Top Engagement Photo Locations In Northern Virginia (Updated for 2024)
This is a list of some of our favorite Northern Virginia engagement photo locations. We’ve been photographing engagements for over 13 years and Virginia has all of the variety you could ever hope for in planning an incredible engagement photo session. Just a short drive from Washington DC, it’s easy to find the perfect backdrop to celebrate the best decision of your life! If you want more engagement location tips or have something you’d like added to our list please contact us!
Table of Contents
Urban Engagement Photo Locations
1. Old Town Alexandria
Old Town Alexandria is the perfect spot for a classy urban engagement session and it’s right across the Potomac from Washington DC. This historic neighborhood is full of entertainment, shopping and nightlife on King Street, but the real draw are the endless amount of side streets and alleyways. You’ll find old cobblestone roads, parks along the river, bike tunnels, and colorful row-houses for amazing photo backdrop settings. If you want something a bit more scenic, walk a little bit south to walk along the trail through the woods out to Jones Point Lighthouse.
Website: https://www.visitalexandriava.com/old-town-alexandria/
Fee or Permit: N/A
2. Historic Leesburg
Historic Leesburg is the perfect place for a Loudoun engagement session for anybody that wants a versatile urban setting with all of the old town charm. We love to start by meeting up at a brewery or coffee shop beforehand. There are some amazing ones to choose from, including spots that have great outdoor seating. Two top recommendations for pre-session hangouts that have fantastic patio seating would be Shoes Cup and Cork for coffee or Sidebar for drinks. From there you can wander down the historic stretch of King Street and wander in any direction to find great little photo backdrops. There are some nice back alley walkways, mural walls, and also pretty gardens behind the Town Hall.
Website: https://www.leesburgva.gov/businesses/historic-downtown
Fee or Permit: N/A
3. Downtown middleburg
Middleburg, Virginia is a gorgeous little town in Loudoun County, surrounded by rolling hills, horses grazing in fields, and beautiful country estates. The downtown of Middleburg is a charming old town which can be a great spot for an engagement session stroll.
Parks and Gardens Engagement Photo Locations
1. Great Falls Park
Great Falls has beautiful hiking trails and rocky overlooks down to the rushing rapids of the Potomac River. The park gets very crowded on weekends, especially when the weather is nice, but you’ll often have the place to yourself on a weekday! Some of the best views are for the more adventurous inclined and stray off the built-in overlooks and paths.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm
Fee or Permit: $15 per vehicle
2. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
We’re a bit biased on this one because we got engaged here!! Meadowlark includes 95 acres of gardens, hills, ponds, gazebos on the water, and a ton of exotic flowers and trees. This is a great outdoor spot year round.
Website: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens
Fee or Permit: $25 and must be reserved in advance.
3. OATLANDS HISTORIC HOUSE AND GARDENS
Oatlands is a beautiful historic manor and a great setting for elegant garden photos. The property is just south of Leesburg off Rt 15. It does require advance reservations and has a steeper fee. We have found that they’re very flexible for rescheduling in the event of bad weather or rain.
Website: https://oatlands.org/
Fee or Permit: $100 and must be reserved in advance.
4. Morven Park
This gigantic equestrian park in Leesburg has just about everything from large fields, to trails through the woods, to old historic buildings with ivy covered walls, hidden garden pools, and more!
Website: https://www.morvenpark.org
Fee or Permit: N/A (There is a paid permit if you want to have the gate code to access the park outside of it’s normal operating hours)
5. The Inn at little washington
Home to one of the most famous restaurants in the world and minutes from the entrance to Shenandoah National Park is this perfect location for engagement photos (and maybe an added overnight getaway and dining experience). The picturesque town of Washington, Virginia and the property of The Inn at Little Washington are incredible with a lot of variety from cute streets, gardens, and mountain views.
Pro Tip: The grounds are very empty and quiet on weekday afternoons in the Fall!
Website: https://www.theinnatlittlewashington.com/
Fee or Permit: N/A
6. Burke Lake Park Engagement
This is a great place if you want to be on the water for the backdrop. Burke Lake features a 4.7 mile trail that loops around the lake. There’s also a nice dock area where the boat ramp is located.
Website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burke-lake
Fee or Permit: $10 per vehicle on weekends for non-Fairfax County residents
6. Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park
This is another park option in Leesburg with a lot variety. The parking lot starts next to a small field and some old stone buildings that have mostly turned into ruins. There’s a great stone wall, and front of an old house. Going past the field you can get on the main trail for a relatively short hike that takes you down to the Potomac River. The walk through the woods is especially photogenic in the Fall with the changing color of the leaves.
Website: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/red-rock-wilderness-overlook-regional-park
Fee or Permit: N/A
7. PHILLIPS FARM TRAIL
Phillip’s Farm Trail is a hidden gem in Waterford, VA in Loudoun County. This leisurely hike is 1.5 miles roundtrip through woods, creeks and fields and the perfect outdoorsy setting for the more adventurous couple. The trail starts right at the edge of historic part of town next to the Old Waterford Mill where you can park on the side of the road. The trail follows Catoctin Creek and ends by an epic old oak tree. Be sure to follow the trail markers or you’ll wind up on some beautiful private property by accident.
Website: https://www.waterfordvillage.org/visiting-waterford/phillips-farm-walking-trail/
Fee or Permit: N/A
6.Sky meadows state park
Sky Meadows is a scenic state park in Delaplane, Virginia. Great for rolling hills, woodsy trails, lake backdrops, and a lovely rural setting.
Website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sky-meadows
Fee or Permit: They do require a permit. Contact the park office for details
Winery and Brewery Engagement Photo Locations
1. Stone Tower Winery
Stone Tower is one of the largest wineries in Virginia and will make you feel like you’re leaving the Northern Virginia world behind as you enter the serene views at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Leesburg. This place can be packed with both the general public and weddings on the weekends so a weekday might be your best bet!
Website: https://www.stonetowerwinery.com/
Fee or Permit: Yes. Contact the office for the latest rates.
2. Dirt Farm Brewing and Bluemont Vineyards
These two locations are owned by the same people and right next to each other. Dirt Farm Brewing and Bluemont Vineyards sit at the top of a huge hill and easily have the best views in all of Loudoun County. Depending on whether you are beer or wine people you can start at one of these spots to relax with a drink before taking photos. On a clear day you can see almost to Washington DC while you enjoy a beverage. Both Bluemont and Dirt Farm are great for exploring through the vineyard for photo opportunities with sweeping views to the East. In the early Fall there is also a large sunflower field halfway up the hill to Dirt Farm.
Website: http://dirtfarmbrewing.com/
https://www.bluemontvineyard.com/
Fee or Permit: N/A
3. Vanish Brewery
Vanish is one of the largest breweries in Northern Virginia with a huge beer selection, amazing food, and live music on the weekends. There are some fantastic photography spots along the entrance road heading up to the brewery with fields along the woods as well as some cool old houses that have turned into ruins. Depending on the season you can also walk through the fields of hops.
Website: https://vanishbeer.com/
Fee or Permit: N/A
Mountain Engagement Photo Locations
1. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park
Skyline Drive is one of the most beautiful roads on the east coast and a short drive from the greater DC area. The road runs along the top of the Shenandoah ridge with 360 views, lots of hiking options, and many great overlooks that are right on the side of the road for easy access. Whether you feel like being more adventurous to hike up to a place like Humbrack Rocks or simply to stop at every one of the car overlooks, you’ll be able to find amazing scenic mountain views.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/driving-skyline-drive.htm
Fee or Permit: $30 per vehicle to enter the Park.
2. Bear’s Den Overlook
This is probably the most epic sunset location in Northern Virginia. It’s a very quick and easy hike from the parking area at the top of the hill down to a small rocky overlook area that looks west out over the Shenandoah River. The main overlook is part of the Appalachian Trail, but there are also some hiking trails through the woods and some small fields close by for some additional photo spots.
Website: https://www.hikingupward.com/OVH/BearsDenOverlook/
Fee or Permit: $3 per vehicle for parking.
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