DeFries Gardens Engagement Photos in New Paris, Indiana
Table of Contents / Quick Links
Why DeFries Gardens Is So Pretty for Engagement Photos
What to Know About Taking DeFries Gardens Photos
When Is the Best Time for DeFries Gardens Engagement Photos?
What to Wear for Engagement Photos at DeFries Gardens
Real DeFries Gardens Engagement Photos
DeFries Gardens Engagement Photo FAQs
Can You Get Married at DeFries Gardens?
If you’re looking for a garden setting for your engagement photos in Northern Indiana, DeFries Gardens is such a pretty option! It’s tucked inside River Preserve County Park in New Paris, Indiana. It’s a 13-acre property that has colorful gardens, wooded areas, walking paths, and so much variety packed into one location.
I recently met Rachel and Hayden here for their DeFries Gardens engagement photos, and their summer session made me love this location even more. With the flowers, greenery, and their two completely different outfit choices, there was so much to work with!
DeFries Gardens is also one of the spots I included in my guide to ‘The Best South Bend and Northern Indiana Photo Locations‘ if you’re still deciding where you want to take your photos. But if this garden setting is already catching your eye, keep reading! I’m sharing what to know about planning your own DeFries Gardens engagement session, plus a look at Rachel and Hayden’s summer photos.
Why DeFries Gardens Is So Pretty for Engagement Photos
One of my favorite things about taking DeFries Gardens photos is how much variety you can find without having to travel between multiple locations.
The property was once a private homestead and still includes an 1880s Victorian-style home surrounded by perennial gardens and woodland plantings. The biggest feature is the one-acre Calendar Garden, a circular garden designed around all four seasons. A 365-foot path winds through the garden, with different plants blooming and changing throughout the year.
There are also four pavilions throughout the Calendar Garden representing the changing seasons, along with a small fish pond at the center. Between the garden paths, colorful flowers, greenery, wooded areas, pond, pavilions, and garden gate, there are so many little spots we can use throughout a session.
That means your engagement photos can feel completely different depending on when you visit. In the warmer months, you have lots of flowers and lush greenery to work with. As the seasons change, the garden changes right along with them. It’s such a fun option if you want your engagement photos to feel nature-inspired, colorful, and romantic without having to go somewhere far from home.
What to Know About Taking DeFries Gardens Photos
Here are a few quick details to know when planning your session:
- Location: 17477 CR 46, New Paris, Indiana
- Setting: Located within River Preserve County Park and includes 13 acres of gardens and native plant collections.
- Photography permit: $10 day permit.
- Permit timing: Photographers must submit the permit application at least three working days before the session.
- Public park: A photography permit doesn’t reserve the garden exclusively, so we’ll still be considerate of other visitors enjoying the space.
I always recommend double-checking the current park policies before your session since permit fees, hours, and requirements can change.
When Is the Best Time for DeFries Gardens Engagement Photos?
One of the things that makes this location unique is that the Calendar Garden was intentionally designed to change with the seasons. Native and horticultural plants bloom throughout the year, so there really isn’t just one version of DeFries Gardens.
Rachel and Hayden’s session took place during the summer, and everything was green and colorful. It was perfect for the light, summery look they wanted.
So if flowers are important to you, keep in mind that exactly what is blooming will depend on when we schedule your session. Personally, I think that is part of the fun of choosing a garden location!
What Time Does DeFries Gardens Close?
The park currently has seasonal hours:
- January, February, November, & December: 9 AM–6 PM
- March & October: 9 AM–7 PM
- April & September: 9 AM–8 PM
- May – August: 9 AM–9 PM
Elkhart County Parks notes that hours can change without notice. For engagement sessions, I’ll always help you choose a time that gives us pretty light while still keeping the park hours and season in mind!
What to Wear for Engagement Photos at DeFries Gardens
Because there’s already so much color and texture throughout the gardens, I love outfits that complement the setting instead of competing with it. So think soft neutrals, florals, denim, light blues, creams, and earthy colors can all work beautifully here.
You also don’t have to choose between dressing up and keeping things casual. Bringing two outfits is a great way to get both looks during one session. Rachel did exactly that, and I loved how different the two halves of their gallery felt.
Not sure what to wear? I put together a full ‘What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos ‘ guide to help you choose outfits that feel like you and photograph beautifully!
Rachel & Hayden’s Summer DeFries Gardens Engagement Photos
I always feel so honored when another photographer or creative asks me to photograph something meaningful for them. Rachel is a photographer herself, so hearing that she knew she wanted me to photograph her and Hayden after they got engaged meant so much to me!
We met up at DeFries Gardens in New Paris for their engagement session, and it ended up being such a beautiful summer evening. Rachel had her hair and makeup done before their session and looked absolutely gorgeous. She started in a white floral dress, which couldn’t have been more perfect with all of the flowers and greenery around us. I loved how feminine and summery everything felt without being too dressed up.
For their second outfit, Rachel changed into a short denim dress for something a little more casual. It gave us a completely different look while still fitting in perfectly with the garden setting.
More than anything, these two are just so cute together. Their session felt relaxed and fun, and I loved getting to spend the evening wandering through the gardens with them. These are exactly the kinds of engagement sessions I love photographing: lots of movement, lots of laughs, and plenty of time to simply enjoy being together!
DeFries Gardens Engagement Photo FAQs
Yes. Elkhart County Parks requires a photography permit when a photographer has been hired for a portrait session. The portrait photography application is currently a $10 day permit, and the park asks photographers to submit their application at least three working days beforehand.
DeFries Gardens includes perennial gardens, woodland plantings, an 1880s Victorian-style home, and a one-acre circular Calendar Garden filled with native and horticultural plants that change throughout the seasons.
I think it’s a great choice if you love gardens, flowers, greenery, and a more natural setting for your engagement photos. There are several different backgrounds within one property, so we can create variety without spending half of your session driving from one place to another.
Can You Get Married at DeFries Gardens?
Yes! DeFries Gardens isn’t only a pretty location for engagement photos. Couples planning a small wedding in Northern Indiana can also host a micro-wedding at the DeFries Homestead.
It’s located right within the gardens and newly renovated historic 19th-century home with modern amenities. The reservable lower level includes an ADA-accessible path, ramp, and restroom, along with a modern kitchen, sunroom with an electric fireplace, and beautiful views overlooking the gardens.
For micro-weddings, Elkhart County Parks offers a separate rental option specifically for the Homestead’s yard area. I love that couples can have a simple, intimate ceremony surrounded by the gardens and already be in such a beautiful setting for photos afterward!
If you’re considering a DeFries Gardens wedding, I recommend checking the DeFries Homestead website directly for current rental details, availability, and pricing since these can change over time.
Meet Riley, Your Northern Indiana Engagement & Wedding Photographer
Hi, I’m Riley! I’m a Northern Indiana engagement and wedding photographer, and I’ve spent the last 10+ years photographing people, connection, and all the little in-between moments that make each season of life worth remembering. I grew up in a small rural town here, so I’ve always had a soft spot for beautiful, simple places like DeFries Gardens that feel close to home.
My photography style is true-to-color, timeless, and a mix of natural moments with a little gentle direction when you need it. I photograph engagements, weddings, proposals, families, seniors, and more throughout Northern Indiana and the South Bend area.
If you’re dreaming about your own DeFries Gardens engagement photos or looking for a Northern Indiana photographer who will help your session feel relaxed, fun, and completely like you, I’d love to hear from you. You can learn more about me on my about page, or if you think we’d be a good fit, inquire below to start planning your session!
