A list of NJ gardens for engagement photoshoots

This blog post provides a list of New Jersey gardens for engagement photoshoots, along with information on photo permits and rules. Book your engagement photoshoot with Suess Moments with confidence.

Photos taken on Samsung phone by Suess Moments

Season: August, Summer

Van Vleck House & Gardens

21 Van Vleck St, Montclair, NJ 07042

Enjoy free admission as you enter six acres of private parkland and gardens open year-round to the public from dawn until dusk.

How much are photo permits at Van Vleck House & Gardens?

• Portraitures – $300 permit fee. Engagement or “first look” couple photos.
• Wedding Party/group – $500 permit fee. Maximum 25 people, including photography team.
• All group and wedding-related reservations require a $500 refundable security deposit.

What are the photoshoot rules?

• The front & rear terrace of the House and the gardens are off-limits during any fundraiser or nonprofit event using the main house and/or property. The interior of the House is not open to the public.
• No confetti, balloons, rose petals, drones, food/alcohol, or pets.
• Please stay on paths and lawns. The greenhouses are not available for photos.
• Limos and party buses can no longer drop visitors at Van Vleck Gardens for photo shoots.
• At the latest, the reservation form and prepayment are required by two weeks before the intended photo session. Reservations for locations and time slots will be strictly enforced.
• Photographer: Certificate of Liability Insurance ($1 million in general liability coverage) from the photographer is required 48 hours before the photo session and shows The Montclair Foundation as the co-insured for that period.
• The application can be found on this page. To check date and time availability, please email rentals@montclairfoundation.org. Thank you!

Other important information

• Restrooms may be found in the Visitor Center.
• Unfortunately, it is not a wedding vow, reception, or private party location.

Photos by Suess Moments

Season: Mid-April, Early-Spring

New Jersey Botanical Garden

Morris Rd, Ringwood, NJ 07456

How much is a photography permit at New Jersey Botanical Garden?

The permit is $150 for NJ photographers ($200 out-of-state)

What are the photoshoot rules?

• Maybe other photographers doing photoshoots at the same time, please be curtious
• Photography is prohibited inside Ringwood Manor and Skylands Manor Castle
• Pets must be leashed and under the owner’s control at all times.
• Smoke bombs/grenades and other pyrotechnics are not permitted.
• A permit is required for professional photography and photography shoots.
• Please contact Ringwood State Park: (973) 962.2240 or email: ringwood@dep.nj.gov

Other information

• Park hours 8 am – 6 pm, and subject to change.
• Photography may not interfere with scheduled events at Skylands Manor. Access to the grounds around Skylands Manor may be limited during these events
• Vehicles entering the park between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day are subject to parking fees.
• Public restroom available on site

Featured photo gallery

• Early spring at New Jersey Botanical Gardens & Skyland Manor Castle: View photos

Photos by Laurelwood website

Laurelwood Arboretum

725 Pines Lake Dr W, Wayne, NJ 07470

How much is a photo permit at Laurelwood?

• Annual Permit (excluding wedding photography): $195/calendar year
• Wedding Shoots and other Single Shoots: $100
• Commercial Photography: $150/hour
• Contact info@laurelwoodarboretum.org for more information and/or to schedule.

Photos taken from website and Google maps

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum

353 E Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960

How much is a photo permit at Frelinghuysen Arboretum?

Fees are assessed based on the number of people and cameras on site.

• Permit Fee
• Reservation Fee/s – if applicable
• Additional Fees – may include Portable Restrooms, Maintenance Worker/s, Police Officer/s, Alcohol Permit, Vendor Permits, etc. if applicable

Other information

A permit is required when one of the following is met for all other parks and facilities:

• If props or equipment is needed
• If the video or photos may be sold
• A photographer or videographer has been hired or will be used to take the photos.
• Photo permits are issued no sooner than 2 weeks in advance.
• Please click here to fill out the reservation request form.

Photos taken on Samsung cellphone, shot by Suess Moments

Season: September

Sayen House & Gardens

155 Hughes Dr, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690

How much is a photo permit at Sayen House & Gardens?

• Photo permits are required for weddings only
• No photo permits required for engagement, maternity, family photos

Other information

• Free admittance – open every day (dawn to dusk)
• Dogs are permitted in the park on a leash (owners are expected to curb pets).
• Dogs are not permitted inside the Sayen House unless it is a certified service dog.

Snug Harbor Staten Island

1000 Richmond Terrace bldg R, Staten Island, NY 10301

How much does a photo permit cost?

• $150.00: 2 hours in gardens and grounds, excluding the NY Chinese Scholar’s Garden
• $350.00: 2 hours in all gardens and grounds, including the NY Chinese Scholar’s Garden (unavailable for Monday reservations).

Other information

• Approved permits grant access to specified areas for TWO HOURS only. Shoots may take place seven days a week between the hours of 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Please note the seasonal hours of operation for the NYCSG and any special event closures listed here.
• Snug Harbor is a public space. Photo permits do not grant exclusive access to any areas.
• Please submit the form below and allow at least 24 business hours for processing.  If you are applying for a last-minute permit during off-business hours, you may apply in person at the entrance to our New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden (Cottage E) on Saturdays and Sundays ONLY. Permits are subject to the same fees and rules. Subject to availability.
• Some garden areas may not be available based on seasonality or previously scheduled events.  For NYCSG closures, please check here.
• Snug Harbor closes at dusk.  Photos must be completed by 5:00 pm in the NY Chinese Scholar’s Garden.
• Photo permits have a 2-hour limit.
• Permits are subject to availability and cannot be processed until payment is received.

Photos taken by Suess Moments

Season: April

Branch Brook Park 

Park Avenue and Lake Street Newark, NJ 07104

How much does a photo permit cost at Branch Brook Park?

• A permit is required for wedding/ceremony photography only ($150+)
• Learn more and apply here
• A permit is not required for engagement, portrait, family and maternity photos

Other information

• Based on experience, the park is trendy during cherry blossom season, and hard to find street parking. It is recommended to plan your photo shoot during the spring at early morning and on a weekday.
• If you want to plan your photoshoot during cherry blossom season, pick a weekday around 7:30 am-10 am or 2 pm-5:30 pm and a day in April.
• Street parking in the park is free.

Featured photo galleries

• Styled fairytale-inspired engagement photos (April 19): View photos
• Styled engagement photos (April 8): View photos
• Spring cherry blossom engagement photos (April 7): View photos 

Photos found on Google search images

Leonard J. Buck Garden

11 Layton Rd, Far Hills, NJ 07931

How much is a photo permit?

Permits for professional photography should be obtained in advance, by calling 908-722-1200 ext. 5621 or email smoore@scparks.org

Other information

• Please leave your pets at home while you are visiting Buck Garden, except for service animals.
• With the exception, of bottled water and baby bottles, please refrain from bringing food into the garden.
• 10 am – 4 pm Weekdays (all year round)
• Closed on weekends and major holidays from December through March
• Open on weekends April through the end of November (open Saturday 10am-5pm & Sunday 12pm-5pm)
• Bloom schedule found here

Photos found on website

Willowwood Arboretum & Gardens

14 Longview Rd Far Hills, NJ 07931

How much is a photo permit?

• Permits/fees are required for wedding or professional photography shoots at Willowwood.
• A fee and/or a photography permit may be required to have exclusive use of a location at a specific time to photograph your memories.
• Contact us via email at: contactus@willowwoodarboretum.org

Other information

• Drones are not allowed
• There may be special events, such as Autumn Open House, Sounds for Sculpture etc. where a fee is charged. See our Events Page for details of special programs
• The Willowwood Arboretum is open year-round, Daily, 8 am to dusk. (Please follow all health guidelines). Dogs (and other animals) are not permitted at Willowwood except for leashed ADA service-qualified dogs.
• Get updates on blooms here
• No smoking or vaping allowed

A combination of photos shot by Suess Moments on a Samsung and professional camera.

Liberty State Park 

1 Audrey Zapp Dr Jersey City NJ 07304

How much is a photo permit?

You do not need a photo permit for engagement, portraits, maternity or family photoshoots.

Other information

• Alcohol is not allowed
• Drones are not allowed
• Pets are allowed and must be leashed
• Free 2hr parking near Empty Sky Memorial
• Public restrooms inside the CRRNJ Terminal and next to the ferry & empty sky memorial parking lot
• The CRRNJ Terminal is open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. after Labor Day until Memorial Day 
• No entrance fee
• Park gates are open from 6am-10pm daily

Photo Galleries

• A collection of engagement photos: View photos

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