About Cranbrook House and Gardens
As a Southeast Michigan wedding photographer who’s photographed a lot of weddings, I’ve also spent time with couples hunting down the perfect engagement session. An engagement session is often times one of the first starts of your wedding planning journey. After finding your wedding venue, an engagement session is what announces officially to the world (or whoever you share it with) that you’re getting married.
Hi, friend! I’m Catie Eovaldi and I’ve been photographing weddings and engagements for the past 3 years. Heading into my fourth year of wedding photography, I believe your engagement photos should truly showcase you and your partner. Engagement photos often set the tone for your wedding day and are a great chance to get to know your photographer.
Cranbrook House and Gardens is Metro-Detroit’s oldest surviving historic manor. Established in 1904, this 174 acre estate was home to the Booth family. Back then, Bloomfield Hills wasn’t part of the Metro-Detroit area. It was actually farm land out in the country- and realizing that truly is amazing considering the size of the city today!
The Booth family was prominently known for being involved in the arts, and that’s well reflected throughout the property. In 1922, six institutions at Cranbrook were born: Brookside School for Children, Christ Church Cranbrook, Cranbrook School for Boys, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Cranbrook Institute of Science, and Kingswood School for Girls. Today the Cranbrook property is still used as a school, science, and art center and is prominent in the Bloomfield Hills community.
Why Choose Cranbrook Gardens
Aside from its rich history, Cranbrook House and Gardens is an immaculate property and available year round. Fresh fallen snow make the house appear like a winter wonderland. The summer blooms add such beautiful color to the property. The orange leaves of fall color the vast expanse of the property.
This premier engagement session location has such beautiful architecture and features that it’s the best spot for portraits. With sunken gardens, multiple water fountains, and lush green trees this property makes an amazing backdrop for your proposal or engagement.
If the stunning property isn’t enough, this location is quiet and usually remote. While open for walking tours throughout the day, Cranbrook limits the amount of guests and photographers on site. This means when having your engagement photos taken we are far removed from any other couples or photographers on property. The engagement session featured throughout this post was early spring, and we were the only ones on property at the time.
My 4 Favorite Locations on Property
The House
What would a session at Cranbrook House be without the manor in the background? There are quite a few manors and estates in Michigan that host weddings, and they all have such different features. Cranbrook’s most iconic feature is its coloring. With red and neutral bricks used throughout the exterior, this house has a classic feel to it. The matching courtyard is what gives this estate a more opulent feel.
Reflection Pool Garden
This fountain feels like the epitome of an elegant summer. Refreshing water surrounded by brilliant blooms- what would be a better spot for a proposal or engagement session? It’s important to know that fountains on this property are turned off for winter and early spring. There’s enough to see on the property that it’s okay if they aren’t on for your session, but waiting until summer means the full property will be functional!
Backyard
This little area is probably my favorite! Right off the side of the reflecting pool and behind the main house is this little green area filled with trees. It’s an overlook over the rest of the property. Think rolling green hills, lush trees and hedges, and a stone wall. It’s very private and would also be a great spot for a proposal away from the more popular reflecting pool.
Hidden Fountain
This fountain isn’t necessarily a secret, but it’s deep within a wooden area that it can be easily missed. It’s actually located right in front of Cranbrook House and surrounded by woods. Not far off this fountain is a bridge that overlooks the drive throughout the property. This is another spot that would be amazing for a proposal. With how private it is, you won’t be interrupted by tourists and still can see the house in the background. One of my favorite (and most unique) engagement session photos from Cranbrook is the one of Cassandra and Connor kissing on the other side of the fountain. With the water turned off for the season, I was perfectly able to see them through the middle!
Cranbrook House and Gardens Location Details
- Location: 30 minutes northwest of Metro-Detroit
- Address: 380 Lone Pine Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
- Website: housegardens.cranbrook.edu
- Cost: Permit required for $300; If working with Catie Eovaldi Photography, this is included in your session cost!
- Style: Historic manor with lush gardens around property
Meet Your Cranbrook Gardens Engagement Photographer
Hi Friend! I’m Catie Eovaldi- your Southeast Michigan wedding and engagement photographer. I work with my couples to document their wedding day as it naturally unfolds and guide them throughout the planning process as needed.
Part of wedding planning is capturing your engagement: your excitement to be a fiancé(e), that gorgeous ring, and celebrating being together. Your engagement photos will be the perfect reflection of you, and you’ll want to send them to everyone you know!
Through curated recommendations and scouting, I assist all of my couples with engagement session locations, outfits, and even permits for photography.
