W Philadelphia
A tour with catering director Nicole Trotter will have you sipping a cocktail and signing your contract before you’ve seen the ballroom. The W lets you take over its spaces (within reason) if you host your wedding on-site — think an intimate gathering in the swanky Stevens’ Prophecy hidden in the lobby (it has one-way windows) and a post-wedding breakfast in the sleek Wet Deck Bar. And the 230-person-capacity Great Room has a built-in LED wall and sound system, to immerse your guests in a damn good time. 1439 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, marriott.com/en-us/hotels/phlwh-w-philadelphia/events.
DJ Lady FX
Marlene Bell, a longtime Philly DJ, describes herself as a “vibe curator.” She customizes her set to the couple, the venue, the theme — she’ll even dress the part for your soiree — and the crowd. (And she’ll keep your guests on the dance floor till the wee hours.) Want more vibes? She has a floral DJ booth for your garden-party wedding and an LED display photo booth so you can preserve all the fun. djladyfx.com.
Musa Weddings
Whether she’s transforming an Ambler coffee shop’s outdoor garden into a rustic wedding venue or staging a flamenco-filled ceremony and reception at a villa in Spain, Andi Schilawski isn’t afraid of a challenge. In fact, she prefers unconventional settings for the exchange of vows, often pulling velvet loveseats and mobile champagne carts from Collection by Musa, the event furniture rental company she opened in 2022. The East Falls planner also stands out for her graphic-design skills. musaweddings.com.
Home Tonic
Out: basic registries. In: using wedding money to select goods for your new life together at a locally run boutique, like this beloved home and gift shop. Here, you’ll find treasures for your attendants (like jewelry and cute trinket boxes), pieces for your pad (from furniture to small accessories like vases and candlesticks), and inspiration for your wedding decor, courtesy of the store’s tablescapes and interior design vignettes. 28 South State Street, Newtown, PA 18940, shophometonic.com.
Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia
If you’re saying “I do” here, there’s no reason to have your surrounding festivities anywhere else. After all, the sky-high hotel is a trip in its own right. Director of catering Robin Ewing will help you custom-create an itinerary, from a welcome reception on the main ballroom’s outdoor terrace to a post-wedding brunch at Vernick Fish. If you’re really looking to party, you could hold a wedding-inspired rock concert, like one local couple recently did. As for your honeymoon? Think about that 57th-floor infinity-edge pool. 1 North 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, fourseasons.com/philadelphia.
M2 Photography
M2 — led by wife-and-husband duo Melissa and Michael McManus — captures your shared joy with whimsy, sharp eyes, and a love for, well, love. They make naturals out of the camera-shy crowd and works of art out of your journey, whether that’s by snapping an intimate moment with moody elegance and raw emotion, hyping up your dance floor, or even getting you to jump in a swimming hole for an engagement session. m2-photography.net.
On It Productions
This live entertainment company — the year-and-a-half-old sister brand of BVTLive! — is a one-stop shop for all your experimental, over-the-top Big Day needs. Want photo booths? They’ve got ’em. An interactive on-demand champagne wall? Got it. Live musicians performing in tandem with a DJ? Got that too. As for venue enhancements, the company provides state-of-the-art ceiling and wall lighting design, and even a specialized fog effect. It’s your day — lean in to the drama. bvtlive.com/on-it-productions.
Elegant Events Planning + Design
The parties in Donielle Warren’s portfolio are as varied as they are spectacular: a multiday Ethiopian celebration for CNN anchor Rahel Solomon, a Japanese–Indian fusion celebration at the Bellevue Hotel, a Hindu and Jewish union at Bartram’s Garden, a Liberian American soiree at the Switch House — all lushly layered, thoughtfully designed, and expertly executed. elegant-events.net.
The Pump House
Photograph by Julia Lehman-McTigue; furnishings: White Barn Vintage Rental; florals: Matlack Weddings; styling: Flourish Events and Design An underground speakeasy. A massive industrial-chic bar. An even bigger reception space. Plenty of (free) parking. A hotel to put up your guests for the weekend. Flexibility to work with the vendors of your choice. Gorgeous views of the Schuylkill. Oh, and cuisine by famed chef Nicholas Elmi and his team. So, when’s your wedding at the Pump House? 605 Righters Ferry Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, thepumphouse-pa.com.
Shannon Wellington Weddings & Events
A maximalist tablescape that melds punchy colors, textures and patterns that shouldn’t work together but do. A place-card flower garden from which guests pluck their reception seating assignments. A cake suspended in a macramé hanger. These are a few of the ways the Chadds Ford-based boutique planning studio ensures that you (and your guests) are delighted by every aspect of your celebration. We’ve seen couples’ reactions to the results — you’ll be impressed, too. shannonwellington.com.
Emily Wren Photography
A photographer since 2008 with a focus on luxury weddings since 2012, Wren is known for her eye for detail and her commitment to each couple. Her laid-back aura leads to photos that feel warm and real, whether it’s a snap of a duo right after sharing their first newlywed kiss or a picture of a richly colorful bouquet. Wren, based out of Narberth, also offers a staff of assistant and associate photographers, plus videography via her husband, Gregg — if that’s not a perfect pairing, we don’t know what is. emilywren.com.
Cescaphe
Calling this luxury event management company a Philly institution barely scrapes the surface. Joe Volpe and wife Andrea have spent two decades turning landmarks throughout the region into stellar venues that couples dream of. In recent months, Cescaphe has taken over the iconic ballroom at the Bellevue Hotel and helped transform the former PECO plant on the Delaware into a multiuse destination complete with its Switch House venue. Then there’s The Lucy, Water Works — we could go on. Cescaphe.com.
Du Soleil Photographie
Vietnamese-born Minh Cao didn’t learn professional photography until after she’d started her business as a side hustle in 2015. “My parents never deemed photography fit for a profession, so studying it never crossed my mind,” says the Ridley Park resident. She self-trained online, took some in-person classes, and today is known for snapping weddings through a dreamy, tender — almost wistful — lens that makes you never want to leave that moment. dusoleilphoto.com.
Afrik Armando
The Manayunk expert believes in “really seeing people and making them feel seen,” and his approach speaks to that. He has an airy, painterly style and relies on natural lighting to snap the chic IRL moments that make up your Big Day. Armando’s warm, playful personality makes you feel comfortable in front of the cam, so it’s no wonder he’s been tapped by the likes of über-glam Flyers host Andrea Helfrich for her wedding. afrikarmando.com.
Clover Event Co.
This seven-year-old planning and design firm handles just about every detail. Want someone to tackle your to-do list? No problem. Have a vision but don’t know where to start? The no-nonsense team will tell you what works (or doesn’t) and style a modern, approachable Big Day, from the stationery to the after-party. They’ve also worked COVID miracles: In about a month, they transformed a tractor-storage barn into a romantic venue for an elopement on NYE. 660 West Washington Street, Norristown, PA 19401, clovereventco.com.