When Nina and Rich first decided to get married, they never thought they’d want a wedding. Eventually, they decided they wanted a way to celebrate with their closest friends and family. A micro wedding felt like the perfect choice for them. They had a glamorous but intimate first look in Old City followed by a tender ceremony at Head House Square. 

Wedding Portraits with Old Hollywood Glamor

Before Nina and Rich’s micro wedding at head house square, they had a first look in front of a marble building with neoclassical pillars. The historic elegance of Old City and Nina’s vintage silhouette gave their wedding photos a touch of Old Hollywood glamor.

I especially love the black and white photos from this part of the day. They feel timeless in the truest sense of the word. They could have been taken any time and will continue to mean a lot to Nina and Rich over the years. Even in the lightly posed portraits, you can see how much Nina and Rich’s genuine connection brings these images to life. 

Nina and Rich created lots of moments for themselves to breathe on their wedding day. Nothing felt unnecessarily rushed. They hired a car to drive them from the first look to the ceremony site. This worked out so well because they could just relax and take in the quiet joy. 

A Sweet Micro Wedding

As glamorous as Nina and Rich were on their wedding day, I can’t emphasize enough that they were equally as sweet. They were such a pleasure to photograph. I learned that Rich is a firefighter right down the block from me, too! For someone like me who emphasizes making weddings as local as possible, working with someone from my neighborhood was really enjoyable.

Nina and Rich come from a loving community, too. Their family met us at Head House Square for their ceremony and surprised Nina and Rich with a visit from their dog. Someone had even dressed the golden retriever in a little tuxedo collar for the occasion. I loved documenting the genuine emotion at this sweet gesture. It’s those unposed, unplanned moments that create the richest images.

Even though Nina and Rich only hired me for their first look, portraits, and ceremony, we managed to get a great variety of photos. We managed to document candid moments in some of the most picturesque parts of Old City. The arched walkway where they held their ceremony leant itself to creative compositions, too. 

Getting Married at Head House Square

Head House Square might not be the first place you think of when you’re planning a micro wedding in Philadelphia. It really worked out well, though. It’s a cobblestone square surrounded by the Federal-style architecture that Old City is known for. The original building dates back to 1745 and served as a market. Today the square hosts art markets and farmer’s markets.

History aside, Head House Square is a beautiful place to take portraits. The historic homes and cobblestone streets are so charming. Walking around there feels like stepping back in time. It would be a fun place to do portraits even if you were getting married at a traditional wedding venue.

On the day of Nina and Rich’s micro wedding, an unscheduled market was taking place. They were able to adapt and still have a great time. Whimsical lights crisscrossed the walkway where they held their ceremony. Looking at the photos, you’d never know this wasn’t their original plan. That adaptability really is invaluable on a wedding day.

Before Nina and Rich’s micro wedding, I was able to help them a lot with the planning and permit processes using some of my past blog posts! Since a lot of people do elopements and micro weddings without planners, having another expert in your corner can be really useful. If you’re planning a micro wedding or elopement, you might find these posts helpful:

• 10 Small Wedding Venues in Philadelphia
• 5 Ideas for a Backyard Wedding
• 5 Tips for a Sustainable Wedding

Would you like me to photograph your micro wedding? I’m a Philadelphia wedding photographer who specializes in colorful candid photos. Let’s turn your deepest connections into your favorite art! Reach out to me here.