Margaret and Joe’s River Farm wedding in Alexandria was a joyful, whimsical garden party that blended classic elegance with modern touches. As a lover of blue and white, the bride opted for a fresh twist on the traditional palette by incorporating heirloom blooms with organic shapes. “We wanted the flowers to mimic the feel of the venue itself, with the gardens inviting you in and acting as the backdrop,” Margaret shared. Bridesmaids carried flowers in rattan baskets, offering a unique spin on traditional bouquets, while Margaret’s bouquet of lilies of the valley was a simple and timeless complement to her classic gown.
Personal touches were woven throughout the day. Margaret handmade oyster shell ring dishes as favors, and the couple blended traditional and modern elements in their ceremony. From a champagne sabrage to a macaron tower celebrating their engagement city, every detail reflected the couple’s personalities, making for a wedding that was equal parts elegant, fun, and deeply meaningful.
As a Virginia wedding photographer, River Farm is one of my favorite wedding venues for couples who want beautiful gardens, plenty of room to explore, and a wedding that feels connected to the landscape and grounds.
Getting Ready at River Farm
One of the advantages of River Farm is that you can get ready on the property itself. The Manor House includes several spaces that can be used throughout the wedding day, including the Parlor, Foyer, Dining Room, Porch, and Portico, along with a private bridal suite.
For photography, I love having the option to capture some of the quieter parts of the morning without immediately needing to leave for another location. There is also beautiful natural light throughout the Manor House, along with the character you would expect from a historic property. If you are planning a first look, this also gives us flexibility to move directly from getting ready into portraits around the gardens and grounds.
River Farm Wedding Ceremonies
Margaret and Joe’s Wedding Ceremony Location
Margaret and Joe were married on the lawn just beside the Slated Patio, beneath a beautiful, mature tree. It was such a lovely spot for their ceremony, with the gardens surrounding them and the Manor House and Potomac beyond the property. River Farm has since expanded its tented reception space to cover that area of the lawn, so unfortunately, couples can no longer get married beneath that particular tree. There are still several beautiful ceremony locations throughout the property, though, each with its own character.
Current Ceremony Locations
The Garden Walk is one of River Farm’s most popular ceremony locations, with a brick pathway leading to a trellis pergola surrounded by seasonal gardens. The brick aisle creates a beautiful, defined ceremony setting, while the surrounding greenery gives the photographs plenty of depth. The space can accommodate up to 250 seated or 300 standing guests.
The Grande Forecourt offers a more open and formal setting, with a circular stone pathway, expansive lawn, and the Manor House as a backdrop. With views stretching toward the Potomac, it is a beautiful option for couples who want the architecture of River Farm to play a larger role in their ceremony photographs.
For larger celebrations, River View offers an expansive ceremony setting overlooking the Potomac. The open meadow, waterfront views, and mature Black Walnut Tree create a beautiful backdrop for a ceremony of up to 500 guests. Because this area is farther from the main house, however, there are additional logistics to consider when planning the ceremony and transporting equipment.
And, if you’re planning a smaller wedding, River Farm also offers indoor ceremony options within the Manor House. Depending on the guest count and weather, the venue can accommodate ceremonies for up to 80 guests indoors, while larger ceremonies can move into the tent.
River Farm Wedding Portraits
This is where River Farm really shines. There are so many different locations throughout the property that I rarely feel like we have to choose between beautiful gardens and beautiful architecture. You can have both.
The Manor House
The historic Manor House provides a classic backdrop for portraits, particularly for couples who want to incorporate some architectural character into their wedding gallery. The front of the house, surrounding lawns, and brick pathways all offer different options depending on the light and time of day.
The Gardens
The gardens are the heart of River Farm and one of the reasons I think this venue photographs so beautifully. Mature trees, flowering plants, winding paths, and different garden areas create plenty of opportunities for natural, romantic portraits without requiring much walking between locations.
I especially love using these spaces for photographs that feel a little less formal. Rather than posing in front of one specific backdrop, we can walk, interact, and let the surroundings become part of the image.
The Potomac River
River Farm’s waterfront views offer an entirely different look from the gardens. The property overlooks the Potomac, creating an opportunity for wide, expansive portraits. I love saving these views for later in the portrait portion of the day or for a few just-married portraits after the ceremony. The change in scenery gives the gallery a completely different feeling from the garden portraits.
The River View area is also one of the property’s more expansive settings, with the Potomac and historic landscape stretching out behind you.
River Farm Wedding Receptions
For larger celebrations, River Farm’s tented reception space is one of the venue’s biggest draws. The Slated Patio is covered by a climate-controlled tent with chandeliers, perimeter bistro lighting, and sides that can open toward the surrounding gardens. It gives couples the experience of an outdoor reception while still providing some protection from the weather and a defined space for dinner and dancing. And because the tent sits within the gardens, the reception still feels connected to the property rather than like a separate ballroom that could be anywhere.
Margaret and Joe leaned into the garden-party feel with a blue-and-white tablescape and abundant florals. Their reception felt elegant, whimsical, and lush.
For smaller celebrations, the Manor House Ballroom offers a more intimate indoor option with wood floors, federal-style details, and views toward the gardens and Potomac.
River Farm at a Glance
Planning a River Farm wedding? Here are a few helpful details about this Alexandria wedding venue:
- Address: 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308
- Phone: 703-768-5700 ext. 138
- Website: The American Horticultural Society: River Farm
- Location: Alexandria, Virginia, approximately four miles south of Old Town Alexandria
- Property: 27 acres of gardens, lawns, historic grounds, and Potomac River views
- Venue Spaces: Manor House, Grande Forecourt, River View, Slated Patio, Ballroom, Parlor, and surrounding gardens
- Reception Capacity: The standard outdoor tent accommodates up to 260 guests for a seated reception, with larger configurations available depending on the setup
- Catering: River Farm requires couples to work with approved vendors for catering, planning, lighting, tenting, and restroom trailers
- Getting Ready: The Manor House includes private spaces for getting ready, including the Parlor and an upstairs bridal suite
- Best For: Couples looking for a garden wedding with historic character, beautiful natural surroundings, and Potomac River views
- Rain Plan: River Farm offers both tented and indoor options, with the Manor House available for ceremonies and portions of the celebration depending on guest count and weather
River Farm is operated by the American Horticultural Society and sits on a historic property with expansive gardens and views of the Potomac River. The combination of formal gardens, mature trees, historic architecture, and open waterfront scenery gives couples a surprising amount of variety for one wedding venue.
Why I Love River Farm Weddings
One of my favorite things about River Farm is that the property never feels like you are taking the same photograph over and over again. You can start with portraits around the Manor House and gardens, move through tree-lined paths and flower-filled spaces, and end with portraits overlooking the Potomac. The scenery changes constantly, which means your wedding gallery will feel varied without requiring a complicated photography plan or multiple locations around town.
The gardens also give River Farm a very different feeling from many of the more formal Northern Virginia venues. There is an elegance to the historic property, but it still feels relaxed and inviting. It is easy to envision a formal black-tie wedding here, but just as easy to imagine a more relaxed garden-party celebration.
Margaret and Joe’s wedding was the perfect example. The blue-and-white floral design felt polished and classic, but the rattan baskets, organic flowers, and personal details kept everything from feeling overly formal. Their design worked well with the setting rather than competing with it.
River Farm Wedding FAQ
Where is River Farm?
River Farm is located at 7931 East Boulevard Drive in Alexandria, Virginia, approximately four miles south of Old Town Alexandria. The property is home to the American Horticultural Society and sits along the Potomac River.
How many people can you have at a River Farm wedding?
Capacity depends on the space and reception setup. The standard outdoor tent can accommodate up to 260 guests for a seated reception, while other spaces have smaller capacities. River Farm can also accommodate larger outdoor configurations depending on the event setup.
Can you have an outdoor wedding ceremony at River Farm?
Yes. River Farm has several outdoor ceremony locations, including the Grande Forecourt and River View, with the gardens and Potomac River providing beautiful natural backdrops.
Does River Farm have a rain plan?
Yes. Depending on your guest count and the circumstances, River Farm can move portions of an outdoor celebration into the Manor House or use the tent with its closable sides. Your planner should work with the venue to create a detailed contingency plan in advance.
Can you get ready at River Farm?
Yes. The Manor House includes spaces that can be used for getting ready, including the Parlor and a private bridal suite upstairs.
Can you bring your own wedding vendors to River Farm?
River Farm requires couples to use approved vendors for several key categories, including catering, planning, lighting, tenting, and restroom trailers. The venue also maintains a broader list of recommended vendors for other services.
What are the best places to take wedding photos at River Farm?
My favorite areas include the gardens surrounding the Manor House, the brick pathways and mature trees throughout the property, the Manor House itself, and the Potomac River views. One of the biggest advantages of River Farm is that these locations all feel different while remaining on the same property.
Vendor Credits:
Photo: Molly Lichten Photography
Planning & Design: Cherry Blossom Events
Florals: Wander and Whimsy
Venue: River Farm
Hair & Makeup: JD Makeup Artist
Gown: Martina Liana Elegance By Roya
Groom’s Tux: Knot Standard
Paper Goods & Signage: Live Life Lettered
DJ: Dan Goldman Events
Catering: Main Event Caterers
Rings: Quest Fine Jewelers
Your River Farm Wedding Photographer
As a Northern Virginia wedding photographer, I love working at River Farm because it gives me so many ways to create a wedding gallery that feels both beautiful and genuine. The gardens provide plenty of opportunities for thoughtful, editorial portraits, while the open grounds and relaxed setting make it just as easy to step back and document the moments happening naturally around you.
My approach to wedding photography always balances gentle direction with documentary coverage. I’ll guide you when it comes to portraits, using movement and prompts to create images that feel polished and intentional, while also giving you space to simply interact and let your natural connection shine.
Margaret and Joe’s River Farm wedding was such a perfect example of what makes this venue so special — a classic setting, a garden-filled celebration, and plenty of personality woven throughout the day.
If you’re planning a River Farm wedding and looking for a photographer who knows how to make the most of the gardens, grounds, and waterfront views, I’d love to hear more about your plans!
