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December 10, 2021

Oakbrook Farms, Ridgeway, SC | Venue Spotlight

Oakbrook Farm Wedding Photographer

We had the amazing opportunity to photograph Lindsey and Cody’s wedding at Oakbrook Farm last year. This was our first chance to shoot at the venue, and we were so excited to be there! After seeing pictures of the ceremony spot and the reception area, we knew it was going to be an amazing venue.

First of all, the most amazing feature of this venue is the owners! We had the pleasure of meeting Tanya and her daughter Lexi at Cody and Lindsey’s engagement session and again at Lindsey’s bridal portraits. They are some of the nicest people you could imagine and are willing to go above and beyond for all of their couples.

Arriving at Oakbrook Farms, Ridgeway SC

Let’s start with what you see when you first arrive at Oakbrook. The scenery is amazing. The green fields make you feel like you’re in the middle of the countryside. Because the venue hosts horse riding lessons, they have land for the horses to run and play. But I think we like the beautiful fields themselves just as much as the horses.

Now, let’s talk about the actual barn area. We’ve been to a lot of barn venues, and Oakbrook Farm is one of the best. Their beautiful barn offers a large open area for either a ceremony location or for reception space. It’s ideal as a dance floor or for a buffet line.

Above the barn is one of the best amenities, the bridal suite loft. Getting ready for your wedding day takes a lot of moving parts. Getting ready at the venue provides a HUGE advantage. You don’t have to get ready, then get loaded into a car and make sure everyone has a ride there.

At Oakbrook, they offer more than enough room for the bride and bridesmaids to get ready. Upstairs, they have a full apartment setting, with a bathroom, kitchen, bed, and much more. With all of the venues, we’ve been to, having an area for the ladies to get ready is CLUTCH.

Beside the barn is a beautiful, covered pavilion. It’s the perfect reception space with all of the twinkly lights your heart desires! It’s great to be able to have not only an amazing ceremony location but also a spacious place for the reception. We’ve seen a lot of wedding venues with great ceremony spots, but the space for the reception is impractical, tiny, or just weird. That’s not the case at Oakbrook.

With the large covered pavilion, there are several ways to set up the spot depending on your needs with lots of room for dancing!

Oakbrook Wedding Ceremony

The main attraction for us was the ceremony location spot. IT’S MAGICAL! When you see the pictures of the ceremony below, you’ll think it’s out of a fairy tale. You can just imagine a beautiful woodland forest.

With Lindsey and Cody’s wedding, it was a tad chilly, but that didn’t take away from how pretty this spot was. It’s a cleared spot in the middle of their beautiful land, which looks like fairies should be coming out of the trees.

They have a wood platform at the front, overlooking the lake with a breath-taking view. It’s the perfect amount of space for a small or large bridal party!

While there is no “exact” number of guests for the ceremony spot, which is actually one of the benefits of the location. Because you’re in the woods, you’ll have more room for guests. We’ve photographed several weddings at Oakbrook, and neither of them felt crowded.

Best Wedding Venues in Ridgeway, SC

If you plan on getting married in Ridgeway, South Carolina or near the Columbia area you would be making a huge mistake to NOT go check this venue.

A couple of factors to consider when touring Oakbrook:

  • Ceremony Size – while having the ceremony at the outdoor location offers PLENTY of space and standing room, make sure that it will suit your needs for your guests.
  • Cost – in our opinion, this is an affordable venue, especially compared to a lot of other wedding venues around the Columbia area. But you still need to determine what fits your budget.
  • Parking – depending on the size of your guest list, parking could hinder your wedding. Make sure that your guests won’t have to park 3 miles down the road.
  • Rainy day weather plans

Weddings at Oakbrook Farms

Oakbrook Farm Ridgeway Farms Wedding

Wedding Venue in Ridgeway, SC

If you’re getting married in Ridgeway, SC, or anywhere near there, you NEED to go check out Oakbrook Farms.

As a wedding venue, it offers plenty of space for brides who are having a large wedding but is still intimate enough for a smaller wedding.

Even if you aren’t wedding planning, but you just want to go see some horses or go for a ride, go check them out. They are some of the nicest owners and it’s gorgeous land.

Choosing a Wedding Venue

You’re probably reading this blog post because you’re looking for a wedding venue or you’re helping someone look for a wedding venue. It’s CRAZY! There are SO many options. Indoors, outdoors, historic, modern, etc.

Each and every couple is different and there is no “perfect” venue that’s going to match everyone’s needs and wants. You have to think about style, location, budget, amenities, and so much more.

Trust me – I remember how hectic is it trying to choose a wedding venue. I feel like we toured a hundred different venues before we chose ours and it was exhausting.

Wedding Photographers in Ridgeway, SC

For any0ne getting married in Ridgeway, SC we would love to talk to you about Oakbrook Farms and how we can help capture your magical day at the venue. It’s one of our favorite venues around Columbia, SC and we always love getting to shoot there.

If you have any questions about Oakbrook Farms or what a wedding is like there, please feel free to contact us at any time. We would love to chat about how we can help photograph your wedding day from beginning to end and everything in between.

Finding Your Dream Oakbrook Farm Wedding Photographer

Your wedding day is a whirlwind of emotions, laughter, and unforgettable moments. But how do you capture the magic for years to come? The answer: finding the perfect photographer! Here’s a quick guide to ensure your special day is documented beautifully:

1. Know Your Style:

Are you drawn to classic and timeless photos, or something more whimsical and artistic? Browse photographer websites and social media to find a style that resonates with you.

2. Expertise Matters:

If your wedding boasts a unique venue, like a barn or a beach, seek a photographer experienced in capturing its essence. They’ll know the best lighting, angles, and locations to create stunning imagery.

3. Go Beyond the Poses:

Great photographers capture the raw emotions – the nervous excitement before the ceremony, the tearful laughter during toasts, the spontaneous dance moves on the reception floor. Look for a portfolio showcasing candid moments alongside posed portraits.

4. Comfort is Key:

Your photographer will be by your side throughout the day. Schedule consultations to find someone you feel relaxed and comfortable with. A good connection ensures your personalities shine through in the photos.

5. Read Reviews & Ask Around:

Word-of-mouth recommendations are invaluable. Talk to married couples and check online reviews to see what others experienced with different photographers.

6. Consider the Budget:

Photography packages vary in price. Set a realistic budget and communicate it upfront with potential photographers.

7. Trust Your Gut:

Ultimately, the best photographer is someone you connect with and trust to capture your story. After all, these are the images you’ll cherish forever!

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