Top 10 Dream Wedding Venues for Wedding Photographers
A&O Studios Picks
The venue for a wedding makes all the difference. With the right look, flow, and venue team, a wedding can come together effortlessly, which absolutely translates in photos. The top things we look for in a wedding venue are:
- Simple and appealing backdrops that don’t need heaps of décor to upgrade.
- Natural light during the day and lighting solutions after dark.
- Options for large group photos, and sneak away spots for private moments.
- A way to easily traverse the property if it’s large! Golf carts can save your bride’s feet and your precious time!
As we look at the second year of A&O Studios, we aspire to work at our region’s top wedding venues. Some of our Top 10 Wedding Venues in Coastal Virginia are venues that are tried and true for us, others on the list are a dream for us to book…let’s hope that 2024 makes it happen!
The Virginia House
If you’re looking for an old-world beauty, the Virginia House is an authentic English Tudor house that will make your guests’ jaw drop. Complete with historically accurate English gardens, incredible stonework, and full access to the mahogany filled interior of the house, this location is a photographer’s paradise!
Image courtesy of Virginia Museum of History & Culture
The Neon House
The spot for your urban, industrial style wedding. With exposed brick, wrought iron finishes, and lofted wooden ceilings, this space asks for bold photography choices. Stark contrasts of light and dark and a couple that is prepared to serve dramatic looks would be a dream come true for us in this venue.
Image courtesy of The Neon House
The Historic Post Office
Grandeur that is unmatched, with a modern touch and neutral color palette, the indoor spaces of the Historic Post Office are very customizable, and the outside is an architectural statement that speaks for itself.
Image courtesy of The Historic Post Office
Woman's Club of Portsmouth
The venue’s marriage of rustic and elegance make it an ideal wedding spot. The ballroom’s natural wood floors and massive windows are a photographer’s ideal lighting and color balance.
Image courtesy of the Woman's Club of Portsmouth
The Maine of Williamsburg
This brand-new space was built with the modern couple’s wedding needs in mind. During winter months, the massive fireplaces indoors and out create the perfect ambiance, and the versatility of the multiple outdoor patios are perfect for the summer. This year-round venue leaves you wanting for nothing.
Image courtesy of The Maine of Williamsburg
The Hermitage Museum & Gardens
For a functional and gorgeous outdoor space with a waterfront view, look no further. The massive historic trees on the Hermitage property are some of our favorites and the brick-covered ivy makes this unique space easy to photograph. Plus, the property is very centralized which makes it super convenient to get a variety of looks without walking long distances.
Image courtesy of The Hermitage Museum & Gardens; Photographer: Kai Villanueva
The Gala 417
Talk about an all-in-one experience. Between an adorable bridal suite, to flipping your ceremony space into your reception, to driving you away in a freaking Bently(!!!) The Gala team has you covered. Their indoor space is an elegant blank slate with photo ops in every corner, and our last bride there discovered a nearby outdoor location that we are now obsessed with. This spot has everything wrapped together with a satin bow on top.
Image: A&O Studios
This wedding's gallery coming soon!
The Chrysler Museum of Art
An art museum is already a huge bonus when it comes to photography. For us, there's something about creating art in the same place where so many invaluable pieces reside. The variety of locations that Chrysler offers for any wedding type is difficult to find, and each has its own unique look. In our opinion, nothing beats the pure-stone staircase in the grand atrium when it comes to regality.
Image courtesy of Abby Grace Photography
Norfolk Botanical Garden
Hello. This one is obvious. 175 acres of curated gardens and natural beauty. Their indoor facilities are also fantastic and the team is second-to-none when it comes to helping out in a pinch. They also deliver us and our couple to even the most secluded corners of the garden in a golf cart, which is always essential.
Image: A&O Studios
See this wedding's gallery
The Cavalier Resort
If you’ve ever been to The Cavalier, there’s nothing we need to tell you about why this is a dream venue. The most upscale and luxury spaces don’t overpower the feeling of an intimate gathering in their venue spaces. It is the perfect blend of feeling like the sweetest family event in a place that also oozes summertime opulence in the Hamptons.
Image courtesy of The Cavalier
Have you booked one of our Top 10 Wedding Venues for your dream wedding?
Let's chat about how A&O Studios can capture every precious moment of your day!
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