TO HAVE AND TO HOST
BOOK THESE POSH PRIVATE SPACES TO BOOKEND YOUR BIG DAY IN STYLE.
Book these posh private spaces to bookend your big day in style.
Wedding days quickly turn into wedding weekends, with rehearsal dinners, brunches, and everything in between. Local spots have caught on to the trend, creating events to rival the wedding itself. Get on board, too, and show off Philadelphia’s charm by treating your guests to pre- and postparties at these lavish spaces around the city.
If a breakfast buffet with a side of city views sounds like your thing, head to Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse S. 17th St., 215-563-4810; davios.com), where guests are treated to made-fromscratch pastries and cakes on the penthouse floor’s outdoor terrace. “Brides and grooms are also booking brunches for family parties to celebrate destination weddings for people who can’t attend,” says Elizabeth Blakely, sales manager of Davio’s. Or opt for dinner inside a wine cellar at Caffe Aldo Lamberti (2011 Marlton Pike W., Cherry Hill, NJ,856-663-1747; caffe lamberti.com), where
you can pick a variety of homey Italian dishes to please all tastes.
Taking over your favorite restaurant is an option, too. “We offer partial and full buyouts of the restaurant for wedding parties at Tredici (114 S. 13th St., 267-928-2092; tredicienoteca.com). A partial buyout is ideal for a group of up to 45 guests, while a full buyout can accommodate up to 65 guests for a seated meal,” says Katie Balsamo, director of business affairs and special events for Zavino Hospitality Group. Or give your guests a glamorous experience in Philly’s most luxe hotels at Scarpetta (210 W. Rittenhouse Square, 215-558-4199; scarpettarestaurants.com/ philadelphia) in The Rittenhouse hotel (their house-made spaghetti is nationally recognized) or Aqimero (10 Avenue of the Arts, 215-523-8200; richardsandoval.com/ aqimero), a sweeping Latin seafood space run by chef Richard Sandoval inside the Ritz-carlton, Philadelphia. “A window into the wood-fired grill in the main dining room allows guests to see the kitchen in action during their event,” says John Christinzio, director of operations.
If all of this sounds a bit overwhelming (you’re basically planning a second wedding here), let the professionals do the work for you. “We are able to offer recommendations for florists, musicians, vendors for favors and candy buffets, special linens, specialty cakes, and more,” says owner Aldo Lamberti, who also offers these services at his Old City spot, Positano Coast (212 Walnut St., 215-2380499; positanocoast.net). With all of these options, making an impression on your wedding weekend is easier than you think. Now, to decide: Latin or Italian?