For couples dreaming of a European wedding without the stress of international travel, Pennsylvania offers several unique solutions. With wedding venues across the state evoking the romance and elegance of destinations like Italy, France, and England, Pennsylvania is emerging as an attractive choice for couples seeking a European-inspired wedding experience without leaving the U.S. Photographer Emily Wilkerson of Fern & Fountain recently captured five European-themed wedding editorials in venues around Philadelphia, showcasing the state’s hidden gems that bring European ambiance stateside. 

Conestoga House and Gardens: A Mediterranean Escape

Conestoga House and Gardens, located minutes from downtown Lancaster, embodies a Mediterranean feel with its rich architectural features and decor sourced directly from Italy. To highlight the venue’s elegance, the team chose a simple yet sophisticated black-tie theme, selecting soft blush flowers to complement the lush greenery. Avant-garde floral details, like floral shoe clips and live flower earrings, added a modern twist.

Venues: Conestoga House and Gardens & Passenger Coffee; Planner: Blake Events; Suit: J Hilburn; Bridal Shop: In White; Flowers: Lancaster Flower Co

Key photos at Conestoga include images of the bride posed against Italian artworks in softly lit, painterly compositions, making her look like an artwork herself. For a touch of urban flavor, Emily captured the couple’s getting-ready moments at a nearby modern cafe, with a particular focus on documenting the groom’s experience. “A stylish European man wants his fashion choices and meaningful moments well documented and doesn’t want to be an afterthought,” Emily notes, showing that the right styling can capture a true sense of sophistication and European elegance.

Venue: Elkins Estate; Dress & Hair Bow: Untamed Petals; Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka; Engagement Ring: Ring Concierge; Suit: Suit Supply; Groom’s Shoes: Alfani; Watches: Hugo Boss & Movado; Jumpsuit: Hutch for Anthropologie; Earrings: J. Crew 

Elkins Estate: Grandeur Reminiscent of Parisian Ballrooms

A standout venue for large weddings, Elkins Estate can host over 250 guests and features a ballroom reminiscent of grand European palaces. Emily wanted to juxtapose the grandeur of the estate with a sense of casual elegance, choosing to create imagery that felt warm and homey within the palatial setting. “We intentionally subverted expectations by crafting photos of joyful expression rather than setting the expected tone of refined elegance,” Emily explains. By capturing a playful energy, she illustrated that couples can celebrate the elegance of Europe without losing a sense of personal warmth and intimacy.

To further accentuate the venue’s architectural beauty, Emily photographed the couple in the ballroom, using lighting that highlighted the old-world details while maintaining a sense of modernity. These elements made Elkins Estate feel like a piece of Europe right in Pennsylvania, perfect for couples who want a lavish but relaxed celebration.

Venue: Longwood Gardens; Suit: Banana Republic; Dress: Blush Bridal; Shoes: Jimmy Choo; Flowers: Lancaster Flower Co

Longwood Gardens: A Botanical Tribute to Italy and France

Longwood Gardens, renowned for its stunning botanical displays, now offers its grounds for wedding receptions, including an Italian water garden and a French-inspired Carillon. “Longwood Gardens commanded two different looks,” Emily shares, “The first was a classic and refined couple with suggestive fashion. The second was of a solo bride.” The contrast of classic elegance with modern fashion elements—such as the groom’s bleach-blonde hair and the bride’s pearl cape—created a sense of timelessness that bridges the past with the present.

Emily captured ethereal moments in settings like the Italian-inspired bridge, evoking the feeling of wandering through a historic European garden. The venue’s vast grounds allowed her to photograph varied scenes, giving couples a gallery that feels like a journey through Europe’s most romantic spots.

Venue: Longwood Gardens; Dress: East Coast Styled Shoots; Shoes: Jimmy Choo; Flowers: Landis Farm

Bringing European Essence to Your U.S. Wedding

For couples planning a European-inspired wedding in Pennsylvania, Emily offers some key advice:

“As a frequent visitor to these venues, and also a person who spent part of my childhood living in London and traveling Europe with my family, I easily picked up on the sense of Europe in these venues. My advice to those who are trying to choose between an actual European wedding and a European-inspired wedding in the USA is to choose a planner and photographer who favors European and European-inspired events, so the experience of the wedding is authentic.”

Pennsylvania: The Perfect European-Inspired Destination in The States

With venues like Conestoga House and Gardens, Elkins Estate, and Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania is becoming a go-to for couples desiring a European feel without the hassle of overseas travel. These Pennsylvania venues allow couples to experience European elegance, history, and romance in the convenience of a U.S. location—making the dream of a European wedding accessible and uniquely memorable.