Old City in Philadelphia is where the United States of America recognized its independence on July 4th 1776. The Old City district pays homage to this colonial era with brick buildings, cobblestone streets, and horse carriage tours. This is the quiet side of Philadelphia where residents escape the bustling metropolitan area. Along with the slow-paced lifestyle in Old City, this district takes visitors back in time.
Old City is the most walkable district in Philly. This key factor makes Old City one of the top destinations in the city. When visitors tour this district, they feel as though they’re in a colonial town. Old City offers a quaint charm that makes the historical city so explorable. There are amazing restaurants on Market Street, captivating greenspaces, and historical landmarks.
The Old City district stretches from Independence Hall to Race Street Pier, and Headhouse Square to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. An adventure through here can take you to Betsy Ross House, Elfreth’s Alley, National Liberty Museum, and so much more. Old City is photogenic with tourists, locals, and even professional photographers capturing the beautiful scenery.
Take a trip to Old City in Philly for a picturesque experience through American history. Old City is a popular location for wedding photographers in Philadelphia to capture the bride and groom. The best way to take advantage of wedding photos in Old City is to explore the best spots that it has to offer.
Headhouse Square is a small plaza that connects Queen Village to Society Hill. It is famous for its walkability, famous bars, and great restaurants. The most notable feature is the open-air farmer’s market in the center of town. This farmer’s market in Philadelphia occupies the oldest market building in the nation.
The most romantic location for a first look in Old City is at Headhouse Square. Headhouse Square is also the perfect landmark to start a wedding photography adventure through the Old City district. It is the southern point of Old City, so wedding photographers work their way up from here.
Wedding couples love capturing their reaction under the privacy of this iconic brick landmark. The private canopy, the large space, and the historic architecture make Headhouse Square a popular spot for wedding first looks. You’ll feel the love when you see your significant other for the first time.
Typically, wedding photographers direct the bride to stand in the middle of Headhouse Square. The groom enters from the Pine Street entrance of Headhouse Square for the first look with the bride. This technique captures photojournalistic wedding photography and ensures that the wedding dress is stationary to avoid collecting dirt.
After capturing the raw reaction of the bride and groom’s first look, we capture intimate wedding portraits at Headhouse Square. This historical Philly landmark is a romantic location for posed wedding photos after the first look.
Weather is a non-factor when capturing wedding portraits at Headhouse Square. It is one of the few outdoor spots in Philadelphia where brides and grooms can avoid the rain. Luckily, this beautiful Autumn day in the city gave us free roam for wedding photography.
The Headhouse Market embodies the classic charm of Old City with its brick columns and hanging Edison lightbulbs. There is great dimension and depth of field inside of Headhouse Market for elegant wedding photography. The brick walkway stretches an entire city block, and the Edison bulbs make a beautiful touch to every photo. Capture the aesthetic of Old City on your wedding day inside of this public market space in Philly.
There is a special kind of privacy inside of the public market on Headhouse Square. The wedding couple feels separate from the district, and as a result, they focus more on each other. This creates wedding photos where the couple is comfortable, photogenic, and emotionally engaged in the moment.
If you are getting married and plan to explore Old City with a wedding photographer, then consider Headhouse Square. Aside from first looks, the Headhouse Market is a rare location in Philadelphia where couples feel private while in public. As a historical landmark open for photoshoots, it is the perfect place to make intimate wedding day memories.
The best feature of first looks at Headhouse Square on your wedding day are the nearby cobblestone streets. It is a tradition to capture wedding photos in Old City, Philadelphia on the historical cobblestones. Make sure to mind your balance when walking on them!
Right next to Headhouse Market is Stamper Street. This small Old City alley is close to Headhouse and creates beautiful wedding photographs in the Fall. Green and yellow decorate the cobblestones, so couples feel like they’re walking together in a whimsical colonial town. The preserved historical streets in Old City enhance the charm of wedding photos.
There is nothing more romantic than sharing a wedding photo moment on a cobblestone alley. These are the few streets in Philadelphia that experience low traffic, which make wedding day photoshoots easier and safer. Their bumpy design forces cars to drive slow down a one-way single lane. It’s one of the few places in Philly where you’ll never have heavy traffic interrupting romantic wedding photos.
Cobblestone alleys in Old City make romantic wedding photos because they feel embody a vintage charm. Wedding couples can connect with the history of Philadelphia while posing together in an intimate space. The romance comes naturally here! Take advantage of Stamper Street with your wedding photographer during your visit to Headhouse Square.
A wedding photo at the Merchants’ Exchange Building says, “we got married in Old City.”
Though it requires a permit, the Merchants’ Exchange Building in Philadelphia is a popular location for wedding photographers. As the oldest stock exchange building in the nation, this historical landmark’s Greek revival architecture has wonderful character. The Merchants’ Exchange Building has a semicircular façade at the rear of the building to fit the curving cobblestone road.
Dock Street run behind the Merchants’ Exchange Building and features Old City’s signature cobblestones. Traffic barriers disconnect vehicles from driving on this section of Dock Street, which (again), makes a photoshoot easy and safe. Dock Street is the best place to start your wedding photoshoot at Merchants’ Exchange Building. Capture the best epic wedding photography with the exterior of this grand Philadelphia landmark as the backdrop.
The Merchants’ Exchange Building is one of the best historical wedding photo locations in Philadelphia. As a result, you’re bound to encounter other wedding photographers with a bride and groom, or even a wedding party. Understand that other couples want to capture the same iconic Old City wedding photos like you, so give them space.
Though it is a popular location among wedding photographers in Philadelphia, couples can spend a lot of time here. Knowing the best spots for wedding photo at Merchants’ Exchange Building makes your visit worthwhile. The wedding day is your only chance to capture these stunning photos, so take advantage of every feature.
One of the most captivating locations for wedding photos at the Merchants’ Exchange Building is by the marble steps.
The best set of stairs at Merchants’ Exchange Building is near Walnut Street because the light shines there. On the other side of the landmark, there is low light. Our studio detaches the chain divider, which provides the wedding couple with access to the staircase.
These curved marble stairs add elegance to your wedding photos. They showcase the most intricate features of Merchants’ Exchange Building. This includes the marble lion sculptures, iron light fixtures, and other intricate engravings.
It is an appropriate spot for brides to show the train of their wedding dress. The bride stands on the stairs as the dress flows down to show the whole design. Elevating the wedding dress’s train and running it down these marble steps adds glamor to the photograph. It is the most practical way to see the wedding dress design in a photo.
Dedicating time for bold wedding photos on the stairs at Merchants’ Exchange Building is worth it. This is a popular outdoor location that the best wedding photographers in Philadelphia visit all year round. Adding marble backgrounds to your wedding photos provides elegance and simplicity.
The Merchants’ Exchange Building makes Philadelphia feel like Athens. When planning your Old City wedding photography journey, add variety by placing this historical landmark on the destination list.
There are many secret side streets, crannies, and twisting roads in Old City, Philadelphia. As the oldest district in Philly, it has gorgeous locations with historical charm. Wedding couples feel as though they’re capturing photographs in a storybook world.
Our photo studio loves exploring Old City and finding the best spots for wedding photography. Being based in Old City certainly helps us know the area more than most.
One of our favorite spots for Philadelphia wedding portraits is North Mascher off Arch Street between Front and 2nd Street. This secret cobblestone path has the colonial charm of Elfreth’s Alley, except with a lot more privacy.
North Mascher made the list on our Top 5 Engagement Photography Locations in Old City, Philadelphia. If you happen to skip the engagement session here, then consider North Mascher for wedding photos.
This location has cobblestone roads, colorful doors, and the signature colonial American architecture. The old brick buildings have a natural erosion that photographs well.
These hidden alleyways in Philadelphia are worth exploring on your wedding day. Capturing wedding photos in the beautiful Old City district feels like magic. Around every corner is a picture-perfect location for you and your significant other to fall in love.
Getting married in Old City brings you closer to the district in your relationship. You’ll develop a new love for the birthplace of America. When you return to these historical wedding photo locations in-person, you’ll always feel a strong connection.
Old City is a fun location for urban wedding photography in Philadelphia. The Old City district does a wonderful job of preserving the old-world aesthetic. It welcomes all Philadelphia visitors to appreciate the history and capture new memories.
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