Washington Avenue Pier Ceremony and Front and Palmer Reception Wedding

Marina and Julia wanted their wedding in Philadelphia to be a “fun, beautiful, and true to us” experience, and they thought through every detail of their wedding locations and activities with tremendous care. All of that planning paid off. Their wedding was utterly unique and one of the most heartfelt celebrations Kyo has photographed.

At the Waterfront

They started the day at Washington Avenue Pier, an exquisite sliver of a park jutting out into the Delaware River. Washington Avenue Pier, opened in 2014, incorporates native wetlands foliage and repurposed wood, steel, and concrete. It’s a peaceful oasis in the midst of the industrial waterfront. It was a stunning location for wedding portraits — especially the “Land Buoy”, an art installation by Jody Pinto. Visitors can climb the spiral staircase on it to get a 360 degree view of the river and city.

It actually started to rain just as their portraits began, but Marina and Julia didn’t let that faze them in the least. In fact, the rain gave their pictures a dreamy quality that was perfect for the quiet, intimate beginning of their day.

After the portraits, Marina and Julia headed up the road to Race Street Pier. They held their ceremony at the end of the pier with the gigantic Ben Franklin Bridge as a backdrop. I love the sign they posted for guests entering the ceremony area: “We invite you to put down your favorite devices and just be present in the moment with us.”

The Front & Palmer Wedding Reception

The final stop of the day was the Front & Palmer wedding reception. Front & Palmer is an event space situated in a former barrel factory. Honey-colored wood floors warm up the raw interior and 35 foot ceiling. Marina and Julia’s table decor had a “whimsical industrial” style (I never thought I’d use those two words together!) that matched the space.

I absolutely love the adorable little potted succulents that adorned the tables. When I asked Marina where she got them, she told me that she made all of the planters herself, using concrete molded in yogurt containers! If you’re interested in trying this at home, I found instructions on a crafter’s website.

I also asked Marina about the significance of the tiny gold dinosaurs adorning the tables. She laughed.

It’s a bit of a funny story. When we first got engaged, people kept asking me what our wedding colors were going to be. This was before we had a venue or even a date, and so I had no idea and wasn’t particularly worried about it, so I joked that our wedding colors were tiny gold dinosaurs. And somehow, what started as a joke became a real thing. They felt like a way of making sure we remembered to be goofy in the face of all this wedding planning.

Our documentary approach

This wedding perfectly reflected what documentary photography is about.

From quiet moments along the waterfront to the celebration inside Front & Palmer, our focus was on preserving genuine interactions instead of constantly directing them.

The result is a collection of photographs that tells the story of the day as it happened.

If this wedding day wasn’t enough creativity and joy for you, make sure you check out the wedding block party celebration they held the day after this.

FAQ

Where is Front & Palmer?

Front & Palmer is located in Philadelphia’s Kensington Arts District inside a beautifully restored industrial building.

What makes Front & Palmer unique?

Its combination of historic architecture, contemporary design, and flexible event space gives couples an industrial venue with a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Is Front & Palmer a good venue for documentary wedding photography?

Yes. The natural light, open floor plan, and relaxed environment create opportunities for candid storytelling throughout the day.

Do you photograph weddings throughout Philadelphia?

Yes. We photograph weddings across Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York City, and destination locations.

Related Services

Planning a wedding at Washington Avenue Pier or Front & Palmer? We’d love to help document your day with natural, documentary-style photography that captures both the atmosphere and the people who make it memorable. Let’s connect!

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