Cylburn Arboretum Wedding Surrounded by Nature

Danielle + Neal chose to get married at Cylburn Arboretum, a lush and historic garden venue in Baltimore City. I LOVE this venue so much and D & N's wedding really was a spectacular day. They added so many amazing personal touches, creating such a beautiful environment, truly filled with love. I wish I could photograph their wedding day over and over again and I'm so excited to share it!

Let's start with the first look! First, I must point out that D designed and created her own dress entirely herself! That's right, she sketched it, picked the fabric, and sewed it all herself, and I am thoroughly impressed by how amazing it turned out! The first look was also the first time that N saw it finished. We were both in awe of how it turned out. Isn't it amazing!? I also believe that it fit the vibe of the venue so well! Every location on the property that we photographed just felt perfect for them, that's something that I love about Cylburn, it's timeless backdrops, the option to rent out the Cylburn Mansion for portraits and the endless gardens to choose from.

UGH ceremony space! Let me tell you, the sun was our best friend as it followed us in the best way throughout the entire wedding day. N & D chose to have their ceremony in the Formal Gardens. Honestly, this venue is a dream for couples who feel most at home surrounded by nature and timeless Victorian architecture. It's perfect for those who want a space that feels like them—thoughtful, beautiful, and just a little off the beaten path. The ceremony was filled with so many sweet moments. A good friend officiated, the vows were deeply personal, and you could feel the emotion ripple through the guests—there wasn’t a dry eye in sight. You could tell every piece of it was intentional, from the setting to the words shared. I loved being able to move freely and capture their ceremony from multiple angles. Having that flexibility means I can tell the full story of their "I dos" from every perspective, adding even more depth to their day.

After the ceremony, D & N enjoyed some much-needed alone time while their guests went to the Vollmer Visitor Center to enjoy cocktail hour. It was the perfect pause for them to soak everything in—just the two of them—before the celebration continued. While they took that quiet moment, I captured all the thoughtful details of the reception space: the florals, the tablescapes, the way the late afternoon light poured through the windows of the Visitor Center. Once D & N rejoined, I documented their guests mingling, laughing, and sharing hugs—those candid moments that tell the real story of a wedding day.

And then… golden hour arrived. That warm, golden light at Cylburn Arboretum is unlike elsewhere in Baltimore. We stepped back outside for a few final portraits before the reception.

The reception was an absolute blast—one of those joyful, high-energy evenings where everyone was fully present and ready to celebrate. The DJ did such an incredible job keeping the vibe alive all night.

From the first dance to the last song, there was this contagious energy that made it so easy to capture people in their element—laughing, dancing, and letting go. As a wedding photographer, I live for those unscripted moments.

Cylburn Arboretum’s Vollmer Visitor Center was the perfect reception setting—spacious enough for dancing but still intimate enough to feel connected to everyone in the room. It was the perfect way to end such a beautiful day.

Venue: @cylburn_arboretum_friends

Photographer: @margarita_photography

Catering/planning: @chefsexpressions

Florals: @butterbee_farm

DJ: @playitagainaz

Desserts: @pfcreamery

Design: @eventdynamicsinc