Ever since starting our wedding photography business in 2009, Lincoln and I have been obsessed with Glen Foerd. It is such a dreamy estate, reminiscent of the stately elegance found on southern socialites. The beautifully furnished rooms and extra large dance floor in the tented reception cannot be found anywhere else. The historic mansion on the water is the perfect venue for brides that want to escape busy northeast Philadelphia to a completely isolated oasis.
We counted down the days until Chris and Sara’s wedding, and let me tell you that every minute was exciting. All the details of the wedding day were expertly orchestrated by their wedding planner, from the cocktail hour on the stone terrace overlooking the Delaware River, to the five hour reception full of delicious food. Their wedding was even more beautiful and fun than we expected. The ceremony was held on the lawn, right on the shore of the Delaware River. The day was filled with romantic tones of blue, white and gold.
The bridal suite will make you feel like royalty
In all of our years, we’ve never seen a better place to get ready than Glen Foerd’s second floor bridal suite. It’s found at the top of the eye-popping central staircase that is often used for an unforgettable entrance to the cocktail hour. The architectural details of the perfect wedding venue extend to the second floor gallery, located at the top of the sweeping staircase. With a fully customizable event structure, there is plenty of space in case you end up with rain on your wedding day. Having a wedding coordinator will take all the stress from these last minute decisions off of your shoulders!
The beautiful Glen Foerd Mansion has so much history
Glen Foerd on the Delaware is a stunning riverfront estate that offers a variety of unique settings for weddings and other events. The historic estate has been hosting lavish parties since the 1800s. The mansion was originally built in 1850 by Charles Macalester, Jr., a respected businessman and broker. Macalester named the estate Glengarry, after his family’s Scottish ancestral home. The mansion was a three-story Italianate riverfront house, and it was surrounded by 1,000 acres of land. In 1895, the mansion was purchased by Robert and Caroline Foerderer. The Foerderers hired architect William McAuley to renovate the mansion, and they renamed it Glen Foerd. The estate has been home to a number of notable figures, including Thomas Edison, Ulysses S. Grant, and John D. Rockefeller. The renovations included enlarging the mansion and adding Classical Revival additions. A carriage house and garden house were also added at this time, and the gas house was converted for use as a boat house. The mansion features a grand staircase, stained-glass skylights, and a second-floor art gallery. There is also a furnished bridal suite with floor-to-ceiling windows that provide plenty of natural light that will make your wedding photos glow. What was once a summer residence and is now perfect for beautiful wedding ceremonies and photos!
For dinner and dancing, the customizable Riverfront Pavilion can accommodate up to 300 guests. The pavilion has a waterfront view and is surrounded by 18 acres of manicured gardens, arboretum-quality trees, and expansive lawns. Guests will love the lavish grounds as they sip cocktails on the enclosed porches and relax in the wine hall, which is fashioned after a German drinking hall.
Award-winning Jamie Hollander Catering & Events provides full service catering with outstanding food and unmatched attention to detail. They will work with you to create a custom menu that reflects your personal taste. When wedding venues have exclusive caterers, it’s often a major plus, because the staff knows exactly how to maximize the property. Catering fees are a tough cost, but who doesn’t want exceptional service and endless hors d’oeuvres on their wedding day!?
Glen Foerd is the only riverfront estate open to the public, so you can come back and relive your special day whenever you want. Lincoln and I also chose a wedding venue that we can revisit on anniversaries (Cairnwood Estate!) and every time we go back the entire wedding day replays through our minds. Those happy feelings are just so amazing! Glen Foerd is located just 20 minutes from downtown Philadelphia, at 5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19114.
Glen Foerd Mansion is a stunning wedding venue that is both grand and intimate. It is located just outside of Philadelphia, but it feels like you are in the country. The mansion has a wrap-around porch, a wedding ceremony site overlooking the Delaware River, and endless opportunities for wedding photography. Every time we go back, we find a new spot based on how the vegetation has grown or the natural light of the day. There are so many different areas to explore, both inside and out, that we always show up early to scout out a wedding photography plan. This makes a huge difference in the photos!
Glen Foerd is without a doubt a beautiful and unique venue for winter weddings. The mansion is warm and welcoming, and it has a variety of spaces that can be used for different events. Guests can easily transition from ceremony to cocktails, to dinner, and then dancing. The mansion also has a bridal suite with river views, and it can accommodate up to 120 guests.
