Dominique and Brad had one of the hottest summer wedding days I can remember. The heat in Philadelphia that week was real, and by the sparkler exit that night the medium format film I had loaded started to warp from the ambient temperature. A few frames from that stretch were unusable. The ones that survived are some of my favorites from that year.
Arts Ballroom, Philadelphia
Arts Ballroom sits at 1324 Locust Street in Philadelphia, steps from Broad Street and directly across from City Hall. The building dates to the early 20th century and was renovated into an event space that kept the original bones: soaring ceilings, ornate plasterwork, and a ballroom layout that fills with chandelier glow at night. It is one of the most sought-after Philadelphia wedding venues because the architecture does the heavy lifting. High ceilings compress the perceived crowd. Warm lighting softens skin. The room reads large in photographs because it is large, and no post-processing recreates that.
Getting ready at the Hyatt at the Bellevue makes logistical sense for Arts Ballroom weddings. The Bellevue is directly across Broad Street, less than a minute on foot. Dominique used a suite there, which gave the team room to work and gave me clean window light for the getting-ready photographs. Brad got ready separately and we brought both groups together for portraits before heading to Saint Monica Church for the ceremony.
Saint Monica is a Catholic parish on 17th Street in the Fairmount section of the city. The interior is formal and high-ceilinged. You wait for the light to come through the right window at the right moment, and when it does, you have one second. Dad stepping on the veil was not planned. The frame was.
After the ceremony we used City Hall as a portrait backdrop before the reception. By the time we arrived at Arts Ballroom, the sun was down and the room was lit from inside. The Big City Band played. Baileflor’s florals ran wall to wall. The sparkler exit almost ruined a roll of film. Almost.
Arts Ballroom works as a photography subject because it was built to impress, not to be efficient. That is a rare quality in a Philadelphia event space. Couples who book here consistently get a room that photographs better than it did in real life, which is not something I can say about every venue. If you are comparing Philadelphia reception venues, the ceiling height and ballroom proportions here are worth seeing in person before you decide.
Ceremony: Saint Monica Church – Philadelphia
Reception: Arts Ballroom
Florist: Baileflor
DJ/ Band: Big City
Bride’s Dress: Bridal Garden
Wedding ceremony at Saint Monica Church in Philadelphia
Dad stepped on the bride’s veil!
Summer Arts Ballroom Wedding Reception
