99 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Set just steps from Rittenhouse Square and nestled within the Shops at Liberty Place, The Westin Philadelphia offers couples a refined city venue with the convenience of a full-service hotel and the warmth of personalized attention.
For couples planning a celebration in the heart of Center City, it’s a location that delivers style, space, and a smooth guest experience from start to finish. Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a large-scale wedding, the Westin offers flexibility and a setting that’s easy to make your own.
Versatile Spaces for Large & Intimate Celebrations
The hotel features a range of event rooms, including its crown jewel-the Grand Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 700 guests for a seated dinner. With its high ceilings and expansive layout, the room is ideal for a dramatic flair.
For smaller events, the Westin offers more intimate spaces that maintain the same level of elegance and service. Each space is clean, neutral, and polished, offering a sophisticated backdrop for décor in any style. From a photography standpoint, the ballroom’s lighting and spacious layout make it easy to capture everything from wide-angle dance floor shots to quiet moments at your sweetheart’s table.
Wedding Photography at The Westin
As premier Philadelphia wedding photographers, we always appreciate the Westin’s versatility. Whether we’re using the natural light near the suite windows for getting ready portraits or stepping outside for cityscape shots around Rittenhouse, the location makes it easy to stay efficient without sacrificing quality. The ballroom offers space to move and clean lines that keep the focus on the people and moments that matter.
Wedding Photos at the Westin Hotel
FAQs: The Westin Hotel (Philadelphia) Wedding Venue
1. Can we host both our ceremony and reception at the Westin?
Yes, The Westin offers elegant, full-service spaces where you can host your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all in one location. We’ll plan your transitions carefully so the movement between ceremony and reception feels seamless and natural.
2. How do you capture hotel lighting and ambient mood in ballroom photos?
We’ll evaluate how the ballroom’s built-in lighting (chandeliers, sconces, ceiling fixtures) interacts with the room’s color temperature. Then we’ll use off-camera lighting, modifiers, or gels to complement the ambient light rather than overpower it. By blending ambient and flash, we’ll preserve the hotel’s character and mood while ensuring your subjects stay beautifully lit and naturally rendered.
3. What are the best nearby spots for portraits or cityscape shots?
Since The Westin sits between Rittenhouse Square and major Philadelphia landmarks, you’re just steps away from beautiful urban backdrops. We’ll build in short walking windows or outdoor transitions so you can capture city contrast while preserving your timeline.
4. How do you include nearby cityscapes and neighborhood charm in our wedding portraits?
We’ll use the Westin’s prime location in Center City to your advantage—stepping outside for short walking windows to capture portraits with Rittenhouse Square, City Hall, or the surrounding streets as backdrops. Inside, we’ll frame windows, corridors, and lobbies to include glimpses of the city skyline or street scenes, giving your images both elegance and a sense of place.
5. How do you balance grand architectural shots and intimate moments in your photography plan?
We’ll alternate between wide, cinematic images that highlight The Westin’s architectural elegance (chandeliers, moldings, ballroom scale) and close, emotive portraits of you and your loved ones. By understanding light paths and space usage ahead of time, we’ll know when to step back for dramatic compositions and when to move in for detail and emotion.
Venue Information:
99 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 563-1600
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Your Wedding Will Be Extraordinary—Your Photographs Should Be Too
Contact Ralph Deal Photography