Colonial Dames Wedding, Philadelphia, PA | Yvonne & George

Throughout the planning process, I loved getting to know Yvonne & George and learn more about what really mattered to them about their Colonial Dames wedding: Family.  These two invited their closest friends and family to celebrate their marriage in the courtyard of the Colonial Dames and then celebrated with a wonderful party inside the historic building.

As we entered the Colonial Dames, we couldn’t help but look around and fall in love with the space all over again – the historic building is surrounded by a gorgeous brick walled courtyard complete with intricate metal gates and climbing ivy.  Yvonne & George had added florals and greenery to complement the space.  We giggled at the adorable handprinted wedding sign with custom painting of the two of them.  As guests began to enter, they were welcomed into the courtyard with a beautiful reclaimed wood welcome sign hand-painted in a flowing script font.

Collage of portraits of bride and groom around Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia and the grounds of their Colonial Dames wedding

Wooden hand-painted welcome sign was draped with greenery and florals to welcome guests to this Colonial Dames wedding.Greenery & lilac flowers brought together different wedding details such as these mercury glass vases and the wooden hand-painted welcome sign.Hand-drawn wedding signs at the Colonial Dames in Philadelphia featuring caricatures of the bride & groom with vibrant floral colors

Yvonne & George started the day with their first look in the courtyard before we wandered over to Rittenhouse Square to take in more of the historic architecture of this neighborhood.  Along the way, we were joined by Yvonne’s daughter and their son for portraits in front of Rittenhouse 1715, a gorgeous boutique hotel that is a perfect location to get ready for a Colonial Dames wedding.  It’s only a block from both Rittenhouse Square and the Colonial Dames. Plus, it’s beautiful facade with brilliant red picture windows is a wonderful backdrop for wedding photos!
Bride & Groom prepare for their first look at their Colonial Dames wedding in Philadelphia, PABride & Groom see each other during their first look in the courtyard at the historic Colonial Dames in Philadelphia, PABride & Groom portraits in the courtyard at the historic Colonial Dames in Philadelphia, PAColonial Dames wedding portraits in outdoor courtyard in front of ivy walls and arched windows.Bride & groom walking through downtown Philadelphia from their Colonial Dames wedding to Rittenhouse Square for their wedding portraits.Bride & groom pose with their children in front of Rittenhouse 1715 after getting ready for their Colonial Dames wedding.Rittenhouse Square wedding portraits of bride & groom in the autumn.Rittenhouse Square wedding portraits of bride & groom in the autumn.Rittenhouse Square wedding portraits of bride & groom in the autumn.Rittenhouse Square wedding portraits of bride & groom in the autumn.
As we headed back to the Colonial Dames after our wedding portrait session, the guests were beginning to gather in the outdoor courtyards for Yvonne & George’s Colonial Dames wedding ceremony.  These two had perfectly timed their evening nuptials with the sunset.  As dusk settled on us, George and Yvonne not only said their vows to each other, but also to their family.  George had carried their 8 month old son down the aisle with him as he entered.  During the ceremony, George also made promises to Yvonne’s daughter and gave her a necklace to commemorate the moment, after the young maid of honor read a beautiful poem.  Not a single eye in the house was dry as these two former co-workers became Mr & Mrs!
Groom carries his 8 month old son down the aisle with him for his wedding ceremony. Bride walks down the aisle with her father. Bride's daughter serving as maid of honor walks down the aisle ahead of bride.Readings during the wedding ceremony in the courtyard of the Colonial Dames in PhiladelphiaGroom gifts the bride's daughter a Tiffany necklace during their Colonial Dames wedding ceremony as he made vows to her, as well.Bride & Groom share their first kiss as Mr & Mrs before they walked down the aisle together from their Colonial Dames wedding.
We’ve love having the chance to photograph at the Colonial Dames a few times over the past few years and it is always absolutely gorgeous!  The bright robin’s egg blue ballroom has vaulted ceilings, two walls filled with windows, and lit china cabinets filled with historic tea sets and china from the collection of the Colonial Dames.  It’s a perfect blend of modern sensibility and a historic Philadelphian gem.
Long rows of tables are decorated with towering floral centerpieces paired with smaller arrangements in the ballroom at the Colonial Dames in Philadelphia.The Philadelphia skyline was a prominent theme at this colonial dames wedding. A simple cake iced in white buttercream frosting with fresh florals.
And once we got inside and saw our friends, Rasa & Allegra, from Birchtree Catering, we knew that the party was going to include some phenomenal food.  Seriously, does farm-to-table cuisine in Philadelphia get any better than this?  We had the chance to photograph their supper club last July and we were instant devotees of their thought ingredient selection & beautiful plating!
birch tree catering is a Philadelphia-based seasonally inspired caterer that regularly works at the Colonial Dames, featuring seasonal butternut squash bisque, a diverse cheese selection and perfect hors d'oevres.
Yvonne & George danced the night away and celebrated with their guests as the evening wound down.  As we left their Colonial Dames wedding, we captured their delicious guest takeaways and thanked our friends from Birchtree for taking wonderful care of us through the night, as well!
Bride & Groom cutting their wedding cake at the Colonial DamesAshley Gerrity Photography | www.ashleygerrityphotography.com | Individually packaged sweets in custom printed bags awaited guests as they left the foyer at the Colonial Dames.
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