There are an endless amount of Madison wedding photography locations that are beautiful, and all within a 30 minute drive. Downtown Madison itself offers a lot of great spots, whether you are looking for locations for your engagement session, or a quick stop on your wedding day. Of course the Madison Capitol Building is a stunning, one-of-a-kind backdrop you can’t find in other Wisconsin cities. As a light and bright photographer, the white walls of the capitol building are a dream!
I personally tend to favor the natural areas a little more than the urban scene. There are actually some great natural locations close to downtown. If you have a downtown Madison wedding, these are great options for more “nature-y” photos that don’t require you to leave the downtown area – Olin Park, Period Garden Park (also mentioned below!), Tenney Park, and James Madison Park.
The five Madison wedding photography locations below are just some of my favorites! They include places that are within the city, as well as on the outskirts of Madison.
1. Pope Farm Conservancy
On the west side of Madison, Pope Farm Conservancy is a beautiful nature area in Middleton with walking trails, prairies and savanna restoration areas. Pope Farm is also famous for its beautiful sunflower display in August (this has been on hold during COVID). It’s a convenient spot to stop for a couple on their wedding day. I personally recommend parking in the Blackhawk Street parking lot, but you can also access the conservancy on Old Sauk Road.
2. Indian Lake County Park
Located west of Madison in Cross Plains, this park will make you feel like you’re hours outside of Madison. Hiking trails, fields, ponds, and forest provide for a variety of wedding photography backdrops. Indian Lake, and its neighboring Stone Farmstead Ruins, is a wonderful spot for engagement sessions and wedding photos for weddings on the west side of the city.
3. Period Garden Park
This is truly a hidden gem in downtown Madison. It’s pretty close to James Madison Park, so it is easy to do photos in both spots, especially for an engagement session. This garden is little, but the fountain and flowers make a beautiful backdrop for intimate wedding and engagement photos.
4. UW Arboretum
I could spend all day taking photos here! The UW Arboretum is massive, and the wedding photography locations within it are endless. Some of the best spots to take photos are by the visitors center, but you could drive around the arboretum and find other cute bridges, boardwalks and hiking trails. The arboretum does require a permit and fee for professional photography sessions.
5. Allen Centennial Garden
Allen Centennial Garden: Not quite as big as Olbrich Gardens, but this garden rivals in beauty! Located on the UW-Madison campus, Allen Centennial Garden is a slice of fairytale in the city. Couples are able to book wedding ceremonies at the garden, as well as purchase a permit to take photos there.
If you have a specific vision for your engagement session or your wedding photos, feel free to message me and I’ll help you find the perfect Madison wedding photography location!
If you’re looking for more ideas on photography locations for your wedding or engagement session, send me a message! I am happy to share tips on the best locations in the Madison area, or elsewhere in Wisconsin, depending on the time of year and your vision!
Click here to see more engagement photos at Indian Lake County Park and the neighboring Farmstead Ruins!
Featured Madison Wedding Photography Locations:
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