Adrianne and Adam celebrated their big day in style at the gorgeous Notary Hotel, one of Philadelphia’s favorite wedding venues. From skyline views to spontaneous adventures, their wedding was a lively, incredible experience!
A little about The Notary Hotel. It sits on South Broad Street, a block from Philadelphia City Hall, inside a restored historic building that spent decades as a downtown bank before its 2018 conversion under Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The original lobby kept its marble columns, gilded ceiling, and bank-vault doors during the renovation, which is why the ballroom photographs the way it does. Couples pick it for that reason, and for the location. A short walk gets you to City Hall and Avenue of the Arts, with the Cathedral Basilica another few blocks beyond, which means the ceremony, the dance floor, and the night portraits can all happen close enough to walk.
Getting Ready at The Notary Hotel Philadelphia
Adrianne kicked off the morning with her girls, champagne bottles popping and laughter filling their stylish suite at The Notary Hotel. The mood? Pure joy! Even Adrianne’s mom got into the action, breaking into a spontaneous dance-off during family photos. Music, laughs, and good vibes were the perfect prelude to Adrianne’s limo ride to their beautiful ceremony.
Meanwhile, Adam was navigating the classic wedding-day challenge: mastering the bowtie. After some friendly banter with his groomsmen, he nailed the look, and we captured some relaxed portraits with the guys before heading out.
Wedding Ceremony at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul
Adrianne and Adam exchanged vows in the awe-inspiring Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, truly one of Philly’s most incredible ceremony spots. The basilica’s dramatic wooden interiors and majestic organ provided an one for the books backdrop. Although the church doesn’t allow indoor family formals, we quickly moved outdoors to capture beautiful portraits in the lush greenery of Sister Cities Park, just across the street.
Pro tip: Whether you have 25 or 1,000 guests, the Cathedral’s versatile spaces allow us to capture intimate and grand scenes perfectly, no worries if your guest count fluctuates!
A Joyful Surprise at Philadelphia City Hall
On our way back to The Notary Hotel, we stumbled upon a Philly Pride parade at City Hall. Thanks to the welcoming and festive crowd, Adrianne and Adam got to dash under a giant pride flag held up by parade-goers, capturing photos and videos brimming with love and good vibes. This spontaneous moment perfectly encapsulated the joyful spirit of their wedding day.
Wedding Party Photos at Logan Square & University of Pennsylvania
We took the party over to Logan Square’s Swan Memorial Fountain, a Philadelphia gem. Surrounded by lush greenery and City Hall in the distance, the fountain became the stage for some spontaneous fun, including an epic photobomb with some friendly, mustached strangers working out nearby! Moments like these are exactly why I love photographing weddings: spontaneous, fun, and filled with laughter.
Since Adrianne and Adam met at the University of Pennsylvania, we incorporated a meaningful stop at the UPenn campus. The bridal party, fellow alumni, and even some energetic parkour enthusiasts joined in the fun, making their wedding portraits truly unique and memorable.
Notary Hotel Wedding Reception in Philadelphia
Back at The Notary Hotel, the reception was nothing short of amazing. The elegant ballroom, complemented by beautiful floral artistry by Carl Alan, set the scene for their lively celebration. The first dance was magical, and Renaissance Orchestra kept guests dancing all night.
An insider’s favorite feature: The Notary Hotel’s incredible lobby and bar area, ideal for chic photos. We wrapped up the evening with night portraits directly outside City Hall, illuminated beautifully against the night sky, ending Adrianne and Adam’s day with the perfect Philadelphia touch.
Congratulations to Adrianne and Adam! Your wedding at The Notary Hotel was an honor to capture, and we wish you a lifetime filled with happiness.
Wedding Vendors
- Venue: The Notary Hotel, Philadelphia
- Ceremony: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul
- Florist: Carl Alan Floral Artistry
- Makeup/Hair: Kiersten at Top Knot Hair
- Dress Shop: The Wedding Factor
- Dress Designer: Jude Jowilson
• • Entertainment: Renaissance Orchestra
Love this Philadelphia wedding? See more of our work, like this Four Seasons Philadelphia wedding or this Curtis Arboretum wedding in Wyncote. Still picking a venue? Browse our guide to the 12 best Philadelphia wedding venues. Looking for a Philadelphia wedding photographer? We’d love to hear from you. Planning a proposal? Check out our surprise proposal photography.