The Crystal Tea Room is on the 9th floor of the Wanamaker Building at 100 Penn Square East in Center City Philadelphia, directly across from City Hall. The largest banquet hall in Philadelphia. Up to 1,200 guests. A glass-enclosed atrium with a fountain and lush greenery for cocktail hour, then a grand ballroom with crystal chandeliers, hand-carved columns, inlaid marble floors, a white marble staircase, and a mezzanine overhead. Operated by Finley Catering since 1976. I have photographed weddings here, and the scale and quality of light in this room are extraordinary.
About the Venue
Located in the historic Wanamaker Building at 100 Penn Square East, 9th floor, in Center City Philadelphia. The Wanamaker Building was one of America’s first department stores, completed in the early 20th century in the Commercial Palace style. The Crystal Tea Room is operated by the Finley Catering family, founded in 1976, with over 45 years of experience. Catering is in-house and exclusive. Packages start around $125 per person. Parking garage under the building off Juniper Street.
The Spaces
The atrium is the cocktail hour space. A glass-enclosed conservatory with soaring windows, a fountain, and lush greenery. Guests experience something that feels genuinely outdoors while being fully weatherproof. The natural light here is extraordinary, and it is one of the most distinctive cocktail hour environments in Philadelphia.
The grand ballroom has crystal chandeliers suspended from towering ceilings, hand-carved columns, inlaid marble floors, and a white marble staircase as the central architectural focal point. The mezzanine above the ballroom provides an elevated vantage point for overhead coverage of the ceremony and reception. Capacity 180 to 1,200 guests. The room can feel grand at 500 and still intimate at 200 when properly styled.
Photography at the Crystal Tea Room
The atrium for cocktail hour coverage in natural light, with the fountain and greenery as backdrop. The white marble staircase for formal portraits, first look coverage, and processional shots. The ballroom interior under the crystal chandeliers. The mezzanine provides elevated overview shots of the ceremony or reception. The chandelier centered over the dance floor for first dance coverage.
And directly across the street, City Hall. Most couples take a short walk outside for portraits under the arch and along Broad Street. Evening is the best time for the iconic Broad Street shot with City Hall behind the couple. The walk takes ten minutes, and the images are worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions: Crystal Tea Room Weddings
Where is the Crystal Tea Room located?
100 Penn Square East, 9th floor, Wanamaker Building, Center City Philadelphia. Directly across from City Hall. Parking garage under the building off Juniper Street.
What is the Crystal Tea Room?
The largest banquet hall in Philadelphia is located in the historic Wanamaker Building. Glass-enclosed atrium with fountain and greenery for cocktail hour. Grand ballroom with crystal chandeliers, carved columns, marble floors, a white marble staircase, and a mezzanine. Up to 1,200 guests. Operated exclusively by Finley Catering since 1976.
What makes the Crystal Tea Room distinctive?
The scale, combined with the quality of the architectural detail, is unusual. Most large-capacity venues sacrifice character for square footage. The Crystal Tea Room has both. The glass atrium cocktail hour environment is unlike anything else in Philadelphia. The white marble staircase is one of the most photographically extraordinary features of any wedding venue in the city. And City Hall is directly across the street.
Is catering exclusive at the Crystal Tea Room?
Yes. All catering is provided by Finley Catering, the family-owned company that operates the Crystal Tea Room. Outside catering is not permitted. Packages typically start around $125 per person. Contact the venue for current pricing.
Can couples take portraits outside near City Hall?
Yes, and I strongly recommend it. City Hall is directly across the street, and a short walk outside yields some of the most iconic Philadelphia wedding images. Evening is the best time for the Broad Street shot. The walk takes approximately ten minutes and does not significantly affect the reception timeline.
Do you photograph weddings at the Crystal Tea Room?
Yes. If your wedding is here, I would love to hear about it.
