Outdoor wedding ceremony with guests seated in white chairs on a brick patio surrounded by lush green trees.

With breathtaking mountain views, rustic charm, and proximity to tons of stunning overlooks, Big Meadows Lodge in Shenandoah National Park is a top pick for couples who want to get married at an actual venue within the park. Aly & Frank chose to have a first look at Tanner's Ridge Overlook before their ceremony at the lodge. Afterwards, we headed to Timber Hollow Overlook for portraits with their four beloved pups.


Brindle puppy with blue eyes peering over a car window, wearing a teal collar, with ocean visible in background.
Groom in tan suit with boutonniere getting his tie adjusted outdoors on a sunny wedding day.
Bride in lace gown and groom in tan suit stand apart in green meadow during outdoor first look wedding photo.
Bride in lace wedding gown and groom in tan suit stand together facing a lush green field and trees.
Bride and groom share first look moment in a lush green meadow, groom smiling in tan suit.
Bride and groom sharing a romantic kiss in a green meadow with lush trees and mountains in the background.

The terrace at Big Meadows overlooks the Shenandoah Valley below, as well as the mountain ridges beyond. Its rustic charm is a great fit for couples who love the outdoors or are looking for a venue with a simplistic, down-to-earth vibe.

Stone patio overlook with wooden railing and panoramic mountain valley views under partly cloudy blue sky.
Bride and groom share first dance in rustic wood-paneled barn wedding venue with guests watching.
Groom in tan suit walks down outdoor wedding aisle escorted by two women holding pink flowers.
Brindle dog sitting on stone porch beside woman in white dress near wooden railing outdoors.
Bride walks down the aisle with her mother, holding a colorful bouquet at an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Outdoor wedding ceremony on stone patio with officiant reading vows to couple near rustic wooden lodge.
Couple exchanging vows outdoors at a rustic wedding ceremony with an officiant, bride in lace gown and groom in tan suit.
A bride and groom share their first kiss outdoors, wearing a white lace gown and tan suit with blue tie.
Newlyweds walk back down the aisle hand in hand, groom waving, with dogs watching at outdoor wedding.
Guests mingle inside a rustic wood-paneled wedding reception venue with warm lighting and wooden furniture.
Colorful dried wildflower wedding bouquet with purple, pink and yellow blooms on wooden surface.
Bride and groom in tan suit share wedding cake with their brindle dog at rustic indoor venue.
Couple holding puppy surrounded by dogs during wedding ceremony in rustic cabin.
Bride and groom hold their dog dressed in a bow tie during their rustic indoor wedding reception.
Man in tan jacket walking three dogs on leashes in a park with bare spring trees in the background.

Timber Hollow Overlook is one of my favorite overlooks for portraits. You can drive right up to a path that leads to a large rocky landing. The photos look like you hiked up a mountain trail, but the spot is a quick walk down some stairs. The couple took some photos together and then included their dogs in the final shots.

Dark truck window with white Just Married decal and cartoon birds, parked outdoors with lumber in truck bed.
A bride in lace gown and groom in tan suit walk hand-in-hand on a scenic mountain path surrounded by lush greenery.
Bride and groom standing on a rocky overlook with sweeping Blue Ridge Mountain views on their wedding day.
Bride and groom embracing on rocky mountain overlook with sweeping blue ridge mountain views in background.
Bride in lace gown and groom in tan suit share a romantic moment on a rocky overlook with mountain views.
Bride's hand with diamond engagement ring and wedding band resting on groom's tan suit with wildflower boutonniere.
Groom in tan suit kisses bride in lace wedding dress on a rocky mountain overlook under cloudy skies.
Close-up of bride holding wildflower bouquet wearing lace wedding dress and floral ring with groom.
Bride and groom taking a selfie on a mountain overlook, with sweeping valley views, wearing wedding attire on their special day.
Bride and groom share an intimate moment on a rocky cliff with stunning Shenandoah Valley mountain views.
A colorful wildflower bouquet with pink roses and yellow blooms resting on a rocky ledge with a scenic mountain valley backdrop.
Bride in lace wedding gown and groom in tan suit walking up stone steps surrounded by wild grass.
A groom in a tan suit hugs his golden retriever dog outdoors with green mountains in the background.
Bride in lace wedding gown kneels beside her dog on a rocky overlook with sweeping valley views behind.
Bride and groom hold hands on mountain summit with three dogs, scenic valley views behind them on their wedding day.