A Beautiful Intimate Wedding at Powel House in Philadelphia

A bride and groom stand close together outdoors, smiling and holding a colorful bouquet, with a blurred background of greenery and a building.

I love photographing all different types of weddings, from large-scale to small, intimate weddings. It’s always interesting to see how each couple personalizes their special day to reflect their individuality and their relationships. This particular wedding at Powel House was a very small and intimate day that only included the couple’s immediate family, and it was a day filled with so much warmth and love for the couple. 

You could feel Liv and Matt’s radiating excitement for their wedding throughout the entire day. I would catch little glimpses of just how truly in love they are with each other and the giddiness that surrounds their relationship. It was such a special thing to not only witness but to document as well. Documenting their intimate wedding day was such a privilege, as Liv, Matt, and their families are some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. I felt as if I were welcomed into their special day as another guest, and it was evident that they didn’t just want to hire just a photographer, but to incorporate me into the day as if I were an integral part of the celebration. This welcoming spirit allowed me to fully capture their wedding day with true documentary style, as we had an established sense of intimacy, allowing me to photograph them up close and personal.

 

A brass door knocker with the name "Powell" is mounted on a black door; adjacent, a three-story brick house with white trim and black shutters is shown.
A bride in a white dress descends outdoor steps toward a groom in a black tuxedo, who stands waiting on a brick walkway beside a historic building.
A couple in formal attire stands on the steps of a brick building, embracing and holding hands while smiling at each other.
A bride and groom stand outside a brick building, holding hands and smiling at each other on a paved path with scattered leaves.
A bride in a white dress adjusts the groom’s bow tie on a brick sidewalk, with trees and buildings in the background.
Two people stand on a brick path with fallen leaves; one wears a dark suit and loafers, the other wears a white dress and white sneakers.
A bride and groom stand together holding bouquets; a close-up shows the bride’s hand holding a colorful bouquet with a gold ring visible.
A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet and stands with a groom in a navy suit outside a brick building with white shutters, both smiling and laughing.
A bride and groom stand close together, holding a colorful bouquet, about to kiss on the steps outside a brick building.
A close-up of a groom in a black tuxedo with a yellow boutonniere and a bride in a white dress holding a colorful bouquet with yellow and purple flowers.
A woman in a white dress holding a bouquet and a man in a dark tuxedo stand separately on a brick sidewalk with autumn leaves and city buildings in the background.
A bride in a white dress holding a colorful bouquet stands next to a groom in a dark suit and bow tie on a brick sidewalk, both smiling at each other.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand outdoors in formal attire, the bride holding a bouquet. The black and white image captures them on a brick path near a building.
A bride and groom stand outdoors holding hands, smiling and looking back at the camera on a brick walkway beside historic buildings.
A bride in a white dress smiles joyfully while standing next to a groom in a dark suit outdoors. Her veil is flowing in the breeze.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand outdoors, both dressed formally; the bride is smiling widely while the groom looks down, wearing a boutonnière and bow tie.
Three men in suits walk down a brick sidewalk, two holding bottles of champagne and one carrying a blue case, on a tree-lined city street.
A bride and groom in formal attire stand outdoors; the bride holds a colorful bouquet. In the second image, they walk hand in hand on a brick path near historic buildings.
A couple dressed in wedding attire stands on the steps outside a brick building, facing an open door.

 

Liv and Matt’s intimate wedding day started with their first look at the steps leading up to the Powel House. Surrounded by the breathtaking Gregorian architecture, Liv and Matt’s love for one another was evident and astonishing to witness as we captured portraits of them in the historic Philadelphia neighborhood of Old City. From there, we ventured inside to the upper level of the historic mansion for their intimate wedding ceremony. Surrounded by the closest loved ones in their lives, Liv and Matt exchanged meaningful, emotional vows before the ceremony ended with the Jewish tradition of breaking of the glass and their first kiss shared as husband and wife. Anyone could see how truly excited and happy the newly married couple were to have completed their ceremony, as the biggest smiles were plastered on their faces as they exited the mansion. 

 

Left: Hanging floral arrangement with yellow and red flowers. Right: Harp next to a music stand and stool, with a portrait and windows in the background.
A bride and an older man stand beside a small table in a formal room with framed portraits on the wall and two empty armchairs.
A woman plays the violin on the left; on the right, a bride enters the room with a man while seated guests watch in an elegant, wood-paneled setting with classical portraits.
A bride in a long dress walks down the aisle with a man toward an officiant, as a small group of people stand and watch in an elegant, chandelier-lit room.
A bride and groom stand under a floral canopy exchanging vows in a small, elegant room with seated guests and musicians.
A couple holds hands while facing each other during a wedding ceremony, with an officiant standing in front of them holding an open folder.
A groom smiles while holding hands with the bride during a wedding ceremony, as an officiant reads from a book.
Three adults dressed formally are seated indoors. The woman in the center is smiling and wearing a floral dress with a corsage. The image is in black and white.
A couple stands under a chuppah during a wedding ceremony, facing an officiant, while guests are seated and watching in a well-lit room.
Split image: On the left, seated guests watch attentively; on the right, a bride with a floral veil stands facing a groom in a suit during a wedding ceremony.
A bride and groom stand under a chuppah exchanging vows, while guests sit and observe in a formal, decorated room.
An elderly woman holding a bouquet of flowers sits indoors, with blurred people beside and behind her.
A groom places a ring on the bride’s finger during a wedding ceremony, while an officiant stands behind them holding a book.
A couple stands under a chuppah during a wedding ceremony in a formal room, with guests seated and observing.
A bride and groom kiss under a floral canopy during a wedding ceremony in a room with seated guests and musicians.
A bride and groom walk down the aisle smiling, holding a bouquet, as wedding guests seated on both sides watch in a decorated indoor venue.
A bride and groom embrace tightly in a hallway near a staircase, both dressed in formal wedding attire.
Two black-and-white photos show a bride embracing and celebrating with guests, including a woman holding flowers and an older man giving the bride a kiss on the cheek.
An elderly woman and a bride smile and pose together indoors; the bride holds a colorful bouquet and a harpist is seen in the background.

Following the ceremony at Powel House, we took a quick tour of Old City, and we took some of the most energetic and fun portraits I’ve ever been a part of. These families were FULL of energy, laughter, and amazing vibes; they were all willing to take some fun, non-traditional photos in addition to the regular family formals. We all just spent the afternoon wandering Old City and Washington Square Park, capturing Liv, Matt, and their families being goofy and enjoying each other’s company during this exciting and celebratory time. The whole day flowed so effortlessly, there was no specified time for family photos or bride and groom portraits. The families just hung around and hopped in the photos whenever they were ready to. 

A young man in a suit with a floral boutonniere poses in a garden, first with a serious expression, then smiling, with greenery and a bench in the background.
A bride and groom stand with family members on a lawn in front of a brick building, all smiling and dressed in formal attire.
Four people, including a groom in a tuxedo holding a bouquet, smile and laugh together outdoors in front of a brick building with white windows.
A bride with a floral-embroidered veil and white dress stands outdoors, facing slightly away and smiling softly at the camera.
A bride in a white dress holding a bouquet stands next to a groom in a dark suit in front of a fireplace in an elegant room.
A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet, standing beside a person in a dark suit; both pose in front of a fireplace in an elegant, white-walled room with a framed painting above.
A bride and groom stand together in an elegant room with a fireplace; the bride holds a bouquet, raising it and smiling in the second photo.
A woman in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet stands by a small wooden table in a bright room with a portrait on the wall.
A couple in wedding attire stands smiling in a softly lit room, holding a bouquet of flowers. A classical portrait hangs on the wall behind them.
A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet and smiles; next to her, a groom in a dark suit sits holding a bouquet, with a framed painting behind him.
A bride and groom in formal attire pose and smile with a black dog in front of a building with white columns and a black door.
A group of people in formal attire stand outdoors as one man pours champagne into glasses for others.
A group of people in formal attire raise champagne glasses for a toast outside a brick building.
A bride and groom dressed in formal attire drink from champagne flutes outside on a brick sidewalk.
Elderly woman with short white hair smiling outdoors while holding a glass of champagne, standing on a brick sidewalk in front of a brick building.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand down a cobblestone path outdoors, with trees and buildings in the background; the image is artistically blurred.
A bride and groom stand close together outdoors, smiling and holding a colorful bouquet, with a blurred background of greenery and a building.
A bride and groom stand outside, faces obscured by motion blur as the bride holds a bouquet up, with greenery and a building in the background.
A group of eight people dressed formally stand outdoors, smiling and holding up one man horizontally; a brick building is in the background.
A group of people, including a bride and groom, gather closely together outdoors, smiling and posing for a wedding photo.
Two black-and-white photos show a bride and groom holding hands and walking away outdoors, with a large brick building in the background. Both images are slightly blurred.
A bride and groom stand together outdoors, exchanging affectionate looks. The bride holds a bouquet of colorful flowers, and both wear formal wedding attire.
A bride in a white dress holding a bouquet and a groom in a dark suit walk hand-in-hand in a park, both smiling and laughing.
A bride in a white dress and a groom in a dark suit walk together outdoors, smiling and laughing, with trees and grass in the background.
A bride in a white dress and veil walks with a groom in a dark suit on a brick path outdoors, holding a bouquet of flowers.
A person in a suit lifts a person in a white dress, holding a bouquet, on a stone path in a park with trees and brick columns.
A group of formally dressed people, including a bride and groom, walk outside on a paved path, holding hands and raising their arms in celebration.
A bride in a white dress stands with a groom in a suit outdoors, surrounded by three guests; one older woman is clapping and smiling.
A woman hugs and smiles at a young man in a tuxedo with a boutonniere, outdoors in front of brick buildings.
A bride in a white dress holding a bouquet sits with her groom in a suit on a bench; they embrace and kiss outdoors.
A bride and groom sit closely on a park bench, with the bride holding a bouquet and wearing a veil, surrounded by greenery and trees.
A bride and groom sit on a bench in a park. The bride smiles and shows her hand, while the groom holds a bouquet of flowers and looks at her hand.
A woman in a white dress holding a colorful bouquet stands beside a person in a suit; both images are slightly blurred.
A bride and groom kiss outdoors, partially covered by the bride's veil, in a black and white photograph.
A bride and groom stand outdoors holding a colorful bouquet; in one photo they smile at each other, in the other they share a kiss, both beneath the bride's veil.

 

We concluded the day by of course, by going to the most notorious wedding portrait spots in Center City Philadelphia – Broad St. in front of City Hall and Logan Circle. We captured some loving portraits of Liv and Matt before ending with one last fun family photo before everyone headed inside The Logan Hotel for dinner to cap off the evening. Before I departed from this wonderful family, I made sure to give my thanks to each family member for being their authentic selves throughout the day and allowing me to capture an unforgettable and unique afternoon. It was a fresh and new way to experience a wedding day, especially as someone who has photographed over 500 weddings. It was a pleasure to be asked to do it in a new and interesting way, and it is, for sure, a wedding I will never forget!

To see some of our recent weddings, take a look at this Classically Romantic Wedding at Aldie Mansion, this Tilling House Wedding, and this Cape May Beach wedding video. 

Ready to reach out and discuss the plans for your own wedding? Send us a message here.

A bride in a long white dress and veil holds a bouquet while standing in an urban alley with graffiti, dumpsters, and tall buildings in the background.
A couple dressed in formal wedding attire walks together on a city street, with cars and buildings visible in the background.
A group of people, dressed formally, smile and pose for a photo outdoors, framed by the blurred silhouettes of two people in the foreground.
A bride and groom pose and dance on a traffic island in front of a historic building, surrounded by tall city buildings and cars.
A bride in a white dress with puffed sleeves holds a bouquet and stands on a city street, her veil blowing in the wind, with buildings and traffic in the background.
A bride in a white dress holding a colorful bouquet crosses a city street, with buildings and a passerby in the background.
A group of people, including a bride in white, jump in the air in front of a city fountain and tall buildings, with an older woman standing in the center.

Powel House Mansion Wedding, Old City Philadelphia

Explore

Recent Posts

Ready to work together?


You’ve browsed the site, you like what you see and you’re ready to reach out? Perfect. Send us a message at the link below to start the conversation. We will respond within 24 hours to schedule a call where you can tell us all about the plans for your perfect wedding!

contact us