Real Brookgreen Gardens wedding Photos: Carolyn and Tate
Real Brookgreen Gardens wedding photos from Carolyn and Tate, with the best portrait spots and a timeline built around the garden hours.
Looking for real Brookgreen Gardens wedding photos? I am Pasha Belman, a Myrtle Beach wedding photographer serving all of South Carolina, and I have photographed weddings under the live oaks and sculpture of Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Read the Brookgreen photography policy, then see the Brookgreen Gardens wedding photos from Carolyn and Tate below. For the full venue guide, read my Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer guide. This page answers the questions couples ask before they book: who can photograph a wedding at Brookgreen, what the rules are, where the best photo spots are, how to plan the timeline, and what a full day looks like. You will also see a real Brookgreen wedding from start to finish.
Who can photograph a wedding at Brookgreen Gardens?
Wedding and bridal photography inside the Gardens is reserved for couples whose wedding or private event is held at Brookgreen. If you rent the Gardens for both your ceremony and reception, Brookgreen includes one complimentary one hour session. Brookgreen does not supply a photographer, so you choose your own. That is where I come in.
Venue bookings run through the Private Events team at Brookgreen, and a Brookgreen membership is required to reserve a date. Book your venue first, then send me your date. I will tell you right away if I am available.
Brookgreen Gardens photography rules every couple should know
Brookgreen protects its sculpture and plantings, so photographers follow clear rules. I plan every wedding around them, and I will walk you through each one before your day.
- No drones, at any time.
- No large props or backdrops.
- No photographers, clients, or equipment in plant beds, and no blocking of paths, entrances, exits, or exhibits.
- The Gardens are open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and daytime gates close at 4:30 PM.
- A Brookgreen representative can stay with your party during a session.
- Brookgreen can end any shoot that breaks the rules, and photos of its artwork cannot be used to advertise products or services.
Rules like these are why experience matters here. I know where the light holds, which paths stay quiet, and how to move a wedding party without stepping on anything that is off limits.
Best photo locations at Brookgreen Gardens for wedding portraits
Brookgreen is more than 9,000 acres, and the wedding photos you see most often come from a handful of spots. These are the ones I return to.
The Live Oak Allée. Centuries old oaks form a canopy over the path, and Spanish moss softens the light. It is the signature Brookgreen image, and it works for a ceremony walk, a first look, and family portraits.
The sculpture gardens. Brookgreen holds one of the largest collections of American figurative sculpture in the country. Fountains, statues, and clipped hedges give you clean backgrounds that feel classic.
Diana Pool Garden and Palmetto Garden. These formal garden spaces give you structure, symmetry, and greenery that photographs beautifully from early afternoon through golden hour. They work well for couple portraits and bridal party groups.
Holliday Cottage Lawn. The cottage and its lawn give you a warm, intimate backdrop for ceremonies, family photos, and a relaxed cocktail hour. Ask Brookgreen which spaces are available for your date, and I will plan the portraits around them.
Garden paths and open lawns. Wide lawns and quiet paths give the bride and groom room to breathe and walk together while I photograph from a distance.
Water views. Brookgreen sits near the coast, so marsh and water views add variety to a gallery that is otherwise green and gold.
What time of day is best for Brookgreen Gardens wedding photos?
Under the oaks, the best light arrives in the late afternoon, when the sun drops lower and the canopy glows. Gates close at 4:30 PM for daytime access, so ceremonies in the Gardens run earlier than a typical beach wedding. I build the schedule backward from your venue time so portraits happen in the softest light available.
Midday sun filtering through the leaves can look spotty. I use open shade, move your portraits to the right path at the right hour, and keep the group shots quick so you get back to your guests.
How do I plan a Brookgreen Gardens wedding photography timeline?
A relaxed timeline gives you better photos and a better day. This is the order I recommend for a Brookgreen ceremony.
- Getting ready details and portraits, about 90 minutes before the ceremony.
- First look or private moment, about 60 minutes before the ceremony.
- Wedding party and family portraits, before guests arrive when possible.
- Ceremony, with the aisle and oaks working in your favor.
- Couple portraits in the best remaining light.
- Reception details, toasts, and dancing.
Every wedding is different, so I build the exact plan with you after you book. You will have a written timeline weeks before the day.
A real Brookgreen Gardens wedding: Carolyn and Tate
Carolyn and Tate married at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, and I asked them to tell the story in their own words.
How did Carolyn find her wedding dress?
Carolyn found her dress at a bridal boutique in Atlanta. She knew when she tried it on.
Why did they choose Brookgreen Gardens?
Carolyn and Tate have a long history with Litchfield Beach, where Tate proposed. Brookgreen opened its wedding venue exactly one year later, so the choice felt personal. They wanted a Lowcountry setting that matched their story.
What was the most memorable moment of the day?
Carolyn remembers the walk down the aisle beneath the large oak trees. The moment slowed everything down for her.
What was the most special wedding accessory?
Her grandmother’s custom diamond earrings, made from one of her grandmother’s old pieces. Family who could not attend were with her in that detail.
What did they want in a wedding photographer?
Relaxed, natural light photos. Carolyn chose me after seeing my work at friends’ weddings.
What advice would Carolyn give engaged couples?
Focus on the marriage and let the small details go. That is advice I hear from many couples after their wedding, and it matches how I photograph: real moments over staged ones.
Why hire Pasha Belman as your Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer?
I have photographed weddings for 20+ years and built Pasha Belman Photography through referrals and five star reviews. Couples hire me for natural light, calm direction, and galleries that feel like their day.
I live in Murrells Inlet, so Brookgreen is close to home. I know the Gardens in every season, I know the parking and arrival flow for your guests, and I know how to work with the Brookgreen team. My weddings also take me to Pawleys Island, Litchfield, Georgetown, Myrtle Beach, and Charleston.
See more of my work in the Pawleys Island wedding photographers page and the Charleston wedding photographers page. You can also browse another Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer story, an intimate Brookgreen Gardens wedding, and a Brookgreen Gardens engagement session.
Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer FAQ
Can I bring my own photographer to a Brookgreen Gardens wedding?
Yes. Brookgreen does not provide a photographer, so couples hire their own. I am happy to talk through your date.
Can anyone take wedding photos at Brookgreen Gardens?
Bridal and wedding photography in the Gardens is for couples whose wedding or private event is held at Brookgreen. Other portrait sessions follow a separate booking policy.
How much does a portrait session at Brookgreen cost?
Brookgreen lists a $250 fee for family, engagement, and other portrait sessions, paid when you book at least two weeks ahead. Sessions run Monday through Friday during the daytime, up to 1.5 hours, with admission included for six people.
Can we use a drone at Brookgreen Gardens?
No. Drones are not allowed at any time.
Can I change outfits during a Brookgreen portrait session?
Brookgreen does not allow wardrobe changes during its portrait sessions. For weddings, tell me your plan and I will check it with your venue contact.
What time do the Gardens close?
The Gardens are open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and daytime gates close at 4:30 PM. I plan your timeline around those hours.
When should I book my Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer?
As soon as your venue date is set. Popular spring and fall Saturdays fill early, so send me your date and I will reply with availability.
Do you photograph engagement sessions at Brookgreen Gardens?
Yes. Engagement sessions follow Brookgreen portrait rules and are a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding.
Where is Brookgreen Gardens located?
Brookgreen Gardens is at 1931 Brookgreen Drive in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island.
Book your Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer
Want your own photos under these oaks? Meet your Pawleys Island wedding photographer.
If your wedding is at Brookgreen Gardens, send me your date, your ceremony time, and a few words about the day you imagine. I reply personally and will tell you right away if I am available. I would love to photograph your wedding in Murrells Inlet.
Planning your own session? Meet the Myrtle Beach wedding photographers, see our engagement photography, or send an inquiry.
