In all my years as a Philadelphia wedding photographer, I’ve seen some amazing wedding venues. I’ve photographed weddings in historic hotels, modern restaurants, and lush arboretums. Regardless, when Jada and Dylan reached out to me about photographing their wedding, I had to be a part of it. They chose some of the most creative wedding venues I’d heard of in Philadelphia. Looking back on these joyful photos, I still feel so lucky to have been there.
For their creative wedding venues, Jada and Dylan chose the Guild House Hotel, the BOK Building, and Betsu Studio. The day’s itinerary took us to neighborhoods across the city, but we managed to keep a fun, relaxed energy going throughout the entire day. It was exactly the kind of day that I love to photograph!
Jada and Dylan got ready for their wedding at the Guild House Hotel. It’s located on Locust Street in Center City. Center City comes with its ups and downs. The Guild House Hotel is definitely one of the ups. The boutique hotel has just 12 rooms and suites, making it a more intimate experience than a chain hotel.
My favorite thing about the Guild House Hotel, though, is the room decor. Each has its own aesthetic. It’s incredibly elegant with surprising, beautiful color palettes. The rooms highly curated rooms have a mix of natural and artificial light that make them great for portraits.
I’m highlighting the Guild House Hotel on this list of creative wedding venues partly because you can actually get married there. Jada and Dylan rented a suite for getting ready, but the hotel hosts small weddings of up to 25 guests. The Lounge features vintage furniture, murals, and pottery. A Guild House Hotel wedding would be a one-of-a-kind experience for you and your guests.
The BOK Building is like multiple creative wedding venues rolled into one endlessly interesting building. This former vocational school was renovated to house artists’ studios, restaurants, and shops. On the rooftop, a bar and Italian restaurant offer views of the skyline.
Jada and Dylan held their wedding ceremony in the showroom of Minimal Chaos. This brand offers handcrafted wearable and decorative arts. Think huge rugs, shoes, and jewelry. The sunny room and rug-adorned walls made a great backdrop for Jada and Dylan’s ceremony.
Guests gathered around with a mix of seating and standing room to watch the heartfelt ceremony. A little mirror ball sparkled above the corner where Jada and Dylan exchanged their vows. Afterward everyone shared a bottle of bubbly and soaked up the post-ceremony joy.
Having the ceremony in a showroom like Minimal Chaos was such a clever idea. The space is already carefully designed so that it doesn’t need any additional decoration. Jada and Dylan didn’t have to rent any decor or furniture for their ceremony. Pretty much everything was already in place for them.
While Jada and Dylan only had their core family and friends present for the ceremony, additional people joined to celebrate at the reception later that afternoon. Everyone gathered at Betsu Studio in Kensington. Betsu Studio was a fun followup to Minimal Chaos because it’s also a furniture studio. It features bolder, more modern pieces than Minimal Chaos, though, so it was perfect for a laidback reception.
Another great idea Jada and Dylan had for their wedding? They celebrated on a weekday! Since they got married at a prime time (October), they figured out how to incorporate all the venues they wanted by holding their wedding on a Thursday. I love photographing weekday weddings! Getting around the city is easier. It’s just more relaxed. Who doesn’t want that on their wedding day?
If you’re looking for creative wedding venues in Philly, my guess is that you want your wedding to reflect you genuinely. Why not create an unforgettable experience in your own neighborhood? I love weddings that incorporate couples’ favorite places! I created Your Neighborhood Guide to Getting Married in Philadelphia to help you do exactly that. Grab your free copy!
Thank you to these creative wedding venues for hosting Jada and Dylan’s celebration.
Getting Ready: Guild House Hotel
Ceremony: Minimal Chaos
Reception: Betsu Studio
I’m your friendly neighborhood photographer here to capture all your intimate moments! Whether you're planning an elopement, family session, or lifestyle photoshoot, I would love to work with you! Check out my services for more information.
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At Heather McBride Photography, I welcome clients of all gender identities, sexualities, races, cultures, religions, bodies, and abilities. Your love deserves to be celebrated with joyful photos.
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