Cox Arboretum Wedding Photos Ceremonies & Receptions
October 19, 2023
Cox Arboretum Wedding Photos Ceremonies & Receptions
In 2025, I was hired as a commercial videographer / corporate videographer in Dayton, Ohio to create a 3 minute promotional highlight film for Cox Arboretum MetroPark’s outdoor wedding rental facilities. This was an amazing opportunity to legally fly my drone through Dayton’s most popular park.
I was commissioned to attend numerous weddings during spring, summer, and fall while documenting each with my drone. An FAA part 107 drone certification is required.At each wedding, I was able to capture different angels from the front, back, sides, and top.
Seeing this Dayton park from the air was incredible. I had never seen the symmetry of the Maimon Memorial Garden, the hedge maze, or the vastness of this park. The Allée or tree alley as I call it is the most photographed spot in the park (IMHO). The wooden pergola and the symmetrical lines of tress leading to it make for a great in-photo frame.
Every outdoor wedding at the Arboretum was unique due to the lighting conditions, time of year, and busyness of the parks. All were beautiful, and I can’t wait to be your Cox Arboretum wedding photographer!
The Arboretum’s facility rental page: https://www.metroparks.org/rentals-permits/facilities/cox-arboretum-rentals/ As a professional photographer in Dayton, a weekly or yearly permit is required to shoot in any of the Montgomery Country MetroParks.
My 231st wedding as a Dayton and Cincinnati wedding photographer took place in September 2023 at Cox Arboretum MetroPark. This quirky and fun couple wanted to have their ceremony at St. Henry (across 741 from the Arboretum) and have their wedding reception at Dayton’s most popular park, Cox Arboretum. It was a gorgeous 80 degree early Autumn Saturday, and the wedding day was fantastic. I really enjoy creating unique Cox Arboretum wedding photos.
Video below debuts 3/19/26.
Photographing A Wedding Reception At Dayton’s Most Popular Park
Our day began at Cox with family photos in front of the main building. It was homecoming for many schools, so the park was packed with students and parents. Photographing by the building gave us a great backdrop without the crowds. Afterward, the bride, groom, and I spent 30 minutes creating beautiful fall wedding photos. The bride’s off-white dress and the groom’s burnt orange suit perfectly matched the browning grass and falling leaves in Dayton’s most popular park. I could have photographed them for hours—they were full of laughter and up for anything. This fits in well with my approach to wedding photography.
At 1:30, we drove to the church to get ready for the ceremony. The couple held a traditional Catholic ceremony, followed by beautiful family photos in front of the altar. Once we finished at St. Henry, we headed to an even more crowded Cox Arboretum.
The Large Fall Crowds
The MetroParks rangers were prepared for the crowds with designated wedding parking and officers turning away other visitors. I’ve been to this park many times, even on dance weekends, and have never seen such great coordination. Great job, everyone!
The wedding reception and cocktail hour were delightful and were in separate spaces. The conference center is decent for cocktail hour while the boomerang-shaped lobby is perfect for a well-lit reception and dinner. The large floor-to-ceiling windows that line the front and back of the building provide ever-changing, beautiful light throughout the evening.
Having A Permit And Being Good To The Park
As a professional photographer in Dayton, I have a weekly or yearly permit to shoot in any of the Montgomery Country MetroParks. While I am also willing to buy permits and remain in good standing with venues, it is somewhat annoying to do for the park system. I don’t mind requiring a permit, but it is frustrating when there are hundreds of people per weekend who take photos there without a permit. As a professional, I know where to go, and where not to go. I know how to treat the venue and to leave it the way I found it. It is often the unpermitted park guests that I see abusing the flower beds, going to areas they shouldn’t, and not being considerate of others. Anyway, rest assured that I have a yearly permit here for 2023.
Cox Arboretum Wedding Photos
Cloudy Fall Wedding And Reception At The Busiest Park In The Dayton Area
On a misty Autumn Saturday afternoon in October, I photographed my 233rd wedding, and my second at Cox Arboretum MetroPark this Fall. The wedding would take place in the glass-walled atrium “Huffman Gallery with the reception taking place in the Fifth Third Conference Center to the south. One of the most interesting getting-ready areas at any wedding venue is the MeadWestvaco Theatre. The Arboretum staff was available to assist throughout the day, and their “private event” signs kept non-wedding guests away.
The Groom And Father Of The Groom
First, the groom and his father finished getting ready on the back porch by the swings and fireplace. It’s one of only two outdoor areas protected from rain. Later, we moved family and formal photos there as light rain kept changing our plans. I stood in the rain, sacrificing my new sweater and camera, while everyone else stayed dry. It was a fun and successful session.
The Bride Getting Ready
When I arrived, the bride was ready to get dressed and start her day. I like photographing the dress on its hanger, so with the Arboretum staff’s permission, I hung it on the building’s latticework. The light shining through the squares created a beautiful effect. Once she was dressed, I chose the first-look location.
Scouting Locations At Cox Arboretum
In 30 seconds, I had to find a location that offered privacy, shelter from rain, and a great view. I enjoy quick problem-solving to get the best shots for my couples. I chose the picnic area overlooking the Monet Bridge and fall foliage. Many pick the small bridge, but it has little room to work. From this spot, we captured the lake, bridge, and colorful trees. The photos turned out great.
The Wedding Portraits
After a truly sweet first look, the wedding couple looked to me for photography ideas. I took them for a 45-minute walk, seemingly stopping every fifty feet to entertain some great photograph ideas I had. We had to stop under trees several times to avoid the rain, but this just gave me more ideas! This couple was awesome for giving me so much time to be creative and to try things. I also want to thank them for not being scared of a little rain. The outdoor part of the day turned out beautifully.
The Beautiful Wedding Ceremony At Cox Arboretum
The wedding took place in the main hallway of the Arboretum with floor to ceiling glass walls allowing beautiful natural light to bath the wedding and guests. It was honestly some of the best light I’ve ever had for a wedding ceremony. Following the ceremony was a class, typical wedding reception in the small room at the north end of the building. Kohler Catering catered a great wedding meal with great service. The music was a simple iPad and Bluetooth speaker, which was perfect. Toasts were made, cake was cut, and dances were danced. This Cox Arboretum wedding day was the best one I’ve ever had.
If this MetroPark is not your style, take a peak at Carriage Hill MetroPark in Huber Heights Ohio.
Other Cox Arboretum Blog Posts
An Early Morning Engagement Session At Dayton’s Most Diverse Park
Outdoor Wedding Photography Ideas Dayton’s Most Hecticc Park
