If you’re dreaming of a garden wedding tucked into nature, Leach Botanical Garden might be your perfect place. Nestled in southeast Portland, this peaceful space feels like a hidden world all its own. It’s lush, serene, and full of quiet magic—just right for couples who want their day to feel intimate, grounded, and full of natural beauty.
A Garden with a Story
Long before it became a public sanctuary, this land was the heart of Sleepy Hollow—the cherished home of Lilla and John Leach.
In the early 1930s, the couple purchased just over four acres along Johnson Creek and built a quaint stone cabin on the south side of the property. This storybook cottage, with its terrazzo floor gifted by John to Lilla on their 50th anniversary, served as their peaceful retreat from city life. Even the slate roof carries a tale, crafted from leftover pieces from the Reed College library.
Lilla was a remarkable botanist. She and John spent many summers exploring remote mountain regions with their pack donkeys, Pansy and Violet. Their favorite place to botanize was the Curry County wilderness in southwest Oregon, where Lilla discovered five plant species previously unknown to western science. Her contributions earned national recognition, including the prestigious Eloise Payne Luquer bronze medal from the Garden Clubs of America.
John, a civic-minded pharmacist, shared her love for nature and beauty. The two of them worked closely with landscape designer Wilbert Davies to bring their vision of the garden to life. John and Wilbert’s original stonework still lines the paths and terraces of the historic grounds.
In 1936, Lilla and John built their home on the north side of the creek and began shaping the garden in earnest. Their love for native plants, thoughtful design, and each other continues to bloom in every corner of this place.
“Briana photographed our wedding, and we had a wonderful experience working with her from start to finish. She’s kind, professional, and organized. You can tell from her portfolio and the other reviews that she takes lovely portraits and candids, [but she also took some really] beautiful detail photos at our wedding.”
A Review by Madi & James
A Hidden Gem in Southeast Portland
Leach Botanical Garden borders the Lents neighborhood, about 20 minutes from downtown Portland. It’s easily accessible but feels worlds away. The property spans 17.35 acres, with winding paths, old-growth trees, and curated gardens around every turn. There’s a sense of stillness and wonder here that sets the tone for a thoughtful and romantic celebration.
Perfect for Intimate Weddings
This venue works beautifully for both ceremonies and receptions, weddings and elopements. It’s best suited for small to mid-sized weddings with a maximum guest count of 80 people. The garden terrace is especially lovely for couples planning an outdoor ceremony with a deeper connection to the earth and seasons.
Ceremony and Reception Spaces
There are a few different spots to host your ceremony or reception within the garden. The East Terrace is a clean, whimsical space nestled at the forest’s edge—great for receptions or dancing under the stars. The South Side offers a more woodland feel, perfect for vows surrounded by trees and a stone cottage. The historic Manor House has timeless charm and can be used as a backdrop for portraits or smaller gatherings.
Getting Ready for the Day
While there isn’t a traditional large getting-ready suite onsite, many couples rent a nearby Airbnb or hotel to prep with their people, then arrive ready to slip into the quiet joy of the garden.
However, if you’re renting the Manor House and East Terrace for your full ceremony and reception, a private getting ready room is included inside the house. It’s a charming space with natural light—perfect for final touches and a quiet moment before stepping out into the celebration.
What Makes It Special
What makes Leach Botanical Garden truly special is how connected it feels. You’re not just renting a venue—you’re stepping into a place that’s alive and changing with the seasons. It invites you to slow down, breathe deep, and soak in the meaning of your day.
There’s a deep sense of love woven into the roots of this space. It was shaped with passion, care, and a reverence for beauty—and you can feel that in every quiet corner. The garden holds a calm, joyful energy. It’s peaceful, grounding, and full of heart.
Let’s Photograph Your Day with Intention
If you’re considering Leach Botanical Garden for your wedding, I’d love to photograph it for you. I know this space well and approach it with the care and reverence it deserves. Reach out to inquire—I’d be honored to help you preserve this beautiful part of your love story.
Rachelle & Daniel’s wedding day was a true celebration of love, style, and joyful moments from start to finish. They got ready at The Benson Hotel, sharing their first look beneath the grand chandeliers of the historic lobby before hopping into a vintage Mercedes—cue the cameras—for the ride to their ceremony.
They said “I do” at Oaks Pioneer Church, a charming little chapel tucked into the trees, full of stained glass and old-world charm. We made a quick stop at the Rose Garden for portraits before heading to Blockhouse & Pomarius Nursery for dinner and dancing under the twinkle lights.
There was wine flowing, laughter echoing, and beautiful people everywhere you looked. A perfect day for a perfectly-in-love couple.
Hi, I’m Briana—photographer, artist, animal lover, and devoted fan of a cozy afternoon. If you’re new here, welcome. I’m so glad you’re here.
I photograph weddings, families, and honest, artful moments of love. My work is rooted in storytelling, nostalgia, and the belief that your life is something to be treasured.
Outside of photography, you’ll usually find me with a book in one hand and a dog curled up at my feet. I’m deeply in love with my animals (yes, my cats are dramatic and my dogs are spoiled), and I spend most of my free time reading or making pottery.
My lifestyle is best described as casual but tasteful. I adore nice things—especially if they’re handmade, sustainably made, or secondhand. I’m a sucker for beautiful lighting, good design, and well-made clothes with a story behind them.
After the world slowed down in 2020, I discovered how much I craved a slower pace, and I’ve been living with intention ever since. I believe in savoring the little things, honoring the seasons, and creating a life that feels as beautiful as it looks.
If you’re someone who values meaning over trends and beauty in the everyday—I think we’ll get along just fine.
Joe had been planning this moment for months. Quietly encouraging Amanda to treat herself to manicures. Secretly hand-crafting a sign that read Mr. & Mrs. Hatzinikolis. Quietly orchestrating one of the most meaningful surprises of their lives.
Long Beach, Washington has always been a special place for them. A favorite coastal escape. So on a quiet day in the dunes, Amanda followed a familiar path—completely unaware of what was waiting for her.
Her parents had lovingly placed Joe’s handmade sign on the city’s post. Nearby, they left a bottle of champagne and a set of Amanda’s special wedding crystal—gifted to her years ago, waiting patiently for this very day.
That’s when Joe asked her to marry him.
I was there too, hiding in plain sight—just another beachgoer with a camera, quietly documenting the whole thing.
After the proposal, Joe surprised Amanda with dinner at The Pickled Fish and one more thoughtful twist: an extra day off work so they could soak it all in together before returning to real life.
It was such an honor to witness and preserve this milestone for them. These are the moments that become heirlooms—the kind you’ll look back on and feel all over again.
Wedding photography isn’t just a line item on your planning checklist—it’s an investment in how your story will live on.
The cake will be eaten. The dress carefully packed away. But your photographs are what remain—growing more meaningful over time as your memories deepen.
I don’t take that lightly. I believe in capturing your love with artful integrity, honoring your story in every frame, and turning those images into heirlooms.
If you’re planning a 2026 wedding and care deeply about the legacy you’re building, I’d love to talk about what I can create for you.
Reach out before June 1 to secure current pricing.
Introducing Mindful Moments – 35mm Film Sessions, a new offering for families, maternity, partners, and pets. One roll of 35mm film. No rush, no pressure—just honest, artful storytelling.
Perfect for: • Expecting parents • Busy family life • Teens on the edge of adulthood • Pets you love like your kids
Includes all digital scans from your roll of film. Optional print upgrades available.
Only 10 sessions available this spring $395 • Booking closes May 1st
This offering will only return once a year. First come, first served.
Reserve your session at the link in bio. Let’s hold onto this season—just a little longer.
There’s something special about seeing your love story preserved in a tangible, lasting way. This black-and-white film photograph, taken on my vintage Rolleiflex, was captured with intention—one slow, meditative frame at a time. The way the light sparkles through the trees, the quiet intimacy of the moment—it all feels timeless.
Photographs aren’t just memories; they’re heirlooms. They deserve to live beyond a screen, to be seen and felt every day. A framed print transforms your space, grounding it in love and meaning.
If you’ve been waiting to print your images, consider this your sign. Let’s create something beautiful for your home.
The world feels heavy right now. More than ever, we need healing, softness, and moments of peace. We need to hold close the small joys, celebrate the ones we love, and find solace in the beauty around us.
Lately, I’ve been grounding myself in the simple things—listening to birdsong in the morning, slowing down to be present with my fur babies (especially as we welcome a new puppy), and finding deeper meaning in my work. Because photography, at its heart, is about preserving love, stillness, and joyful abandon—even when the world makes it hard to feel those things.
Where are you finding peace these days? I’d love to hear. ❤️
