downtown wilmington

  • Ironclad Brewery Wedding Photographer | Jessica & Chris

    Ironclad Brewery is the perfect setting in downtown Wilmington for a wedding – and Jessica and Chris planned the PERFECT day. I loved the beautiful greenery they incorporated into their table decor, it really lit up the big warehouse space of Ironclad and paired so well with this old historic building. I was so excited to be part of their wedding day after I initially met Jess & Chris downtown for their engagement photos. I think my absolute favorite part of their day was honestly the dance party at the reception. I always have a blast when I work with Active DJ but this felt like an even BETTER experience, I don’t know why, it was just so much fun, the guests were on their feet dancing all night long, and I couldn’t help but sing along to every single song. Hiring the right DJ really brings your reception together, in the best way! Thankful that I met this wonderful couple and that I got to be there for their big day! Here are some highlights for everyone to enjoy!

    Venue: Ironclad Brewery

    Planner/Coordinator: Elise Does Events 

    Florist: Elise Does Events 

    Cake: Publix

    Rentals: Event Excellence Lighting & Sound

    Dress: Lana Addison Bridal

    Hair Stylist: Candid Beauty

    Makeup Artist: Candid Beauty

    DJ/Band: Active DJ

    Catering: Middle of the Island 

    Officiant: Rachel Hill (friend)

    Transportation: Azalea Limousine

    Invitations: Minted

    Ring: Perry’s Emporium

  • Bakery 105 Wedding Photographer | Sarah & David

    Sarah and David had their wedding at one of my favorite places in downtown Wilmington, Bakery 105! This stunning brick-walled venue is located right on Front St, just a block over from the historic River Walk. My favorite part about this place is their beautiful patio just covered in greenery – the perfect spot for a ceremony and cocktail hour, followed by drinks, dinner, and dancing inside! I didn’t get to meet Sarah and David until their actual wedding day, and I can’t believe how much fun I had with these two. I felt like Sarah and I had been best friends for years – they made me feel so welcome and like I was just one of their guests! The most fun day, the most fun dance party, the most fun humans. Now check out some highlights of their big day!!

    Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography
    Venue: Bakery 105
    Florist: Beauty & Bloom
    Hair & Makeup: Beauty Crew Mobile (Tayler & Kristin)
    Planner: Katie from 128 South Events
    Catering: 128 South
    DJ: Active DJ
    Lighting: Event Excellence Lighting & Sound

  • Airlie Gardens Wedding Photographer | Emily & Michael

    What an absolute DREAM of a day. Emily and Michael had their wedding at the STUNNING Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina. They hired the most incredibly talented team of vendors, and their combined efforts really brought their wedding vision to life. Every single detail was gorgeous, from her dress to the seating chart to the themed drinks named after their dogs!

    Now, I work a lot of weddings. I mean, a lot. I work with a lot of couples. And some of those couples just really leave a lasting impression on me. Emily and Michael are one of those couples. Their love was so LOUD. Like, you could FEEL it being around them. And their family and friends just absolutely surrounded them with it, too. I couldn’t wipe the big goofy smile off my face all day! I’m so grateful for my job for bringing me to people like these two. Okay, I can be sappy and mushy all day long, but let’s get to the important part. THE PHOTOS! Check out the highlights from their big day!

    Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography
    Second Photographer: Neal Lewis, Atlas Film & Photo
    Planner: Honeysuckle Events
    Venue: Airlie Gardens
    Rentals: Party Suppliers & Rentals, White Birch Rentals
    Floral: Designs by Dillon
    Videography: Heartline Films
    Catering: A Thyme Savor
    Ceremony Musicians: Dockside Strings
    Band: Bantum Rooster
    Lighting: High Performance Lighting
    Cake: Imaginary Cakes 
    Dress: Camille’s of Wilmington
    HMUA: Beauty Crew Mobile
    Officiant: David Holt
    Restroom Trailer: Azalea Limousine
    Transportation: Azalea Limousine 
    Invitations: Zola
    Calligrapher: Southern Bee by Brooke
    Ring: Lumina Gem

  • Holden Beach Elopement Photographer | Courtney & Jeff

    I had SUCH a great time with Courtney, Jeff, and their families as they said their vows in a small, intimate wedding ceremony in Holden Beach, North Carolina. We had the most GORGEOUS evening, and I genuinely appreciated how excited Courtney was when I suggested having the ceremony shortly before sunset, for the most dreamy photos possible. It was perfect. They ate cake, toasted champagne, played on the beach with their kids, and finished the night off with some sparklers on the water! I love being a photographer and getting excuses like this to hang on the beach with a really fun family and catch these moments on camera to remember forever. Thank you both so much for having me!!!

  • The River Room Wedding Photographer | Amanda & Chris

    Amanda and Chris planned an AMAZING wedding. Though they were one of the unfortunate couples who had to postpone their wedding due to Covid, I think I can speak for everyone when I say that it was WORTH THE WAIT! They got married at the outdoor patio on the riverwalk at The River Room in Downtown Wilmington, NC. The patio sits right on the water and has the BEST views. I absolutely love working at this venue because of the historic brick walls, and the ability to transform the inside into whatever you want. The vendor team that Amanda & Chris chose did a wonderful job helping their travel-themed wedding come to life. As someone who is also obsessed with travel, I really loved what they did with their guestbook! They were postcards that they asked people to sign! How fun! Check out this awesome wedding with this awesome couple!!

    Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

    Venue: The River Room

    Planner/Coordinator: Brittanie Raquel Events

    Rentals: L&L Tent and Party Rentals

    Dress: Dora Grace – Fort Collins, CO

    Hair Stylist: Jasmine Kay Hair Co.

    Makeup Artist: Meraki Beauty

    DJ: Coastal DJ & Video

    Catering & Desserts: Sweet N Savory

    Bartender: Brewmasters Mobile

  • Kitty Hawk Pier House OBX Wedding Photographer | Morgan & David

    How do I begin to describe how amazing this wedding day was in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina? It was my first time visiting the Outer Banks, and it did not disappoint. I met Morgan and David back in 2020 when David did an AMAZING JOB of finding me on the internet and hiring me to hide in the trees for his proposal to Morgan. Not only did he have the most epic proposal I have EVER SEEN (including a full musical number), but I bonded with these two immediately. When it came time to start planning their special day, Morgan told me she knew I needed to be a part of it, and I agreed!!! A long two year wait later, the day finally came!!! And it was absolutely worth the wait. Kitty Hawk Pier House was located directly on the ocean, with the most STUNNING views of the water and the sunset. I couldn’t have asked for a better day, better weather, or a better couple. So grateful for meeting these two by chance, so lucky to get to work with them a second time, and they picked a group of amazing vendors, too! Now check out these highlights from their big day!

    Venue: @kittyhawkpierweddings
    Coordinator: @jordan_toole
    Officiant: @idoobxweddingsandevents
    Bakery: Icing on the Cakes
    Videographer: @sixteen9films
    DJ: @coastaldjvideo
    Photobooth: @coastaldjvideo
    HMUA: @caitystarkmakeup@_beautybyblair
    Florist: @hanky_panky_blooms

  • 128 South Wedding Photographer | Melanie & Adam

    What a GORGEOUS DAY for a wedding at 128 South in Downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. Melanie and Adam had an intimate ceremony on the deck facing the lovely Cape Fear River, with just 5 people in attendance. Followed by a small reception with their favorite people. I was able to walk around downtown for a little while after the ceremony with them and stop for a glass of wine, and some lovely photos, of course. The reception was so much fun because 1) the food was incredible 2) the DJ was SO MUCH FUN because he doesn’t normally do weddings and it was such a fun dancing vibe, and 3) because they had tarot card readings available all night for their guests! I LOVED it. Getting to be a part of weddings like this one are why I love my job. I love how unique every wedding is and how personal each one is to each couple. Check out the highlights of Melanie and Adam’s big day!!

    Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

    Venue: 128 South

    Planner: Chris Bazemore Events

    Florist: Mother of Wild

    Cake: One Belle Bakery

    Rentals: Party Suppliers & Martha My Dear

    Dress: Anthropologie – BHLDN

    HMUA: Marybeth Dermody, nSalo

    DJ: DJ Dub

    Catering: 128 South

    Officiant: Angela Kelley

    Invitations: Etsy

    Tarot Card Reader: Lorri Gifford

    Lighting: High Performance

  • Sharp Farms Wedding Photography | Remi & Daniel

    I think my favorite thing about working weddings is being able to go to work each weekend and never photographing the same thing twice. I remember when I was in college I was studying film photography and in classes, we’d always have to pick a theme to focus on and do our current project on at the moment. As I got more into my senior level studio classes in photo, I told my professor, “I want to photograph everything. I don’t want to pick one subject, I want to do it all.” His reaction to that, as my most respected teacher I’ve ever had, was something I’ll never forget. He laughed at me and said, okay, Allison, let’s see you do it all! And I did. I ended up winning an award in my juried senior art show with all my fellow classmates, as I hung up over 100 images in one giant collage – while everyone else picked their favorite 5 or 6 to frame. I think that mindset has really stuck with me in my wedding career. I don’t like to do the same thing twice. I like change and different views and different angles and working with different people. Remi and Daniel’s wedding was no exception! One weekend, I’m at the beach, the next weekend, I’m buried in the middle of the country at a completely hand-built reception venue on the family’s property. I’m not kidding when I say that these two and their families built the reception all by themselves! You never really know what to expect when someone tells you they’re planning a backyard wedding on their property, but this did not disappoint! I will always remember this wedding because of how much hard work and heart went into it, and honestly, how much fun their dance floor was. Shout out to the DJs for that one, and the awesome group of people at this wedding! I couldn’t stop myself from joining in half the night! Thanks to Remi and Daniel for the amazing day, I’m so glad I got to be there!

    Ceremony: Nobles Chapel Baptist Church

    Reception: Sharp Farms

    Videography: Heartline Films

    Flowers: Kyle and Dana McQueen

    Video: Heartline Films

    Cake: Cakes by Andrea

    Hair: Pattie Blanton

    Makeup: Merle Norman

    DJ: Impultz Entertainment

    Catering: Fat Fella’s 

    Officiant: Chase & Brittany Caldwell

    Ring: Vaughn Jewelers 

  • The Bradford Wedding Photographer | Hollis & Andrew

    Hollis and Andrew found me online after initially hiring a different photographer, and having a wild mishap with them, which in the end I’m grateful for (except for all the craziness they had to go through) because it brought them to me!! After chatting with Hollis on the phone and adding each other on instagram and realizing just how much we had in common, I knew I was going to have a great time at their wedding. They had endless amounts of pampas grass, velvet decor, beautiful jewel tones, and of course, my favorite, their adorable sassy potato dog, Nyx. Hollis and Andrew got married in January *which means I played “January Wedding” by the Avett Brothers on repeat while editing* at the GORGEOUS venue just outside of Raleigh, North Carolina, called The Bradford. It was my first time at this venue, and let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint. Every single corner of this place was perfect, from the bridal suites to the beautiful southern charm of the entire property, to the sunset view in the back surrounded in tall trees and woods, I was over the moon with photo opportunities. Of course, we HAD to do a first look with their dog, and it turned out to be one of my favorite moments of the day and I totally ruined the audio for the videographers because I couldn’t help but squeal. DOG LOVE IS REAL LOVE, OKAY. Hahahaha – but seriously. I’m so lucky to work with people as amazing as this, who even after having a terrible original photography situation, they still trusted me endlessly. Thank you for being so much fun to work with, for planning one of the most beautiful weddings for me to capture, and for choosing all the best vendors to work with to make the day go so smoothly! Now check out all the highlights from their big day!

    Venue: The Bradford 

    Planner: The Gathering Co. 

    Caterer + Bar: Rocky Top Catering 

    Videography: Miles Film Co. 

    Rentals: CE Rentals 

    Specialty Rentals: Greenhouse Picker Sisters

    Florals: Mood Fleuriste 

    DJ: Island Sounds 

    Transportation: EcoStyle 

    Officiant: Kevin Holland 

    Makeup: Chelsea Regan Makeup

    Cake: Bestow

  • Malachi Meadows Wedding Photographer | Andrea & Eric

    I am so grateful that I was able to start off the new year with this GORGEOUS wedding at Malachi Meadows in Currie, North Carolina. It was my first time at this venue and let me tell you – it’s easily one of my new favorite spots! I swear it was built with stunning photography in mind. It was open and bright and filled with light and it was crisp and clean and I LOVE the grand staircase, I can’t stop picturing Andrea ascending them as she prepared to walk down the aisle! It was EPIC. Andrea and Eric planned a beautiful wedding, with perfectly designed tables and black accents and so many candles, it was stunning. Andrea was one of those brides that you start out liking each other but then by the end of the day you’re like, actually can we please be best friends? But really, I felt so welcome and so appreciated and I am endlessly thrilled to be able to work with such amazing humans and call it my full time job. Okay I’ll stop gushing now – go check out the highlights from their big day!

    Venue: Malachi Meadows

    Coordinator: Amy McGraw – Do Me a Favor

    Florist: Among the Wildflowers

    Cake: One Belle Bakery

    Rentals: Party Suppliers & Martha My Dear Rentals

    Dress: The Coastal knot

    Officiant: Donna Brown – Always Faithful Wedding Service

    Cocktail Hour: Collective Law

    Hair Stylist: The Babe Cave

    Makeup Artist: Beauty Crew Mobile

    DJ/Band: Jonathan Grady