Featured Venues
Union Trust partners with EMG as their recommended entertainment provider, offering consistent quality and memorable events.
Featured Venues
Union Trust partners with EMG as their recommended entertainment provider, offering consistent quality and memorable events.
Union Trust
A venue’s recommendation reflects the trust they place in EMG’s professionalism, value, and exceptional service. Union Trust named us as their recommended entertainment partner, which highlights a shared commitment to quality and confidence in the experience we bring to every event.
What Entertainment Works Best at Union Trust Philadelphia?
Union Trust in Philadelphia is one of the coolest venues in the city, a converted 1888 bank with 65-foot engraved ceilings, a wraparound mezzanine overlooking the main floor, and grand marble columns that make it a particularly strong setting for live music during ceremonies and cocktail hours. For the reception, a DJ is the recommended format. One layout detail worth knowing: if the ceremony is held on site, the room flip is visible to guests downstairs from the mezzanine during cocktail hour — not a deal breaker, but worth knowing as you plan. Elegant Music Group has performed at Union Trust, and the conversation about what fits your day is always free.
Summary
- Recommended format: live music for ceremony and cocktail hour, DJ for reception
- The wraparound mezzanine overlooking the main floor is used for cocktail hour while the space is flipped below
- Layout note: if the ceremony is on site, the room flip is visible to guests on the mezzanine — worth knowing, not a problem
- Setting: a converted 1888 bank in Philadelphia’s Historic District with 65-foot illuminated engraved ceilings, marble columns, and a breathtaking mezzanine
- EMG has personally performed at Union Trust
Why We Love Union Trust Philadelphia
Union Trust is genuinely one of the cooler wedding venues in Philadelphia. The building’s history as an 1888 bank gives it an architectural character that no purpose-built ballroom can replicate: 65-foot engraved ceilings, marble columns, arched windows, and a wraparound mezzanine that adds a second level of drama to the whole space. The ceremony happens on the main floor, cocktail hour moves to the mezzanine above while the flip happens below, and guests come back down to a transformed reception space. That flow is part of what makes Union Trust so memorable.
What Entertainment Works Best at Union Trust Philadelphia
Union Trust’s architectural drama, particularly the 65-foot ceilings and the wraparound mezzanine, makes it particularly well suited to live music during the ceremony and cocktail hour, where the scale and the acoustic character of the space give a live ensemble something real to work with. For the reception on the main floor, a DJ is our recommendation. A layout detail worth flagging for couples planning an on-site ceremony: because the mezzanine overlooks the main floor, guests up there during cocktail hour can see the room being flipped below. It is not a problem, but it is worth knowing and planning around if a seamless reveal is important.
Ceremony Music at Union Trust Philadelphia
Live music is particularly strong in Union Trust’s ceremony space, where the 65-foot ceilings and architectural scale give a string trio or string quartet a genuinely impressive acoustic presence. A string duo or violin and cello pairing also works well for a more intimate ceremony moment.
Cocktail Hour Music at Union Trust Philadelphia
The mezzanine cocktail hour is a natural setting for a jazz trio or a small live ensemble, with guests overlooking the main floor below. Live music on the mezzanine gives the cocktail hour a distinct, layered feel that fits the architectural drama of the venue.
Reception Entertainment Options
DJ: Our recommendation for the reception at Union Trust, where a strong DJ and event host can fill the main floor and keep the night moving through the room’s dramatic architectural backdrop.
Band: Also works at Union Trust for couples who want a fully live evening, with the main floor able to accommodate a band setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a band or DJ better at Union Trust Philadelphia?
Live music is our recommendation for the ceremony and cocktail hour given the space’s acoustic character and architectural scale. A DJ is the primary recommendation for the reception, though a band also works for couples who want the entire evening to be live.
What happens during the room flip at Union Trust?
If the ceremony is held on site, the main floor is used for the ceremony and then flipped into reception setup during cocktail hour, while guests move to the wraparound mezzanine above. Because the mezzanine overlooks the main floor, guests can see the flip happening below. It is not a problem, but worth knowing if a hidden reveal is important to you.
What makes Union Trust such a distinctive Philadelphia wedding venue?
The building was originally The Union Trust Company Bank, built in 1888, and the architecture reflects that history: 65-foot illuminated engraved ceilings, marble columns, arched windows, and a wraparound mezzanine that creates two distinct levels of visual interest. There is also a hidden bank vault on site.
Where does cocktail hour take place at Union Trust Philadelphia?
Cocktail hour takes place on the wraparound mezzanine, overlooking the main floor below as it is transformed for the reception.
What is the most popular entertainment package for Union Trust Philadelphia weddings?
Many couples pair live strings for the ceremony, a jazz trio for the mezzanine cocktail hour, and a DJ for the main floor reception.
Plan Your Union Trust Philadelphia Wedding
Every couple’s vision is different. Tell us about your wedding at Union Trust Philadelphia and we’ll help you figure out what makes sense.
Related Planning Resources
"The hybrid elements took everything to another level. The saxophonist and guitarist were incredible, and the drummer was downright phenomenal. Each one added so much dimension and excitement to the night that it felt like a full concert and a party rolled into one. If you’re looking for a DJ who will elevate your wedding/event into an unforgettable experience, EMG is the way to go. 10/10 recommend!"
"We booked EMG's CityScape + The Park Avenue Horns for our wedding. The band's performance was stellar and the sax and vocalists in particular brought the energy. They did a good job of reading the room and even though not all of our suggested songs were played the performance was well executed. Multiple wedding guests came up to us afterward saying how great the band was and said it was one of the best they'd ever seen at a wedding. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who wants the music to impress at a wedding or corporate event "
717 Chestnut St
717 Chestnut Street
A venue’s recommendation reflects the trust they place in EMG’s professionalism, value, and exceptional service. Union Trust named us as their recommended entertainment partner, which highlights a shared commitment to quality and confidence in the experience we bring to every event., PA 19106
(215) 627-5100
https://finleycatering.com/venues/union-trust/
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