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Weddings
Wrightsville Manor Wedding Photographer | Chelsey & Emily
- July 3, 2023
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- by Allison
Wrightsville Manor is a STUNNING place for a wedding in Wilmington (and a wedding photographers dream, let’s be real). The lush greenery and giant oak tree out back that you can host your ceremony, and honestly I just love being all on one property for the whole day. With a gorgeous bridal suite to get ready in, and plenty of parking, Wrightsville Manor is a crowd favorite. No wonder Chelsey and Emily chose it for their wedding in June! Not only is June a popular month for weddings, but it’s also PRIDE MONTH!!! So I was extra happy to be able to document this sweet couple’s wedding day!! Chelsey and Emily were seriously such a blast to be around, I arrived as a vendor and I left as a friend. I laughed a majority of the day. I smiled way too much that my face hurt by the time I left. Not only were Chelsey and Emily a breeze to work with, but their friends and family were so kind to me as well. Thank you for such a great experience, y’all. My favorite memory from the day: when their family surprised them by dressing up like Mama Mia and coming out and performing a choreographed song in full costume during the ceremony. Honestly, I’m not sure that can be topped. Now scroll through some of the highlights from their wedding day!

Photography: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

Venue: Wrightsville Manor

Planner: Katie Lange – Bubbly Events

Florist: Forever Floral & Design

Cake: One Belle Bakery

Rentals: Party Suppliers and Rentals

DJ/Band: Active DJ

HMUA: Beauty Crew Mobile

Catering: A Thyme Savor

Officiant: Sherri Crawford

Invitations: Truly Engaging

Ring: Brilliant Earth
Weddings
Brooklyn Arts Center Wedding Photographer | Karey & Magnus
- June 26, 2023
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- by Allison
I’ve been photographing weddings at the Brooklyn Arts Center for about 7 years now, and it remains to this day, one of my favorite places to work. Not only is the venue itself stunning, and big enough to fit your whole guest list, but they also have the perfect getting ready space right on the property, as well as the new addition of Ms Cat’s Cottage – a SECOND getting ready space right behind the BAC, you literally have everything you need all in one location, which is difficult to come by with most venues. My favorite spot at BAC is the outdoor courtyard. I use it all the time for portraits, first looks, bridal party photos, family photos, etc. I also love that this venue has a large stage which is perfect for having a live band perform, and plenty of dance floor space to party all night long.

Karey and Magnus planned the most GORGEOUS summer wedding. Blues and whites everywhere, beautiful hydrangeas, hanging lanterns, a macaron tower, everywhere you looked was another stunning detail. I had a blast photographing every little thing, the details are my favorite part. It’s what makes every wedding unique. No two are the same.

The most special part of being at this wedding day for me was that I’ve already met a lot of the family on Karey’s side, because I photographed her brother’s wedding in 2021! I felt so lucky to get to see this amazing family again, and get to document another epic day of their lives. The band kept the party going all night long, the bourbon bar opened upstairs and provided some speakeasy vibes, they had a cardboard cutout of their dog floating around, and the best part? Karey and Magnus could NOT stop smiling. The love they have for each other was felt by EVERYONE in a 5 mile radius, I swear. Grateful for clients like these ones. Now go enjoy some highlights from their big day!!!

Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

Venue: Brooklyn Arts Center

Planning & Design: Kickstand Events

Florist: Blossom Bay Designs

HMUA: Meraki Beauty

Desserts: Far from France

Photo Booth: Redd’s Photo & Video

Rentals: Party Suppliers, Martha My Dear, Great Day Soiree

Catering: Pine Valley Market

Transportation: Azalea Limo

Band: 10 Spot Band

Ceremony Music: Megan Delano

Lighting: High Performance Lighting
Weddings
The Atrium by Ligon Flynn Wedding Photographer | Marcy & Juan
- June 19, 2023
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- by Allison
An absolutely perfect day at the Atrium in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. Marcy and Juan are an incredible couple. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a groom who shed so many happy tears in one day, and it was the sweetest thing ever. The Atrium is always one of my very favorite venues to photograph, and this day was no exception. With perfect blue skies and the happiest family and friends you could ever ask for, this was a day to remember. The greenery and open-air layout of the Atrium paired perfectly with their soft color palate, with varying blues and purples of the wedding party. One of my favorite moments of the day was when Juan’s family surprised him with a video of all his family/friends in Europe who couldn’t be here for the big day. To say that they were shocked is an understatement! And we finished up the day by walking down to the River Walk with Marcy & Juan and snapping some sunset photos, these are easily some of my favorite moments of the day, and that sunset genuinely showed up for us. I’m so glad I met these two and had the pleasure of documenting their beautiful wedding day, and alllllllllll the love. SO MUCH LOVE. Congratulations, Marcy and Juan!!!!

Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

Venue: The Atrium by Ligon Flynn

Planner: Laura Horton

Florist: Mother of Wild

Cake: Pink Baking Co.

Rentals: L&L Tent and Party Rentals

Draping: High Performance Lighting & Power

Dress: Beautiful Brides of Wilmington

Hair & Makeup: Beauty Crew Mobile

DJ: Acclaim DJ

Catering: A Thyme Savor

Officiant: Emile Harley
Weddings
Bakery 105 Wedding Photographer | Taylor & Greg
- June 12, 2023
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- by Allison
Let me just start by saying WOW. First of all, I already love working at Bakery 105 in Downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. Its outdoor patio covered in brick and ivy is a photo dream, and the interior is honestly just as pretty, too. It’s one of my favorite venues, but also, fill it up with a bunch of ridiculously wonderful and fun humans, and it’s EVEN BETTER. I’ve had the pleasure of becoming friends with Taylor and Greg over the last few years, especially when we all got to head to Vegas together last year for our mutual friends wedding (Joe & Dianna in VEGAS! Ya better go look at that one, too). So I was EXTRA thrilled when they asked me to photograph their wedding! These two know how to throw an epic party, and pack a dance floor with a whole lot of non-traditional wedding songs (literal music to my ears). But the absolute best part? Taylor and Greg were just SO HAPPY to marry each other. They both audibly breathed sighs of relief upon doing the first look, and that right there is why I suggest a first look, always. Spending more time with your partner on your wedding day will make you feel instantly more calm and grounded, and excited to promise forever to each other. Anyway, I’ll stop blabbing, but please enjoy these highlights from Taylor & Greg’s wedding day!

Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

Venue: Bakery 105

Planner: Do Me A Favor Events

Florist: Do Me A Favor Events

Cake: Lindsay Jennings

Rentals: Martha My Dear Rentals, White Birch Rentals

Dress: Camille’s

Hair & Makeup: Beauty Crew Mobile

DJ: Bobby Zee

Catering: 128 South

Lighting: High Performance
Weddings
Warehouse on Water Wedding Photographer | Sara & Morrell
- June 5, 2023
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- by Allison
Where do I even begin to describe the epic-ness that was Sara & Morrell’s wedding day? I had the pleasure of photographing this special day at the gorgeous Warehouse on Water, in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. I love this venue for its big brick walls and old warehouse vibes, along with the proximity to the Riverwalk (one of the best sunset views in town!) and all kinds of beautiful areas for photos! But what makes this venue even better? When it’s filled with friends and family surrounding a couple who just absolutely could not wait to marry each other. Now, when I say the excitement could be felt from multiple blocks over, I am serious. When I started walking to the venue with the girls from their getting ready space, I could feel the energy from these ladies, walking together, blasting music, singing about how Sara was on her way to get MARRIED! And then, I kid you not, every single bridal party member (and the GROOM!) even DANCED down the aisle for the ceremony. I’ve been photographing weddings since 2010, and honestly, this was a first. I was nearly crying from laughing so hard, watching this group have the MOST fun, supporting their best friends. The day was perfect, the weather was perfect, Sara and Morrell were perfect. Beautiful decor, an even more beautiful couple, and an AMAZING dance party to end the night. Another one of my favorite moments was their private last dance, you can just tell how excited they were that they had finally DONE IT! They’re MARRIED!!!! After their last dance, we headed outside for a bubble exit – but not just any bubble exit. They rented a bubble machine (shout out Atlantic Premier Entertainment) where the bubbles were filled with smoke inside, so when they popped, it created this fog effect, and I think these are some of the most magical exit photos EVER!!!! Congrats to these two absolutely wonderful and deserving people, I’m so excited to see the rest of your story unfold together <3

Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

Venue: Warehouse on Water

Planner: Elise Does Events

Florist: Elise Does Events

Videographer: Atlas Film & Photo

Cake: Publix

Rentals: L&L Tent and Party Rentals

Dress: Casablanca

Hair & Makeup: Beauty Crew Mobile

DJ: Atlantic Premier

Catering: Middle of the Island

Ring: Reeds

Transportation: Azalea Limo
Weddings
Carolina Beach Wedding Photographer | Rachel & Bailey
- May 29, 2023
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- by Allison
Where do I even begin in describing this epic wedding day? Rachel and Bailey planned a gorgeous outdoor beach ceremony at Carolina Beach, and Wilmington weather had other plans for them. With a wildly rainy May, it tried to quite literally rain on their parade, but Rachel was DETERMINED to have her outdoor beach wedding. And I’m so glad her determination paid off because we had a (mostly) dry ceremony, and even though we got caught in some PRETTY HEAVY rain showers and there was a mad dash back to the hotel, we still managed to get some outdoor time and get some gorgeous photos and most importantly – have the BEST DAY EVER.

Rachel and Bailey have one of those intense kinds of loves where you can walk into a room and just feel it. I couldn’t stop watching them all day, and smiling the whole time. They had a brunch reception – which I just think MORE people should do, brunch food at a wedding AND mimosas AND Bloody Mary bars? Also unlimited coffee? Why isn’t this more common!? Then once the reception was over they had a beach ball exit instead of sparklers, which is now my new favorite thing, and then my absolute favorite part of the whole day happened – we walked down the Carolina Beach boardwalk (to many shouts of congratulations from the locals) and stopped at Britt’s Donuts, and then walked over to the Fat Pelican for some drinks. I love stepping outside of a “typical” wedding day and doing fun things like this, it makes it so much more unique, so much more memorable, and so FUN! We may have gotten caught in yet another rain storm, but nobody cared. What a day, what a couple. I’m so glad I got to be a part of their wedding day, it was totally worth getting soaked for!

Ceremony Venue: Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Reception Venue: Courtyard by Marriott Oceanfront Carolina Beach

Planner: Juju Lee Events

Florist: Radiant Bliss Designs

Videographer: Atlas Film & Photo

Cake: Apple Annie’s Bake Shop

Rentals: L & L Tent and Party Rentals

Dress: New York Bride & Groom

Men’s Suits: Men’s Warehouse

Hair & Makeup: Bridal Styles Beauty

DJ: FMG Events

Catering: Courtyard by Marriott Oceanfront Carolina Beach

Officiant: Charlie Deer

Rings: Manly Bands & New World Diamonds
Weddings
Slate & Cypress Wedding Photographer | Kyley & Corey
- May 22, 2023
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- by Allison
Kyley & Corey chose the beautiful venue, Slate & Cypress, out in Calabash, NC for their wedding day. I had the pleasure of documenting their big day, and let me tell you, this was absolutely one of the most fun days EVER. They had a bunch of fun ideas up their sleeves, and I just absolutely love when my couples are down to have a GREAT TIME, and these two did not let me down. From morning mimosas with the girls, to a staged “first look” with the groomsmen that was ACTUALLY Kyley just “icing” them (if you don’t know what that is, look it up, it’s incredible), to dancing all night long, these two had CONSTANT smiles on their faces and the love in the room was SO loud. It’s hard for me to even pick a favorite part of the day because it was honestly full of surprises and it was so much fun from the beginning of the day all the way until the exit. Thanks for including me in your special day, and trusting me to photograph it, and thank you even more for making me feel like I was just one of the guests. Obsessed with Kyley & Corey and obsessed with this day. Now check out the highlights!!!!

Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

Venue: Slate & Cypress

Planner: Hannah Strickland Events

Florist: Eco Chic Blossoms

Rentals: L&L Tent and Party Rentals

Dress: Savy Bride (Charlotte)

Hair & Makeup: I Do Style

DJ: Active DJ Entertainment

Catering: A Thyme Savor

Transportation: Carolina Limo and Coach

Invitations: Zola

Live painting: Barbie Coble
Weddings
Kure Beach Wedding Photographer | Holly & RJ
- May 15, 2023
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- by Allison
Holly & RJ got married last weekend on a beautiful May morning, facing the Atlantic Ocean at the pavilion at Kure Beach. Living in coastal North Carolina is pretty incredible, especially when you get to wake up at the beach, get ready for your wedding, and say “I do” to the sound of the crashing waves. I love an intimate wedding, and the relaxation that comes with those kinds of days. Congratulations to Holly & RJ!!!

Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography
Venue: Kure Beach Oceanfront Park & Pavilion
Florist: Skyland Florist in Spring Lake NC
Cake: Publix at Carolina Beach
Dress: Simpson’s Bridal in Monroe NC
DJ/Band: Generations DJ
Catering: Smithfield’s Chicken and BBQ
Weddings
Porter’s Neck Wedding Photographer | Kathy & Mandy
- May 8, 2023
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- by Allison
Kathy & Mandy have been together for TWENTY YEARS now. They decided it was finally time to celebrate their love and invite their closest friends and family to join them all together in one place. They have over 20 people come over from Europe, which is a record in my opinion! I met these two for their “engagement” photos (they’ve already been married for awhile!) to get to know them before the big day, and we did their photos in their beautiful home along the water in Porter’s Neck, facing Figure 8 Island. They let me befriend their dogs and share a glass of wine and we exchanged travel stories and I knew that I was going to just LOVE their wedding, and boy was I right. They hired a team of TOP TIER vendors, so I already knew going into the day that it was going to be stunning, but even I underestimated just how stunning it really was. A hanging spring floral chandelier, twinkle lights covering the entire ceiling of the tent, a live band to play music to keep the guests dancing ALL NIGHT (and I mean literally all night). The food was hands down my favorite meal I’ve ever had at a wedding, and the vibes were the best part of all. The guests kept me laughing and enjoying myself all night, and the love for these two humans was felt for miles. They had their day planned out perfectly, and I loved the layout of their day, as it was very non-traditional. They started with a cocktail hour while all the guests arrived and they got to mingle and greet everyone together, followed by a ceremony of just their vows, followed by dinner, and drinks and dancing! I’m so grateful to get to be involved in days like this one, and I wish Kathy & Mandy many many many many more years of happiness together!

Planner: Knot Too Shabby @knottooshabbyevents
Ice Cream: Nye’s Ice Cream @nyescream
Catering: Spoonfed Kitchen @spoonfedkitchen
Florist: Designs by Dillon @designsbydillonnc
MUA: Amy K @amykmua
Band: The Finns @thefinnslive
Tent & Floor: Perfect Touch Rental @perfecttouchrental
Rentals: Party Suppliers @partysuppliersandrentals
Transportation: Coastal Event Shuttle @coastaleventshuttleilm
Specialty Rentals: Martha My Dear Rentals & Design Perfection @marthamydearrentals @dpetc
Lighting: High Performance @highperformancelightingnc
Plants: Coastal Plant Rentals @coastalplantrentals
Stationary: Minted @minted
Calligraphy: Southern Bee Brooke @southernbeebrooke
Weddings
Neuse Breeze Wedding Photographer | Lesley & Brian
- April 17, 2023
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- by Allison
This was my very first time photographing a wedding at Neuse Breeze in Havelock, North Carolina. What a great space, I can completely understand why people choose this venue! The perfect outdoor areas, a ceremony space right on the water, an outdoor dance floor, a house for getting ready, and a great floor-to-ceiling window reception space. However, for Lesley and Brian, things didn’t go EXACTLY as they planned. When we saw a 100% chance of storms ALL DAY, we had to make some backup plans. The wonderful staff at Neuse Breeze worked really hard to transform their reception area into a ceremony space, too, and let me tell you, it made me forget the weather outside. I know that it wasn’t their original plan, but the floral display and the table setups and everything was just STUNNING. Yes, we were stuck inside all day, but you know what? WHO CARES. What a fun and energetic bridal party, they kept the dance party happening ALL NIGHT, and I could not stop smiling. Lesley has this energy about her that literally lights up an entire room, and her attitude about the day is really what changed everyone’s mood about the storms. She was positive, happy, and she realized the one most important thing: she still got to marry the love of her life that day. Thank you both for such an incredible experience, and for going with the flow, and for throwing one HELL OF A PARTY!

Photography: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

Venue & Florals: Neuse Breeze

Hair & Makeup: Dalisay Salon

Bar: Sassy Spirits

Cake & Desserts: Famous Baking Company

Catering: The Flame Catering

DJ : Paul D’Elia, Generations DJs