Watch this 1 minute video for a good overview of Harmony Gardens. Shot August 2023 by Peter Mackey 

For an elopement or small 'micro' wedding ... a garden is a beautiful place for it. 

If you are looking for an intimate outdoor ceremony site, Harmony Gardens may be perfect for you. Harmony Gardens provides a peaceful, natural environment, and a stress free affordable experience

Located on 25 acres in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains of PA, we accommidate from 2 to 35 people. Be as casual or formal as you wish! 

If your wedding is smaller, most resorts may not be a good fit.  Or if it's just the two-of-you, you still deserve a charming setting for this important milestone in your life.

Last minute? We can make it work! The fair price structure also (and importantly) includes award winning Celebrant Lois Heckman to officiate your ceremony!

Be sure to check out the PHOTO page for even more images.

The main circle features a large white arbor with lights, over the altar rock. Next to it is our gorgeous PAVILION, where you can add a social hour, and also serves as the perfect back-up plan for rain.

Whether you are having a reception or party at home, hall or restaurant, or simply going out for a meal to celebrate, you may be having difficulty finding the right location for your ceremony. Perhaps you are planning a bigger event later. This is why we created Harmony Gardens.

Our ever evolving garden is featured in Bulb & Bloom Magazine and on the Monroe County (PA) annual garden tour.

We'd love to have you come see the garden but please make an appointment. We can also make recommendations for photography, accommodations, cake and bouquet delivery, local restaurants, attractions, and more.    

Ask about our S'MORES ELOPEMENT PACKAGE for something different!   

Saylorsburg, PA  is 1 ½ hours from New York City and 1 ½ hours from Philadelphia; 45 minutes from Allentown and Scranton

 

Elope in the Poconos

Why Elope? There are many good reasons to elope, or just have a very small wedding. With Lois Heckman as your officiant you will have a customized, meaningful ceremony and you will be able to review what will be said and have input, assuring it will be a wonderful experience for this big milestone in life. You can elope any time of year at Harmony Gardens!

There are no witnesses required for your marriage license in PA - perfect for eloping! But we also accommodate up to 35 guests.

Avoiding Conflict. We all know that family can be complicated, sometimes just too complicated, and eloping is a great way to avoid it. Which is directly connected to the next reason….

Stress. Planning a wedding can be a lot of work. Some couples may have neither the time nor inclination. I have witnessed more than one couple call off their formal wedding and ask to be married quietly in my garden. They simply couldn't take one more minute of family drama!

Expediency. You need to get married quickly, for reasons such as military deployment or other practical issues, like heath insurance. Or you just don't want to wait another minute!

Financial. You might prefer to spend the money on something else, like a down-payment for a house, or a trip. You may not want to go into debt for one big day. Our rates are very affordable.

Style. Perhaps you would rather not be the center of attention. There may also be cultural and/or religious differences that you don't know how to navigate.  You just want to be your true selves, and don't like to get all dressed up!  That's another wonderful thing about eloping – you can do it your own way! Anything from gowns to jeans is fine.

Romance. 'Just the two of you' is very romantic, and, if you choose, there is no reason why you can't have all the glamour as well: the dress, the flowers, the rings – just without the guests! If you've dreamed of a romantic getaway, this is it!

Marriage is controlled by the states, so to get married here at Harmony Gardens you will need a Pennsylvania license.  

A license may be obtained in any county in PA and used in any other county. You have 60 days to use the license (not to be confused with the 3-day wait period to use the license). No witnesses are required in PA.  

Harmony Gardens was chosen as one of the 15 best places to elope in America!

Open year round.  We also offer a S'mores packages. Just ask about that!

Contact Lois for a list of accommodations, activities, restaurants, photographers and more - all in in our area.

As a celebrant, I have the training and experience to write and perform weddings, and other ceremonies for all the significant, transitional times in our lives.

What is a celebrant?

Celebrants are trained to officiate personalized ceremonies. I studied at the Celebrant USA Foundation - an international leader in this field.  I now teach Celebrancy at the Celebrant Academy. The celebrant movement is growing as the need for unique and non-religious weddings grows.

Why choose a celebrant?

If your ceremony is important to you, a celebrant has the skill and takes the time to understand your beliefs and values and officiate the ceremony with clarity and meaning. A celebrant also considers all the needs of the family and guests, and most of all, makes sure that your ceremony is a true reflection of who you are, and what it all means to you. Wouldn't you like to know what exactly is going to be said?  You will have control and approval of your script.

How does it work?

Please contact me by phone or email and let's see if we're a 'fit.' I would love to meet with you and explore the possibilities for your ceremony. At that time I will listen to you and then be able to suggest ideas that I think will work for you.  I always have a variety of ideas! There is no obligation. If you decide you would like to work with me, we'll go from there!

If you live out of town, but are having your wedding in the Poconos, I can also accommodate you; I have worked with couples from all over the country, and indeed, around the world. It all came together beautifully. If it's right, we'll make it work.

Dear Lois,

Including our children made our wedding ceremony exceed all expectations.

Thank you for helping us express what this day meant to all of us.

On behalf of the entire family, a heart felt thanks.

Best wishes,
Jenn and Ben

Dear Ms. Heckman,

Thank you for officiating at our daughter's wedding. We were very pleased with the way in which you conducted the ceremony. Your efficiency and professionalism were also appreciated.

Sincerely,
Don & Cindy (Parents of the Bride) 

Dear Lois,

Thank you so much for officiating at our wedding. Your words helped make our day very memorable and meaningful. We are especially grateful for the way your honored our children and brought the family together. It was more than a wedding, it was a celebration of family.

Thank you for making our dream come true. You're the best!

Love,
Debra & Jim 

Dear Lois,

Todd & I can't thank you enough for the ceremony you wrote for us. It was perfect! Exactly what we wished for. Every single person told us how beautiful it was and how wonderful you were!

Dear Lois,

On behalf of Sean and Dawn, thank you for officiating such a beautiful wedding ceremony. As father of the bride I really didn't know what to expect with a 'celebrant' - but boy was I impressed.  You certainly did the family proud.

Best regards
Tom (Father of the Bride) 

Hi Lois,

We wanted to write you to say thank you for the great job that you did on the ceremony. It was perfect.

We really appreciate all of the work that you put into it. And we also appreciate how easy it was to work with you in preparing it. We can't imagine who else could have combined our diverse traditions and background the way you did. It was so meaningful, and also made quite an impression on our guests.

Take care,
Sue & Bhuvnesh 

Lois -

Words cannot express how wonderful you were. Not a single person at the wedding wasn't glowing about the ceremony - how unusual it was, how different, and how celebrating of us! It was a refreshing change of pace. Of course we had a few glitches (weather and the dogs!!!) but you rolled with it, and we really appreciated that as well. Someone had to stay calm - glad it was you!

Thank you for everything . I could not have chosen a better celebrant.

Love,
Monique (& David, too!)