A Classic Dallas Wedding at Cox Chapel & The Dallas Arboretum
Some weddings just feel timeless from the very first moment—and this beautiful day was exactly that. With a heartfelt ceremony at Cox Chapel at Highland Park United Methodist Church and a romantic garden reception at A Tasteful Place inside The Dallas Arboretum, every detail came together in a way that was elegant, meaningful, and effortlessly photogenic.
As a wedding photographer in Dallas, these two iconic venues offer the perfect balance of architectural charm and natural beauty. Together, they create an ideal backdrop for couples who want both tradition and modern romance in their wedding story.
Ceremony at Cox Chapel – Historic Elegance in the Heart of Highland Park
Cox Chapel, nestled within the historic Highland Park United Methodist Church, is one of the most intimate and picturesque ceremony venues in Dallas. Its stone façade, warm wooden interior, and soft stained glass light make it a dream to photograph. There's a quiet reverence to this space that sets the tone for a deeply personal ceremony.
This wedding was no exception. From the bride’s walk down the aisle to the emotional vows, the atmosphere inside Cox Chapel was filled with love, laughter, and a beautiful sense of calm. Portraits around the chapel’s courtyard and classic archways added a timeless touch to the couple’s gallery.
For couples looking for a Dallas ceremony venue with soul, tradition, and natural light, Cox Chapel is always one of my top recommendations.
Wedding Portraits Between Venues
One of the best parts of this wedding day timeline was the flexibility it gave us for portraits. With a short window between the ceremony and reception, we made time for classic and candid photos both at Highland Park UMC and at the Dallas Arboretum.
These quiet moments—just the couple and the camera—often become some of the most memorable images from the day. The grounds around Cox Chapel offer beautiful architectural lines, while the Arboretum gives us soft gardens and open skies for more relaxed, romantic portraits.
Reception at A Tasteful Place – Garden Views and Modern Romance
After the ceremony, the celebration continued at A Tasteful Place, one of the most scenic venues within the Dallas Arboretum. Overlooking White Rock Lake and surrounded by blooming seasonal gardens, the space offers a mix of indoor sophistication and outdoor serenity.
Guests enjoyed cocktails on the terrace, dinner in the glass-walled pavilion, and dancing under soft string lights as the sun set over the garden. The atmosphere was festive and relaxed—exactly the kind of celebration that invites beautiful, natural photography.
The design of A Tasteful Place makes it easy to flow from one event to the next, and the changing light throughout the evening allows for a wide range of photography styles—from editorial ceremony images to golden hour couple portraits to vibrant reception candids.
Why This Venue Pairing Works So Well
If you're a couple planning a wedding in Dallas, this combination of venues might be exactly what you're looking for:
Cox Chapel provides tradition, elegance, and a spiritually rooted ceremony space.
A Tasteful Place offers modern amenities and natural beauty with a laid-back, garden-party feel.
The short distance between locations makes for a smooth timeline with plenty of space for portraits and downtime.
From a wedding photography perspective, this pairing creates a visually rich, emotionally meaningful narrative with endless opportunities for stunning imagery.
If you’re planning a wedding in Highland Park, the Arboretum, or anywhere in the Dallas area, I’d love to connect. I specialize in telling love stories through elegant, natural, and emotive photography—capturing not just how your day looks, but how it feels.
You can explore more wedding stories at www.josephmark.com or contact me here to learn more about working together.