Philadelphia Wedding Under the Stars at the Franklin Institute

A wedding ceremony takes place in a theater, with a large galaxy projected on the domed ceiling above the couple and guests—a magical setting reminiscent of a Franklin Institute wedding.

There’s nothing more romantic than saying “I do” under a galaxy of stars. For Lena and Sawyer, that is exactly how their Philadelphia summer wedding went, all thanks to the notable Franklin Institute. This venue is such a special and romantic gem located in the heart of Philadelphia, that truly grants you the most magical feeling you can envision for any wedding day! 

Lena and Sawyer both got ready nearby at The Franklin on Rittenhouse, which isn’t affiliated with the institute; it was just a serendipitous coincidence! The Franklin on Rittenhouse is an amazing, unique boutique hotel located in Center City, offering all sorts of different hotel rooms that are scattered around several floors and small hallways. The hotel’s setup is definitely a pretty one-of-a-kind and cool experience to photograph. Lena’s getting-ready room specifically had its own spiral staircase leading up to the loft bedroom, and later on, we discovered that one of the bridesmaids’ rooms had a beautiful, spacious salon, which we ended up using to photograph Lena putting her wedding dress on. The photos of Lena getting ready in these rooms are some of my all-time favorite bridal prep photos that we have ever taken. It’s one of those moments you can’t necessarily plan; it just finds you, and you pivot to create something absolutely beautiful. 

Left: Exterior sign for The Franklin on Rittenhouse. Right: White bridal gown hanging near a spiral staircase under modern light fixtures, perfect inspiration for a stylish Franklin Institute wedding.
A makeup artist applies makeup to a seated woman in a white robe beside a large yellow circular wall sculpture before her Franklin Institute wedding.
Two people in matching pajamas sit on a patterned rug; one applies makeup with a mirror, while the other holds a decorative fan. Makeup items and drinks are scattered around them as they prepare for a Franklin Institute wedding.
A man in a white shirt puts on brown dress shoes in a room with wooden shelves, preparing for his Franklin Institute wedding; close-up of the shoes is shown on the right.
A woman has her makeup done by a makeup artist; in the next image, she walks up a spiral staircase in a robe, preparing for her Franklin Institute wedding.
A man in a suit with a boutonnière sits on a windowsill, smiling, with curtains and natural light in the background at a Franklin Institute wedding. Black and white photo.
Two men in suits stand indoors; one adjusts the other's boutonniere. They appear focused and are dressed formally, possibly preparing for a Franklin Institute wedding or another special event.
Two women in blue dresses help a bride adjust her necklace in front of a large mirror at her Franklin Institute wedding. The bride, wearing a white gown, stands facing the mirror as final touches are made before the celebration.
A woman in a navy dress helps a bride in a white gown button up her dress in a room with a large mirror and white curtains before their elegant Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride in a long-sleeved white gown with an open back and bow stands by a large mirror at her Franklin Institute wedding, displaying her dress and veil from different angles.
A person in a white dress holds a pair of pointed-toe, floral-embroidered high heels with blue trim and decorative flowers, perfect for a romantic Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride in a white dress puts on her shoes and earrings, preparing for her beautiful Franklin Institute wedding day.
A woman in a white dress with a bow on the back adjusts her hair, revealing two tattoos on her upper back, while sitting near a table with a bouquet of flowers at her elegant Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride stands by a window in her white dress as a stylist perfects her hair; two women watch, one snapping a photo, with a large mirror reflecting the scene at this elegant Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride in a white wedding gown and veil stands near a large mirror in a softly lit room at her Franklin Institute wedding, her reflection visible as sunlight streams through sheer curtains.
A bride in a white dress and veil stands before a large ornate mirror at her Franklin Institute wedding, her veil flowing around her as soft light streams in from the side.

 

Lena and Sawyer had an incredibly romantic and emotional private first look on a quintessential “Colonial Philadelphia” street, not too far from the Franklin Institute. The soon-to-be newlyweds trusted our team to find a quiet, private space where they could truly take in the breathtaking moment of seeing one another for the first time. We captured them lovingly embracing for the first time in their wedding attire before they began reading their wedding vows to each other. This was an amazing opportunity to incorporate the city as a backdrop to their wedding day, while still maintaining the privacy and intimacy of the moment and their love story. Once we finished photographing their vow reading and some romantic wedding day portraits, it was only a short five-minute walk to the steps of the Franklin Institute, along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where we began to photograph the happy couple alongside their energetic wedding party. We also made sure to sneak them up to the Institute’s rooftop to snag some family formal portraits, overlooking the incredible Philadelphia skyline, before it was time to be tucked away before the breathtaking ceremony in Fells Planetarium. 

A man in a dark suit stands in the middle of a tree-lined residential street, facing the camera with hands in his pockets, as if on his way to a Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride and groom stand facing each other on a quiet, tree-lined street in front of a brick building, dressed in wedding attire after their intimate Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride and groom stand in the street, holding hands and kissing, with a brick building, a bicycle, and potted plants in the background after their Franklin Institute wedding.
Groom wipes away a tear while reading vows, as the bride and groom stand facing each other on a city street during their Franklin Institute wedding ceremony.
A bride in a white dress gently wipes a tear from the groom’s face as they stand together on a tree-lined city sidewalk, just steps away from their unforgettable Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride and groom stand facing each other outdoors at their Franklin Institute wedding; the groom holds handwritten vows, while the bride wears a white dress and holds a small notebook.
A bride and groom stand facing each other on a quiet tree-lined street in front of a brick townhouse with potted plants and a bicycle, capturing an intimate moment before their Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride and groom embrace and kiss on a sidewalk in front of a brick townhouse, surrounded by potted plants and a parked bicycle after their Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride and groom stand together outdoors on a tree-lined street near their Franklin Institute wedding; in one photo, they smile at the camera, in the other, they lean in affectionately.
Left: Bride in a white dress holding a bouquet stands on a street. Right: Groom in a dark suit sits on steps with green doors and wreaths, echoing the elegance of a Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride and groom share a kiss on a city street, the bride holding a bouquet of flowers; this timeless black and white moment captures the romance of their Franklin Institute wedding.
A groom holds the bride's lace veil as she smiles and holds a bouquet of white roses; both are dressed in wedding attire on a city street after their beautiful Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride holds a bouquet and helps a groom in a suit drink water from a bottle on a city street, captured in black and white after their Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride and groom in wedding attire walk hand in hand down a tree-lined street by the Franklin Institute, looking back and smiling in one photo and walking away in the other.
A bride and groom stand with their wedding party, all dressed in navy blue and white attire, posing outdoors in front of the iconic stone facade of the Franklin Institute wedding venue.
A bride in a white dress and veil stands with two women, facing a red double-decker tour bus on a city street near the Franklin Institute wedding venue, with people gathered around.
A bride and groom stand on stone steps, facing each other and holding hands, in front of the grand columns of the Franklin Institute wedding venue.

 

Lena walked down the aisle of the planetarium wedding ceremony, escorted by her father, under a multi-colored galaxy of stars that were projected along the ceiling. This was definitely quite an entrance to officially kick off the wedding celebrations. The ceremony was officiated by a loving friend of the couple under a changing celestial projection. Guests were able to look on at the sight of Lena and Sawyer’s romantic ceremony, whilst being illuminated by the sparkling stars behind them. 

Two black-and-white photos from a Franklin Institute wedding show people in formal attire—a woman hugging a seated man, and another woman smiling with her hand on a man's arm as they walk.
A bride and groom walk down the aisle in a dark, dome-shaped Franklin Institute wedding venue with colorful lights projected on the ceiling as guests stand on either side.
A bride in a white gown and veil stands with a man, likely her father, before seated guests under a projected starry night sky at a Franklin Institute wedding ceremony.
A couple stands under a floral arch, exchanging vows in a Franklin Institute wedding inside the planetarium, with a star-filled galaxy projection above as guests look on from their seats.
A man with long dreadlocks stands at a microphone, surrounded by flowers, speaking or reading at what appears to be a Franklin Institute wedding. The image is in black and white.
A bride and groom stand at the altar in a darkened room with a starry sky projected above them at their Franklin Institute wedding, surrounded by floral arrangements and seated guests.
A bride and groom share a kiss under a floral arch during their Franklin Institute wedding ceremony as guests and groomsmen look on and applaud.
A bride and groom walk down the aisle as guests applaud, with a starry night sky overhead in this black and white outdoor Franklin Institute wedding scene.

 

Lena and Sawyer’s Franklin Institute wedding reception kicked off in the grand ballroom, starting with the couple’s first dance to the classic “Musetta’s Waltz”. This song was definitely fitting for the impeccable ballroom. Fortunately, we were granted access to the very top of the Franklin Institute dome to capture some unique bird’s-eye moments from above, which truly made the wedding day feel as immersive as possible. Dancing under the blue, dusk colored lighting quickly began not too long after dinner and wedding toasts were finished. Lena and Sawyer danced the night away, surrounded by all of their closest friends and family. We finished the romantic wedding night by heading back up to the rooftop to capture the newlyweds against the twinkling lights of the city skyline as the evening came to a close. It was a fitting way to end a celestial-themed day by capturing Lena & Sawyer against the twinkling stars and city lights of Philadelphia! 

Large, elegant hall with round tables set for a Franklin Institute wedding, featuring a prominent white statue and tall columns under a high arched ceiling with blue lighting.
Elegant banquet hall with round tables set for a Franklin Institute wedding; close-up shows glass candle holders, greenery, and place settings on white tablecloths.
A three-tiered white wedding cake with white and blue flowers is on the left; on the right, a round table at this Franklin Institute wedding is adorned with white flowers and surrounded by lit candles.
A bride and groom enter the elegant Franklin Institute wedding reception hall as guests stand and applaud.
A bride and groom share their first dance in a grand hall at their Franklin Institute wedding, with guests watching and a large statue and wedding monogram projected on the wall in the background.
A bride and groom share their first dance in a grand hall at their Franklin Institute wedding, with round tables of seated guests and a large white statue in the foreground.
A bride and groom share their first dance in the grand hall of a Franklin Institute wedding, with a large seated statue and wedding guests watching.
A bride and groom share a dance at their Franklin Institute wedding reception, with guests and tables visible in the blurred background.
Two pairs dance at a formal event; on the left, a man dances with a woman in a white gown, and on the right, a woman in black dances with a man in a suit—all set against the elegant backdrop of a Franklin Institute wedding. Guests watch in the background.
Guests seated at round tables enjoy dinner in a grand hall with tall columns and a large white statue, under warm lighting—a stunning setting for a Franklin Institute wedding.
Two groups of people are seated at round tables, conversing and dining in a well-lit, elegant setting with candles and glassware during a Franklin Institute wedding.
Guests seated at round tables enjoy a formal dinner while a bride and groom give a heartfelt speech during their elegant Franklin Institute wedding reception.
A bride and groom kiss behind a flower-adorned table and cut a three-tiered white wedding cake together at their elegant Franklin Institute wedding reception.
Guests seated at round tables in a grand hall with high arched ceilings, tall columns, blue lighting, and a large statue at the front enjoy the elegance of a Franklin Institute wedding.
A group of women in formal attire dance and smile together at a Franklin Institute wedding, surrounded by high ceilings and white columns at the elegant indoor event.
People in formal attire dance and celebrate in a large, elegant hall with tall columns and high ceilings during a Franklin Institute wedding reception.
People dressed in formal attire dance together in a brightly lit indoor space with marble floors and high ceilings, capturing the elegance of a Franklin Institute wedding.
A bride and groom dance in a grand hall with tall columns and a large white statue at their elegant Franklin Institute wedding, surrounded by guests in formal attire.
A man in a dark vest dances with a woman in a white dress at their Franklin Institute wedding, surrounded by guests seated and standing in an elegant, well-lit hall.
People in formal attire dance in a blue-lit room at a Franklin Institute wedding; motion blur adds energy, and a woman with a tattoo stands in the foreground facing a smiling man.
People dance energetically in a blue-lit room with columns and statues at a Franklin Institute wedding, wearing formal attire. The image has motion blur, capturing lively movement and a festive atmosphere.
A bride and groom dance and embrace on a blue-lit ballroom floor at their Franklin Institute wedding, surrounded by friends in formal attire enjoying the celebration.

Magical Franklin Institute Wedding, Center City Philadelphia 

Franklin Institute Wedding Vendors

Venue – The Franklin Institute | Hotel – The Franklin on Rittenhouse | Florals – Carl Alan | Cake – Whipped Bake Shop | DJ – DJ Lady FX | MUA – Aleksandra Ambrosy | Dress – La Bella Moda | Caterer – Seravezza | Photography – Two17 Photo & Cinema

To see some of our recent weddings, take a look at this Elegant Cairnwood Estate Wedding, this Elegant Philadelphia Wedding at Tendenza, a Beautiful Lochwood Manor Wedding, and this Elegant Super-8 wedding video. 

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

 

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