One of the most beautiful wedding venues in Northern Virginia is Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. I’ve photographed a winter wedding, a summer wedding, a fall micro wedding, and an engagement session here before. So when Sarah and Austin asked me to photograph their summer micro wedding at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, I was elated!

Most micro weddings at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens are 2 hours long and held at the Lake Caroline gazebo. The view is beautiful, and we were very grateful for the shade on this hot and sunny day! Sarah walked down the wooden aisle with her father to meet her groom Austin. Their tears of joy were beautiful and added to the intimate atmosphere of the celebration. In the middle of the ceremony, the pair’s loved ones took turns tying ribbons around their wrists. This “tying the knot” is one of my favorite additions to a wedding ceremony. It’s a meaningful way to incorporate your loved ones into the ceremony. The pair also read heartfelt wedding vows, exchanged rings, and shared their first kiss as husband and wife before retreating from the gazebo.

We took many of Sarah and Austin’s bride and groom portraits immediately after the ceremony on the Lake Gardiner bridge. It is a covered area featuring huge water lily pads on both sides. It was the perfect dramatic yet intimate spot for the pair to enjoy a few moments as newly minted husband and wife.

After a few bride and groom portraits, we walked up the hill to meet their friends and family for more formal portraits in the open space between the trees. By this point it was about 11am and brutal midday heat was taking its toll on everyone, so we tried to keep this as quick and easy as possible! I was especially grateful for my Sony mirrorless camera‘s electronic viewfinder. It made it significantly easier to see the photos as I was taking them in the harsh noon light!

We also took a few bride and groom portraits at the top of the hill. Sarah noted that she loved portraits I had taken inside the Conservatory at Christy and Kyle’s wedding. We made sure to stop inside briefly to get the shot before moving on to another path nearby with beautiful light! Their 2 hour reservation for a summer micro wedding at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens ended faster than we could have imagined. The newlyweds went on to enjoy a special lunch just the two of them. And I was so grateful to be part of this intimate micro wedding!

Interested in your own wedding at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens? It’s featured on my Fairfax County list of the best wedding venues in Northern Virginia. Take a look for more inspiration for your wedding in Northern Virginia!