Leighanna & Brian | May 3, 2024 | Downtown Club Philadelphia | Lehigh Valley Wedding Photographer
Leighanna and Brian said “I do” in Philadelphia—and we’re still thinking about that feeling you only get in this city: a little grit, a lot of heart, and the kind of love story that looks right at home on Broad Street.
Some love stories start with a swipe. Others begin at coffee shops or through mutual friends. Leighanna and Brian’s? A college frat party—where she genuinely thought he was kind of smelly, and he was fully convinced she’d never text him back.
Yet somehow, she did.
And six years later, here we are—two people who built a life around beach trips, Italy daydreams, and the kind of “let’s just go” energy that keeps love feeling like an adventure. Brian’s an attorney, Leighanna’s a CAT Modeler, and their shared highlight reel is pretty unreal—swimming with manta rays in Hawaii, scuba diving the Florida Keys, then coming home to plan a wedding that felt grounded, elegant, and totally them.
a paris proposal near the louvre
Brian had been planning it for months. A nine-day Thanksgiving trip to Paris, the city of love, naturally. Leighanna thought they were just exploring the City of Light, wandering cobblestone streets, and eating entirely too many croissants.
Then, near the Louvre, with the Parisian skyline stretching behind them, Brian got down on one knee.
She said yes.
And just like that, their next great adventure began, one that would bring them back home to Philadelphia for a wedding celebration that perfectly captured who they are.
downtown club by cescaphe—classic, elevated, and so philadelphia
Downtown Club by Cescaphe is the kind of venue that instantly feels like a “yes”—elegant yet welcoming, polished yet warm, right in the heart of the city.
Leighanna and Brian’s day had that timeless black-tie energy without feeling stiff. The rooms, the light, the pace of the evening—it all flowed in a way that let them actually enjoy their wedding instead of rushing through it.
Being in a space like this means you get the best of both worlds—clean, classic portraits and real, documentary moments that feel effortless.
a celebration rooted in real love
What we loved most about Leighanna and Brian’s day was how authentically them it felt. These are two people who met at a college party, fell in love over shared dreams of beach days and Italian getaways, got engaged in Paris, and brought everyone home to Philadelphia to celebrate.
Every detail—from the reverent church ceremony to the soft garden portraits—told their story. Not someone else’s vision of what a wedding should be. Theirs.
That’s what makes photographing weddings like this so special. We’re not just documenting a day. We’re capturing a love story that’s been years in the making, preserving moments that will matter decades from now when they’re paging through their album with grandkids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downtown Club by Cescaphe good for photography?
Yes. The space is known for its elegant, classic interiors and beautiful light—perfect for both timeless portraits and candid, emotional moments throughout the day.
What’s the vibe of a Downtown Club wedding?
It feels elevated and city-chic, yet still warm and inviting. It’s a great fit if you want a classic Philadelphia celebration without it feeling overly formal or stiff.
Do you need to leave the venue for portraits?
Not always. There are plenty of clean, polished spots nearby and within the venue’s flow, and we’ll guide you based on your timeline, season, and the kind of portraits you want. The Cescaphe Trolly helps a lot to go around the city to capture all those classic Philly shots!
How much time should we plan for couples portraits on a Downtown Club wedding day?
Typically 45–90 minutes is plenty, depending on whether you’re doing a first look and how much travel (if any) you want. We’ll help you build a timeline that feels relaxed.
Does Cescaphe provide catering at Downtown Club?
Yes—Cescaphe’s in-house catering is a big part of what makes the experience feel seamless, from cocktail hour through the last dance.
How far in advance should we book Downtown Club by Cescaphe?
Downtown Club books quickly, especially for popular spring and fall dates. If you have your eye on it, reaching out 12–18 months ahead is a safe bet.
The Birds Of A Feather Perspective
We’ve been photographing Philadelphia weddings for 15 years now, and there’s something special about a Downtown Club by Cescaphe wedding—classic, story-driven, emotionally rich, yet still effortless to experience when you have a team guiding you calmly through the day.
As a family-led team, we bring a calm, unobtrusive presence to your day. We’re not there to orchestrate or control every moment. We’re there to document the real, genuine, beautiful story that unfolds naturally when two people who truly love each other gather their favorite people in one place.
Leighanna and Brian’s wedding reminded us why we do this work. It’s not about checking boxes or hitting trend moments. It’s about preserving the nuances, the way he looks at her during toasts, the laughter that fills the room during dinner, the quiet moment they steal together before the ceremony begins.
These are the images that matter in five years. In fifteen. In fifty.
We only take on a limited number of weddings each year because we believe in being fully present for each couple we serve. Your day deserves photographers who treat it as the once-in-a-lifetime celebration it is, who understand that these images aren’t just for social media, they’re for your legacy.
If you are newly engaged in the Lehigh Valley and are looking for vendors that you can trust- we would be honored to work with you! Our family team can only take on a limited number of weddings each year and we would love for yours to be one of them. Please reach out to me, Tassia- at Hello@birdsofafeatherphotography.com or visit our website at www.birdsofafeatherphotography.com.
