As a preferred professional at this popular venue, I've photographed over 300 weddings at HollyHedge Estate.
Located in New Hope, HollyHedge has incredible rustic charm and unsurpassed natural beauty and is an absolute favorite venue of mine.
The old barn never ceases to amaze me with all its beautiful photo spots and magnificent light. I am drawn to the rustic stone walls, and the doorway and window of the back of the barn which is photographically interesting. And I love the green doors on each side!
The natural light of the large windows in the old barn is AMAZING. I generally start the bridal portraits inside where the lighting is perfect, and photograph the wedding gown and other details before we go out in nature for more photographs and the first look. The vast majority of the couples I work with choose a first look, because it allows them to fully utilize the venue in a relaxed way, and gives them more time to spend with their guests during their cocktail hour and reception. The balcony here calls out to be decorated and I’ve seen it dressed up in so many styles. I’ve seen roses hanging above guests for a stunning visual effect, and hanging votive candles that create a warm, inviting ambience for ceremonies. And I’ve been there throughout the holidays with the fireplace crackling, while it was all decked out in grapevine garland, curly willow and winter branches.
The Old Barn is beautiful inside and out from the ceremony site to the outdoor bar and pergola with dozens of places for incredible wedding day photos, making the Holly Hedge Estate a dream to photograph.
The brick courtyard, with its ornate antique iron gates, historic stone barn, and lovely fountain depicting the Three Graces, offers several picturesque photo backgrounds at any time of year. Each season provides its own charm and it is always fun to take photographs there. Because it is a stunning focal point, brides frequently have their florist decorate the fountain in their wedding colors.
I’ve come to know and love this venue in every season and every type of weather. I know the best spots for light, and the prettiest locations (no matter the month or time of day!). Yet even though I know this place so intimately, I always approach every wedding I photograph as new and unique. Because it is. My goal is to tell your story.
The look of HollyHedge Estate changes throughout the day as the sun rises and sets. In the morning, the sun filters through the trees to create a magical light and at sunset there is a golden glow. One of my secrets for photographing at HollyHedge is to turn the fountain off at just the right time to get a reflection of the couple in the water. How pronounced the reflection is depends on the light and time of year. Some of my fall reflection photos are strikingly vivid. If you happen to tour or book HollyHedge and are in their sales office, you can see one of my reflection prints hanging on the wall.
There is also a rustic bridge that couples and wedding parties like to use, as well as a gazebo whose top is wonderfully covered in moss. And do you know about the ferns? From June until about August, there is a beautiful wash of naturalized ferns that appear which make the pond an ideal spot for your wedding photographs. I’ve noticed that every year these ferns become more plentiful! This spot is just on the other side of their naturalized pond and also on the way to the very special Hobbit House. Ah, the Hobbit House! Some of my favorite photos have been taken at this romantic little gem in the woods. In the fall the sun sets just behind this adorable cottage. Check out some of the pictures I’ve taken here.
There is also a creek that flows near the front woods that borders the meadow, an area where ceremonies can be held or bridal portraits can be taken underneath the towering trees.
Behind the inn is a quiet area with a huge fallen tree and tall grasses that are perfect for walking through. Some wonderful pictorial photographs can be made there and in an area just beyond known as “The Field.” Every August, yellow wildflowers populate the back fields. White Queen Anne’s Lace flourishes throughout the summer. And in November, the pampas grass makes for a vivid fall landscape. These settings are popular with couples who are looking for organic moments in nature. My unposed-looking photos and the outdoor areas at HollyHedge Estate combine to offer the type of wedding photographs my couples love.
The courtyard is extremely popular for ceremonies. Clients have a choice of which direction to hold their ceremony and I’ve seen them choose all four directions. The two most popular are with guests facing the old barn or facing the stone alcove, which is in the direction of the reception barn.
Ceremonies inside the stone barn are lovely and intimate, especially by candlelight. The focal point is the large and gorgeous original stone fireplace. There is also upstairs seating for guests. The wedding party can enter by coming down the stairs from the balcony or from the back of the barn beside the fireplace. Inside or outside, is a wonderful place to get married.
Ceremonies can also be held in the meadow in front of the inn, giving the bride an elegant entrance down the long walkway!
Cocktail hour is typically held in the Old Barn with access to the courtyard. Stations are set up by the fountain, the perimeters of the courtyard, and also inside the building. There is plenty of room to see up serving stations of pasta, sushi, cheese, charcuterie, Mediterranean fare, or seafood.
There’s also a second bar located outside called the “Three Seasons Bar” under a covered pavilion made of reclaimed lumber from Bucks County barns.
Receptions are typically held in the new barn and can accommodate up to 200 guests. The back wall is stone, and the ceiling has wooden barn trusses. A beautiful antique bar runs along the opposite side.
HollyHedge Estate offers award-winning cuisine using local ingredients from not only local farms and vendors but from its own on-site organic gardens. The HollyHedge staff works with each couple to customize and create its own wedding day menu. There are also child-friendly menu options, and the chefs are prepared for any allergy or diet restrictions you or your guests may have. They even have their own pastry chef, who can create your amazing wedding cake! Farm tables are also a very popular option and the staff can help you find whatever rentals you need.
When you book HollyHedge Estate, you have exclusive use all day without distractions from outside guests or other weddings, which is a huge bonus when it comes to choosing your wedding location.
HollyHedge Estate offers a lovely bridal suite for the bride and her attendants to get ready. There’s also a groom’s suite in the main house. Some grooms prefer to get ready in the Honeymoon Suite or in another room on the property, and several options are offered.
The Inn has 15 rooms available for overnight stays for your guests. For larger weddings, another 24 rooms are available at HollyHedge’s sister inn, the 1740 House, four miles up the road in historic Lumberville. A trolley is provided to shuttle your guests from the 1740 House to the wedding and back at the end of the night.
I’ve photographed weddings from intimate to large at HollyHedge Estate, and many receptions held in the Old Barn. I remember first seeing it set up for a reception, with pin-lights shining on centerpieces, and thinking how perfect and magical it all looked. I’ve photographed receptions of just 20 guests, and I’ve even photographed a wedding (held on a weekday) where it was only the bride, the groom, the officiant and myself!
Besides supporting local growers and farmers by buying locally sourced ingredients, HollyHedge grows a lot of the fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers that they share with the guests. Rainwater is collected in barrels that help irrigate the crops and reduce run-off and erosion. Left-over cooking oil is recycled into biodiesel fuel.
HollyHedge also has an on-site composting system for fruit and vegetable scraps as well as coffee grinds and eggshells. And left-over food scraps are saved for a locally-based hog farmer as food for the livestock.
Native grasses and wildflowers flourish on the grounds, and these lush fields are perfect spots for beautiful photos of couples and wedding parties. These native wildflowers also support pollinators and wildlife and help the environment as well as looking beautiful. You’ll see a few goats in the back fields as well. But be careful! The goats love to eat bridal bouquets!
HollyHedge Estate dates back to the late 1700s, when a carpenter named Watson Fell began building the Old Barn and several other buildings that still stand out of locally quarried field stone and hand-hewn timber. The Fell family lived on the property for about a hundred years, and then it changed hands several times. For years the property was a working farmstead and then it was a private estate. In the 1960’s it became a school for the performing arts. What a great environment for music, theater and art!
The school eventually closed and the property changed hands several times before falling into disrepair. Finally, the Luccaro family purchased HollyHedge Estate in 1994 and has worked tirelessly to preserve and restore the historic buildings and transform the property into the spectacular and unique wedding venue it is today.
When you have your wedding at HollyHedge, it’s your private estate for the day. The staff will work with you to create the wedding you’ve always wanted, and I’ll work with you to create your wedding day timeline, leaving ample time for relaxed portraiture and those wedding day photos you’ll forever treasure.
HollyHedge includes five hours of event time, but this does not include set-up and clean-up times. There is a set-up fee of $5 per person when you have your reception at HollyHedge. Packages range from $140 to $175 per person, and this is seasonal. You can also schedule a two-hour After Party in the Old Barn. See HollyHedge’s excellent wedding coordinators for more information on pricing and customizing your special day. They are now offering micro weddings and elopements in their courtyard if you are looking for an intimate celebration.
HollyHedge is located at 6987 Upper York Rd, New Hope, Pa., 18938, between Peddlers Village and the Delaware River. 215-862-3136
Check out more of my favorite Holly Hedge Estate weddings Here
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