At the heart of it all, weddings are about love, and the declaration of that love between two people. For many prospective brides and grooms, loving their wedding venue is also crucial, since the memories of their special day will be intricately tied to the location. In fact, choosing the right location for a wedding and reception can end up being one of the most important decisions for an engaged couple.

Columbia & Montour Counties have long been known for great outdoor recreation, covered bridges, quaint towns, and attractions like Knoebels Amusement Resort & Ricketts Glen State Park. More recently however, the counties have also become a popular destination for weddings. The area offers the perfect blend of rustic and elegant, and is centrally located for many East Coast travelers. Many wedding parties look to find a convenient location that provides reasonable travel times for relatives up and down the Mid-Atlantic and New England states. Columbia & Montour Counties fit the bill, as they are only a few hours from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York, Baltimore, and the Washington D.C. area. The counties have several magnificent wedding venues for couples looking to host their dream wedding.

The Pump House Weddings and B&B is tucked into a valley beside the Catawissa Creek and provides the complete, serene country wedding experience. At the Pump House, couples can be married in a quiet forest clearing under a wisteria arch. Afterward, the party will kick off in a historic brick barn. The barn and property were painstakingly restored by owner Doug Hopkins, and now exude stylish industrial ambiance. There is also plenty of outdoor space on the grounds to set up tents and liven up the party with yard games or a campfire.

The Barn at Greenwood, LLC is a family owned and operated rustic wedding venue located in Millville. Nestled among the Appalachian Mountains, the Barn offers breathtaking mountain scenery, fantastic fall foliage, a four-acre wildflower meadow consisting of 32 varieties of wildflowers, a covered bridge, and plenty of outdoor space. While the Barn at Greenwood does not offer on-site accommodations, it is conveniently located near local lodging for all guests coming into town for the wedding. “If you want the most amazing venue, this is it! The owners were so helpful and made my wedding carefree. The wildflower field was spectacular and the barn twinkled into the evening,” said Anna, a recent bride at the Barn.

Stone Pine Ballroom (at the Pine Barn Inn) in Danville is another fantastic wedding venue in Central Pennsylvania. The location received recognition on WeddingWire’s “Couple’s Choice Awards” for 2017. A spacious and elegant ballroom can accommodate up to 225 guests for an evening of dining and dancing. Outside, a tented patio is ideal for a relaxing cocktail hour. All bookings come with complimentary assistance by the Pine Barn Inn’s onsite wedding manager. For more info about the Stone Pine Ballroom at the Pine Barn Inn, check out this Q & A session from Susquehanna Life Magazine. 

Magical local locations like Ricketts Glen State Park, the Montour Preserve, or any of the historic covered bridges make prime photoshoot spots to showcase the wedding party. Finding local photographers who know the area is a bonus, as they can recommend a diverse number of locations and capture amazing photographs to commemorate the special occasion. The Columbia-Montour County area is also home to many budget-friendly vendor options, including caterers, DJ’s, wedding planners, rental companies and more. This array of services allows couples to maintain a budget while still fulfilling their creative wishes.

Wedding groups looking for a more adventurous and ambitious experience have plenty of choices for a pre or post wedding hike, bike, or kayak. Even more unique plans are available here, and are specifically crafted for bachelor or bachelorette parties. Regardless of whether you are looking for a single-day location to host your dream wedding and reception, or a full-out weekend retreat full of wedding festivities, this area is one of the premier destination wedding hotspots on the east coast!