Fredericksburg, VA is home to many beautiful wedding venues, each with its own unique vibe. But if you're looking for a place that combines natural beauty, rustic charm, and all the thoughtful touches that make a wedding day feel effortless, Arbor Haven&nbsp;should be at the top of your list.
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As a wedding photographer, I&rsquo;ve worked at countless different venues, from lavish hotels in Washington DC and Baltimore, MD, to cozy and quaint wineries. From the perspective of relaxation and ample space to spread out and enjoy the day with friends and family, Arbor Haven always stands out. From the moment you arrive, there&rsquo;s a peaceful, welcoming vibe that sets the tone for a relaxed and joyful day. The wide open spaces, tucked away ceremony dock &amp; gazebo, and picture perfect golden hour lighting make it a dream to photograph, and the team behind the venue truly cares about creating a great experience for couples and their guests. Having experienced weddings at Arbor Haven as both a guest and photographer, I&rsquo;ll share what makes Arbor Haven so special, show you some of my favorite shots from weddings I&rsquo;ve captured there, and give you a closer look at why it might just be the perfect fit for your big day.
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<h2>Here's why I Think Arbor Haven is One of Fredericksburg&rsquo;s Best Kept Wedding Secrets</h2>
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<h2>The Bridal Suite</h2>
Let&rsquo;s be honest: your getting ready space sets the tone for the whole day. You want somewhere calm, spacious, and functional. Arbor Haven totally delivers here, offering two separate spaces that cater to the unique needs (and vibes!) of both sides of the wedding party. Tucked away in the lower level of the massive home of the wonderful venue owners, the 1,000-square-foot bridal suite is bright, comfortable, and designed to make the morning of your wedding feel calm and joyful. There&rsquo;s plenty of room for your bridal party to spread out, do hair and makeup, enjoy a mimosa or two, and just enjoy the morning before you walk down the aisle.
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Bridal Suite Features
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<ul>
<li data-end="985" data-start="972">Natural light for makeup and stunning pre-ceremony portraits</li>
<li data-end="985" data-start="972">Ample seating and mirror space</li>
<li data-end="985" data-start="972">Plenty of outlets and thoughtful details</li>
</ul>
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As a photographer, I love working in this space, it has that soft, flattering light and neutral tones that make everyone look their best.
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<h2 data-end="1327" data-start="1190">The Groom's Quarters</h2>
The&nbsp;1,300-square-foot groom&rsquo;s quarters is like a private clubhouse. With enough space to hang out, get dressed, and relax without feeling cramped. It comes equipped with:
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<ul>
<li>A full bar area</li>
<li>Pool table and arcade games (perfect for easing those pre-ceremony nerves)</li>
<li>Comfortable seating and plenty of space to enjoy relax</li>
</ul>
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It&rsquo;s not just a waiting area, it&rsquo;s a real experience, and grooms actually want to spend time there. From a photographer&rsquo;s perspective, it makes for amazing photos of the groom and groomsmen having a great time together, and helps them relax before the day's events kick off.

<h2>The Ceremony Space</h2>
One of the standout features at Arbor Haven is the pond-side ceremony site. Couples get married on a wooden dock with a gentle fountain in the background and a charming gazebo. Surrounded by trees and open sky, it&rsquo;s serene, romantic, and honestly a dream to photograph, especially at sunset.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">Reception Space</h2>
Worried about weather? Arbor Haven has that covered... literally. The 5,400 square foot all weather tent is spacious enough for up to 200 guests and includes a vaulted ceiling and polished concrete floor that feels clean and modern, while still fitting the venue&rsquo;s rustic vibe. You&rsquo;re getting the ease of a full tented setup without the hassle of rentals, and it definitely feels open, inviting, and not cramped.
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<h2>And Finally... Beautiful Portraits</h2>
There is no shortage of gorgeous locations for your portraits, with my favorite spot being the barn. There is a beautiful lawn in front of the barn with a rope swing on the tree and golden hour light pouring in from the side. Pro tip: this is a PERFECT area to do your first look! There is also a huge field situated in the middle of everything: the barn, main house, reception tent, and ceremony space. This field sits on a slope and can be used for some incredible portraits. They also have a recent addition: cows!! There are certainly tons of spots to get amazing portraits here so that each couple's gallery is unique to them.
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<h3>Learn More &amp; Contact Arbor Haven:</h3>
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<a href="https://www.arborhavenweddings.com">https://www.arborhavenweddings.com</a>
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(540) 809-8220
<a href="mailto:info@arborhavenweddings.com" data-auto-recognition="true">info@arborhavenweddings.com</a>
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7510 Arbor Haven Lane
Fredericksburg, VA&nbsp;22407

My Favorite Wedding Venue in Fredericksburg, VA

How Much Should You Spend on Your Wedding Photography?

<h2>My Most Common Question</h2>
As a wedding photographer, one of the most common questions I get asked is about second photographers. Couples are curious if one is needed, when would it be helpful, etc. While a second photographer can certainly add value to your wedding photography experience, not all weddings need one. Having a second photographer certainly used to be the standard for wedding photography, however, the industry and client needs are always changing. Camera gear has also become better and allowed for a more efficient workflow, often times making a second photographer redundant and unnecessary for a large part of your wedding day, or even entirely.
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The decision ultimately depends on several factors, such as the proximity of the bride and groom&rsquo;s getting ready locations, the guest count, the size of your bridal party, and more. In this blog post, I&rsquo;ll walk you through the different factors to consider when deciding if you need a second photographer, and when it might actually be helpful to have one. This is from my perspective and experience being both the main and second photographer through the years.

Do You Need a Second Photographer for Your Wedding?

"Seth was responsible for doing our maternity and newborn pictures and we could not have asked for more outstanding sessions. In our sessions with Seth, he was professional, detail-oriented, and creative while also ensuring that we had a say in the creative process. We were extremely excited to see the results of our sessions, and both times we received the work with extremely short turnaround times. If you are looking for a high quality, professional, and kind photographer, then look no further than Seth - we cannot recommend him enough!"

Jessie & Adam

"Seth took our proposal and engagement pictures and we could not be happier! I did not know he was going to be at the proposal and he did such a wonderful job staying hidden and not interrupting the moment until I saw him. In both sessions he guided us so easily and naturally.
The pictures and moments he was able to capture will forever be cherished by us and our families! I cannot say enough just how happy I am with how the pictures turned out!!"

Neal & Taylor

"We are so thankful to Seth for stepping in as our photographer at the last minute when our original photographer had an emergency on the day of our wedding. Even though it was unexpected, Seth jumped right in and did an amazing job. He was calm, professional, and really knew what he was doing.
From the ceremony to the reception, he captured every moment perfectly, even though he didn't have a second shooter. The photos turned out beautiful, and we couldn't be happier with them."

Annie & Josh

“Seth shot our engagement and wedding photos.  Not only is he incredibly easy to work with (especially as someone who doesn’t feel comfortable in front of a camera) but the pictures he takes are absolutely gorgeous! Seth took the most beautiful pictures of the most important moments of my life with the most important people in my life. I’m so grateful to Seth and the work he does. He gets the pictures to you so quickly and the cost is extremely reasonable especially because the photos he provides are the absolute BEST! Thank you again to Seth and if you are looking for a photographer you need to book him ASAP”

Bri & Brady

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This is my all inclusive collection. You’ve spent countless hours planning out every detail of your wedding: make sure it’s all captured. Featuring 10 hours of wedding day coverage, you won’t feel rushed to capture moments and the day can flow candidly from getting ready through reception. Also includes a layflat album for enjoying your photos off the screen, as well as your choice of engagement session or ceremony video.

Wedding Collection One (10 Hours)

This package is perfect for making sure all of the essential moments of your day are captured. Typically 8 hours allows time to begin with getting ready coverage and capture your day through the main reception events. Includes engagement session so we can get to know each other before your big day, while getting beautiful images for your save the dates, wedding website, and socials!

Wedding Collection Two (8 Hours)

This session is tailored to capture this special time in your life with the one you love. These images are perfect for use on your wedding website, save the dates, invitations, and printed for your home. We can also use this session to capture your proposal, let me know the details and we'll keep it a surprise!

Engagement Session

Family sessions are relaxed, easy, and full of real moments. We’ll hang out, capture the little things that make your family yours: photos of the full family, siblings together, parents, candids, and more. You’ll get a beautiful online gallery with 55+ images that feel natural, not forced.

Family Session

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