These Music Lovers Got Married at The Wanamaker Organ
Their "tropical prom" themed reception was two days later at PhilaMOCA.
Photographs by Iris and Echo
Philly is filled with unique wedding ceremony spots and reception venues, so we’re always delighted to uncover one we haven’t thought of yet. In the case of Emily Eichelberger and John Pyle, it’s actually two: the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ and the PhilaMOCA performance venue. See the fun for yourself in the photos below by Iris and Echo.
Though they’d known each other for years prior, it took a chance meeting at a South Philly house party for the sparks to fly between Emily and John. “I couldn’t get over how beautiful she was or how attracted to her I was,” says John. “I couldn’t believe she was real.”
They left the party separately, but kept the conversation running via text. After their first official date two days later, John offered to drive Emily home — even though it was a further walk to his car than it was to Emily’s house. “I was so happy she said yes,” he adds. “And I’m pretty sure we went out every other night that week.”
Four years later, the couple headed to the Poconos for a camping trip. Not too far outside of Jim Thorpe, as they hiked to the ruins of a mansion that have since become a butterfly garden, John popped the question with a vintage sterling silver engagement band. Emily said yes, and they celebrated with ice cream and another hike along Glen Onoko Falls.
On Thursday, September 13th, the music lovers picked a unique — and uniquely Philadelphian — location for their wedding ceremony: the historic Wanamaker Grand Court Organ at Macy’s in Center City.
“It’s very near to our hearts,” says Emily. “We visit often, and in particular enjoy the holiday concerts and light shows hosted there each December.”
Though the organ is not technically open for private events, Emily and John found the right person to connect with and were granted permission for an intimate ceremony right in front of the pipes. To everyone’s surprise, after a close friend of Emily’s pronounced them husband and wife, ceremony organist Peter Conte burst into Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” in lieu of the evening’s usual concert.
“Hearing that song played so wonderfully on the world’s largest pipe organ — and just for us — was overwhelmingly magical,” says Emily.
Two days later, the couple gathered eighty of their nearest and dearest for an “all-around party and generally freeform” reception at PhilaMOCA, an art space and performance venue just northwest of Chinatown. The celebration was a “polished DIY” affair, with good friend Jenna Robb taking on the bulk of the “tropical prom” themed florals and decor — and even tie-dying the tablecloths.
The dinner menu featured Jamaican jerk chicken, sautéed kale and baked mac & cheese, and the couple collected glasses, flutes and goblets from local thrift stores for the champagne toast. (Otherwise, guests sipped on spiked blended watermelon cocktails with mint and lime.)
As the night went on, photos from throughout Emily and John’s relationship were projected behind the DJs, and, for favors, the couple handed out commemorative pressed pennys.
Emily and John chose “When You’re Gone” by The Cranberries for their first dance, and later honeymooned in Tulum. They still live in South Philly, where she works in interior design and restaurants, and he’s in tech support for the Temple library administration.
THE DETAILS
Photography: Iris and Echo | Event Coordination and Design: Jenna Robb | Florals: Vault & Vine | Reception Venue: PhilaMOCA | Bride’s Gown: BHLDN | Hair: Leslie Brunette of American Mortals (ceremony) and bride’s mother (reception) | Catering: Reggae Reggae Vibes | Cake: Isgro Pastries | Music: DJs David Coccagna and Emily Robb | Lighting & Sound: Eric Bresler of PhilaMOCA
Get more great content from Philadelphia Wedding:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | NEWSLETTER | PINTEREST
Getting married? Start and end your wedding planning journey with Philadelphia Weddings' guide to the best wedding vendors in the city.
