Birmingham wedding venues are a fun topic! There are so many different venues offered not only in Birmingham, but all across the state of Alabama. It makes it exciting for me as a wedding photographer. If you are reading this as a recently engaged bride, you may be a little overwhelmed with how many options there are. I am going to give you a condensed list of some of my favorite Birmingham specific wedding venues with their pro’s and con’s from a photographers perspective.

Park Crest Event Facility

I’m not ranking these as my personal favorites, but if I were, Park Crest would fall in the number one spot. I really don’t have any negatives to say about this venue. It offers so much! They have meticulously kept gardens, a massive upstairs ballroom with tons a natural light and an industrial vibe downstairs perfect for any reception style. Parking is no issue here and they even offer in house wedding planning. Park Crest has such a blank slate to it that you can truly put your unique touches on it.

The Theodore

The Theodore is perfect for a bride wanting that industrial, exposed brick and expansive warehouse look. The thing I love most about the Theodore is the natural light. They have load so of windows not only in the main area but also in the bridal suite. It’s a massive venue that can house a ton of guests. It’s located in downtown Birmingham, so any photos you would take outside are going to have a downtown look to them. If you are wanting grassy fields, this isn’t the venue for you. 

Oak Meadow Event Center

Located about an hour east of Birmingham, I can see why this venue draws in a lot of Birmingham brides. When I think of “dream wedding venue for a photographer”, Oak Meadow is one of the first to come mind. With its all white interior and exterior it allows for brides to truly implement their own wedding vision. The venue offers a large upstairs bridal suite and a cool hangout space for the guys to get ready. They have an outdoor space perfect for a ceremony and a large open, all white, main space for the reception. Being that it’s all white it helps keep you looking natural in your photos! 

Gabrella Manor

Known for it’s unique and vintage look, Gabrella is a beautiful wedding venue for smaller (50-200 guests) weddings. Gabrella Manor offers a shaded arbor to exchange vows and a tented covered patio for your reception. The home itself isn’t large, so don’t expect to house your guests there. It is however, a great setup for a buffet line. Luckily all the weddings I have shot there have been on beautiful days. If it were to rain and you have a large wedding party, all of your photos would have to be done under the tented covered patio. It would make things a little challenging from a photographer’s perspective. I wouldn’t let this stop me from booking the venue by any means. It offers so many other unique aspects.

Bridgestreet Gallery and Loft

Similar to The Theodore, Bridgestreet Gallery and Loft is a gorgeous and historic downtown Birmingham wedding venue. It’s an all indoor venue with two floors an exposed brick painted white. Remember when I said the all white makes a difference with your photos? It’s true! They have tons of natural light making even a rainy wedding day pretty. If you luck out and get a sunny wedding day, you can always step out into the downtown streets for a few shots!

The Barn at Shady Lane

I’ve only had the chance to work here once, but loved it! It’s an elegant country venue with outdoor and indoor options. They recently had the interior walls painted white (are y’all picking up on this yet?) which makes indoor photos way better!! The venue sits on a beautiful 8 acre property with so many photography options! They have large covered patios and great parking for your guests! 

B&A Warehouse

Downtown Birmingham houses so many of the industrial/warehouse style venues and B&A Warehouse is one of them. Located right next in the heart of Downtown Birmingham, across from Railroad park this venue offers so much. Like the Barn at Shady Lane, the only thing that would make it perfect is a little more natural light. On a sunny day, you can cross the street right into Railroad park to take portraits. 

The Sonnet House

It’s not a barn, it’s not a warehouse. The Sonnet house gives you a cozy intimate place to have your wedding day. Although, don’t confuse intimate with being a small space. This 1918 home sits on 19 acres and offers multiple areas for your ceremony and reception to take place. They have a beautiful wrap around porch that offers coverage for portraits, loads of natural light indoors and a chapel behind the home with plenty of light and space for portraits.

Windwood Equestrian 

An elegant and sophisticated venue in Pelham, Alabama. This equestrian wedding venue offers a unique spin to the barn trend. They have the capacity to host small and large weddings and events. The venue offers a beautiful courtyard to host your wedding guests and stables to lay out your buffet. Surrounded by greenery, it’s hard to take a bad photo here.

TJ Tower and Events

I’ve had the privilege of shooting two wedding of the TJ Tower. This 19 story building completed in 1929 offers stunning architectural detail for couples. With Tall ceilings, chandeliers, windows on every wall, this is a photographers dream venue. Also, the terrace is the perfect spot for guests to mingle and sip cocktails while the inside room is flipped for the reception. A beautiful venue in Downtown Birmingham. 

Matthews Manor

This isn’t just one venue, it isn’t just two, it’s three! Matthews Manor offers three different locations to choose from, all with unique styles. Micah’s Meadow offers a beautiful all-natural setting. Multiple options to get married at and beautiful lighting for outdoor portraits. Grace hall provides indoor and outdoor options for your ceremony and can accommodate put to 500 guests! Rebeccas garden is for the more intimate wedding days. Able to seat up to 130 guests this majestic garden is a beautiful spot to say “I do”.

Otter Creek Farmstead and Distillery 

I’ve shot two very different weddings at Otter Creek. One was an October day that consisted of rainstorms and even a hurricane. The other was a hot July day. Both, beautiful. Otter Creek is an award-winning wedding venue near Gadsden, Alabama. Meticulously kept grounds, this venue is a beautiful place to get married. They even offer lodging for your wedding party. It has been one of my favorite venues to work at. 

So, if you are recently engaged and on the hunt for your wedding photographer, I would be so honored. I’ve had the honor of working with over 100 couples and I would love to work with you! You can reach out to me here.