Philadelphia

It’s not often you come across an elopement photographer who melds a documentary-style approach with fine art techniques, but Daniela Monzi, founder of Gemini Sun Creative, can’t help but do just that. Daniela honed her passion for photography at the San Francisco Art Institute before moving east to Philadelphia, where she specializes in intimate wedding and elopement photography. With a portfolio ranging from dreamy cabin elopements to gorgeous city skyline views, Daniela brings her skilled background to capture these treasured moments with the kind of passion and candid playfulness that elopements deserve.

The idea for Truehart Wedding Chapel was born years ago when owner Nikki Kiah’s was planning her own wedding. She couldn’t find a venue for less than $30k, and the only option for an intimate wedding was to head to the courthouse for a justice of the peace ceremony. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and the only option was to go small—due to the ban on large gatherings—her idea took shape, and she opened Truehart Wedding Chapel.

As a minister, Nikki officiates the ceremonies, with offerings ranging from true quickie elopements, like her “Philly Justice of the Peace Special,” to intimate ceremonies for up to 20 seated guests. Regardless of the size, she strives to take the same amount of time, care, and preparation in planning that you’d receive at a much larger venue. Plus, every couple receives a complimentary champagne toast. Cheers!

This hidden gem tucked inside a rehabbed rowhome in Philadelphia’s Washington Square West neighborhood is intimate by design. Owner Monica Welsh designed the space to cater to couples who want smaller, more affordable affairs, without sacrificing style. Choose from two primary elopement packages ranging from $2,195-$3,295, depending on much time you’d like and your number of guests (max is 24). Both packages offer an arch, wedding suite, and champagne toast. 

An over-100-year-old church got a second life when a Philadelphia entrepreneur decided to transform the stone, Gothic Revival-style building into a chic boutique hotel. Today, the Deacon is an eight-bedroom hotel-slash-event space that mixes preserved architectural features such as stained-glass windows with modern, Bauhaus-inspired decor, and it can be rented out for a night’s stay or intimate gatherings. If it’s just the two of you, book a room and fill out an event inquiry form to start planning your ceremony on the property. Alternatively, you can book the entire hotel for $1,800 and host up to 18 guests. As a bonus, the hotel is located a short walk from Rittenhouse Square, 1700 Addison Street, and Delancey Street— all of which serve as dreamy outdoor photoscapes. 

If you love a woodsy, rustic wedding and don’t mind venturing outside the city, point your car in the direction of the Poconos, and don’t stop until you hit Promise Ridge in Stroud Township. There, celebrant Alisa Tongg has created The Living Wall—a swoon-worthy, lush green wall surrounded by trees and twinkle lights—where you can say your vows as a couple or with up to 20 friends to witness. You bring the photographer and bouquet and depending on your guest list and day of the week, Tongg charges between $1,500 and $2,750 for your ceremony, 90 minutes of party time, and the filing of your marriage license. After, you have the option to take the celebration elsewhere or to book a sit-down, family-style dinner right there at the pavilion at Promise Ridge. 

Located in one of Philly’s hippest, most rapidly transforming neighborhoods, Lokal Fishtown is a boutique apartment hotel with “invisible service”—e.g., an iPad replaces the concierge, and all communication with hotel staff is done via text or email. Each apartment is outfitted with modern, Apartment Therapy-Esque decor and furnishings, each with its own unique footprint. For your elopement, you’ll need to buy out the hotel for the night—it sleeps 16, tops—and pay an event fee. If the weather’s nice, host your ceremony outdoors in the property’s gravel courtyard (located off the Garden Jawn room). Say “I do” surrounded by greenery, host a small sit-down dinner under the pergola, then celebrate your new marriage with cake and Champagne under the stars. After, you can spend the night in the studio apartment, or go hit up some of the neighborhood’s best nightlife—grab a drink at Suraya, one of the best restaurants in the city; visit Frankford Hall’s boisterous beer garden; or opt for some of the best pizza in America at Pizzeria Beddia. Pro tip: You’re going to want to get your wedding cake from Fishtown’s Cake Life Bake Shop, which is fully Beyoncé-approved.

For a super-simple elopement, head to this brick-lined, loft-style wedding chapel in Philadelphia’s East Falls neighborhood. The space can hold up to 50 guests, but you can also opt for the very basic, very literal “Make It Legal” service—$100 to get your marriage license signed. For something a little more personal, they’ve got a variety of packages ranging from $200 to $800, based on your guest list, with the option to add on a Champagne or sparkling cider toast at the end. Located near the Schuylkill River banks, you’re not far from waterfront portraits or pictures on the East Falls Bridge.