Philadelphia
Wedding Reception

If you are thinking about having a Franklin Institute wedding reception, you should know the Franklin Institute is Philadelphia's premier wedding site for your dream wedding. There is no venue in Philadelphia more inspiring than The Franklin Institute Science Museum.  The Franklin Institute offers you the opportunity to stage an event as elegant and inventive as Ben himself would have.         The Franklin Institute offers a few of choices to make your wedding reception truly memorable. Their experienced staff will assist you in planning your dream wedding. Imagine a 20-ft. high Benjamin Franklin Memorial beneath an 80-ft domed ceiling.  The Franklin Institute is a truly  extraordinary setting for any event. The Franklin Institute is a memorial to Benjamin Franklin, that serves to perpetuate his legacy; the museum contains many of Franklin's personal effects.

If you want breathtaking spaces and stimulating environment for your Franklin Institute wedding reception. The Franklin Institute is the key to a truly “electrifying.” wedding day.

Franklin Hall and Jordan Lobby

Rich in history, Franklin Hall is possibly the most dramatic space at the Institute and in the region. The monumental marble statue of Franklin, sculpted by James Earle Fraser, was completed in 1938. The statue sits in an 82-foot marble rotunda known as Franklin Hall. In 1972, Congress designated Franklin Hall as the official United States memorial to Benjamin Franklin.

Imagine ascending the grand stairs at your Franklin Institute wedding receptionon 20th Street and entering Jordan Lobby.  Immediately, your eyes look upward to the hand painted linen ceiling warmly lit by its original chandelier. The Lobby becomes an introduction to your event where servers from Frog Commissary can greet each guest with a glass of wine and sumptuous hors d’oevours. 

Adjacent to Jordan Lobby lies The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Hall, our nation’s tribute to its greatest citizen. Sixteen three-story columns encapsulate the marble rotunda. An oculus at its peak filters in sunlight, while up lights stream beams of amber, rose, blue, or white onto the carved ceiling.

With the option of flying screens and other audio-visual equipment, presentations and speeches utilize this space well. For formal events, Jordan Lobby works as a pre-function area, dance floor, bar, or ceremony site. Franklin Hall is an awe-inspiring space for dinner and dancing.

When added to the historic and majestic Franklin Hall the adjacent Jordan Lobby can provide two spaces, or one larger space in which to hold your next Wedding, Gala, or Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Jordan Lobby, which is located at the main entrance, is the ideal pre-function space for your event. The lobby’s marble floors and high, hand-painted ceiling add a touch of elegance to your function.

For your convenience a deep rich wood and marble desk are available for your use. The lobby can be used as a reception area for Franklin Hall or stand-alone as a reception space or sit-down dinner space.

Franklin Gallery, Electricity Hall & Bioscience

Franklin Gallery is the perfect space for a reception or after dinner dessert station. The Gallery is an interactive tribute to Benjamin Franklin and the Institute. Wrapping around the famous pendulum and adjacent to Franklin Hall, the gallery is an ideal pre-function space when used in conjunction with Franklin Hall.

To further enhance the Franklin Gallery experience, consider adding Electricity and/or Bioscience to your package. Electricity Hall has a distinct historical feel and contains many different examples of electricity and its uses since its conception. Bioscience features the famous Walk-through Heart, as well as interactive exhibits dealing with the science of the human body.

 

Bartol Atrium

Adjacent to Franklin Hall, this futuristic area is spacious with open-air ambience. The Atrium is the ideal choice to handle overflow for a reception or dancing. The space with its high ceilings and avant-garde design is equally suitable for stand-alone events.

 

Franklin Institute wedding reception at the Franklin Institute

Imagine a ceremony under the stars? Or maybe you’d prefer the majestic dome and marble rotunda of Franklin Hall? With dinner and dancing under the stars? At The Franklin Institute your wedding has endless possibilities. Bound only by your imagination.

The Institute’s event staff and Frog’s Event Managers are waiting to create a package that reflects the tone, taste, and style that is uniquely yours. Imbued with the patina of history, the architecture, and wonder are unique to this truly Philadelphian space. No matter the scope or size of your event, there is no more versatile and intriguing site in the region to have your wedding.

Frog Commissary Catering

As the exclusive Franklin Institute wedding reception caterer, Frog is experienced in transforming your affair into an elegant occasion through their tradition of innovation and excellence. 

Frog has been the exclusive caterer at The Franklin Institute since 1987. In that span we have developed a seamless partnership with the Institute’s Sales and Catering department. Together we have helped imagine and create thousands of memorable experiences for our guests ranging from Philadelphia Block Parties to dazzling receptions and elegant sit-down dinners.

Frog Commissary traces its origins to a storefront restaurant called Frog, which opened in 1973 on 16th Street in Philadelphia. Frog was recently named by Philadelphia Magazine as Philadelphia’s Best Restaurant of the past twenty-five years.  Throughout the 1980’s the Commissary, a mix of cafeteria, piano bar, table service restaurant, and take-out store, helped define what living in Center City Philadelphia was like. 

Founded by Steven Poses, Frog Commissary helped spur a restaurant renaissance in Philadelphia and became the namesake for Frog Commissary Catering. At The Franklin Institute, Frog Commissary brings this Philadelphia tradition of innovation and excellence to catered events, ranging from dazzling receptions to elegant seated dinners.

Personalized Cake Toppers

Add A touch of class to your wedding cake! This wedding cake topper is the perfect finishing touch for your wedding cake. Can be engraved in three personalization styles with no additional cost: Double hearts with first names and date, single block initial, or a script monogram. Measures 4" X 4"   View More Personalized Cake Toppers

Conference Center & Rooftop Deck

The Fifth-floor Conference Center offers state-of-the-art meeting space with integrated audio- visual components. For smaller meetings the center can be converted into smaller rooms. Video Conferencing and Internet connectivity are available in all of the meeting rooms.



The Rooftop Deck affords unique and stunning views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, The Museum District, and The Philadelphia Skyline. The space is ideal for evening receptions, to view events on the Parkway, or in conjunction with the use of the conference center.

About the  Franklin Institute wedding reception Building

The museum’s “electric” atmosphere invigorates the imagination and allows children and adults alike to experience the thrill of scientific discovery. We like to think this spills over into every event we do at The Franklin Institute.

The Franklin Institute is available for all of your events and meetings. Built in 1934, the building is a fine example of neo-classical architecture. The avant-garde style Bartol Atrium was added in 1990. Together the two connected buildings are a perfect marriage of the stately and the new. All the more reason Frog’s Philadelphia tradition of innovation and excellence in catering seems right at home.

Franklin Institute wedding reception Location

Convenient and accessible, located where Logan Circle intersects the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, The Franklin Institute Science Museum is a short walk from downtown offices, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, area hotels, and 30th Street Station. It is one of the city’s most exciting and unusual event locations with over 200,00 square feet of usable space.

Getting Started with your  Franklin Institute wedding reception

Frog Commissary’s experienced team of event managers and chefs are eager to get started planning your next event at The Franklin Institute. To inquire about having your Franklin Institute wedding reception at Philadelphia’s most versatile and electrifying event site contact the facilities rental department at The Franklin Institute Science Museum at http://www.fi.edu/tfi/info/rentals or www.frogcommissary.com

Philadelphia wedding reception