The Springs Waxahachie Wedding Venue: A Photographer’s Guide to the Best Photo Locations
As a Fort Worth wedding photographer, I get to photograph weddings all over North Texas, and every once in a while, I walk into a venue and immediately think, Yep. If I were getting married again, this is exactly what I would be looking for.
The Springs Waxahachie was one of those places.
The ivy dripping down the exterior, the beautiful trees surrounding the property, and that reception hall with its giant hanging chandeliers—it honestly looks like something straight out of Beauty and the Beast.
And as a photographer, I’m always paying attention to one thing when I walk into a wedding venue:
Where can we make some really good pictures?
The Springs Waxahachie has no shortage of answers to that question.
But this wedding was especially meaningful to me because I wasn’t just photographing another couple.
I have been able to watch Zak grow from this cute little toddler into a grown man who fell in love with Ava and has been chasing his dreams. So getting to photograph their wedding day was a pretty special full-circle moment for me.
I got to be there for everything—from getting ready and bridal party photos to their first look, couples portraits, and a reception that turned into one heck of a party.
And after photographing their wedding, I can confidently say that The Springs Waxahachie is a venue I would absolutely recommend to a couple who cares about having beautiful, varied wedding photos.
The Best Photo Locations at The Springs Waxahachie
If you’re considering The Springs Waxahachie for your wedding, here’s where I’d be looking when it comes time to plan your photography.
1. The Ivy-Covered Exterior
Let’s just start with the obvious one.
The ivy.
The exterior of The Springs Waxahachie is covered in beautiful greenery that gives the building so much character. It has that old-world, slightly European feel that makes your photos look interesting without needing to add a bunch of props or decorations.
This is one of those spots where I would absolutely want to make time for bridal portraits and couple portraits.
And because I’m a wedding photographer who loves color, I especially love the way the greenery can add depth behind a bride’s white dress or a couple’s wedding-day outfits.
2. The Reception Hall
Okay, this one deserves its own section.
The reception hall at The Springs Waxahachie has major Beauty and the Beast energy.
The hanging chandeliers are stunning, and the whole space has that dramatic, romantic feel that makes for some really beautiful photographs.
We also used the reception hall for Zak and Ava’s bridal party photos.
I actually love using a reception space for bridal party portraits when it has this much personality. You aren’t just getting another photo of everyone standing in a straight line. The room itself becomes part of the photograph.
And once the reception starts?
Those chandeliers are going to look incredible in photos of the dance floor, first dances, and all the chaos that happens once your people decide it’s time to party.
3. The Gazebo Overlooking the Pond
This was one of my favorite spots from Zak and Ava’s day because this is where we did their first look.
The gazebo overlooks the pond and gives you a little bit of separation from everything else happening around the venue.
And I really like that for a first look.
You’re already going to have a million things happening on your wedding day. Getting to step away for a few minutes and have that first moment together somewhere that feels tucked away can make a huge difference.
As a photographer, this is also where I can give you a little direction and then back off.
You don’t need me narrating your first look.
I want you to actually experience it.
I’ll worry about making sure I catch the reaction.
4. The Garden Pathways
Hidden behind the ceremony space are garden pathways that are perfect for portraits.
These are the kinds of spaces I look for when I’m photographing a wedding because they give us a chance to create variety without having to load everybody into a car and drive somewhere else.
The pathways give you greenery, texture, and a more tucked-away feeling for portraits.
And if you’re worried that your wedding gallery is going to be 400 photos that all look exactly the same, this is where having a photographer who knows how to use the venue can really help.
We can move a short distance and completely change the feel of the photo.
6. The Open Field Surrounded by Trees
This might be one of my favorite spots for couples photos.
There is a big open field surrounded by trees that gives you a completely different look from the ivy-covered buildings and garden pathways.
This is where I would take my couple when I want room to move.
I love having space to let a couple walk, talk, laugh, spin around, or just hang out together while I’m photographing from different angles.
And honestly, this is one of the biggest things I look for in a wedding venue.
I want options.
I don’t want to take you to one pretty wall and spend the next 45 minutes taking the same picture.
Give me a venue with different textures, backgrounds, light, and spaces to work with, and I’m a happy photographer.
6. The Stone Staircases
The stone staircases are another great option for bridal portraits.
There is something about a bride standing on a beautiful stone staircase that just works.
The stone adds texture, the architecture gives the photo some structure, and it gives us another way to photograph the dress without putting you in the exact same pose you’ve already seen a hundred times on Pinterest.
This is also where I can play with different angles and let the architecture do some of the work for me.
7. The Ceremony Space
And then there’s the ceremony space.
It’s surrounded by trees, which gives the entire area a beautiful natural backdrop for your ceremony.
I love ceremony spaces like this because you aren’t getting married in front of a blank wall or a parking lot. You’ve already got natural scenery working in your favor.
And once the ceremony is over, that same tree-filled setting can give us some beautiful family and wedding party photographs without having to go far.
What I Love About The Springs Waxahachie as a Photographer
If I had to narrow it down, my favorite thing about The Springs Waxahachie is the variety.
You have the ivy-covered exterior.
You have the dramatic reception hall.
You have the pond and gazebo.
You have garden pathways.
You have the open field.
You have the stone staircases.
You have the tree-filled ceremony space.
That means your wedding gallery doesn’t have to feel like we took every picture in the same five-foot radius.
And as a photographer, that makes me excited.
But more importantly, it gives you options.
If you’re building a wedding timeline at The Springs Waxahachie, I’d want to make sure we leave enough time to actually use some of these spaces rather than rushing through portraits because the timeline is packed to the minute.
That’s where having your photographer involved early can make a big difference.
I can help you figure out where your portraits should happen, how much time we actually need, and how to build your photo timeline without turning your wedding day into one giant photoshoot.
Photographing Zak and Ava’s Wedding
Zak and Ava’s wedding was exactly the kind of wedding day I love photographing.
We started with the getting-ready portion of the day, moved into their first look at the gazebo, photographed their bridal party in the reception hall, spent time getting those more intimate couples photos around the property, and then ended the night with a reception full of people who were ready to celebrate.
And that last part matters to me.
I don’t want your gallery to only show you looking perfect.
I want to show you having a blast.
I want the photos of your friends losing their minds on the dance floor.
I want the ridiculous moments.
I want the people you love.
I want the photos that make you say, OH MY GOSH, I forgot that happened.
That’s what makes a wedding gallery feel like your wedding.
Would I Choose The Springs Waxahachie?
If I were getting married again, absolutely.
The Springs Waxahachie has the kind of look I would personally be drawn to—a little romantic, a little dramatic, lots of greenery, beautiful architecture, and plenty of room for photos that don’t all look alike.
But for me, the venue will always be a little more special because of Zak and Ava.
I’ve watched Zak grow up, and getting to stand behind my camera while he married the person he loves was something I won’t forget.
I’m pretty lucky that photography lets me do things like that.
Planning Your Wedding at The Springs Waxahachie?
If you’re looking for a DFW wedding photographer who will help you make the most of your venue without turning your entire wedding day into a photoshoot, I’d love to work with you.
I’ll help you plan your photography timeline, give you direction when you need it, and make sure there’s plenty of time for the photos you actually care about—while still leaving room for you to enjoy your wedding.
Ready to see what working together looks like?
→ Check out my wedding photography experience and see what’s included.
→ Check out another North Texas wedding venue, Loco Lake in Sunset, to keep planning your dream day.
Hey, I’m Moriah!
I’m Moriah, the photographer behind Graceful Ray Photography. I’m a Fort Worth wedding photographer serving couples throughout DFW and North Texas.
I believe your wedding photos should look like you actually had fun at your wedding.
I’ll help you when you need direction, keep things moving when we need to move, and step back when you need a minute to just enjoy your person.
Because at the end of the day, I’m not trying to manufacture perfect moments.
I’m trying to make sure you have photographs of your people, your personality, and your really freaking good day.
If you’re planning a wedding at The Springs Waxahachie—or anywhere around North Texas—I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.
Let’s talk about your wedding and figure out how I can help.
Vendor Credit:
- Venue- The Springs in Waxahachie
- Hair and Makeup- Hair and Makeup by Kendal Jones
- Photographer- Graceful Ray Photography
- Dress- Vow’d
- Tux- Generation Tux
