Beautiful Locations to have Your Engagement Session on Long Island, NY
Romantic locations outside of NYC for daydreamers and admirers of beautiful landscapes.
Congratulations! You’re engaged! Revel in the moment and take a moment to embrace the start of the next chapter of your love story.
The next step would be to have proper documentation of this special occasion before you say, “I do.” Whether you’d like to use the photos to announce updates to the world, use the photos for save the dates, or just have them printed out in an album to enjoy together in privacy, the photographer you choose plays an important part in the final outcome of the photos.
Each photographer has their own editing style and artistic eye, affecting the composition of your photos. Not only that: choosing your photographer means having someone who you’ll trust to help you feel comfortable and who will help you create a memorable session!
For those who dream of Jane Austen novels, fairytales, or Bridgerton vibes, Here are some ideas for you to consider:
European-inspired gardens and estates
Beaches
Florals and greenery (parks, gardens, and unassuming farms)
EUROPEAN-INSPIRED ESTATES
Booming during 1900s and inspiring famous works like The Great Gatsby, certain areas on Long Island became known as the “gold coast” due to the lavish estates and properties on the island. Many are reminiscent of the English countryside, but each spectacular in their own way. One location has likeness to a French chateau.
Planting Fields Arboretum
Oyster Bay, NY
Hours: 9AM - 5PM
Permit Fee:
$250 for 90 minutes of wedding photos (greenhouse not included, except in occasion of rain)
$250 for 90 minutes in the greenhouse
$100 for 90 minutes of all other types of photoshoots (i.e., engagements, family portraits)
Admission Fee:
$8 per car
Best time to go: January, April - December
Designed by the Olmsted Brothers (the same designer as Central Park!), Planting Fields lies on the North Shore of Long Island, just a short 30-45 minutes from some areas in NYC. The English Tudor architecture of Coe Hall, its sprawling gardens, and greenhouses leave many areas to explore within the arboretum. It’s beautiful no matter the season, with new blooms every so often in the spring and summer: cherry blossoms abound from early to mid-April; wisteria dotted along the backside of Coe hall and under the arch trellises in May; rhododendrons and roses in June; lavender, carnations, and more in July!
While the arboretum is beautiful all year round, it can get a little uncomfortable to photograph outside during the colder months. Photographing in the greenhouse is an option, with a fee of $250.
After your photo session, you can also opt for an intimate picnic together under one of the many large trees on the 400-acres of the property.
As tempting as it may be to have your engagement session here, some couples opt to save it for their wedding day portraits instead. That’s always an option for you to consider as well!
How to get there from NYC:
By Train:
Take the LIRR from Penn Station, Grand Central Station, Jamaica, or Flushing to Oyster Bay. From there, a rideshare can be ordered - it take less than 10 minutes to get to Planting Fields from the train station.
Old Westbury Gardens
Old Westbury, NY
Hours:
Permit Fee:
$200 for 90 minutes on weekdays
$350 for 90 minutes on weekends
Another favorite on Long Island with English architecture: Old Westbury Gardens.
You’ll need to schedule your photography session here at least two weeks in advance and a certificate of insurance is required of the photographer.
A guide is provided once you start your 90-minute session.
The grounds are expansive with many options: the rose garden, the reflecting pool (currently under construction but slated for completion in Spring 2025), the East Lake, the mansion, and so much more!
You can also take photos inside the mansion, which has most areas roped off. There definitely isn’t enough time to cover each location, so I suggest sharing your vision and the spots that are most important to you with your photographer.
Old Westbury Gardens hosts a variety of events, which can be a good opportunity to visit the grounds on another day.
In the summer months, I suggest booking your session in the late afternoon for better lighting and a thinner crowd, making it easier to get some shots without strangers in the background.
How to get there from NYC:
By Train:
Take the LIRR from Penn Station, Grand Central Station, or Jamaica on the Port Jefferson or Ronkonkoma line to the Westbury stop. From there, a cab or rideshare can be ordered - it take less than 10 minutes to get to Planting Fields from the train station.
Sands Point
Sands Point, NY
Permit Fee:
$350 for 90 minutes outside
$450 for up to 2 hours inside Hempstead House and 1 hour outside
Yes, this beautiful castle is also on Long Island; another gem for a fairytale backdrop inspired by English architecture.
In the photo is Hempstead House, one of many previous homes on the Guggenheim Estate on the Gold Coast of Long Island. In warmer months, I highly recommend taking photos inside as it includes an hour of photos around the grounds as well, adding variety to you photos if you are interested in an outfit change!
Stroll the ground beforehand to get an idea or go in for a delightful surprise on the day of your photoshoot.
Vanderbilt Museum
Centerport, NY
Huntington, NY
Permit Fee:
$450-$550 for 2.5 hours, varying for certain days and months
At this estate, we are surrounded by Spanish Colonial beauty this time, with brick-colored tiled roofs and a cobblestone-covered courtyard. Overlooking the water, it’s almost hard to believe this place also exists in New York.
There is also a planetarium on the grounds, which may be a great idea to attend one of their shows and relax after your engagement session.
The Vanderbilt Museum has steeper fees than the previous options mentioned, with additional fees with drone usage, adding in any vehicles (e.g., a vintage car) to the property for your photoshoot, or with any accompanying pets.
The views are unbeatable at sunset, where you can view lavender skies with boats dotting the horizon.
Note: The tunnel is currently undergoing renovations as of end of 2024.
Oheka Castle
Huntington, NY
Permit Fee: N/A: non-wedding photography sessions are covered by an in-house studio, which will set you back $2,500.00.
The chateau and gardens are inspired by French architecture, has hosted many weddings and notable scenes, such as Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” and J-Lo’s “Pa Ti” music videos.
Rich in history, “Oheka” is named after one of it’s many previous owners: O(tto) He(rman) Ka(hn) — also known as the face of the Monopoly boardgame.
With its expansive rooms, it’s possible to book a room at Oheka’s hotel or dine at their restaurant while look out over the gardens. In the summer months, sitting outside over a cocktail while watching the moon rise is nothing short of a memorable experience.
GARDENS & FARMS
WITH GREENERY & FLORALS
Farms and gardens are typically open seasonally, so check with the venue before heading over!
Waterdrinker
Riverhead, NY
Manorville, NY
Hours: Weekdays 10AM - 6PM; Weekends 9AM - 6PM
Permit Fee: N/A; entrance fee of $20/person
Best time to go: mid-April - mid May
Mid-April to May is tulip season! Waterdrinker is a family-friendly farm with thousands of tulip bulbs planted in the spring.
There are two locations to choose from, with photo ops throughout the field (such as bicycles with baskets) and activities by the rows of colorful tulips.
Lavender by the Bay
East Marion, NY
Calverton, NY
Hours: (for photoshoots) Weekdays 5PM - 6:30PM; Weekends 6PM - 7:30PM
(general hours, summertime) Weekdays 9AM - 5PM; Weekends 9AM - 6PM
Permit Fee: $250 on weekdays, $350 on weekends
Best time to go: June, July
Peak bloom is typically early July — mark your calendars to get a feel of Provence in New York. If you’re unable to make it in July, some bushes will have some blooms available by mid-June. Lavender by the Bay has two locations with English and French lavender. The English lavender blooms earlier than the French ones and have more vibrant hues of purple compared to their French counterparts.
Other locations around Long Island with lavender, include Planting Fields Arboretum, mentioned above, and Mill Pond Park in Stony Brook, right outside of Avalon Nature Preserve.
Bayard Cutting Arboretum
Great River, NY
Hours: (photography) 11AM - 2PM
Permit Fee:
$250 for 90 minutes of photos. Permit must be requested at least a week in advance.
BEACHES
New Yorkers escape the city and head into Long Island to enjoy many of its beaches all throughout summer. There are many beaches scattered throughout the 118-mile long island, each with a charm of their own.
Jones Beach is a favorite with concerts and volleyball sessions.
Robert Moses (Field 5) features a lighthouse and soft sand.
Small beaches on Montauk offer more privacy and space for a summer picnic on the beach while watching the sunset.
