Your photographer sends you the shot list, and half the locations require “greenery” or “garden backdrop.” You start searching for wedding venues in Long Island with outdoor spaces, and most show you a small courtyard with three planters.
At Sand Castle, our landscaped gardens are not just decorative. They’re designed as working ceremony and photo locations that change naturally throughout the year. We’ve maintained these grounds for over 30 years, and the seasonal shifts create different atmospheres for spring, summer, fall, and winter weddings.
Here’s how the gardens work across all four seasons at our Nassau County wedding venue.
Why Gardens Matter for Your Wedding
Most venues have a small patch of grass they call their “garden.” You get 15 minutes there between ceremonies, and your photographer works around another couple’s timeline.
Our 4 acres dedicated to one wedding at a time means the entire garden wedding venue property belongs to your celebration. The pond with the waterfall, the grand staircase leading to the gazebo, and the areas surrounding our Four Season Glass Atrium are available for your photographer from morning until your last dance. The landscaped grounds include seasonal decor that shifts naturally throughout the year.
How the Gardens Support Your Ceremony
You can get married outdoors in several locations across our outdoor wedding venue in Franklin Square. The pond with the waterfall creates a backdrop that changes character depending on the season. The grand staircase and gazebo area provide architectural structure that works whether the gardens are green or covered in seasonal blooms.
Because we host weddings only and never split our property between multiple events, your ceremony setup stays in place as long as you need it. If you want portraits by the pond after cocktail hour, the space is for you. If your cultural ceremony requires extended time in the gardens, we accommodate that without rushing.
Photo Opportunities Across the Property
Professional photographers describe our property as “Photo Op Heaven” because the 4 acres provide dozens of distinct backdrops. The landscaped gardens offer a variety that changes with seasonal blooms, giving you different textures and colors depending on your wedding date.
The pond and waterfall work year round for portraits. The grand staircase creates formal shots with architectural interest. The gazebo area frames couples naturally without requiring heavy styling. The areas near our Four Season Glass Atrium provide additional options if the weather shifts your plans.
Your photographer moves freely across all these locations without coordinating with another couple’s timeline.
Seasonal Decor That Works Naturally
We incorporate seasonal decor into our landscaped gardens, but we work with what each season provides rather than forcing themes. The gardens shift naturally throughout the year, and your wedding benefits from that authentic seasonal character.
Spring and summer bring different energy than fall and winter celebrations. The gardens accommodate both without requiring you to fight against the season. If you’re planning a winter wedding, the property works for that timeline. Summer celebrations take advantage of extended daylight and different garden characteristics.
First Looks and Bridal Party Photos
The landscaped grounds provide privacy for first looks and bridal party photos that couples specifically request. The 4 acres create distance from your ceremony and reception areas, so you can have intimate moments without guests watching.
Your photographer uses the waterfall, the staircase, the gazebo, and other garden locations for the portraits you’ll actually frame. These aren’t generic shots. The gardens provide character that changes your photos from standard to memorable.
Due to the exclusivity, your bridal party can spread across the property for photos. There’s no line waiting to use the gazebo. There’s no rush because another photographer needs the staircase.
Why Brooklyn and Queens Couples Choose Our Gardens
Couples drive from Brooklyn and Queens to our location at 505 Franklin Ave. As a luxurious wedding venue in Franklin Square, our gardens provide the outdoor ceremony and photo opportunities couples want without compromising on the Grand Ballroom reception experience. You’re not choosing between gardens and elegant indoor spaces; you get both.
Conclusion
The gardens work with our Four Season Glass Atrium to provide ceremony flexibility. If the weather changes your outdoor plans, we shift to the Atrium without losing the day. If you want both locations for different parts of your ceremony, the property accommodates that.
Our 150 guest minimum makes sense because the gardens, ballroom, and service model all scale together. Your guests enjoy cocktail hour while you take garden photos, then move smoothly to our Grand Ballroom with its stone pillars, chandeliers, and high ceilings for reception.
Call (516) 354-7263 or visit sandcastlevenue.com to tour our landscaped gardens and see how they change throughout the year. We’re open Monday through Sunday from 11:00 AM.
FAQs
Do the gardens require different planning for different seasons?
Our team handles seasonal considerations as part of your all inclusive package. The gardens naturally shift throughout the year, and we work with those changes rather than against them. Your ceremony setup and seasonal decor complement your wedding date without requiring separate garden planning.
What happens if the weather changes our outdoor ceremony plans?
Our Four Season Glass Atrium provides your indoor ceremony backup. Because we host one wedding at a time, we adjust your setup without displacing another couple. You maintain flexibility throughout planning and even on your wedding day.
Can we use the gardens for photos even if we marry indoors?
Absolutely. The 4 acres of landscaped grounds stay available for your photographer throughout your celebration. Many couples marry in the Four Season Glass Atrium and then use the pond, waterfall, staircase, and gazebo areas for portraits.
How much time do we get in the gardens for photos?
Your wedding day includes complete access to our property from arrival through departure. The gardens belong to your celebration exclusively, so your photographer uses them on your timeline without coordinating with other events.