Bensalem may be a suburb of Philadelphia, but it has a unique vibe all its own. Bensalem is a beautiful little township in Bucks County, PA, whose history dates back to the late 1600’s. Surrounded by rivers on 3 sides, the Delaware River, the Neshaminy Creek, and the Poquessing Creek, the town itself was originally known for its farmland and many grand mansions, which were built from 1700-1800. The town was originally named Salem, which is a term for peace, and the syllable Ben was added in 1701, in honor of William Penn.
Bensalem is also home to the stunning Mongkoltepmunee Buddhist Temple, located on Knights Road. This shrine is a replica of a temple in Bangkok, and is the only one of its kind in the U.S.A.. It serves as a place of community and ritual for the Thai Buddhist monks who arrived in Bensalem in the 1980s. And, one last fact, Benjamin Franklin often frequented Bensalem to visit his friend, the infamous Joseph Galloway.
But, what about today you ask? Well, read on to see a little sample of what Bensalem, PA has to offer, when it comes to hosting a wedding!
Pen Ryn Estate – On the Delaware
The Pen Ryn Estate is like 3 venues in one! The Estate is home to 3 unique waterfront event venues including Pen Ryn Mansion, Belle Voir Manor and most recently, the River’s Edge Garden Pavilion. Pen Ryn Estate is a gorgeous historic riverfront estate that has graced the banks of the Delaware River for the last 275 years, and is located right in the heart of Bucks County, PA. The estate is located just minutes from Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York, meaning it’s convenient for guests coming from multiple centers.
The 3 stand alone venues are situated on 100 private acres, with a magnificent 2000 foot tree-lined drive leading directly to manicured gardens and beautiful river views. When it comes to planning your big day, the in-house Sales and Events team – with over 28 years of experience – takes care of most of the aspects of wedding planning, while working alongside the skilled Culinary Team, to ensure a stress-free wedding planning process and wonderful day for you and your chosen guests! And, after the party, there are many hotels nearby, if you have any wedding guests, or members of the bridal party who wish to stay overnight.
Celebrations Weddings
For starters, Celebrations has been awarded ‘Best in Weddings’ by The Knot, every year since 2010, and with over 30 years of professional experience working in the event and hospitality industry, they are well versed in how to deliver a sensational and unforgettable celebration!
The venue can accommodate up to 550 guests, and features exquisite ballrooms, along with luxurious bridal suites and classy cocktail reception areas, while their indoor and outdoor (covered pavilion) ceremony spaces are the perfect settings for your special “I do’s”. After the ceremony (or before, depending on your preference) their lush manicured gardens offer stunning backdrops for those perfect posed photo opportunities. The gardens even feature a beautiful granite fountain!
But you don’t have to make a wish, because their skillful culinary team along with their incredible mixologists will tantalize you and your guests’ taste buds! And, their custom menu packages serve only locally grown and prime ingredients! You won’t leave your wedding hungry, and we think that’s delicious!
Andalusia
Andalusia was born In 1795, when John Craig, a local Philadelphia merchant, purchased a 100 acre estate upriver from Philly, PA, in response to the yellow fever outbreak of 1793. He decided to call it Andalusia, as a reflection of his business as a goods importer dealing in Spanish imports.
The estate is perfectly situated on a wooded promontory overlooking the Delaware River, and has been a local landmark and stately presence on banks of the Delaware River for over two centuries. The estate also boasts a natural paradise of native woodlands as well as spectacular and meticulously manicured gardens that have evolved over time.
The Estate has been placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks since 1966, and the ‘Big House’ is considered to be one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the whole country, while its surrounding gardens truly delight the senses in every season. But this is not a full service venue, but a bespoke venue, meaning that catering, parking, and any other rentals, including tents, are additional costs. The upside of that being, you can truly customize your event… Your wedding will be one of a kind!