Emma and Josh celebrated their dreamy fall wedding at Curtis Arboretum in Wyncote, PA, and let me tell you, this venue never disappoints! With peak fall color, incredible grounds, and charming historic architecture, Curtis Arboretum created a magical backdrop for their special day.
A little about Curtis Arboretum. The grounds were once the estate of Cyrus Curtis, the early 20th-century publisher behind The Saturday Evening Post and Ladies’ Home Journal. When he died in 1933, the 45 acres in Cheltenham Township passed to the township itself, which kept the mansion, the carriage house, the lily pond, and the specimen trees Curtis had collected from around the world. In autumn those mature oaks and Japanese maples light up the property, which is exactly why Emma and Josh booked it for their October day. It is one of the few public venues in the Philadelphia area where the trees do most of the decorating for you.
Getting Ready at Curtis Arboretum: Bridal Preparations
We started the morning photographing Emma’s wedding prep in Curtis Arboretum’s main room, surrounded by vintage hardwood floors, beautiful wallpaper, and classic wood accents. One detail we loved? Emma’s gorgeous Rene Caovilla shoes (though rarely seen beneath her gown), we made sure to capture every sparkling detail because, let’s be honest, shoes this fabulous deserve their own spotlight!
The bridal suite downstairs was cozy (a bit dark, photographers take note!), but the excitement was radiant. A sweet highlight: Emma’s nephew and ring-bearer, Jack, absolutely melted hearts when he ran to hug Emma after seeing her dressed for the first time. Moments like this are exactly why I love weddings.
Fall Wedding Party Portraits at Curtis Arboretum
Though Emma and Josh chose not to do a first look (adding a little extra adrenaline to the schedule!), we captured gorgeous group shots separately beforehand. Emma’s bridesmaids dazzled in contemporary, mismatched floral dresses paired beautifully with classy calla lilies. Autumn colors provided the perfect backdrop, creating incredible photos that showcased the seasonal beauty at Curtis Arboretum.
Groom Prep & Heartfelt Letters at Curtis Arboretum
Josh and his crew got ready upstairs in the main room, soaking in natural light from the large windows. These guys brought humor, fun, and genuine warmth, making the morning an absolute joy. One one for the books moment was capturing Josh’s heartfelt reaction as he read Emma’s letter, though slightly interrupted by an unexpected (and hilarious) baby mishap behind the scenes!
Personal Wedding Details at Curtis Arboretum
Emma infused the day with personal, heartfelt touches, from custom miniature replicas of her dad’s vintage 1965 Porsche as place cards to a incredible, personalized guestbook filled with memories from their relationship. Even Jack, the adorable ring-bearer, cruised down the aisle in his own mini vintage Porsche replica. An amazing entrance!
Congratulations to Emma and Josh! Your wedding at Curtis Arboretum was an absolute joy to photograph, and your beautiful custom album perfectly captures the magic of your day.
ADD THIS
Outdoor Ceremony at Curtis Arboretum, Wyncote PA
Curtis Arboretum’s ceremony space is nothing short of charming, with a dramatic staircase leading to an altar framed by amazing fall foliage. Josh’s expression watching Emma walk down the aisle was priceless, capturing pure emotion. Their personalized vows brought joyful tears, and Josh’s dramatic, movie-worthy dip kiss was the perfect ending to a beautiful ceremony.
Immediately following the ceremony, genuine moments of love and excitement flowed freely as family members congratulated the newlyweds, a photographer’s dream.
Bride & Groom Portraits at Curtis Arboretum
Post-ceremony, we took advantage of the incredible fall scenery around Curtis Arboretum. Golden light filtered through autumn leaves created an incredible, dream-like setting. Emma’s personal touches, including oversized floral installations, added a unique, creative flair to their photos. We laughed, explored, and captured genuine moments filled with joy.
Curtis Arboretum Wedding Reception Under the Stars
Curtis Arboretum’s reception space, set in an elegant outdoor tent, transitioned perfectly into an evening of dancing inside the main building. Emma and Josh’s joyful energy was contagious, especially during their enthusiastic entrance, which remains some of their favorite captured moments from the day.
The party vibe? Amazing! DJ Gaetano and Brian Fitzy (an incredible electric violinist) kept guests dancing all night. A playful highlight was Josh’s adventurous attempt at recreating their ceremony dip during the first dance, resulting in an epic (and thankfully graceful!) recovery and laughter all around.
Nighttime Wedding Portraits at Curtis Arboretum
We wrapped up this incredible Curtis Arboretum wedding with some whimsical nighttime photos beneath romantic string lights and a massive tree adorned with twinkling Christmas lights. These final portraits perfectly captured Emma and Josh’s happiness and the magic of their beautiful day.
Wedding Vendors
- Venue & Catering: Curtis Arboretum / Jeffrey Miller Catering
- Florals: Buttercup Florals
- Hair & Makeup: Gloss Philly
- Invitations: Sealed with a Kiss, Haddonfield
- Dress Boutique: WONA Bridal NYC
- Dress Designer: Eva Lendel
- Bride’s Shoes: Rene Caovilla
• • Entertainment: DJ Gaetano, Brian Fitzy (Electric Violin), Saxophonist & Drummer Brian Fitzgerald
Watch Emma & Josh’s Curtis Arboretum Wedding Film
Love this fall wedding? Check out more of our work, like this Valley Green Inn wedding in Philadelphia or this Notary Hotel wedding nearby. You can also browse our guide to the 12 best Philadelphia wedding venues if you’re still deciding where to say I do. Looking for a Philadelphia area wedding photographer? We’d love to hear from you. And if you’re planning a proposal before the big day, take a look at our surprise proposal photography.