garden wedding

Romantic Wedding at Whitehall Gardens

Beyond an iron gate, just as the leaves began to change in autumn, Claire (she/her) and Luke (he/him) were married in a secluded corner of Whitehall’s Florentine gardens. Soft, dappled light filtered through the trees, casting a romantic glow as they exchanged their vows.

I really loved the thoughtful & sentimental touches Claire incorporated into the day. She delicately embroidered a handkerchief to honor her grandmother's legacy as a seamstress, making it her 'something blue.' Additionally, she carried a beautiful locket from the 1920s, a gift from her grandmother, as her 'something old.' These elements not only added to the beauty of the day but also ensured her grandmother's presence and love were felt throughout the celebration.

Claire and Luke, both introverts, were most excited about the intimate moments of the day— those quiet exchanges between just the two of them were also some of my favorites. To ensure a relaxed experience, ample time was set aside for portraits before the ceremony, allowing the couple to enjoy the afternoon without feeling rushed. As a result, their genuine excitement really comes through in their images.

The presence of a live artist added a unique element to the celebration. While we explored the gardens for their first look and portraits, Katie Nelson began a stunning oil painting of Claire & Luke in front of the garden's iron gates. As they shared their first kiss and joyfully walked back down the aisle, she put the finishing touches on the artwork. The final piece was vibrant and full of movement — striking a balance between realism and Impressionism. For the reception, Katie transitioned into creating watercolor portraits of the guests, allowing them to take home a personalized memento of the day's festivities. This is possibly the best wedding favor I’ve ever seen and all of their guests were so excited to show their portraits to each other throughout the night.

A color scheme of white, sage, and eucalyptus added to the timeless romance of the day while allowing the natural beauty of the gardens to shine through.

As a Louisville, Kentucky wedding photographer, I always love the chance to photograph a wedding at Whitehall! If you want to see more venues that feature gardens, check out my list of the best wedding venues in Louisville here. Or you can hop over to Amanda & Natalie’s wedding at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens here.

These Louisville, KY wedding vendors made the day possible:

Yew Dell Botanical Gardens Wedding

Last June, amidst blooming oak-leaf hydrangeas and sprigs of verbena swaying on the breeze, Amanda (she/her) and Natalie (she/her) exchanged vows at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens. When asked about their vision, they described a wedding that was relaxed, fun, and true to who they are as a couple. When the day arrived, their celebration was full of joy, and focused on soaking up quality time with the folks who've been cheering them on throughout the years.

Amanda's creativity shines in everything she does, whether it's concocting new cookie recipes, making art projects with their children, or arranging flowers from their garden. Natalie is a self-described dabbler, with a wide range of hobbies including woodworking, gardening, DIY home projects, and delving into historical fiction. They complement each other perfectly, creating a balance that is evident in every aspect of their lives.

Their friends played an integral role in the day's festivities, from creating stunning dusty-desert inspired floral arrangements to thoughtfully officiating the intimate ceremony. It was heartwarming to witness everyone coming together to make the day even more meaningful, whether it was through lending a helping hand in setting up the venue, sharing heartfelt stories during the speeches, or simply being there to support Amanda and Natalie every step of the way.

I admire how connected Amanda and Natalie are to their community. They co-own Penny and Pearl's Bakeshop and are passionate about supporting other small businesses. Witnessing them extend that same love and support to their wedding vendors was truly inspiring.

When Amanda and Natalie initially reached out to me, they expressed their desire for a photographer who could capture their wedding day in a unique and natural way. They wanted someone who understood their vision and could document their love story with an inclusive and timeless approach. I am honored that they recognized those qualities in my work.

As the night drew to a close and most guests had departed, Amanda and Natalie realized they hadn't shared a first dance, and the sound system had already been packed away. Undeterred, we pulled up their song on a phone, and beneath the twinkling stars, they shared that memorable moment. As the music faded, their friends joined them on the dance floor, enveloping them in a massive group hug—a perfect ending to a day overflowing with support, love, and an unmistakable sense of community.

The KY Wedding Vendors who made the day magical:

wedding attire:

To see another Queer Louisville wedding filled with joy, check out Rebecca & Charlotte’s colorful day here. Or if you want to see another Louisville wedding venue that is surrounded by nature, check out Karen & Jeremy’s Parklands wedding.

Greenhouse Wedding at 3rd Turn Brewery's Oldham Gardens by Louisville, Kentucky Photographer Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

Felicia and Brennan love plants, the outdoors, beer, and family... so the decision to have their wedding at 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens, a local brewery and beer garden, was an easy one! Their ceremony was held in a greenhouse decorated with a lush floral arch and they asked that anyone who could grow a mustache to do so. Some backstory— Brennan has rocked a mustache for a LONG time and it ends up being a topic of discussion often. They leaned into that and supplied mustaches for anyone who couldn't grow their own and had it as a sub-theme of the wedding. It was amazing - although it did make it hard to find Brennan in the sea of white button-ups and mustaches sometimes when I was photographing the dance floor.

My favorite thing about this wedding wasn't the gorgeous greenhouses, the trellises full of greenery, the polaroid guest book, or everyone's amazing dance moves....although I loved all of those things. The thing that stood out to me the most is how much they adore each other. After their ceremony they found a private spot to exchange vows— I was far enough away that I couldn't hear what they said, but just watching and documenting from a distance got me weepy. They clearly have huge depth in their love for one another, but are also able to be completely silly together. I think that is the best balance to have in a relationship.

florals: Mike Ojeda with Mahonia Studio // venue: 3rd Turn Brewing & 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens // coordinator: Susan Mann with Circle and Soul Events // dj: Stephen Crandall with Sound Specialist Entertainment // catering: Katie Calvert with City BBQ // gown: The Bridal Suite of Louisville // gown alterations: Michelle Thomas of Michelle Thomas Alterations

If you're looking for more unique venues that incorporate the outdoors, this intimate treehouse elopement was incredibly sweet and this cozy autumn wedding at Springhouse Gardens will for sure get you feeling the fall spirit. You can also learn more about 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens on my comprehensive list of the best wedding venues in Louisville here.

Sarah Katherine Davis (she/they) is an award-winning, inclusive wedding and elopement photographer based in Louisville, Kentucky. Specializing in authentic and candid photography, Sarah creates intimate, joyous, and genuine imagery through a timeless blend of documentary and fine art approaches. With a strong commitment to fairness and inclusion, she loves working with other LGBTQ+ couples and individuals of any race, body size, or ability. Recognized as The Knot's Best of Weddings pick for KY by reviewers for ten years, Sarah is dedicated to thoughtfully capturing your unique love story.

Louisville Wedding Photographer // Kentucky Wedding Photographer