Philadelphia Wedding Photography Locations
Philadelphia has a large and diverse selection of places to take wedding photos. Below is a list of many of our favorites. Some of the locations listed are the classic wedding photography locations in Philadelphia, while others are some of Philly’s hidden gems for photography. As always, we love when our couples get creative, find new places or help us discover new parts of the city! If something is missing, let us know!
Iconic Philadelphia Spots
Philadelphia Wedding Photography Locations
Sometimes you just want the band to play the hits. Philadelphia has tons of iconic places to take wedding photos. Some are easy, some are more challenging, but all are Philly! Here’s some places where you can get classic Philadelphia wedding photography.
Waterworks
Philadelphia Museum of Art
One of the most popular (and best) spots for wedding photos in Philadelphia is Waterworks. It’s quintessential Philly and has a diverse landscape within a small area. While there’s no permit required, Waterworks does host weddings and is a popular area, so it can get crowded.
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.
City Hall
Centery City
Philadelphia weddings are often associated with the ‘Broad Street’ shot of City Hall, but don’t sleep on the actual building. The walkways throughout are gorgeous and have beautiful light, plus they’re covered, which makes a great location for a rainy day.
Permits & Rules:
No permit is required.
Merchant's Exchange
Old City
Merchant’s Exchange is a popular little alcove in the heart of Old City. It’s a gorgeous building with a cobblestone drive that’s blocked off to traffic. There are also some staircases and brick walls nearby. It makes a great spot for bridal parties!
Permits & Rules:
Permit and Reservation are Required through NPS.
Rodin Museum
Center City
The Rodin Museum has a wonderful garden for wedding photos. There’s also a cool exterior structure with columns. While there’s not a ton of variety here, the spaces are gorgeous and have room for a bridal party as well.
Permits & Rules:
Reservation required through the museum. Visitors will still be allowed on the grounds.
Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse
Rittenhouse Square is one of the prettiest and largest parks in the city. It’s a beautiful spot for photos, but often gets very busy. If you’d like wedding photos in Rittenhouse Square, we’d recommend using the grassy areas and the brick perimeter for the ideal spots.
Permits & Rules:
Permit required through Philly Parks and Rec.
2nd Bank of the U.S.
Old City
The 2nd Bank is a popular and great spot for wedding photography in Philly. There’s beautiful old columns and stairs and an area with really nice greenery. It’s also very convenient to many hotels and to Independence Hall. We like this spot a lot!
Permits & Rules:
Permit and Reservation are Required through NPS. Reserve early!
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Art Museum
Wedding photos at the Art Museum can be a great idea. Make sure to think through whether you prefer the front (steps and skyline) or the back (quieter, better building shots) because the walk around can take a while!
Permits & Rules:
No permit required. Parking can be tricky!
Broad Street
Center City
There’s no photo that’s more quintessential Philadelphia than a wedding photo on Broad Street. We recommend this as a quick stop for only the bride and groom as space is very limited in the median and there’s usually only one angle to shoot.
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.
Elfreth's Alley
Old City
The oldest street in America (we think) is a beautiful place for photos, but often very crowded! On a quiet day, you’ll have a great backdrop! One a busy one, you may find yourself waiting. For a similar look, scroll to the ‘Hidden Gems’ section :)
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.
First Bank of the U.S.
Old City
Despite being the older brother of the 2nd Bank, the 1st bank is a bit smaller, but still a nice place to shoot! It’s located between the 2nd bank and Merchant’s Exchange and is a great spot for couple’s photos
Permits & Rules:
Permit and Reservation are Required through NPS.
Philadelphia Parks
Philadelphia Wedding Photography Locations
One of the best parts of taking wedding photos in Philadelphia are the huge variety of parks all around the city. Some of the Old City parks are true classics. Others are more off the beaten path. Below we’ll list a bunch of them, including whether or not they require permits or have other rules.
Race Street Pier
Old City
Race Street Pier is known for its beautiful, elevated view of the Ben Franklin bridge. The park itself is small, but the view is hard to beat! Wedding photography at Race Street Pier no longer requires a permit. The pier can get busy, especially on weekends, both with visitors and other weddings. So be aware that there could be some waiting to get to the coveted spot.
Permits & Rules:
No permit required as of 2024
18th Century Gardens
Old City
The 18th Century Gardens are a small park that has become more popular recently (thanks TikTok). It has some really pretty options to shoot, although it can be a bit limited in space. It’s close to many other locations as well. Note: There is almost no shade in this park.
Permits & Rules:
Permit and Reservation are Required through NPS.
Washington Square Park
Old CIty
Similar to Rittenhouse Square, Washington Square Park is a beautiful old space near Independence Park. It’s a great spot for wedding photos, but can be busy. We recommend making this a stop rather than your only location.
Permits & Rules:
Permit required through Philly Parks and Rec.
Love Park
Center City
Love Park (aka the Love statue) has been a popular spot for Philly wedding photographers for years. The park is cleaner now, but can be busy at times. If you want the classic shot with the sign in the background, you may have to wait in line.
Permits & Rules:
No permit required for Love Park
Kelly Drive
Fairmount
Kelly Drive is a long and narrow park along the Schuylkill river. While typically known as a great place to run, the park has great water views, some interesting structures and bridges, and a bit more space to roam (or fit a bridal party). It’s a great option for wedding photos and is pretty easily accessible.
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.
FDR Park
South Philly
FDR Park is a sprawling area in South Philly. You can choose your own adventure for wedding photos at FDR Park. There’s fields, ponds and some old buildings. It’s not the most unique or prettiest park in the city, but it’s easy to access and has tons of space and options.
Permits & Rules:
A permit may be required for certain areas. Best to call first.
Penns Landing
Old City
Penns Landing is a long, narrow area along the Delaware river on the east end of Philadelphia. Since most of the area is concrete and a walking area, it’s fairly well trafficked. There are some nice areas, especially near Spruce street.
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.
Cherry Street Pier
Old City
Cherry Street Pier is a new-ish pier along the Delaware river. It has a more industrial look and is a good option for people looking for a twist on the typical Philly wedding photos. In the past, Cherry Street Pier was pretty locked down for wedding photos, but recent changes indicate that a permit may no longer be required.
Permits & Rules:
No permit required as of 2024, but we recommend calling first to make sure.
Philly's Hidden Gems
Philadelphia Wedding Photography Locations
While the classics are always great, we love discovering new places and going off the beaten path. Here’s a few places that are hidden gems for Philadelphia wedding photography…
Quince Street
Center City
Quite possibly one of our favorite spots in the city! So much so that we almost didn’t want to put it on this list. Wedding photos at Quince Street give that Old City look without all the crowds and cars. It’s a quiet, quaint city neighborhood that’s absolutely gorgeous!
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.
Fitler Square
Rittenhouse
Fitler Square is more of a neighborhood than an exact location, but it’s a really cool area that gives a lot of potential to explore. In particular, the Fitler Club (a favorite venue of ours) has some amazing places for wedding photography!
Permits & Rules:
No permit is required for the neighborhood, but definitely permission needed for the Fitler Club.
Bartram's Garden
West Philly
Even amongst Philadelphian, it’s always surprising how few have been to Bartram’s Garden. The drive there is a bit confusing, but the grounds are large, beautiful, and filled with tons of possibilities! We love shooting here!
Permits & Rules:
No permit required. They do host weddings, so occasionally there are other couples on the property.
Addison Street
Rittenhouse
While there’s a ton of beautiful streets around the city, Addison is one of the best for wedding photos. Because there’s no parking on the street, it’s quiet. The tree-lined street is also lit up at night!
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.
Fishtown/NoLibs
Northern Liberties
This isn’t a location as much as it is a suggestion. One thing we love to do with couples is discover new things. Remember, there are no rules for wedding photos! We love some of the more non-traditional locations throughout the city where we can discover as we go!
Permits & Rules:
Varies.
Headhouse Square
South Philly
Headhouse Square is one of those little pockets of the city that seems to fly under the radar. But the surrounding area is great and the actual square is a great backdrop for wedding photos! Just make sure there’s not a market going on.
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.
Italian Market
South Philly
If you’re looking for ‘pretty’ places, the Italian market might not be for you. However, if you want something that looks like Philly, wedding photos at the Italian Market is a unique and memorable place to shoot!
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.
Lemon Hill
Fairmount
Just off Kelly Drive is the Lemon Hill Mansion, which is a hilly park with plenty of space, trees and even a view of the skyline! If you’re already in this part of the city, it’s worth a stop!
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.
Philadelphia Skyline Views
Philadelphia Wedding Photography Locations
While Philly may not be known for its skyline like New York, there are still some amazing places to capture it! It requires a little more effort, but if you want Philadelphia skyline wedding photos, there’s ways to get the job done…
South Street Bridge
South Philly
Perhaps the best view of the Philly skyline is from the South Street Bridge. While shooting there can be a bit tricky (and full of traffic), the payoff is worth it! It’s also right next to the Schuylkill River Trail, which can be a nice 2nd location.
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.
Loews Hotel
Center city
Near the top of the Loews hotel, there’s a beautiful indoor space that’s great for first looks and has an epic city view. While limited availability, it’s a wonderful spot to use for a short time. Plus, the Loews is a great venue!
Permits & Rules:
Permission required, potentially guests only.
W Philadelphia
Center City
The W is a new-ish hotel in Philly and they’ve got some pretty amazing views! In particular, if you can get permission to go up to their terrace, you’re treated to a phenomenal view! We’d definitely recommend wedding photography at the W Philadelphia.
Permits & Rules:
Permission required.
Art Museum Steps
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Yes, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is on this list twice! After all, there’s two sides of it. The front steps, known as the Rocky steps are home to one of the best skyline views of the city. All you have to do to get there is climb!
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.
Cira Green
West Philly
One of the most unique Philadelphia parks is Cira Green. It’s more than 10 stories up and is an urban, green space. There’s even a bar up there! The area can get crowded in good weather, but for two people it can be a good spot for unique wedding photos!
Permits & Rules:
Permission required.
A Parking Garage
Center City
You read that right. We put wedding photos in a parking garage on this list! Not just one parking garage, there’s lots of them! The cool thing about parking garages is that they’re also rooftops and people don’t like parking at the top.
Permits & Rules:
No permit required.