Newark, DE - Inside sites 4 formals

Hi Folks,

I am shooting a wedding in Newark, DE this sunday and am in a bit of a pinch due to the weather. The CC where the reception will be is fairly small inside, and doesn't have too many options for the time I need to shoot the formals (before the ceremony). The hotel where they are getting ready is naturally having an event, so that is going to be tough as well.

We were going to try shooting at one of the building at University of Delaware (Gore hall), but we just heard back from them and they said we couldn't because of "security" reasons (the catch-all that can't be argued).

So, I am hoping someone happens to know of a publicly accessible building with nice lighting and some interesting architecture, etc.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, although as an FYI I have been doing weddings for 2 years.

I'd try calling the friendliest local photographer you know of. People call me with this kind of question some time, and i'm happy to give them a few ideas.

tim wrote in post #9381982
I'd try calling the friendliest local photographer you know of. People call me with this kind of question some time, and i'm happy to give them a few ideas.

Yeah, I'm from Jersey and the shooters I know are from NJ or PA; I've shot a few in Delaware but always either shot outside or at the CC/RH. In this case the CC (Hartefeld) has some great stuff outside but not a whole lot inside for a largish party

Beuhler?

Have you considered the work pre/post wedding day? Doing a google search does not appear as if there are any 4 or 5star hotels in the area. You would have to drive to one of the larger cities like Philadelphia. Is there any high end neighborhoods? You may have to go door to door looking for the right place that will let you use their house. Just some thought...

friesr wrote in post #9391046
Have you considered the work pre/post wedding day? Doing a google search does not appear as if there are any 4 or 5star hotels in the area. You would have to drive to one of the larger cities like Philadelphia. Is there any high end neighborhoods? You may have to go door to door looking for the right place that will let you use their house. Just some thought...

Wilmington is much closer than Philly, and I'm sure there are some nice hotels there. Newark is pretty much a college town, so there are probably only going to be Hampton Inns/Courtyard Marriots/etc...

I drive "through" Newark to save the $4 toll on 95 (going from the Philly 'burbs to the Eastern Shore of Maryland)

How about this place?
http://www.hoteldupont​.com/

Can you get to Longwood Gardens? They have some nice "indoor" space, I think they have some restrictions on "pro" photography and you'd have to buy a ticket for everyone but it's an option.

Found their guidelines:

http://www.longwoodgar​dens.org …dingphotography​040609.pdf

egordon99 wrote in post #9391148
Wilmington is much closer than Philly, and I'm sure there are some nice hotels there. Newark is pretty much a college town, so there are probably only going to be Hampton Inns/Courtyard Marriots/etc...

I drive "through" Newark to save the $4 toll on 95 (going from the Philly 'burbs to the Eastern Shore of Maryland)

Yep, and that's what is killing me right now. The bride (my wife's cousin) booked the newark marriot for getting ready - which has the very typical small lobby - which will likely be crowded with this bridal expo they are holding. I put a call in to the dupont this morning, hopefully they won't mind. I made the mistake of having the bride call UD to clear us shooting in gore hall (which is exactly what I was looking for), but they declined for security reasons.

friesr wrote in post #9391302
Found their guidelines:

http://www.longwoodgar​dens.org …dingphotography​040609.pdf

Yep, already checked with them. They don't allow shooting inside, which is why I can't use the CC in the first place. I never understand why places like that have such restrictions - we'd just be shooting for 20 minutes, and their conservatory is absolutely gorgeous.

I am checking with winterthur now....

Anybody ever shoot here: http://www.delart.org

Mendenhall Inn? It's near Longwood. Since it's a Sunday in the winter, they might be able to accomodate you. They have a couple of nice ballrooms and a restaurant with a nice lobby (fireplace/etc...)

I shot my first wedding there back in October 2008.

Good luck!

egordon99 wrote in post #9391402
Mendenhall Inn? It's near Longwood. Since it's a Sunday in the winter, they might be able to accomodate you. They have a couple of nice ballrooms and a restaurant with a nice lobby (fireplace/etc...)

I shot my first wedding there back in October 2008.

Good luck!

That's funny, I was thinking about there too. I've shot there a couple of times, so yeah it is a possibility - I'll have to give them a call.

http://evangordonphoto​graphy.com …y2/main.php?g2_​itemId=972

That's the one I did at Mendenhall. Shot with JUST my 40D and one flash (yikes!) Luckily nothing broke on me