I had the lucky job of spending the day with Ashley and Kevin as they said their vows to each other on an absolutely perfect and sunny May afternoon at Wrightsville Beach. Their ceremony was the sweetest beach front setup, followed by a reception at the always beautiful (and delicious) Bluewater Grill. Ashley and Kevin incorporated theses fun and artistic details into their wedding day like a hand drawn (by Kevin) and watercolor painted (by Ashley) emblem with their initials on it that they had on their invitations, on their stamps, and even on their cups at the reception! Their seating chart at the reception was one of my favorites as well, with individual hand painted names written on shells from the beach. I love working with brides (or grooms!) that have an art background, it really shows in the tiny little details of the day and it makes it so fun for me to capture!! Another fun thing they did was bury a bottle of bourbon (that isn’t even being release for another two years) one month before their wedding date at their ceremony site and dug it up right after the reception. Southern folklore says that if you bury a bottle of bourbon at the site where the bride and groom are to be married it won’t rain on their wedding day. According to many believers, this must be done exactly one month before the wedding, the bottle must be completely full, and it must be buried upside down to ensure maximum weather persuasion. These two were a blast to work with and their dance party all night was so FUN to watch – they used glow stick foam bats for their grand exit at the end of the night but they brought them out on the dance floor before that, which really made for some hilarious pictures. Also, bonus, they made their getaway out onto a boat! I can say that one’s a first for me! So unique! I’m so happy to have gotten to be a part of their day – wishing you two forever love and happiness together!! – Allison Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography 2nd Photographer: Erin Allenczy Videographer: Farmer Visuals Planner: Heather, Port City Event Planning Ceremony: Wrightsville Beach Reception Venue: Bluewater Grill DJ: Active DJ Florist: Port City Event Planning Hair & Makeup: Deanne Harvey Cake: Swanky Sweets Jewelry: Freya and Light…
Read MoreFort Fisher Engagement Photography | Montana & Alex
One of the parts of my bio on my website says that I love working with couples who aren’t afraid to be themselves around each other. I’m lucky enough to work with some of the most fun and laid back clients that most people dream about working with, but not only that, couples like this completely exceed my expectations. When I say they aren’t afraid to be themselves around each other, Alex and Montana take that to an entirely new level. They were funny, goofy, they picked each others noses, Montana leapt into his arms with no second doubt, they laughed, they made me laugh, and they told me some awesome stories about when they first started dating. They’re perfect. Aside from having the best time with these two, I also got some of my favorite photos I’ve taken lately. It makes me that much more excited for their wedding to come in October at Ironclad Brewery. Check out some of my favorite moments from our engagement session at Fort Fisher :) – Allison
Read MoreIronclad Brewery Wedding Photography | Jamie & David
Jamie and David got married on a gorgeous May afternoon in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina at Ironclad Brewery. These two were so sweet and calm and Jamie was one of the most organized brides I’ve ever had, and I mean that as the BIGGEST compliment. They put together an absolutely stunning wedding day at the most beautiful venue. Ironclad is perfect for weddings, a huge industrial building covered in brick walls, wood floors, and of course, delicious homemade beer. What I loved most about Jamie and David’s wedding ceremony was that instead of doing something like a sand ceremony, they did it with beer. So unique and so fun! They danced the night away with their closest friends and their families, and they even let me sneak them away to go hang out on a rooftop nearby for some sunset portraits – an absolute must-do you if can make it happen at your wedding! I’m so thankful to have been a part of their wedding day, and so happy to work with such amazing vendors. Wilmington is a magical place in the wedding industry. Congrats, Jamie and David!!!! – Allison Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography Venue: Ironclad Brewery Florist: Verzaal’s Florist Dress: Camille’s of Wilmington Catering: Middle of the Island Hair & Makeup: Kreashenz Salon + Spa and Anna W Lee
Read MoreBrooklyn Arts Center Wedding Photography | Jenni & Drew
On a perfectly warm and perfectly sunny day in May, Jenni and Drew tied the knot in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina at the Brooklyn Arts Center. Every single detail was perfectly planned out and everything came together SO beautifully. Jenni and Drew are a couple that are just filled with fun and laughter, it’s kind of hard to not just absolutely adore them. That was clear by the way their friends and family supported them. What a fun bridal party, what a sweet family. I’m so grateful for couples like these two, and I’m so happy to live in a town that has such gorgeous backdrops for photos. Thanks to everyone who came together to make this day possible! Now go look at all 97 photos that I picked out to share with you guys because I couldn’t choose any less!!! – Allison Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography Coordinator: Chandler Russell, Design Perfection Florist: Design Perfection Venue: Brooklyn Arts Center Catering: Middle of the Island Cake: One Belle Bakery Band: Emerald Empire Band Hair & Makeup: Kreashenz Rentals: L&L Rentals Officiant: A Wedding Ministry
Read MoreDowntown Wilmington Engagement Photography | Mallory & Chase
Mallory and Chase are getting married next May at Mike’s Farm in Beulaville, NC. We met up in downtown Wilmington to get some photos with the old houses, ivy walls, white picket fences, and the river. I think my favorite part of photographing downtown is that I can do multiple shoots in a week there and I can always find something different. One of the highlights of this session for me was finding the beautiful back patio at the new restaurant downtown, Dram Yard. It’s GORGEOUS! We planned our shoot to start early in the morning and even at 10 am, we were sweating our butts off from the humidity – so thank you guys for putting up with the heat and thank you to Chase for humoring us on all the romantic poses – you did great! I can’t wait for their wedding next year! – Allison
Read MoreDowntown Wilmington Family Photography | The Coburns
I met Megan & Brok over 3 years ago now, they were my clients back in Ohio before I moved. I photographed their wedding in 2016 and I haven’t seen them since – UNTIL LAST WEEK! They came to South Carolina for a family vacation with their sweet little girl, and surprise – a baby on the way, too! While they were nearby, they decided to make the trip up to Wilmington for some family photos. It’s always so amazing to get to see my old clients and where they are now, and to meet their little ones! As soon as we started, Megan warned me that Quinn probably wouldn’t spend much time smiling for the camera, and boyyyyyy did she do exactly the opposite! She was so happy to give me her biggest smiles in the sunshine and walk along the river and the palm trees (and stare at all the dogs and all the birds and all the horses). So grateful for the chance to see this awesome couple again! I can’t wait to see your family grow even more! – Allison
Read MoreDowntown Wilmington Maternity Photography | Jordan & Bo
It’s wild to think about some of your best friends becoming PARENTS! I absolutely love my job and I absolutely love that I’ve known these two for almost 3 years now and gotten to be a part of every big moment in their lives together. From their engagement photos to their wedding day to traveling out of the country together to their super secret pregnancy announcements to their maternity photos and pretty soon, newborn photos! I can’t wait to see Jordan and Bo become parents and I can’t wait to be an awesome fun auntie to their little baby girl. We did their maternity photos in downtown Wilmington with our besties, Mary and Ben. So of course I have to add in some BFF maternity photos on here of Jordan & Mary. If you’re lucky enough to be pregnant at the same time as one of your best friends, you absolutely need to get some photos of it. You’ll see. – Allison
Read MoreDowntown Wilmington Maternity & Newborn Photography | Mary & Ben (and baby Henry)
Mary and Ben were two of my very first clients in Wilmington. Mary reached out to me before I moved here, and she was one of the first engagement sessions I did in town, THREE YEARS AGO! Time is a crazy thing. And little did I know that these two would soon become amazing friends of mine, even before their wedding day. It’s a beautiful thing to get to watch their family begin, and watch their family grow by adding one more to the mix. We did their maternity session in downtown Wilmington on the DAY BEFORE they went into the hospital to stay the night before they induced Mary. The next day, sweet, happy, and healthy baby Henry came into the world. So instead of doing two separate blog posts, I’m combining both these photo sessions as a little before & after. I mean seriously, these photos were taken like 8 days apart. Mary and Ben are already amazing parents, and it doesn’t hurt that their pup, Mason, is already a great big brother, too. Thankful for people like this in my life, and getting to document all these major moments. – Allison
Read MoreThe Henderson Beach Resort, Destin, FL Destination Wedding Photography | Saylor & Mike
Saylor and Mike got married on a beautiful rooftop patio facing the ocean in Destin, Florida. It was at the absolutely stunning resort called The Henderson – which, let me just start by saying I HIGHLY recommend staying here. My room had the most giant tub that I could lay in and watch TV while I enjoyed a glass of wine. Maybe that’s not everyone’s perfect idea of a vacation, but that’s definitely high up on my list. Along with two huge pools, a lazy river, a pool bar with servers that bring you food and drinks directly to your pool chair, and some pretty delicious restaurants, and of course their spa. Pretty ideal spot for a wedding, if you ask me. When we got there, we all expected the weather to behave horribly, as thunderstorms were in our forecast for the entire weekend. But somehow mother nature decided to be our friend, and we had absolutely PERFECT weather. Sunshine and clear skies and yes – a lot of fog – but I’m totally okay with that! I didn’t get to meet Saylor and Mike until I arrived in Florida – as these two live in Michigan, and I live in North Carolina. They immediately made me feel welcome and they even brought me along to the rehearsal dinner at a local Italian restaurant nearby the resort – hands down the BEST Italian food I’ve ever had outside of Italy. No joke. I want to go back to Destin for this restaurant alone. Saylor had me laughing all night long and their families and friends were a blast to be around. The next morning all the ladies were such troopers and woke up at the crack of dawn to start prepping for the day. Saylor’s dress was stunning – with cool blue undertones under the layers of tulle, which paired so well with the soft blue bridesmaid dresses. They tied the knot on the Sunset Vista and then danced the night away in one of the grand ballrooms at the resort. I wish everyone could experience the joy and the relaxation of a destination wedding. I’m so grateful to have been able to join these two and their families in Florida for their big day, and give them these memories to hold onto for years to come! Here are some of my favorite snaps of the day! – Allison Photography:…
Read MoreGreenfield Lake Engagement Photography | Jen & Paul
I met Jen & Paul last weekend at Greenfield Lake near downtown Wilmington on the warmest, sunniest afternoon for their engagement photos. No, we did not see any gators, but these two did keep me laughing the whole time. They’re so relaxed and comfortable with each other it made my job so simple! Jen’s dress was giving me ALL the witchy American Horror Story – Coven vibes and I mean that in the BEST way possible. With a little help from the wind and the sunlight we were able to score some DREAMY fairy-tale photos. They also brought their two fur babies, Chum and Rocco! I’ve said it before and I’ll never stop saying it, but I ALWAYS love when couples decide to bring their dogs to their engagement photos! I may be a crazy dog lady, but so are a lot of you, and I’m just here to support you :) hint – if you get married at Ironclad you’re able to include your pup in the ceremony if you choose to do so. Anyway, meeting these two made me even more excited for their wedding day. I know I’m in store for a lot of belly laughs and a whole lot of love when they tie the knot at Ironclad Brewery in August! – Allison
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