There’s something about winter that invites reflection—and finally sharing work I loved but never posted. This includes Katherine and Will’s wedding reception at the historic Duportail House, a venue right on the edge of Valley Forge National Historical Park.
Before their Duportail House reception, we explored parts of the Valley Forge National Historical Park for portraits. The summer light in the open fields felt like the perfect start to their summer celebration.
Table of contents
A Duportail House wedding
Valley Forge National Historical Park Wedding
Photography & Permit Info
Thinking About Your Own Session?
A Duportail House wedding
The Duportail House is a restored farmhouse that serves as a wedding and event venue in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Its historic architecture and timeless interiors add depth and character. The surrounding lawns and gardens provide a beautiful, relaxed backdrop for portraits, lawn games, and candid moments between guests.
Marriers can choose from multiple indoor and outdoor spaces for their ceremony, social hour, or reception, and the venue’s flexibility allows vendors to help bring each event’s personality to life.
Valley Forge National Historical Park Wedding
Valley Forge National Historical Park isn’t just a backdrop rich in history—it’s also one of the most photographed landscapes in the Philadelphia region. Spanning over 3,500 acres, the park offers rolling fields, shaded lanes, stone walls, and open skies that make for stunning sessions.
It’s a public space, but there are a few things people should know before planning a session there:
Photography & Permit Info
• Photography without a permit: You typically do not need a permit for still photography—even professional portrait sessions—as long as the session involves 8 or fewer people, takes place in public areas, uses hand-held equipment only, and doesn’t require exclusive use of a site.
• Permit requirement scenarios: A permit is required if your session involves more than eight people, special gear (like lighting rigs or large setups, which don’t apply here), or if you need exclusive or staged use of specific areas of the park.
• Special events: Weddings or ceremonies may require the need for a special park use permit, depending on the size and nature of the event.
Permits include an application fee and may include location or administrative costs—and they must be applied for in advance via the National Park Service. If you think your session might require a permit, it’s a good idea to contact the park’s Special Park Uses office well ahead of time.
Thinking About Your Own Session?
Whether you’re planning a wedding at Duportail House, considering portraits in Valley Forge National Historical Park, or just want photos that reflect your story, I’d love to talk through ideas with you. As a Philadelphia wedding photographer, I’m always excited to hear ideas and inspiration from folks who are in the planning phase.
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