The Enchanting European Charm of Elkins Estate | PA Wedding Inspiration: Part I

When you think of Philadelphia, your mind might not automatically wander to thoughts of French-inspired chateaus built in the late 1800s. But Elkins Estate is an exquisite locale just outside of the city that you shouldn’t miss exploring. After taking even one quick peek at its gorgeous rooms with their ornate details and gold leafing, you can begin to imagine how easy it is to find inspiration here for a gorgeous celebration. And wedding planner, stylist, and designer Amanda Virga of AMV Weddings found plenty to draw from when creating this stunning PA Wedding Inspiration via a styled shoot.

As Amanda points out, Elkins Estate is a “breathtaking newly renovated” space that’s located on 42 acres. There are plenty of rooms, gardens, and terraces that are prime for a wedding celebration. So, Amanda looked to the venue to guide each of her choices.

“This editorial was largely inspired by the venue itself,” began Amanda. “The venue is dripping in European charm and luxury from floor to ceiling, and it’s an absolutely enchanting setting to host a wedding. The interior space, where we opted to set the tablescape, features beautiful ornate gold accents and stunning chandeliers. The gold details in combination with a soft neutral palette, complete with a pop of blush tones, provided the perfect balance of intimacy and warmth set amidst the grandiose ambiance of the space.”

After Elkins Estate had inspired the style of the shoot and many of the colors in the color palette, Amanda looked to the space again for insight into the best details to include to further highlight every inch of the space. We particularly love Amanda’s emphasis on simplicity.

“We wanted to play tribute to the beauty of simplicity with delicate floral arrangements, an abundance of candlelight, and subtle tones that would not overpower a space with so much natural character,” shared Amanda.

When the location is as beautiful as Elkins Estate, it’s only natural to want to incorporate as many spaces as possible into the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.

“Drawing further inspiration from the surrounding landscape, our ceremony was set in the back gardens of the venue on the iconic staircase leading up to the main house,” said Amanda. “The floral design for the ceremony featured a beautiful arch with florals cascading down the stairs on either side. The bride wore a statement gown by Berta for the ceremony and later changed into a second more whimsical style for the reception look.”

There is so much to love about Elkins Estate and the beautiful ways in which Amanda and her team chose to honor it in every design choice they made. But what we love most is her approach is doable at any wedding, no matter if you’re at a French-inspired chateau or a modern loft downtown. Look to your venue as you choose your colors, aesthetic, and details. When done right, the touches you add will fit seamlessly into your venue’s style and appear as though they belonged all along.

As this styled shoot exemplifies, Pennsylvania is home to truly stunning venues—and Elkins Estate is one such space. This is a European dream close to home filled with endless inspiration, which makes this space feel like it’s in a category all on its own.