The Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a gorgeous venue that holds a special place in my heart as a wedding and engagement photographer. With its breathtaking gardens, rich history, and beautiful views, this space offers couples a serene and vibrant setting for their celebrations and portraits. I feel honored each time I capture love stories here—whether it’s a surprise proposal, a heartfelt wedding, a joyful engagement, or a sweet elopement session.
Keep reading to find everything you need to know about planning a wedding or photo session at the Arboretum, from its many stunning ceremony locations to tips for making the most of this popular Dallas location.
About Dallas Arboretum & Its Beautiful History
With over sixty-six acres of finely manicured grounds and over one million visitors per year, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden provides breathtaking views for guests year-round. Located on the shores of White Rock Lake, the Arboretum is consistently listed among the top arboretums in the world and the top tourist attractions in Dallas. The Arboretum is known for its beautiful vistas, colorful display gardens, and groves of pecan trees, magnolias, crape myrtles, cherry blossom trees, tulip displays, and azaleas.
The Dallas Arboretum has received praise from countless publications for its use as a wedding and event venue. MarthaStewartWeddings.com named it "one of the 25 most beautiful garden wedding venues" and it has been called "one of the most romantic places in Dallas Fort Worth." Since opening to the public in 1984, this popular location has provided a safe and beautiful space for all to enjoy, and it’s one of my absolute favorite places to take photos!
Portrait Photoshoots at the Dallas Arboretum: Cost, Parking & Guidelines
Cost: How much does it cost to visit the Dallas Arboretum for a proposal, engagement session, or elopement? To visit just once, you'll pay $22 per person and $15 for parking per vehicle ($12 if you purchase parking online). If you'd like to enjoy the gardens throughout the year, you can purchase a Dallas Arboretum annual membership for as low as $103 for two individuals or $155 for a family of six. This affords you free parking and guest tickets you can use for a photographer.
Permit: For intimate photography sessions like the ones I offer, you don't need to pay a commercial photography fee—just pay for regular admission and parking for anyone who will be entering the Arboretum (you'll need to fill out a simple photography permit form when you arrive). Photography is only permitted after 9 am, and I always recommend scheduling photos right when they open in the morning to avoid large crowds and summer heat. The City of Dallas does not permit changing clothes in the public restrooms, but you can rent and reserve a VIP room (which includes a full-length mirror and bathroom/changing area) for two hours on weekdays for $350.
Parking: The Arboretum has three entrance gates and one large parking garage on Garland Road with a covered walkway leading directly to the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. I always like to meet couples at Gate 1 (the main front entrance) and I recommend that you park there as well for ease of access!
Guidelines: While taking photos inside the Arboretum, you must abide by their etiquette to maintain a peaceful, beautiful atmosphere. For instance, no balloons or drones are allowed, and you cannot block off a garden or a pathway. You ARE allowed to bring food from home and set up a picnic—this can be such a fun photoshoot option or a way to enjoy the grounds when you're done taking photos. You can read more photography guidelines and etiquette here.
Dallas Arboretum Weddings: Garden Ceremony Locations & Reception Venues
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is a gorgeous setting for couples who want to exchange vows surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Featuring intimate garden spaces, expansive lawns, and historic structures, this versatile venue caters to a wide range of wedding styles, from intimate ceremonies to larger, lavish celebrations.
The Dallas Arboretum is equally beautiful in person and in photographs with rolling greenery, lake views, and a mix of vibrant floral scenes. With a unique mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, there’s a reason this is one of the most popular wedding venues in Dallas, and I love how it blends natural elegance with historic charm. Its versatility and distinct ambiance make it the ideal venue to host a celebration that’s both sophisticated and unforgettable.
There are more than twenty beautiful locations and gardens within the Dallas Arboretum that make stunning photo backdrops for weddings and photoshoots of all kinds. My favorite photo locations include A Women's Garden, the Sunken Garden, and the Rose Garden, but you can learn about all of them here.
A Women's Garden
The Women's Garden features the iconic square archways and a stunning vista across the infinity pool. When people think of the Dallas Arboretum, they think of this spot!
POetry Garden
Inside the Women's Garden you'll find the intimate square-shaped Poetry Garden: walk to the very front, find the ledge, and take the stairs down into this hidden gem.
McCasland Sunken Garden
Especially vibrant in the spring and summer, the highlight of the Sunken Garden is the stately staircase that leads to a secluded green lawn and courtyard perfect for photoshoots and weddings.
Crape Myrtle Allee
If you've seen the crape myrtle trees arched over a stone walkway, you've seen Crape Myrtle Allee! This natural tunnel leads visitors to the popular toad fountain feature, “Toad Corner.”
Rose Garden
The Rose Garden contains over two hundred hybrid tea roses of sixteen different varieties, making for a stunning backdrop when the roses are in bloom (October is peak season).
Nancy’s Garden
A popular location for weddings, Nancy’s Garden is covered in soft pink and pastel crape myrtles and azaleas year-round.
Dallas Arboretum Wedding Planning FAQ's
I’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about planning your wedding at the Dallas Arboretum. For more details, you can also visit their FAQ page or wedding information page.
What’s included when you book a Dallas Arboretum wedding?
- Choice of 18 beautiful ceremony locations
- 4 distinct reception spaces
- Tables for food, beverages, and guests
- Dedicated event manager
- One-hour wedding rehearsal
- Full event setup and teardown
Can I bring in my own caterer or outside rentals?
Only the Arboretum’s preferred caterers can be used for catering services. However, you are free to bring in your own alcohol, wedding cake, and rentals from other companies (the Arboretum also has some rental items available). Remember, you’ll need to remove all outside items by the end of the night.
What are the rain plan options in case of bad weather?
The Arboretum doesn’t offer a designated rain plan for ceremony-only locations, but you can use a covered event space as a back-up at the time of your ceremony if there is one available. For combined ceremony and reception locations, your backup rain plan will include moving the ceremony to the designated dance area if necessary. Tents are only permitted at specific reception locations—not at ceremony-only sites.
What items can I use for my send-off?
As a botanical garden, the Arboretum restricts certain items for send-offs. Prohibited items include birdseed, rice, paper confetti, and anything non-biodegradable. Allowed items include real flower petals (white or ivory only), bubbles, and biodegradable confetti. Sparklers, candles, and other flame-based items are not permitted.
Capturing Love at the Dallas Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum is a stunning location that both couples and photographers love. I’m continually inspired by the natural beauty and timeless elegance of this garden venue, and I love creating memories here that couples can cherish forever. If you're planning a wedding, elopement, engagement session, or proposal, I’d love to help you capture your story at the Dallas Arboretum.
Let’s make memories at one of the most breathtaking locations in Texas! Follow me on Instagram to see more of my work or contact me here to get started!
Photography: KHamilton Photography
