Our Wedding
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Welcome Cocktails at Half Past Five
Ceremony at Six O’Clock
BLDG39 at the Arsenal
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dress Code: Semi–Black Tie
Curated Aesthetic.
Vibrant Atmosphere.
Guests are kindly asked to wear all black. Floor-length gowns, mid-length cocktail dresses, & tailored suits or tuxedos requested.
Athletic footwear not permitted.
The Evening Ahead
Welcome Cocktails & Guest Arrival.
An Intimate Ceremony.
Alfresco Cocktails to Follow.
Dinner & Dancing All Evening.
A Few Notes
Each guest has been thoughtfully selected with care as we intentionally create an intimate and memorable evening. Attendance is limited to those included on your invitation and RSVP.
While we absolutely love your little ones, this evening is intended to be an elevated night of dining, dancing, and celebration for our guests to relax and fully enjoy. We kindly request this be an adults-only celebration.
To ensure an uninterrupted ceremony, guests arriving after the ceremony has begun will be seated at its conclusion.
THE COUNTDOWN
Venue Details
&
Philly Experiences
BLDG 39 at the Arsenal
From the moment we visited BLDG39, we knew it was the perfect setting for our celebration. Its industrial charm, romantic ambiance, and thoughtfully restored details reflect the elevated yet welcoming atmosphere we envisioned for our wedding day. We were intentional in selecting an inclusive space where our guests would feel right at home. Click below to learn more about the venue’s rich history and timeless industrial charm.
Culture
Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia, the first institution funded and built by a major U.S. city dedicated to preserving and interpreting the heritage of African Americans.
Music & Cocktails
Live jazz, cocktails, and Southern-inspired dining at South Jazz Kitchen.
Dinner & Cocktails
Enjoy Southern-inspired dining and handcrafted cocktails at Amina, part of Philadelphia’s Black-owned Amina Hospitality Collection.
Travel
&
Accommodations
By Car
Directions to the venue can be accessed below. Please allow additional travel time for Philadelphia traffic and evening congestion.
By Air
For air travel, guests may fly into Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
The airport is approximately 20–25 minutes from the venue and nearby accommodations.
Where to Stay
Philadelphia Marriott Old City
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia
Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing
For guests traveling in, we recommend the above hotels located in or near Old City Philadelphia. Click below for additional hotel details.
A Few Notes for the Evening
Is there parking available?
Yes. Free on-site parking will be available for guests.
What time should I arrive?
Welcome cocktails will begin at 5:30 PM. We kindly encourage guests to arrive early to allow time for parking and seating prior to the ceremony beginning at 6:00 PM.
What if I arrive after the ceremony begins?
To preserve the atmosphere of the ceremony, guests arriving after the processional begins may be asked to wait briefly before being seated.
Will there be any outdoor portions of the evening?
Yes. Welcome cocktails and cocktail hour will take place outdoors under a covered tent, while the ceremony and reception will be held indoors.
October evenings in Philadelphia can be cool, so guests may wish to plan accordingly. Heating will be available as needed.
Are children invited?
While we absolutely love your little ones, we kindly request that this be an adults-only evening.
Can I take photos during the ceremony?
We kindly ask that phones and cameras remain put away during the ceremony. Guests are welcome to take photos following the ceremony and throughout the evening.
What is the dress code?
The evening is semi–black tie with an all-black dress code. Guests are kindly asked to avoid pops of color to maintain the cohesive visual aesthetic of the evening.
Floor-length gowns, mid-length cocktail dresses, and tailored suits or tuxedos with dress shoes are requested. Athletic footwear is not permitted.
Will vegetarian or vegan options be available?
Yes. Clearly labeled vegan and vegetarian selections will be available throughout the evening.
Will there be an open bar?
Yes. An open bar will be available throughout the evening. Outside alcohol is not permitted.
Anything else we need to know?
Not really! Everything you need to know should be on this site, but if you cannot find something, please text us. We are very happy to help and so excited to celebrate with everyone!
Our Story
Some relationships begin quickly. Ours unfolded at exactly the right time.
Originally from Atlantic City and Trenton, New Jersey, our paths crossed more than thirteen years ago in a way that neither of us could have anticipated. Truthfully, we likely should have never met at all, but the universe has a way of placing people exactly where they are meant to be.
At the time, we met through work while each of us was navigating significant life changes. Somewhere between long days, meaningful conversations, and shared laughter, two people standing at pivotal moments in their lives unexpectedly found understanding, comfort, and connection with one another.
What followed felt natural almost immediately. We clicked from the beginning, and while our relationship deepened over time, friendship has always remained at the core of who we are together.
Over the years, we have grown both as a couple and as individuals. Through challenges, successes, losses, and milestones, we have continued choosing one another again and again, encouraging each other, grounding each other, and growing side by side. Our relationship has been built on trust, resilience, patience, laughter, and a deep sense of family and partnership.
Together, we have built a life filled with unforgettable memories to include traveling, hosting our families and friends, sharing meals, late-night conversations, countless date nights, and finding joy in both the extraordinary and the everyday moments. Through every season, we have remained each other’s safe place and steady presence.
Today, we share a life in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey with our blended family, balancing meaningful careers, ambitious goals, and the beautiful unpredictability of daily life.
At the heart of it all, we genuinely enjoy doing life together. More than anything, we have always been best friends.
This celebration is not the beginning of our story. It is a reflection of everything that has brought us here and all that is still to come.
We are incredibly grateful to share this moment with the people we love most.
THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING WITH US
Aisha & Kool
