I'll guide you through the day
with a calm, easygoing approach
so you spend less time posing
and more time celebrating
—with photos you'll treasure forever.
137 Warren Ave, Plymouth, MA 02360, USA
Plimoth Patuxet
at Plymouth Plantation
We've shot Approximately
25
weddings at
Plimoth Patuxet
Sunsets at
When you exit the pavilion facing the main buildings and the parking lot is up to your left, the sun sets toward the right behind the hill and building.
Plimoth Patuxet
Outdoor Photography Rating:
9 out of 10
There are SO many amazing photo opportunities at Plimoth Patuxet. You can move from the whimsical Hornblower Garden to the pavilion, the barn, and the patio overlooking the river, with each spot giving you a completely different look and feel.
And if you want to venture off-property, you can even hop in the car and be at the beach in about five minutes. That gives us another whole environment for photos without having to spend a huge chunk of your wedding day traveling.
Even bad weather doesn’t eliminate your options. If it’s raining, we can stand just inside the tent with the flaps open, keeping you dry while framing the shot so it still looks and feels like you’re outside. The result can be absolutely gorgeous.
From gardens and historic buildings to the river, the beach, and beautiful open-air portraits—even rain doesn’t run out the photo possibilities here.
Indoor Photography Rating:
6 out of 10
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the indoor options for photos are fairly limited—but that doesn’t mean we’re out of options. We’re really working with the tent and the covered pavilion space.
The good news is that both can still produce beautiful images. With the tent flaps open, we can use the river, greenery, and natural light outside as the backdrop while keeping you protected from the weather. The covered pavilion gives us another sheltered option with a completely different look.
So while Plimoth Patuxet doesn’t have a large indoor ballroom or a bunch of indoor rooms to use for portraits, we can still create some really beautiful images without putting you out in the rain.
A photography perspective on this venue
I love shooting weddings at Plimoth Patuxet because it offers such a beautiful mix of history, natural scenery, and New England charm. From the rustic grounds and historic buildings to the open fields and gorgeous light, there are so many opportunities for photos that feel timeless and authentic. It’s a venue that gives couples plenty of variety without ever feeling overly staged, and I love how naturally the setting lends itself to capturing a wedding day that feels relaxed, genuine, and completely their own.
Ceremony
There are three ceremony options at Plimoth Patuxet, and honestly, there isn’t a bad choice among them.
The Hornblower Garden, on the opposite side of the property, is the traditional ceremony location. Its greenery, stone walls, stepped terraces, and koi pond are… well, whimsical. That really is the best word for it. It feels like something out of a fairytale. Ivy and clover cover the ground, creating a woodsy atmosphere that somehow feels both ancient and beautifully tended.
The River View Terrace, located right beside the pavilion, is another excellent choice—not a backup plan. It’s stunning and literally steps from the reception space. If you’d rather not have your guests shuttled across the property between the ceremony and reception, this is a fantastic option. The setting is simply perfect.
And then there’s the tent, which serves as the rain backup. But even here, you’re not sacrificing the setting. The tent flaps can be opened so you’re still looking out toward the river and gorgeous greenery, with the fireplace and patio creating a beautiful backdrop.
Three ceremony options, three completely different settings—and all three are genuinely gorgeous.
What if it rains?
Don’t let the possibility of rain scare you away from Plimoth Patuxet. This is a tent wedding, which means they have a really clever solution for rainy ceremonies. We can open the tent flaps and position you just inside, completely protected from the rain, while framing the photos so it looks like you’re still outside surrounded by the beautiful scenery. It’s brilliant—and it looks amazing.
And remember, rain on your wedding day doesn’t necessarily mean rain all day. More often than not, a shower will pass, giving us an opportunity to get back outside for gorgeous photos before the sun sets.
I’ve photographed weddings here where it absolutely poured during the ceremony, and you know what? The wedding was still amazing. We simply moved the ceremony into the tent, opened things up to the scenery, and kept going. It was beautiful.
There are venues where rain can genuinely change the entire experience. Plimoth Patuxet isn’t one of them. I wouldn’t let the fear of rain keep you from choosing this place.
Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter
Plimoth Patuxet is primarily a spring, summer, and fall wedding venue, with the outdoor pavilion really being the star of the show. There is an indoor wedding option as well, but it doesn’t have quite the same grand, open-air feel as the pavilion.
Summer can be beautiful, but be prepared for the heat. That tent can get brutally hot on a warm summer day, so if you’re sensitive to heat, it’s something I’d definitely consider when choosing your date.
For me, fall is the obvious winner here. You get that classic New England autumn atmosphere—the foliage, the colors, and that unmistakable Thanksgiving-season feeling that Plimoth has always been known for. It just fits the property perfectly.
And don’t worry about your wedding feeling like a Pilgrim reenactment! The wedding area is completely separate from the historic portion of the property. Your wedding is a modern, elegant event with no Pilgrim theme or historical references unless you specifically wanted to incorporate them.
Winter weddings are indoors. The indoor space works, but it’s worth knowing that it’s adjacent to the areas used for school field trips and tours. Those activities wouldn’t be happening during your wedding, but the space does have more of a “field trip” feel than the elegant, grand atmosphere of the pavilion.
If you have the choice, I’d take fall here every time.
The Dance Floor!
Here’s one slightly strange thing about weddings at Plimoth Patuxet: the dance floor has to be inside the pavilion rather than in the tent. Sound ordinances require it, apparently because of a nearby neighbor. It’s one of those rules that seems a little crazy when you first hear it, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
The downside is that once the dancing gets going, pretty much everyone naturally heads into the pavilion, leaving the tables in the tent looking a little lonely. You’ll see this same setup at a few other Plymouth-area venues, including White Cliffs.
That said, it’s still amazingly fun and doesn’t ruin the reception at all. It’s just something to be aware of when you're picturing how the space will work during the dancing portion of your wedding. Once the music starts, your guests are going to follow it—and that means the pavilion becomes the place to be!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes Plimoth Patuxet formerly known as Plymouth Plantation a great place to get married?
It's history! Also, it just happens to be absolutley stunningly gorgeous for wedding photos. It has so much variety and so many different scenes from deep woods and foliage to barn doors, river views and even the beach and ocean close by.
2. Where are the best places for wedding photos at Plimoth Patuxet in Plymouth MA?
Out on the back patio and down the path by the ceremony location offer a ton of great picture opportunities. Also the barn by the parking area. They're close, convenient and beautiful.
3. What's the best time of day for portraits at Plimoth Patuxet formerly known as Plymouth Plantation?
Family and wedding party pictures would typically occur either immedaitely following "First Look" or direclty after the ceremony during cocktail hour unless you built in a gap between a church ceremony and arriving on property.
Regardless, at some point just before or near sunset I'll take just the two of you outside again for those soft-light intimate shots. It should only take like 10 minutes but these are the shots you hire me for. These are the jaw-dropping, tier enducing, OMG shots.
4. Is a first look a good idea at Plimoth Patuxet in Plymouth MA?
Absolutely! The first look gives you a chance to truly see each other. Express your thoughts. BE together for a moment - away from everyone else. Now you get to enjoy your own cocktail hour. Now it's not such a whirlwind. You're not as rushed, so less anxiety. Totally worth considering.
For the traditional "I want to see her coming down the aisle", let me give some perspective. First, when she gets there you need to just shut up and get married. You can't stop and talk. At a first look you can. Second, that heart-fluttering HOLY CRAP feeling when all your guests stand and you realize this is real, this is happening! That feeling doesn't go away just because you already saw each other. It actually may be enhanced.
5. What happens if it rains on your wedding day at Plimoth Patuxet formerly known as Plymouth Plantation?
In all my years, I've only had maybe a handful of weddings that were 100% completely washed out. It's so rare it's not worth discussing. Yeah, maybe the ceremony gets moved indoors. Maybe the family and wedding party pics are on the dance floor but there will almost certainly be an opportunity between drops to run outside for a few pics of the two of you.
That said, you have a HUGE advantage because the tent can open up to reveal all the outdoor beauty while you stay completely dry.
6. How much time should we set aside for wedding photos?
I typically like an hour, but I'm SUPER efficient. It really comes down to how large your group is. How many in the wedding party? How big is your family? Are there divorces with step family? Are there grandparents? Do you want to include aunts, uncles, cousins? The smaller the group the easier it is obviously.
7. Can we stay on schedule without feeling rushed?
This is my super power. You could be WAY behind schedule, then it comes time for the family and wedding party pics and poof, you're back on schedule. I can be amazingly efficient to power through all those combinations so you can lower the anxiety and not lose any of your wedding.
8. What's your favorite photo location at Plimoth Patuxet in Plymouth MA?
The barn. Hands-down, it's right there at the entrance to the Pavilion. It has the old rustic wood vibe, but is right next to a split rail fence that's all overgrown with green vines. Directly adjacent is a HUGE oak tree that blazes in fall colors in autumn. Just steps away is a bath of tall flowering bushes that leads to the patio overlooking the river. It's all right there, steps from each other. The Hornblower garden is also very nice but it a treat, not a must. It's all the way on the other side of the property. If you never went over there you woudn't feel you missed out.
9. Have you photographed weddings at Plimoth Patuxet in Plymouth MA before?
Since before it was Plimoth Patuxet and it was called Plimoth Plantation. Yeah, I wouldn't be talking about it otherwise - absolutely. There's a benefit to knowing the flow of things. Where you're allowed to go and where's off-limits. Knowing where the shadows will fall and knowing what will be in bloom. Even just knowing how the staff approaches the day and their personalities. It all helps make the entire day run smoothly for you. There's an unspoken "nod and wink" between me and the day-of coordinator keeping everything perfect so you get the most out of the day.
10. What should couples know before getting married at Plimoth Patuxet formerly known as Plymouth Plantation?
The dance floor. As discussed above, you've got to head into the pavilion to dance. It's too bad. But, on the other hand it lets guests who just want to catch up and chat a nice space to sit somewhere and actually hear each other talk.
11. How many guests does Plimoth Patuxet in Plymouth MA work best for?
This is a pretty big tent so can definitely accommodate a large wedding. Smaller still works because the subtracted tables come from areas that won't look empty if they're not there. You could go from 50 to 150 and not feel it.
12. Is Plimoth Patuxet in Plymouth MA good for indoor and outdoor weddings?
It's not really an indoor kind of venue. As discussed, there is an indoor room for weddings inside the museum but that's an entirely different type of wedding and almsost should be categorized as a different venue in my mind.
13. Where do you usually take family photos?
Typically it's just after the ceremony in that same area as the ceremony or over by the barn. If it's bright and sunny there's a thin strip of shade behind the barn along the walkway to the pavilion entrance. Just enough to get out of the sun and have a beautiful backdrop.
14. Is sunset really worth stepping away from the reception?
Definitely! It's just steps away, so won't take too much time. When you exit the pavilion towards the parking area the sun is in front of you towards the right. Quick, easy and gorgeous.
15. What makes photographing weddings at Plimoth Patuxet in Plymouth MA unique?
First, it's memorable. Your guests will always remember going there for a wedding. They may comment about not having been there since their 4th grade field trip and they'll be blown away at the beauty of the wedding pavilion area. It's memorable.