Wedding Photography Ideas Philadelphia Pa Old City

Philadelphia, the Birthplace of America, is loaded with plentiful picturesque locales for your wedding photo session. Historic haunts, stately museums and spacious parks make up the city’s vast & varied landscape. Below are a few favorite spots for capturing your special day.

Classic Wedding Photography in Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Old City has history around every corner. You can capture album-worthy photos for your engagement shoot beside centuries-old churches, riverfront architecture, modern museums and stately parks. A great starting point is Independence National Historical Park, better known as Independence Hall. This World Heritage Site is where the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution were drafted & signed. Completed in 1753, this building offers plenty of prime locations for your photographer. You’ll want to snap a few pictures in front of Independence Hall’s famous clock tower, along with the simple, austere entryway.

Cross over Chestnut Street to a striking blend of contemporary design and traditional essence – the Liberty Bell Center. You can gain access into this new building without tickets; only a brief security check is required. The famous Liberty Bell itself is situated after a colorful multimedia display gallery. You and your spouse-to-be can have your photographer take a few shots next to this iconic figure of American freedom. A large window next to the Liberty Bell shows a clear view of Independence Hall – another ideal picture taking opportunity! Once you’re through the Liberty Bell Center, try some photographs at the nearby Independence Visitor Center, located on 6th and Market Streets. The center’s expansive, impressive façade is a great way to capture panoramic shots of you and your future spouse. As an added benefit, the Independence Visitor Center offers a wealth of information for virtually any Philadelphia area attraction. It’s THE place in Philly to get ideas for exploring new areas or add a twist to your existing photography itinerary.



What would your Philadelphia photo shoot be without paying tribute to that indispensable early American, Benjamin Franklin? Head on over to Philosophical Hall and Library Hall, founded by Franklin in 1743. The American Philosophical Society was created to promote the study of industry, science, government and nature – but little did those founders know it would one day make an excellent location for some breathtaking pictures! Philosophical Hall has been a Philadelphia landmark since 1789 and was recently reopened a decade ago. Library Hall boasts a Federal-style façade complete with a sculpture of Franklin. Call 215-440-3400 to check for availability of the society’s historical exhibitions. They add an informative, colorful backdrop for your engagement photo album.

Located at 420 Chestnut Street, the Second Bank of the United States is a Greek Revival gem that’s been the background for many a memorable picture. Built between 1819 and 1824 by famous architect William Strickland, it has 8 massive Doric columns on both facades and a crisp white exterior (made from Pennsylvania blue marble) for lovely shots any time of year. Your photographer can add depth & detail to your session by taking pictures from either end of this substantial building. Inside the Second Bank of the United States is a comprehensive painting collection of founding fathers, military leaders, colonial figures and much more. Many portraits are by Charles Wilson Peale, a renowned painter from one of the most accomplished American family of painters. Be sure to take some black & white photos for added authenticity and a romantic touch.



Philadelphia founder William Penn is honored at Welcome Park, named after the ship that transported Penn and other Quakers from England to the New World. This open square enables an endless array of fantastic engagement photos. An interesting element of this park is the crisscrossed concrete & marble slabs, representing the original city grid planned by Penn and surveyor Thomas Holmes. A statue of William Penn at the center of the square is a favorite spot for capturing additional shots.

Welcome Park sits adjacent to City Tavern, a favorite meeting place of the First Continental Congress in the 1770s. It’s still a preferred dining spot among the locals. Partially destroyed by fire in 1854, it was carefully reconstructed in 1975 to resemble the original building. Take some shots in front of the Georgian façade or at the corner of Walnut & 2nd Streets. During autumn, the nearby parks & trees offer additional color and texture to your engagement photos. Plus, City Tavern is strategically located at the edge of both the Old City and Penn’s Landing areas of Philadelphia. You can always grab a colonial-style meal on your way to other locales. Enjoy Thomas Jefferson’s favorite, sweet potato biscuits, or tilt back an ale or two brewed to George Washington’s exact specifications from over 240 years ago. The City Tavern will make your engagement shoot an event where you can have your cake and eat it, too!