How Devin and Lauren brought an acoustic ceremony, a jazz trio cocktail hour, and a full band reception to one of Philadelphia’s newest wedding venues.
Date: Friday, June 26, 2026 | Venue: The Ivy at Ellis Preserve, Newtown Square, PA
There is a reason The Ivy at Ellis Preserve has become one of the most in-demand wedding venues in the Philadelphia area since it opened in 2024. The rustic-industrial barn, built from the ground up by Finley Catering, pairs soaring ceilings and exposed structure with the kind of modern polish that makes a room feel both grand and warm at the same time. For Devin and Lauren, it was the perfect backdrop for a wedding day that moved seamlessly from acoustic ceremony to full-band celebration.
Event at a Glance
- Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
- Venue: The Ivy at Ellis Preserve, Newtown Square, PA
- Catering: Finley Catering
- Ceremony: Acoustic Duo
- Cocktail Hour: Jazz Trio
- Reception: Core Band
The Setting: A New Philadelphia Classic
The Ivy is Finley Catering’s newest venue, and it was purpose-built to host exactly this kind of celebration. The ground-floor ballroom opens up into a second-floor mezzanine with its own indoor and outdoor cocktail space, giving couples a natural flow from one part of the evening to the next without ever leaving the building. It’s become a go-to for couples searching for the best Philadelphia wedding bands and a venue that can match their energy room for room.
The Ceremony:
As guests found their seats, The Barnstorm Acoustic Duo set the tone with a warm, laid-back arrival playlist that ranged from Chris Stapleton and Taylor Swift to Tina Turner, Bill Withers, John Legend, Olivia Dean, and The Beatles – a mix that felt personal without taking itself too seriously. Lauren walked down the aisle to “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and the newly married couple made their exit to Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend,” sending everyone off toward cocktail hour with a smile.
Cocktail Hour: Jazz Trio on the Mezzanine
Upstairs on The Ivy’s signature mezzanine, The Barnstorm Jazz Trio took over for cocktail hour, giving guests a relaxed, sophisticated soundtrack while they mingled with a view down over the ballroom below. It’s one of the most requested formats for cocktail hour, and for good reason – it keeps the room lively without ever competing with conversation.
The Reception: Full Band Energy
Once the room reveal was complete, The Barnstorm’s Core Band picked up the momentum and never let go. Wedding party introductions rolled in one after another, with the parents of the bride and groom each getting their own entrance song before the full wedding party and, finally, Devin and Lauren themselves made their entrance to “High on Life.”
The formal dances followed shortly after:
- First Dance: “You Make It Easy” – Jason Aldean
- Father/Daughter Dance: “My Little Girl” – Tim McGraw
- Mother/Son Dance: “Thought You Should Know” – Morgan Wallen
After toasts from the bridal party and a dinner service backed by the band, the dance floor opened back up for two more extended sets that carried the night through cake cutting and beyond, wrapping with “All the Small Things” to send everyone off on a high note.
What Made This Wedding Work
Devin and Lauren’s day is a great example of why couples keep coming back to live music for every phase of a wedding – not just the reception. The acoustic ceremony set an intimate tone, the jazz trio kept cocktail hour elegant, and the full band turned the reception into an all-night party. It’s the same formula that’s made The Barnstorm one of the best Philadelphia wedding bands for couples planning at venues like The Ivy at Ellis Preserve.
VENDOR TEAM:
📍: @finleyballrooms
🎸: @thebarnstorm
💐: @ne_flower_boutique
📋: @carina.danielle
📸: @tkartistryllc
✍️: @hillarycarrcalligraphy
🎥: @behindthemoments.co
🍽️: @finleycatering
Photos below courtesy of @jaharoni:
