Jingjing and Ethan had a laid back, joy-filled Belle Voir Manor wedding in Bensalem, PA. Jingjing’s family flew in from China, and her parents did not speak any English. Sweetest people you’ll meet. Jingjing taught me a few Chinese phrases so I could greet them properly, and the three of us spent the day cracking up trying to communicate. Fifty guests, one Mini Cooper getaway, two outfit changes, and a wedding that felt like a family reunion across two continents.
About Belle Voir Manor
Belle Voir Manor sits on the historic Pen Ryn Estate along the Delaware River in Bensalem, just twenty minutes north of Center City Philadelphia. The estate dates back to the 1740s. The original Pen Ryn mansion was built by a relative of William Penn, and Belle Voir was added as a Federal-style sister property in the 1830s. Today the venue hosts an average of around 150 weddings a year, and the riverfront ceremony lawn is the moment everyone remembers. Heads up: that lawn is a real walk from the house, and there is zero tree cover. Plan portraits accordingly in July and August.
Ceremony & Reception: Belle Voir Manor
Band: Synergetic Sound
Florist: Flowers by the Greenery
First Look Under the Columns
Jingjing had hair and makeup done offsite, but the rest of her morning was in the Belle Voir Manor bridal suite. For the first look, I parked Ethan under the covered portico with the classic columns and the flowered vines arching overhead. The light there is soft and even at any hour, the kind of light that does the work for you. We hung there for a few minutes before heading down toward the river. For anyone who has been to this venue, you already know: the Delaware River views are stunning, and they are also a hike. In ninety-degree July sun with no tree cover, that walk is rough on a tuxedo and ruthless on deodorant. We moved fast and shot tighter than usual to keep the portraits looking fresh.
Belle Voir Manor Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony was short and sweet, just how I like it. The officiant was relaxed and easy to work with, which always tracks straight into the photographs. Outdoor ceremonies are my favorite. The natural light does the heavy lifting, and I can move quietly around the edges grabbing real angles without anyone noticing. After the recessional Jingjing and Ethan were grinning so hard I thought they’d pull a muscle.
Belle Voir Manor Wedding Reception
This was a Sunday wedding, which meant an afternoon timeline instead of the usual evening run. The first dance hit harder than expected. Jingjing’s dad was wiping his eyes. The reception was easy and low-key, and Jingjing and Ethan are not big floor people, which is fine by me. After the parent dances they both changed into traditional Chinese attire, and we spent twenty minutes outside photographing the family in the new outfits. The light at that hour at Belle Voir is soft gold against the brick. We closed the day with a mini portrait session with the two of them and their Mini Cooper. Could not have written a better ending.
Planning a Wedding at Belle Voir Manor?
Belle Voir Manor is on my favorites list for couples who want river views without leaving the Philadelphia suburbs. If you are considering it, see how it compares with the other estates and ballrooms in my 12 Best Philadelphia Wedding Venues guide. I’d love to hear about your day.