Central PA Venues – Weddings
I thought I would try to compile a list of wedding venues I have worked over the years djing weddings, parties and other events. First and foremost I am sure I will not be able to remember all. I have been doing this since 1987. Oh how I wish I would have kept a diary of every job I did. It would be a best selling book. Maybe.
Stone Valley Estates –
This is a new venue located along Rt. 26 between Huntingdon and Jackson’s Corner in Huntingdon County. (6362 Tippling House Ln, Huntingdon, PA 16652) I have been there several times in the past two years. There are many plans to improve this facility and the owners are working very hard to make things happen. My first event here there were portable bathrooms, now there are brand new bathrooms just outside the barn. Speaking of the barn, I was there on some very hot days, but ceiling fans, big ceiling fans kept the air moving.
One of the best parts of the barn is the deck out back. One of the weddings I played I actually set up a sound system for the ceremony, moved it inside for the beginning of the reception and then moved it to the deck for a great night of dancing.
What about a place for the bride to get ready? Well, the owners took the old farm house and made an amazing place for the bride and her bridesmaids to prepare. Lots of room, lots of places to relax and only about 50 yards, maybe 75 from the barn. There is also a building for the guys to get ready, just across a dirt road from the house.
What about a place to have the ceremony? Again, a great job by the owners on rehabilitating an old building that may or may not have been a place for farm equipment. It now has benches and a covered area outside with a small stone wall and a beautiful wooded backdrop.
As I mentioned earlier, there are a lot more plans for this place and it one of my favorites to play. One more reason it is a favorite place of mine is that it is only about 5 miles from my home.
Edgewater Acres –
This venue is located near Alexandria and Petersburg. Something I am sure I will say over and over again, it is a beautiful facility.
Most times I have been here for an event, a wedding, it happens behind the main building. There is a gazebo there with a beautiful scene of the river behind.
The actual Inn is available for the bride to get ready and guests of the wedding, should they not want to drive, can stay in the Inn as well. I am sure the rooms for guests could or could not be part of the wedding package.
I couldn’t mention this place without mentioning the amazing restaurant. My wife and I just ate there this past week. Trying to describe the deliciousness would not do it justice.
Raystown Resort –
I have played the Resort for both weddings and high school proms, again a beautiful spot. I have played both in the conference center and at some of the pavilions close to the conference center. The food is delicious and the staff, led by DanI believe is his name, is very professional. They have things down to a science for weddings, meetings, proms or whatever they do. Most weddings I have been a part of have been held on the deck of the conference center but they do have a nice spot away from the building for ceremonies.
Union Grove LLC –
Who would have thought a place like this would have existed just a mile or two from Broad Top City. At the time of writing this, the facility has only been open a few years. I was told, and believe it to be true, the building was put there and the whole thing was made for the daughter of the property owner to get married. After that the daughter now manages it and it.
One of the best things about Union Grove is the view. On a clear day you can see for miles over Trough Creek. Something you can’t buy!
I have been at this location when the weather has not been so nice and fog has blocked the view. I thought it was just as beautiful then as the fog made it look like someone hung a giant white backdrop. Every time we have been to this spot we have had a fun time.
Belle Mountain Estates –
One of the places we see, it seems, more than any other is Belle Mountain Estates. It is located near Lewistown. You have to make your way to Burnham then turn down toward the small town of Vira. This farm is off a main road about a mile and is really quiet and very beautiful. A lot of work has been put into this farm turning it into a first class venue.
Near the old farm house there is a concrete area for the actual wedding that has an added pond for a beautiful background. The farmhouse which dates back to the 1800’s I would guess, has been modernized and additions to both ends. One end is for the bride to get ready, the other for the groomsmen.
After the wedding you make your way to the pavilion that has come a long way. The first time I played here I would have called it an open air pavilion, but they have since added doors on both side and a deck for the bar area to the back side. They have also added a heating system in the pavilion for weddings held in the colder months. I was there for a wedding in November of 2018. It was cold out and whatever the heating unit, it was toasty in that place.
The farm has been in the family for 100 years. Nice place.
Fern Hill Weddings –
Formerly known as the McCann School of Art, this facility is located back in the woods close to Pine Grove Mountain. If you don’t know where it is, you’ll be in a little bit of a shock when you see it. From the paved lane that turns off a secondary road you will think you are going through an enchanted forest to several amazing buildings, a pond, a great open area for the ceremony and more. This place has gone through a few management changes over the years, but at the time of writing this Sue is back and has things running like a well oiled machine now.
There is also a second spot called the Studebaker House. It is just outside McAlevys Fort. Last year we did a wedding at this location. Behind the barn is Stone Creek and a really nice area for a wedding with plenty of room for seating. This place has a lot of places for beautiful photos. The day we were there unfortunately it rained most of the day. We were under a tent so no worries.
Greenland’s Lodge –
This property is located between Water Street and Tyrone along Rt. 453. I believe it has been around for 4 or 5 years. It has been totally remodeled and has one thing most barn wedding venues can’t offer, air conditioning and it works well. The husband and wife team that run this location are always working to make it better. I have only been here a couple times for wedding but several times for Christmas parties and other functions. I can also say that the catering service they have in house is really, really good. This place is top notch for weddings, business functions, parties, class reunions and more.
Mount Union American Legion Country Club –
I have played this venue many, many times. It has been though several changes in staff and management but past year or so they seemed to have things in place to do some pretty big things. There have been several investments made recently and things are looking good. The country club grounds are always very well kept and the banquet area, located on the second floor of the building, has several newly installed mini-splits for heating and AC, something it had but this is a huge improvement.
One thing I am not a fan of is the room being on the second floor. Most times I get help bringing equipment up the fire escape. I also think the step that are actually on the inside of the building, are very narrow. Maybe that is just me.
A little story about the ALCC from back in the early 90’s when I was there to set p for a wedding. At that time they just had a really big outside air conditioning unit installed. It was located on the side of the building closest to the road that goes up along side of the building. I went there to set up for a job and when I was backing into the fire escape, where you have to load in, I may have bumped into that unit. In fact, I bumped it enough that it moved. I told management and they looked it over, but then, in my younger days of being a DJ, I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life paying for it.
Gillbrook Farms –
This is another venue in which I can only give a limited amount of information. I have only played there one time. I can tell you that the owners are super easy to work with and when I was there they had a really cool dog roaming around. This was happening when I set up and I did that a day before the wedding, so no worries. As cute as the pup is they keep it away during the wedding.
The day that I was at Gillbrook was a July day. A hot July day. Hot and Super Humid. The are where this wedding was held was in a very lovely field, but no shade. I was able to stay close to a building and out of the direct sunlight. I felt bad for the wedding party. I felt bad for everyone who had to be in direct sunlight. I believe there was a few elderly folks that did have to seek shade. I shared what I had.
After the wedding things at the reception went really smooth and the owners ran things one right after the other. The barn was also warm but they opened the doors and had a few big fans that kept it as cool as to be expected. Once the sun went over the hill behind the barn things got very nice inside the barn.
I do hope I get to visit this place again.
Spring House Farm –
Path Valley is probably very well known for its speedway, but if you drive past the speedway you’ll find a wedding venue set on a farm called the Spring House Farm. It’s far enough away from the track that it doesn’t interfere with your event.
The first time I saw this place I was really blown away. The actual home, which dates back to the 1800’s, has been restored and is where the bride and her bridesmaids get ready. The spring which this place has been named after features a fountain which makes for a nice background for photos.
The barn sits away from the house and looks gigantic. The back of the barn has a nice connected pavilion with the under part of the barn for the catering crews to set up. A few steps away from the pavilion is another smaller pavilion with a fireplace. I have been set up in that pavilion before. It is nice but I am pretty far away from most of the things happening. Most times I am under the main pavilion and the couple getting married rent a tent that goes off the main pavilion.
We have been to this venue several times in great weather and not so great weather. Hot weather and cool weather. Each time things seemed to go as planned. When we were there and there was rain, a tent was set up just behind the barn and off to the side.
Celebrations Unlimited
and Hann’s Lodge – Celebrations Unlimited is smaller, but what it lacks in space it is made up for in service. Barb who manages the place loves to make people happy with her organizing, decorating and planning. I have done small parties, weddings and a few other events there. It is a good idea to follow Celebrations Unlimited on facebook as there are many activities there that are not wedding related.
Another venue offered by Celebrations Unlimited with a different location and under a different name is called Hann’s Lodge. I have been at this location just a couple times and the layout of everything is very nice. It’s at the foot of a mountain between the Celebrations location and McConnellsburg. It’s off the main road about 1/4 mile which is off Rt. 522 by about 2 miles. What I am trying to say is that is is close enough to a main road, yet far enough away that it is quiet and out of the way. Very nice and being next to the mountain, the sun sets and the mountain makes for some early shade on warm summer days. It’s a really nice location that fits quite a few more guests than the Celebrations location.
Barb puts in extra effort at both locations to make everything perfect.
Trophy Mountain Lodge –
If you ever travel on Williamsburg Mountain you may have passed this location and not even have known about it. At the time of writing this I believe it has been around for 4 or 5 years and it is secluded.
Not even half way up Williamsburg Mountain, from the Huntingdon side, there is a turn to the left and you travel back that road through the forest for about a mile. It’s a narrow road with several places to pull over should you meet someone on the way in or out.
Once you are at the site you will see a very nice home/venue. I think it is more venue than home, but the owners do live in the same building as the venue and since we started doing weddings at this venue there have been major improvements. When last there (Spring 2019) there was same major construction under way to make it even better.
The first two weddings I played here I had to set up things on the wrap around covered porch. That was about all there was. Since then, they have added a concrete deck to the back of the building that overlooks a pond with a walkway and gazebo on the water. As mentioned there is also construction going on for a separate building from the main building. It looks like it will be the reception call. It is a nice size but I am not sure of the amount of seating that will be available.
Springfield Estates –
This location is just a few miles from Williamsburg PA. It an old farmhouse which I have not had a chance to explore as I have only played at this venue a couple times. It is a large barn and sits back from the main road a couple hundred yards. Both weddings I played were mid summer and very warm, however there is a large tree on the backside that provided nice shade for both of those weddings. I have seen photos other people have posted of people setting up on the opposite side which is direct sunlight. Personally on a hot summer day I will take shade any time.
Below the the farm house I have a reliable source that told me of an old springhouse that I think would be nice for photos. Speaking of photography opportunities, there are plenty. I am not sure of the year make or model, but one of the most memorable permanent decorations at this location is an old truck that sits between the walkway to the barn and the farmhouse.
The only downside to this facility, and not sure how true, bit I have been told that vendors are not allowed to back up a trailer, car, truck or anything close to the barn. That stinks as it is a good distance from the parking area to the barn.
Lewistown Country Club –
The Lewistown Country club is a nice place and each time I have been there, very professional and no problems ever. They have a bar off to the side of the dance floor and something I wish the Mount Union Country Club would get. An elevator. I am not the best at climbing steps, due to a cycle accident a long time ago , but there are generally a lot of elder people at weddings. This elevator is a welcome site to anyone with problems walking and a blessing for a DJ who has a bunch of equipment they don’t like to climb steps with.
Mount Union VFW –
I’ve been here hundreds of times but in only a few times for a wedding. This venue is, in my opinion, a blank page that can be decorated to your liking. You can do as much or as little with it as you would like. like.
The kitchen here is amazing at both catering and during their regular hours. They offer a separate bar from the main bar during weddings and can close off the main bar area from the banquet area. In the past several years they have become a non-smoking VFW. I know there was a lot of debate over that, but as a person who doesn’t smoke I was ok with it. They have several area’s outside specifically for smokers included with heating units for cold weather months.
Huntingdon Country Club –
One of the first places I ever DJed a wedding and a place I have done many events. Wedding, class reunions, proms and parties. You name it and they can handle it. Their food has always been great and the manager had a handle on everything from beginning to end.
They have a new ownership which I have not worked with, but I believe, from what I have heard they are doing a great job.
Brookmere Winery –
Beautiful in so many ways Brookmere has been in the wedding venue business for many years and they have it down. Now there are two locations, the pavilion and now the barn. The barn has actually been in service for several years so it’s not new. It is as beautiful as the pavilion with the added security of not having to worry about weather. After thinking about it, the worry at the pavilion is minimal because there have been times I have played at Brookmere that the weather was less than ideal and Brookmere handled it. Planning your wedding will be a breeze as well as the staff is very professional. There is an updated area just for the wedding behind the house with plenty of shade for guests to stay cool. Lots of pary and lots of fun to be had.
Bricktown Events –
I have done several events at this location. Birthday parties and at least one wedding. It is very nice and I believe a welcomed business in what use to be a booming town, Mount Union. I know there was a lot of concern when this opened. Parking being the main concern. I was able to go and photograph the building before it officially open and was told then by the owner there was parking just down the street that was exclusive to Bricktown Events. I was also told about a parking area separate from the venue and a shuttle bus available. I do hope this venue sees more weddings in the future. It has a lot of potential.
Terrace Mountain Lodge –
It’s been a while since i have been to this venue and when I tried to find their website I believe it is down or does not exist any longer. If you don’t know the location of this place, just take a drive to 7 points, walk to the beach area and look up. You will see it. If not from the beach then the snack bar area. A beautiful site for sure. The road to the location is a little rough but it is worth the drive. I am not sure of the status of the place at this time though.
Bitter Goose Lodge –
If you like the idea of a secluded place, this is it. Near Raystown Lake you have to know here you are going or hope the wedding party has balloons along the way. It is atop a mountain, it is beautiful and I have played several weddings there. There are several buildings and guests can rent them so driving from a wedding is not a worry. The weddings I have been a part of have all been in the back side of the building which is the natural place. The receptions have happed on the opposite side of the building in the parking area. The people who hided me set a large tent there. There is enough room for the tent and parking, no worries. At this venue, because of the location where I have to set my dj equipment (the small porch), lighting is at a minimal.
There are more places I have played. Countless fire halls, (It’s a Pennsylvania thing), private homes, and places I’ve forgotten about. For that, I am sorry, but as I remember them or visit new places I will do my best to add them.
Thanks for reading and if you have any questions feel free to contact me.
