Atlanta Wedding Venues

I’ve been fortunate enough to cover weddings in a wide variety of venues in and around Atlanta.  This page is dedicated to some of the best ones.  Here I give my opinion on various venues, and link to the wedding pictures from those venues.  Hopefully this is helpful to couples looking for venues.

As always, feel free to contact me if you like what you see or have suggestions.

 

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Venue website: Atlanta Botanical Gardens

The Atlanta Botanical gardens is a great place for a wedding.  There are tons of ideal photo locations around the property and you’ll never have to worry about not getting beautiful pictures.  Reception locations are somewhat limited though and the gardens are susceptible to seasonal variations.  It should come as no surprise that the gardens are most beautiful in the spring and in the fall.

Here is a wedding set from The Botanical Gardens:
Kevin and Andrea’s wedding at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

 

Barnsley Gardens Resort

Venue website: Barnsley Gardens Resort

Barnsley Gardens is up in Adairsville, GA.  It features very unique “ruins” which have become the trademark location for weddings held there.  The ruins are incredibly cool and something that you won’t find anywhere else.  The surrounding gardens there are also amazing as well.  I really really like this venue.  It’s a bit spread out though.  Expect to be carted to the ceremony site from the resort rooms there, as it would be very long walk.

Here is a wedding set from Barnsley Gardens Resort:
Alison and Jason’s wedding at Barnsley Gardens Resort

 

Biltmore Ballrooms

Venue website: Biltmore Ballrooms Atlanta

The Biltmore hotel is located right downtown and is incredible.  Tall, decorated ceilings and ornate architecture make for some really great pictures.  The ballroom itself is huge and can accommodate large weddings without feeling cramped.  Since the ceremony and reception are often held in the same room, there is some downtime before the reception when the staff “flips” the room.  This can be an issue if you’re looking to take pictures in the ballroom after the ceremony.

Here are the weddings I have photographed at the Biltmore Ballrooms:
Shawn and Jillian’s wedding at the Biltmore Ballrooms
Rachelle and Rob’s wedding at the Biltmore Ballrooms
Jonathan and Andrea’s wedding at the Biltmore Ballrooms
Lindsay and Brett’s wedding at the Biltmore Ballrooms

 

Brasstown Valley Resort

Venue website: Brasstown Valley Resort

Brasstown Valley is located up in north Georgia, in Young Harris.  It’s a bit of a drive from Atlanta, but worth the trip.  The resort sits on the side of the mountain and the lands there are beautiful.  Rolling green hills and mountainous landscapes make for great pictures.  The main ceremony location overlooks the land and at sunset the view is as close to perfect as I’ve seen.

Here is a wedding set from Brasstown Valley Resort:
Allie and Jon’s wedding at Brasstown Valley Resort

 

Canongate at Winderemere

Venue website:  Canongate at Winderemere

I’m a big fan of Windermere.  The grounds are beautiful, even in the winter.  In the summer it’s just a dream.  The rolling green hills and nice landscape really make for some great pictures.  The reception area has lots of windows so it’s very easily lit by natural lighting.  This is a very photo-friendly venue that everyone seems to enjoy.

Here are the three weddings I have shot at Windermere:
Paul and Caroline’s Windermere wedding
Daniel and Michelle’s Windermere wedding
Tim and Liz’s Windermere wedding

 

Cator Woolford Gardens

Venue website:  Cator Woolford Gardens

If you’re looking for a venue with lots of greenery, the Cator Woolford Gardens will fit the bill.  Indoor accommodations here are slim, so plan on being outside the whole time.  The gardens are beautiful during prime wedding season.  There is also a very impressive set of steps that is a popular place for pictures.

Here is a wedding and engagement set shot at the gardens:
Lester and Jennifer’s engagement at Cator Woolford Gardens
Lester and Jennifer’s wedding at Cator Woolford Gardens

 

Chateau Elan

Venue website: Chateau Elan

Chateau Elan is an amazing place for a wedding.  The inside is beautiful, the outside is beautiful.  The whole place just rocks.  Rolling green hills through the vineyard have the potential to make for some stunning pictures.  Unfortunately when I shot there last June it was over 100 degrees (literally), so our outdoor photo opportunities were limited.  I’m really looking forward to going back there again.

Here is a wedding set from Chateau Elan:
Mike and Courtney’s wedding at Chateau Elan
Anne-Marie and David’s wedding at Chateau Elan

 

Che’ne Rouge

Venue website:  Che’ne Rouge

I’ve shot at Che’ne Rouge a couple of times and really like it.  It has one of the best reception halls I’ve shot at.  The ceilings are high, the dance floor is big, and people always seem to have a great time.  The wedding area outside has modest greenery and looks nice during the summer.

Here are two wedding sets from Che’ne Rouge
Jarrod and Stephanie’s wedding at Che’ne Rouge
Grant and Nina’s wedding at Che’ne Rouge

 

Fox Theater

Venue website:  Fox Theater

The fox is really beautiful.  The history and elaborate architecture there at the theater has few rivals in and around the city.  It’s a bit of a non traditional venue, but I absolutely loved photographing there.

Here are a couple sets from the Fox Theater:
DJ and Jason’s wedding at the Fox Theater
DJ’s bridal session at the Fox Theater

 

Flint Hill

Venue website:  Flint Hill

Flint Hill is a really nice place for smaller weddings.  The grounds are modestly sized, but very nice.  Weddings can be held either behind the house or in the large reception room.  The house has a vintage, classy feel to it and can make for some really cool pictures if you know how to use that to your advantage.  There is a small garden on the side of house that is a nice spot during wedding season.

Here are the weddings I’ve shot at Flint Hill:
Nate and Emily’s wedding at Flint Hill
Jena and Nick’s wedding at Flint Hill
Matt and Jessica’s wedding at Flint Hill

Georgian Terrace

Venue website:  The Georgian Terrace

The Georgian Terrace is one of the nicest hotels in Atlanta.  There are tons of opportunities for great pictures here.  I could literally shoot there all day and not run out of ideas.  The rooms where they have the wedding receptions have large windows that let in lots of natural lighting, so daytime receptions look fantastic.

Here are a couple sets shot at the Georgian Terrace:
Sidney and Sabina’s wedding at the Georgian Terrace
Adam and Jenna’s post wedding session at the Georgian Terrace
Jay and Becky’s wedding reception at the Georgian Terrace

 

Hilton Marietta Conference Center

Venue website:  Hilton Marietta Conference Center

The Hilton in Marietta has a lot of potential as a wedding venue.  The main wedding location there is the gardens, and while the inside of the hotel has some nice spots, you really want to be outside.  The gardens there are very unique and can make for some beautiful pictures.  One thing to look out for though is the time of day.  When the sun is high in the sky, the lighting is very harsh in the gardens.  Close to sunset, it’s sublime, though.

Here are some sets from the Hilton Marietta:
Kinene and Cyrena’s Hilton Marietta wedding
Matt and Kimiko’s Hilton Marietta wedding
Matt and Kimiko’s engagement at the Hilton

 

Hindu Temple of Atlanta

Venue website:  Hindu Temple of Atlanta

The Hindu Temple is a very special place.  I’ve been there a couple times and have always been very happy with my experience there.

Here are a couple sets shot at the Hindu Temple:
Kinjal and Krishna’s wedding at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta
K&S’s wedding at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta

 

Little Gardens

Venue website:  Little Gardens

Little gardens is a nice little venue up in Lawrenceville.  The grounds are modest, but nice.  During spring and fall, the greenery is very nice.  The inside of the house is also very n ice.  The bridal room (upstairs) has a very old fashioned feel to it and makes for some great pictures.  The one let down here is the reception room.  The ceiling is very low and makes for very poor reception lighting and logistics.

Here is a wedding set from the Little Gardens:
Lance and Ellen’s wedding at Little Gardens

 

Metro Atlanta Chamber

Venue website:  Metro Atlanta Chamber

The Metro Atlanta Chamber has one big thing going for it – the view.  There is a large open air pavilion at the top which overlooks Piedmont Park and has a spectacular view of the city.  It’s not often you can get such an amazing view of the city while being protected from the elements.  This one of my favorite “city” wedding venues of the year.

Here is a wedding set from the Metro Atlanta Chamber:
Ibb and Zainab’s Pakistani wedding at the Metro Atlanta Chamber

 

Magnolia Hall

Venue website:  Magnolia Hall

Magnolia Hall is located right next to Piedmont Park.  It has a nice wooden floor reception hall with a patio area just outside.  The wedding area outdoor has immediate access to the park, so there is never a shortage of great places for pictures.  I really liked this place.

Here is a wedding set from Magnolia Hall:
Erik and Reanna’s wedding at Magnolia Hall

 

Old Courthouse on the Square

Venue website:  Decatur’s Old Courthouse on the Square

I’m a big fan of the Courthouse.  It has an early 1900s look and feel to it that is unique to local venues.  The architecture there is gorgeous.  The main room upstairs has large windows that let in very soften natural lighting.  Daytime weddings here really look fantastic.  The grounds outside of the courthouse have limited greenery, so plan on a mostly urban look here.

Here are two weddings I’ve shot at the courthouse:
Hunter and Kavitha’s Decatur Courthouse wedding
Andy and Elise’ Decatur Courthouse wedding

 

Primrose Cottage

Venue website:  Primrose Cottage

There are a lot of old houses/mansions in the Atlanta area that really make great places for weddings.  Primrose Cottage is one of them.  I really loved working with the old rooms and decorations here.  The grounds are nice as well, with plenty of greenery.  You get a nice mix of indoor and outdoor with Primrose.

Here is a wedding set from Primrose Cottage:
Chris and Kira’s wedding at Primrose Cottage

 

Savannah Rapids Pavilion

Venue website:  Savannah Rapids Pavilion

So this venue isn’t in Atlanta, it’s in Augusta.  That said, it’s wonderful and worth mentioning.  While there are no obvious places for a great looking wedding ceremony, the main hall is open and spacious, making for a great reception place.  There are also some great spots down by the river for pictures.

Here is a wedding set from Savannah Rapids Pavilion:
Aasif and Sofia’s Indian Valima at Savannah Rapids Pavilion
Krystal and Kyle’s wedding at Savannah Rapids Pavilion

 

The Temple

Venue website:  The Temple

The temple is a beautiful Jewish Temple here in Atlanta.  The architecture, both on the inside, and the outside is gorgeous.  The main room has high ceilings and large stained glass ceilings.  I could spend hours here and not get bored.  There is also a large conference room here that makes a great place for a large wedding reception.

Here is a wedding set from the Temple:
Ryan and Susanna’s wedding at The Temple

 

The Trolley Barn

Venue website:  The Trolley Barn

The Trolley Barn is a unique venue in that it’s basically one big, wide open room.  This is beautiful in it’s simplicity, but can also be frustrating because there is nowhere to hide.  Trying to do girls/guys photos separately here is challenging.  The grounds are relatively small, but there are a few neat locations for nice pictures.  Wedding ceremonies are generally held outside underneath a large tree.  Foliage can make a big difference in the lighting of the ceremony depending on the time of year and time of day.

Here is a wedding from the Trolley Barn:
Chris and Karin’s Trolley Barn wedding

 

Ventanas

Venue website:  Ventanas

I’ll let you in on a little secret.  Ventanas just might have the best view of Atlanta you can get.  From the helipad, the view is just stunning and second to none in my opinion.  The venue as a whole is very clean and elegant with huge windows on all sides.  At night the place really comes alive and it a fantastic place for a reception.  This is easily one of my favorite downtown Atlanta venues.

Here is a wedding set from Ventanas:
Paul and Monica’s wedding at Ventanas

 

Villa Serena

Venue website:  Villa Serena

I was pretty amazed when I went to Villa Serena.  It’s off the beaten path and a bit of a trek to get to, but the grounds are beautiful.  Both the mansions and the ground make for some great pictures.  Everything is especially beautiful near sunset – which was when I had the opportunity to shoot there.  If your wedding is large, odds are the reception will have to be outside since the inside of the house probably isn’t large enough to accommodate too many people.  So long as the weather plays nice, this is one of the most beautiful venues in the Atlanta area.

Here is a wedding set from Villa Serena:
Matt and Bridget’s wedding at Villa Serena

 

Vine’s Mansion

Venue website: Vine’s Mansion

Vine’s mansion, is an interesting venue.  It’s a great looking, large house on beautiful, sprawling land in Loganville, GA.  The wedding ceremony area is a bit plain, but the greenery there on the property is beautiful with plenty of areas for great pictures.  Receptions are generally held just inside the front door.  Large windows in this area make for lots of natural light for daytime receptions.

Here is a wedding set from Vine’s Mansion:
Adam and Jenna’s wedding at Vine’s Mansion

 

Vinings Club

Venue’s website:  Vinings Club

The vinings club is located in a business skyrise on the north end of Atlanta.  It would be a good choice for a smaller, more intimate wedding.  There are some nice outdoor locations just outside the building including a great view.

Here is a wedding set from the Vinings Club:
Tamara and Garrett’s wedding at the Vinings Club

 

W Hotel Midtown Atlanta

Venue website:  W Hotel Midtown Atlanta

The W hotel is pretty extravagant.  One thing they try to do is make each W unique relative to all of the others.  I was super impressed with the one in Midtown.  The design and the architecture were exquisite.  The staff was among the most accommodating I’ve ever worked with.  If there was anything we wanted, they would get it for us.  They even offered to take us up on the roof for pictures.  This is a purely indoor, urban experience and it’s hard to beat.

Here is a wedding set from the W Hotel in Midtown Atlanta:
Dan and Sarah’s wedding at the W Hotel

 

Whitlock Inn

Venue website: Whitlock Inn

Whitlock Inn is a nice little bed and breakfast here in Marietta.  Houses typically aren’t geared very well towards weddings, but Whitlock works fairly well.  The back of the house works well for a modest sized wedding while the reception room nearby has plenty of space for guests and a large dance floor.  The inside of the house has an old fashioned feel to it and makes for some nice pictures.

Here is a wedding set from Whitlock Inn:
Bobby and Lindsey’s wedding at the Whitlock Inn