These Stunning Weddings Prove Philly Is a Great City to Get Married In

Modern weddings in Philly are anything but one-size-fits-all. More and more couples are throwing out the old playbook and  putting their personality into every detail, whether they’re creating a party vibe or leaning into the romance of a gorgeous space.

To get a better sense of how couples are pulling off their personal vision in this new era of personality, we took a closer look at some of our favorite weddings of the year that took place at five venues around the city–The Crystal Tea Room, The Ballroom at the Ben, Union Trust, The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve, and The Ivy at Ellis Preserve–operated by Finley Catering, a Philly-favorite for weddings in Philadelphia.

These weddings stood out not because they followed the latest Pinterest board, but because they each made a distinct choice that’s resonating across the local scene. They can give you a peek at how other couples made bold decisions, help you figure out what direction feels right for you, and how you can borrow their creative problem-solving to shape a day that feels completely yours. You’ll find that they prove that great events don’t have to follow a formula. From guest-first experiences to place-based aesthetics, the key is making choices that reflect your story and the memories you want to create—and finding a team that brings it to life with style.

So, if you’re in planning mode, take some inspiration from the most stunning Philly weddings of the year. But at the end of the day, remember to embrace the vibe that feels most like you, and don’t be afraid to embrace what makes your relationship unique.

Experience Over Ceremony

When Elizabeth and Mike began planning their fall wedding at The Ivy at Ellis Preserve, they had one priority: “making sure everyone had a good time.” That might sound simple, but for this couple—who love to dance, celebrate and show up for their friends’ weddings—it meant curating every detail for peak guest enjoyment.

To make that happen, they picked a venue that matched their energy. “Finley Catering knows just how to do that,” Elizabeth says. “We fell in love with the renderings of their new venue, The Ivy at Ellis Preserve.” The Ivy is Finley Catering’s newest and fifth venue, and the first they’ve built entirely from the ground up, so it’s specially designed to serve the needs that the company has heard from couples in the region over the years. That attention to accommodating a couple’s personal vision made it perfect for Elizabeth and Mike’s big plans.

So how did they pull it off? They built their night around the Ivy’s checkered dance floor that set the tone for an unforgettable night, using vibrant florals and a setlist that got everyone moving. “We never met a dance floor we didn’t like,” she says, “despite our two left feet.”

They also made thoughtful gestures that anchored the experience emotionally: presenting roses to their grandmothers during a performance of “Ave Maria,” and singing “On the Way to Cape May” to honor Elizabeth’s late grandfather. These moments created a sense of meaning that complemented the party atmosphere—and deepened the connection with guests.

They were supported by the Finley Catering team, who Elizabeth says she chose not just for their top-notch food, but because they really knew how to host a party. That kind of professionalism also turned out to be critical even in small, important ways that made everything run smoothly. Because their wedding took place just after daylight saving time—when the sun sets earlier—they worked with the venue to set up a first look and take all their photos before the ceremony. “It ended up being one of our favorite parts of the day,” she says. “Everything went exactly as planned. The whole day was everything we dreamed of and more.”

Location-Inspired Themes

Sometimes all you have to do is find the one right element in your wedding and everything clicks into place. Victoria and Ashley’s wedding at the Crystal Tea Room was a fairytale brought to life, built around a glittering chandelier that inspired their entire design plan.

“We built it around the chandelier,” Victoria says, and everything else followed suit—from a white dance floor to a dramatic tunnel of white flowers and crystal created by their florist. Long banquet tables lined either side of the dance floor, creating a sweeping central aisle that elevated the entire room.

The venue’s architectural details—including an opulent bar and a tucked-away elevator—doubled as photo backdrops. “Epic photos all over the venue,” they said. “Can’t decide which was our favorite—the elevator or the bar.”

Their wedding was as much about visual storytelling as it was about love. But it was personal, too. Ashley described the venue as giving her “that ahhh feeling you get when the place is right.” And while the venue inspired most of the aesthetic, they also took inspiration from the city they live in: a classic City Hall photo shoot and late-night cheesesteaks brought the vibe back home.

With a large guest list, a massive band, and out-of-town guests housed at the nearby Loews Hotel, the couple brought together a wedding that created the perfect first chapter of their life as a married couple.

Returning to Timeless Elegance

As photo and video become all the more central in our culture–even as life can feel more ephemeral day by day–some couples are looking to make sure their wedding makes an impact that, against all odds, lasts a lifetime. For Gianna and Andrew, that meant curating a celebration that felt effortlessly classic.

“Our theme was traditional and timeless,” Gianna says—and they stuck to it. Bridesmaids wore black velvet dresses, the groomsmen donned tuxedos, and Gianna wore a satin A-line gown with a dramatic bow in the back. “I wanted you to be able to look at our photos and not know what year our wedding was.”

Held at the Ellis Preserve, the suburban location gave them the feel of a historic city ballroom without the parking headaches. Florals were kept all white with dark greenery. During cocktail hour, guests were serenaded by a Frank Sinatra cover artist. Later, they danced the night away to a mix of old-school classics and modern hits.

Even the food honored old-school Philly traditions—Philadelphia touches like mini cheesesteaks and a gelato cart from Gran Caffe L’Aquila were crowd favorites.

Finley Catering helped secure classic gold-trim chargers and flatware from their Center City collection and brought them out to the suburbs, a detail Gianna still raves about. “Anything we wanted, they guaranteed it. And went miles beyond what we could have imagined.”

The result? A wedding that felt effortless, polished, and fully “them.” “Everything went exactly as planned,” Gianna said. “And when we see our friends and family today, they are still talking about how it was the best wedding they’ve ever been to.”

An Intimate Affair with All the Flair

Taylor and Ryan knew from the moment they stepped into Union Trust that it was the right venue for their wedding day. Set in a former Union Trust Company Bank building, the historic venue is a stunner with majestic arched windows, breathtaking 65-foot illuminated engraved ceilings and a wraparound mezzanine overlooking everything.

“I loved the space, the ceilings, the history of the building. It’s such a cool vibe,” Taylor says. “Then I met Michelle [Finley] and it was a no brainer from there.”

At the time, the couple lived two blocks away from Union Trust, and they liked that their wedding would take place in their city neighborhood. They also wanted a site that was easy for guests to access—whether they lived in or outside the city. The parking lot attached to Union Trust ensured that.

Taylor said the couple wanted a space that felt unique—not the standard ballroom vibe. “Union Trust was intimate and had a night-clubby vibe, which was exactly what we wanted!” she says.

Their grand entrance during the reception certainly channeled that energy and excitement. “The buildup before the DJ made the announcement, looking at our sea of happy guests from atop of the mezzanine,” she says, “the whole thing was epic.”

Long tables bordered the dance floor, and the couple opted out of a sweetheart table so they could sit with family and friends throughout the reception. The intimacy of the venue, Taylor adds, allowed the couple to spend time with every single person who came to their wedding. Food was in abundance all night long, and the staff took care of the couple, ensuring that they had plenty to eat and drink at all times.

“The staff at Finley were honestly amazing,” Taylor says. “I work in events and know how much time and effort goes into executing an evening like that. The Union Trust  team made it look like a cake walk.”

A Vision That’s Uniquely You

A Philly wedding wasn’t the original plan for Juliana and Mike, but when the bride-to-be came into town for a Phillies playoff game, the city enchanted her. While having drinks at the Logan rooftop lounge, Juliana, who was working for the Miami Marlins at the time, became enamored with the view of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. That view sparked a moment: Let’s get married in Philly.

Juliana and Mike felt that same instant excitement about the Ballroom at the Ben. “It was grand, romantic, and felt like it was made for celebration,” Juliana says. Their decision was set when Mike, a film buff, realized the storied urban ballroom was the setting in the final scene of Silver Linings Playbook.

The couple wanted their wedding to feel timeless, elegant, romantic and beautiful. “For the overall aesthetic, we leaned into soft lighting, lush florals, and a refined palette that felt romantic and inviting. We envisioned candlelit tables with rich, full arrangements—and Finley Catering immediately understood the look we were going for,” she explains. “Every detail was intentionally chosen to reflect who we are as a couple.”

Thoughtful, interactive details were crafted to leave guests with lasting memories, such as a champagne girl during cocktail hour and an espresso martini hand wall during dessert. “Both were fun, unexpected touches that our guests loved,” Juliana says.

Finley helped the bride and groom achieve their vision by connecting them with the right vendor partners and guiding the duo every step of the way. “They also embraced our goal of creating a celebration where everyone was well-fed, well-danced, and never wanted to leave. From our robust cocktail hour—a must for our Italian families!—to the incredible dinner service and dessert station including butlered cookies and milk, every bite was memorable,” Mike says.

And in true Philly spirit, the couple played the Rocky theme song during the cake cutting. “It’s Mike’s favorite movie, and his dog is even named Rocky!” Juliana says. “It felt like the perfect way to bring a little fun and personality into the moment while celebrating a movie that holds so much meaning for him.”

The weddings above show that, thanks to the breadth of Finley Catering’s venues and services, any vision is possible. No matter what a couple’s dream wedding looks like, from historic grandeur to modern elegance, Finley has a space and a team to make it happen. So if you’d like to learn more about how to get started with your own wedding planning, or just want some more inspiration, check out finleycatering.com for a deeper dive into their venues.

This is a paid partnership between Finley Catering and Philadelphia Magazine