boho

Alexis and Ryan had their dream wedding all planned and set to be a destination wedding to Jamaica, but of course, COVID-19 had other plans for the world. So they rolled with the punches and they decided so have an intimate wedding ceremony in Wilmington, NC instead. They decided to keep their original wedding date and just elope down on a dock at Riverlights. They don’t have any family in town so they pulled up Zoom on a laptop and brought it outside with them so they could have their family watching. And they had the best and most relaxing (and beautiful!) wedding out on the Cape Fear River. It was beautiful, it was lighthearted, it was completely perfect. I admire their strength in being able to change their wedding plans last minute and while it wasn’t the wedding they had originally planned for, these two were beaming from ear to ear all day. I’m so happy that they let love win instead of a virus. At least now during quarantine, they get to call each other husband and wife!!

Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography
Venue: Riverlights

I originally wrote this blog post about my favorite outdoor wedding venues back in 2020 when we were in the middle of shut down and we needed to change the way that weddings looked at the time – focusing on all outdoor spaces and events of 25 people or less. I’m happy to say, updating this post in 2025, weddings are back to normal, they are now more elevated than every, and outdoor venues are still one of the big appeals of getting married in Wilmington, North Carolina. I’m going to skip the obvious: the beach! Because, well, duh. We live in a coastal town, so the beach is a very popular choice. But here’s my unpopular opinion: it’s not fun May-September. It’s so hot in Wilmington, the sun is so bright, the beach is PACKED full of people (unless you get access to a private island!), and the wind will attack you the entire time and make your photos super challenging (and not just because of the direct light you can’t avoid). I recommend beach weddings sticking to off season so that you’re not totally surrounded by a beach of strangers in all your wedding photos.

SO ANYWAY. Here’s a list of my top favorite outdoor wedding venues in Wilmington, North Carolina (in no particular order):

1. The Atrium by Ligon Flynn – This venue is completely outdoors, with an open ceiling above the ceremony space. While it’s a challenge for a rainy day, they can still accommodate and make it work under the covered space, if need be. This one is one of my favorites because of the open ceiling, the old brick walls, and the incredible amount of greenery surrounding you. It’s got such a secret garden vibe going on, and I’m here for it. They have a bridal suite upstairs to get ready in, they are walking distance to endless gorgeous locations in historic downtown for your portraits, and they do have an interior space that could also be decorated if you want to use it, too! My favorite way I’ve seen that space transform is a couple using giant blown-up portraits from their engagement session to create an interior gallery wall. It was gorgeous!

2. Bakery 105 – while they have both indoor & outdoor spaces, their outdoor patio is my favorite. Twinkle lights, brick walls, open space, greenery climbing up the walls… do I even need to say more? In nice weather, choosing a patio ceremony is the way to go. I’ve done weddings here mid-summer that rent a tent that covers the patio to protect from sun, and while I get WHY, this spot looks SO MUCH BETTER totally open. Or over winter – I’ve seen a clear tent set up with string lights. Now THAT was a dream. Most couples do an indoor reception here, so it’s also nice to have the interior to use as a rain backup plan. Another perk of this venue: incredibly walkable to the riverwalk for sunset portraits. And they do in-house catering, and as someone who eats A LOT of wedding food, it’s one of the best.

3. Wrightsville Manor – this venue is near Wrightsville Beach, and while yes, it does have a main interior space, I prefer alllllllll the outdoor areas here! The lawn where they host ceremonies in front of the giant oak tree with Spanish moss dangling down, is literally unmatched. It’s BEAUTIFUL for outdoor portraits – I highly recommend a first look at this venue so we can use the whole outdoor space without it being full of guests! I’ve also done weddings at this venue where they do the whole reception outdoors, and I LOVED that, too. Of course the inside is gorgeous, too, but if you’re looking for outdoor tropical greenery and an all-in-one-location venue, this is it. A bridal suite inside, the perfect outside cocktail hour, and a place to dance the night away!

4. Airlie Gardens – if you’re a sucker for some souther charm, then Airlie Gardens is for you. They are incredibly exclusive in allowing photographers to shoot here, and require a fee at all times, which means you won’t be overcrowded with other people doing photo shoots all around you. Even mid-summer at Airlie, you can use the shade from all the giant trees to help shade you from the heat. This venue is absolutely gorgeous year-round, and perfect for events of any size. You can elope here, you can host just your ceremony, or you could even just do bridal portraits or engagement portraits here. It’s a DREAM. Probably my favorite place in Wilmington to photograph.

5. 128 South – located on Front Street in downtown Wilmington, they do have a great indoor area that most people end up doing their seated dinners inside of, but typically, that’s the only time you spend inside at this venue. It’s got a large covered back patio for ceremonies and receptions! It looks over the river, so it’s once again, walking distance to everything in downtown Wilmington. They have in house catering that is 10/10, they have great, helpful staff, and the patio can be transformed into whatever vision you have in your head!