Moshulu Wedding | Colleen + Stephen
Colleen & Stephen's Wedding at the Moshulu
Colleen and Stephen were married aboard the Moshulu, the historic tall ship permanently docked at Penn's Landing, giving their wedding day a backdrop unlike almost anywhere else in Philadelphia. There's something about photographing a wedding on a ship with the Delaware River and city skyline in view that changes the entire feel of the day, and Colleen and Stephen's celebration made full use of it.
The day started at the Hilton Penn's Landing, just steps from the ship, where getting ready portraits gave us a calm, unhurried start before the energy of the ceremony and reception took over. Staying so close to the Moshulu made the transition between locations seamless, which meant more time for photographs and less time in transit.
Colleen and Stephen's ceremony was a Jewish wedding, and traditions like the ketubah signing, the chuppah, and the breaking of the glass gave the day a depth and meaning that carried through every photograph. Jewish ceremonies bring a rhythm and symbolism that I always look forward to photographing, since so much of the emotion is built directly into the ritual itself.
The Moshulu itself is one of the most distinctive wedding venues in Philadelphia. Between the ship's rigging, wood deck, and unobstructed views of the waterfront and skyline, it offers a completely different visual language than a traditional ballroom or garden venue, and it gives a Philadelphia wedding photographer a lot to work with in a single location.
Once the reception got going, the energy never let up. The hora had the entire room on their feet, with Colleen and Stephen lifted into the air to cheers from every table, and it set the tone for a dance floor that stayed packed for the rest of the night. Moments like that are some of the most rewarding to photograph, since the joy in the room is completely unscripted.
By the end of the night, Colleen and Stephen's wedding had built into exactly the kind of celebration you hope for: full of tradition, movement, and genuine joy from everyone in the room.
Colleen and Stephen's wedding at the Moshulu captured everything that makes waterfront Philadelphia weddings so special: a striking setting, meaningful tradition, and a couple who let their families and friends completely take over the dance floor.
If you're planning a wedding aboard the Moshulu, at Penn's Landing, or anywhere in Philadelphia, Anton Drummond Photography offers a relaxed approach built around candid moments, genuine emotion, and thoughtful direction when it's needed.
Venue: Moshulu, 401 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA — moshulu.com
Hair & MUA: Valerie Clark — bridesbyvalerieclarke.com
Bride's Dress: BHLDN
Bride & Groom Rings: Ascot Jewelers
Florist: Eden Events — goedenevents.com
DJ: VIP DJ — vipdjentertainment.com
Wedding Cake: The Moshulu
