Shady Elms Farm

Shady Elms Farm is an all-inclusive wedding venue in Hickory, Pennsylvania, roughly 25 miles from Pittsburgh and 7 miles from Washington, PA. The 194-acre property has been in the same family for three generations, and it still operates as a working farm alongside its wedding business, raising grass-fed beef cattle and producing hay. Five border collies from the same bloodline live and work on the farm and often greet guests during events. At the center of the property is a climate-controlled barn, renovated in 2018, with aged wood, large windows, soft lighting, and a covered porch overlooking a pond and ceremony lawn — it accommodates up to 250 guests. A 60x100-foot patio holds a pristine white tent with an inlaid 20x35-foot dance floor for receptions of up to 400 guests, set beside a tree grove strung with hanging mason jars. Couples can also marry on the lawn beneath a custom vining arbor with a crystal chandelier backed by the pond, or host cocktail hour in the Carriage House, which features exposed wood beams, a crystal chandelier, string lights over the patio, and garden tables on the surrounding lawn. Shady Elms Farm was launched in 2010 by Joelle and Alex Cowden, who renovated the grounds with family and friends and held their own wedding there to officially open the venue. Packages are all-inclusive, covering planning meetings, rehearsal time, bridal suite access, ceremony and reception spaces, catering, bar service, florals, and decor coordination.