The Duke Sculpture Garden at Dixon Mansion is a truly unique Philadelphia wedding venue. It combines historic aesthetics with modern art. Amy and Josh hosted a sweet, intentional celebration amid the sculptures. Their photos show what a joyful day they had. 

The Duke Sculpture Garden at Dixon Mansion

The Duke Sculpture Garden at Dixon Mansion is exactly what it sounds like and more. It combines historic nineteenth-century architecture with contemporary sculpture to create a really unique experience. The estate itself is hundreds of years old. You can find modern sculptures hiding in the gardens and hanging from the ceilings in the airy reception room.

Weddings at this Philadelphia venue have options for indoor or outdoor ceremonies and receptions. Amy and Josh got the best of both worlds with an outdoor ceremony and an indoor reception. I love the towering windows in the reception space. They reflect the cool geometric shapes of the sculptures and let in so much amazing light.

The Duke Sculpture Garden at Dixon Mansion is part of the Jeffery A. Miller (JAM) group of Philadelphia wedding venues. Their other venues include Aldie Mansion, Curtis Arboretum, and Tyler Arboretum. JAM provides all the catering, so that’s one less vendor you need to find. Rental fees start at $2,000 for a reception and $1,500 for a ceremony. Per person packages start at $129. 

One thing that sets this wedding apart from others is that it’s part of a nonprofit. The Community Arts Center was founded in 1948 to encourage arts education. They host art classes for all ages and are funded in part by event rentals (a.k.a. weddings). If you’re looking for a venue with a social mission, the Duke Sculpture Garden is a great option.

This wedding venue is in Wallingford. It’s about half an hour west of Center City by car. Even though it’s pretty close to the city, it feels like you’re in another world on this lush estate. As big as the venue is, it still feels intimate. 

A Unique Wedding Experience

The Duke Sculpture Garden at Dixon Mansion has endless spaces for incredible portraits and documentary photos. Outside you can explore green garden paths bordered by bushy flowers and towering trees. There’s even a stone tower that looks like a rook from a chess set. Sculptures tucked in unexpected places create a whimsical atmosphere. Some practically blend into the garden like surreal, oversized flowers.

If you run into rain on your wedding day, the interior is amazing too. You can see the spacious reception room in Amy and Josh’s photos. There’s plenty of room for dinner and dancing. The light is great for pre-ceremony portraits if need be. Since the building is a historic mansion, some rooms feature elegant woodwork and a dramatic staircase. The little library of art books is a fun setting for colorful photos. Josh and Amy signed their ketubah there.

The art on display in the gallery set the tone for the reception. Boldly colored sculptures hung from the ceiling with equally bright paintings on the walls. The paintings happen to include a lot of still lifes with florals that went perfectly with the centerpieces of yellow and pink and green flowers on the tables. At the end of the day, Amy and Josh didn’t need much in terms of decor because the space was already so vibrant.

Josh and Amy’s Intentional Wedding Day

Amy and Josh planned a really intentional wedding at the Duke Sculpture Garden at Dixon Mansion. Their day was so full of sweet moments, including with their dog. It was important to them that they could have their pup present at the celebration, and I love the portraits of this little family.

This wedding was a perfect fit for my more candid style of wedding photography. The guests were so eager to show their joy at the ceremony and on the dance floor. My favorite images are of those overwhelmingly happy moments that pass in the blink of an eye. They’re Amy laughing with her friends and guests tempting each other onto the dance floor. Those photos help you feel how joyful and tender this wedding day really was.

Are you interested in having me photograph your wedding at the Duke Sculpture Garden at Dixon Mansion? I’m a Philadelphia wedding photographer offering people-centered experiences. Reach out to me here!