The Maas Building is a cool Philadelphia wedding venue. It has a lot of historic character but is also really customizable to your vision. Kate and Kaeden knew they wanted to put their relationship and chosen family at the center of their Maas Building wedding. They wanted to skip photos that were overly dramatic and instead opted for authentic candids on film.
A Maas Building Wedding
A Maas Building wedding is always unique. The venue actually has multiple spaces where you can hold ceremonies and receptions. Indoors, there’s Upstairs at Maas. This loft includes warm hardwood floors and brick walls. It’s very industrial but easily dressed up with flowers and decor.
What most people love about a Maas Building wedding, though, is the indoor/outdoor experience. Ceremonies typically take place in front of the giant blue doors on the Patio. After the ceremony, the doors can be opened to a large reception space with towering ceilings and a balcony.
Kate and Kaeden kept things simple with a fully outdoor ceremony and reception. Guests wandered the garden during cocktail hour and ate dinner beside vine-covered walls. Even though we were right in the middle of Philadelphia, it felt like we were in a magical little oasis.
The Maas Building is one of Philadelphia’s more flexible wedding venues. Unlike some venues, they actually let you choose all your vendors, including your caterers. They only provide tables and chairs in the way of setup, though, so be prepared to coordinate any rentals that are important to you. Additionally, there’s a cottage on site where you can get ready and even stay overnight. You’ll have to reach out to the venue to get exact pricing, but former marriers have shared that their Maas Building wedding rental cost around $3500 or a bit less.
Before it was a Philadelphia wedding venue, the Maas Building lived many lives. It was originally built as a brewery in the nineteenth century. Then it was a candle factory and even a trolley car repair shop. Now, in addition to weddings, the Maas Building hosts cultural events, art installations, and even an artist’s residency.
Authentic Portraits on Film
To document Kate and Kaeden’s Maas Building wedding, I used a mix of digital and film photography. All of the photos featured here are on film. Film worked so well with the soft colors of the Maas Building. The gentle play of sun and shadow on the walls and even the French blue of the doors at the ceremony location feel soft and inviting as well as true-to-tone. This is how Kate and Kaeden’s wedding day really looked and felt.
I love using 35mm film to photograph weddings because it’s nostalgic in every sense. Looking at wedding photos on film, you can immediately picture future generations flipping through albums and appreciating them. Film is also where I got my start with photography! You can learn more about my approach to film wedding photography in this post.
Before the wedding, Kate and Kaeden told me they weren’t interested in tons of detail photos. “We don’t need details of place settings or menus,” they told me. “We just want someone to capture the love we have for each other.” So I did just that. I took some environmental photos to give more context for their story, but otherwise I mostly focused on photographing what mattered most to them.
Kate and Kaeden’s Maas Building wedding didn’t include a ton of traditional details either. They exchanged rings for their engagement instead of waiting for their wedding. At their ceremony, they had a handfasting. Kaeden’s sister officiated this part of the ceremony. It was so moving.
Some of the details that Kate and Kaeden did include showed their playful side. They got matching nail art featuring little blue flowers. We had a blast coming up with ways to show off this detail in closeup photos.
Kate and Kaeden’s Fun Reception
As sweet as Kate and Kaeden’s Maas Building wedding ceremony was, their reception was so much fun. Music is really important to both of them. The band ended up being the first vendor they picked when they started wedding planning. They did a great job getting everyone on the dance floor early and keeping them there most of the night.
Throughout the night, I was impressed by the community Kate and Kaeden have cultivated. People traveled from around the world to attend their Maas Building wedding and celebrate their commitment to each other. Knowing that this exact group of people may not have another chance to be all together again makes these wedding photos all the more special.
With such a joyful crowd, I was excited to take the candid photos that Kate and Kaeden really wanted. Their guests at their Maas Building wedding included friends and siblings whom they consider chosen family. Before the wedding, Kate and Kaeden told me, “We are looking forward to candids that show their genuine joy.” I think we accomplished that!
Your Philadelphia Wedding Photography
Are you interested in having me photograph your wedding? I’m a Philadelphia wedding photographer who’s ready to travel. I’ll document your wedding with forever in mind with a special focus on 35mm film photography. Your love deserves to be part of our archive. Inquire with me here!
Thanks to the vendors who helped make this wedding amazing:
Venue: Maas Building
Planning: Philly DIY Wedding
Photography: Theo Nash Photography
