Rachel and Phil’s gorgeous wedding at the Rittenhouse Hotel was one that we had long anticipated and waited with bated breath for the day to arrive. In the midst of rising Covid numbers and an increased feeling of anxiety in the community, it was unclear whether their vision of their wedding would actually take place.
As fate would have it, their wedding at the Rittenhouse Hotel was spared, but only by a matter of hours. Talk about meant to be! And we were so excited to be there with them as they celebrated their big day!
Getting Ready at the Rittenhouse Hotel
It was a chilly but not unpleasantly cold day when we arrived at the Rittenhouse Hotel to begin capturing Rachel and Phil’s special day. Typically, we’ll immediately split up and start capturing the bride and groom separately, but Phil had asked us to take our time coming to him, so we all started together in the presidential suite where Rachel and her ladies were getting ready.
Rachel has incredible taste. Her incredible Louboutins with their fabulous red bottoms were revealed with due reverence. The beautiful bracelet that Phil had gotten for her sparkled and shimmered as we set up the detail overview shot. To add to the magic, they each had a ring from their family to use in their ceremony. Phil’s was from his late father as a touching tribute.
But the showstopper was Rachel’s wedding ensemble. As a surprise, she had gone with a gorgeous pantsuit from Reem Acra with a soft and flowing overskirt to wear over top for the ceremony. The plan was to dazzle Phil with the big reveal later during the reception.
Soon everyone was dressed, and getting ready to head down to the first look. But first, we have to fill you in on Phil!
The guys are so easy with getting ready. Phil was no exception. He did up his buttons with ease, and fastened his engraved cufflinks quickly. But the best thing for him was the stunning Rolex that Rachel had given him for their wedding. He proudly wore that and showed it off every chance he got. It was clear he was chomping at the bit to get the show on the road, so we wasted no time setting up their first look.
The First Look & Portraits in Rittenhouse Square
The autumn colors were still hanging around Rittenhouse Square, and it was a busy day because the weather was fair. But we found a quiet corner and set our scene. Phil was in place as Rachel began to sweep up behind him. Despite Phil telling us that he knew Rachel would try to scare him, and us asking him to take a beat before turning even if she did, she scared him and he spun immediately to her. It was utterly adorable. They started laughing together and it made capturing their portraits so very easy.
Bridal party joined us as did family and we captured those as quickly as we could. Everyone was anxious to get inside again and get things underway. So we made our way back inside for the ketubah signing.
Ketubah Signing & Ceremony at the Rittenhouse Hotel
In an intimate ceremony, the rabbi walked our couple through the traditions of Jewish custom in the ketubah signing. This marriage contract is often displayed in a beautiful form in the couple’s home and spells out the terms of their nuptials. Each party agrees and signs, and has a witness sign for them as well. This ceremony legally marries them even before the corporate ceremony! They are blessed and sent forth with a Mazel Tov into their public ceremony.
Their ceremony in the ballroom at the Rittenhouse Hotel was stunning. Their chuppah was elegant and bright, guests were socially distanced, and the entire ceremony had an extra dose of joy because they had come in just under the wire before new restrictions were announced in Philadelphia. Rachel and Phil exchanged their vows and rings, and Phil did a fantastic job shattering the traditional glass. The guests raised a Mazel Tov to the newlyweds as they walked back up the aisle, hand in hand forever.
The Rittenhouse Hotel Reception
Rachel’s vision of the reception decor was fully realized in the beautifully appointed room at the Rittenhouse Hotel. Beautiful Blooms had done a brilliant job with the mix of centerpieces and everything felt elegant and warm. For the Russians in the room, there was a table complete with a bottle of vodka on ice for them. It’s the special touches that make a wedding reception.
When Rachel and Phil entered the room, sparks flew. Literally. They made their way to the roped off dance floor to share their first dance. They twirled and danced and smiled at each other lovingly, until it was time for Rachel’s dad to cut in. They shared their dance and made everyone’s eye teary. Phil danced with his sister as his special dance and sent the tears that had gathered while Rachel danced with her dad, down the cheeks of those watching.
Then it was the big reveal! Rachel and her parents sashayed onto the dance floor and with an “Oh yeah” Rachel’s mom whisked the overskirt away to reveal the pants underneath to the delight of all, but especially Phil.
There were heartfelt speeches made as the Rittenhouse Hotel reception wore on into the night, and a brief Hora to complete the Jewish traditions they were incorporating into their wedding celebration. After cutting the cake, it was time to say goodbye. We’re so glad to have gotten the chance to capture this beautiful wedding before it didn’t happen! Congrats Rachel and Phil.
