When you’re getting married, narrowing down the perfect wedding venue is probably at the top of your to-do list. The type of venue you choose can determine a lot about your experience and the amount of planning you have to do. A restaurant wedding is a great way to treat your guests to an aesthetic and delicious experience. Diana and Jae’s small celebration at Talula’s Garden is a great example of what’s possible when you invite your closest people to share a beautiful meal. 

3 Reasons to Have a Restaurant Wedding

1. Done-for-you decor

Some people live for making elaborate Pinterest boards come to life. For the rest of us, a restaurant wedding allows us to skip the stress of decorating. Not every restaurant is decorated equally, though. If you want to get married at a restaurant to simplify your wedding planning process, pick a place you love the look of and build off of that. The decor can go a long way in setting the tone for your celebration.

Even in a restaurant with unique, bold decor, flowers do make a venue extra festive. Botanic Village did an incredible job with the arrangements for Diana and Jae’s wedding. They worked with the restaurant’s color palette to make the atmosphere a little more “wedding.” The arrangements added beautiful layers of texture to the space, too.  

2. Amazing food

It can be surprising how complicated catering a wedding gets. Some venues only allow in-house caterers, giving you little control over what you and your guests eat. You risk mediocre food at a non-restaurant venue. A restaurant wedding, on the other hand, ensures a meal you know you’ll love. Foodies will love this option because it’s a way of throwing the dinner party of their dreams.

3. Nostalgic date nights down the road

Another perk that a restaurant wedding has over other approaches: You can go back again and again for nostalgic dates. Imagine getting married in a place where you already spend so many happy times. Then every year on your anniversary you can go back and reminisce about that magical night you got married there.

Celebrating at Talula’s Garden

Talula’s Garden is a fun place for a small restaurant wedding. You enter the restaurant through a narrow walkway lined by a greenery-covered wall. It gives you the feeling of entering a secret garden – exactly what you would hope for given the restaurant’s name. The interior is cheerful and bold. Rich orange and blue walls and green booths create a welcoming atmosphere. 

This restaurant serves food as colorful as its decor. Talula’s Garden specializes in Mediterranean-inspired dishes like homemade ravioli and lamb bolognese. Diana and Jae’s guests loved the aesthetic cocktails and delectable entrees. 

Portrait locations are always a consideration with a restaurant wedding. Fortunately, Talula’s Garden is in the heart of the historic district. It borders Washington Square with its lush landscaping and shady benches. We found stately brick row homes and charming cobblestone streets to explore. Diana and Jae’s wedding photos just feel like Philadelphia. 

Diana and Jae’s Intimate Wedding

Although Diana and Jae live in Rhode Island, they met in Philadelphia. They wanted to have all of their friends and family celebrate in the city where they fell in love. Since Diana and Jae got married in Old City, we got portraits with lots of historic buildings and beautifully manicured parks. It was easy for friends and family to join us for photos before the ceremony, too.

Throughout the evening, you could feel the connection at the center of this wedding. Diana and Jae’s ceremony made everyone laugh and tear up. Their family and friends gave moving speeches. Because it was a small wedding, you could feel how much every person present mattered to the newlyweds.

Are you planning your wedding in Philadelphia? You can celebrate your love where you feel most at home. Download my free guide to planning your wedding in your favorite neighborhood! I share tips on ceremony spots, reception venues, florals, and more. Grab it here. 

Thank you to the vendors who made Jae and Diana’s restaurant wedding possible:
Venue: Talula’s Garden
Photography: Heather McBride Photography
Florals: Botanic Village
Dress: Custom made by Diana herself!