This spring wedding at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden took place under what can only be described as a heavenly canopy of cherry blossoms. Their day was a Studio Ghibli-level dreamscape with soft petals falling in the breeze, trees absolutely bursting with pink, and golden light filtering through in a way that made the air feel pink.

If you’re planning a Brooklyn Botanic Garden wedding and wondering whether cherry blossom season is worth the gamble… yes, yes, a thousand times yes.

bride and groom kissing under a cherry blossom tree during their brooklyn botanic garden wedding

bride and groom under a cherry blossom tree during their brooklyn botanic garden wedding

Why Choose the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for Your Wedding

Located right in the heart of Brooklyn, the Botanic Gardens is one of the most iconic outdoor wedding venues in NYC. It offers couples the rare chance to feel connected to nature and the seasons in a city where that can be difficult sometimes!

Plus, the garden itself doesn’t need much additional decor. The nature is the decor. Especially during springtime, when everything is blooming, there’s a feeling of being inside a living, breathing work of art.

J and A’s wedding landed right in that peak Cherry Blossom window. After days of rain, the skies cleared just in time, and theirs ended up being the only true full-bloom cherry blossom wedding of the season.

cherry blossom inspired wedding detail flatlay

brooklyn botanic garden wedding during cherry blossom season

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Wedding Ceremony

Here’s what you need to know about planning your ceremony under the cherry blossoms at the Esplanade, or one of the other Gardens’ beautiful gardens. Ceremony bookings at BBG are limited to early morning only and are wildly popular. You’ll want to plan ahead (like, way ahead) to snag a spot during peak bloom season.

The Garden allows just two ceremonies per weekend day, and they need to wrap up by 10 a.m.

Some quick logistics:

Ceremony permit: $628 for up to 50 guests
Max capacity: 60 guests total ($628 for up to 50 people + an additional 10 guests at a cost of $22 per person)
No indoor backups, so bring umbrellas or good vibes.
You can pick from several ceremony locations: Fragrance Garden, Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, Osborne Garden, Plant Family Collection, Rose Garden, or Water Garden, based upon availability.

Always double-check the most up-to-date information about their Garden ceremonies on their site!

J and A’s ceremony took place under the cherry blossom trees with no need for arches or fancy structures. It was just two people in love, surrounded by their people and nature doing its thing. If you’re looking for a city wedding that doesn’t feel like a “city wedding,” BBG might be your spot.

brooklyn botanic garden wedding ceremony at the Esplanade under cherry blossoms

Just a Little Bit Punk

The bride wore a floral brocade dress that beautifully echoed the cherry blossoms. Then she threw on a leather jacket and sunglasses, looking cool as hell. Absolute main character energy. The perfect blend of softness and edge.

bride in a floral brocade dress under cherry blossom tree

bride and groom under cherry blossom tree

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Wedding Reception at the Atrium

The outdoor ceremony was followed by an indoor reception in the Garden's dramatic glass-walled Atrium. It is a bright and modern reception space with floor-to-ceiling windows, string lights, and sunset glow bouncing off wine glasses. The Atrium looks right onto the Cherry Esplanade, so you could still see the pink blooms from indoors!

And if you’re planning your reception here, the Atrium can accommodate up to 125 guests for the celebration.

brooklyn botanic garden wedding reception set up at the atrium

brooklyn botanic garden wedding reception at the atrium

wedding couple cutting their wedding cake at the atrium

brooklyn-botanic-garden-wedding (42).jpg

candid wedding reception dancing moments

Couple’s Testimonial

"Caroline did such an amazing job at our wedding! We were on the same page from the start about the kind of moments I wanted to capture (and what I didn’t want — clichéd shots and gender norms). They were super receptive, patient, and collaborated really well with our other vendors. Caroline is authentic and a pleasure to work with. The photos from our wedding were absolutely out of this world and a testament to Caroline’s skill and style."

wedding rings on top of pink wedding flowers

bride and groom in brooklyn botanic garden

Planning Your Own Brooklyn Botanic Garden Wedding?

When you're getting married in a place this stunning, with light this rare and love this tangible, you don't want to spend the day staging shit. You want someone who knows how to see it—and feel it with you.

I photograph weddings documentary-style, which means I won’t be yelling poses or interrupting your vows for a better angle. I’ll be in it with you—catching the way the petals land in your hair, the warmth of the light on your guests’ faces, and the joy that lives between the moments.

If this approach sounds like something you’d love to have for your own wedding day, then hey, I’m Caroline, your queer documentary wedding photographer in NYC, and I’d love to hear from you. Reach out here to inquire, and let’s dream up your day together!