Sweet summertime brings all the garden parties and vibrant colors, and this wedding did just that. Balcony Downs Venue is the perfect location for the vibe Kayla and Ryan had envisioned. With the open field, romantic swing sets, and stunning views of the Blue Ridge mountains – Balcony Downs Venue feels like the perfect romantic getaway for a wedding weekend in the summer.

Kayla and Ryan decided to get ready separately with their individual wedding parties. Balcony Downs is perfect for large wedding parties because there is so much room to spread out. When you’re looking for a getting ready space, the aesthetics of the room is key to keep in mind and makes a huge difference in your photographs. You want a space that allows plenty of natural light and clean minimalistic walls to bounce light easily. The getting ready suite at Balcony Downs Venue does all of the above, offering a chic place to start your day with your girls and champagne, of course. There is a separate house for the groomsmen to get ready in as well, that is across from the main house so there won’t be any accidental sneak peeks before the ceremony!













Balcony Downs Venue offers multiple locations to say your I dos, but in front of the beautiful mountain views is one of the most popular spots for a good reason. This location on the grounds allows for the wedding party to make their entrance from the reception barn, making for a dramatic walk for the bride down the aisle. The couple chose to wait for the ceremony to see each other so Ryan’s reaction below is authentic and so sweet. You wouldn’t even know it was pouring rain just 20 minutes before this ceremony!







Kayla and Ryan really wanted time to mingle with their guests and have time to be present with those that mean the most to them during the cocktail hour. It was truly garden party vibes with outdoor games and a champagne tower to top it off. After spending some time hanging out, we walked around the property of Balcony Downs Venue and took some newly married portraits before the sun went down.














If I can give you one tip about your reception, it would be to let go and embrace every second of it. The dance floor will stay hopping as long as you’re on it and dancing the night away! Those fun, candid photos come from you just enjoying the time with your friends and not worrying about anything else. Kayla and Ryan really went all out for their reception, it was such a blast and the dance floor was never empty. From a cold sparkler entrance to a t-shirt toss, these two knew how to bring the party. Kayla also changed into a reception dress that fit so well into their party vibe aesthetic.












The details and florals of this summer wedding needed its own section because the colors all came together so beautifully. The bridesmaids all wore different styles of dresses with various shades of pink and florals to match the garden party theme. I also loved how the bride wore hot pink wedding shoes that matched the mother of the bride’s dress. The groom’s tie and pocket square had dainty pink florals to pull it all together.







Balcony Downs Venue is the perfect place to have your wedding weekend. When you book, you get access to the entire 50-acre property from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning. This includes 3 separate houses to sleep in, allowing plenty of room for your family or wedding party up to 22 people. There are many outdoor options for your ceremony, including the brick ruins that create such a unique backdrop for photos. The property is wheel-chair accessible and easy to get around. They also provide a few options for furniture such as tables and chairs. If you have additional guests wanting to stay nearby, I would recommend the Natural Bridge Hotel.


As always, weddings could not happen so seamlessly without all the vendors coming together as a team. Below are the vendors that made this day happen, please go check them out!
As a Roanoke based wedding photographer, I love shooting at Balcony Downs Venue in any season. There is so much beauty and variation for photographs all year long. The venue is historic and charming with so many timeless details to enhance every moment of your day. If you’re looking for the perfect venue to get married, look no further than Balcony Downs in Buena Vista, Virginia. I offer 6-10 hour packages that start at $2,800 and would love to capture your day in the mountains. Click here to book me as your photographer!
This part of my website is not quite ready yet, but thanks for stopping by :)