Reception Halls in Phila. (Philadelphia: rent, wedding reception, restaurant)

[nativephilly]

Hi everyone,

Me and My fiance are getting married in a year (9/19/2009) and we are looking for places to have our reception inside the city. We have been looking for about a month now and its been a big mess so far. Most of the places we've looked at are either overly expensive or have a good price but won't allow outside caterers. The reception is pretty small (80-90 people), so I don't see why this is becoming so difficult. Anyone have any suggestions?

[solibs]

Originally Posted by nativephilly

Hi everyone,

Me and My fiance are getting married in a year (9/19/2009) and we are looking for places to have our reception inside the city. We have been looking for about a month now and its been a big mess so far. Most of the places we've looked at are either overly expensive or have a good price but won't allow outside caterers. The reception is pretty small (80-90 people), so I don't see why this is becoming so difficult. Anyone have any suggestions?

My anniversary is 9/23 - we got married outside at Headhouse Square (you know the covered Market thing at 2nd & Pine) and we had our reception across the street at the Society Hill Dance Academy. For the cost of the $50 permit we had the northbound side of 2nd St. closed for 4 hours.

Since it's a dance studio it's a big open space with a great sound system and the owners were super flexible - and the place is very affordable.

We brought in our own caterer, our own booze, and our own DJ.

I'll post some pics for you if I can find some good ones that are still reasonably private.

[nativephilly]

Thanks Solib,

Funny you mention society hill dance studio. My Fiance and I stopped past there not even 2 hours ago. We are having our ceremony in a church but the society hill dance company is at the top of our list at this point.

[solibs]

*Mod - my wedding = my pictures*

We also had an after party next door at the Dark Horse. You can rent rooms there for $100 - just don't tell them it's for a wedding. Everyone paid for their own drinks at the Dark Horse but, with our friends, 9:30 is way too early to end a party so we invited everyone next door, had a chance to actually hang out and enjoy ourselves, and politely ducked out at midnight. At that point I don't think anyone noticed we had left.

This is from Headhouse Square looking over at the Society Hill Dance Academy


From inside


Outside


From SSDH looking across to Headhouse Square (this was right after the ceremony)

[nativephilly]

Originally Posted by solibs

*Mod - my wedding = my pictures*

We also had an after party next door at the Dark Horse. You can rent rooms there for $100 - just don't tell them it's for a wedding. Everyone paid for their own drinks at the Dark Horse but, with our friends, 9:30 is way too early to end a party so we invited everyone next door, had a chance to actually hang out and enjoy ourselves, and politely ducked out at midnight. At that point I don't think anyone noticed we had left.

This is from Headhouse Square looking over at the Society Hill Dance Academy


From inside


Outside


From SSDH looking across to Headhouse Square (this was right after the ceremony)

Looks like you had a wonderful time solib. Thanks for the help. I will keep them in mind.

[sbhubbell]

solibs...is that Christian Siriano in your photo?? Sure looks like it...

looks like a lovely location.

[mltimes]

I was going to post earlier with a rec to have the reception under the the Headhouse Shambles. I saw a planner set up a wedding reception in the Shambles once that was gorgeous. I hesitated to post because I couldn't remember if the caterer told me they were the "official" caterer. It was a South Philadelphia restaurant that did the food, so probably the bride's choice and not a requirement. Is it the South St/Headhouse District the OP would go to for the permit and to find out details like that?

I also agree that the Dance Academy is a great space. I've peeked in the window at quite a few gorgeous events there.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by sbhubbell

solibs...is that Christian Siriano in your photo?? Sure looks like it...

looks like a lovely location.

haha! I had no idea who Christian Siriano is so I had to look him up. Yes there is a striking resemblance but no, they are not the same person. I'll have to let him know now.

[nativephilly]

Originally Posted by mltimes

I was going to post earlier with a rec to have the reception under the the Headhouse Shambles. I saw a planner set up a wedding reception in the Shambles once that was gorgeous. I hesitated to post because I couldn't remember if the caterer told me they were the "official" caterer. It was a South Philadelphia restaurant that did the food, so probably the bride's choice and not a requirement. Is it the South St/Headhouse District the OP would go to for the permit and to find out details like that?

I also agree that the Dance Academy is a great space. I've peeked in the window at quite a few gorgeous events there.

Thanks Guys. Seems like the dance academy might be the way to go.