Comments Off on Smoky Mountains Gatlinburg TN Wedding Photographer | Audra & Chris
by Allison
Audra and Chris are big hikers, so they knew when it was time to plan their wedding, they wanted to do it in the mountains surrounded by stunning views and their closest family and friends. They rented the Gatlinburg Mansion that had something along the lines of 14 guest rooms, and could house nearly their entire guest list! How fun – not just to have a wedding in the Smokies, but also to stay in a cabin for a weekend with all those you love most. Gatlinburg was the perfect setting for these two to say “I do” – and they did such a great job putting it all together! I’m the first person to say yes to a gorgeous destination wedding, and packing up my pup and my gear and driving to the mountains was even more fun than I expected. I still can’t get over Audra’s dress, it has to be one of my favorites of all time, and it fit her so perfectly. And the smile on Chris’s face whenever he looked at her.
And yes, I did encounter bears all weekend. For those keeping track, my final bear count was 12.
Comments Off on Do I Need a Second Photographer for My Wedding?
by Allison
Let me start by saying, every piece of information you find on the internet will most likely tell you something different. But mostly, it will tell you YES, have two photographers for your wedding. A lot of people will tell me they think having a second shooter is completely mandatory. But let me just be totally honest and transparent about my feelings on the necessity of second photographers! I’ve been a full time wedding photographer for a long time. I have about 15 years of experience in wedding photography, starting from assisting a full time wedding photographer for two years, then opening my own business and doing it solo from there on out. I know where I need to be and when I need to be there, I know when the money shots are, I create a detailed timeline so I know the plan and I make a checklist so that I make sure everything is covered, and I know where to place myself to get both YOU walking down the aisle and THEIR reaction to seeing you coming. While the easy answer is yes, having a second photographer is always a great thing – and it absolutely is WONDERFUL to have the extra set of hands and second perspective! – I also don’t ALWAYS find it totally needed. I think it’s entirely dependent on each individual wedding day. That’s why I don’t personally include two professional photographers for every wedding, it is an optional add-on for each couple to choose if they want one or not. And I’m happy to help you with that decision and I’ll be honest if I think I need one or not for your big day! Every wedding is different so here are a few things to ask yourself before deciding if two photographers is the right fit for your wedding:
Will I be getting ready in the same location as my future-spouse? When you are getting ready in the same hotel, or neighboring Airbnb’s, or even at the venue, it’s SO EASY for me to get between locations and capture both of you getting ready. If one of you is getting ready downtown, and one of you at the beach, that makes it much more challenging, and having two photographers who can drive separate and capture both at the same time, then that will be much simpler. Sometimes, when I work alone, I skip getting ready photos of the guys all together because of time, as long as that’s okay with the couple. So it just depends how important that part is to you!
How large is my wedding party? I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve had couples choose wedding parties of 25+ people. Not only is that exhausting for your photographer, it’s also exhausting for the couple! Getting ready moments are a lot more chaotic and most of the time, don’t run on time. But if you end up with a giant bridal party, it’s definitely recommended to have two photographers to capture this large of a crowd, and help corral the chaos, too! Then, during group bridal party photos, the photographers can break you into two groups and get photos done in half the time, and then all join together for group shots.
What is the guest count? Again, every wedding is different, and when you’re having a wedding of only 70 guests, two photographers is almost just completely overdoing it. When you get above 150 guests, closer to that 170 or 200+ range, then I HIGHLY suggest two photographers. It’s next to impossible for one person to be able to catch that much action all by themselves. We spend most of the reception watching the crowd for fun moments, and when it’s that crowded, a lot of things can get missed when it’s only one person!
Are you the type of person who will come to your photographer with a LARGE list of photo requests? If I’m being fully truthful, this isn’t ideal for a wedding pro anyway. I work best when I’m left to do my thing, it’s what I do for a living, I’m actually really good at it! LOL. When I’m given a very long and detailed list of photo requests, I have to constantly stop what I’m doing naturally and make sure I’m checking off photos from a list over and over, and then I don’t get any space to be creative and do what I do best. Candid moments and genuine memories always look better than a lot of staged Pinterest ideas, anyway. If you will be sending over a large list like this, I usually need help to accomplish it all and to help me check off all these items from a list. We get very limited time on a wedding day and everything is always rushed, so having two people to catch all the requests might make it a little more manageable!
Comments Off on Wilmington NC Wedding Photographer | Styled Shoot at Maven Monroe
by Allison
Well, I hosted my very first styled shoot/photography workshop/content day and it was SO MUCH FUN. My wonderful friend Kelly owns Maven Monroe – a gorgeous little white chapel in the Cargo District that’s the perfect event space and wedding venue! When I came to her with this idea she jumped at the chance to help, and she designed this entire day! I had attended a photo workshop in Charleston earlier this year that really sparked my creativity and I wanted to share that love with other photographers – it can be a super competitive market out there and a lot of people might not be kind and welcoming to new photographers, but let’s be honest, there’s enough work in this town to go around! I love meeting other photographers and I think the most fun part about hosting an event like this is just seeing how each photographer takes the exact same scene and makes it different in their own photo style. We can all take a photo of the same thing and each one of ours will turn out differently. It’s so interesting! So anyway – the way we organized this was having 3 sets of models there at once, so that photographers didn’t all have to crowd around the same models and try to get their angle, this way it was free flowing and you could walk around to different backdrops with different models and not step on everyone else’s toes as you did so. I’m so thankful for such a great first experience, I will absolutely be doing this again!
VENDORS: Host: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography Venue & Design: Maven Monroe Events Videographer: Atlas Film & Photo Rentals: Party Suppliers Sparkly Wedding Dress: Camille’s of Wilmington White Wedding Dress: Savvy Bride of Charlotte Audio Guestbook: Antique Audio Guestbook
MODELS: Kegan & Ryan Kelly & Ryan Amanda
A little behind the scenes of the photographers working together:
Comments Off on Ironclad Brewery Wedding Photographer | Hannah & Kayla
by Allison
WHAT A DAAAAAY. Hannah and Kayla chose the beautiful Ironclad Brewery to host their wedding in June, and they couldn’t have picked a better location! Downtown was bright and bustling and sunny and vibrant that day. There was so much love and laughter, so much dancing, so many DOGS! Okay, just two, but they sure were the cutest flower girl and ring bearer that I ever did seeeeeee. They had brewery-themed table decor, they had late night Wheelz Pizza delivered for their guests, and they had an exit with bubble guns that made so many bubbles it was like we were drowning – LOL – but in a good way. Shout out to these two ladies for throwing one heck of a party, 10/10 would attend again.
Comments Off on Wrightsville Manor Wedding Photographer | Chelsey & Emily
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!
Comments Off on Brooklyn Arts Center Wedding Photographer | Karey & Magnus
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!!!
Comments Off on The Atrium by Ligon Flynn Wedding Photographer | Marcy & Juan
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!!!!
Comments Off on Bakery 105 Wedding Photographer | Taylor & Greg
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!
Comments Off on Warehouse on Water Wedding Photographer | Sara & Morrell
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
Comments Off on Carolina Beach Wedding Photographer | Rachel & Bailey
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
Will I be getting ready in the same location as my future-spouse?
How large is my wedding party?
What is the guest count?
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