A Historic Pennsylvania Jail Is Opening Its Doors for Wedding Events
It’s pretty common to turn old barns into wedding venues or host vow renewals in vineyards. But an iconic, formidable prison in Pennsylvania has also joined the bandwagon by now saying “yes” to weddings, sort of.
Eastern State Penitentiary, a place once built for confinement, is opening up, on limited terms, to couples ready to walk down the aisle amid its imposing stone walls. The penitentiary has operated for 142 years, housed notorious inmates including Al Capone, and stands today as a preserved ruin with dramatic architecture.
Although the prison now accepts rental requests for private events, including wedding ceremonies, it comes with certain restrictions. For instance, wedding receptions are not permitted. That means you get the ceremony in a radically unique space, but you’ll need a separate place for the party.
How Couples Can Make It Happen
Image via Getty Images/Felix Mizioznikov
Pulling this off isn’t so hard. The first step is to submit a rental request. On the official page, Eastern State Penitentiary asks for basic event info, date, start and end times, number of attendees, and it explicitly states that wedding ceremonies will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. That means you’ll need to justify your vision and show that it aligns with the venue’s historic mission.
Next is the scope and scale, since the penitentiary does not allow receptions or large public-ticketed events. The site rental rules say private group events only, no general online ticket sales, no receptions, no proms or concerts. So this venue works best for an intimate ceremony, or at least one where the after-party happens elsewhere.
There’s another thing to consider: it’s a historic ruin. The building lacks full climate control and has outdoor-event concerns (rain-hold tents, weather readiness). That means you’ll want a backup plan and realistic expectations regarding comfort, lighting, and logistics.
Is It the Right Fit for You?
If you’re drawn to venues with strong character and the idea of saying your vows inside a historic prison excites rather than unnerves you, Eastern State might be the perfect fit. The setting sparks conversation, delivers unforgettable photos, and gives your wedding a distinctive edge. Just note that it’s primarily a ceremony space—you’ll need to plan your reception elsewhere.