Philadelphia Wedding

[Octavia]

Wow!! Ephemery, I had never seen your wedding pics (they were a bit before I found PS) but they''re BEAUTIFUL!! And I have to be honest, if I''m ever in Rittenhouse Square or Great Scot''s Market and happen to see you there, now that I actually know what you look like, you might hear this random girl exclaiming "Ephemery?? Is that you??" Just fair warning...

 

[diamondfan]

Hey Ephemery and all other local PS''ers....still waiting to have the second get together!!!!

Crystal, all my sons have cleft chins, as do I. I also call my oldest Clark Kent because he resembles Superman and it was always his favorite superhero. His first Halloween at not quite one year, I got him a Superman costume and to this day he tells me that is why he loves Superman. Now he also loves Green Lantern too...but I digress!

I am sure a nice dimple gets him good service...

 

[mrm]

Thanks so so so much for all the advice! I looked at places all day yesterday and still have nothing decided! Maybe Philly isn''t my best bet? November Bride- My wedding sounds like yours ! We are doing 3:00 at the Basillica as well which is why we were leaning toward the four seasons. They told me all the same things as you! Thanks for sharing your story. I will definitely grill them more if I decide to go there. Where did you end up having your wedding?

I really liked the Bellevue but they don''t have my date available

. Some annual event.

I like the Ballroom at the Ben. That is the type of space I imagined but I am concerned about the food not being great which you guys mentioned so now I am REALLY concerned about it!

Rittenhouse''s ballroom seemed no better than the Four Seasons and I didn''t like how they had the bar right there that anyone could go to. I also wasn''t a fan of the cocktail hour space.

Didnt like the Ritz and they don''t have my date anyway.

Union League was nice (my mom liked it ) but too stuffy for me. And I didn''t like all the past League presidents pictures on the wall.

I didn''t look at the Marriot! Maybe I can run down there today!

Ephemeryl- GORGEOUS pictures! I''ll have to look at Priscilla of Boston when I am there in August . I don''t actually live in Philly. My family lives outside (king of prussia/collegeville/trooper area) and that is where I grew up but now I live in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Arizona. Where in Philly do you live?

 

[ephemery1]

Thank you Crystal, Octavia, and MRM!! It''s fun to go back and re-live that day through the pix... I was sooooo happy. And still am!!

MRM, you must be marrying an athlete if you guys are doing that much traveling between cities! But they sound like good places to be traveling between. I grew up in Hershey but live in Rittenhouse now, literally next door to the Hotel... I''m looking at it now out my window! I love Philly, but if you''re not finding the perfect wedding site, maybe it would be worth checking out some places in the ''burbs? Oh and I asked my friend and she said Ballroom at the Ben WASN''T the place I''d been before, that I thought was run-down. So I take that back! Not sure about the food though... I know somebody who was at a wedding there this past November... I''ll gchat her when she comes online. If you love the Four Seasons other but feel the ballroom is a bit bland, keep in mind that a LOT can be done with the right flowers, table decoration, and a band that provides special lighting. Most of your pix will be taken before the ballroom part of the night anyway, so my advice would probably be to go with somewhere that makes a grand first impression, has unique photo ops, does an awesome cocktail hour, and serves good food overall. But those were just my own random priorities.

Date: 3/28/2008 11:36:33 PM
Author: Octavia
Wow!! Ephemery, I had never seen your wedding pics (they were a bit before I found PS) but they''re BEAUTIFUL!! And I have to be honest, if I''m ever in Rittenhouse Square or Great Scot''s Market and happen to see you there, now that I actually know what you look like, you might hear this random girl exclaiming ''Ephemery?? Is that you??'' Just fair warning...

Octavia, that would be so much fun!! Although I''m guessing I won''t look QUITE like that when I''m in the park or at the market... more likely to be wearing yoga pants and Uggs with my long hair being unruly. Oh and my new little pregnant-potbelly! Poor DH is always concerned: "you''re going out like THAT?"

But in the summer, I end up spending a couple hours each day just hanging out in the park reading or having a picnic with DH or my friends... so if you''re there often, you really might find me! I can''t remember, do you live in Rittenhouse too? We really should have a get-together soon!! Especially now that the weather is getting nice... maybe a cute little outdoor place somewhere?

 

[crystalheart1]

mrm - I would definetly look at the Marriott,,, but I agree that you can Jazz up the Four Seasons. I had a business meeting there and was really surprised that it was so plain, considering the Fountain Restaraunt and hotel are so nice

Ephemery - your outfit sounds like the typical running around wear.. you probably look adorable. How far along are you ?

Diamondfan- I am sure your boys are adorable. I have two boys and they both have very faint dimples in their chins, my ex had a very deep one too. My younger one is a Football QB ,in college and a bit of a heart throb. That is a cute story about Superman...aren''t boys are the best? Your son sounds very sweet.

 

[diamondfan]

Well, gals, just say the word! There are lots of places to get together. How are you feeling, E?

 

[enbcfsobe]

Crystal, I hope the fleischer works for you - it looks like such a cool space!

MRM, have you looked into the reception rooms in City Hall? I went to an event there once and the spaces are really cool. Don''t know what the capacity is, though. If you look in the suburbs, I still think this would be prety darn cool http://www.arcadia.edu/visitorcomm/default.aspx?id=2882. It is about 25 minutes from downtown.

Ephemrery, so jealous that you had yours at the Hotel!! What a fabulous venue, and everything I''ve eaten there has been amazing.
I would be up for a CC GTG too. It would be interesting -- I''ve never met any PSers in person that I know of (except when I got my ring appraised).

 

[diamondfan]

Did you check out the Botanical Gardens? Also Appleford is in the Main Line, it is used for events all of the time, and Merion Tribute House. Just not sure about overall conditions and catering issues, but they are options for sure.

 

[Octavia]

Ephemery, I live about 3 blocks away from the square now, but a few years ago I lived at 20th and Spruce with a stint in the suburbs in between. It''s so pretty this time of year, with everything just waiting to burst into bloom! Even though I''m not much of a city person, I really do like Rittenhouse Square during the spring and summer. And congratulations on your pregnancy! I hope all is going well.

I would be up for a get-together sometime, that would be fun!

mrm, I''m sorry you''re having difficulty finding a venue -- I agree that the spaces downtown aren''t generally the most exciting. Have you looked at the Down Town Club yet? I went to a work function in one of the small rooms there, so I''m not sure what the Grand Ballroom looks like in person and I couldn''t find the capacity anywhere, but it might be worth a look. It''s right next to Independence Hall and the views really are beautiful. Link.

I''m still off and on thinking about the Independence Seaport Musuem, too. Enbcfsobe gave me some tips on the ISM, apparently they are more willing to bargain than many other vendors. And the spaces look big enough for your guest list. Link. Both of these places are a little ways from the Basilica and neither is a hotel, but might be worth a look anyway. The other Hyatt hotel at Penn''s Landing is really close to the Seaport Museum (I don''t ever see that hotel listed for wedding space, though).

Good luck with your search, and let us know whether you decide to move it to the ''burbs...I''ve done a lot more research of venues in the western suburbs than ones in the city!

 

[mrm]

Thanks again ladies! Ephemry1- my priorities are very similar to yours. and, yes, i am marrying an athlete I really just want to do what will make the guests more happy. I want them to leave with an experience they would want to replicate for their own wedding, or their son or daughters wedding. I know I will have a great time because I get to get married . But many of my guests will be traveling a long way and I want them to really enjoy themselves!!!

Novemberbride-I e-mailed the guy at the four seasons and asked him for suggestions to make the ballroom have more of a "wow" factor and my concerns about being the only wedding!!!! Thank you so much for pointing that out because I asked the same thing and got the same answer that "of course you will. We are the four seasons and want you to feel special..."

I had to leave town but I am going to have my mom and sister check out some of the other places you ladies suggested (thanks!). I just need to make sure it is relatively close to the Basillica Thanks again everyone! Any and all advice is much appreciated. I would LOVE to hear more!

 

[DMBsGirl]

One of my bridesmaids is originally from the philly area and she is having her reception at Cairnwood Mansion in Bryn Athyn. I saw the website and it looks amazing.

 

[enbcfsobe]

If you aren''t here much and money is no object, I would seriously consider working with a planner. Another option is to find one or two places that are serious contenders and then talk to florists before putting down a deposit. Many florists will be able to show you their take on various rooms around the city and how they''ve made them special and unique.

 

[crystalheart1]

MRM - if you get a chance , take a look at Jamie Rothstein''s website jamierothstein.com. Her work is amazing... she is one of the top PHILLY Florists and her displays stand out as the best at the Flower Show every year. She has the talent and know how to transform any room into a wonderland.. You will definelty get that WOW factor with her ...

Take a look, she might also make some recommendations for you regarding venues she has worked with..

 

[punkin]

Hi - I got married on March 8th at the Racquet Club on 16th near Walnut. Everyone loved it. The exclusive caterer is Jeffrey Miller and the food is phenomenal. I would recommend it over and over. For Philadelphia, it is actually pretty economical - especially Nov through March because there is a discount. They can only hold 220 though so you might be tight.
I also love the Bellevue, Franklin Institute, Waterworks - but they were all out of my pricerange.
The FUEL house is also very cool. It is the Real World house in Philadelphia. You only rent the space from them, though. You have to arrange everything else (tables, chairs, bars, etc).
Good luck and have fun.

 

[Corky]

Hi, I''m a long-time lurker, but I just had to jump into this thread when I saw the Merion Tribute House mentioned. I''ve lived in Chicago for the past thirty years, but I grew up in Philadelphia and had my wedding reception at the Merion Tribute House (and also suffered through many Friday and Saturday evening dances there as a teenager, but that''s a different story!). I have no idea what it''s like now, or how easy they are to work with, but it''s a lovely building and was a beautiful setting for a reception then.

 

[nittanyfan]

Hi everyone!

I''m a philly bride who mostly lurks on the boards- i''ve never even been able too figure out how to post pictures of my ring!! Anyway, I''m getting married at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, DE, which I love, but I really would have loved to have downtown Philly wedding.

mrm- if you haven''t already, you may want to check out the Franklin Institute- it''s a really unique space- they have a beautiful large marble hall that can hold big events, and I''ve heard the food is fabulous. I think that they have an exclusive caterer- Frog Commissory or something.

Anyway- it sounds like you''re wedding is going to be absolutely amazing no matter what you choose! I second the wedding planner suggestion- especially since you''re planning from out of town.

Good luck!!

 

[enbcfsobe]

I second "the Franklin" -- as its calling itself these days. We''re doing ours there, though we''re not using Franklin Hall. We are getting married under the stars in the planetarium. There are some cool spaces just generally in the museum, and their rental fee is pretty reasonable. Frog is the exclusive caterer, and while somewhat pricey, they also have a strong reputation in the city. I am happy to answer questions about the museum. Frog is also the exclusive caterer at the Seaport Museum, which is also very cool and has a nice big space with some cool outdoor options and teriffic views of the river and their museum ships. I think what you''ve been describing about wanting to make it nice for the guests and make them really surprised and interested by the venue and celebration would be well-suited to a museum-type venue. Anyone can serve a nice meal and you can always get someone to bring nice flowers, but having it somewhere really unique and different would probably be the thing would stand out the most. I think it could make the difference between guests saying "oh, this must have been really expensive, I wish I could afford to do something like this" and saying "oh, this is really creative, I wish I''d thought of something like this." Maybe you need to think about which reaction is more important to you. I really really don''t want anyone to be offended -- I''ve gone to some fabulous weddings in more traditional venues, and I think the ladies here all do amazing jobs at making affordable-but-sometimes-mediocre venues into incredible expressions of their personality and relationship -- I''m just making a suggestion and it is solely my personal take on this at this moment in my life.