Favorite Wedding Venues Around Lancaster, PA
If you’re planning a wedding in the Lancaster area, you've got some great options. The venues surrounding Lancaster are diverse and range from historic barns and downtown landmarks to estates with gorgeous sprawling gardens! It’s one of the reasons I love photographing in this area: no two celebrations ever look the same.
One of the best parts of getting married here is that Lancaster sits close to Harrisburg, Philly, Baltimore, even NYC and D.C., so it's an ideal spot for several surrounding areas. Whether you’re going for romantic countryside vibes or an urban backdrop with lots of character, I promise you’ll find a venue that you’ll love. Here are some of my favorites to photograph, and why they might just be the right fit for your day too!
Hershey Gardens Weddings
Capacity: 120–125 guests
Location: Hershey, PA
If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels both elevated and inviting, Hershey Gardens is hard to beat. With 23 acres of flowers, winding paths, and a butterfly atrium that makes everyone pause in awe, it’s one of those places where every space feels like magic. Created in the 1930s by Milton and Catherine Hershey you can see all of the love and intention that was infused into the gardens.
One of the most incredible things about celebrating your wedding at Hershey Gardens is that the entirety of the event can happen on site. You can exchange vows under the gazebo, in the oak grove, or surrounded by seasonal blooms in the perennial garden. There’s even a Japanese garden for more intimate ceremonies that’s absolutely swoon-worthy. Receptions flow naturally into the Conservatory or the Educational & Horticultural Wing, both of which glow with natural light. If you’re planning a spring or summer wedding, there’s also a tent option so you can celebrate outdoors without stressing about the weather!
The guest experience here at this Lancaster area wedding venue feels thoughtful from start to finish. Everyone gets admission to the gardens, which means your loved ones can wander and explore before or after the ceremony. There’s also time built in for portraits, so you don’t have to rush through the spots that feel extra meaningful to you.
Timing is designed to keep the day smooth — ceremonies are held mid-day, while evening receptions can go until 10 p.m. It all feels intentional and organized, letting you focus less on logistics and more on the moments you’ve been waiting for!
Moonstone Manor Weddings
Capacity: Up to 250 guests
Location: Elizabethtown, PA
Moonstone Manor is one of those venues that checks a lot of boxes while keeping everything feeling effortless.. It’s set on 20 acres in Elizabethtown, so you get plenty of space and options without having to trek too far from Lancaster. Couples love that everything can happen in one place from getting ready to the ceremony, photos, cocktail hour, and reception — so there’s no juggling cars or timelines on the day of.
There are several ceremony spots to choose from, which keeps things fun and adaptable to your vision for the day. You could exchange vows by the creek, under the gazebo, or in front of the old stone ruins . Receptions happen in a covered pavilion that can fit up to 250 guests, and with bistro lights, chandeliers, and open sides,whichfeels just as good in summer as it does in fall.
The Manor itself adds tons of personality to the overall aesthetic of the grounds and offers some incredible spots for some editorial feeling photos. The bridal suite feels like a calm escape before the walk down the aisle, and the groom’s suite is tucked a short walk away from the manor so that you don’t cross paths during the day until you’re ready.. The grounds are a perfect place to mingle and explore throughout the event— between the gardens and the architecture, there are so many beautiful spots to choose from when it comes to photos.
Overall, Moonstone Manor is polished and leaves you with so many amazing spaces for your day to ebb and flow naturally. It’s the kind of venue where you can make the day feel like you, whether that’s an elegant dinner party vibe or a more laid-back celebration.
Stone Mill Inn Weddings
Capacity: Up to 200 guests
Location: Hallam, PA
Stone Mill Inn is a historic gem located in Hallam, PA — a former mill turned event venue on about 12 acres of quiet, private grounds that will leave you in awe. It was built in the 1700s, so you get beautiful stone architecture, cozy gardens, and a real sense of old meets new in a romantic and timeless way.. The best part is that it’s completely exclusive on your wedding day, meaning it’s all yours — no wandering guests or overlapping events.
With several spots to choose from for ceremony and reception, you’re all set for any time of year and any feeling you want to evoke for your day. Between the Abbey, The Woodlands, Mill and Tent you’re sure to have a beautiful celebration that feels quintessentially you. The bridal suite allows you to get ready on site starting at 9 a.m., and is a short walk to the mill and ceremony sites. The team at Stone Mill Inn is incredible and takes care of set-up, teardown, and all the small things that keep you in the moment..
What makes Stone Mill Inn feel really personal is how you’re treated with so much care and kindness from the moment you become one of theirs. Ken and Karen and the planning team work tirelessly to give you an incredible experience.They show up with smiles on their faces, delicious trays of hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour and they’ve got your back every step of the way.
Their in-house catering is incredible and will leave everyone in awe., No matter what space you connect with and use here, you’re sure to have a stunning celebration that will stand the test of time.
Stoltzfus Homestead & Gardens Weddings
Capacity: Up to 175 guests
Location: Gordonville, PA
Stoltzfus Homestead & Gardens in Gordonville feels like finding your favorite secret spot with historic barns, cozy gardens, and a variety of rentals for the day that will make planning that much easier, all wrapped into one. You get two beautifully preserved barns: one perfect for saying “I do” and the other made for the kind of reception that stretches into happy memories lingering over a glass of wine late into the night. The venue’s charm is so tangible from the moment you set foot on their grounds. Each space is thoughtfully curated with care and personality in every detail.
One of the highlights to choosing Stoltzfus Homestead & Gardens is how much they take off your plate as you plan your dream wedding experience.. You get simple, straightforward packages with all things you need from ceremony and reception spaces (the Tobacco and Grand Barns), a great lounge area, bridal and groom suites, and even a pub-style courtyard that makes the perfect setting to host lawn games or a fire-lit hangout. They will have you covered and comfortable with heating and cooling, on-site parking, furniture, lighting — and all those things no one wants to forget but make the biggest impact on the experience of your day.
At Stoltzfus, guests always mention how the team makes things feel effortless. Couples talk about the venue giving them access to a prop shop packed with decor, plus vendors already in the loop with how everything works. Planning feels like someone’s got your back, not just checking boxes. And with glowing reviews giving it nearly perfect scores, it’s clear couples walk away saying, “We’d choose it again!”
At the end of the day, this placeplace effortlesslyflows. From a bright, barn ceremony to a cocktail hour under the string lights, it all feels intentional without feeling rushed or unatural. . Stoltzfus handles the logistics so you can enjoy your wedding day, and your guests won’t stop talking about how good it all felt.
Excelsior Lancaster Weddings
Capacity: Up to 275 seated guests
Location: Lancaster City, PA
Excelsior Lancaster sits right in historic downtown Lancaster, which makes it the perfect spot for photos around the city and so many amazing spots to gather for an afterparty.. Excelsior is a historic complex originally built in the mid-1800s, so you're getting vintage charm with a modern twist through six different connected spaces. These include things like a garden courtyard, a terrace with a tall living green wall, a cocktail-ready catacombs space, and two grand rooms indoors (the Empire Room and the Grande Salon) plus a bridal suite where you can kick off the day and keep any essentials you might need throughout the celebration.
The way the venue flows is so seamless — everything happens under one roof, but each spot has its own unique vibe. You could do your ceremony in the courtyard, terrace or indoors, mingle during cocktail hour in the catacombs, enjoy dinner in the Empire Room, and then move the party to the Grande Salon. It's all-inclusive with food, staffing, and venue bundled into a per-guest rate, so planning stays simple and efficient.. With the indoor options you’re sure to have your rain plan covered effortlessly without disrupting the flow of the day.
They host one wedding per day with a minimum guest counts kicking in at135 on a Friday or 150 for Saturdays, and they can handle up to about 275 guests seated — or around 500 if your crowd just wants to mix and mingle.
This venue is truly a stand alone and gives you so many incredible and unique spaces in one location while being walkable to downtown Lancaster. You get the best of everything here from its energy and accessibility of a downtown venue, to the beauty of distinct indoor/outdoor spaces, and a vibe that feels customized to whatever you’re dreaming up!
Warehouse 435 Weddings
Capacity: Up to 175 guests
Location: Lebanon, PA
Warehouse 435 is located in downtown Lebanon, PA, and has that perfect mix of historic bones and modern aesthetics. It’s got exposed brick, beams, and high ceilings that ask for minimal decor, but still let you lean into whatever style you’ve got in mind. The venue holds up to 175 guests, and manages to feel roomy and luxe without ever losing its charm. You can bring in caterers from a preferred list or request approval for others, so you're not locked into options. The place is climate-controlled, accessible, and just feels both intentional and welcoming.
There are five versatile indoor spots (plus an outdoor patio): the Main Floor, Dock Room, Upstairs space, Bridal Suite, and Grooms Lounge. It’s exclusive-use only, meaning you’ve got the whole place to yourself for the day. That kind of flexibility makes it easy to plan without feeling like you're wrestling logistics.
Couples consistently rave about Len and Suzie (the owners) for being not just accommodating, but genuinely helpful throughout their experience. They’re hands-on, flexible, and make logistics feel easy with bridal suite access, furniture setup, even tweaking floor plans to fit your vision.. And when guests step inside, they often say, “This place just feels like us,” which is honestly as high of praise as a venue can get.
To keep everything smooth, events run six hours, usually starting with early access to prep space, and wrap by 10 p.m. if you're serving alcohol (last call is 9:45 p.m.). There's also a dedicated building manager on-site so you’re not scrambling if something unexpected pops up. Everything’s set up to let you enjoy the celebration to the fullest while keeping you fully taken care of.
Weddings on Memory Lane
Capacity: 150–200 guests
Location: Palmyra, PA
Weddings on Memory Lane is tucked away on about 40 acres in Hershey, PA and hits that sweet spot where you feel both tranquil and cared for.. The property used to be a working farm from the 1800s and is now part-charming gardens, part-restored barn, and part-picture-perfect natural scene. You’ve got options like an arbor by the pond, a garden terrace, Tuscan arches, and the Brownstone barn — all of which give different feelings to the event without needing too much to truly make the day feel like you.
With this venue, you get access from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., which lets you spread things out without feeling rushedy— from getting ready, saying your vows, grabbing a drink and mingling during cocktail hour, then dancing the night away–it can all happen here.. There’s a bridal suite, a groom’s suite, and they’ve got set-up, teardown, and even golf cart assistance built in to their packages.
Couples rave about the personal touch. The owner Melanie (who’s also a florist and planner) shows up with intention amdcalm, keeping everything organized, and ready with backup plans if needed. Reviews highlight how people walked in feeling relaxed and walked out saying it was “the most beautiful wedding we’ve ever seen.”
White Chimneys Estate Weddings
Capacity: Up to 220 guests
Location: Gap, PA
White Chimneys Estate is one of those rare places where history feels like a tangible part of the celebration. Imagine a mansion that started as a simple log cabin in the early 1700s, and eventually grew into a Federal-style estate through the years, and now sits surrounded by formal European-style gardens and a lush pergola garden capped with Carrara marble fountains and rose-covered arches. It’s got a timeless feel that will leave you and your guests in awe.
Ceremony options here give you real flexibility. You can say your vows in the South Garden under that classic pergola framed by roses, host cocktail hour near the lily pond in the North Garden, followed by a reception in the climate-controlled tobacco barn that’s decked out with twinkle lights and exposed beams.
The venue includes essentials like bridal and groom suites, tables, chairs, and even event planning help. The estate also operates as exclusive-use only, so you’ve got the place all to yourself!
Couples who’ve said “I do” here often talk about how magical the day felt and how the team made everything feel so smooth and meaningful. With room for a couple hundred guests and plenty of memorable backdrops, White Chimneys Estate gives you effortless elegance for your wedding experience.
Second shot for Christie Heimbach Photography.
Those are my favorite Lancaster wedding venues!
At the end of the day, the “perfect venue” isn’t about square footage or how many ceremony spots there are… it’s about how the space makes you feel. Lancaster has plenty of gorgeous options, but the one that’s right for you will feel like home the second you walk in.
So tour a few, take note of what excites you (and what doesn’t), and trust your gut. The right setting will make everything else flow! And if you’re one of my couples, I’m always just an email away if you’d like any additional guidance or advice when it comes to choosing a Lancaster venue. If you’re not one of my couples yet, then you can reach out to me here and I’d love to meet you. Happy planning!
