Planning a Wedding at Historic Acres of Hershey | Elizabethtown, PA Wedding Venue Guide
Historic Acres of Hershey
3425 Old Hershey Rd, Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Rustic Barn and Pavilion Wedding Venue in Lancaster County (Up to 260 Guests)
Historic Acres of Hershey is a 7-acre wedding and event venue located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, just minutes from Hershey and Route 283 in Lancaster County.
The property blends rolling countryside views, a peaceful pond, a renovated barn, and a large climate-controlled Pavilion, giving couples multiple ceremony and reception options in one location.
Because of its flexible layout and structured packages, Historic Acres works well for large weddings, intimate celebrations, and small elopements alike.
Historic Acres of Hershey is also featured in our guide to the Best Wedding Venues in Lancaster County, PA, where couples can compare venues across Lancaster City, Mount Joy, Elizabethtown, and Manheim.
About Historic Acres of Hershey
The venue combines rustic Lancaster County charm with modern event infrastructure designed for weddings.
Highlights of the property include:
• Scenic countryside views
• Pond-side ceremony location
• Renovated barn event space
• Large climate-controlled Pavilion
• On-site farmhouse accommodations
• Multiple ceremony and reception layouts
This combination makes the venue appealing to couples looking for a rustic aesthetic with reliable indoor event space and weather backup plans.
Guest Capacity and Wedding Packages
Historic Acres offers several wedding packages depending on guest count and event style.
Pavilion Package
Capacity: Up to 260 guests
Includes:
• Full-day venue access (9 AM – 11 PM)
• Climate-controlled Pavilion with chandeliers
• Sliding glass walls create an open-air feel
• Three ceremony location options
• Flexible cocktail hour space
• Optional overnight stay in the on-site farmhouse
This is the venue’s most popular package for large weddings.
Intimate Pavilion Package
Capacity: Up to 70 guests
Features:
• Outdoor or barn ceremony option
• Pavilion reception space
• Sunday availability (excluding peak fall weekends)
This package is ideal for couples planning smaller celebrations while still using the Pavilion space.
Micro Wedding Package
Capacity: Up to 40 guests
Includes:
• Outdoor or “Coop” ceremony location
• Barn reception space
• Sunday availability
Elopement Options
Historic Acres also offers simple elopement packages.
Simple Elopement
Up to 20 guests (3 hours)
Premier Elopement
Up to 30 guests (5 hours)
Packages may include:
• Officiant
• Cake
• Champagne toast
• Optional overnight stay in the farmhouse
Ceremony Locations
Couples can choose from several ceremony locations across the property.
Options include:
• Pond-side lawn ceremony
• Garden ceremony space
• Barn ceremony location
• Coop ceremony space
A Pavilion rain plan is included in each package, providing weather security for outdoor ceremonies.
Reception Spaces
Historic Acres includes multiple reception spaces, depending on the wedding size.
The Pavilion
The Pavilion is the venue’s primary reception space.
Capacity: Up to 260 guests
Features include:
• Climate control for year-round weddings
• Sparkling chandeliers
• Sliding glass doors
• Stone fireplace
• Built-in bar areas
• Private restrooms
The Pavilion allows couples to host large receptions while maintaining a rustic countryside atmosphere.
The Barn
The renovated barn is ideal for:
• Intimate receptions
• Micro weddings
• Small private events
Features include:
• Rustic wood interior
• Warm lighting and textures
• Flexible seating layouts
The Coop
The Coop is used for:
• Elopements
• Bridal showers
• Rehearsal dinners
• Small gatherings
Capacity: Up to 50 guests
Farmhouse and Getting Ready Spaces
The on-site four-bedroom farmhouse provides a private space for wedding preparation.
Features include:
• Accommodations for up to 9 guests
• Full kitchen
• Hair and makeup preparation space
• Spacious living area
• Private den connected to the ceremony lawn
• Greenhouse backdrop for photos
• Grand staircase leading to outdoor areas
Farmhouse access is included in select packages or available as an add-on.
Catering and Alcohol Policies
Historic Acres does not provide in-house catering, allowing couples flexibility in selecting their own catering team.
Important notes:
• Preferred caterer recommendations available
• Catering required for Pavilion events
• Candles must be glass-enclosed
• Taper candles not permitted
• Battery candles required on Pavilion hearth
• Candles not allowed inside the farmhouse
Amenities Included
Wedding packages typically include:
• Tables and chairs
• Climate-controlled event spaces
• Large paved parking lot
• Accessible facilities (portable ramp for barn)
• On-site restrooms
• One-hour rehearsal during the week of the wedding
A day-of coordinator is required for wedding packages to help ensure the event runs smoothly.
Photography and Atmosphere
Historic Acres is especially popular with photographers because of the variety of scenic backdrops.
Favorite photo locations include:
• Golden-hour pond views
• Rolling Lancaster County farmland
• Sunset reflections in the Pavilion glass walls
• Rustic barn textures
• Green wall photo backdrop
• Bistro lighting at night
The property offers a romantic countryside atmosphere with polished event spaces.
Why Couples Choose Historic Acres of Hershey
Couples planning weddings in Lancaster County often choose Historic Acres because it offers:
• Flexible guest capacity from 20–260 guests
• Multiple ceremony locations
• Reliable indoor rain plan
• Climate-controlled reception space
• Rustic barn and countryside atmosphere
• On-site farmhouse accommodations
The venue works particularly well for couples who want a rustic setting with modern wedding infrastructure.
Other Barn Wedding Venues in Central Pennsylvania
Couples considering Historic Acres of Hershey often explore several barn and historic property venues in the Lancaster and Hershey region while deciding where to celebrate their wedding day.
Other popular venues couples frequently consider include:
Each of these venues offers a unique blend of rustic character, scenic countryside views, and beautiful ceremony spaces that make Central Pennsylvania a popular area for barn weddings.
Free Lancaster Wedding Planning Guide
Planning your wedding at Historic Acres of Hershey?
Our Perfect Wedding Guide was created to help couples organize every part of their wedding day — from ceremony planning to building a reception timeline that keeps guests engaged and the dance floor full.
Inside the guide, you'll find helpful tips on:
Creating a reception timeline that flows smoothly
Choosing music for each part of the wedding day
Coordinating vendors and keeping the evening running seamlessly
Download the guide here:
Download the Perfect Wedding Guide
https://perfectdj.squarespace.com/blog/perfect-wedding-guide
Wedding DJs for Historic Acres of Hershey Weddings
Because weddings at Historic Acres often move between multiple locations on the property, experienced DJ coordination helps the day flow smoothly.
A DJ familiar with the venue can help:
• Provide ceremony audio at the pond-side or garden ceremony sites
• Coordinate transitions between the ceremony, cocktail hour, and the Pavilion reception
• Balance sound within the large Pavilion reception space
• Maintain reception energy throughout dinner and dancing
Proper sound coverage and timeline management help ensure the celebration flows naturally from the ceremony through the final dance.
Planning a Lancaster County Wedding?
Couples exploring venues throughout the region may also want to see our guide to the Best Wedding Venues in Lancaster County, where we compare venues across Lancaster City, Mount Joy, Elizabethtown, and Manheim.
Planning a Wedding at Historic Acres of Hershey?
If you're getting married at Historic Acres of Hershey and want clear ceremony audio, smooth timeline coordination, and a packed dance floor, Perfect Harmony Entertainment would love to help.