Our History
Our History
We at Sylvan Ridge Farm are inspired by the property's storied past and excited that it is once again accessible to the community as a place to gather and create rich memories.
We at Sylvan Ridge Farm are inspired by the property's storied past and excited that it is once again accessible to the community as a place to gather and create rich memories.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Prospective couples have all kinds of questions for potential venues. We've been there, and we're here to help! Find the answers to our FAQs below, and feel free to contact us for more information.
Are you currently taking bookings?
Yes! We are currently booking select 2025 and 2026 event dates. Please contact us to schedule a tour!
How many guests can Sylvan Ridge Farm accommodate?
Our guest maximum is 150 for events with buffet or stations-style meals, and 170 for events with plated, family-style, or food truck meals. We can accommodate up to 16 overnight guests in the farmhouse and cottage.
How much does a wedding at Sylvan Ridge Farm cost? What does the fee include?
Please see our Wedding Guide for details.
Why do you only offer long-format weddings?
A typical wedding venue offers shorter rental periods ranging from 4-10 hours. At Sylvan Ridge Farm, we believe your wedding celebration deserves more. You should be able to relax and truly enjoy this special time with your wedding party, family, and out-of-town guests, without having to rush through a blur of ceremony and reception with strict start and end times. The longer format also enables you to make the best use of the venue! With multiple nights on site, both of our packages gives you ample time to adorn the barn to suit your taste. Then you can unwind, soak in all the property has to offer (it is truly a luxury vacation destination in its own right), and make more memories with the people you love.
What kind of payment schedule does Sylvan Ridge require?
We try to keep it simple! Sylvan Ridge takes a 25% deposit when you sign the booking agreement, and three additional 25% payments at intervals of one year, six months, and one month prior to the wedding. Alternate payment structures will be considered on a case-by-case basis upon request.
Do you require liability insurance?
Our property is fully insured, but like many venues, we require couples to take out a single-day event insurance policy for the day of the wedding. These policies are inexpensive and easy to obtain.
What if we want to have our ceremony off-site and only use Sylvan Ridge Farm for our reception?
That's absolutely fine. An on-site ceremony is included in our wedding fee, but by no means is it required!
What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
You have a beautiful, dry ceremony! Our event barn is truly spectacular, built out of sustainably sourced Brazilian hardwood, local fieldstone, and reclaimed barn wood. Depending on your guest count and preferences, your ceremony can take place under our covered stone patio or in front of the fireplace in the main reception area (in which case we move tables out of the way and then reset them during cocktail hour).
What amenities does your event barn provide?
Our one-of-a-kind barn is traditionally built, but as a recent structure it does have some perks you won't find at most older, retrofitted event barns. Built-in heat and air conditioning ensure your guests will be comfortable no matter the weather. Beautiful cast iron chandeliers and wall sconces provide warm, dimmable lighting. There are fully accessible bathrooms on the main floor and the lower level, as well as a hydraulic elevator between levels. Gorgeous tigerwood bars on both floors have sinks, ice makers, and drink coolers built in, and there are also large fridges for catering use in the bar storage room on the lower level. The outdoor catering setup area is equipped with water supply and 110 and 220-volt electric.
Is there a separate space for cocktail hour?
Yes. The lower level of our bank barn was designed with cocktail hour in mind! With a combination of exposed fieldstone and reclaimed wood paneling, this space has a delightfully rustic feel. Sliding open the two barn doors to the courtyard creates an indoor-outdoor space with plenty of room for guests to mingle.
Can we have our rehearsal dinner/farewell brunch at Sylvan Ridge Farm?
Only with our weekend wedding package! This option allows you to hold these smaller side events on site for no extra charge, provided they fall within your 72-hour rental period. Depending on size, our indoor/outdoor cocktail area (seating for 50+ guests) and the main floor & adjoining porch of the farmhouse (table, couch & armchair seating for 20+ guests) are both lovely spaces for more intimate gatherings.
Does Sylvan Ridge Farm provide catering or offer a kitchen space? Can we use a caterer of our choice?
Sylvan Ridge does not provide catering, and we do not have a commercial kitchen. However, we designed our event barn with catering in mind, and our outdoor catering setup area provides water & electric hookups and direct access to both levels of the barn. We have relationships with several fabulous caterers in the region who are familiar with our venue, and we encourage couples to consider using one of these pre-approved caterers to ensure a quality dining experience for your wedding guests. While we reserve the right to veto a caterer that raises red flags, we will happily meet with professional, full-service caterers (from food trucks to farm-to-table and everything in between!) who are not on our list and approve them if everything checks out.
Do you provide tables and chairs, linens and dishes, or a tent?
We provide seating for outdoor ceremonies, wood tables & chairs for receptions, and a variety of display tables. You or your caterer must provide any table linens and place settings. ​Our spacious event barn renders tents (other than small popup tents for caterers or other vendors) unnecessary.
Can we bring our own alcohol?
BYOB is legal in Pennsylvania, so for cost-effectiveness, couples typically provide the alcohol and hire bartenders to serve. We permit wine, beer, or other beverages below 15% alcohol by volume to be self-serve. However, it is our policy that you must have a professional bartender if you plan to serve hard liquor and/or mixed drinks over 15% alcohol by volume. Many of our pre-approved caterers will happily provide/arrange bartending services, and we have several stand-alone bartenders on our Preferred Vendor List as well.
Can we bring our own decorations? What about hanging things from the walls/ceiling?
Absolutely! Part of the beauty of having the place to yourselves for one or more nights prior to your ceremony is the decorating potential. Our event barn is adorned tastefully and simply, such that couples wanting a minimalist style will only need a few table accents to complete the look. But for those with a bolder decorating scheme in mind, the sky (well, the ceiling) is the limit!
Can we use the pool?
The pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather-permitting, and is available for guests to swim at their own risk. We strongly discourage use of the pool during an event where alcohol is being consumed. Any decorations within the pool enclosure must be pre-approved for safety reasons, and glass is strictly prohibited.
Can we choose either a DJ or a live band? Are there any local noise ordinances to be aware of?
Our barn can accommodate either a DJ or a live band. Just keep in mind a larger band setup in the barn may slightly reduce the seating capacity for guests. Our township requires that amplified outdoor music stop by 11:00 PM and amplified indoor music stop by midnight, hence our midnight end time for all events.
Do you have a sound system and sound equipment we can use?
No. Your DJ, emcee, or band leader will need to arrange the sound system setup (typically not an issue). The ceremony & reception spaces do have plenty of outlets situated for their convenience.
What is the parking situation?
There is a 50-car paved parking lot on site, with ample grass overflow parking, as well as six paved spaces adjacent to the house and cottage for overnight guests and/or accessible parking. Since we are located on a winding road and guests often enjoy several alcoholic beverages, we do encourage couples to consider arranging a shuttle service to nearby hotels for the convenience and safety of guests staying off-site. Please note we cannot accommodate vehicles (shuttle or otherwise) over 30 feet long.
Where can we get ready before the ceremony?
We have two lovely prep spaces right on the property. The cottage was renovated with this use in mind, with two bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a comfortable lounge area. And the the farmhouse has four bedrooms (including the stately master with an 1800s stone fireplace, cheval mirror, and stunning views), three bathrooms, and numerous beautiful common spaces that provide ample getting-ready photo backdrop options. It's totally up to you how you'd like to spread out your wedding parties and/or families across these spaces!
How many people can you accommodate overnight? What other lodging options are available?
The farmhouse has bed & sofa bed space for 12, and the cottage can sleep four, though many couples choose to keep the cottage for themselves on their wedding night. There are two large hotels less than 10 minutes from the venue, as well as several motels and boutique hotels. Please see a list of recommended nearby options here.
Are you pet-friendly? Can our fur baby be in our ceremony?
We welcome well-mannered, adult dogs of overnight guests to stay on site! We just require them to be crated if they're ever left alone in one of our structures. They're also more than welcome to be in your ceremony. Other pet/animal requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Is the site accessible for all ability levels?
Yes! We have gone to great lengths to make sure guests of all ability levels can fully enjoy events at Sylvan Ridge Farm. There are accessible parking spaces next to the farmhouse and cottage. The barn has a hydraulic lift between upper and lower levels for those with difficulty walking hills/stairs, and its restrooms comply fully with ADA guidelines. While the second floors of the farmhouse and cottage are only reachable by stairs, both buildings have a wheelchair-accessible entry, as well as sleeping spaces and bathrooms on the ground floor.
What is the weather like throughout your event season?
For detailed climate information throughout the year, please see the Grounds page.