PHILADELPHIA — In a Valentine’s Day celebration steeped in local tradition and personal significance, seven couples exchanged vows on , within the bustling confines of Reading Terminal Market. The ceremony, held amongst the aromas of fresh produce, baked goods, and seafood, offered a uniquely “Philly” backdrop for the start of their married lives.
“It’s amazing,” said Beth Esposito-Evans, who officiated the ceremony. “What could be more Philly than Reading Terminal Market?” Esposito-Evans, a vendor at the market and owner of Chef Beth’s Kitchen, relaunched the “Married at the Market” event last year after becoming an ordained minister. This marked her second year presiding over the group wedding, which blended conventional elements – including a glass-breaking tradition for two couples – with a clear affection for the historic market.
Reading Terminal Market, a National Historic Landmark dating back to , is a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s culinary and cultural landscape. Housing 72 food vendors, the market offers a diverse array of options, from Pennsylvania Dutch specialties to fresh oysters and a full-service produce market. It draws both tourists and local residents, making it a fitting location for a public declaration of love.
The event attracted significant interest, with 57 couples applying for one of the seven available slots. Those selected were provided with complimentary décor, a violin player, and use of the market’s Arch Court space, all funded by Reading Terminal Market. The package also included a bouquet or boutonniere, a mini wedding cake, sparkling wine, two wine flutes, a $50 Reading Terminal Market gift card, and digital wedding photos.
For Daysi Morales, 36, and her partner David Skillman, 35, the location held particularly poignant meaning. Morales’ father, Juan Morales, had worked as a security guard at the market and passed away from cancer in . “So there’s a sentimental aspect,” Morales explained. “It’s a place where I can feel my dad’s presence.”
The couple’s story began on a Tinder date in the winter of , leading to a first meeting at Craft Hall, a sports bar in Philadelphia’s Old City. Despite the availability of outdoor seating during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they chose to venture inside, where a connection quickly formed. Skillman, a registered nurse, discovered Morales was born in Honduras, a country where he had previously undertaken medical missionary work.
“I think we dated for a couple weeks, then made [our relationship] official,” Morales said. The couple subsequently moved in together, first in West Philadelphia and later in Point Breeze, becoming engaged in .
A significant, and tragically intertwined, element of their story unfolded when Morales’ father fell ill. Skillman, during a shift at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Pavilion emergency department, provided medical care to Juan Morales. “David was such a rock, not just for me, but for my family,” Morales said.
Beyond the emotional resonance, the couple cited practical considerations for opting for a smaller, more affordable wedding. “I want to buy a house,” Skillman explained. “And buying a house and having a big wedding aren’t both feasible.” Morales, who was laid off from her position with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development last year, echoed this sentiment, noting the increasing popularity of “micro weddings” in the current economic climate.
Despite the scaled-down nature of the ceremony, Morales and Skillman incorporated personal touches, including donuts from Okie Dokie Donuts, an after-party at Sardine Bar, specialty cocktails, and a cake baked by Morales’ family. Esther Morales, Daysi’s older sister, expressed the special significance of the location: “It feels so special, to be in the market where my dad worked.”
The event was not limited to the seven selected couples. Dorothy and Terry White, who were visiting the market on , were unexpectedly invited to participate by a housekeeper and Beth Esposito. They revealed they had been married for 21 years on the very same day.
Event promoter London Faust explained that the Reading Terminal team prioritized applicants with strong connections to the market in their selection process. Several couples, like Joey Kathan and Megan Keane, described their surprise and gratitude at being chosen. Kathan and Keane, who described themselves as a “COVID couple” having met on Bumble in Washington, D.C., and later relocating to Philadelphia, expressed their disbelief at being accepted. “This was crazy,” Keane said. “We couldn’t believe we were accepted.”
The “Married at the Market” event, as Esposito-Evans observed, offered a uniquely Philadelphia experience, blending love, community, and a celebration of a beloved local landmark. The event underscores a growing trend towards more intimate and economically accessible wedding celebrations, while simultaneously honoring personal histories and local connections.
