How to Elope at Terrain Gardens in Pennsylvania
One of the amazing benefits of living in the Baltimore area is the easy access to both DC and Pennsylvania. I love making day trips for weddings and elopements for a change of scenery! Some of my favorite elopement venues are over the Pennsylvania border, most notably the venues owned by Terrain. With three different locations to choose from, delicious food, and gorgeous scenery, these venues are a fantastic option for anyone looking to elope in the mid-Atlantic region. If you’re considering eloping at Terrain Gardens, here is a brief summary of everything you need to know!
Getting Married in Pennsylvania
Applying for a marriage license in Pennsylvania is fairly straightforward – both applicants must go in person to the Register of Wills office to fill out the application, which costs $90 – $100 depending on the type of license. There is a three-day waiting period before the license can be issued, but once you receive your marriage license you can use it in any county in Pennsylvania and it is good for 60 days.
One of the best parts about getting married in Pennsylvania is having the option to self-officiate. This means that you and your partner can choose to elope without an officiant! Alternatively, if you’d like to have a loved one lead the ceremony they can get ordained online, or simply lead the ceremony in a symbolic manner while you self-officiate for the official documents.
The Terrain Garden Wedding Venues
The Terrain Garden venues are absolute gems and are not only gorgeous but also managed by excellent staff. They are owned by the parent company URBN, which also owns Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, so it’s no surprise that the venues are incredibly stylish and photogenic. The venues are also known for their delicious food (a guest favorite is always their flower pot bread and seasonal butter) and are truly a joy to work at.
Terrain at Styer’s | Glen Mills, PA
Terrain at Styer’s was the original Terrain location, which initially started as a garden center and cafe. Over time, it grew to be a full-service restaurant, and then a wedding venue with a capacity of 110 guests. The venue includes an outdoor ceremony space with a wooden wedding temple, the mushroom house suite for getting ready, and a rustic indoor space for the reception.
Terrain Gardens at Devon Yard | Devon, PA
The second Terrain location, Devon Yard, offers a courtyard reception space with brick walls and black privacy fencing for a secluded, urban garden feeling. The adjacent covered patio houses cocktail hour before guests flow indoors for the reception. The space can accommodate up to 140 guests and also offers a small suite on-site for the wedding party.
Terrain Gardens at Delaware Valley University | Doylestown, PA
The newest Terrain location is also the largest – with a capacity of up to 162 guests, a retail store, and a cafe. This property is inspired by the English countryside as opposed to the more rustic style of the other venues. The outdoor ceremony space features a small tin-roof shelter known as the Garden House and overlooks a beautiful orchard. Indoors, guests are greeted with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling vine trellis.
When to Elope at Terrain
The Terrain venues are truly gorgeous year-round and there is no “best” time to elope at these locations. However, their appearance can vary greatly throughout the year, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when planning your elopement. Each season, the nurseries are filled with seasonal plants, completely changing the feel of the space. In spring and summer, they are full of lush greenery and flowers, during the fall they are decorated with pumpkins, and during the winter they opt for conifers, twinkle lights, and holiday decor. In addition, Pennsylvania winters can be quite cold, so most celebrations during those months will take place entirely indoors, although some of the venues offer fire pits for guests who want to brave the outdoors!
Where to Stay and Things to Do
One of my favorite things about helping couples plan their elopements is that you aren’t limited to spending your whole day at your venue! While a traditional wedding tends to take several hours, an elopement can be as short or long as you want – leaving plenty of time for other activities! Each of the three Terrain venues offers great options nearby that can make for an incredible elopement day or even weekend.
Near Glen Mills:
Near Devon:
Valley Forge National Historical Park
Near Doylestown:
8 Hour Wedding Timeline
While each elopement or intimate wedding will have its own custom timeline, here is a sample 8 hour photography timeline you can review to get an idea of what the flow of your wedding day could look like at Terrain.
2:00 pm – Photos begin of details and prep at hotel nearby
3:15 pm – Travel to venue, get dressed onsite
3:45 pm – First look and photos around Terrain
4:30 pm – Family and wedding party photos
5:00 pm – Guests arrive, couple takes break or greets guests
5:30 pm – Ceremony
6:00 pm – Cocktail Hour
7:00 pm – Reception entrances
7:10 pm – First dance
7:15 pm – Welcome speech
7:20 pm – Salads
7:30 pm – Toasts
7:45 pm – Entrees
8:15 pm – Sunset Portraits
8:30 pm – Cake Cutting
8:45 pm – Special Dances, Open Dancing Begins
9:30 pm – Blue hour photos with bonfire/s’mores
10:00 pm – Photo end time
Eloping at Terrain
If you are considering eloping or having a micro wedding in Pennsylvania, all three Terrain Garden venues are great options for your big day. With delicious food and beautiful greenery, these venues are a tried-and-true favorite of mine. And if you’re looking for a photographer for your day, reach out! I’d love to chat about working together to celebrate your love!
