Katie & Ellie’s Intentional Philadelphia Wedding at Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Michael Haller
Mar 5
8 min read

Updated: Mar 8

Two people smiling and embracing in front of a colorful, geometric mural. One wears a white fur shawl, the other a suit and tie.

On March 22, 2025 — the Spring Equinox — Katie Labgold and Ellie Field were married in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, in the 19106 neighborhood of Center City Philadelphia, at Historical Society of Pennsylvania, a unique Philadelphia wedding venue in the 19106 neighborhood. This was an intimate LGBTQ+ city wedding in Philadelphia, blending historic architecture with restaurant reception celebration and urban nightlife. Their celebration was followed by an intimate family-style reception at Giorgio on Pine II just a few blocks south through the Gayborhood.

It was a deeply Center City Philadelphia wedding — woven into the streets of the city itself through historic landmarks, a parade through Center City, dinner in one of the city’s most beloved restaurants, and dancing that spilled into the local nightlife.

Katie and Ellie’s celebration is a great example of how an intimate Philadelphia city wedding can feel intimate and all-inclusive at the same time. If you are planning a small or intimate wedding in Philadelphia, especially in historic venues or unique restaurant reception spaces, working with a photographer who understands timeline flow, portrait pacing, and city storytelling can make a huge difference in how your wedding day is documented. Philadelphia city weddings move quickly, so planning time for portraits, emotional moments, and creative photography opportunities is key when planning your wedding experience.

Bride and groom embrace joyfully in a warmly lit library, surrounded by wooden chairs and lamps, creating a romantic atmosphere.

A couple in wedding attire smiles at each other outside a grand building with ornate black gates. One holds a bouquet. Warm, joyful mood.

Bride in a white floral dress smiles while putting on earrings, standing against a neutral gray background, exuding joy.

Bride in white gown and groom in black suit joyfully run hand in hand outside a grand historic building with towers on a sunny day.

A group of people in formal attire, smiling and walking down a colorful urban street with rainbow flags, trees, and historic buildings.

People at a long table raise glasses for a toast in a festive, warmly lit restaurant. Plates, bottles, and decorations line the table.

Getting Ready Together — Intentional Details and Vendor Craftsmanship

Their morning started at the Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City, where they prepared together in a relaxed and meaningful way before separating only to put on their dress and tailor-made suit. Ellie’s dress came from Bella's Younique Bridal Boutique, featuring design work by Stella York, while Katie’s tailored suit was from Kirrin Finch — pieces that felt modern, personal, and fully aligned with who they are.

Two people in matching blue cactus pajamas smile at each other on a bed, holding a wine bottle. Heart glasses and flower detail add charm.

Hands button a detailed white dress on a person. The setting is indoors with soft lighting, creating a calm and intimate mood.

Bride in white dress sits on bed as woman helps tie her white sneakers. Room has blue curtains and a window, creating a calm mood.

Bride holding a bouquet of white and beige flowers. She's in a white dress with buttons and lace, against a neutral background.

Man helps person tie constellation-patterned tie, both smiling warmly. Indoor setting with framed pictures in the background.

Hair and makeup were handled by Daneene Jensen & Associates, helping create a soft, timeless look that photographed beautifully in the morning light. Their florals were provided by Something Borrowed Blooms, adding a touch of elegance to every photo. The quiet energy of both rooms was full of laughter, gentle adjustments, and shared anticipation.

Woman with brown hair in a bun adorned with pale orchids. She wears a white top and hoop earring against a gray background.

Bride in white lace dress holds pastel bouquet, smiling softly against a gray background. Floral details add elegance.

Pink ring box with three gold rings on a woven mat, surrounded by invitations, pink and white petals. Text: "Ellie & Katie."

The rings, from Automic Gold, required special attention. With eight hours in their wedding timeline, I initially thought we might have to skip flat lays since they weren’t a major priority for the couple. But when you’re working with warm, inspiring people, creativity starts to spill out naturally. We were able to squeeze in a little flat lay magic using their rings and a nearby artful pillow from the hotel couch, turning everyday objects into something poetic, sculptural, and editorial in feeling while still staying true to the pace of their morning.

Wedding invitation suite on a brown surface with pink petals, white flowers, rings, sneakers, and a constellation-patterned cloth.

They moved through the morning slowly, helping each other get ready, sharing conversation, and enjoying the champagne giggles and jokes with family.

A smiling man in a checkered shirt holds a wedding veil while a woman with floral hair decor looks on. Bright, cheerful indoor setting.

From there, we moved to City Hall for their first look—that Philadelphia cinematic spot that brings it the most.

Woman in white fur coat smiles while peeking around a stone wall, holding a bouquet. Bright urban background with blurred buildings.

Bride in white gown holds bouquet, smiling at partner in black suit and sneakers, in ornate stone hall with engraved plaque in background.

A couple in wedding attire smiles tenderly in a warm, elegant hallway. The bride holds white flowers, and both look happy and in love.

A City Hall First Look (And Why Time Matters)**

Katie and Ellie intentionally built space into their timeline to prioritize portraits all over Philadelphia. We moved in and about City Hall spots, made our way to the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn at Dilworth Park, (shout out to CCD Parks for slaying with this installation year after year) and then down Broad stopping at the iconic steps outside of The Union League of Philadelphia.

A couple in wedding attire smiles joyfully outdoors, bride holding bouquet, groom with brown coat. Greenery and building in background.

Bride in white dress and faux fur wrap holding bouquet of roses and orchids. Groom in black suit with constellation tie. Outdoors.

A happy couple sharing an embrace, the person in a white dress and another in a black suit with a floral boutonniere, smiling warmly.

A bride and groom smile joyfully, embracing amidst decorative branches and soft lighting. She holds a bouquet of pale roses. Romantic setting.

A couple dances under an arch of branches in a garden, with a grand building in the background. Bright, sunny setting with trees around.

Couple in wedding attire smiling on a bench in a park, surrounded by trees and flowers, city buildings in the background, joyful mood.

A smiling couple in wedding attire embraces; one kisses the other's cheek. Outdoor setting with greenery and twinkling lights in the background.

Bride and groom joyfully leaning against ornate building gate; bride in white fur and dress, groom in suit holding bouquet. Romantic urban setting.

A bride and groom hold hands, walking down a city street between tall buildings, with cars and traffic lights surrounding them.

From there we strolled through the backstreets and alleys of Center City, catching tender candid moments against historic facades and laughing our entire way to the venue. Honestly, I don't think I've ever laughed so much on one day in my whole life. Everyone we passed couldn't help but become instantly buoyant in their bubble of joy and warmth.

Bride in white gown holds bouquet, groom in black suit holds her hand on grand staircase outside a red brick building, both smiling.

Two people in wedding attire gaze at each other, smiling. One holds a bouquet of white orchids. They're outside, surrounded by architectural columns.

A couple in wedding attire crosses a rainbow-painted street. A vibrant mural and skyscraper are seen in the background, creating an urban feel.

A couple walks hand in hand on a cobblestone street, smiling. One in a white dress, the other in a shirt and tie. Trees and buildings line the street.

A couple walks arm-in-arm on a cobblestone street. One wears a suit, the other a white gown. They're smiling, with trees and brick buildings around.

Their couple portraits were a dream — not just because the city showed off, but because Katie & Ellie were content not to rush on to the next moment. I'm indebted to them for their trust with what was striking my inspiration. This depth of portraits reflects what is possible when quality time is allotted to a creative process. Slowing down here ensures that the images that will last a lifetime.

And in one of those little moments you can’t script, a natural lens flare created a subtle rainbow tint across a few frames. It felt like a serendipitous moment of synchronicity with the elements around us.

A couple in wedding attire walks hand in hand, smiling. They are on a patterned crosswalk with a stone building in the background. A rainbow lens flair streaks across the frame.

A Wedding Party That Felt Like a Cast

Both Katie and Ellie are doctors — thoughtful and intentional in everything they do. That intentionality extended to their people.

Katie and Ellie's sisters stood by their side — a tight-knit squad that radiated loyalty and love. Their energy on the streets of Philadelphia was home grown and contagious. At one point, looking through the lens, I marveled at how much everyone looked like the cast from a prestige HBO series.

A group of seven people in colorful formal attire walks joyfully on a tree-lined street. Historic buildings and a Philadelphia landmark sign are visible.

A joyful group of seven people huddled together in colorful dresses and a suit, smiling on a sunlit street with trees and buildings.

The street portraits were powerful, bold, and effortless. Katie and Ellie's wedding party looked iconic: effortlessly polished and natural.

Married on the Spring Equinox — A Day of Balance

Katie and Ellie chose March 22 intentionally — the Spring Equinox. Light and dark held in equal measure. They wanted to form their union at a moment of balance between seasons. It felt symbolic of the life they are building together, rooted in both strength and tenderness.

Every piece of this wedding carried meaning. Their vows were deeply personal. Their attire was chosen with care. Nothing arbitrary.

They didn’t want it to feel like a big wedding or a small wedding. They wanted something purposeful — around 60-70 core friends and family. People who knew them deeply. People who could give their blessing to the marriage not just symbolically, but relationally.

And you felt that energy in the room with family and friends beaming towards them with pride.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania: A Truly Unique Wedding Venue

The ceremony took place inside Historical Society of Pennsylvania — one of the most architecturally rich and intellectually fascinating wedding venues in Philadelphia.

In a brilliant stroke of wedding originality, HSP generously curated a private exhibit specifically for Katie and Ellie to enjoy, based on their varied interests. We were all moved by the presence of cultural artifacts dating back to a copy of Martha Washington's Cookbook circa 1600, Almanacs, Photos of Italian Market from the early 1900s, Astronomical Charts from the mid 1800s. It was a moment of significance that added a wonderful sense of context to the place in which we were celebrating this new union.

History. Science. Curiosity. It felt less like renting a venue and more like being invited into a living archive that honored who they are.

A couple, one in a black suit and the other in a white dress, stand smiling on steps before a red brick building with a glass door.

Bride in white dress and groom in black suit holding hands, surrounded by guests in a bright room with arched windows. Joyful mood.

A couple holds hands during a wedding ceremony in a formal room, with an officiant reading. A fireplace and painting are visible in the background.

Bride and groom exchanging vows, smiling joyfully. A man stands behind them in a room with flower vases and a landscape painting.

A couple in wedding attire, smiling and holding hands, with an officiant holding a microphone. Flowers and a painting in the background.

Bride and groom celebrate joyfully in a reading room, surrounded by guests. The bride in a white dress; groom in black suit with sneakers.

Bride and groom smiling, close together under a white veil. Bride in a textured white dress; groom in a suit with white boutonnière.

A couple in wedding attire shares a tender moment in a library, touching foreheads. Shelves with books and boxes fill the background.

Bride and groom hold hands on sunlit staircase, surrounded by soft green walls and white railings, exuding joy and elegance.

Bride and groom kiss on a library balcony, surrounded by books. Elegant setting, soft lighting, and romantic mood.

Bride in white dress kisses person in suit in an ornate elevator. "No smoking" sign visible. Romantic mood with classic decor.

A couple embraces and smiles in a warmly lit library. One wears a white gown with a veil, the other a black suit. The mood is joyful and romantic.

The ceremony itself felt reverent but warm. The weight of significance had a fullness that we all embodied in a ceremony that again, took it's time. Their vows were of course, tear-jerking and real. These two souls came from eternity with their selves pledging to carry each other forward in time, standing in a place of significance for the nation in which they were born.

History, progress, and welcome — all in one space.

A couple in formal attire examines documents in a library. The woman wears a white dress with flowers in her hair. Shelves of books are visible.

A Parade Through the Gayborhood

After the ceremony, we walked, no, PARADED, from the Historical Society down through Center City toward Giorgio on Pine II. The moment was a shared experience of cheers, smiles and strangers applauding from sidewalks. Passers-by celebrated our happy couple simply because love is contagious. The city itself shouted and cheered as a guest of the wedding party. The moment was so joyful, I couldn't help but invite everyone to stop at one point and dance in the middle of the street.

The whole time, I kept thinking this is what a Center City wedding can be, one woven into the fabric of Philadelphia itself.

Two smiling people, one in a white dress and fur jacket, the other in a black suit, hold hands while walking down a city street, surrounded by people.

An Intimate and Delicious Reception at Giorgio on Pine II

Giorgio on Pine II is not a traditional wedding venue. It’s a restaurant — and that’s exactly what made it the perfect setting for the heartfelt family styled reception Katie and Ellie planned. Their guest book? A Giant Guest Check. Their beverages? Coolers of BYOB wine and beer. Centerpieces DIYed to perfection.

People toasting at a festive dinner in a warmly lit restaurant. Glasses raised, flowers on table, joyful mood.

Guests seated at a table, laughing and smiling. A person in a suit has a boutonniere. Background features stone wall and people chatting.

Dining table with plates of prosciutto, melon, mozzarella, grilled veggies. Hands reach for food. Bottles, glasses, flowers, and name tags.

The dinner was lively, familial, and truly delicious. Guests were able to sit, connect, laugh, and actually talk. No cavernous ballroom. No production-heavy chaos. I don't even know if there was music playing - just a joyous cacophony of stories, squeals, and feels. Giorgio and their staff kindled an evening of hospitality and incredible eating.

There was even a FIREBALL Keg because, you know, you need that.

Two people smiling at a party; one wearing devil horns holds a red Fireball keg, the other holds striped cups. Festive indoor setting.

Messy late night flat lay on a table with empty bottles, red cups, roses, photos, and a wedding invitation for Ellie Field and Katie Labgold on a white tablecloth.

A couple in formal attire jokingly pose with a dessert inside a warmly lit restaurant, with guests visible in the background.

If you’re considering a restaurant wedding reception in Philadelphia, this is a reminder that some of the most meaningful celebrations happen in spaces that weren’t originally built for weddings.

Dancing Into the Philadelphia Nightlife

Dinner flowed into dancing — not in a banquet hall, but out into Philadelphia’s nightlife scene. Bars. Music. Movement. Celebration spilling organically into the city. One final shoutout is due to Taylia Riesterer of Mostest, who coordinated the day seamlessly from start to finish. Her calm presence and thoughtful guidance helped everything unfold effortlessly, allowing Katie, Ellie, and their guests to stay fully present with the celebration.

A couple joyfully runs hand in hand on a city street, near a blue car. They wear formal attire, with a brick building and café in the background.

Two people laughing outside a building at night, one in a suit holding a small bag, the other in a white dress with an umbrella. A man in a blue suit watches.

It was unconventional. And it was completely aligned with who they are.

The Kind of People That Make You Believe We’re Going to Be Okay

Spending the entire day with Katie and Ellie felt less like documenting clients and more like hanging out with very old friends. Their gentility, warmth and generosity were evident to me from our first phone call and every moment of planning felt like I was being entirely trusted by my besties from back home. Getting to meet their families and friends confirmed that that was no anomaly. They come from and are supported by some of the best people on the earth.

A joyful couple in formal attire runs hand in hand in front of a colorful mural in a parking lot, smiling and celebrating.

In a world that can feel chaotic and fractured, being around people like Katie and Ellie reminds you that integrity, intelligence, and kindness still win. Every. Time. These two give me hope that we're somehow all going to be okay.

Planning a Center City Philadelphia Wedding?

Weddings like this remind me why I specialize in intimate Philadelphia city weddings. There is something powerful about documenting celebrations where connection matters more than scale.

If you’re dreaming of a historic Philadelphia ceremony, a restaurant reception in the Center City Philadelphia Restaurant Scene, a small guest count wedding, or a unique Philadelphia city wedding in historic venues, I would love to help you create something that feels fully aligned with who you are.

Dates for popular Philadelphia wedding seasons book quickly, especially for historic venue weddings and Center City celebrations. If you are planning something similar, reach out early so we can build a dream wedding day plan to gather stunning urban portraits, touching moments, and a one-of-a-kind trove of "this is so us" imagery.

A couple embraces joyfully against a colorful graffiti wall in an urban setting. The woman wears a white outfit and sneakers.

If you love stories like this, you can explore more work in my Philadelphia wedding portfolio, read another Philadelphia wedding blog, or get in touch through my contact page so we can start planning your MHP wedding photography experience.