For wedding photography, Philadelphia is probably the best city in the country. It’s urban, steeped in history and culture, filled with gardens and parks and dubbed the “city of love” for a reason. For five of the city’s best wedding photography locations, keep reading.
Longwood Gardens (longwoodgardens.org)
It’s hard to go wrong at Longwood Gardens, the grounds are massive, but also pristine and positively stunning. With water fountains, flowers and beautiful foliage, the Gardens make for an incredible backdrop setting for your Philadelphia wedding photos.
However, before you arrive at the Longwood gates with your wedding party, photographer and lights in tow, you should know the Gardens do allow photography, but there are policies you must follow. All attendees are required to pay the $16 entrance fee, and no tripods or lights can be used at any time. You may also be required to sign a permission form saying the photos are for personal, not commercial, use.
LOVE Park
What could be more romantic than photos taken under the infamous LOVE statue in Philadelphia’s Love Park? Officially, the park is named JFK Plaza, but is lovingly referred to as LOVE Park thanks to the infamous Robert Indiana LOVE sculpture overlooking the park in Philadelphia’s city center.
It’s free to take photos in LOVE Park, but be prepared to compete with other wedding parties, especially if you’re shooting on a busy June Saturday. To avoid disappointment, set aside some extra photography time in case you run into another wedding.
Bartram’s Garden
Bartram’s Gardens are the country’s oldest public gardens, and the setting is both romantic and idyllic. With its stone courtyard, historical buildings and beautiful garden setting – it’s a great spot for wedding photography. Philadelphia photographers should know the location well.
However, shooting at Bartram’s isn’t cheap or easy. Unless your wedding is already booked at the venue, you may have to reserve around a wedding. Regardless, you can expect to pay between $200 and $250 per hour for photographing at the space.
The Steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
As the major focus of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is massive and a true landmark of the city. For those looking for a real taste of Philadelphia in their wedding photos, this could be it.
The steps are massive and high, while the eight pillars are a stunning backdrop. You may recognize the popular photo setting from the Rocky movies as the steps that Rocky Balboa climbed during his training. Keep in mind that wedding parties require a $50 per hour permit from the Fairmount Park Commission to shoot on the location.
Rittenhouse Square
Smack dab in the middle of Center City, Rittenhouse Square is both a convenient and beautiful spot for wedding pictures. Philadelphia residents will instantly recognize the urban park’s green setting and natural beauty. The best part? You don’t need a permit to shoot and you gain the attractiveness of the city at the same time.
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