fine art

  • Shallotte, NC Backyard Wedding Photographer | Megan & Kevin

    My favorite part of being a wedding photographer full time is that I never do the same thing twice. Sure, I take ring photos at every wedding, I do couples portraits at every wedding, but no two weddings are the same. No two couples are the same. Everyone’s relationship is different and everyone’s wedding plans are completely unique to them. Megan and Kevin’s wedding day was exactly this – it was THEM! Small, intimate, and only their closest people were there with them as they said “I do.” I love small weddings like this one, it gives you the entire day to spend with the people you love the most, instead of being swarmed by 250 people trying to say hello to all of them before the day is done. Megan and Kevin and I were able to sneak away at sunset and recite their vows in private, and I think there’s nothing more romantic or more personal than that. Grateful to couples like this one for trusting me with their big day, for being so much fun and so easy to work with, and for being SO ADORABLY IN LOVE. I had the absolute best time. Now look at some highlights from their backyard wedding (that term means something different when this is what your backyard looks like) in Shallotte, NC.

    Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

  • Holden Beach Wedding Photographer | Ashley & Levi

    Ashley and Levi got married in Holden Beach, North Carolina, on her grandmother’s porch, on a shockingly warm and sunny day in November, surrounded by the ones that they love most. A very intimate wedding, followed by the most stunning sunset and a lot of climbing through tall grasses with cacti and sand spurs and risking our safety to capture some of the most STUNNNNNNNING sunset portraits. I literally bled for these photos and it was WORTH IT!!!! So grateful to have met Ashely last year and then move my office into her pottery studio and share a work space, which lead me to being there for her wedding day! Our community of small businesses and local artists is pretty incredible, and I’m always so happy if it brings me to someone like Ashley. She spends a majority of her time doing things for other people and she absolutely deserved a day all about her (even if she HATES THAT!!!!!) hahaha!

    Here are the highlights from their big day!

    Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

    Videographer: Neal Lewis, Atlas Film & Photo

    Dresses: David’s Bridal

  • Wilmington NC Wedding Photographer | BEST OF 2022

    2022 – WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN!? I thought 2021 was the craziest year of my life, that I couldn’t possibly get any busier. Well, I will be the first to admit that I WAS WRONG. 2022 was a wild one, and while I am tired and I am ready for a break, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you to every single one of my clients this year who worked with me in ANY capacity, thank you to the local businesses who work with me monthly and the relationships I’ve formed with all your wonderful staff members, thank you to the friends who shared my posts or simply hit the “like” button on Instagram, thank you to my vendor friends who have turned into my work family who I get SO excited to work with each weekend! I wouldn’t be here without you all. This year, my job took me to all kinds of destinations around the world, and I hope to continue that even more this year! In 2022, I beat all kinds of records, I had the most weddings I’ve ever had, and I even won an award from Cape Fear Living Magazine for “Best Wedding Photographer in Wilmington.” Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for trusting me with documenting such an important day in your lives, for laughing with me, for making me feel so at home with you and your people, for putting up with my dumb jokes while we shoot portraits, for dancing with me at the reception, and even for one bride who turned to me after her cake cutting with her new husband and then fed ME cake. You know who you are!!!!!

    Just sharing some of my own personal favorite moments from the weddings I worked in 2022 – and no I couldn’t get the number of favorite photos under 340 images so it’s fine. I love you all. In backwards order from the end of 2022 to the beginning because I got frustrated with WordPress and couldn’t figure out how to randomize the order – again, it’s fine.

  • The River Room Wedding Photographer | Katie & Brittany

    WHAT A DAY! Where do I even begin? Katie and Brittany had their wedding at the River Room in historic Downtown Wilmington, North Carolina this November. But fun fact, this was not their first wedding! These two work as fire fighters and know how dangerous their lives can really be, and they wanted to be MARRIED! So in February, I met them out at Wrightsville Beach with just their immediate family and friends and they officially tied the knot! And then they wanted to throw a party with everyone they loved, so they planned it for November! I absolutely LOVE how they did this, and it gave me more chances to really get to know Katie and Brittany before their wedding day and I just fell in love with their love! These two are so fun to be around, so charismatic, they compliment each other so well and they welcome you whole-heartedly into their lives. I could go on and on about my obsession with them, but I could also just SHOW you. Check out Katie & Brittany’s EPIC wedding day!

    Don’t miss these moments: Brittany arriving to the venue by riding in the back of a fire truck, just the BEST first look, being photobombed by a random dog on the street who knows how to sit up and pose for photos, absolutely stunning decor, the most fun dance party, an epic vendor team, AND a sparkler exit that ends in leaving on a fire truck. Like I said, WHAT A DAY!

    Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

    Assistant Photographer: Neal Lewis, Atlas Film & Photo

    Venue: The River Room

    Planner: Kinsey – Brittanie Raquel Events

    Florist: Serendipity Florals

    Videographer: The Axtells

    Cake: Pink Baking Co

    Dresses: Camille’s

    Hair Stylist: Tia Hatcher (Katie) Janelle Duncan (Brittany)

    DJ/Band: Atlantic Premier

    Musician: Will Maxwell

    Catering: k38 

    Officiant: Mike Williams

    Invitations: Zola

  • Warehouse on Water Wedding Photographer | Brianna & Brandon

    Two blog posts in a row coming at you from Warehouse on Water in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina! I photographed the wedding of this AWESOME COUPLE, Brianna and Brandon, in the beginning of November and I couldn’t have had a better experience with these two! So much from all the way from their engagement photos, to Bri’s bridal portraits, to the wedding day, I am so glad I met them. They kept me laughing and they were such a blast to work with, and talk about a DANCE PARTY! There were moments that had Brianna and Brandon being lifted into the air by their guests, an epic choreographed dance by Bri and her brother, and just so much more. Thank you thank you thank you for having me be a part of your incredible day, I’ll be reliving this one in my brain for QUITE awhile. How soon is too soon to just plan another one and do it all again? Asking for a friend……..

    Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

    2nd Photographer: AJ Johnson

    Venue: Warehouse on Water

    Planner: Gather Events – Olivia 

    Florist: Gather Events

    Videographer: Heartline Films

    Cake: Whole Foods Market

    Rentals: L&L Tent and Party Rentals

    Dress: Vow’d

    Hair Stylist: Jennifer Cavazza

    Makeup Artist: Meraki Beauty – Tess

    DJ: Atlantic Premier Entertainment

    Catering: Middle of the Island

    Invitations: Minted

    Ring: Diamonds Direct

    Officiant: Mr. Scott

  • Warehouse on Water Wedding Photographer | Tiffany & Robert

    I had so many weddings in October that I am STILL working on getting them all up on the blog! This was the last October wedding for me in 2022, and it was such a good one! First of all, I love working at Warehouse on Water. Not only is the staff there the best, but it’s just such a cool space! I love a warehouse vibe, the brick walls and tall ceilings and the location downtown is just perfect for photos. Tiffany and Robert had SUCH a stunning setup for their wedding day, too. I am already obsessed with pampas grass, but when you pair it with neon uplighting and beautiful tablescapes, it’s even MORE beautiful. Tiffany did such a great job planning her wedding, I went detail photo crazy! And talk about a fun dance party, too. I think what stood out to me the most, aside from having all the most incredible decor and details, was that it took place on Halloween weekend. That weekend is always an entertaining time in downtown Wilmington, and this one was no exception. We were photobombed by peanut butter and jelly, and we saw some pretty incredible people-watching moments while we were walking around Dock St and Water St for portraits. It definitely kept us laughing and I thought it was so fun! Thank you for having me, Tiffany and Robert! Now check out some highlights from their big day:

    Venue: Warehouse on Water

    Coordinator: Brandon Warren

    Dress: Carolina Bridal World 

    Hair & Makeup: Alice Lawson Salon

    DJ: DJ Sbz

    Catering: Middle of the island 

    Officiant: Sandy Powell

    Invitations: Zola

  • Ironclad Brewery Halloween Wedding Photographer | Sarah & Trey

    Okay, where do I even begin with this wedding? Sarah and Trey planned one of the most epic weddings at Ironclad Brewery (located in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina) that I have ever been to. These two are known for the halloween parties that they host each year, so when it came time to plan their wedding, they knew what they wanted to do! Not only did these two show up with the most incredible hair/makeup dressed as Frankenstein and his bride, but their guests showed UP with costumes, as well. And I don’t mean any half effort kind of costumes, I mean they were AMAZING. Every single decoration was perfect, there was so much Halloween detail in every corner. I absolutely loved it. We were bummed about having a rainy day which affected our outdoor photo time, but honestly, I think it went SO WELL with the theme of the wedding, that the photos are kind of perfect with rain, too. Thank you Sarah and Trey for letting me be a part of this incredible day, and for trusting me to document it, too!

    Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

    Venue: Ironclad Brewery

    Photo booth: Coastal Event Reflections

    Cake: Specialty Cakes by Morgan

    Rentals: From The Heart Rentals and L&L

    Bride’s Attire: Alex Perry

    Groom’s Attire: Hockerty

    Hair Stylist: Jessica Gaffney

    Makeup Artist: Jessica Gaffney (Sarah & Trey’s)

    Band: Massive Grass

    Ceremony Musician: Brent Trubia

    Catering: Diamond Catering

    Officiant: Rabbi Jim Stoloff

    Chuppah: made by Trey

    Dance lessons: Dancing Davis Studios

    Invitations: Paperless Post

    Ring: Sarah’s wedding band- Shelton Metal; Trey’s wedding band- Revolution Jewelry Designs 

  • Bakery 105 Wedding Photographer | Caseley & Brady

    I had such a blast at Caseley and Brady’s wedding at Bakery 105 in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. October was a wild month and this was one of three weddings I had that weekend, and they started my weekend off SO strong! I love every wedding at Bakery 105, the space itself is so stunning, so every little detail that each couple adds really makes it pop even more. I loved their decor and their choice of cheesecake over regular cake (Brady was very proud that he was in charge of that decision) and that the entire bridal party got to pick out their own Vans! Also, they had hand spun cotton candy at the reception with THREE different flavors. Talk about goals. Now check out some of the highlights from their wedding day!!

    Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

    Venue: Bakery 105

    Planner: Meg Henson

    Florist: Among the Wildflowers

    Cake: One Belle Bakery 

    Rentals: Party Suppliers & Rentals, Design Perfection

    Dress: Baltic Born 

    Hair Stylist: Dalisay Salon

    Makeup Artist: Dalisay Salon

    DJ: DJ Brian Hood

    Catering: Middle of the Island

    Officiant: Sherri Crawford 

    Invitations: The Knot

    Ring: Reeds Jewelers

  • The Isles Ocean Isle Beach Wedding Photographer | Erin & Stephen

    The Isles in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina was the absolute PERFECT setting for Erin and Stephen to get married. These two have been such a joy to work with. They (and their guests) made us feel right at home while we captured their wedding day, and we’ve been talking about how much fun we had ever since! During their engagement photos last year, we lucked out by having one of the most epic sunsets at the beach, which honestly, isn’t all that common that we get colors so vivid. And then the universe REALLY showed up for us on the wedding day, and gave us an EVEN MORE EPIC sunset, and I can’t explain how many people have asked me about those sunset photos. Did I photoshop that? Did that really happen? NO THAT REALLY HAPPENED!!!! We were actually screaming out loud as we were getting photos and videos during that moment! LOL

    One of my favorite parts of the day was when Erin’s son decided he wanted to give a toast after the maid of honor and the best man gave theirs. He came up with it right on the spot and it was the SWEETEST THING I’VE EVER HEARD. I work a lot of weddings, so I don’t often get very emotional at them anymore, but that one GOT ME. It’s hard to take photos when you can’t see!!! Such a sweet boy, such a sweet day. I’m so happy I got to be there. Now check out some highlights from their wedding day!!

    Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography
    Venue: The Isles Beach Club, Ocean Isle Beach, NC
    DJ: Broadway Jake Productions
    Videographer: Heartline Films
    Hair & Makeup: Hill & Klutch Studio
    Cake: Cakes by the Sea

  • 128 South Wedding Photographer | Natalie & Daniel

    Y’ALLLLLLLL – Natalie and Daniel are just, simply put, dream clients. They planned their wedding day to take place at 128 South in Downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. I always love the downtown venues but they’re even better when they’re filled with groups of people like this. I had such a blast with these two!!! First of all, check out Natalie’s DRESS. Second of all, check out that dance party at the end of the night. I always try to convince my couples to utilize string lights at their receptions to make their photos really pop – and boy, did they listen. Congratulations Natalie and Daniel!!!!! I’m so lucky I got to be there to celebrate with you! Now check out the highlights from their big day:

    Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography
    Venue: 128 South 
    Coordinator: Davis from 128 South 
    Florist: Fiore Fine Flowers
    Videographer: Stout Owl Media
    Cake: Gluten Free by the Sea and Publix 
    Rentals: L &L Rentals 
    Dress: Coastal  Knot 
    Hair Stylist: Nina from Alice Lawson Salon 
    Makeup Artist: Carter from Alice Lawson Salon 
    DJ: Atlantic DJ 
    Catering: 128 South 
    Officiant: Nick Arbia 
    Invitations: The Knot 
    Ring: Stroup’s Jewelers