Cairnwood Estate Wedding Cost
For more than 100 years, the Cairnwood Estate, a branch of the Academy of the New Church, has been holding memorable weddings within its halls.
Starting in 1896 when the tradition began with the marriage of John and Gertrude Pitcairn, today the hall is open for up to 200 guests for a sit-down dinner-type setup or up to 275 for an opulent station-styled event.
All of the rooms within the estate, ranging from the rooms, grand staircase, terrace, balconies and gardens, all offers its own unique and memorable experience, according to the Estate’s official website.
How much does a Cairnwood Estate wedding cost?
According to the official website of the Estate, the site fee can range anywhere from $1,800 to $7,800, a fee which would include a five-hour reception time and three hours of photo and dressing time for the couple-to-be. Additional hours may be added to the day at $500 an hour, allowing the party to extend to midnight. As with any wedding venue, the site fee will primarily depend on the time of year, the day of the week and the number of guests attending the wedding. As a note, a refundable $1,000 security deposit is required.
Aside from the site fee, like any venue, you will have to budget for the catering as well, and as per the official website, the venue does work with a select list of preferred caterers, with prices ranging from $95 to $105 per guest. This price, as you can imagine, will depend on the food selection, the number of guests and any add-ons you may want to add on.
WeddingWire.com, on its pricing sheet, notes the reception site fee during the off-peak season (January-April and November) can start at $2,000, whereas during the peak season, the fees can start at $5,000.
What is the Cairnwood Estate?
Built by John Pitcairn in 1895, the Estate sits in a secluded setting behind walls nestled among trees, gardens and an expansive lawn, beyond a gate off of Huntingdon Pike in Bryn Athyn, Montgomery County, about 16 miles from the heart of Philadelphia.
The focal point of the Estate, as per many reviews online, is the Great Hall, a vast two-story room, allowing in lots of natural sunlight, along with an open-styled staircase leading toward the second-floor balcony. Inside, three arched glass doors open to the Estate’s terrace and the well landscaped grounds. According to the description on PartySpace.com, all of the rooms are large, decorated tastefully and equipped with fireplaces. The admirable craftsmanship truly shows throughout the grounds, with the architectural details of the former home truly creating a lovely event.
Tips to know
At the time of this publishing, the venue held an open house on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tours were available during the week and on weekends by appointment only.
The school properties and facilities on site are not available for wedding ceremonies.
The maximum capacity of the venue is 250 but up to 300 if tenting outside of the terrace as per PartySpace.com.
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