fan and fangxuan had the most stunning micro wedding at jackson manor, a garden wedding venue in arlington, wa. i am still thinking about the light through those pergolas!

i first photographed these two for their Seattle engagement photos at pike place market, where fangxuan wore the most amazing red dress against the market’s brick walls and neon lights. the wedding had a completely different atmosphere, but the fashion was once again on point. they chose soft pinks, pale blue, black, and white for a romantic wedding palette, and both of them changed their outfits for the reception. seriously, why commit to one great look when you can have two?

jackson manor: a garden wedding venue in Arlington, WA

jackson manor is a private estate wedding venue in arlington, about an hour north of seattle, surrounded by gardens and tall evergreens. the property feels like a polished european garden but isn’t overly formal. there are the rose garden pathways, the pond ceremony area, the white pergola tunnel draped in climbing vines and strung with lights, and the checkerboard courtyard outside the manor house.

britta, the owner, is fabulous and has put so much thought into how couples and their guests move through the property. the different spaces are close enough that the wedding flows easily, but each part of the day still has its own setting. fan and fangxuan could have their ceremony by the pond, move into cocktail hour on the lawn, enjoy dinner beneath the white tent, and then bring everyone onto the courtyard for dancing without needing to leave the venue.

how much does a jackson manor wedding cost?

pricing varies depending on your package, and you can check the most up-to-date information on their website here and inquire for your own quote! but the packages vary from $6,000+ for a friday/sunday wedding and from $25,000 and up for a fully all-inclusive venue package for 50 guests.

a garden micro wedding celebration

fan and fangxuan planned an micro wedding with under 30 guests, which gave them the best parts of a full wedding day in a much more intimate setting. their families gathered beside the pond for the ceremony, everyone celebrated together during the reception, and the smaller guest count meant they could spend more time celebrating with the people who had traveled to be there.

micro weddings don’t have to feel rushed or casual unless you want them to. fan and fangxuan still had a formal ceremony, beautiful florals, multiple wedding outfits, dinner, dancing, speeches, and a sparkler send-off.

a pale blue wedding suit for a spring garden wedding ceremony

fan wore a pale blue suit for the ceremony, paired with a white vest, pale pink tie, and brown shoes. the color was such a good choice for an outdoor spring wedding. it stood out against all the deep garden greens while still working beautifully with the blush flowers and softer colors worn by their guests.

a colored suit can add a lot of personality to the day without making the overall look feel less formal. navy and black suits are a classic for a reason, but at a garden wedding venue like jackson manor, lighter colors feel especially fresh and photograph so well!

fangxuan wore an off-the-shoulder wedding dress with floral lace and a full skirt for the ceremony. her bouquet had white and blush flowers with delicate greenery, making everything feel soft and romantic. their outfits looked elegant and joyful, just like the whole day.

the reception looks

later in the evening, fangxuan changed into a beautiful blush-pink dress covered in three-dimensional pastel flowers. i absolutely loved this look! the dress was lighter and easier to move in for the reception, but it still felt bridal and special for the wedding day. the pink dress and colorful flowers stood out against the greenery without clashing. fan also changed into a black suit with a pale pink tie, so both had a new look for the reception while still matching each other.

i'd also be doing everyone a disservice if i didn't mention the dog. their pup attended the wedding in a miniature tuxedo, and that was the perfect little look for the wedding day!

changing into a second dress is a practical choice, if your ceremony gown is fuller or more structured. you can have the drama and the tradition of the first dress for the ceremony and portraits, then switch to something lighter for dinner and dancing. plus, you get a whole new set of photos. i’m all for it!

portraits through the jackson manor gardens

one of my favorite things about jackson manor is how much variety of backdrops we can get around the property without taking the couple away from their guests for a long time. the venue’s landscape gives it an elegant garden-party vibe, while the surrounding forest keeps it true to the pacific northwest.

fan and fangxuan said in their review that they had walked past some of the portrait spots without noticing them, but those simple corners became some of their favorite backdrops. that’s one of the best things about photographing a venue with so much variety. good lighting, a thoughtful angle, and a bit of direction can turn a garden path or patch of greenery into something special.

neither of them considered themselves naturals in front of the camera, so I guided them through the portraits and gave suggestions whenever they needed them. i never want my couples to feel awkward and wondering what to do with their hands, so we keep moving, talking, and adjusting until it feels comfortable.

the chessboard dance floor and an evening under the lights

the black-and-white chessboard courtyard is one of the most fun parts of jackson manor. during the day, it gives the garden a playful, slightly alice in wonderland quality, especially with the oversized chess pieces lined up nearby. in the evening, it becomes the dance floor.

once the string lights came on and everyone gathered around the couple, the courtyard felt like its own little garden party. they ended the night with guests lining the garden path, holding sparklers as fan and fangxuan ran under the arbors. It was the perfect ending to a joyful day!

planning your own wedding at jackson manor, a garden wedding venue in Arlington, WA?

jackson manor is a great option for couples wanting an elegant outdoor wedding venue in arlington, wa. the gardens offer beautiful scenery all day, and the tent, courtyard, changing rooms, and ceremony areas make planning easier.

and if you want photos that actually feel like your day, that’s where i come in. i specialize in documenting intimate weddings and elopements across seattle and the pnw, with a focus on real connection, timeless edits, and making you feel like yourself in front of the camera.

you can check out my micro wedding and elopement packages right here. can’t wait to hear what you’re planning. click here to get in touch.

if elegant garden settings are speaking to you, I have a full list of dreamy seattle garden wedding venues with other lovely options around the pacific northwest.