I once heard it said that if you got a flat tire on the west coast, the people driving by would offer you a sad smile and an apology, but on the east coast someone would pull over to help you put on a spare, cursing you out the whole time for not knowing how to change your own tire. I can think of no better way to describe Philadelphia as the City of Brotherly Love: a little tough love, and a lot of heart.
When Emilia & Vinny came to me with their plans to elope quietly in Philly, surrounded by only their closest family on a Wednesday afternoon in May, I was simply ecstatic. The city started offering Wedding Wednesdays in their iconic Love Park as a cost-effective option for people to have a quick ceremony surrounded by the people they love most, and I adore that this is an option right in the heart of center city
After getting ready at home, Emilia & Vinny started their day by picking up a coffee and a pastry just the two of them at the cafe in the Italian Market where they had their first date. Anthony’s Italian Coffee and Chocolate House is situated on a corner with large windows, and Emilia & Vinny had the place to themselves to enjoy their sweet treat and reminisce on all they’ve experienced together since their first date.
(It should be noted that Emilia is a pastry chef at a private club in the city, so for her to love these pastries is enormous praise)
We Ubered together over to city hall, where their families were waiting for them. Wedding Wednesdays are a beautiful and smooth operation, with 20 minutes per party to use the Love Park sign and officiants that camp at the park all day to take turns through each reserved time frame. There was one couple finishing up their ceremony when we arrived, and another waiting for ours to finish, all with commuters on their lunch breaks taking a mid-day stroll through the park. Pedestrians are cheering, cars are honking, and the overall atmosphere was joy and celebration, despite being surrounded so largely by strangers.
When it was their turn, Vinny waited at the sign while Emilia was walked down the short aisle by her father, and they exchanged vows and rings while their families surrounded them under blue skies, the Ben Franklin parkway as their backdrop. After their quick ceremony, we used the remainder of their reservation time to take some quick portraits before we walked together, as a herd, over to City Hall to drop off their marriage license then and there.
Philadelphia’s City Hall, famously topped by a statue of William Penn himself, is one of the most famous sights in the city – and for good reason! Its gorgeous architecture both inside and out, as well as its accessibility as part of the natural pedestrian trail, makes it a surefire location for portraits. We incorporated them as we walked to deliver the license and made our way back to their family.
From there, we went together to the Fitler Club, where both Emilia & Vinny work, for them to all have a private meal together. I rode with them over toward the Schuylkill River as we made our last stop before my departure, which was to a sidewalk near the Fitler Club where Emilia & Vinny carved their initials in wet cement shortly after they started dating. This was such a beautiful sentiment and a special way to send them off to the rest of their celebration with their loved ones.
Through just a few hours, we were able to stop at some of the most meaningful places to Emilia & Vinny, landmarks of their own love story, incorporating them into the fabric of their elopement celebration.
Emilia & Vinny, thank you for bringing me along to celebrate with you and for showing me all of the most special places in your story. I have loved looking back on these images and hope you do, too!
