There’s a reason the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Palm House is one of the most iconic wedding venues in New York City. With its lush gardens, historic architecture, and flexible layout, it works beautifully for nearly any kind of wedding day. Last summer, I photographed two weddings there just weeks apart. What stood out most? How incredibly different each one felt. Same venue, totally different vibes. That’s exactly what makes this space so special.
A Romantic Garden Wedding with an Outdoor Ceremony
On June 29th, I arrived early to walk around the gardens. The couple mentioned wanting portraits in the Rose Garden, so that was my first stop. I wanted to see how the light was falling and plan a smooth portrait flow, especially since we’d be shooting during a tough lighting window. My brain was rapid firing with ideas—BBG has so many possibilities.
Rosie and Jim had an effortlessly romantic style and brought such joyful energy. From their first look, we jumped into portraits across the Rose Garden, the Cherry Esplanade, and a few tucked-away spots. Their outdoor ceremony beneath the big willow tree truly felt like a fairytale moment. Cocktail hour followed at the Lily Pool Terrace—one of my favorite spots to shoot. The lighting was beautiful, and the space had a timeless, secret garden feel.
They prioritized people and moments over long portrait sessions. That gave me space to quietly observe and capture what mattered: their joy, their connections, their wild dance floor. I stayed late into the evening, moving through the packed floor with just my on-camera flash to respect their “no obtrusive lighting” request.
One moment that stuck with me? Instead of a traditional seating chart, they wrote individual notes to every guest. Each card was placed on a rack and doubled as seating info. It was such a thoughtful, personal touch. I left feeling inspired—with a full memory card and an even fuller heart.
Rosie & Jim’s Wedding Gallery
A few favorite moments from their day at Brooklyn Botanic Garden:
An Editorial-Inspired Celebration with Luxe Details
July 12th brought a completely different but equally meaningful experience. I met Amy and Cody at the Ace Hotel Brooklyn while they got ready. Right away, I could tell it would be a relaxed and easygoing day. Amy, her mom, and sister did their own hair and makeup while laughing and catching up. It was such a light, fun atmosphere.
Amy and Cody had a minimalist luxe style—clean, elevated, but totally unpretentious. They waited to see each other until the ceremony, which built this quiet anticipation. Their ceremony took place inside the Palm House. For portraits, we explored the Fragrance Garden, the Lily Pool Terrace, and the Steinhardt Conservatory. That last one is often used as a rain plan, but they chose it just for portraits, and it added such a lush, dramatic feel to their gallery.
Cocktail hour in the greenhouse added a cozy, intimate vibe. One great decision they made? Choosing a hotel close to the venue. It made getting ready coverage super easy and eliminated any stress around travel. Everything flowed so smoothly.
Florals were incredibly important to Amy, and my goal was to highlight their creative, sculptural design throughout the day. Their reception was intimate and low-key. I wrapped up shortly after cake cutting, feeling lucky to work with such grounded, genuine people.
Amy & Cody’s Wedding Gallery
A look inside their editorial-inspired Palm House celebration:
Why the Palm House Works for So Many Kinds of Weddings
These two weddings show just how versatile the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Palm House really is. Whether your style leans garden-forward and romantic or clean and editorial, this venue adapts beautifully. As a photographer, it’s a dream space. No two galleries ever feel the same, which keeps things inspiring. If you’re planning a wedding at Brooklyn Botanic Garden and want images that reflect your style and story, I’d love to connect.
Ready to Plan Your Brooklyn Botanic Garden Wedding?
If you’re considering hosting your wedding at the Palm House or anywhere in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, let’s chat about how we can bring your vision to life. You can shoot me a message through my contact page here.
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