222 N 20th St,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
View their website
Average Base Cost: $33,000
Our average base cost for a Franklin Institute wedding is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list on a Saturday evening using a food/beverage price of $150/pp and the facility rental and ceremony fee listed below. Entertainment, flowers, additional decorations and rentals, transportation, and photography are not included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand. Gratuity and sales tax included.
*Prices subject to change
How it breaks down:
Facility Rental Fee: $5,000
What’s Included:
- 5 hour rental
- Access to the following exhibit spaces:
- Franklin Hall
- Bioscience
- Electricity
- Changing Earth
- Key Hall
- 60’’ round tables
- Standard ivory chairs
Extras:
- Ceremony fee $1,500 (usually held in the planetarium)
- Option to use “Your Brain” (newest exhibit) for cocktail hour is an additional $1,500
- Optional $1,000 lighting package
- Coat check is $1.50 per coat and is required November-April
Vendors: Outside vendors are allowed except for food/beverage, which must be provided by Frog Commissary. Sample menu prices are below:
- Plated Dinner: $150 pp
- Buffet: $155 pp
- Stations: $160 pp
(Plus 20% service fee, 8% food tax and 10% liquor tax)
The wedding packages include:
- A complete and personalized menu for a seated dinner with options for a buffet or food stations menu
- One hour cocktail reception in Key Hall and Bio-Science
- Dinner and dancing in Franklin Hall
- Your choice of 6 butlered hors d’oeuvres
- Cocktail buffet with a selection of cheeses, crisp vegetables, signature spreads and dips
- Selection of signature nibbles
- Five-hour open bar, dinner wine and toast
- A full selection of soft drinks and bottled waters
- Bar fruit, mixers and garnishes for a full range of cocktails and mixed drinks
- Seated dinner menu includes a pre-selected choice of two entrées
- Vegetarian entrée substitute, upon request, with seated dinner
- An experienced, professional Event Manager to supervise all details from start to finish
- High staff-to-guest ratio of 1:10
- A wedding cake fresh from their bakery in a variety of designs, decorated with fresh flowers
- Décor accents on your cocktail station or buffet
- All necessary rental equipment, including floor length linens in your choice of color
- Seating at 60″ round tables of 8 – 10 guests with tables and chairs provided by The Franklin Institute
- Cake table with floor length linen
- Votive candles for the dining room and cocktail tables
- Bride and Groom take-home box of goodies for a midnight snack
More Stats:
Space Type: Inside/Outside
Size: Up to 250 guests
Bridal Suite: Yes
Parking: There is parking available. The discounted rate for weddings is $6 per car and can be either pre-paid or charged to guests when they exit.
How Will Grandma Get There? The venue is located in downtown Philadelphia in the Parkway Museums District, which has a ton of hotels to choose from such as The Sofitel, Loews Philadelphia and The Westin.
Party On! Events can go until midnight.
The Report:
Founded in 1824 in honor of President Benjamin Franklin, the Franklin Institute is the most visited museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with a mission to “inspire a passion for learning about science and technology.”
Woman Getting Married Says:
Brides rave about how unique and gorgeous this wedding venue is…and we agree! They also say the event management team is “top notch,” which is definitely one of the best ways to make sure you won’t be pulling your hair out by the time your wedding day arrives. I’m also impressed by the catering package they’ve put together with the Frog Commissary. While it’s not budget by any means, it’s actually a great deal considering the amount and quality of what you’re getting. I love the idea of a roaming cocktail hour throughout the exhibits…that’s an easy recipe for a super fun wedding!
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