What better backdrop for a wedding than the city of brotherly love!? On May 5th, Emily and Wes tied the knot in the enchanting Free Library of Philadelphia. This elegant Philly wedding was a celebration of their unique bond, as told through the vibrant details, beautiful location, and fun pink wedding theme colors. Keep scrolling for more highlights from their day and inspiration for your own Free Library wedding in Philly!
Pearls, Philly, and Pinks: My New Favorite Trio
Emily and Wes’s wedding was a day of love, joy, and lots of laughter—and tied together in the details—pearls, Philly, and pinks. From this iconic bridal party dress lineup down to Wes’s bright pink socks, Barbie herself couldn’t have topped this pink wedding scheme!
A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and capturing every fleeting moment is essential for preserving memories you’ll treasure for the rest of your life. Emily and Wes chose to capture the highlights of the day using myself and @alyssabuntonphoto as my second shooter. I am always honored to have Alyssa shoot with me since she is an incredible photographer in her own right and has a thriving Lancaster, PA based photography business! I have to shout her out for shooting thousands of photos of Emily’s florals—she might be the only person in the world who loves flowers more than me!
Getting Ready
This gorgeous early summer wedding day began in the hotel in the morning, where the bridal party got ready together. Can we just pause to appreciate how the details of this bridal party came together?!
This unique color palette has to be one of my all time favorites of 2023!! The bridal party of six got ready together in matching pink silk pajama sets, with the beautiful bride wearing a white version. Champagne and canapes provided sustenance and a little Dutch courage, while the girls were pampered by make-up artist Jennifer Kochenour (@jkobeauty1) and hair stylist Amanda D’Andrea (@amandadandreahair).
Once hair and makeup were done, it was time for Emily to transform into a bride with her beautiful satin mermaid gown from Bijou Bridal (@bijoubridal), with the help of her mother. On the other side of the hotel, Wes, his father, and his groomsmen were also getting ready in their Generation Tux (@generationtux) tuxes and light pink ties.
The Free Library of Philadelphia: A Unique Venue Choice
As far as fairytale weddings go, there is truly no better backdrop than the Free Library of Philadelphia. When it comes to weddings, the venue is one of the biggest decisions about your day because the location will play a pivotal role in setting the tone and feel for you and your guests.
The library is a unique setting where history, art, and literature come together to be celebrated—and what better place to start writing your own love story? With soaring ceilings, intricate statues, a grand staircase that would make the Titanic jealous, and a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views across the Philly skyline, it’s the perfect blend of romance and sophistication.
The Grand Staircase provided a focal point and a more than impressive entrance for the beautiful bride in front of her waiting guests. The library’s façade and surrounding fountains and grounds offered a stunning location for the bride and groom’s individual portraits and first-look photos.
Pink Is The Moment: Different shades of pink wedding theme
This day was a love letter to the color pink. The color scheme you choose for your wedding is more than just a decorative choice. It’s also a reflection of your own unique personality and style as a couple. The pink wedding color palette the Madocks’s chose helped to create a romantic and enchanting atmosphere that perfectly complemented the elegance of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
Their day showcased a variety of hues—from classic blush pink wedding colors to deeper, rich tones—with both the floral arrangements and the beautiful bridal party dresses. Each of Emily’s bridesmaids wore a different style of dress in different shades of pink, allowing them to express their own unique style while being united by the pink wedding scheme.
Pink symbolizes love and romance, and the playful tones added warmth to the grandeur of the venue and the Shakespearean ambiance of the wedding.
A Floral Touch
Like your venue, your flower choices are a huge part of your big day. From buttonholes to bouquets and table arrangements to the décor at your ceremony, flowers are everywhere and should never be an afterthought.
Emily and Wes chose Cottage Flowers Design (@cottageflowersdesign) to curate their unique flower collection, and pink was the unifying theme. From peonies to roses, each table was adorned with an abundance of pretty pink blooms that matched the varying shades of the bridesmaid’s dresses. The floral installs helped to soften the large urban venue and provide a feminine touch to the blank canvas the location provided.
First Look Photos At Logan Square
As with every wedding, the first look is one of the most special moments between my couples! It’s the perfect opportunity to capture raw, unfiltered emotion through my lens as your eyes meet for the first time that day. If you’re looking for outdoor photo locations in downtown Philly near the Free Library, I highly recommend Logan Square, City Hall, and the Merchant’s Exchange building. Logan Square was the perfect backdrop to share a private moment before their ceremony, and the charm of Old Philly is always a favorite for couple portraits.
The Vows
In the Library’s Grand Reading Room, Emily and Wes exchanged vows opposite the grand staircase, witnessed by their friends and family. This gave me the opportunity to capture both the vows of the happy couple as well as the candid, raw emotions of their loved ones watching them finally tie the knot.
Rooftop Wedding Reception at the Free Library of Philadelphia
After Emily’s quick outfit change, it was time for everyone to let their hair down and for the prosecco to start flowing. Circling the room, I was able to flit between the guests and clinking glasses, capturing the unfiltered joy on the faces of both the stunning couple and their loved ones.
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, and any single photo from this reception could tell you everything you need to know: this night was a BLAST. The bride and groom, along with their wedding party, turned this night into a rooftop rave. Once the cake (@themasterbakers) was cut and the speeches were made, everyone rushed the dance floor. The rooftop cocktail bar was buzzing against the Philly skyline, and if there had been a roof, the band (@myherozerolive) would have brought it down.
Luxury Wedding Photography, Philly
Capturing Emily and Wes’s Shakespearean love story at the Free Library of Philadelphia was one of my favorite wedding shoots yet. With the help of their great wedding planner, Classic Events By Lauren (@classiceventsbylauren), Emily and Wes pulled off an unforgettable day in the heart of Philly.
A Shakespearean Love Story
This night was more than just a wedding. It was an unforgettable event that brought Emily and Wes’s Shakespearean love story to life. From the warm, loving tones set by their carefully chosen color palette to the timeless grandeur of their beautiful venue, their special day reminds us of the most cherished story of all time: a love story.
Your own love story is waiting to be told; let’s make yours a classic. Reserve your wedding date here!
