the day. So wonderful highly recommended
response 05/21/2024
Hi Dominique! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review. We are glad to h...
ear you had a wonderful time. We wish you and Conor so much happiness together!
Sincerely,
Sarah Ruth & The Rentals Team
Cristina D
5.0
11/10/2022
Sarah Ruth, the rentals manager at Morris Arboretum, guided us from day one of our wedding planning. She was professional, well organized, and her communication was excellent. Expectations were set from the beginning; Should you book here, remember that this is first an arboretum and protecting the grounds is top priority (tell your memaw to leave the confetti at home.) Nature gifted us an INCREDIBLE display of fall color. The event was seamless, our guests raved about both the foliage and the way the caterer used the spaces (be sure to go with Out on a Limb for your cocktail hour!) and our photographer marveled at the beautiful grounds. We felt supported in our decision to work with Morris Arboretum every step of the way. What a wonderful way to start our marriage! We are still glowing from the weekend. We absolutely recommend holding your wedding at Morris Arboretum <3
Lynna S
5.0
8/18/2022
Morris Arboretum was an INCREDIBLE dream setting for our intimate garden wedding! The staff was kind and helpful and our guests were blown away by the beautiful setting and wonderful experience they had! Highly recommend Out on a Limb for cocktail hour - great for children to let loose and such a unique touch! Our wedding was an absolute dream come true!
Felicia V
1.0
8/14/2022
Update: Mr. Dorman, Director of Visitor Experience, called and apologized. He agreed to ensure that this will not happen to any future brides and has agreed to reimburse my security deposit.
—
It has been nearly a month since my wedding at the Morris Arboretum and I still have not been contacted as requested by the supervisor of Sarah Ruth Peterson of the rentals department. I cannot recommend enough to find a different venue. While the Arboretum itself is beautiful, it will not make up for the incompetence of their staff. Trust me, its better to be safe than sorry as I am.
From the beginning, there seemed to be no organization. We had turn over of the manager position—which none were easily reached (all “part” timers) and at one point the contact email addresses did not work at all and all communication emails were bounced back. After we requested a meeting to complete our final payments (two months early) Ms. Peterson double booked appointments and after answering my third call annoyed, had to call us back after her other appointment finished.
This was all before our big day.
The day of, nine hours before our ceremony ever even kicked off, we lost our security deposit of $750. How? Ms. Peterson directed my husband to drive our uhaul truck full of all our wedding materials to a particular area AND then ground-guided him straight into a stop sign that he would have no way of seeing or knowing was there. Please bear in mind that we are a military couple and we are used to completely trusting our ground guides as we do when we handle large vehicles. Afterwards she told him she was never supposed to allow him to be in this area to begin with but that she would need to take our deposit. Our entire deposit was cashed by the arboretum. We are hard pressed to know where they bought a $750 stop sign and why their staff took absolutely no responsibility for their own actions. My husband, not wanting to ruin the day, did whatever Ms. Peterson asked and I was not informed until well after the events took place.
Aside from this, while they do offer you complimentary golf cart service, prepare to hang on. Their drivers do not assist handicapped or elderly guests onto or off of their carts and they take off without any notice (nearly tossing myself, my sister and her 18 month old baby straight off the cart at least twice!)
As if all of this was not enough to make you want to run to a different venue, my photographer was contacted and asked for permission to use our photo, to which she explained that they would need to get our permission. Much to my surprise, the next day our photo was used on their social media pages without our permission and without being tagged. Our photographer served them with an official take down notice which was eventually responded to. We were both informed that we would hear from Sarah Ruth but neither of us have. My request for a supervisor was also not answered. Previously, Sarah Ruth had asked us to write a review in the same email that she reminded us that she was taking our deposit. This was before the photography debacle and I had stated that I couldn’t leave a positive review. However, copyright infringement on top of the complete incompetence of their staff is enough to warrant this review. Please I beg you, take your business elsewhere! To the Arboretum staff, I truly hope you are able to make this right. No other couple should have to deal with these issues on top of the normal stresses of planning a wedding.
Kellie C
5.0
6/19/2022
We went to see the Morris Arboretum as a possible wedding venue and then decided that we didn't need to see anywhere else. We loved how beautiful the grounds looked. The "Out on the Limb" treehouse was a big draw for us to have cocktail hour. Unfortunately, it did rain on our wedding day so were unable to use it. As a result, we had cocktail hour inside the visitor center, which was a fine alternative. The staff was very friendly and we were still able to take some pictures outside using the clear umbrellas that the venue has available for use. The venue has a list of approved caterers (we chose Company's Coming). There's also only one approved vendor available if you want to hang flowers from the ceiling of the reception tent, which we chose not to do. Otherwise, everything else was pretty flexible. I'm glad that we had our wedding here and look forward to coming back to visit the Morris Arboretum in the future.
Tara E
5.0
11/13/2021
I knew I wanted to have my wedding reception at the Morris Arboretum before I was even engaged! The grounds and gardens are gorgeous. The venue was perfect for my vintage, Bridgerton garden theme. This venue offers such a unique experience, especially with the option to have your cocktail hour in the "Out on a Limb" treehouse, which we did. Our guests are still raving about how unique it was. The sunset during cocktail hour in early October along w/ our harpist we had playing created a whimsical experience in the trees. The reception tent fits about 175, but we had 115 and it was perfect. Just enough room for the dance floor, bar area, and tables without it being too crowded. The staff at the MA are super kind, helpful and responsive. They offer a golf cart for the day of to transport for photos, to explore the grounds and help elderly/handicapped folks around. There are a lot of rules since this is an arboretum and they have to protect it, but you honestly don't need much given the natural beauty. We used Wild Stems to install the dance floor and ceiling decor for the tent and Company's Coming as our caterer. The whole experience was perfect. Our guests, family, friends and most importantly ourselves all had a lovely, fun, memorable time. Everyone is still talking about it! The MA and their staff were a huge part of our wedding success!
Youfei Z
5.0
9/18/2021
We had our wedding at Morris Arboretum this summer. The venue itself is so beautiful, and the staffs there were incredible warm and helpful! They went above and beyond to make sure we had the best wedding experiences! It drizzled a bit that day, the team even provides transparent umbrellas that are good for taking pictures. What I was extremely impressed was that without requesting, the team helped us gathered our belongings & decorations after the wedding, and triple checked to ensure that nothing important was left behind. We couldn’t be more grateful to the rental team!!
Jamie W
5.0
8/24/2021
We cannot say enough about Morris Arboretum. We had to postpone our wedding due to COVID, and the entire team was so helpful with the change of our contract, and ensuring our needs were well met regardless of the date. On the week of our wedding, due to weather we decided to have a ceremony location change, and Shawn (the rentals coordinator) was quick to help us decide on the best option, and ensure that all went to plan.
We ended up having our ceremony on the Widener lawn, and it was absolutely stunning. Our guests could not stop gushing at the lovely green backdrop. Our cocktail hour was on the Out on a Limb elevated boardwalk, and this was easily the most unique cocktail hour I have ever seen. All of our guests were in awe at how cool & beautiful this space was. Some of our guests even took the time to explore a bit of the arboretum, and many have asked about visiting as a guest to get the full experience.
Our reception off the stone building was everything we could have ever dreamed of. The tent looked absolutely gorgeous, and the building was a lovely backdrop to our party all night long.
We were able to get so many incredible pictures all around the arboretum- they let you use a golf cart with a driver and this made transporting us, the 2 photographers & 2 videographers a breeze! We were able to get so many unique and gorgeous photos.
The entire wedding planning process was so simple. They allowed us to visit as many times as we wanted (for free!) so we could continue to get an idea of what we wanted for our big day and show our close relatives. Shawn deserves all the praise; she was always a quick phone call or email away, and no one made us feel like they were on our side more than Shawn.
Overall, Morris was an absolute dream. There is truly no where else that would have given us the wedding we always wanted, and we could not be more grateful to the arboretum & staff for being so incredible.
Amy B
5.0
5/02/2021
From the moment we laid eyes on Morris Arboretum we knew that we had to have our wedding there. We looked forward to our day for over 2 years, and the Arboretum staff was so helpful every step of the way. It felt like a truly magical day to us and we have had several guests tell us that it looked like something out of a fairytale. You won't find a more beautiful outdoor venue.
Erin R
5.0
10/17/2019
Wow! Morris Arboretum was truly a dream come true! I can not recommend the venue more. From the very first day we looked at the arboretum I knew no other venues could compare. Well a month after the wedding and I can still say the many visits throughout the year and half leading up just excited me so much but nothing could compare to the day of. All of our guests were in awe! My husband and I were in awe! It was a beautiful, perfect, September day with the rose garden in full bloom! I wanted to cry at just how beautiful everything turned out to be. Seeing the tent transformed was amazing too! I had a dream wedding thanks to the location and all of the amazing staff members and vendors! Not one single regret, I would book over and over again! Oh and for those worried about the rain, we have visited on multiple occasions while it was raining and it is still a sight to see! If a garden wedding and view is what you are looking for I wouldn’t look any further.
Kerry C
5.0
10/14/2019
We have loved Morris Arboretum since I've moved to Philly, and when we visited it as our second venue after getting engaged, we just knew immediately it was the one. The Out on a Limb treehouse-esque location for cocktail hour was a huge selling point, but we also wanted to grant our guests access to the beautiful grounds and share with them a favorite Philly gem of ours. Everything the day of was spectacular. All of the staff we interacted with were highly professional and communicative. A golf cart was provided for us to take photos more efficiently and for any guests who needed it to get around. Our guests were stunned by the beauty around them and everything just led to a truly magical wedding experience for everyone. I cannot say enough good things about this venue!
Jeri G
5.0
9/24/2019
There is NOTHING we would change about this venue!!! I used to own a country club and have been to dozens of very nice events BUT this place ......... simply magical! The staff was very helpful and everything is pristine and just elegant and awesome. Magnificent picture places! I am still getting rave reviews! The parents of the bride and the bride and groom found this place and we are so happy they did!!
Kristen F
5.0
8/07/2019
The best venue ever. I cannot get over how beautiful everything was. Morris was my dream venue and every one of my guests was blown away.
Diana T
5.0
6/06/2019
My husband and I were married at the Morris Arboretum in June 2019. Booking the Morris as our venue was one of the best wedding related decisions that we made. Looking at all the different venues in the area was an overwhelming experience, but when we arrived at the Morris Arboretum we knew we found the place we would get married. We had our first look in the rose garden at 4pm, this allowed us to get the majority of photos done prior to the ceremony and enjoy our cocktail hour. The atmosphere was romantic and private. After the first look, bridal party, and family photos we had our ceremony at Baxter’s Memorial. This location on the grounds was perfect for us and provided a beautiful brick balcony type of fixture. After the ceremony, we arranged to have our cocktail hour on Out on a Limb. This was a unique experience and not the standard cocktail hour. Guests were able to enjoy their cocktails while overlooking the grounds of the arboretum. I especially liked getting married at the Morris Arboretum because it provided a special and different experience for our guests. While my husband and I got our pictures taken, our guests were able to walk around the grounds and see all the beauty that the gardens have to offer. After our wedding, we kept receiving texts from our guests stating how the wedding and venue was unlike any of the other places they have been. My husband and I plan to go back and visit the spot we were married frequently and remember our special day together. That is something that cannot be done at the other chain-like venues. Our wedding at the Morris Arboretum was truly a dream and exactly what we imagined.
Tabitha T
3.0
10/22/2018
We chose The Morris Arboretum for how beautiful it is and since we were not having a very large wedding. Our sales person John was very kind and helpful. Being in the wedding industry I’m going to let you know that if you get married here I highly recommend hiring a wedding planner/ coordinator. They are not the most accommodating venue at all and the staff at The Arboretum in the daytime are different from the event team. The Arboretum staff are on the rude side as was the head rentals lady when I would email to ask questions. However, Chris our event coordinator for the day of our wedding was Amazing and who you would want the day of your wedding; I definitely recommend him as he was kind, helpful, and took care of our guests. Our cart driver for the evening was also really great. Advice: higher a planner, rent ceremony chairs, ask for Chris, and if you are wanting a flexible/accommodating venue the Arboretum isn’t for you.
Leah H
5.0
7/30/2018
The venue is BEAUTIFUL and everyone on the team is incredibly kind and helpful. The Out on a Limb cocktail hour was a huge highlight, but the whole day was just perfect. We definitely made the right choice!
Jessica M
4.0
7/09/2018
My husband and I had our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception at the arboretum. It is an absolutely beautiful place for a wedding, and our guests all seemed to love it. Several enjoyed taking photos in the Rose garden, although we didn't have our ceremony there. That being said, it is very expensive and there are a lot of rules. The most limiting rule I would say is that whatever you need to bring for the wedding (alcohol, decorations) must be dropped off early the day of the wedding AND be taken home directly after the reception. It certainly adds a lot of stress to the day.
Althea W
5.0
5/09/2018
We loved Morris from the first moment we got there ! It’s incredibly beautiful and there are so many places for ceremony and pictures you will be thrilled. We just got married almost a week ago wish I could have another wedding so I can work with them again it was wonderful!
Jackie M
5.0
11/15/2017
Morris Arboretum could not have been a more perfect setting for our wedding. Our guests raved about the unique “Out on a Limb” and the natural setting made for beautiful pictures. The staff was professional and helpful, including John who drove us around on the golf cart. He provided helpful suggestions for great wedding photos and unbeknownst to use, even offered tours to our guests. We highly recommend booking Morris for your special day!
Kimberly V
4.0
10/24/2017
We cannot say enough good things about the physical beauty of the venue itself, and what seems endless picturesque landscapes for photos. Your photos will be gorgeous if you choose to get married here! We had cocktail hour Out On A Limb, and that got rave reviews from all that attended. It was the end of Sept, a perfect fall day, and we could not have had better weather. You are granted free admission leading up to the wedding which is a great perk. Flexible and lends itself to DIYers who want a rustic, barn type feel without the massive price tag.
The catering company they use on a daily basis is Company’s Coming and they are INCREDIBLE! BYOB(Build your own bar), great rate, great farm to table food. They come with a wedding coordinator, Andrea Hunter, who is every bride’s dream, and supply a photo booth as well. Andrea also handled almost all of the communication for us, and everything went smoothly thanks to her!
Only gave 4 stars for one hiccup. The on-site event coordinator told my parents (at the reception) that they had to stay after and take everything that night (DIY decor, bar leftovers, etc.) We had never seen/heard from him until that day, and he was not very welcoming/friendly. Thankfully Andrea came to the rescue there as well, stepped in and told him we were informed from the beginning it was the day after and was able to get him to stick to that time, and the rest of night went off without a hitch!
It was absolutely perfect!
Michael B
4.0
9/06/2017
WOW. What a great venue. My wife and I went to lots of weddings this past summer prior to ours and none would come close. There are lots of DIY here at the Arboretum and thats just fine. We gave one less star because there was a bit of a lack of communication with the rehearsal. There was no email or call to verify after the first dialogue about having a rehearsal, so we messed up the time. Our mistake. All in all great people to work with. Beautiful garden. Absolutely want to go back.
Evan W
5.0
9/02/2017
We could not be happier with Morris Arboretum as our wedding venue. Before the wedding they followed up numerous times to make sure they got the setup right. We had our wedding in late August and the gardens looked absolutely amazing. We had enough time for photos before the wedding. They set up our ceremony in plenty of time. Everyone raved about our cocktail hour on Out on a Limb, and the reception went swimmingly. If the weather is right (as it was for us) this is an amazing place for a wedding.
Andrea W
5.0
7/21/2017
My wife and I got married at Morris Arboretum on June 23rd. The wedding and our experience working with the arboretum were perfect! The group at the arboretum are very responsive, easy to work with, and are very helpful. They took us on tours to show us the different sites and told us what other weddings were like. During the wedding, the staff was helpful. We rented an extra golf cart and the two drivers were fantastic. We both highly recommend the arboretum. Just reserve your wedding day way in advance!
Debbie S
5.0
6/13/2017
I just had my wedding on May 28, and I could not imagine my wedding anywhere other than Morris Arboretum. The staff was so friendly and accommodating and all our guests loved exploring the gardens. We chose to get married in the Pennock Garden and have the cocktail hour directly next to the ceremony site. Everything turned out gorgeous and thankfully the rain held off until the reception in the tent!
Emily G
5.0
5/21/2017
My May 5th wedding at Morris Arboretum was an absolute dream. The scenery was amazing and our ceremony site was perfect. We opted for the Pennock Garden. For our cocktail hour we had access to the Out on a Limb treehouse. The guests loved it! The staff, including Chris, were all very friendly and accommodating. There were so many amazing photo opportunities among the grounds. You are provided with a golf cart to go anywhere you need it. Our golf cart driver even offered tours to some of our guests. There was also a bridal room for hanging out before the ceremony. Everything about the day went smoothly. Very professional and seasoned in the wedding business. If you love the outdoors, beautiful gardens and greenery, this is perfect for you!
Cassandra H
5.0
10/30/2014
I just recently had my wedding at Morris Arboretum. The staff is friendly and very helpful.
Ultimately the location is absolutely beautiful. My husband and I fell in love with the place from day 1.
They made the day absolutely special and it was more affordable than other venues that we had visited. I would recommend the arboretum to anyone!!!
Amanda H
5.0
6/13/2014
The Arboretum was beautiful in May for my wedding. They were easy to work with and it turned out perfectly.
Katherine B
5.0
5/23/2013
We had our wedding the last weekend in April at Morris. We lucked out and had perfect weather. Cocktail hour on the Out on a Limb Exhibit it worth the extra money, the guests loved it. The tent ended up looking beautiful as well. Everyone at the venue worked hard to provide us with a very memorable day and I would highly recommend. Our pictures around the grounds turned out beautifully!
Sheila C
4.0
5/20/2013
We looked at Morris in December and booked for May. We were so fortunate to get such a beautiful weekend. The arboretum was spectacular. As a venue, you have to book the cocktail hour in the tree house (Out on a Limb) which our guests raved about and was beautiful around sunset during the reception.
There are however a lot of limitations with this venue. You have to have your ceremony at 6 or later and your guests can start arriving around 5pm. They have a lot of amplified sound limitations and additional charges for OOAL (out on a limb) and for having your ceremony on different parts of the grounds. We also found the contact person difficult to get in touch with and not very responsive at times. Luckily, our caterer point person at Joshua´s had a good relationship with the venue and handled a lot of the communcations.
It was definitely worth it, and our photos are sure to come out and be amazing because of all the interesting shots. WE are so happy we had our wedding at Morris and that we had good weather!!
Julie K
5.0
8/08/2012
When we got engaged, Morris Arboretum was the first (and really the only) place we considered to have our wedding. I am so glad we went with that initial thought. Everything was perfect. The Arboretum staff was responsive and helpful. The site was exactly what we wanted for our wedding, a beautiful outdoor location for a laid - back, lovely ceremony and reception.
anh t
3.0
5/08/2012
The venue has a lot of restrictions about decorating the space. I found myself being told "No" a lot. The band/noise restriction is especially frustrating -- make sure you check on this when you visit. Basically, they won't allow any speakers in the reception area -- the speakers have to sit inside the building and cannot be in the tent where the guests are.
Liz L
4.0
11/13/2011
I got married this past October at the Morris Arboretum. We had both our ceremony and reception at the location. My husband and my main reason for picking the venue was the photo opportunities, and we were not disappointed. The photos came out beautifully.
We were very happy with how the entire day came out. The ceremony was lovely. The location is pet friendly, so we were allowed to have our dogs be a part of the ceremony. And the reception under the tent was exactly what I pictured when we booked the location. It was a great size for the amount of guests we had (about 100). On a side note, I do recommend bringing in a dance floor; the ground underneath the tent is asphalt and not ideal for dancing.
The main issue we had with the Arboretum was the management staff leading up to the big day. They could be incredibly unhelpful and almost petty at times. They would often tell me that I couldn't do something that I'd see that other weddings had done (like hanging lights in the tent... we did in the end and it was absolutely worth it). Also, one thing to mention, tables and chairs for the ceremony and reception are included in the site fee, but you may not use the nice wooden chairs for the ceremony on the grass because of the potential for grass and mud stains. Considering how important the ceremony photos are, I was pretty annoyed to learn this.
My advice for avoiding unnecessary drama with the staff of the Arboretum is that you make sure to hire one of the approved caterers that has a good relationship with the women that work there. My caterer was the go-between in many situations and was able to get a more favorable response to my requests than I was getting, calling the venue directly.
Lauren S
5.0
9/29/2011
My husband and I were married at the Morris Arboretum on August 28, 2010. It was the most beautiful day I could have ever imagined. The weather was perfect, the gardens were beautiful, and I could not have asked for a more amazing place to have our wedding. We used Bruno's as our caterer, and Carl could not have made our wedding planning experience easier. I felt like we could do almost anything we wanted and that we had very few restrictions. It really felt like "Our Wedding" and not one of those cookie cutter weddings.
Jennifer P
5.0
9/01/2011
Having our wedding at the Morris Arboretum was perfect. We originally booked our reception at another location but after finding the arboretum online decided to take a look. We looked.. and never looked back. We immediately cancelled our other space, changed our date to 8/6/11 and had a beautiful wedding. The day was cloudy - which was actually perfect because it kept the temperature down. We had our ceremony outside which was gorgeous ! After the ceremony there was a short period of rain, but our caterer, Company's Coming, was so professional and moved everything inside without a hitch. The room inside turned out fine, and all of our guests were in one location which made it easy to talk to everyone.
Our pictures from around the arboretum turned out great!! There are so many great locations to take pictures in. The staff at the arboretum was always very helpful. They were friendly and easy to work with. The site is beautiful, if you have a wedding guest list under 150 then hands down you should have it at the Arboretum (And use Company's Coming as your caterer!!). Don't worry about it breaking the bank either. If you are creative and can easily have an affordable wedding there.
Penelope F
4.0
5/10/2010
They have beautiful gardens that you can use for your pictures. Your guests have the freedom to walk through the gardens during cocktail hour if they choose to do so. It has a cozy feel. The staff is very helpful informative (about seasonal changes in the garden) and accommodating.;They have a list of caterers that are allowed to work there that's non-negotiable. But the list varies in cost to fit your budget. They don't allowed amplified music at all.
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- For personalized pricing and package details, sending the vendor a message is the fastest way to get info.
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Wedding vendors in Philadelphia
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Why use The Knot to message vendors?
- Messaging our verified vendors on The Knot is free, safe and secure.
- Conveniently track vendor messages and planning details all in one place.
- Our mobile apps make it easy to stay in touch with vendors while you're on‑the‑go.
- For personalized pricing and package details, sending the vendor a message is the fastest way to get info.