Walking through a wedding day at Union Trust


To be honest, Union Trust is my favorite wedding venue in the whole Philadelphia area. There isnt another venue that gives your guests that WOW factor once you walk in. The high ceilings immediately draw the eye upward, making the space feel expansive and grand. With all of the decor lighting throughout the venue, your guests feel as though they’re part of something regal.


Besides the grand feels and vibes that the venue gives you and your guests, you are treated to the best staff and maitre'd in the business. Thomas is a machine and never misses a beat during an event there. The location is right in downtown Philly and within blocks of a handful of the popular hotels that couples use for room blocks. A bonus for having a parking lot right next door, which at least as a vendor, is greatly appreciated for a Philly venue.


The sweet spot on headcount at Union Trust is around 150 in my opinion. I know they say they can hold closer to 175-200 but once you start getting above 175 it starts affecting the comfort of your guests between the tightness of the tables or the size of the dance floor.


Besides these tips, I'm going to give a perspective on this venue for the sake of photos on a wedding day. Giving you some ideas of what to except for photography during a Union Trust wedding.

A romantic couple during their wedding at Union Trust with dramatic red lighting and reflective flooring creating a mirror effect.
A couple dances during a wedding at Union Trust on the second floor of with details illuminated by dramatic pink lighting.

Outdoor Locations for Portraits


If you're looking for picturesque spots near Union Trust in Philadelphia, you might be surprised by how few classic photo locations there are right around the corner. Union Trust, while a beautiful building in itself, doesn’t have a wealth of immediate photo opportunities. However, don’t let that discourage you—Philadelphia’s charming photo spots are just a short stroll away.


One of the closest locations is Washington Square, a historic park just a 2+ blocks from Union Trust at about two city blocks away. This National Park site is a lovely place to capture photos with plenty of greenery and park space to work with. It’s a peaceful, picturesque spot that perfectly embodies the charm of the city.


A little further away, at about 3-4 city blocks away from Union Trust is the 2nd Bank Building. This area works really well because not only is there a large amount of space to work with, but it has a variety of background options. You have the building itself but you also have plenty of pathways and greenery to work with as well. I will typically use this space for a lengthier amount of time because of the variety and open space to work with.


Just past that you have 18th Century Garden at about 4 solid blocks away from Union Trust. This intimate garden usually has some greenery to work with year round with their evergreen bushes at least but in the spring and fall, it is a beautiful hidden gem in downtown Philly for photos. There aren't a lot of options at this location which makes this usually a quicker spot for portraits if it is on the list of places to stop during our bridal formals.


The furthest options in the area that is still able to be walkable from Union Trust is the most iconic building of the bunch. Merchants' Exchange Building. This is one of the most recognizable buildings in Philly for wedding photos. The architecture is amazing and makes for some iconic photos. It is about 5 solid blocks away from Union Trust so for a lot of my couples, this involves a quick trolley ride or Uber. But its definitely walkable if you are up for a stroll on your wedding day.


A bride's veil flows dramatically in the wind against a green park backdrop during a wedding at Washington Square Park in Philadelphia
Wedding couple stands on grand marble steps of the 2nd Bank Building in Philadelphia with white columns on a sunny day.
A bride and groom share a romantic moment on a rustic wooden bridge surrounded by lush green trees in Washington Square Park in Philly
Row of majestic white stone columns at a neoclassical building entrance of the 2nd Bank Building in Philadelphia
Elegant wedding couple poses between classical Greek columns at the 2nd Bank Building in Philadelphia.
Elegant couple in wedding attire descends stone steps at historic building entrance during their ceremony.
A wedding ceremony takes place in a lush garden setting with a white gazebo and manicured hedges at the 18th Century Garden in Philadelphia
A couple shares a romantic moment under an ornate white lattice gazebo surrounded by red autumn foliage.
A romantic wedding couple shares a tender dip pose against the elegant backdrop of the Merchants Exchange Building in Philadelphia
A wedding couple shares an intimate moment under the grand columns of the Merchants Exchange Building in Philly.
A black and white panoramic view of historic colonial buildings with trees and pathways at a university campus.
A wedding couple poses outdoors in front of a dramatic blue sky next to the Merchants Exchange Building in Philadelphia

Indoor Locations for Portraits


Whether it might be the weather not cooperating or whether a couple might prioritize not wanting to leave the venue for any photos, you are in luck to have a venue as picturesque as Union Trust for your wedding for some indoor photos. Thanks to the indoor architecture, you could easily get a solid amount of photos without having to leave the venue. There even is an old bank vault in the basement if that matches your vibes for photos. Honestly I dont use it much but having options is something most venues dont provide when it comes to photo opportunities.

Elegant wedding party in formal attire poses for dramatic portrait in grand ballroom setting of Union Trust wedding in Philadelphia.
A couple in formal attire poses together at a dimly lit bar with warm orange lighting at Union Trust in Philadelphia.
Wedding party poses together in formal attire against elegant draped fabric backdrop in a reception venue.
A romantic wedding reception at Union Trust in Philadelphia with warm lighting and elegant decor creates an intimate atmosphere.
A couple shares a joyful moment in front of an ornate wooden wall panel with ambient lighting at Union Trust in Philadelphia
A romantic wedding couple shares intimate kisses in an industrial basement setting with vintage machinery in the background.
A couple poses at their wedding reception in Union Trust in an elegant venue with purple uplighting and ornate architectural details.
A couple shares an intimate moment on their wedding day in an elegantly lit reception at a Union Trust wedding

Lighting


The most important thing for all photographers capturing weddings at Union Trust is proper lighting and positioning of their lights. Because I've shot Union Trust weddings for many years, and have at least a couple every year there, I'm very familiar with my favorite places to position my lights. I've even purchased a lighting clamp specifically for one spot in Union Trust to get perfect positioning of one of my lights for ceremony and receptions. The key is to be able to light the key subjects properly without spilling light everywhere in the venue. You don't want your photographer to blow out details like the uplighting colors or the ceiling details. You want the photos to look like how your eyes remember them and throwing light everywhere with the hope of lighting your subject takes away from true detail. Many photographers in Philadelphia talk about the challenges of lighting at Union Trust, which is why its important to choose a photographer who has experience with your wedding venue and has expertise with reception lighting.

Ceremony


One of the benefits of Union Trust is the ability to have a function space that can conveniently hold a ceremony and a reception in one space. For most wedding day setups, the staff will organize the majority of the tables on one end of the ballroom with a tall, draped, divider to section off the ballroom and to create a functional ceremony space. Some couples tell me that this is a negative which force them to having to choose a ceremony location offsite at one of the downtown Philly churches or garden areas but honestly I believe this gets the job done well enough for most couples. There is enough elegance to make the ceremony space not feel like its awkward. Honestly, the ability for the bride to come down their large steps at the back of the ceremony space, makes for quite the dramatic entrance to your ceremony. Again, this is a key lighting challenge for some photographers but with the lighting that I come prepared with, I'm able to spotlight a light on the bride to make sure that key shot looks as elegant as guest remember it.

A couple shares their ceremony at a wedding at Union Trust while guests watch from the surrounding tables.
A bride in a white gown walks down the aisle during a wedding ceremony at a Union Trust wedding while guests watch from their seats.
A couple walks down the aisle at their wedding ceremony at Union Trust with elegant floral arrangements and white drapery in the background.
Wedding guests watch a couple's first dance in a dimly lit ballroom with warm ambient lighting.
A couple walks down the aisle during their wedding ceremony in a rustic brick venue with dramatic lighting and candles.
A silhouetted wedding ceremony in a dimly lit church with dramatic lighting and a white veil flowing in the air.
Elegant wedding ceremony in Union Trust with high ceilings, stone walls and guests at a Union Trust wedding
Wedding ceremony in an ornate historic venue with vaulted ceilings and warm lighting creates an elegant atmosphere.
Dimly lit church interior with guests seated in rows during an evening wedding ceremony at a Union Trust wedding
Wedding ceremony at Union Trust in Philadelphia showing guests looking up at a screen during a couples ceremony.

Cocktail


While the wedding guests partake in the upscale spread of hors d'oeuvres and passed appetizers that Finley Catering provides, everyone has a scenic perch to see the venue in all its wonder. The balcony stretched all the way, end to end, through the venue gives an amazing view of the entire space at your Union Trust wedding.

Introductions


There isnt a more dramatic and grand entrance to a wedding reception than how Union Trust sets it up for couples. Perched up on the 2nd floor balcony, the couple gets introduced to the reception in grand fashion with sparklers and spotlights above everyone. Its a great touch to kick off the night with style and energy.


A romantic wedding couple shares an intimate moment at a Union Trust wedding in an elegantly lit corridor and ornate architecture.
A couple performs an elegant dance lift during a stage performance with dramatic lighting and stone walls at a Union Trust wedding
Wedding guests dance and celebrate on a dimly lit dance floor during an evening reception party.
A joyful couple celebrates at their wedding reception with sparklers illuminating the stone building's window behind them.
Dark reception venue illuminated with string lights creating a romantic atmosphere.
A dark stage illuminated by dramatic spotlights during a theatrical performance.

Reception


The Finley Catering team knows how to flip a room. By the time cocktail hour is over, the ballroom space will have been completely transformed. There aren't many venues in Philadelphia that gives these kind of vibes for a wedding reception like a Union Trust wedding. With their tall ceilings and amazing details of the decor and architecture, it makes Union Trust one of the premier wedding venues in the Philadelphia area.

Elegant wedding reception venue at Union Trust in Philadelphia with stained glass windows, and long banquet tables set for dinner.
Elegant ballroom decorated with warm lighting and string lights for an evening wedding celebration at a Union Trust wedding
Guests dancing in Union Trust in Philadelphia with dramatic architectural details and pink-purple mood lighting.
Wedding reception venue with elegant lighting and guests mingling in a grand ballroom decorated with purple uplighting.
Black and white photo of a lively dance floor at a wedding reception with guests dancing and celebrating.
Couple shares their first dance in an elegant ballroom with warm lighting and high ceilings.
Wedding guests dance and celebrate on a dimly lit dance floor during an evening reception celebration.
Couple dancing in an elegant indoor venue with warm lighting and dramatic architecture at a Union Trust wedding
A sequence of wedding reception dance floor at a Union Trust wedding showing silhouettes and dramatic lighting effects.
People dancing energetically at a wedding reception with dramatic lighting and shadows at a Union Trust wedding
A wedding couple dances on a dark wooden floor while guests watch from the perimeter of a Union Trust wedding
Elegant ballroom reception venue and ornate architectural details filled with wedding guests.
Indoor wedding reception dance with warm lighting and elegant venue decorations.
Wedding reception venue with dramatic lighting and architectural details creating a romantic atmosphere.
A couple dances elegantly in a grand ballroom with dramatic lighting and architectural details in the background.

Night Shots


For most of my weddings, I offer to do a night shot during their reception. This could involve anything from going outside of a venue or taking a walk a block or two for a specific priority shot. But with Union Trust you dont have to go any further than the staircase to the 2nd floor balcony. Even if we do portraits at the venue, earlier during the day, prior to the ceremony, its worth the time it takes to venture up to the balcony during your reception for a night shot or two. The moody lighting of the venue at night is one of a kind in Philly. There are plenty of options for a dramatic and bold photo opportunity all within a stone's throw from your dance floor. The way that Union Trust lights their weddings are so professional and perfect for photography. It makes you feel like you are in some movie scene at a NYC private club. You might as well take advantage of that for your photos. A quick 5-10 minute breather from your reception will probably net you one of your favorite highlight photos of your wedding day.

Newlyweds share their first dance in a ballroom illuminated by dramatic pink and purple lighting.
A romantic couple embraces in front of a glowing wall of candlelight creating a warm, intimate atmosphere.
Wedding couple dancing under ornate arched ceiling with magenta uplighting creating a romantic atmosphere.
Couple dancing in a dimly lit ballroom with dramatic red lighting and hanging decorations.
A romantic couple embraces in a dramatic red-lit venue with ornate architectural details and glowing lights.
A couple dances together in front of an illuminated bar with purple lighting and TV screens.
Elegant reception venue with illuminated bar area and purple mood lighting creating a romantic atmosphere.
A couple shares a romantic moment in an ornately decorated venue with glowing arches and floral arrangements.
Wedding couple dances in an elegant ballroom with turquoise uplighting and ornate gold decor.