The American Swedish Historical Museum is an anthropological museum wedding venue located in Philadelphia, PA. Situated in the aesthetically designed FDR park, ASHM is a haven for art and culture enthusiasts. Home to original period paintings, textiles, and furniture, this venue allows couples to celebrate their love in an atmosphere of historical splendor.
The American Swedish Historical Museum tells the story of Swedes and Scandinavians in America. A nexus of cross-cultural identity, ASHM is a treasure trove for couples interested in the interpretation and preservation of material culture. It might also please you to know that renting this venue will support the Museum in nurturing and growing its collections and educational programs. Their exquisite grand hall can host receptions of up to 230 and is guaranteed to make an impression. The accompanying staircase offers a perfect backdrop for photos and contributes to an air of stately elegance. You can relax and enjoy gasp-worthy views of the park from the terrace for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. ASHM welcomes you and your guests to revel in the magic of their stunning exhibition spaces at any time throughout your special day.
The American Swedish Historical Museum offers numerous wedding packages to ensure your planning experience is as easy and stress-free as possible. These include options for food and catering, cakes and deserts, planning assistance, tented outdoor spaces, and wedding design. Whichever options you go for, ASHM’s experienced on-site staff will do their utmost to execute your wedding vision to the highest possible standard.
Civil Union, Commitment Ceremony, Elopement, Interfaith Ceremony, Non-Religious Ceremony, Religious Ceremony, Second Wedding, Vow Renewal Ceremony
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks, Bar Rental, Cakes & Desserts, Cupcakes, Other Desserts, Food & Catering, Planning, Wedding Design, Rentals & Equipment, Service Staff, Transportation
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Historic Venue, Museum, Park, Tented, Trees
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Affordable
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Peak Season Reception Cost
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American Swedish Historical Museum Reviews
MacKenzie McFadden(other)5 out of 5 Rating
My husband and I celebrated our wedding at ASHM at the end of September, and we couldn’t have imagined a more perfect day! Not only is the backdrop of the museum the most lovely setting, but the JAM staff was incredible. The whole day ran so smoothly, as well as the whole planning process leading up to the big day. Huge props to our Event Designer, Dorothy, who was incredibly organized and just a wonderful person to work with. We could not recommend this JAM venue more! Reviewed on 30-11-2023
Amanda Rafalski(other)5 out of 5 Rating
I had the pleasure of choosing the American Swedish Historical Museum as our wedding venue, and I couldn't have been happier with our decision. The combination of historical charm and elegant ambiance along with the beautiful park grounds provides the perfect backdrop for our special day. If you're looking for a distinctive and memorable wedding venue, the American Swedish Historical Museum is an excellent choice. Reviewed on 22-08-2023
Lauren Schack Biondi(other)5 out of 5 Rating
My husband and I are so impressed with how our wedding turned out and are more than happy with how our guests reacted to the venue and staff! Dorothy was unbelievable with her fantastic communication from start to finish, consistently responding to my million emails and questions - I am so grateful! The staff from JAM are so special, really the sweetest people you can find. All of my guests were so impressed with their level of care and genuine conversation. The food was TOP NOTCH - we still have people talking about the gorgeous spread that seemed to almost never end! I really cannot put into words how delicious all of the food was. We were extra excited for the apothecary drinks and they did not disappoint, they were a massive hit! Even with the rain, the whole ASHM & JAM staff put on the most special day for my husband and me. They were all so attentive to make sure everything went smoothly even in the torrential downpours, you wouldn't have even known it was raining! Cannot recommend ASHM more, such a special special day with amazing people.(Photographer: Connie Chen Photography) Reviewed on 15-08-2023
Kacie Thrift(other)5 out of 5 Rating
The grounds are exceptional. So many great spots for beautiful photos! We're planning our wedding from across the country and Bonnie and Dorothy have been so wonderful in our experience. They are responsive, kind, and answer all of our million questions. They get us more and more excited for our big day. Cannot recommend this venue enough. Reviewed on 03-05-2023
Laura Leonard(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-09-2022 After setting our eyes on the architectural details of the American Swedish Historical Museum, in the serene setting of FDR park, we met with Mandy (December 2021) who painted the picture of a well planned and beautiful wedding. We loved the idea of being able to have an outdoor wedding with the architectural details as a back drop, or an indoor ceremony on the grand staircase in the case of inclement weather. We knew right away that we would be in good hands with Mandy, the JAM Catering staff, and ASHM staff, so we booked one of the last available dates in 2022. The planning process was well structured, making what could be a frustrating process, a fun and exciting experience.There is a consistency in the reviews of this wedding venue which ring true…. Mandy is hands down an amazing wedding planner, the venue is unique and beautiful, and JAM catering makes delicious food.On the day of our wedding, September 9th, we walked into a transformed setting that was beautifully laid out by Mandy, the JAM staff, and David with Buttercup (florals). Behind the scenes, the staff at AMSH were so helpful and organized, in particular, Frank!ASHM offers a unique experience, backed by years of experience, in a location that is easy to get to from philadelphia and surrounding suburbs without the hassle of driving through the city. We highly recommend this venue and caterer for all future events! Reviewed on 05-12-2022
Jillian Horowitz(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-10-2022 My husband and I got married at ASHM on 10/16/22 and it was absolute perfection. I cannot recommend getting married here enough. Mandy originally sold us on the experience, and she was very helpful in answering all of our questions. Dorothy was our planner, and I cannot say enough good things about her! She was responsive, helpful, kind, and considerate. She truly wanted us to have the best wedding day, and she made it happen! I also cannot say enough good things about the venue itself, the food, the helpful staff, and the coordination of everything in a cohesive and organized fashion. Frank, the museum's facilities manager, was also so helpful and easy to work with. I literally cannot think of one thing I would critique - it exceeded my expectations by a long shot. I honestly wish I could do it all over again, and I wouldn't change a thing!! If you want a timeless, beautiful wedding with and expert staff and delicious food, you've come to the right place! Oh, by the way... our wedding happened to be the same night as the 8:20pm EAGLES VS COWBOYS game. You would think, being only a mile from the stadium, that it would negatively impact our wedding. Nope. It was one of the best parts! So goes to show that even a hurdle like the first night game in over a decade can't mess up the professionalism of this team. I am absolutely over the moon for JAM and ASHM!!!! Thank you to everyone who helped make our wedding the best ever!!! Reviewed on 21-10-2022
Masuma Bahora(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-07-2022 Mandy Lightcap was amazing - we can't sing her praises enough. She helped us to pull together a wedding in 4 months, assured us along the way that it could be done and worked with us to create a memorable day. Day of coordination - she (and Nicole!!) and the entire team at JAM were PHENOMENAL in making all of our guests feel comfortable and well cared for. THANK YOU! Reviewed on 21-07-2022
Caitlin Lally(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-07-2022 This venue is spectacular. As soon as my husband and I visited it, we knew it was right for us. It's a mix of historic elegance, Philly charm (although you almost forget you are in the city), and unique magic. One of the things that was most important to us when booking a venue was that we had to love our Plan B as much as our Plan A and this venues absolutely offers it - you'll never be worried about the weather. Furthermore the entire JAM team is amazing - even when things didn't start off as expected, they made sure we end up 100% happy with every single detail along the way. If you're lucky enough to work with Veronica, Mandy, Frank and Kwame, rest assured that no detail will go unseen. Additionally every server, bartender, and chef, was a class act and they made our wedding so incredibly special and flawless. We loved this venue and the entire JAM team. Reviewed on 12-07-2022
Savannah Sibol(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-05-2022 We had our wedding in May at the American Swedish Historical Museum in FDR Park, Philly and JAM truly delivered the best experience we could’ve ever asked for. If we could do it again, I would choose them a 1000x over. When you hear of a catering company, food immediately comes to mind but JAM does so much more, going above and beyond to give the couple, family, and guests the best experience. Leading up to the event, I felt comfortable and at-ease because my coordinator (Mandy Lightcap) was consistent with communication, answered every question I had, and reassured me every step of the way that everything was running smoothly and we were right on track. Mandy had also set me up with an assistant coordinator (Dorothy) just in case I needed her as well! I never felt left in the dark during the entire process. Setting up was a breeze thanks to Frank (the venue manager), and we felt confident leaving our belongings with him and arranging to pick them up afterwards with him in charge. EThe day of the event, I had figured out there was a tornado warning leading up to our ceremony time (which means moving the ceremony/cocktail hour inside) and honestly, without Mandy I think I would’ve had an absolute breakdown. She made every effort to keep me calm and recognized when I was overwhelmed that she needed to ask someone to make the final decisions regarding the plans for the day. Ultimately we decided to go for the outdoor ceremony, and JAM had been one step ahead putting chairs inside just in case we needed to shift mid-ceremony. The food during cocktail hour was absolutely delicious and I really think it could’ve been a meal in itself. It set the bar high for dinner, and boy did that deliver! Our entrees (steak/salmon/black bean cake) were some of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten, not even taking into account it was served at a wedding. It really felt like a dinner at a fine dining restaurant, not something served in mass amounts, every bite was flavorful and the portions were even larger than I had pictured. The guests still rave about the food to us, and the cake as well! The chef absolutely knocked it out of the park. At the end of the night, JAM was kind enough to recognize how the weather had affected our timeline and graciously agreed to give us an extra ½ hr of service, free of charge!!!! The cherry on top of the entire night was the staff, going beyond just our coordinator and chef, but the servers and bartenders as well. Not only was their set-up and service top-notch but fun as well!!! We even had a few of them join us on the dance floor at the end of the night and our guest experience would not have been the same without it!!! It is one of the first things our guests mention when they talk about our wedding. Everyone had the best time with them on the dance floor and it really just added to the excitement. It was the most PERFECT day and I honestly have to say JAM is to thank for that, I highly recommend them to everyone who wants more than a venue, they truly deliver the greatest overall experience for everyone involved. Reviewed on 01-07-2022
Laryssa H(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-04-2022 Everyone at ASHM and JAM catering was so unbelievably kind and easy to work with from day one. My husband and I cannot thank everyone enough for making our wedding the best day of our lives! Helene & Frank were incredible and made the entire day operate seamlessly. Our guests also could not stop complimenting how pleasant the staff were during our entire wedding. ASHM is a hidden gem in Philadelphia. Do not sleep on this wedding venue!! Reviewed on 05-05-2022
Jamie Beth(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-11-2021 Gorgeous venue and amazing staff!! Reviewed on 27-02-2022
Brianna Fecondo(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-09-2021 Absolutely beautiful location does the ceremony and reception. The tent was beautiful and we got lucky with amazing weather. The day-of staff (bartenders, servers, wait staff, etc) were so attentive to our guests. BYOB venue with a convenient drop-off prior to the event.Would certainly recommend this venue. Reviewed on 28-10-2021
Sandee Hargesheimer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-09-2021 We were married here on September 10, 2021 in perfect weather conditions. We opted for an outdoor ceremony which was beautiful (but I will warn a little noisy with traffic at times). One of the best moments was having our first dance inside the rotunda and looking up to see all of our friends on the balcony. It was so breathtaking and exactly what I was hoping for. My friends enjoyed looking around the museum and got some great photo ops. We are local to the park and never even knew this gem of a place existed despite being in FDR tons of times.Frank the facility manager is super nice and JAM catering is great (I reviewed them separately) but will state one more time how freaking awesome our event coordinator Mandy Lightcap was.We chose this space because we loved the outside and inside and felt that even though we wanted an outdoor wedding we would not be disappointed if we had to move indoors for any reason. The tent was beautiful in the evening with the lights and wreath. I would chose this place a million times again and rental was super affordable compared to many other local venues. Reviewed on 22-09-2021
Taylor Mellon(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-07-2021 The American Swedish Historical Museum is a hidden gem in South Philly. Nestled in FDR park, we had a sentimental attachment to the location because we regularly walk our dogs there and luckily ASHM is a dog friendly venue so our flower girl and ring bearer could be included. The location itself is a beautiful backdrop, but Jeffery A. Miller Catering also did a great job making everything look and ran smoothly the day of. Shoshanna our coordinator through JAM, was responsive and genuinely cared about making sure we were happy with everything. We didn’t want a traditional wedding cake and they worked with us to create a strawberry shortcake and signature cocktails that fit right in with our fruit themed wedding. The food and staff were amazing the day of and we couldn’t be happier with our choice in venue and caterer. I want to add after reading a few other reviews that we were originally supposed to get married in May of 2020 and had to reschedule multiple times obviously due to COVID, JAM made the experience as seamless as possible while we all worked through a situation that none of us could have ever imagined. I felt that there was always open and honest communication from them and they did what they could to make our day happen the way we wanted while protecting their employees and business at the same time. Reviewed on 20-09-2021
Sarah Morrison(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-08-2021 My husband and I recently had our wedding at the American Swedish Historical Museum in FDR Park in Philadelphia. Being from Philly, I had been in the park many times without knowing about the museum. We stumbled upon the venue online and immediately fell in love with the location, the architecture of the building, and the history of the museum along with their indoor displays. The museum is beautiful and can be used for the ceremony indoors or outdoors. They host cocktail hour inside and outside as well so that guests may tour the various displays. The reception is held outdoors in a beautiful covered (clear top paneled) tent where the sides of the tent can remain open or closed. String lights hang from side to side which is beautiful when lit up alongside the museum at night. The venue offers many places for pictures as well as a lake boathouse and rotunda within walking distance in the park. The staff at the venue is incredibly friendly - those who work in the museum and those directly related to helping set up and coordinating the entire day. We had such an easy process for drop off and pick up on separate days from our actual ceremony/reception - it made the entire day and night so easy and more relaxing than having to worry about how to get our stuff to and from the venue.We will continue to be supporters of the museum and it will forever hold a special place in our hearts! Reviewed on 15-08-2021
Shaun Fitzpatrick(bride)1 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-10-2020 We were supposed to get married at this venue on 10/31/20, with JAM Catering as the exclusive caterers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we attempted to work with JAM Catering back in April to push our wedding to Fall 2021, as we knew it would not be safe at any point this year to hold our 120+ person wedding. The company was unwilling to work with us, telling us that we either had to reschedule our wedding on a weekday or Sunday (we paid for a Saturday wedding, and the venue is a huge Eagles tailgate spot on Sundays), or forfeit our deposits and rebook with entirely new pricing. They actually specifically told us that we could not rebook to a Friday or Saturday in Fall 2021 because they were \"saving those dates for new couples.\" We ended up canceling the entire wedding and lost thousands of dollars in deposits, which they also refused to return. I would never recommend JAM Catering at this or any venue. They clearly care very little about their customers. Reviewed on 09-11-2020
Kate Coughlin(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-08-2019 I cannot say enough good things about this venue! Shoshanna was so thorough and made sure no detail was left out. They made it so easy for me and took care of everything to make sure the day went smoothly. The food and drinks were awesome and everyone was raving about how much fun they had. Id def recommend them to everyone! Reviewed on 25-09-2019
Bianca DiPaolo-Peslak(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-07-2019 I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for Jeffrey Miller Catering. My husband and I visited two of their venues as potential venues for our wedding and ultimately landed on The American Swedish Historic Museum. I loved the unique charm the museum had and Mandy and Shoshanna were so lovely to work with. No one ever missed a beat! From prompt email replies to many last minute changes the week of the wedding, everything was done quickly and gracefully. The wedding day and night were more than we could ever imagined. While running on adrenaline and the energy of the room, I managed to try appetizers, my meal, and all the desserts. Everything was DELICIOUS. All my guests are talking about how amazing the food was. Every item I brought was placed exactly how I imagined. The staff was ON IT the entire night. They didn't miss a thing. Food was passed out quickly and the captain and servers were constantly ensuring all guests had everything they needed. The museum itself is STUNNING. While the wedding day is a crazy whirlwind that goes by in the blink of an eye, I truly tried to take some time to look around and take it all in, but I would need weeks to take in all the beauty of this museum. Desserts and photo booth were set up in different galleries which allowed guests to explore and they loved it. Dancing in the great hall under the painted ceiling was so special and fun. All our vendors were accommodated and mentioned JAM and Shoshanna being so easy to work with. The pictures from this venue, both indoor and outdoor are so captivating! If there are anymore synonyms for the words wonderful, amazing, and fantastic, just insert them here, because I am so grateful for JAM and the perfect wedding day they helped give my husband and I! Reviewed on 03-08-2019
Elise Campbell(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-09-2018 Could. Not. Have. Been. Better.The Swedish Museum, with JAM catering, was 100% the reason our wedding truly was the most incredible day imaginable (for us, our families, and everyone who came to celebrate!) The venue is GORGEOUS and so versatile: indoor and outdoor space, incredible tent with lights, climate control, and the most beautiful ceremony space imaginable. I will never forget walking up the steps with my soon-to-be husband and looking out to see all of our friends and family surrounding us from the balconies and from below. JAM catering made the planning flawless and stress free. We filled out some preferences, went to a tasting, and voila, wedding. I had worried the BYOB concept would be difficult, but even that was a no-brainer: JAM connected us to a liquor distributor and told us exactly what to buy, and the distributor dropped it off, the bartenders served it, and then they bought back everything we didn't use. I basically didn't have to lift a finger to plan anything (and probably saved a ton of money) and we had a beautiful black-tie wedding that was way beyond my, and my family's, expectations. BOOK THIS PLACE. You will have the most incredible memories. JAM even provides a coordinator (ours was Mandy, amazing person, we loved her) who runs the entire day. She will work with the museum, staff, your florist, musicians and DJ, so that everything comes together perfectly. I cannot possibly say enough good things about this venue. The pictures speak for themselves!Check out our pictures here. The smiling tells it all:http://www.photographyanthology.com/blog/2018/10/16/elise-bradford-classic-joy-filled-wedding-american-swedish-historical-museum-philadelphia-paWe booked the Rennaisance hotel on Chestnut street for the wedding weekend, and took photos in the national historic park right across the street. The rennaisance was phenomenal and I would recommend staying there just as highly. Reviewed on 18-10-2018
Brian S(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-09-2018 I am so glad we picked this venue for our wedding. A few thoughts:•\tThere is also an option to do a ceremony on the lawn, but we chose to do it instead in the main room inside. It was beautiful, visually interesting, and unique while not being overly formal. It was almost a town hall vibe, with some guests seated and looking slightly upwards, and others standing on the second floor gallery and looking slightly downwards. It’s not for everyone, but I loved it.•\tThe venue photographs really well, with a lot of dramatic backdrops, particularly the gazebo area in FDR Park as well as the lighted tent that they set up on the front lawn for our reception. All beautiful.•\tIt rained during our wedding, and the rain plan worked shockingly smoothly and did not detract from the reception at all.•\tIt was a great value relative to other places we looked, with no sneaky upcharges, and we felt we were treated fairly and honestly throughout the whole process.•\tThey have a great team, highlighted in particular by Mandy (the venue/catering coordinator), who was always responsive, professional, and friendly. The whole time, it felt like we just happened to have a close friend who happened to know a lot about weddings.•\tThe museum has an exclusive contract with JAM Catering—who Mandy works for. At first I thought that that would be annoying, but it actually worked out really seamlessly. Mandy acted as our point of contact for catering, but also basically as a wedding planner when it came to day-of logistics. Everything was so easy with her and the team, and they really nailed it. Reviewed on 23-09-2018
Ali Shoup(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-09-2018 I do not know where to begin with the amazing work that Mandy and her team at JAM did for us. Our wedding was absolutely perfect, everything was on time, and the staff could not have been nicer! Mandy is so patient, kind, and truly listened to everything we said as to not miss a single detail for our day. She was running around keeping everyone on schedule! Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You guys are the BEST! Reviewed on 04-09-2018
Vilija Viliamas(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-08-2018 Beautiful venue! Even though it was raining.. a lot. they were able to transition the evening smoothly Reviewed on 29-08-2018
Neda Parvin(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-05-2018 We had our wedding in May 5, 2018 at American Swedish Historical Museum The venue itself was exactly what we were looking for in terms of atmosphere, scenery and overall experience. The staff specially Mandy worked well with us on our budget and found prices/packages that fit. She was excellent and very responsible. We couldn’t ask for more beautiful day! Every thing was excellent and she did a great job! My husband and I agreed that choosing ASHM was the best decision we’ve had and Mandy is the best! Reviewed on 28-08-2018
a member (bride)5 out of 5 Rating
A week after our wedding and we are still BLOWN AWAY(!!!) by the beauty, preparation, and warmth that filled our ceremony and reception in the American Swedish Historical Museum. The wedding truly was the day/evening of our dreams, and we could not be any happier or more amazed with how everything turned out - from a space perspective, layout, planning, and execution. Aesthetically, we could not have imagined a more beautiful affair and we were both amazed at how stunning and spacious everything was for the 200 guests that we accommodated. Even leaving the reception we saw the display of drink tables and appetizer tables and they were so stunning that we just stood in awe and disbelief. Our wedding truly was the night of our dreams. Thank you SO MUCH to the entire museum staff that helped make our evening possible.In addition to the beauty and grandeur of the venue, we've heard from many guests how fantastic the food was, and JAM catering deserves a huge shout out for their menu selection and meal preparation. We really are just so thankful, appreciative, and amazed at how everything turned out. Reviewed on 24-07-2018
Megan Marron(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-09-2017 When we first stepped foot inside the American Swedish Historical Museum, we could not believe we had never been there before. The museum is stunning!! From the ornate and regal inside to the beautiful lighted tent for dancing overlooking scenic FDR park, this venue is magical! Even more magical is the venue coordinator, Mandy!! Mandy is truly a pleasure to work with-she is professional, incredibly knowledgeable and will go above and beyond to make your wedding day uniquely yours. My husband and I are vegan and wanted to offer plant based options at our wedding. Mandy made that happen easily and was always willing to look into any and all substitutions we requested. The food was some of the best we have ever had and our guests have raved to us about how delicious their meals were! The venue has the best of all worlds, beautiful outdoor space, a large tent with gorgeous lighting (that very comfortably seated our 200 guests), a stunning grand staircase and a beautiful museum all inside one of Philadelphia's most scenic parks. JAM catering are leaders in the business in Philadelphia-we could not have had a more joyous, fun and magical night! Reviewed on 29-01-2018
Leanne Wallace(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-09-2017 We had our wedding at the American Swedish museum, awesome venue, awesome food and more than awesome service. Mandy was our wedding planner and we couldn't have asked for anyone better. She took care of everything that she could reasonably accommodate and was a pleasure to work with throughout the process. I'd recommend JAM to anyone that values your wedding day being a special event. Reviewed on 23-11-2017
Damon Verton(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-10-2017 My wedding was 10/6/2017 at The American Swedish Museum. It was the most wonderful day of my life! Obviously perfect because I married my bestie, but also because JAM Catering and Mandy were incredible!!! From start to finish, even during my bride freak outs, Mandy and team were there helping to make everything perfect. It was truly a magical night. The food was incredible and the service was outstanding!!! I can't thank Mandy and JAM enough for everything. If you thinking about a JAM wedding, I would say don't hesitate!! You will have a day as magical as mine! If I could give 10 stars I would!! Reviewed on 22-11-2017
Shannon Zabel(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-09-2017 I cannot say enough wonderful things about Mandy Lightcap and the American Swedish Historical Museum. We had our wedding here in late September and it was just perfect. First, working with Mandy was so easy and so fun. Mandy promptly answered my (and my mom's) many questions, thought of creative solutions to any concerns we had, and bent over backwards to make sure every whim was accommodated. Not only is she superb at her job, but she is also incredibly kind, helpful and knowledgeable. We had a fantastic time planning with her. My mom has Celiac disease and Mandy was incredible about making sure she could eat everything at the reception. She went above and beyond by doing things like purchasing gluten free crackers to include with our stationary appetizer table, and including little cards indicating which passed hors d'oeuvres were gluten free. Mandy is one of the biggest reason I would recommend that someone get married at ASHM. She is a gem and I can't imagine planning/executing such a lovely reception without her. The Museum itself is gorgeous and is such a unique venue. It has both beautiful indoor (that grand staircase!) and outdoor (a light strung tent and big trees) spaces, so you're covered in terms of weather. I'm clearly biased, but I think it's a such a fun, gorgeous space for a celebration. Reviewed on 09-10-2017
Bill Fennelly(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-12-2015 Working with Mandy Lightcap and Jeffrey Miller Catering at the ASHM was an incredible experience. The museum is gorgeous both inside and out. The food was amazing. And Mandy is a consummate professional; easy to work with, responsive, communicative, organized, and she really cares about making your day special! We offer our highest possible recommendation!! Reviewed on 14-07-2017
Clarissa Lintner(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-06-2016 We are so happy that we celebrated our wedding reception at the American Swedish Historical Museum! It was PERFECT! Mandy, the venue coordinator from the Museum's exclusive caterer, Jeffrey A. Miller Catering, was an absolute pleasure to work with for the 1+ year that we were planning our wedding! She was always responsive, easygoing, and helpful. The Museum itself is stunning! Our guests were totally in love with the Museum and FDR Park. They loved exploring the Museum during the cocktail hour and dancing under the stars outside during the reception. We couldn't have asked for a better venue! Plus, Jeffrey A. Miller Catering, is fantastic! The food was amazing and the cake was stunning! Reviewed on 31-07-2016
Caroline Polales(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-10-2015 This venue is a gem in the Philadelphia area. Surrounded by FDR park in South Philly, the grounds are perfect for a wedding, and there are numerous places for pictures. The venue has a semi-permanent tent installed, so you don't have to worry about the weather,and have an exclusive catering contract with Jeffrey Miller Catering, who makes the most incredible food. My guests were all raving about it after the wedding! The lighting and decor are perfect for a romantic feel. The inside of the museum is great for cocktail hour, and has been recently renovated. If you are looking for an urban, outdoor setting it doesn't get any better than this (trust me I looked everywhere!)! Reviewed on 21-10-2015
Linda Gallant(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-10-2014 When we first visited the Swedish Museum on a dreary, sleeting day in February, I looked at the building and thought, \"How could I have been oblivious to this place's existence?\" Even in that freezing rain and sleet, the exterior was breathtaking. Mandy cheerfully greeted us at the front entrance and immediately made us forget the weather; she could not have been more helpful and easygoing. She took her time showing us the grounds (despite the aforementioned sleet, what a trooper) and the site of the tent that was going to go up on the front lawn in late August. Mandy answered our thousands of questions with the good humor and patience we came to rely on throughout the entire process of planning our wedding, and it's important to note that that patience and graciousness extended to all of the many people who worked so closely with us to make our wedding a day we will never forget. We danced the night away in the gorgeous tent, and our photographer captured some of my favorite images of the evening after after cocktail hour in the softly lit main hall of the museum; the place was magical at that hour. We felt like royalty, and our guests seemed to be as charmed by the museum as we were. Mandy was there every step of way, helping to make our wedding the best night of my life. I can't say enough about the experience of working with her. Reviewed on 21-12-2014
Melissa DiPento(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-09-2014 I simply would not change one single thing from my September wedding at the Swedish Museum! From start to finish, Mandy was both helpful and fun to work with, even when my dad had thousands of questions for her. I felt very comfortable and confident working with Mandy and the JAM staff.\r\rFirst – the site is gorgeous. It's a great combination of indoor and outdoor space. The museum itself is stunning, and the grounds surrounding it are green and verdant. A quick walk across the park gave us amazing photos overlooking the pier / lake that runs through FDR park. The lighting in the structure above made for very romantic photos, too!\r\rThe weather was perfect in early September– about 75 degrees – and the wedding went off without a hitch (no pun intended!). The side lawn was exquisitely decorated for the ceremony, with romantic string lights. Staff quickly turned this area into an amazing space for lawn games a few minutes after the ceremony during cocktail hour, which was held inside.\r\rGuests thoroughly enjoyed cocktail hour – they loved the hors d'oeuvres, drinks and the opportunity to waltz through the interesting and unique museum collection. \r\rThe tent was beautifully transformed into an amazing reception site. The tables were done exactly as I had envisioned them, and the stringed lights gave me the outdoorsy rustic feel I was swooning over in my mind months before the big day. \r\rMy steak dinner was delicious, as was the salad. Many guests told me they were very fond of their dinners, as well. \r\rPerfect day all around! The staff was beyond helpful and Mandy was very easy and fun to work with. I had friends do the flowers and DJing, which wasn't a problem for staff, given that these individuals had only done a few wedding previously. \r\rAgain, I honestly can't say enough about team JAM. Just writing this review makes me wish I could relieve the day!! Reviewed on 09-12-2014
Barbara Hagler(parent)5 out of 5 Rating
From our very first communications with the ASHM, we knew we were in professional hands. Jeffrey Miller is the Museum's designated caterer, and they are on top of their game. Mandy, of JAM, was our extremely capable wedding planner and -- although we had to plan the entire event long-distance -- went out of her way to accommodate our schedule, answer every email, and offer expert guidance. The Museum itself is located in FDR Park -- a lovely spot for an outdoor ceremony, cocktail hour, photography, etc. In our case, it rained on the day of the wedding, but this posed no problems. Cocktails were served indoors in the Great Hall, and a beautiful outdoor tent held all 130 guests quite comfortably for dinner and dancing. I highly recommend not only the Museum, but Jeffrey Miller as well. Reviewed on 09-12-2014
35 Reviews, with a Rating of 4.86 out of 5.0
Contact Info for American Swedish Historical Museum