20 Epic Locations for Philly-Inspired Wedding + Engagement Photos
OLD CITY AND VICINITY
Race Street Pier
One of Philadelphia’s amazing outdoor spaces, Race Street Pier on the Delaware River provides tons of photo ops both out near the water, and at the street level with its famous blue rusted doors. If you plan to go out on the pier, be sure to snag a permit from the city, or risk being turned away!
Race Street Pier, N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Good for: Couple Portraits, Wedding Party Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: Yes
2. Second Bank of the United States
History buffs will love this classic spot which is the second federally authorized Hamiltonian national bank in the United States, and enjoyed a 20-year charter from February 1816 to January 1836. Its location offers a lot of opportunity to soak in historical sites around Independence Hall, but a permit is 100% necessary as it’s booked by certain time slots.
420 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Good for: First Look, Couple Portraits, Wedding Party Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: Yes
3. First Bank of the United States
A tad less popular but just as pretty, The First Bank of the United States, was a national bank, chartered for a term of twenty years, by the United States Congress on February 25, 1791. It’s location is near many other photo ops and its scene usually a bit more subdued. A great alternative if the Second Bank isn’t available.
120 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Good for: First Look, Couple Portraits, Wedding Party Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: Yes
4. 18th Century Garden
The 18th Century Garden showcases plants that were frequently grown in Philadelphia during the 1700's. Defined by its lovely gazebo and geometric patterns, the 18th Century Garden recalls the formal landscape designs that were en vogue during colonial times. It’s a small, but perfect spot for couple portraits and is close to other popular photo spots.
339 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Great for: First Look, Couple Portraits, Family Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: Yes
5. Independence Hall
Not only is the building beautiful, but in 1776, the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence here. So if you want history etched in your photos, look no further. There’s a few areas to snag a good perspective from for your photos, but be warned, its often swarmed with tourists.
Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Good for: First Look, Couple Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No
6. Merchant’s Exchange Building
Built between 1832 and 1834, the Merchants' Exchange Building, also known as the Philadelphia Exchange, is located on the triangular site bounded by Dock Street, Third Street, and Walnut Streets. There’s no shortage of historical buildings and this one with its surround cobblestone gives off just that vibe.
143 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Good for: Couple Portraits, Wedding Party, Family Portraits, First Look, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: Yes
7. Elfreth’s Ally
Named for blacksmith and property owner Jeremiah Elfreth, Elfreth’s Alley was home to the eighteenth-century artisans and tradespeople who were the backbone of Colonial Philadelphia. While modern Philadelphia has sprung up around it, the alley remains a throwback to early America, preserving three centuries of evolution through its old-fashioned flower boxes, shutters, Flemish bond brickwork and other architectural details. It’s a cute spot for couple’s pics, but beyond that its far too small and crowded for larger groups.
126 Elfreth's Alley, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Good for: Couple Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No
8. Headhouse Square
Just south of Old City, Headhouse Square is a historic street market on South 2nd Street between Pine and Lombard Street, this quaint spot with its string lights makes for adorable photos day or night. Bridal parties also have a lot of room to spread out, so bring the gang! No permit needed.
Both sides of the 400 block of S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA
Good for: Couple Portraits, Wedding Party Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No
CENTER CITY
9. Broad Street
Day or night, rain or shine, there’s nothing that screams Philly more than having your photo taken on Broad Street with City Hall in the background. You don’t need a permit, but you will get a lot of honks as passerby’s congratulate you on your big day!
We prefer going to Broad between Locust + Walnut Streets
Good for: Couple Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No
10. Rittenhouse Square
One of five original squares planned by city founder William Penn in the late 17th century, Rittenhouse Square is the heart of Center City’s most expensive and exclusive neighborhood. Classical urns, many bearing relief figures of ancient Greeks, rest on pedestals at the entrances and elsewhere throughout the square. Ornamental lamp posts contribute to an air of old-fashioned gentility. It’s a beautiful, but busy location.
210 W Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Good for: Couple Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No
11. City Hall
It might be the the seat of government for the city, but it’s also a great spot to get many different photo looks. Epic stairs, vast spaces, stunning columns. An entire session here would result in a range of photos. No permits are needed, but just prepared to navigate a lot of foot traffic!
1400 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Good for: Couple Portraits, Wedding Party Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No
12. Loew’s Hotel
A landmark hotel, right in Center City, should the weather fail you, pop into the lobby for some stunning photos on their stairs. If you’re getting ready there, one of their top floors has epic skyline views, which makes for an intimate setting with an epic background.
Loew’s, 1200 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Great for: First Look, Couple Portraits
Permit Needed: No, but you need to be a guest of the hotel - it’s a great spot for getting ready
13. Love Park
Philadelphia’s iconic John F. Kennedy Plaza — better known as LOVE Park — is most famously the home of Robert Indiana’s iconic (and highly Instagrammable!) LOVE statue, which has resided in the space almost continuously since 1976. The park is conveniently located near City Hall, offering views of the architectural treasure and all the activities that take place in its shadow. It’s always lined with tourists, so we suggest limiting this to couple’s pics. However, just on the other side of the sculpture is a stunning fountain!
16th Street and JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Good for: Couple Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No, but be prepared to navigate tons of tourists
FAIRMOUNT
14. Art Museum & Azalea Garden
The Art Museum is no doubt a famous place for photos, but avoid having 1000s of tourists in your wedding pics by going to the back of the museum, where you can get the same great backdrop and even head over the gardens for a different look. You’ll be glad to not have 100s of would be Rocky-impersonators in your photos while still getting those epic views.
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia
Good for: Couple Portraits, Wedding Party Portraits
Permit Needed: Technically yes, but we’ve never been asked to produce one.
15. Water Works and Boathouse Row
Fairmount Park’s famed Water Works — onetime home to the engine room for Philadelphia’s cutting-edge water department — is a National Historic Landmark with breathtaking views of Boathouse Row and the Center City skyline from its waterfront location at the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. There’s seemingly endless options for photos, so put your walking shoes on and head towards the water.
640 Waterworks Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Good for: Couple Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No
16. Swann Memorial Fountain
The center of Logan Square belongs to a popular fountain sculpture by Alexander Stirling Calder, son of the City Hall artist. Adapting the tradition of “river god” sculpture, Calder created large Native American figures to symbolize the area’s major local waterways: the Delaware River (a man), the Schuylkill River (a woman) and Wissahickon Creek (a girl). The park is stunning and a good spot for portraits, especially if you’re staying at the nearby Logan Hotel.
Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA
Good for: Couple Portraits, Wedding Party Poritraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No
FISHTOWN
17. Penn Treaty Park
According to legend, Pennsylvania founder William Penn signed his treaty of peace with the local Lenape tribe under an elm tree just off the Delaware River in 1683 in what is now known as Penn Treaty Park. The benefit of this park is you still get some great views of the Ben Franklin Bridge, but also a lovely park to stroll around.
N. Delaware Avenue & Beach Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Good for: Couple Portraits, Wedding Party Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No
18. Front Street Walls
Located underneath the Market/Frankford Line (The El) in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood, the Front Street Walls feature a rotating collection of murals with the goal of brightening up this corridor. The walls also serve as an outlet for many of Philadelphia’s street artists to submit designs and legally display their work on a large, urban canvas. This unique gallery is a really unique spot for portraits.
Located at Front Street between Columbia Avenue and Oxford Street.
Good for: Couple Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No
19. Crease Street Garden
For most of the 19th and 20th centuries, the present location of the Crease Street Garden, 1236-38 Crease Street, was a very narrow alley known as ‘Deans Avenue’ which ran between Crease Street and Day Street. Today, it’s a beautiful, well-maintained community garden in Fishtown. It’s private, quaint and just stunning.
1223 Crease Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Good for: First Look, Couple Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No
MANAYUNK
20. Manayunk Tow Path
Manayunk lies along the flowing Schuylkill River and just behind Main Street sits the historic Manayunk Canal and Towpath. You can head north to Schuylkill County on the Schuylkill River Trail or you can travel south to Center City Philadelphia on Kelly Drive. There’s very nice sections and incredible views easily accessible from downtown Manayunk.
Accessible from Main Street in downtown Manayunk
Good for: Couple Portraits, Engagement Pictures
Permit Needed: No
