He had an elder brother, Johann Dominik of Salm-Kyrburg [de] (1708–1778), and a sister, Henriëtte (who married Maximilian, Prince van Hornes (1695–1763), who already had two daughters from a previous marriage, the eldest of whom later married Philip Joseph).

The Salm-Mörchingen family lost the titles of "Wildgrave of Dhaun" and "Rhinegrave of Stein" in 1681, when they lacked a male successor.

He married in 1742 to Princess Maria Theresa van Hornes (1725-1783), who was made her father's sole heir in 1763, with his titles and country estates thus passing to the princes of Salm-Kyrburg.

[citation needed] Emanuel's other daughter, Princess Elisabeth of Hornes, widow of Gustaaf Adolf, Prince of Stolberg-Gedern and mother of Charles Edward Stuart's wife Louise, agreed to this without protest.

[citation needed] Philip Joseph and Maria Theresa had 10 children, including a pair of twins: