When it comes to Arlington Garden photos for your engagement or wedding day, you can't go wrong. I'm a Pasadena wedding photographer who is going to detail everything about this location below, so that you're super prepared for your photo session!

What is Arlington Garden?

Arlington Garden is a beautiful garden located in South Pasadena, California. It has a "secret garden" atmosphere in that even though the garden is huge and magical, it is somewhat hidden, making it the perfect environment for photos.

Arlington Garden, Pasadena is a refuge for Southern California's native fauna. It includes over three acres of oak groves, meadows, citrus groves, mediterranean sections, desert sections, coastal sage scrub areas, and more. It is home to countless butterflies, bees, and birds, which can be enjoyed while roaming throughout the gardens.

Arlington Garden Photography Permit

You can read more info on securing a permit for your Pasadena Arlington Garden photo session, HERE.

Additional Arlington Garden Permit Tips:

• Purchase your permit before going to the garden. They usually ask couples for it during a session, so it's important to have it on hand.

• Arlington Garden in Pasadena requires permits for weddings, engagements, family portraits, etc. This applies even when the photographer is a friend, family member, or other non-professional.

• As of now, 2023, I the permit costs $100/hr.

Arlington Garden Micro Wedding Package

Arlington Garden is the perfect place for an intimate wedding. I've photographed a few intimate weddings there and it's always so, SO beautiful!

Below are details on their Micro Wedding Packages:

1-10 people: $500 total cost (Upfront $750 with a $250 refund)
11-20 people: $1,250 (Upfront $1,750 with a $500 refund)
21-30 people: $1,750 (Upfront $2,250 with a $500 refund)
31-40 people: $2,250 (Upfront $2,750 with a $500 refund)

• Up to 2 Hours Max
• 40 Guests Max (with 2,250 package) | They don't offer wedding packages with more than 40 guests
• Any time in excess of 2 hours is billed at $250 per 15 mins
• Bring only 1 photographer (Additional photographers are $250/photographer)
• Ceremony only, 2 hours, NO furniture, NO decorations, NO food, NO music

When is the Best Time of the Year to Take Your Arlington Garden Photos?

Definitely during Spring (Mid March - Early June) or Fall (September - Early November)

Spring Time Benefits:

The flowers will be in full bloom, meaning your photos will be more colorful

Below are some photos captured at a Spring Time session

Fall Time Benefits:

The foliage at Arlington Gardens is GORGEOUS during the Fall. You'll see plenty of maple trees with those classic orange, yellow, and red tones.

Below are some photos captured at a Fall Time session

What Makes Arlington Gardens, Pasadena a Great Place for Photos?

Dreamy Light

Arlington garden is one of my absolute favorite areas to photograph at because the light always seems to hit perfectly there. Great light is crucial for photography.

It Has a Secret Garden Quality

Arlington Garden is tucked away, meaning there will be less people in the background of your photos. I love how this garden provides intimacy and privacy.

Variety

Since the garden is 3 acres, there is no shortage of variety and beautiful backdrops for your Arlington Garden photos! It has a meadow area, a desert section, a mediterranean themed area, a coastal area a citrus grove, an oak grove, a labyrinth garden, plenty of gorgeous trees, winding passageways, a ton of flowers, and so much more.

The Garden Has Wishing Trees

These are a series of trees where one can write their wishes and hang them on the trees. When the leaves fall with one's wish, the idea is that one's wish is suppose to come true. I love this activity for an individual to do, but I also think it can very much apply to couples.

I would encourage couples having an engagement session at Arlington Garden to take a minute or two to set an intention for their marriage, write it out on paper, and hang it on the tree. That would make for a beautiful moment to document, but also, it's something truly special for couple's to do together.

It Offers a Tranquil Environment

Engagement sessions can sometimes cause anxiety for couples. 99% of couples aren’t use to being in front of the camera, so it’s absolutely normal to feel a bit nervous. I love the idea of Arlington Garden photos because this garden truly makes one feel at peace.

It is well documented that spending time in nature elevates one’s mood, improves health, lowers blood pressure, and just helps one to connect and feel better.

Arlington Garden is Easy to Access

I love how accessible the garden is. It has free admission and plenty of street parking. So many places overcomplicate things, but Arlington Garden keeps it easy, light, and manageable.

It Has a Labyrinth Garden

I want to go into more detail about one of Arlington Garden's really unique features, which is it' labyrinth garden.

A labyrinth garden is a space for reflection, meditation, and healing. The Labyrinth within Arlington Garden is a classical seven unit circuit Labyrinth that was built by the Sophomores at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena. It takes about 5 minutes to complete the labyrinth. I really think this is such a beautiful addition to the garden that is so visually interesting.

Arlington Garden Photo Preparation Tips

Here are some tips to prepare you for your Arlington Garden Pasadena engagement or wedding photos.

Wear Lighter Colors for Your Arlington Garden Photos

This is because light colors REFLECT light whereas dark colors ABSORB it. Wearing softer colors will reflect soft light onto your face, adding a beautiful glow to your skin.

For guys - I recommend that you avoid patterns that are smaller than a dime! These small patterns can create strange visual effects in a digital camera. Close-toed shoes photograph well, and I recommend avoiding graphic tees and tennis shoes! 

For gals, I recommend that you wear something that flatters the parts of you that you love the most and also allows you to feel extremely confident! If you are uncomfortable in it and it feels restrictive and doesn't offer flexibility for movement, it's probably not the best outfit choice. 

Below is is my "outfit inspo" link that includes different outfit examples on Pinterest:
Outfit Inspo

Location Considerations & Complementary Colors

Consider your location when selecting an outfit. If it's an ocean session, wearing blue isn't the best idea as one will blend into their setting. However, wearing an outfit with some pops of earthy, warm tones (think - tan, pink, red, muted orange, rose, mustard, etc.) would help one stand out from the blue environment since those colors compliment blue. 

If it's a session in a garden, in that case...dusty pink, lavender, rose, coral, or earth tones would work really well since those compliment green. 

Schedule Your Arlington Garden Photos During the Golden Hour

The golden hour is the hour right after sunrise or right before sunset. The light will be much softer at this time and produces way more flattering images overall.

Have Fun

Think of your engagement session as a way to bond or as part of a date night. Don't take it TOO seriously. It's meant to be fun! Consider enjoying a nice dinner or cocktails after with your partner!

Pack A Go Bag

You'll definitely want to bring a bag for your Arlington Garden photos! Even if you don't anticipate bringing a lot of extra stuff with you two for the session, the bag will house your phones, keys & wallet, etc. Some things I suggest bringing along
are:
1. Comfy shoes - if you're planning on wearing heels or any footwear that could be problematic to walk/hike in, pack a pair of sneakers or sandals to change into between spots.
2. Lipstick/makeup touch ups - There is usually a fair amount of kissing, so bringing along some makeup to touch up either your lip stain or foundation to keep you feeling polished and photo-ready is super useful!
3. Jackets - Just in case it gets chilly!

Nerves & Props

It’s more than okay to feel nervous! Please know that my job is to direct you in a way that helps you relax, feel natural, and be your true comfortable selves in front of my lens. You do not need to practice poses, study Pinterest pins or let the nerves take over. By the end of the session you will feel super comfortable. Don’t worry if you are feeling nervous, I’ll be sure the end result is something you will love!

Props: If you’re wondering about how you can make your experience personal and memorable, feel free to bring along any props that are special to you. This is of course completely up to you both, but some ideas include a blanket to sit on, champagne + flutes, etc. 

Want to chat about wedding photography?

You can reach me HERE!