Weddings are about connection. If you want to celebrate your marriage while making each guest feel valued, a microwedding might be just right for you. Jess and Tony chose to have a microwedding so that they could put thought into every detail. Osteria Philadelphia couldn’t have been a more perfect wedding venue for Jess and Tony. It allowed them to have that cozy and intimate atmosphere in a stunning setting.  

A Wedding at Osteria Philadelphia

Osteria Philadelphia is a restaurant wedding venue in the Spring Garden neighborhood. It’s located about ten blocks north of City Hall on Broad Street. Since it opened in 2007, Osteria has become something of an institution. 

While Osteria has plenty of seating in the main dining room, the Greenhouse is the definite highlight. This is where weddings typically take place. Strings of lights and potted plants hang from the ceiling. As the sun sets, twinking candlelight combines with lush plants to create the feeling of being on a Mediterranean getaway.

Foodies will love Osteria. It features Italian food that goes way beyond spaghetti and pizza. The chef actually won a James Beard award for his cuisine. As Jess and Tony’s wedding photographer, I loved the chance to document food as colorful and lively as the wedding itself. 

Weddings at Osteria Philadelphia start at $15,000. This Philadelphia wedding venue can host up to 120 guests seated in the main dining room. If you want to celebrate in the Greenhouse, capacity is limited to 65 guests seated. 

That intimate space is part of Osteria’s charm, though. It gives you the sense that you can connect with every guest. You can steal away for quiet moments in the booths with your partner and stop at every table without missing out on anything.  

Wedding Portraits in Old City

Jess and Tony held their Osteria Philadelphia wedding in October. That year, October was notoriously rainy. The fact that Jess and Tony got such gorgeous weather on their wedding day felt like a true miracle.

We started that sunny day at the Loews Hotel in Center City. The hotel has incredible views of the skyline. It was a great place to do the first look. The photo of Jess and Tony silhouetted against the skyline gives you a sense of how much you can see from the hotel. Even if you’re not getting married there, it’s definitely worth getting a few rooms for getting ready!

After the first look, we headed to Old City for portraits. We took the ten minute drive to the Merchant Exchange Building. The historic building made the most breathtaking backdrop for portraits. Overall, it was such an easy day with lots of tender moments.

Jess and Tony’s Loving Wedding

When I asked Jess and Tony what they wanted their Osteria Philadelphia wedding to be like, they shared this:

“Tony and I want our wedding to be filled with joy, warmth, and love. We envision our wedding to be meaningful, inviting, and intimate for our guests. Ideally, we want every one of our guests to feel how important they are to us. We want our wedding to be about our love and the love we have for the people around us.”

This desire to connect with and honor their loved ones shaped every choice Jess and Tony made on their wedding day. They made sure every person felt valued. All of their parents and Jess’s bridesmaids received handwritten letters from Jess. I loved documenting all the little ways in which their love for everyone unfolded.

At Osteria, they held a sweet ceremony with their guests seated at the tables in the Greenhouse. Their decor took the restaurant’s cue for a simple but elegant take on a Mediterranean aesthetic. The whole night was beautiful and cozy.

Would you like me to photograph your wedding? I’m a New Jersey wedding photographer documenting eclectic weddings on the East Coast. Let’s create joyful images of your celebration. Get in touch! 

Thank you to the vendors who made Jess and Tony’s wedding so wonderful:
Venue: Osteria Philadelphia
Photographer: Luna and Lark Photography 
Cake: The Sugary 
Candles and Pillow Rentals: Creamery Hill Events
Hair and Makeup: Jazmin Rae Bridal 
Videographer: Roslyn Films 
Coordinator: Carolina Hatton Design
Floral Stand Rentals: Simply Cole Co.