The Hotel duPont in Wilmington, Delaware, is one of those venues I return to without reservation. The staff knows what they’re doing. The spaces are extraordinary. Every time I’ve worked here, it’s been a genuinely wonderful experience. More at hoteldupont.com.
About the Hotel duPont
Built in 1913 and designed by the architectural firm of Carrère and Hastings — the same firm responsible for the New York Public Library — the Hotel duPont was conceived as the region’s finest hotel. Over a century later it still is. The Beaux-Arts exterior, the handcrafted gold leafing, the imported European chandeliers, the intricately carved woodwork — nothing here looks like it was renovated last year. It looks like it was built to last forever.
The Event Spaces
The Gold Ballroom
The crown jewel of the hotel. Gilded stucco bas-reliefs on the walls, terrazzo floors, a coffered ceiling with magnificent chandeliers, and soaring height. It seats hundreds of guests and still feels intimate because the proportions are so well considered. When the chandeliers are the primary light source, and the room is full of people dancing, it photographs with depth and grandeur that few spaces in the mid-Atlantic can match.
The du Barry Room
The intimate counterpart to the Gold Ballroom — rich wood paneling, soft natural light, a more subdued elegance that suits smaller gatherings and rehearsal dinners beautifully. Couples who want the Hotel duPont experience without the scale of a 200-person reception often end up here.
The Grand Staircase
One of the most cinematic architectural elements in any venue I shoot regularly. The sweeping curves, the dramatic height, the light on the landing — it works for bridal portraits, couple portraits, wedding party shots, family formals. It’s iconic and it photographs that way.
Additional Spaces
The Crystal Ballroom with its Art Deco influences, the Kent and Sussex rooms for smaller events, the hotel’s modern lounges for cocktail hours. The property can accommodate nearly every part of the wedding day without leaving the building.
Wedding Photo Locations at the Hotel duPont
The hotel itself offers extensive portrait opportunities — the Gold Ballroom, the grand staircase, the du Barry Room, the Beaux-Arts exterior facade, and the historic streets of downtown Wilmington immediately surrounding the property. Most couples never need to leave the building for their portraits.
Nearby Wedding Photo Locations
Brandywine Park (1.5 miles)
A natural oasis in the city — lush landscapes, a winding river, and historic bridges. Good range of settings from open green spaces to intimate wooded areas.
Nemours Estate (3 miles)
Formal gardens modeled after Versailles — reflective pools, fountains, classical sculpture. One of the most extraordinary estate gardens on the East Coast. Worth the short drive for couples who want that level of grandeur in their outdoor portraits.
Longwood Gardens (12 miles)
The best engagement and portrait session location within range of the hotel. Over 1,000 acres of gardens, woodlands, and conservatories. I’ve photographed there and the images are unlike anything else in the region. My Longwood Gardens engagement session guide covers it in detail.
Wilmington Riverfront (1 mile)
Scenic walkways along the Christina River, modern bridges, a more contemporary urban setting that contrasts with the hotel’s historic interior.
Hagley Museum (3 miles)
Historic mills and waterworks along the Brandywine River. A genuinely distinctive setting for couples who want something with industrial history in the frame.
Rockford Park and Tower (2 miles)
Stone tower with panoramic views of Wilmington, sprawling lawns, mature trees. Good for larger group shots and grand portrait moments.
Why I Love Photographing Here
The Hotel duPont is a venue where the building itself does much of the work. The light in the Gold Ballroom. The lines of the grand staircase. The warmth of the du Barry Room. I come in knowing that the spaces are extraordinary and that my job is to find the moments within them rather than fighting the environment.
The staff are professionals who have done this for decades. The day runs smoothly because they know what they’re doing. That matters more than most couples realize — when the behind-the-scenes logistics are handled well, the photographer can focus entirely on the images.
I look forward to going back here every time. If your wedding is at the Hotel duPont, I’d love to hear about it.
(Oh, also? Ask about the cookies. Those almond macaroons HAUNT MY DREAMS.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hotel duPont Weddings
Where is the Hotel duPont located?
11th and Market Streets in Wilmington, Delaware — in the heart of downtown, easily accessible from Philadelphia (30 minutes), Washington DC (1.5 hours), and New York City (2 hours). More at hoteldupont.com.
What is the Hotel duPont?
A historic luxury hotel built in 1913 and designed by Carrère and Hastings in the Beaux-Arts style. The property includes the Gold Ballroom — one of the most ornate event spaces in the mid-Atlantic — as well as the du Barry Room, the Crystal Ballroom, a grand staircase, and on-site accommodations for wedding parties and guests.
What is the Gold Ballroom like?
Gilded stucco walls, a coffered ceiling, terrazzo floors, and European chandeliers that have been in the room since the hotel opened. It accommodates several hundred guests and photographs with extraordinary depth and drama. It is one of the most beautiful ballrooms I’ve ever worked in.
What is the light like at the Hotel duPont?
The Gold Ballroom in the evening is lit primarily by chandeliers — warm, dramatic, and genuinely beautiful for reception coverage. The du Barry Room has soft natural light during the day. The grand staircase has good ambient light on the landing for portraits. The exterior facade faces a direction that catches good afternoon light.
What are the best photo locations at the Hotel duPont?
The grand staircase for portraits. The Gold Ballroom interior for reception coverage and detail shots. The hotel’s Beaux-Arts exterior for arrival and departure portraits. And for outdoor portraits, Nemours Estate or Longwood Gardens are both within easy driving distance and extraordinary.
Does the Hotel duPont have on-site accommodations?
Yes — the hotel offers deluxe rooms, executive suites, and signature suites, all with the same level of attention to detail as the event spaces. Having wedding parties and guests stay on property simplifies the morning-of logistics significantly.
Do you photograph weddings at the Hotel duPont?
Yes — it’s one of my favorite venues in the region and one I return to with genuine enthusiasm. If your wedding is here, I’d love to hear about it.
The Hotel duPont is one of those venues where the building itself is part of the story. If yours is here, I’d love to be there for it.
