venue spotlight:
Cescaphe Weddings & Events
Philadelphia Wedding Photography
CEscaphe event group
Cescaphe weddings are ideal for those couples wanting the perfect all-inclusive wedding experience in Philadelphia. Carefully crafted and imagined by Philly native, Joe Volpe, it’s easy to see why couples are drawn to Cescaphe for their one-stop shop wedding experience. Cescaphe venues are highly sought after as premier wedding locations in the area and encompass everything you could imagine for your big day. From a decadent 90-minute cocktail, complete with a sushi bar, crab legs and carving stations to the 5 hour reception for guests to party the night away. And as Philadelphia Wedding Photographers, it’s an absolute pleasure to work with such hospitable staff. Every Cescaphe event runs so smoothly and effortlessly, making our job that much easier! Read on to learn more about each venue and what it has to offer.
Example Weddings
We’ve had the honor of photographing many Philadelphia weddings within Cescaphe Event Group. See below for some examples:
Cescaphe Ballroom Weddings
The Cescaphe Ballroom has all of the charm of old world opulence. This once quiet spot on North 2nd holds quite a bit of history in Philadelphia. Originally starting as a Tavern in 1809 and then transforming into the Imperial Theater in 1923, it’s truly a one of a kind venue with rich history. The first of the Cescaphe franchise, the Cescaphe Ballroom was launched in 2003 and hosts over 100 weddings each and every year. It made its mark as a popular venue by offering six hours of party time (versus the typical five hour reception) which includes an hour and a half cocktail party, hosted in three separate rooms: the Garden Courtyard, Lounge, and Main Cocktail room. Cescaphe Ballroom also features a grand ballroom with Juliet balcony which offers a popular “photo opportunity” for couples.
Water Works Weddings
Water Works is a more recent acquisition of the Cescaphe franchise and was renovated in 2015. Another one of Philadelphia’s historic landmarks constructed in 1811, this particular venue offers some of the most spectacular views of Boat House Row, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and even a hint of the Philadelphia skyline. What makes the Water Works truly unique is that owner Joe Volpe dished out almost $70,000 for a permanent tent, offering an expansive reception location. Couples can opt for a more intimate indoor reception in the Engine House with a maximum of 140 people, the Grand Pavilion with a capacity of 180, or take advantage of the new tented space, called The Mill House, which holds up to 400 people. It’s perfectly situated on a large outdoor veranda and overlooks the Schuylkill River with perfect sunset views of Boat House Row. We’d encourage couples to sneak away for some romantic sunset photographs on the large stone gazebo, situated right along the edge of the river.
Vie Weddings
Probably one of Cescaphe’s largest event spaces, Vie is quite grande and holds up to 600 guests. That is one heck of a party!! The decor and theme are inspired by French Provencal design. It features imported Italian mosaic tile and luxurious lounge seating with a main stage and built in lighting (a photographer’s dream!). And though it’s a large space, the lighting and ambience still create an intimate feel. The location features a beautiful courtyard for outdoor ceremonies and also makes for the perfect place to shoot family formal photographs! Its industrial vibe with steel beams and hanging chandeliers are complimented by lush greenery, making the courtyard an inviting space for the ceremony, as well as an outdoor reception lounge for guests to hang out and enjoy some fresh air.
The Lucy Weddings
The Lucy shot onto the Philadelphia wedding scene in early 2019. Situated just perfectly on Broad Street, it has been a hot spot for weddings in downtown Philly ever since it opened. Its elegant and sophisticated vibe is reminiscent of the late 19th century European charm. When you first enter the space, you’re greeted with the famed “Lucy” neon sign against painted white brick. It has quickly become a very recognizable and highly sought after photo opp for couples getting married at The Lucy. Once inside, you’re immediately swept into the large grand ballroom, with high ceilings and modern lighting. The second floor balcony, which overlooks the ballroom, is the perfect spot for your extended 90-minute cocktail hour. Cescaphe venues are known for their extravagant cocktail spread, with lobster tails, shrimp and crab, all piled on top of an elaborate ice sculpture. It’s surely an unforgettable experience for your guests. The Lucy also features something that no other Cescaphe venue offers, long and elegant high top tables. We really love this unique look, which helps break up the spaces on either side of the large dance floor!
Downtown Club Weddings
This fabulous space overlooking Independence Mall is perfect for a small to medium sized wedding or event. Originally built in 1921, the club still features some of the original Georgian Revival style with brass chandleries (updated with modern shades), classic inlaid woodwork and moulding and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Old City and the Delaware River. The Downtown Club is perfectly suited for 125-220 guests and has the most amazing natural light filling the main ballroom. One of the best features of this venue is definitely location! Just steps away from Hotel Monaco and two of our favorites shooting locations — Washington Square Park and 2nd Bank Park. The Downtown Club offers everything you could ask for when it comes to throwing an elegant and classic wedding in Old City, Philadelphia. We especially love shooting in this location because of the expansive dance floor, allowing guests plenty of room to party all night long!
Tendenza Weddings
Tendenza is perfectly situated in the heart of Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood. With it’s sleek looking ballroom, it’s certainly the ideal location for any couple wanting a sophisticated and chic loft-style affair. Among some of its highlighted features are the show-stopping crystal chandeliers, an impressive pass-through bar and the industrial style black and white decor. One of the hidden gems of this location might be the famous “Do what you love” mural on the side of the building that is also shared with the NoLibs WeWork location. We also love the long-standing tradition for every Tendenza wedding to have a sparkler lined dance floor, which greets our newlyweds as they begin their first dance together. One of our favorite photographs to capture at this venue might be the dramatic night-shot right in front of the theater-style front entrance of the building, featuring the “Tendenza” marquee. This venue is setup to host approx 140-240 guests! *Note as of 2021, Tendenza has permanently closed.*