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February 20, 2023 — Spring is quickly approaching which means one thing and one thing only: wedding season is almost here! In preparation for National Wedding Planning Day (Wednesday, March 1), we’ve compiled a list of the Philadelphia region’s most unique local retailers, services, restaurants, hotels, and more, that’s sure to be the icing on the cake to any couple’s perfect day, with wedding-centric offerings from Art in the Age, Bow Wow Weddings, East Passyunk Avenue, Forsythia, Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia, Jet Wine Bar, My Local Brew Works, Royal Boucherie, Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, Stella of New Hope, and The Twisted Tail.
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Art in the Age, the elegant home bar supply and bottle shop known for craft spirits and interactive workshops, offers Custom Cocktails, fit for any wedding or grand event, that provide guests with a personalized libation. This offering includes a private meeting with skilled mixologists, individualized guided tasting of selected spirits, personalized recipe creation tailored to taste and event needs, a hands-on private tutorial, and a to-go package including the recipe, spirits, mixers, and garnishes, all personalized in appropriate quantities with detailed instructions for the host or event’s bartending staff. For more information on creating Custom Cocktails click here
Other offerings include private cocktail workshops and guided tasting sessions for a uniquely memorable and educational experience perfect for gatherings of wedding parties and loved ones, alike. The staff of expert mixologists provides guests with a behind-the-scenes look at classic cocktails from the history, to the basics of their construction, to instructions on creating designer cocktails at home. The experts at Art in the Age also offer guided tasting flights of premium spirits (from sister distillery Tamworth Distilling, Philadelphia local New Liberty Distillery, and more), sharing intel on the distillation process and unveiling subtle tasting notes.
Boasting a full stock of home bar supplies, perfect for wedding gifts, from jiggers to shakers to stirring spoons to craft sodas, bitters, and more, Art in the Age is the ideal one-stop-shop of all things beverage for couples with a love for spirits.

For larger groups, Art in the Age offers two options: a more hands-on program where guests learn the background on a cocktail and proceed to stir it up themselves, or a more casual event, where the Art in the Age staff simply serves drinks, “open bar” style. For additional event details and any questions regarding booking an event, reach out to Art in the Age here.
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Bow Wow Weddings, a full-service pet care company founded by college friends and avid dog lovers Myles Ragin and Don Valentine, allows fur babies to join in on their parents’ special day.

 From day-of transportation, to chaperoning and aisle escorting, to house sitting and more, Bow Wow Weddings and their team of dog chaperones and escorts offer personal wedding day planning for the dog of honor.

Starting at a flat hourly rate of $125/hour ($350 minimum) for one pet, Bow Wow Weddings’ team of professional dog handlers manage all logistics with care, chauffeuring the dog to and from the venue, plus pet chaperoning on the wedding day (exercising the dog, feeding, hydrating, pottying, petting and playing), to upgrades such as ceremony assistance, photo assistance, house sitting, formal doggie clothing rentals, and more.
Pet owners planning a wedding and looking for dog care can inquire on the Bow Wow Weddings website here.
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East Passyunk Avenue, home to more than 160 independently owned businesses in South Philadelphia, is the ultimate one-stop-shop for couples headed into wedding season with various wedding-centric retailers and services offering floral arrangements, dance classes, hand-crafted wedding rings, and of course bridal attire.

Local retailers and services including Sermania Jewelry, Carolyn Zinni Bridal Salon, Creations By Coppola, Society Hill Dance Academy, and Beautiful Brides Philly offer newlyweds a bevy of wedding decor, attire, professional expertise and much more to be explored while planning an upcoming wedding.  

Check out the respective businesses’ websites for more information.

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Forsythia, Chef Christopher Kearse’s contemporary French restaurant and bar in Old City, is the quintessential backdrop for intimate wedding gatherings and receptions. The space is available for buy-outs and has hosted a number of small weddings frequently held in the Bar and Lounge or Main Dining Room.
 
The enhanced Bar and Louge area boasts 14 seats for a quaint soirée, excellent for hosting an intimate evening with loved ones. The main dining room showcases its wood-burning oven with rustic European architectural influence, accommodating larger parties – ideal for celebrating with larger wedding parties and loved ones. To inquire about private events this wedding season at Forsythia, click here.
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Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia, the upscale lifestyle hotel nestled in bustling Rittenhouse Square, welcomes couples to host their special day in the 332-room centrally-located property. Wedding packages include five-hour events in the Alexander Ballroom with 140 seated capacity, wedding cake service, dedicated service staff, and a dedicated event manager to put planning at ease. Additional inclusions consist of day-of hair and makeup for the bridal suite, access to the curated vendor partner list, special china and flatware, selection of chairs and cushions, and more. 

Hyatt’s in-house restaurant, Patchwork, helmed by Executive Chef Jonathan Dearden, will cater the wedding, including options such as welcome beverages, full bar service, six tray passed hors d’oeuvres, two reception stations, a three-course dinner, and coffee and tea service, as well as a list of additional add-ons such as a Sushi, Sashimi & Nigiri Station and various meat Carving Stations.

Couples who host their wedding at Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia receive a complimentary suite the night of the wedding and bonus points to use on a honeymoon. Special guest room rates are available for the wedding party and guests staying overnight.

For more information on weddings at Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia, click here.
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Jet Wine Bar, Philadelphia’s ‘global vineyard’, offers couples and wedding-goers a verdant, flourishing outdoor venue fit for a micro-wedding at Jet Wine Garden, adjacent to the bottle shop. After the ceremony, couples can use the al fresco space as a cocktail garden or reception to continue the celebration of love. 

Guests and newlyweds can dance, and mingle underneath the soft twinkling lights that are strung throughout the garden. Couples and guests can sip on Jet Wine Bar’s variety of rare wines. In addition, Jet Wine Bar offers a three-course Garden Dinner for attendees to enjoy, and an open bar package that covers the first two hours of the event, including craft beer and an array of deluxe wines.
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My Local Brew Works, Philadelphia’s first custom craft brewery focused on special events and contract brewing, has a unique, personalized package fit for beer enthusiasts on their special day. The Custom Craft Brewing Packageoffers beer lovers the unique opportunity to (not only) create a custom beer, but to brew it themselves with creative control of beer style, hops, recipe, name, and more, for special events such as anniversaries, weddings, bachelor/ette parties, and more. 
 
The Custom Craft Brewing Package starts at $120/person and includes a full brew day, beer tastings, food, and a parting gift. Pricing may vary based on recipe, ingredients, and quantity. 
 
Those interested in learning more about the custom brewing process and reserving a brew day with My Local Brew Works may do so by emailing beer@mylocalbrewworks.com.
 
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Royal Boucherie, Old City’s lively neighborhood bistro known for exquisite French fare, is Philadelphia’s award-winning, hidden gem of a venue for partners wanting a micro-wedding. Couples who are in search of a secluded, beautifully designed, and romantic setting may hold the ceremony in the famed second-floor, verdant rooftop patio – ideal for smaller-scale weddings with a capacity of 40 guests seated during the service. Couples may exchange vows among a smattering of vibrant flowers, plants, and French-inspired structures and architectural décor, as well as a newly installed roof to assist in shading the newlyweds and guests.   
 
Following the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception can be held indoors in the expansive, second-floor private dining room – fit with a fully stocked bar and dining tables available for accommodating the wedding party. Capacity limit for this space is 50 individuals seated, and 65 people standing room. The space is decorated with vintage art, antiques and rustic yet elevated décor, in addition to the couple’s personalized floral arrangements, centerpieces, tablecloths and romantic touches they bring to the scenery.
 
 
 
Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, the New Jersey Shore’s quintessential resort, offers an array of elegant venues for indoor and outdoor weddings of any size. Founded in the early 20th century, Seaview’s architectural beauty adds an element of historic charm to every ceremony. 
 
For receptions in the warmer months, Seaview’s three spacious outdoor venues provide an ideal backdrop of florals and foliage. With its lush landscaping, a wedding gazebo, fountain, and soft lighting, The Bayview Terrace accommodates up to 350 guests and is perfect for any couple looking to have a romantic starry night ceremony. Ceremonies that require a little more space can take over the beautifully manicured Oval Lawn overlooking Reed’s Bay. Smaller receptions can find a home at the Centennial Pavilion, a charming outdoor space framed by the wooded Pines golf course with a pergola draped in wisteria vines, perfect for a daytime or evening cocktail reception for up to 150 guests.

Couples looking to host their friends and family indoors have many options to choose from. 
Designed to accommodate the largest weddings and gala events, the newly renovated Presidential Ballroom is an elegant backdrop for up to 500 guests. The Bayview Ballroom, framed by the Bayview Terrace, features a large pre-function area and lush patio for a banquet of 470 guests. The Oval Room, where Grace Kelly celebrated her Sweet 16, is perfect for more intimate receptions and accommodates up to 120 guests.
 
 
 
New Hope, PA is a sought-after destination for weddings with Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant overlooking the Delaware River, offering an expanded indoor and outdoor space for cocktail hour and reception with breathtaking riverfront views. Larger-scale ceremonies may be held at the elegant Ballroom, decorated in a neutral color scheme and encased in sweeping windows designed to give the space an airy, vast feel. If al fresco weddings are desired, Stella of New Hope offers a Promenade, the partially stoned ground, lush landscapes, and vibrant flowers, that leads to the Patio – perfect for hosting cocktail hour outdoors.   
 
To tie in the accommodations, Ghost Light Inn, located in the same building as Stella, boasts 12 rooms typically set aside for wedding guests and bridal party. Each room offers a unique view of the quaint town, and Delaware River. Additionally, just a short trek down the road is Carriage House of New Hope, a historic three-room bed and breakfast style inn, which is ideal for hosting more guests nearby.  
The Twisted Tail, the Southern-inspired restaurant, bar and live music venue on Head House Square known for its vast array of brown spirits, is the ideal venue for partners who favor a modern laid-back wedding space beautifully decorated and styled for comfortable elegance. The restaurant has three different rooms to choose from – all with varied capacities for small, intimate weddings or larger scales ones. Guests and the wedding party may snack on seasonally-crafted hors d’oeuvre and sip celebratory cocktails while mingling during cocktail hour before the sit-down dinner course.

Ceremonies held under the historic Shambles on Head House Square are rife with a Champagne reception, followed by an evening of fun, with fresh, flavorful food and soulful music at The Twisted Tail.   

In addition, The Twisted Tail offers all-inclusive wedding catering and venue packages. Click here for more information on the offerings or email sales@thetwistedtail.com.
-Eleni Sterious