There are so many beautiful metroparks in Toledo, but one is by far my favorite to take photos at. It seems to be a lot of others’ favorite too! That’s why I’ve created this guide for your engagement photos at the Toledo Botanical Garden. In this guide, I’ll show you my 5 favorite spots around the gardens with photo examples. Use this when planning your session!
One thing to keep in mind when planning your engagement photos at the Toledo Botanical Garden is that they do not allow pets. So, if you’re looking to include your furry friends, this may not be the spot for you. Check out my blog post on other locations around Toledo for your engagement photos!
Small Park with Arches
There are two parking lots at the Botanical Garden, one off Bancroft St and one off Elmer Dr. Personally, I think it’s easier to park in the Bancroft St lot based on the photo locations I like. From the lot, the first place I like to go is down past the pond and over the bridge to the silver arches. This way, you can work your way back to the parking lot for the rest of the session. You can also book this spot for your wedding! See the details here.
Toledo Botanical Garden Engagement Photos: Tall Grass
After the arches, make your way back toward the bridge and take a right before you get there. You should see some tall grass with a mowed center and some statues at the end.
Grassy Trail Around Pond
Head back toward the bridge, cross it, and just after you cross it on the left there are a couple steps downward. This grassy path actually leads all the way around the pond!
Stone Steps
Walk back toward the bridge and get back on the sidewalk. Next, follow the sidewalk along the river and you will run into some stone steps. These steps lead down to the water.
Tall Grass on the Hill
Finally, this last spot is probably my favorite because it’s always just gorgeous during golden hour. When you’re walking back toward the parking lot, the pond on your left, focus your attention on the tall grassy area in front of the pond. It’s on a little bit of a hill. If you look closely, there’s a little pathway to get in there. It usually has some sparse wildflowers too!
What to Wear for Your Toledo Botanical Garden Engagement Photos
As you can probably see, there is a lot of green! Personally, I would stick to neutrals like these couples did because of that. You can keep it casual with jeans or dress it up a little, but the most important thing is to make sure you feel comfortable enough to move around as there will be some walking. The gardens are pretty large and there are lots more photo-worthy spots that I didn’t cover.
I hope this helped you start to plan your engagement photos at the Toledo Botanical Garden! It’s definitely a Toledo gem and worth the visit.
[…] This is located near The University of Toledo! It’s over 60 acres of trees, flowers, gardens, and paths for you to explore. There is also a pond with a fountain and several statues. They are open to the public during daylight hours, however no pets are allowed. So, if you wanted to include your furry friends in your photos, take a look at the next few options! For a full guide on the Toledo Botanical Garden, click here. […]