River Farm Wedding Venue

I’m so excited to share with you the gorgeous, picturesque River Farm wedding venue! I love helping my couples get the most out of their wedding photography, and one way I love to help people is by pointing them in the direction of beautiful, reputable wedding venues that 1. match their needs and 2. will enhance their photography. River Farm wedding venue checks all my boxes for a stunning, natural light friendly venue I’m happy and excited to refer my couples!

Recently someone generously me connected me with Janet, the Rental Events Manager at River Farm wedding venue (contact them here), and she was kind enough to give me a tour a few weeks ago on one *hot* July day. She showed me the many different options for where they set up for ceremonies, told me about the new tent they have coming in for receptions, and gave me lots of tips and tricks for photo ops around the property.

River Farm wedding venue is actually the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society, and when you visit in person, you can see why! The grounds are beautiful, lush, expansive, and dotted with vibrant gardens full of unique plant life. I’m just going to show you the photos so you can see for yourself and include little snippets of information along the way! One thing to keep in mind: River Farm is not open to visitors past 5PM, so I was there in the middle of the day when the light was harsh – not when I typically try to shoot!

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I mean, come on! How gorgeous is this manor house?! I envision wedding party photos on the front steps, newlywed portraits on that walkway! Yes, yes, yes!

How about a little kissy face photo on this bench?!

This is one of the getting ready rooms for either the bride or groom. I love the natural light streaming through the large windows and the white ceilings and walls. Absolutely perfect for natural light photography!

This staircase could be cute for bridal or groom party photos, plus bridal portraits with the dress flowing down the stairs. Or for groom portraits – he would look super regal and dapper the stairs!

They suggested this room for escort cards and part of cocktail hour. Also for cake cutting. And I’m obsessed with all the arches on the interior of the manor house. Perfect for some indoor portraits!

This is the ballroom, which Janet highlighted is great for dancing so that the louder music and partying can be separated a little from the tent where drinks are being served and people can be hanging out talking and catching up.

This porch are what my little natural light wedding photographer dreams are made of! Sometimes First Look and/or Bride/Groom portraits or Wedding Party portraits have to be taken in the middle of the day when the light outside is really harsh. A covered porch with white walls, columns, and floors is *perfect* for mid-day portraits because it offers shade from the harsh light and lots of reflective surfaces, ideal for natural light photography. And, if it’s raining, you can still have outdoor, natural light portraits right there on the the covered porch!

This spot is great for Cocktail Hour.

This is the view of the side of the house if you’re walking down the hill towards the water, where there is another ceremony location possibility for smaller weddings.

More kissy face photos on this bench please!

Janet let me know this is another ceremony location possibility. And I love all the walkways, perfect for newlywed photos!

To me, this is the perfect outdoor ceremony spot because of that tree! Lots of shade so you and your friends and family aren’t baking in the direct sun.

This garden is shaded so it would be great for some mid-day portraits or a First Look.

Did this post get you excited to book your own wedding, elopement, or engagement session?! If yes, send me a note and we can chat about what you have in mind: Contact Rachel

Hey – I’m Rachel! A wedding, engagements, and headshots photographer in Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia. I love taking photos of elegant people who love to laugh, as well as of much in-love couples. If you’re a dog owner, that’s a plus! I’m currently booking 2018 portrait sessions, as well as 2018 and 2019 weddings.