Portico wedding at Awbury Arboretum

June 23, 2025 • Leave a Comment

I photographed Sarah and Max's wedding at Portico at Awbury Arboretum. This wedding was special to me. Not only did I know Sarah as a child, but her dad was a wedding photographer who had helped me at the beginning of my career. We worked together at the same studio (in the analog days, where we shot on film). He was a patient and talented mentor and encouraged me to go out on my own. So I certainly wanted to capture some of this wedding on still film. Sarah and Max have such a sweet way of showing affection, and it truly felt like they were living in the moment throughout the day! I felt so creative and truly myself as a photographer in this incredible atmosphere and venue. When you step onto the grounds of Portico at Awbury Arboretum, you’re instantly enveloped by the beauty of its 55 acres of verdant landscape, stone pathways, and centuries-old trees. Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic Germantown, this venue offers a magical blend of natural elegance and timeless charm. With the Francis Cope House, an 1860s stone mansion and a wraparound porch, Portico feels like a hidden oasis, perfect for couples who seek both romance and history in their wedding day. The house also hosts an art gallery on the first floor. This is where they danced the night away, and the party seamlessly flowed out onto the porch.

As a hybrid film and digital photographer with a fine art background, I’m drawn to the way Portico’s beauty unfolds across every moment, offering me the opportunity to blend the analog warmth and nostalgia of film with the crisp precision of digital photography. The result? Wedding images that feel both timeless and contemporary, capturing the depth and texture of your day, while staying true to the emotions you experience.

My approach to wedding photography is rooted in the art of storytelling and fine art-creating images that reflect the genuine emotions of the day, while also crafting a cohesive visual narrative. The blend of still film and digital allows me to play with texture, light, and mood, creating a unique aesthetic for every wedding:

Film photography brings a soft, romantic, and timeless quality to your portraits and key moments. The grain, the slight imperfections, the dreamy tones—it’s an analog experience that adds depth and nostalgia to your album.
Digital photography is perfect for capturing fast-moving moments—like vows, laughter, and dancing—where clarity and precision are key. It gives a clean, sharp feel, perfectly complementing the timeless essence of film.

By combining these two mediums, I create an album that is not only artistic but authentic, showing the raw emotions of your day with the fine art sensibility of light and composition.

When it comes to making the wedding day unforgettable, Peachtree Catering & Events was an essential partner in bringing this celebration to life. Their farm-to-table approach ensures that your meal is not just food—it’s an experience. As the exclusive caterer for Portico, Peachtree's creative and mouthwatering menu is a perfect match for the venue’s natural beauty.

As the exclusive caterer at Portico, Peachtree complements the venue’s vibe with natural, handcrafted dishes and excellent service. Highlights include:

Farm‑to‑table, made‑from‑scratch cuisine: From homemade rolls and dressings to creative entrées and desserts, every bite bursts with freshness and flavor.
Seasonally inspired and customizable menus: Whether a plated dinner, family‑style feast, or food‑station cocktail hour, Peachtree caters to every taste and dietary need—vegans, gluten‑free, kosher—all with flair.
Impeccable service you’ll still remember: Couples rave about the attentiveness, from tracking your color palette and matching themes, to keeping guests hydrated and solving the tiniest issues behind the scenes. One reviewer put it best: “Peachtree Catering was so professional. The service was flawless, the food was incredible… We get endless compliments still to this day.

If you're dreaming of a wedding day rooted in natural beauty, historic character, and culinary artistry, Portico at Awbury Arboretum and Peachtree Catering are a match made in heaven. And if you're looking for a photographer who’ll capture every thoughtfully curated moment—the candid laughter, the delicate details, the way the light dances—you’ve found your storyteller.

Congratulations to Sarah and Max!!!!!!