ILM

This was my first time at the venue Highgrove Estate in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina and just… wow. We ended up having the stormiest, most aggressively rainy day ever, and I was so happy we were at this venue that Billy-Gray and Oakley had chosen for their wedding day. The main house is just a big gorgeous southern home, with pretty fireplaces and charming decor, with multiple rooms to use with big windows and pretty chandeliers. These two were just so happy to be getting married to each other they didn’t make a single comment or complaint about the weather, and to me that says everything. We had such a good day with dinner, dancing, friends, and family. And I couldn’t write this blog post without commenting on how CREATIVE and AMAZING Billy-Gray is. She quite literally made her own wedding dress. She made a lot of the decor and details herself. I love artists because I KNOW they will put together something beautiful, and Billy-Gray did absolutely that. Grateful for clients like these two, and I’m so lucky I got to be there for their big day! Congratulations you guys!!

Photographer: Allison Eding

Venue: Highgrove estate 

Planner: Allie Teo

Cake: Heather Sutton

Rentals: CE Rentals

DJ: Raleigh Wedding DJ and Video

Officiant: Liz Johnson

Invitations: Zola

Ring: Jared

I am slowly but surely blogging my way through the final weddings of 2023, only a couple more to go! Warehouse on Water in Downtown Wilmington, North Carolina is just a GREAT fall/winter venue. It’s got those big old warehouse vibes with classic brick walls and industrial flooring, which you can dress up or dress down for the occasion. It looks so good in there with even minimal decor, no wonder it’s so popular! Felicia and Andy chose this for their wedding, and I couldn’t have been happier to be back with these two! They sure know how to throw a party, and even for a Monday wedding, the party did not stop until the last song of the night. I had such a good time with them, but for some reason my absolute favorite part was during cocktail hour, I got to wander downtown with Felicia and Andy and their bridal party. We stopped at the bar that Felicia has worked in for the last decade, we shopped at Gourmet Market, we stopped at some Christmas lights. It was a blast. Now check out some highlights from their big day!

Venue: Warehouse on Water

Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

The Brooklyn Arts Center is located in Downtown Wilmington, and has two different options to book. For larger sized weddings, the main church is the perfect choice. For smaller sized weddings, the Annex is a dreeeeam, and that is exactly what Jessie and Alex chose for their big day. Another perk? It rained nearly the entire day for their wedding, but we had no shortage of pretty indoor areas to take photos in at the Annex, so choosing a venue with great indoor options is always a good idea in case of poor weather outside! No matter what the season, it will forever be unpredictable weather in Wilmington, so back up plans are huge. This may have been the year that it’s rained the MOST on wedding days in my entire career – so I’ve really utilized the indoor space of venues lately!!

These two had an incredible team of vendors, who all came together to set up this stunning day. But my favorite part? I just LOVE the dance party that ensues every time someone hires a wedding band, and that’s exactly how this day went. So much fun, so much laughter, so much dancing. A new trend that I’ve had a lot this year is that the bride and groom stay at the very end when everyone heads outside for a sparkler exit, and they have a private last dance just themselves. This was the cutest private last dance I’ve ever witnessed. They pure JOY radiating out of Alex and Jessie as they realized THEY DID IT – it was so genuine. I’m so obsessed with their love for each other.

Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

Venue: The Annex at Brooklyn Arts Center 

Planner: Social butterfly

Florist: DIY with Flower Moxie

Cake: Publix 

Rentals: Design perfection, Party Suppliers & Rentals

Dress: Mj bridal 

Hair & Makeup: Wisp salon

Band: The Dickens – Sam Hill Bands 

Catering: A Thyme Savor 

Ring: Perry’s Emporium

The 2023 season is getting closer to coming to an end and I’m wrapping up the year with some amazing winter weddings. Jamie and Bryce got married in November at Ironclad Brewery in Downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. I used to bartend at Ironclad for 3 years when I was still growing my photography business to full time, so every chance that I get to come back here is always so much fun. I know this building so deeply, after spending so much time there, and I have so many favorite locations outside of it for photos! We had a gorgeous day for Jamie and Bryce, beautiful fall weather, a perfect sunset and the perfect rooftop view to see it. I loved the moody details and table decor, the pretty florals, and of course, HOW STUNNNNNING was Jamie!? Magic. Followed by the most fun dance party. 10/10 would attend another party hosted by these two.

Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography

Venue: Ironclad Brewery

Florist: Mother of Wild

Rentals: Party Suppliers

Dress: Justin Alexander

Hair Stylist: Kristen Martinez – The Babe Cave

Makeup Artist: Amber Mitchell

DJ: Active DJ

Dessert: The Donut Inn

Catering: A Thyme Savor

Ring: Perry’s Imporium