Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer in Murrells Inlet
Looking for a Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer? I am Pasha Belman, a Myrtle Beach wedding photographer serving all of South Carolina, and I have photographed weddings at Brookgreen for years. A Brookgreen Gardens wedding puts you under live oaks, beside sculpture and along garden paths in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. This venue guide covers the address, how booking works, where couples marry, the photography rules and the best photo spots.
Brookgreen Gardens sits at 1931 Brookgreen Drive, between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island. Couples from Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, Georgetown and Charleston choose it for the oaks and the garden settings. Below are the details I share with every couple who asks about a Brookgreen Gardens wedding.
Brookgreen Gardens Wedding Details at a Glance
First, here are the facts, which come from Brookgreen’s private events page as of October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm them with Brookgreen before you plan.
- Address: 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
- Garden hours: daily, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with daytime gates closing at 4:30 PM
- Booking: through the Brookgreen Private Events team
- Membership: Brookgreen requires a current President’s Council membership to reserve a date
- Site fees: they vary by space, guest count and date
- Pets: Brookgreen does not allow pets, and service animals are welcome
- Drones: Brookgreen does not allow drones in the Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens Wedding Ceremony and Reception Locations
Brookgreen offers several settings for a ceremony or reception. For example, these are the spaces I have photographed most. However, Brookgreen decides which spaces are open for your date, so ask the Private Events team what is available.
- Live Oak Allee: a long walkway lined with live oaks and Spanish moss, and a favorite for ceremonies and portraits.
- Diana Pool Garden: fountains and sculpture around the ceremony space.
- Palmetto Garden: a lush garden that suits intimate portraits.
- Holliday Cottage and its lawn: a popular setting for ceremonies and receptions.
How to Book a Wedding at Brookgreen Gardens
A Brookgreen member must host every event in the Gardens. Start with the Private Events team through the Brookgreen website, then work through these steps.
- First, confirm your President’s Council membership, because Brookgreen requires it to reserve a date.
- Next, ask which spaces are open on your date and what the site fee is for your guest count.
- Then choose your ceremony and reception spaces and secure your date.
- Finally, book your photographer as soon as the date is set, because Brookgreen dates fill early.
Brookgreen Gardens Wedding Cost
Brookgreen does not publish a price list. Its site says fees vary by space, guest count and date, so the Private Events team quotes your number. Call them at 843-235-6017 or use the contact form on the Brookgreen website.
For a rough idea, one local wedding resource reports a site fee between $1,500 and $7,500, which included a one year membership. That figure is undated, so treat it as a starting point and confirm it with Brookgreen.
The site fee is only one part of your budget. Food, rentals, flowers, music and photography add to it. My wedding photography is a custom quote that depends on your date and coverage hours, so send me your date and I will price it for you.
Before you book, ask Brookgreen these questions:
- What does the site fee include for my date?
- What does the membership cost, and how long does it last?
- Which spaces are open for my guest count?
- What is the rain plan for my ceremony and reception?
Photography Rules You Need to Know
Brookgreen sets clear rules for photography in the Gardens. As a result, I plan every wedding around them, and you can read the full policy on the Brookgreen photography page.
- Brookgreen allows wedding and bridal photography in the Gardens only for couples who hold their wedding there, and you arrange it through the Events Department.
- Couples who rent the Garden for both ceremony and reception receive one complimentary 1 hour session in the area they secured.
- Brookgreen does not allow drones at any time.
- Photographers, clients and equipment stay out of the plant beds.
- Shoots cannot block pathways, entrances, exhibits or areas used for other events.
- Also, Brookgreen can refuse permission or end a shoot at any time.
Best Photo Spots for a Brookgreen Gardens Wedding
These are the places my Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer work returns to most.
The Live Oak Allee frames a couple under a canopy of oaks and Spanish moss, which is why so many Brookgreen Gardens wedding photos start there. In addition, the sculpture gardens add texture behind portraits, and the reflecting pools bring soft light into the frame. Along the garden paths I look for open shade, so skin tones stay even and the greenery stays rich.
Because the Gardens close at 5:00 PM, I build the timeline backward from that. First, I schedule family portraits early. Then I take couple portraits in the best light that remains, and I leave a few quiet minutes before the ceremony so the two of you can breathe.
Engagement Sessions and Elopements
Your Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer can also shoot your engagement session when you book the wedding.
You can also photograph an engagement session at Brookgreen. Brookgreen books sessions Monday to Friday, between 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM, and asks for two weeks of notice. The fee is $250 for up to 1.5 hours and includes one day of admission for 6 people. However, Brookgreen does not allow large props or wardrobe changes during sessions. So I bring the direction and the light, and you bring the outfits.
Elopements and small ceremonies also suit the Gardens well. With a few guests, the oaks and the sculpture make a quiet setting for vows, and I photograph every moment from the first look to the last walk down the path.
Hiring a Brookgreen Gardens Wedding Photographer
Brookgreen is a beautiful venue and a demanding one, so your Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer matters. The photography rules, the shade under the oaks and the timing of your ceremony all shape your wedding photos. A photographer who knows the venue plans for them before the day starts.
What a venue photographer does for you
As your Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer, I scout the ceremony site and the portrait locations with your timeline in mind. I place your portraits where the light is soft and the paths are clear, and I stay inside every Brookgreen photography rule so nothing interrupts your photos.
What to ask your Brookgreen Gardens photographer
- Have you photographed weddings at Brookgreen Gardens before?
- How do you handle the venue photography rules and the 1 hour session?
- How many hours of coverage do I need for a garden ceremony and reception?
- How and when do I receive my wedding photos?
- Can we tour the garden spaces for portraits before the wedding?
Unplugged ceremony tip
Ask guests to put phones away during the ceremony. Your wedding photos show faces instead of screens, and the aisle stays clear for the moment you walk it.
How you receive your wedding photos
You receive your edited photos in a private online gallery that is easy to share and download. Ask your photographer about delivery time before you book.
Planning Tips From Your Murrells Inlet Photographer
I travel across South Carolina for weddings. See all of my Myrtle Beach wedding photographers information, including packages and availability.
Every Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer should help you plan the timeline, so ask early.
- Walk the Gardens before your date so you know where you want your ceremony and portraits.
- Wear comfortable shoes, because the paths are long and your guests will walk them too.
- Plan your timeline around the 5:00 PM closing and the light.
- Keep your portrait list short, so you can enjoy the day.
- Finally, ask Brookgreen about rain plan options for your date well ahead of time.
Other Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island Venues I Photograph
Many couples tour more than one venue. For instance, Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet and Caledonia Golf and Fish Club in Pawleys Island are two other venues I know well. See my Wachesaw Plantation Club guide and my Caledonia Golf and Fish Club guide, or browse my full list of Myrtle Beach wedding venues.
Brookgreen Gardens Wedding FAQ
Wedding Photographer Questions
How much does a Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer cost?
Photography pricing depends on your date, coverage hours and the details of your day, so I quote each Brookgreen Gardens wedding photographer package individually. Send me your date and I will price it for you.
Who is the best wedding photographer at Brookgreen Gardens?
I am a Murrells Inlet and Myrtle Beach wedding photographer, and I have photographed weddings at Brookgreen Gardens for years. Look for a photographer who knows the venue photography rules, the ceremony spaces and the light under the oaks. You can see my work and send your date on my contact page.
Can we take portraits at Brookgreen Gardens if our wedding is somewhere else?
No. Brookgreen allows wedding and bridal photography in the Gardens only for couples who hold their wedding there.
How do we receive our wedding photos?
You receive your edited photos in a private online gallery that is easy to share and download.
What is the best time of day for wedding photos at Brookgreen Gardens?
Late afternoon gives soft light under the live oaks, so many couples schedule the ceremony in the late afternoon. Your photographer can build the timeline around your ceremony time and sunset.
Should we have an unplugged ceremony at Brookgreen Gardens?
I recommend it. When guests put phones away, your wedding photos show faces instead of screens.
How do I book a wedding at Brookgreen Gardens?
Contact the Brookgreen Private Events team through the Brookgreen website. A Brookgreen member must host the event in the Gardens, and Brookgreen requires a current President’s Council membership to reserve a date.
Venue, Booking and Cost Questions
Where is Brookgreen Gardens?
Brookgreen Gardens is at 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island.
How much does a Brookgreen Gardens wedding cost?
Brookgreen does not publish a price list. Site fees vary by space, guest count and date, so contact the Brookgreen Private Events team for current pricing and availability. One local wedding resource reports a site fee between $1,500 and $7,500 that included a one year membership. That figure is undated, so confirm it with Brookgreen.
How much does it cost to get married at Brookgreen Gardens?
The cost depends on the garden space you choose, your guest count and your date. Brookgreen quotes each wedding, and you also budget for food, rentals, flowers, music and photography. My photography is a custom quote based on your date and coverage hours.
Can I take engagement photos at Brookgreen Gardens?
Yes. Brookgreen books portrait sessions Monday to Friday between 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM with two weeks of notice. The fee is $250 for up to 1.5 hours and includes admission for 6 people. Confirm current rates with Brookgreen.
Are drones allowed at Brookgreen Gardens?
No. Brookgreen does not allow drones or drone photography in the Gardens at any time.
Can I bring my dog to a Brookgreen Gardens wedding?
No. Brookgreen does not allow pets on the property, but service animals are welcome.
Planning a Brookgreen Gardens wedding? Send me your date, and I will tell you if I am available to photograph your day. You can also see more of my work on the Pasha Belman Photography home page.
Planning your own session? Meet the Myrtle Beach wedding photographers, see our engagement photography, or send an inquiry.
