In South Philadelphia, a historic church-turned boutique hotel offers one of the city’s most aesthetic combinations of historic and modern elements. From its grand yet welcoming design features to the comfortable guest rooms, The Deacon is amazing. The Deacon Philadelphia wedding that I was so lucky to document embraced the unique character of this wedding venue.

The Deacon

The Deacon is a wedding venue that layers the old and new in surprising ways. The Gothic arches and bright paint are breathtaking and invite intimacy too. Sun throws bright colors across the floor when it streams through the stained glass windows. A gold chandelier adds gilded elegance to the high ceiling of the main room. 

The Deacon Philadelphia weddings can be as large as 150 guests, but it’s really ideal for small weddings. With a smaller guest count, you can have the ceremony, dinner, and dancing in the large common space. It’s so nice to be able to move around the space comfortably.

Wedding ceremonies and receptions at The Deacon have opportunities for creative photos. All the architectural elements lend themselves to the excited energy of a wedding day. The stained glass windows feel festive instead of old-fashioned in the context of the new interior design.

The Deacon is located in South Philadelphia near the Broad Street subway line. South Philly has fantastic restaurants, bars, and breweries. It’s an easy walk to several murals. Guests can explore South Street or head in the other direction and check out the sites around Penn’s Landing and Old City. 

A Historic Wedding Venue with a Modern Twist

The building that The Deacon now occupies was built in 1906 as a Gothic Revival church. First African Baptist Church, the city’s oldest Baptist congregation, worshipped there before moving to a new building. Fortunately, the building was added to the city’s register of historic places and avoided demolition. Prospective hoteliers saw its large communal space and recognized its potential as a gathering place for celebrations.

When developers renovated The Deacon, the interior designer chose a charming mix of neutral and jewel tone paints. Deep colors highlight the distinctive arches in the common area. Beautiful gold details draw the eye to the sweeping architectural details. Even with all the color, the interior feels understated enough to complement any wedding decor. Andrew and Rosa’s classic green and white tablescape fit perfectly with The Deacon’s clean lines and bold accents.

One perk of The Deacon Philadelphia weddings is the ability to rent rooms for the weekend. You can rent up to eight rooms so that you and some of your guests can keep the celebration going all weekend. This is a great way to cut stress on your wedding day too. When you can just wake up and get ready at your venue, you don’t have to worry about transportation or traffic. The rooms have the Deacon’s characteristic combination of stained glass windows and contemporary furnishings.

Andrew and Rosa’s The Deacon Philadelphia Wedding

The Deacon Philadelphia wedding I photographed was Andrew and Rosa’s. They chose to do their first look on the second floor in front of the glowing stained glass windows. I love the image of Rosa walking up the stairs. You can see how dramatic the ceilings are. When they saw each other, they radiated joy. It shines through in their portraits.

Because The Deacon is so centrally located, we were able to walk around South Philly for some portraits in the city. Andrew and Rosa explored the area and got a chance to connect with each other before seeing guests. The multicolored mosaics, bright walls, and brick row homes feel very Philadelphia.

Andrew and Rosa’s ceremony and reception took place in the spacious common area. They took advantage of the beautiful surroundings to keep the ceremony decor minimal. The focus stayed on celebrating their love. Guests enjoyed dining at eucalyptus-covered tables and snapping photos of each other with the disposable cameras Andrew and Rosa provided.

Would you like me to photograph your wedding at The Deacon Philadelphia? Reach out, and tell me a bit about you. I can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Thank you to the vendors who made Andrew and Rosa’s The Deacon Philadelphia wedding possible.

Venue: The Deacon

Planner: Events by Merida

Catering: 12th Street Catering

Band: The Creswell Club

Dress: Courtney Shea

Suit: Goldstein’s Men’s and Boys’ Clothing

Florist: Nancy Leppo

Cake: 12th Street Catering

Makeup & Hair: Jessica Saint

Rings: Steven Singer Jewelers