More and more of our couples are hosting chic, urban weddings…

In many of these cases the photos are done in some VERY public places.

We’ve had a couple {Lauren + Gene} who entered into the realm of Occupy Philadelphia with photographer Jackie Bayne of Love Shack Photo – the couple was crossing between their ceremony location and the reception location and knew what they were getting into.

In other cases they are in parks, side streets or hotel lobbies with random people in the background.

Iconic City Hall, Love Park and Art Museum shots are sure to have visitors; not to mention the fact that even with a permit (Art Museum, Water Works, and Independence Park) you may not be the ONLY group there to do photos…

You have to be prepared to run into other wedding parties and other BRIDES! Who may or may not be very welcoming at the experience of running into another gown clad beauty on HER special day…

We also see brides who decide for an impromptu ‘After Party ‘ in the hotel’s bar – be forewarned you may run into one (or more)gown clad brides who may have been married or at a minimum stayed on property as well…

Recently we’ve seen a few things that even surprised us…

Recently our team directed an Old City wedding with the ceremony under The Shambles at Headhouse Square. Beautiful, historic and surrounded by several streets; not just any streets but Old City cobblestone streets complete with trolley tracks.

The other things that came with the Old City street on a Saturday night was traffic – the random pedestrian was easy to handle – but we also had a double decker tour bus, a motor cycle and even a low rider with BLARING music – fortunately the bride, groom and Rabbi all took it in good spirits.

Not so much would have been the couple who were to be married in a public park – they had the permits for the gazebo and our décor team had set up the chairs and décor well before the scheduled time…

Only to have a random limo, bride and groom, large bridal party and guests all arrive to get married in this public space – after all it was PUBLIC. And they were happy to use our chairs and décor that HAPPENED to be there waiting for them…

Fortunately, our décor team and the crew from the adjacent venue (who oversee the space) were able to move them on and clean up well before our wedding guests arrive…

Bottom line – know the possibilities… know that public spaces are sometimes very public, know that you may have random guests in the background of your photos and video, also be ready to roll with the punches…

Our theory –‘forewarned is forearmed’; we don’t like surprises and plan for just about everything.

But, chill and have some fun with it!

 

 

 

 

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