Bartram’s Garden is my favorite outdoor wedding venue in Philadelphia. Do you know Bartram’s Garden? You don’t wander into it by chance. You have to decide, today is the day. You pack a picnic, invite a friend, and bask in an almost empty Garden of Eden that’s all for you and wonder why no one else is there. It’s such a hidden gem.

No surprise that it was on Maria and Matt’s radar for their wedding and it fit their style perfectly. Bartam’s Garden has a gorgeous outdoor cocktail hour surrounded by towering trees and a historic flower garden. The reception is in a vaulted tent hung with twinkly lights that overlooks a sprawling meadow that leads down to the river. The weather was perfect and the dogwoods were blooming, it couldn’t have been prettier.

I’ve known Matt since my first year in Philly. We actually met when we both joined a team of strangers to play volleyball together. Everyone on the team quickly became friends and we played together for years. One by one we dropped out with torn shoulders, babies, or both. But for the most part, we all keep in touch and in the past year I have both officiated a team member’s wedding and photographed a team member’s wedding.

We couldn’t be happier for Maria and Matt. They are truly such kind, generous individuals and we’re so glad they found one another.