When a couple chooses to celebrate with just four guests, every moment carries more weight. Recently, I photographed an intimate wedding at The Highlands Mansion and Gardens in Fort Washington, PA. The focus stayed exactly where it belongs.

Starting at Truehart Wedding Chapel

The ceremony took place at Truehart Wedding Chapel in Glenside, PA. The couple arrived together, no separate getting-ready coverage, no elaborate timeline. Just two people and the four guests who mattered most.

The ceremony was straightforward and heartfelt. When you’re only surrounded by your closest people, everything feels more honest. That comes through in the photographs.

Moving to The Highlands Mansion

After the ceremony, we headed to The Highlands Mansion and Gardens for portraits. The couple had secured a permit for 2pm to 3:30pm, which gave us time to explore the mansion’s interior spaces without feeling rushed.

The Highlands is a historic estate with the kind of architectural details that photograph naturally. Hand-painted murals, arched doorways, and that signature black and white checkerboard marble floor in the main foyer.

The Checkerboard Foyer

The entrance foyer has become one of the most recognizable spaces for Fort Washington PA weddings. The geometric floor pattern creates natural composition, and the scenic murals add depth without competing with the couple.

My approach is always to give gentle direction and then step back and let moments happen. The lace gown details and classic navy suit worked perfectly with the mansion’s timeless aesthetic.

Working with Available Light

One advantage of shooting at historic venues is that the architecture does a lot of the visual work. The chandelier, the tall windows bringing in afternoon light, the painted landscapes. It all comes together if you’re patient and observant.

This is documentary wedding photography at its core. I’m not creating scenes, I’m finding them. Small weddings make this approach even more effective because there’s time to notice light shifts, architectural details, and quiet moments between two people.

A Practical Note About Timing at The Highlands

If you’re planning portraits at The Highlands Mansion, the 2 to 3:30pm window works well for interiors. You get clean light through the tall windows, and if weather cooperates, there’s time to step outside for garden shots before losing daylight. The staff is organized when it comes to permits, so plan ahead and you’ll have the space to yourselves.

Black and White at the Staircase

Some shots work better in black and white. The staircase portrait is one of them. Removing color puts the focus on connection and the clean lines of the mansion’s design.

An Overhead View

The second-floor landing offers a perspective you don’t get at ground level. Looking down into the foyer, you see the full geometric pattern of the checkerboard marble, the arched doorways, and the scale of the space.

It’s one of my favorite angles at The Highlands. It shows both the couple and the setting without either overwhelming the other.

Why Small Weddings Work

After three decades photographing weddings and over 500 proposals, I’ve learned that guest count doesn’t determine meaning. This celebration with four people was no less significant than events with 200. The intimacy changes what you’re able to capture. More authentic moments, less performance, deeper connection.

If you’re planning something small at The Highlands Mansion, Truehart Wedding Chapel, or another venue in the Fort Washington and Glenside area and want coverage that feels real, reach out and I’ll help you map out what’s realistic in your time window. I offer documentary-style photography, video coverage, and content creation, with calm direction and fast turnaround.

The approach stays consistent whether it’s four guests or four hundred: pay attention, stay unobtrusive, capture what’s actually happening.

Alex Kaplan
📞 917-992-9097
📧 alex@alexkaplanweddings.com
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