One of my favorite things about being an intimate Philly wedding photographer is the opportunity to reconnect with the chosen family of past clients. I first met Mike and Matt at Mike’s sister’s microwedding near a stream at Curtis Park four years ago. Despite socially distancing and being masked in the woods, I instantly remembered them when their names popped up in my inbox recently. I was honored that they wanted me to document their celebration.
Intimate Philly wedding
It continues to bring me joy to see the way marriers construct the flow of their wedding days. Mike and Matt met me at 18th Century Gardens in Philadelphia. We walked through Dock Creek, past Carpenters Hall. We climbed the steps behind Second Bank of the United States. Finally, we walked through Independence Hall, and caught a ride from Washington Square to Rittenhouse Square.
Philadelphia wedding photography permits
If you’re in the process of wedding planning and you stumbled upon this post, welcome! Below is some more information regarding photo permit logistics if you’re planning for wedding portraits in Old City.
There are nine National Park Service locations open to wedding photography in Philadelphia. If you are going to more than one, you need to acquire a separate photography permit for each:
- The Magnolia Garden
- Rose Garden
- 18th Century Garden
- Benjamin Rush Garden
- South steps and lawn area of the Second Bank of the United States
- The front steps of First Bank of the United States (though, the First Bank will not be available due to construction until 2026)
- Dock Creek (the lawn area on the south side of Carpenters’ Hall between 3rd and 4th Streets)
- Washington Square (vicinity of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier excluded)
- Behind the Merchants’ Exchange Building
Depending on the size of your group, wedding photo permits range from $50-250 per hour and location. Wedding photography isn’t permitted in any other areas of the park not previously mentioned in this post (including Independence Hall). As a side note, 18th Century Gardens is one of the most popular locations I’ve worked at as a wedding photographer, so I highly recommend getting a permit.
Vernick Wine wedding
Back to Mike and Matt’s intimate Philly wedding! We met up with family and friends at Rittenhouse (which doesn’t require a photo permit) for group photos, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the park’s craft show.
After a lot of laughter and some (happy) tears, we walked to Vernick Wine. The couple had an intimate Philly wedding inside the brownstone built in 1840. Before the ceremony began, the Schitt’s Creek version of “Simply the Best” by Noah Reid played, which caused some more (happy) tears.
I adore these two and their massive hearts and their commitment to finding joy. Not only for themselves, but for those around them and their communities.
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