Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia is one of my favorite places to recommend to anyone dreaming of engagement photos that feel vibrant and full of natural beauty. As a Northern VA wedding photographer, I’ve had the joy of capturing not only engagement sessions here, but also weddings and even a proposal! What I love most about Meadowlark is how expansive and ever-changing it is. No two sessions ever look quite the same. With each season comes new blooms, fresh colors, and endless opportunities to make your photos unique to your love story.

Because Meadowlark is such a large park, it can feel a little overwhelming to know where to begin. That’s why I’ve put together this location spotlight: to share some of my favorite spots inside the gardens. I want you to know what to expect, and what areas you might want to prioritize for your Meadowlark Botanical Gardens engagement photos.

Logistics of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Engagement Photos

A few quick things to know: Meadowlark requires a portrait permit for all photo sessions ($25 plus the $7 admission per person). If you’re a Beauty of the Soul Studio couple, you don’t need to worry about this. Your permit is always included when we plan your engagement session. Just keep in mind that permits do need to be reserved in advance. And during peak seasons (hello, spring cherry blossoms!), they can sell out quickly.

Another consideration: photo sessions must happen during Meadowlark’s normal operating hours. That means unlike some other outdoor locations, your session won’t be scheduled for “golden hour,” but in the middle of the day. While this bright light can be a challenge for some, my decade of experience as a Northern VA wedding photographer means I know exactly how to work with midday sunlight and lush greenery to create beautiful, vibrant images.

A Warning for Fall Engagement Photos at Meadowlark

One more logistical warning as you plan your Meadowlark engagement photos. From late October through December, Meadowlark puts on the Winter Walk of Lights. It’s a beautiful light show where guests can enter the park after normal hours to wander among glowing LED lights. This means that if you’re looking for late fall engagement photos at Meadowlark, you’ll have to be more careful of your backdrops. That is, if you don’t want the turned-off light displays and string lights wrapped around trees to be in all of your photos! (And no, unfortunately Meadowlark does not allow portrait sessions during the Winter Walk of Lights. But if you plan a Christmas wedding at Meadowlark, you do get free reign of the park for wedding portraits at night!)

Looking to explore more from Meadowlark? Check out some past blogs:

• Megan and Rob’s wedding at The Atrium at Meadowlark
• Sarah and Nick’s engagement photos at Meadowlark
• Gretchen and Dakota’s proposal at Meadowlark
• Sarah and Austin’s summer micro wedding
• Evelyn and Alvin’s fall micro wedding
• Christy and Kyle’s wedding reception at The Atrium at Meadowlark

So let’s dive into a few of my favorite corners of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, and how each one can bring something unique to your engagement photos.

Beside the Park Entrance

Right after you arrive at Meadowlark for your engagement photos and check in with the front desk, you’ll walk through the back door and along a short path. It opens up to the wider view of the park. Immediately to your right is an open space between the lobby building and the Atrium, the park’s beautiful wedding venue. This is a great open space for portraits. And in the fall, the trees along the back turn a stunning vibrant red!

The Conservatory at Meadowlark

One of the most iconic spots at Meadowlark is visible just after you walk through the lobby building. The Conservatory is a glass building at the top of the hill that divides the park. It’s a more modern and architectural backdrop within an otherwise organic and lush setting. This makes it one of my favorite spots in the gardens because it adds a bit of variety to your Meadowlark Botanical Gardens engagement photos. I also love popping inside the Conservatory for a few quick photos if there are no other visitors around. But do so at your own risk, as you’re technically not supposed to take photos inside.

On the Hill Overlooking Lake Caroline

Another iconic view to use at your Meadowlark Botanical Gardens engagement photos is the serene Lake Caroline with its wooden gazebo resting in the center. My favorite way to showcase this spot is by wandering across the top of the hill that divides the park. The entrance building, the Atrium, and the Conservatory are at the top. Lake Caroline and many other vignettes within the park are down below. This means the top of the hill has a stunning view, not far from the entrance to the park! On the map for Meadowlark, this is labeled The Great Lawn. Whether in sunny or cloudy weather, mid-afternoon or golden hour, there’s usually a beautiful view to be had somewhere among the towering oak trees here.

The Wooden Bridge

Veer left as you descend the hill that divides the park, and you’ll encounter a another beautiful lake close to Lake Caroline. A charming wooden bridge here makes for the perfect spot to get a bit of shade on a sunny day. Depending on the lighting, you can photograph this bridge from either side. This makes it a convenient option no matter the weather or time of day.

On the Pond

Just past the wooden bridge further to the left is the lake itself, typically covered in lilies. As if the lilies weren’t beautiful enough, weeping willow trees also dot the water’s edge. These are always one of my favorite ways to frame my couples as a Northern VA wedding photographer. The drooping branches add such romantic leading lines through the image down to the couple posed below.

The Korean Bell Gardens

If you choose to go to the right side of Lake Caroline instead, you’ll eventually find yourself at the Korean Bell Gardens. This is another iconic location for Meadowlark Botanical Gardens engagement photos. Korean-inspired architecture here creates a completely different backdrop from the rest of the park. And the main structure containing the bell itself can be photographed at any angle. This makes it another great option regardless of weather and lighting conditions. Just be aware that there can be special events held in this area especially on weekends. And in general it’s a very popular spot for visitors! Not a fan of the bold architecture here? The stone railing surrounding the main structure is also a beautiful and more subtle place for portraits that focus more on you than on the backdrop.

Exploring the Grounds for Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Engagement Photos

Of course, there’s nothing more enchanting than wandering among the gardens’ secret paths and finding hidden gems for yourself. Meadowlark is always changing. Flowers bloom in one season and then disappear the next. The sun is constantly changing position and therefore changing the best angles for lighting. Groundskeepers are also changing the landscape, adjusting the gardens year to year so you never know what surprise you may find on your next visit.

Don’t Forget the Rings

Of course, what are engagement photos without a few pictures of that sparkle on your finger? Meadowlark Botanical Gardens provides plenty of spots to get creative showing off that ring up close.

Looking for other options for your engagement photos in Northern Virginia? As a Northern VA wedding photographer for over 10 years, I have experience photographing plenty of locations around the greater DC area. See our highlights for other great locations like:

• Green Spring Gardens Park in Alexandria, VA
• Great Falls National Park in Great Falls, VA
• Old Town Alexandria, VA

And for other garden venues we recommend, check out Megan and Rob’s Brookside Gardens engagement photos, and Sydney and Nick’s Oatlands Historic House and Gardens engagement photos.