A Curtis Arboretum wedding gives you the chance to have a relaxed, connection-focused celebration in an elegant setting. I loved getting the chance to document Michele and Anthony’s celebration. Michele and I have been friends for years, so I really appreciated the chance to preserve this experience with candid photos.

In this blog post, you’ll find:

• A Curtis Arboretum Wedding
• Historic Architecture Meets Gorgeous Gardens
• Michele and Anthony’s Fun Celebration
• Your Candid Wedding Photography

A Curtis Arboretum Wedding

I was excited to photograph Michele and Anthony’s Curtis Arboretum wedding partly because they’re friends but also because Curtis is so cool. It’s got everything to have a beautiful, laidback wedding day. You can get ready, hold your ceremony, and celebrate your reception without leaving the grounds. 

Here are some helpful things to know if you’re considering a Curtis Arboretum wedding:

• Capacity: 200 guests
• Location: Wyncote, PA (just north of the city)
• Starting Cost: $4,000

JAM Catering will provide the food and drinks for your Curtis Arboretum wedding. JAM actually owns and operates wedding venues throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. They’re a well-oiled machine. The weddings at their venues don’t have to feel cookie cutter, though. You can still have a unique wedding that reflects your personality and priorities. Michele and Anthony definitely did that.

Curtis Arboretum is technically outside of Philadelphia in Wyncote. It’s just a little over half hour north of Center City. Locals will have an easy time driving there or taking the train. Out of town guests will have an easier time finding hotels in the city, but there are a few options near Wyncote.

Historic Architecture Meets Gorgeous Gardens

A Curtis Arboretum wedding includes access to a historic home on the edge of an arboretum. The house, Curtis Hall, was built as part of a larger estate called Lyndon in 1903. Curtis Hall served as the music room for the French Revival mansion. Since it was built to entertain, it’s ideal as a wedding venue.

Curtis Hall includes two getting ready suites and space for dancing. Tall pillars, crown moulding, and floor-to-ceiling windows give the interior a spacious, airy feeling. I also love the wallpaper! It gives you the sense of being in the European countryside.

The arboretum itself sits on 40 acres of hills. When you walk around the winding paths, you can see over 50 types of trees. There aren’t elaborate gardens, but the grounds around the house are undeniably green and beautiful.

Michele and Anthony’s Fun Celebration

Michele and Anthony’s November wedding happened on a cloudy day. Rain showers popped up throughout the day, but it didn’t dampen anyone’s mood. From the start of the day in the getting ready suites, everyone was all smiles.

Thanks to the rain, Michele and Anthony moved their Curtis Arboretum wedding ceremony into their reception tent. The garden arbor would have been a dreamy spot, but they had everything and everyone that mattered with them in the tent. At the end of the day, that’s what they cared about most.

We were able to get outside for photos between showers. Michele and Anthony did their first look on the walk outside the house. They soaked up some private moments on the stone patio. Even with their wedding party all around them during portraits, they couldn’t take their eyes off each other.

After the ceremony, everyone enjoyed dinner and speeches in the tent. There were lots of laughs and happy tears. Then we moved into Curtis Hall for dancing. The hall made a stunning backdrop for all the carefree moments that followed. 

Your Candid Wedding Photography

Michele and Anthony wanted to really be with their people as much as possible. They had the kind of wedding where people feel so in the moment. I made it my goal to document it primarily in candid photos. This gave everyone space to be themselves, and I got to get creative while documenting the day authentically.

Would you like your wedding documented with creative candid photos? I’m Heather, a Philly wedding photographer. I’ll turn your deepest connections into your favorite art. Inquire with me!

Thank you for making Michele and Anthony’s wedding so memorable!
Photography: Heather McBride Photography
Venue: Curtis Arboretum 
Catering and Coordination: JAM Catering
Hair & Makeup: Gloss Philly
Florals: Miguela Lopez
DJ: Effuse Entertainment
Officiant: Journeys of the Heart