Wilmington │128 South Stylish Bohemian Folk Wedding
Wilmington, NC wedding at the beautiful 128 South venue with a unique Bohemian Folk theme.
Amy, Tim and I met for our beautiful Fort Fisher engagement session and when they showed up with one of their awesome pups, I knew this was going to be one of my favorite weddings to date! The venue was absolutely perfect. 128 South is an amazing wedding venue in downtown Wilmington, NC and fantastic for so many different wedding types. I typically start each wedding way ahead of my second shooter, as I am with the girls and the boys generally take much less time to get ready. Amy was able to use the bridal suite of 128 South, The Cottage on Orange Street, which I highly recommend using. It is the perfect set up, and makes for one gorgeous "Getting Ready" scene backdrop. After Tim & Amy had their special moment, "Uncle Timmy" got a second First Look of the darling flower girl! And let's not forget the sweet puppy kisses from their zoo at the end!
The Boys
While Amy was getting ready, Tim and the boys were getting ready as well with my second shooter, and hubby, Thor (yes, that is his real name, and yes, it is pretty cool!). Boys take about .05 seconds to throw on their wedding day attire but the in between moments are always some of my faves.
The First Look
Amy & Tim wanted to do a First Look with each other, which I of course am so for! Not only does it lend itself to some pretty emotional and beautiful images of one of those highlight moments of your wedding day, but you also knock back those nerves before your walk down the aisle! After Tim & Amy had their special moment, "Uncle Timmy" got a second First Look of the darling flower girl! And let's not forget the sweet puppy kisses from their zoo at the end!
The Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony was beautiful! The couples favorite band, The Mid-Atlantic, played live throughout the entire wedding which was a wonderful tie in for their Bohemian Folk style wedding. The flower girl darted up the aisle and wanted to hold Uncle Timmy's hand during the ceremony, which was adorable. The lighting by High Performance Lighting was incredible. Perfect ceremony!
The Reception
And the rest, my friends was history!
The Bride & Groom
And the rest was history!
more wedding fun for you!
Wilmington │Bridal Portrait Session
Bridal Portrait sessions are something that not all brides choose to do, but they are SUCH a brilliant way to capture gorgeous images of each bride before their wedding day! Brides, if you are considering booking a bridal session, allow me to sway you with this image collection!
Bridal Portrait sessions are something that not all brides choose to do, but they are SUCH a brilliant way to capture gorgeous images of each bride before their wedding day! Whitney, her mother and I chose Fort Fisher as the perfect bridal portrait location. We also happened to choose the windiest day I have ever experienced which was challenging, but really made for beautiful images with her veil being caught in the wind! Whitney, you are absolutely stunning! We had such a fun time at your engagement session, I am so happy we got additional time to do a bridal portrait session as well. Brides, if you are considering booking a bridal session, allow me to sway you with this image collection!
Bridal Session = Wedding Day Practice
One of the smartest things you can do for your bridal session, is to also plan your hair & makeup trial on the same day. This will allow you to get a feel for the complete look, and when going through your bridal portrait images, you will see exactly what you love or want to change before your big day!
Bridal Session Props a Must!
Whitney just so happened to find a chair that she thought would give us some pose options for her bridal session. I love the way the soft, muted colors of the chair gave a certain feel to her images. Great find! I always suggest that my brides bring a flower bouquet with them to their session. You certainly do not have to spend an arm and a leg to do so, you would be surprised how a basic floral bouquet from Whole Foods or Trader Joes can really add the perfect finishing touch to your images!
Golden Hour is Prime Time for Photo Sessions
You cannot go wrong with a golden hour photo session, and this is certainly true for bridal portraits. The hour before sunset is perfect for flattering images because you have nice even light, very little under eye circles from the harsh overhead sunlight, and you get the added benefit of beautiful sunset-filled skies as the session shifts from daylight to night.
Whitney, you were such a beautiful bride! Thank you so much for spending the evening with me at beautiful Fort Fisher! Stay tuned for a blog post of Whitney & Chad's Oak Island wedding!
Check out featured Wedding & Engagement blog posts!
Vizcaya Villa Wedding │Domonique & Darryl
I met Domonique & Darryl in Wilmington when they arrived for their engagement shoot at Hugh Macrae Park. They had driven all the way from Fayetteville, not necessarily needing a wedding photographer, but they wanted to capture special images from their engagement stage and I was so happy to do that for them. Check their engagement session out here! I felt a real connection to them right away, and secretly hoped that something would work out and they would need me for their wedding after all. As luck would have it, they did ultimately choose me to photograph their Vizcaya Villa wedding in Fayetteville, North Carolina and what an awesome day it was!
I met Domonique & Darryl in Wilmington when they arrived for their engagement shoot at Hugh Macrae Park. They had driven all the way from Fayetteville, not necessarily needing a wedding photographer, but they wanted to capture special images from their engagement stage and I was so happy to do that for them. Check their engagement session out here! I felt a real connection to them right away, and secretly hoped that something would work out and they would need me for their wedding after all. As luck would have it, they did ultimately choose me to photograph their Vizcaya Villa wedding in Fayetteville, North Carolina and what an awesome day it was!
How sweet was that First Look between Domonique and her Dad! I love those wedding moments!!! Not a dry eye in the house. While I was photographing the girls, my second shooter Erica was with Darryl and the boys photographing their wedding prep. This is typically what we do when we work weddings, I will stay with the ladies all morning while they do their hair and makeup, documenting those candid moments in between, while my second shooter hangs out with the men!
Military weddings have my heart! I grew up an Army brat, with both Navy & Air Force grandparents, married to a man who was an Army medic, so when I get requests for military weddings, the heartstrings are pulled and I am so on board!
The ceremony at Vizcaya Villa in Fayetteville, North Carolina was absolute PERFECTION. The ceremony location is stunning, in the middle of garden on their property, overlooking a pond, under a beautiful vine-wrapped wrought iron trellis.
We spent a few minutes after the vows photographing the couples' family & friends, before setting off to take Bride & Groom portraits in the garden.
Absolutely perfect bouquets from Rainbow Florist in Fayetteville, NC. They could not have complimented the bridesmaids' dresses better in shades of lilac, lavender, magenta and plum.
Friends, let's talk about this stunning David Tutera gown! A) How gorgeous does Domonique look in this gown that fits her like a glove. B) Domonique had a wedding goal of David seeing just how amazing she looked, and we actually made that dream come true via this Instagram post!
On to the reception. It's a shame this couple had no fun at their wedding, am I right? Dancing, laughing, the best family & friends! One of the most special moments for me was when Domonique was surrounded by her sorority sisters as they sang their traditional song, with tears filling Domonique's eyes. Beautiful! Loved every minute of it and who doesn't love a sparkler exit??
Domonique & Darryl,
I wish you nothing but happiness as you begin your life together!
Thank you to these incredible vendors:
Venue │Vizcaya Villa in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Florist │Rainbow Florist
Limousine │Exclusive Limo and Shuttles
Makeup & Styling │FaceCafe NC
Hair │Aisha "Pinky" Cole
Elizabethtown Vineyard Elopement │ Thomas & Gillian
When I was contacted to photograph Thomas and Gillian's Cape Fear Vineyard elopement ceremony, I was so excited! I love this location and couldn't wait to see this couple say "I do." It just so happened their wedding day was VERY LUCKY, i.e. it poured down rain for the majority of the day, ha! Luckily, their simple ceremony took place under the cover of the property's lakeside gazebo. The rain held off just long enough to whisk the couple away under umbrellas to the ceremony spot and we were off! In this area, there are only a handful of wedding venues that include a beautiful vineyard, lakeside ceremony gazebo, beautifully landscaped grounds as well as carefully curated lake cottages to accommodate your out of town guests: Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery is easily the one of the best local vineyard wedding venues if you are on the hunt! Thank you so much for including me on your wedding day, Thomas & Gillian!
I have been so fortunate thus far in that this career has set me directly in the path of meeting so many incredible couples. I have been able to witness and photograph moments in their lives that will likely be looked back on as some of their absolute happiest days. When I was contacted to photograph Thomas and Gillian's Cape Fear Vineyard elopement ceremony, I was so excited! I love this location and couldn't wait to see this couple say "I do." It just so happened their wedding day was VERY LUCKY, i.e. it poured down rain for the majority of the day, ha! Luckily, their simple ceremony took place under the cover of the property's lakeside gazebo. The rain held off just long enough to whisk the couple away under umbrellas to the ceremony spot and we were off! In this area, there are only a handful of wedding venues that include a beautiful vineyard, lakeside ceremony gazebo, beautifully landscaped grounds as well as carefully curated lake cottages to accommodate your out of town guests: Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery is easily the one of the best local vineyard wedding venues if you are on the hunt! Thank you so much for including me on your wedding day, Thomas & Gillian!
After a little bit of wedding day good luck torrential downpour rainfall, I joined Thomas & Gillian in the vineyard and around the property of Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery for their official bride & groom portraits. Such a beautiful place and love the ease of this vineyard elopement!
“Congratulations, you two lovebirds! All my best, Tiff”
Wilmington Coastline Convention Center │Brian & Amy Wedding
2016 was full of amazing new clients who I now call friends, and Brian & Amy are no exception. Love these two and their fantastic families!!! Amy & Brian were married in a beautiful beach ceremony on Wrightsville Beach on quite possibly the steamiest, but most perfect day of the year! The reception was held at downtown Wilmington's Coastline Convention Center wedding venue which I highly recommend if you love historic buildings with weathered brick walls and beautiful large windows throughout their Riverview Terrace room.
2016 was full of amazing new clients who I now call friends, and Brian & Amy are no exception. Love these two and their fantastic families!!! Amy & Brian were married in a beautiful beach ceremony on Wrightsville Beach on quite possibly the steamiest, but most perfect day of the year! The reception was held at downtown Wilmington's Coastline Convention Center wedding venue which I highly recommend if you love historic buildings with weathered brick walls and beautiful large windows throughout their Riverview Terrace room.
Let's jump right in with a look at the Brian & his boys, as well as Amy & her girls getting ready! Gotta love when a lifetime of friends comes together to celebrate your big day.
Amy is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. It's the best thing to witness friends who have been there for each other forever get to come together and spend the day watching one of their own marry their perfect match. Just the best!
- Dress-David's Bridal
- Makeup-Meraki Beauty
- Hair-Christie Drummond of Meraki Beauty
The ceremony was one for the books and took place at the couple's absolute favorite beach spot on Wrightsville Beach. How beautiful is the tree covered walkway to the ceremony location and I am loving the flower girls' floral crowns by Design Perfection of Wilmington!
This was my first time photographing a wedding at the Coastline Convention Center's Riverview Terrace and it was pretty spectacular. The space is large and can easily accommodate 150 guests. The soft string lights and large windows with views out onto the river were perfection.
- Cake- Apple Annie's
- Catering- Hieronymus Seafood
Ummm... check out the boys' rendition of that famous "Titanic" scene hahaha! Love them!
I love that Amy & Brian decided to be a little rebellious with me and snuck onto the private docks for a quick Bride & Groom portrait session ;) Also love the fine detail of the butterfly pin which belonged to Amy's mother's mother on her own wedding day.
Let the celebration begin! The reception photos are always some of my very favorite parts of the day. Dancing, laughing, crying, you name it, it happens and it's so exciting the whole way through. The best! We were also lucky enough to celebrate the day with Brian's grandma and grandpa who have been married for 69 years and celebrated their anniversary just a few days after the wedding.
- Music-Jason of Absolute Best DJ Service *This guy was GREAT! Highly recommend!
- Songs:
- - Brian & Amy-Medeski Martin & Wood "Just Like I Pictured It"
- Amy & her Dad-Beatles "I Love You More"
- Brian & his Mom-Louis Armstrong "What a Wonderful World"
A little wedding day advice from the bride & groom:
My favorite part of the wedding? Marrying my best friend at our favorite beach spot.
My advice for someone planning their own wedding? Make a budget first, then make lists, lots and lots of lists. Then go over your budget. Haha!
Also: Marry someone that's OCD so you don't have to do a lot of planning.
Amy & Brian, congratulations and I am so excited to see what the future holds for you two!
Fort Fisher Wedding │ Frank & Jessica
Frank & Jessica wanted an intimate, no fuss wedding with just a few friends and a beautiful setting. That was exactly what they got and I absolutely loved being asked to photograph their Fort Fisher wedding! We couldn't have asked for a prettier backdrop for their wedding ceremony, Fort Fisher is amazing. Here are a few favorites from their wedding day. Enjoy!
Frank & Jessica wanted an intimate, no fuss wedding with just a few friends and a beautiful setting. That was exactly what they got and I absolutely loved being asked to photograph their Fort Fisher wedding! Jessica looked absolutely beautiful & Frank, I have to say you clean up nicely yourself ;) We couldn't have asked for a prettier backdrop for their wedding ceremony, Fort Fisher is amazing. Here are a few favorites from their wedding day. Enjoy!
There was no shortage of happiness for these two on their big day!
Congratulations, Frank & Jessica!
Leland │Clifton & Tavia Wedding
“You know when sometimes you meet someone so beautiful, and then you actually talk to them, and five minutes later they're dull as a brick. But then there's other people, and you meet them and you think 'not bad, they're okay', and then you get to know them, and their face sort of becomes them, like their personality's written all over it, and they just they turn into something so beautiful...”
― Amy Pond, "Doctor Who" series
Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Moses! Your "Dr. Who" wedding was so fun! Thank you for letting us photograph your big day!
Some brides are very "by the book" when they are planning their wedding day. And then there's Tavia! You have to admire a bride who is somehow both laid back, and at the same time, so on top of a seemingly endless amount of DIY projects! Tavia introduced her hubby, Clifton to one of her loves, "Dr. Who" and it became something they both grew to love, so much so that they incorporated a "Dr. Who" theme to all of their wedding day details! As you scroll through, if you see something that throws that theme your way, Tavia created it and brought it to life. Amazing DIY bridal skills!
The intimate ceremony was held in Leland, NC at the Grayson Park clubhouse, just the right size for their family and friends to celebrate with them. With the shows famous icon, the Tardis, as their backdrop, and a special love lock ceremony, the room was filled with love for the happy couple.
The love lock ceremony featured a quote from "Dr. Who" based on the relationship of characters Amy & Rory. The bride & groom then locked their love lock together which has no key, symbolizing their unbreakable bond.
“You know when sometimes you meet someone so beautiful, and then you actually talk to them, and five minutes later they're dull as a brick. But then there's other people, and you meet them and you think 'not bad, they're okay', and then you get to know them, and their face sort of becomes them, like their personality's written all over it, and they just they turn into something so beautiful...”
― Amy Pond, "Doctor Who" series
A quick ride through the community in their friends' golf cart (which was probably hilarious to see with two photographers, all of our camera gear, a groom, our driver-friend and a bride in her wedding gown all holding on for dear life, haha) and we were in full force wedding portrait mode.
After portraits, we made our way back to the reception where the party was just getting started! Clif & Tavia have a great group of friends who are definitely not shy on the dance floor, haha! Love it! The couple ended their night with a sanding sugar toss at sunset, and then the crowd serenaded Tavia with the "Happy Birthday" song. YES, this awesome bride chose to have her wedding on her birthday! Unconventional, and so fun!
Congratulations, Clif & Tavia!
Airlie Gardens │Engagement Brian & Amy
I love a good botanical garden engagement shoot. I especially love a morning engagement shoot in beautiful Airlie Gardens followed with part two of their shoot at sunset on Wrightsville Beach. Yep, perfection! An engagement shoot is the perfect way to spend a little time not only celebrating and capturing your relationship as a couple, but also to really build a relationship with clients before their wedding day. Every wedding package I offer includes an engagement shoot for this very reason! Brian & Amy were so ridiculously happy and really fun to photograph, I am SO excited about their upcoming wedding in just a few weeks time.
I love a good botanical garden engagement shoot. I especially love a morning engagement shoot in beautiful Airlie Gardens followed with part two of their shoot at sunset on Wrightsville Beach. Yep, perfection! An engagement shoot is the perfect way to spend a little time not only celebrating and capturing your relationship as a couple, but also to really build a relationship with clients before their wedding day. Every wedding package I offer includes an engagement shoot for this very reason! Brian & Amy were so ridiculously happy and really fun to photograph, I am SO excited about their upcoming wedding in just a few weeks time. Let's dive into their photo shoot, shall we? First up, our morning spent at the gorgeous Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, NC!
One landmark we really wanted to take advantage of during their Airlie shoot was the "Airlie Oak". This oak tree is over 400 years old and is SO beautiful. I think my favorite thing about Brian & Amy is how playful they are with each other. My cheeks hurt from laughing with them, haha. Always a good sign!
Next up, Wrightsville Beach! Initially, we were worried about the weather but it could not have been more perfect! Love a sunset beach shoot, such beautiful natural light and the scenery cannot be beat.
Brian & Amy, we are so excited to photograph your wedding day. Congratulations!
128 South Wilmington │MJ & Barnes Wedding
If ever two people existed who were perfectly suited to each other, Marijayne & Barnes are those people. Their 128 South wedding in downtown Wilmington was absolutely amazing! It is such a gorgeous venue perfectly suited to their romantic, vintage literary decor. MJ was bridal perfection, Barnes has the world's best smile and their guests were F-U-N. Definitely one of my favorite weddings to date! Congratulations to the happy couple!
If ever two people existed who were perfectly suited to each other, Marijayne & Barnes are those people. Their 128 South wedding in downtown Wilmington was absolutely amazing! It is such a gorgeous venue perfectly suited to their romantic, vintage literary decor. MJ was bridal perfection, Barnes has the world's best smile and their guests were F-U-N. Definitely one of my favorite weddings to date! Congratulations to the happy couple!
- Wedding gown by The Wedding Dress Shoppe
- Hotel accommodations The Hilton Riverside in Wilmington, NC
Groom attire by and Men's Wearhouse & Express
Boutonniere by Olive Branch Gardens of Wallace, NC
Literary wedding decor by Old Books on Front
Florals by Olive Branch Gardens of Wallace, NC
Jewelry by Kay Jewelers
Cake by Hot Pink Cake Stand
Cake topper by Etsy
I loved the herb toss! The guests really got into it, and the herb colors were beautiful to photograph in the midday sun.
If only the guests had had a little fun. I mean the stoic faces, the yawns, the faraway looks in their eyes (INSERT SARCASM HERE). This wedding was so full of joy, it is really hard not to share every image we captured, but here are just a handful of some of our favorite moments!
^ Music SO GOOD you grab your plate and dance in the middle of your meal! Ha, love this!
MJ & Barnes, thank you so much for inviting us to photograph what we hope was one of the happiest days of your life. Here's to a lifetime of marital bliss!
Wilmington, NC │ 2016 Weddings & Engagements
Love is in the air, my friends! It's Engagement Season and we are currently booking 2016 weddings and engagements. If you book our Signature Wedding Package between now and February 24th, 2016, you will receive $200 off your fee. We are able to shoot in not only Wilmington, NC but love to travel as well! Let's take a look back at a few of my favorite wedding & engagement photos from my most recent couples.
Love is in the air, my friends! It's Engagement Season and we are currently booking 2016 weddings and engagements. If you book our Signature Wedding Package between now and February 24th, 2016, you will receive $200 off! I thought it would be fun to look back at a few of my favorite wedding & engagement images from my most recent couples. I love my brides & grooms and feel so lucky to have been able to share these beautiful moments with all of you. xoxo
Now on to some of my recent wedding & engagement favorites!
So many happy couples! I love you all and could not be happier for you. Excited to get 2016 underway, contact us today to find out more about our 2016 Wedding Packages & $200 off Signature Package special!