Imagine getting married in your favorite place. Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? That’s exactly what Simona and Mike did. Their Philadelphia Distilling wedding brought their family and friends to their favorite date spot. Their candid wedding photos show how relaxed and joyful their day was.

A Philadelphia Distilling Wedding

A Philadelphia Distilling wedding feels laid back. It is a brewery after all! Tall windows line brick walls in the open space. For an industrial wedding venue, you get tons of natural light. The beautiful view of the skyline adds to the charm.

The refinement comes in with the handcrafted cocktails complete with gorgeous garnishes. Philadelphia Distilling is also known for its 30-foot marble bar. It’s a great spot for pre-ceremony cocktails and photos with your partner. Simona and Mike took a fun approach to portraits on the bar.

Philadelphia Distilling has capacity for up to 120 guests. It’s roomy enough for a big wedding while maintaining an intimate atmosphere. The venue also provides in-house catering.

A Philadelphia Distilling wedding takes place in the heart of the Fishtown neighborhood. You’ll be surrounded by some of the city’s trendiest restaurants, hotels, and music venues. Your guests will have fun exploring the area in addition to your wedding day activities.

Documentary-Style Photography for a Laidback Wedding

Simona and Mike wanted to focus on the fun at their Philadelphia Distilling wedding. They started out as friends, and that sense of mutual care and playfulness still characterizes their relationship. 

They hired a coordinator and selected their vendors carefully. “We want to have fun and not stress over little details,” Simona told me. “Our goal is to have others make decisions on our wedding day.” That way they could soak up all the great moments without troubleshooting any wedding day mishaps. 

Simona and Mike freed up time on their wedding day by opting for a more documentary-style approach to photography. We did some portraits around Philadelphia Distilling. Other than that, I aimed to get candid photos of them laughing, cuddling, and connecting.

As a wedding photographer, I love incorporating candid images into a wedding gallery. You get a sense of what really matters to people. For Simona and Mike, that included sharing private moments. After the first look at their AirBnb, for example, they shared bourbon and took time to savor the moment.

The reception photos have that same authentic joy. The happy tears, spontaneous hugs, and dance floor laughter create fun photos. They’ll take Simoona and Mike right back to that unforgettable night.

Simona and Mike’s Amazing Party

Intentional details showed the tender side of Simona and Mike’s relationship. Mike’s custom suit had their names embroidered on it. His cufflinks featured their late tortoiseshell cat’s face.At the ceremony, they reserved a seat for Simona’s late father.

Simona and Mike’s Philadelphia Distilling wedding included mouthwatering cocktails. They love good cocktails, especially made with gin. This wedding venue was ideal for them. I loved snapping photos of their guests enjoying colorful cocktails throughout the evening.

Their ceremony was so special. A gorgeous fabric and floral arch framed them as they read their vows. There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd. Simona stashed q-tips in her dress pockets to wipe away tears without ruining her makeup. Yet another reason to love a wedding dress with pockets!

Before the wedding, Simona and Mike shared this: “This is meant to be a fun party wedding. We really want to capture that. People smiling, dancing, chatting and having a good time with us in the middle of it all enjoying everyone.”

Their vision came to life from the beginning of their wedding day to the end. Whether they were sharing a private moment or surrounded by friends, they laughed  and stayed present for the fun. It was the best party they could have hoped for.

Are you interested in having me photograph your wedding? I’m a New Jersey wedding photographer serving the East Coast. Let’s document your day with eclectic and joyful photos! Inquire with me here.

Thank you to the vendors who made this Philadelphia Distilling wedding such a blast!
Photography: Luna and Lark Photography
Venue: Philadelphia Distilling 
Florals: Myrtle & Magnolia
DJ: Sound Factor Entertainment and Events
Glam: Karen Rashevsky