Nichols Arboretum Engagement Session at Peony Garden

Nichols Arboretum Engagement at Peony Garden Ann Arbor

Nichols Arboretum Engagement Session Planning

Congratulations on your engagement! I’m thrilled to share how we can bring your Nichols Arboretum engagement session in Ann Arbor to life. In this blog post, we are sharing our tips on styling and planning your summer peony garden engagement session.

Custom Mood Board Design

Our first step is to create a mood board that captures the essence of your love story. Think soft, pastel colors, lush greenery, and the romantic bloom of peonies as our palette. This board will serve as our inspiration. Additionally, it will guide everything from your outfits to the smallest details. This is our way to ensure a cohesive and harmonious look throughout your session.

Nichols Arboretum Engagement session in Reformation floral dress

Outfit Styling

Your outfits play a crucial role in the visual storytelling of your engagement session. For a setting as romantic as the Peony Garden, I recommend flowing dresses in soft hues for a touch of whimsy and elegance. Think light fabrics that move with you, adding a magical quality to your photos. For gentlemen, a tailored suit or a smart-casual ensemble complements this setting beautifully. In general, we aim to strike the perfect balance between sophistication and the natural charm of the garden.

For example, Roberta chose this Reformation Casette Silk Dress in Blue and Gold Floral/serene for her engagement session. The beautiful floral dress perfectly matches the story and palette.

touching peony close up in garden engagement session

Timeline Planning for the Perfect Lighting

Timing is everything. To capture the garden in its full glory, I recommend scheduling our session during the golden hour. In other words, the best time is shortly after sunrise or 2 hours before sunset. This soft, golden light accentuates the vibrant colors of the peonies and creates a dreamy, ethereal backdrop for your photos.

Nichols Arboretum Engagement Photo couple holding hands in peony garden

Peony Garden Engagement Photo holding peony bouquet

Peony Garden Engagement photo hand brushing peony bouquet

Nichols Arboretum Engagement Photo Peony Garden

Location Scouting for the Ideal Backdrop

Before your session, I’ll scout the Peony Garden to find the most picturesque spots. After all, it could be crowded during its peak season. Whether it’s a secluded path lined with blooming peonies or a spot where the light filters through the trees just so, I’ll identify the perfect settings for our shoot. This preparation ensures we can make the most of our time together. It also allows us to focus on capturing your moments rather than searching for locations on the day.

Bringing Your Peony Garden Engagement Session to Life

Your engagement session is more than just taking photos; it’s about creating an experience that reflects your love story. From the initial mood board to the final shot of the day, every detail will be thoughtfully considered and meticulously planned. As your photographer, my goal is to make this process seamless and enjoyable for you.

Reformation Casette Silk Dress in Blue and Gold Floral Peony Garden

Sample Gallery: Nichols Arboretum Engagement Session

Let’s create something beautiful together in the Peony Garden! Here we are showcasing some of our favorite Nichols Arboretum Engagement Sessions we have photographed.

Now, check out our PORTFOLIO to plan your personalized engagement session!