Anthony’s Chapel Wedding Guide for LGBTQ Couples in Arkansas

Getting Married at Anthony’s Chapel in Hot Springs as a Queer Couple

Hey love. If you are dreaming about a wedding day that feels sacred without being stiff, iconic without being overdone, and deeply romantic without trying too hard, Anthony’s Chapel in Hot Springs might already be living rent free in your mind.

We get it.

Floor to ceiling glass. Towering wood beams. Light pouring in like a blessing. It is the kind of place that makes you go quiet when you walk in.

At Hey Love Studio, we photograph queer weddings with care, intention, and lived experience through our wedding photography and videography services for inclusive couples—and Anthony’s Chapel is one of those venues that stays with you long after the day is done.

Now let’s talk about the part that matters most.

Yes, Anthony’s Chapel is affirming of queer and LGBTQ couples.
Yes, you are safe here.
Yes, your love belongs in this space.

And also yes—there are some very specific logistics you need to know before you lock it in so your day feels calm, joyful, and actually doable.

We are breaking it all down with honesty, care, and real world advice from photographing weddings here. No fluff. No sugarcoating. Just the good stuff so you can decide if this venue is your vibe and plan it in a way that feels supportive instead of stressful.

Why Anthony’s Chapel Is So Loved

Anthony’s Chapel sits inside the grounds of Garvan Woodland Gardens and it shows. The architecture is intentional and reverent. The chapel feels open and grounded at the same time. The light shifts gently throughout the day and wraps around you instead of spotlighting you. It is quiet without being intimidating. Grand without being loud.

For queer couples especially, spaces like this can feel meaningful. It does not demand tradition. It does not push gender roles. It simply holds space. You get to bring your own rituals, your own language, your own people, and your own version of commitment.

You do not need to make this place something it is not. It already knows how to be beautiful.

Is Anthony’s Chapel LGBTQ Affirming

Let’s be clear and direct. Yes, Anthony’s Chapel is affirming of LGBTQ weddings. They allow and welcome same sex couples and queer ceremonies. We have seen queer love celebrated here and we would not recommend it otherwise.

That said, affirming does not always mean flexible. This venue is very structured when it comes to timing and usage. That is not a bad thing. It just means you need to plan intentionally so the rules do not become stressors.

You do not need to brace yourself here. You do need to be organized.

The Biggest Thing to Know About Anthony’s Chapel Weddings

Timing is everything. And when we say everything, we mean it.

If you rent Anthony’s Chapel for a certain number of hours, that is exactly how long you have access to the chapel. There is no wiggle room. No casual overstay. No lingering for extra portraits once your time is up.

This impacts your ceremony timing, your portraits, your family photos, and your overall flow. We see couples get tripped up here when they try to cram too much into the chapel window.

The key is to be strategic instead of rushed.

The Smartest Way to Plan Your Wedding Photos Here

If you are only renting the chapel for a few hours, we highly recommend using that time with intention rather than trying to do everything inside.

Start with a few newlywed portraits inside the chapel. Just the two of you. Breathing. Holding hands. Letting it sink in. These images matter and the chapel light is unreal.

Next, do your family formals either inside the chapel or directly in front of it. Both options are beautiful. There is no wrong answer here. The exterior has gorgeous architectural lines and feels classic. The interior feels soft and sacred. Choose what feels most grounding for you.

Then, save your main newlywed portraits for the gardens.

This is where the magic really opens up.

The Gardens Are a Huge Part of the Experience

One of the biggest perks of getting married at Anthony’s Chapel is access to the gardens. The grounds are expansive, peaceful, and wildly photogenic in every season.

Here is an important detail that catches people off guard. The newlyweds get free entrance to the gardens. Guests do not.

Valerie and I are members of the gardens, so we also have free entrance. However, your guests will need to pay to enter unless you have rented the full venue space.

This does not mean you cannot take photos there. It just means you should plan guest movement thoughtfully. Many couples choose to do their main couple portraits in the gardens without guests present, which honestly creates a quieter and more intimate experience anyway.

If you do rent the full venue space, you are generally covered. If not, just factor guest entrance fees into your budget or plan your timeline so guests are not expected to follow you into the gardens.

No pressure. Just clarity.

What the Gardens Feel Like in Photos

The gardens feel like a deep exhale. Winding paths. Water features. Seasonal blooms. Quiet corners where you can forget there is a schedule at all.

For queer couples especially, this space allows you to move freely. No pews. No aisles. No expectations about how you should stand or who should lead. You get to exist together and let the environment support that.

It is one of our favorite places to photograph love because it does not rush you.

You Do Not Need Much Decor

Let us lovingly save you some money and decision fatigue.

Anthony’s Chapel does not need heavy decor. At all.

The architecture is the decor. The light is the decor. The wood and glass do the heavy lifting. A few florals, maybe some intentional ceremony pieces, and you are done.

Trying to over decorate this space usually distracts from what makes it special in the first place. This venue shines when you let it breathe.

If minimal and meaningful is your vibe, you are in the right place.

You Must Have a Wedding Coordinator

We cannot stress this enough and we say it with so much care.

You have to have a wedding coordinator at Anthony’s Chapel.

Not optional. Not a nice to have. A must.

Because the venue is strict on timing, access, and flow, a coordinator keeps everything moving without putting that weight on you. They handle transitions. They keep track of the clock. They communicate with vendors. They protect your peace.

Especially for queer couples who already navigate enough emotional labor in the world, this is not something you should carry on your wedding day.

You deserve to be present. A coordinator makes that possible.

What It Feels Like to Get Married Here as a Queer Couple

There is something deeply grounding about choosing a venue that does not try to define your love for you.

At Anthony’s Chapel, you are not boxed into tradition. You are not asked to perform roles that do not fit. You are not corrected or questioned.

You get to show up as yourselves. Fully. Softly. Honestly.

We have watched couples exchange vows here with their chosen family front and center. We have seen tears, laughter, quiet moments, and big joy. The space holds all of it without judgment.

That matters.

Planning Tips to Keep It Stress Free

Give yourself buffer time in your timeline so you are not watching the clock during your ceremony.

Plan portraits with intention instead of trying to do everything in one location.

Communicate clearly with your guests about where they need to be and when.

Budget for a coordinator and trust them.

Let the space be what it is instead of forcing it to become something else.

When you do these things, this venue feels calm instead of constricting.

Looking for accommodations? Hot Springs, Arkansas visitor guide

Why We Love Photographing Queer Weddings Here

As a queer owned studio, we are always paying attention to how spaces feel, not just how they look.

Anthony’s Chapel feels respectful. It feels open. It feels like a place where queer love is allowed to be reverent without being restricted.

That combination is rare and meaningful.

If You Are Considering Anthony’s Chapel

You are not just choosing a beautiful venue. You are choosing an experience. One that requires intention, clarity, and support.

If that sounds aligned with how you want to feel on your wedding day, this space might be a perfect fit.

And if you want a team who knows how to navigate the timing, the flow, the light, and the emotional weight of this place while celebrating every part of who you are, we are in your corner.

No pressure. Always.