New Year’s Eve – W Hotel Philadelphia Wedding – Carlianne & Justin

Carlianne & Justin’s New Year’s Eve W Hotel Philadelphia Wedding was elegant and 65 degrees! We captured their engagement session in December the year before, and it was 30 degrees with snow on the ground. So the +35 degrees difference was tremendous!

Also, Kristin from Bel Momento wedding planning was a big part of making this day smooth and perfect. I had first worked with her about 14 years ago, and it was like picking up seeing an old friend on their wedding day. She really was a huge help, and I can’t thank her and her team enough. Please check out her site and book her to help you with your wedding day!  Bel Momento

Getting Ready Before the Ceremony

Carlianne got ready at her home in Newtown Square, and Justin got ready nearby with his guys before heading to the church. I got to Carlianne’s place after the fantastic Salon Blush made everyone into absolute perfection. The girls looked great in their custom monogrammed pajamas. The father/daughter reveal was so pretty in front of their Christmas tree. The bridesmaids went absolutely nuts when they saw Carlianne suited up in her custom dress from The Ivory Concept.

The Ceremony at St. Anastasia Church in Newtown Square

It has been a long time coming for Carlianne and her father to walk up those brick church steps, through the doors, and down the aisle. She has waiting to see Justin giving her his special smirk. The church decor of holiday trees and red flowers was perfect for their winter holiday and ring in the new year. After the kiss and a few fist pumps, it was off to the Kirkwood Preserve. 

Bridal Party Portraits at Kirkwood Preserve

The Kirkwood Preserver is a wonderfully unique location. It has horse trails and a small hill that overlooks the beautiful farm and rural lands for miles and miles. Unfortunately, we had very little time to shoot here due to daylight savings, but we worked it. We popped some champagne and then photographed Carlianne & Justin looking out into the beautiful landscape of Bucks County. 

Center City Portraits at Dilworth Plaza

If you love City Hall and historic Philly landmarks, then The W Hotel in Philadelphia will be your spot. We literally walked across the empty Broad Street. It is incredibly unique to have no cars on Broad Street if you frequent Philly. It felt as if we were in a movie, and even without the cars, you could feel the energy of the city walking down one of its most famous roads. 

  We walked and photographed at Dillworth plaza. A laser light show played on city hall behind all the photographs framing them and their bridal party. Also, we just happened to go on the ice rink without anyone else. They said they felt like rock stars for those few minutes; it was just them. Finally, it was time to go back to the W and start the party but not before one last stop. 

A New Year’s Eve Reception at the W Hotel Philadelphia 

We had allotted plenty of time so that Carlianne & Justin could enjoy cocktail hour with their loved ones. So we snuck up on the rooftop at the W Hotel in Philadelphia for some nighttime views! And wow, what views of the city! Twinkling white, red, and green lights engulf the city’s silhouette. Also, it was about 65 degrees out and beyond comfortable up! 

One thing I always do at the W when I get the chance is pull the couple away from the reception for a few minutes and head up to the rooftop balcony. Carlianne and Justin were down for it. The balcony is glass, so it feels like you’re floating above the skyline, and at night with the city lit up below, it’s one of those shots that doesn’t look real. New Year’s Eve made it even better. Worth every second they were away from the dance floor. The W also has a hidden room tucked away that most guests never see. I used it for Matt Wolff’s proposal shoot, and it’s become one of my go-to spots when I want something that feels completely different from the main ballroom. Worth asking about if you’re booking here.

W Hotel Philadelphia Wedding Reception

The W hotel Philidalphia weddings are pure modern elegance! The hotel had a small NYE party at the front lounge. When passing it, there was incredible with a super chill vibe. The room is gorgeous with darker backgrounds, really making all the chandeliers and lights pop. Nicole was there to help with the reception and was an absolute pleasure to work with. I’ve known her as a member of NACE Philly. She’s always on the ball with anything the couple needs and the other staff there. 

EBE Amsterdam rocked the party until sparks literally flew at midnight, and Carlianne & Justin shared their first kiss as a married couple in 2022!

Planning a W Hotel Philadelphia Wedding?

If you’re booking the W and want a photographer who already knows the rooftop, the secret room, the Dilworth Plaza walk, and how to time everything around a Center City wedding day, let’s chat. I’ve shot here multiple times and would love to be part of yours.

The W Hotel Philadelphia is a modern, hip hotel right in the middle of the city, and it’s one of my favorite venues to shoot at. The whole vibe is blacks, grays, and gold, so it photographs like a dream. The rooftop overlooking the Philly skyline is a chic setup you really can’t replicate anywhere else in the city, especially on New Year’s Eve when everything is lit up. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that feels current and a little bit edgy without losing the polish, this is it.