Reynolda Gardens is one of my favorite places for a bridal session or an engagement session. It is truly an amazing place filled with timeless beauty and history. Its cobblestone walkways and gorgeous greenery make for an almost dreamlike background. I look forward to the day I get to shoot a wedding there! But, it wasn’t always the picturesque, elegant location that it is today–it has a fascinating history that led to its current state.
Reynolda Gardens is a four acre formal garden designed as part of the estate owned by the R. J. Reynolds family in Winston-Salem, NC. The gardens were developed in the early 1900s. They are a part of the estate, and even included a farm and a village. The main estate, known as the Reynolda, was the main residence for R. J. Reynolds and his wife, Katherine Smith Reynolds, until their deaths in 1918 and 1924. Afterwards, their children lived on the estate. Then, Mary Reynolds, one of the children living in the home, married a man named Charles Babcock and together, they bought the estate from the other children.
The estate, including the gardens, has been in the ownership of Wake Forest University, which performed upkeep. Unfortunately, that upkeep was piecemeal at best as they struggled to meet the needs of this beautiful place. As a result, the gardens became overgrown and started to deteriorate. But it was eventually restored after a fundraiser for a restoration project! The former glory returned to the estate, and is now open to the public.
Somehow, the natural beauty of this place was the perfect complement to Eleanor’s wedding dress. Her dress is both vintage and modern at the same time, making it feel ever so timeless. And, that timelessness was perfect for this historic location!
The dress itself came from Maggi Bridal, and Taylored Blooms made the bouquet for her.
We shot this Reynolda Gardens bridal session in early March. Those of us in North Carolina know the weather can be especially fickle, but we had an unseasonably beautiful and pleasant day. It could have been snowing, but instead there was a soft winterly light. I loved what I was able to capture!
We had a great time walking around taking photos while we were there. Having her mom and her dear friend Marissa there to love on and support Eleanor made this day all the more special!
Wow these images are just gorgeous! And what a stunning backdrop to work with too. I love the romantic vibe these have!
Stunning! I love how timeless her dress is!
So beautiful!!!
What a beautiful, classic garden estate venue! These bridal portraits are just stunning–great work!
[…] so many spots where the lighting is perfect. It’s one of my favorite places, and I shoot there often. Like most stunning locations on this list, it does require a permit to shoot there, but this is a […]
[…] in the 1900s, and I’ve taken many photography sessions there, and have written several blogs about the area and why it’s a really great place! It is a short trip from Raleigh Durham, and […]