Set along the banks of the Cape Fear River, Proximity Watermark represents a bold new chapter in Wilmington's evolving waterfront landscape. Developed on the site of a former marina, the community was envisioned as more than just another residential development—it was designed to create a true connection between residents and the river that defines the region's character.

For bridal hairstylist Sarah Maher, founder of Red Carpet Ready, a passion for beauty began long before it became a profession. Inspired by the glamour of red carpet events, fashion magazines, and evolving beauty trends, Maher spent her teenage years perfecting hairstyles and recreating looks she admired.

For more than two decades, wedding planner Ivy Robinson has been transforming couples’ dreams into unforgettable celebrations. What began as a passion for storytelling and a desire to pursue a career in broadcast journalism unexpectedly led her into the world of events, where her natural eye for design, love of entertaining, and meticulous attention to detail quickly set her apart.

Inspired by the beauty of imperfection and the emotional weight objects can carry, owner and designer Colby Byrd of Shelton Metal creates pieces that feel deeply personal, timeless, and meant to be lived with for generations.

For this feature, wedding photographer Drew Stevens shares how a lifelong passion for storytelling evolved into a career dedicated to capturing some of life’s most meaningful moments. From learning traditional film photography in high school to documenting authentic love stories across southeastern North Carolina, their approach blends artistry, emotion, and intentionality.

May is #burgermonth, and while burger love is truly a subjective thing, we've selected our 5 favorite burgers done brilliantly.

Beauty Crew Mobile was born from something simple and meaningful: friendship, trust, and a shared love for being part of life’s most important moments. Co-owners Shelly She and Lindsay Webb first found themselves working with many of the same brides, happily saying “yes” to being part of their wedding days.

Set along the scenic banks of the Cape Fear River, The Cove Riverwalk Villas offers a wedding weekend experience that feels both elevated and deeply personal. This boutique collection of luxury houseboats reimagines accommodations for modern celebrations, inviting guests to slow down, reconnect, and fully immerse themselves in the magic of Wilmington’s waterfront charm.

As part of our wedding editorial series, we spoke with Ben Adams, the creative force behind Storyteller Adams, about building a photography experience rooted in emotion, connection, and storytelling. Based in Wilmington, Ben approaches weddings with a deeply human perspective, focusing less on perfectly posed moments and more on the relationships, emotions, and fleeting interactions that make each celebration unforgettable.

Set between the ocean and the Intracoastal marsh at Wrightsville Beach, Sea Tranquility offers a refined yet relaxed setting for couples looking to turn their wedding into a full coastal weekend experience. Designed with gathering in mind, the luxury waterfront home blends expansive indoor-outdoor living with elevated coastal design, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and effortlessly welcoming. From rehearsal dinners and welcome parties to post-wedding brunches

Set along the shores of Wrightsville Beach, Lumina offers couples a rare blend of refined coastal elegance and relaxed oceanfront living—an immersive setting where wedding weekends unfold effortlessly from start to finish. In conversation with General Manager Brian Elliott, we explored how this distinctive vision comes to life and how the property is thoughtfully designed to host celebrations that feel both elevated and unhurried.

Cara Press is the founder of Impressive Events, a wedding planning and floral design company rooted in hospitality, creativity, and intentional guest experience. With a background that spans nearly every corner of the service industry—from bartending and banquet work to hospitality management and special events—Cara brings a deeply practical understanding of how to create seamless, meaningful celebrations.

Within the heart of Wilmington, The City Club of Wilmington offers a wedding experience where timeless Southern charm meets elevated, full-service luxury. In conversation with General Manager Bryan Chappell, it’s clear that every element of the venue is thoughtfully designed to create celebrations that feel both seamless and deeply personal.

From his earliest days in a high school darkroom to his studies in documentary filmmaking at Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies, Will Fryer’s path into wedding photography and videography has always been rooted in storytelling. What began as a hands-on introduction to image-making quickly grew into a deeper fascination with how moments can be preserved, shaped, and re-experienced through both still and moving images.

With a legacy rooted in Wilmington since 1931, Verzaal’s Florist has long been a trusted name in the community—now thoughtfully led by husband-and-wife team Brandon and Brittney Wells Brown. Together, they continue to evolve the family-owned business into a full-service floral and event design company, blending tradition with a fresh, intentional approach to wedding design.

Set within one of Wilmington’s most architecturally striking historic buildings, St. Thomas Preservation Hall is a venue where preservation and celebration exist in careful balance. With soaring ceilings, original structural details, and a design ethos rooted in honoring the past while embracing modern events, it has quickly become a sought-after setting for couples looking for something both atmospheric and deeply personal.

For Lauren Schulz, the path to bridal hairstyling wasn’t exactly linear—but it was always quietly taking shape. From childhood afternoons spent braiding teammates’ hair and experimenting with dolls, to initially pursuing degrees in Chemistry and Marine Biology, her journey reflects both curiosity and creativity. It wasn’t until after graduation, when she began reevaluating what truly fulfilled her, that she returned to that early passion and committed to hairstyling.

Brittany Castillo’s path to wedding photography began in 2010 in a small coastal village in Costa Rica, where she first documented surf culture, nature, and life by the ocean.

Meet the Chef Olivero, Sunny Gerhart

Set along the shoreline of Carolina Beach, Kindred is a venue shaped as much by its history as by its coastal surroundings. Once a long-standing community gathering place where generations marked life’s most meaningful moments, the building has been thoughtfully reimagined into a modern wedding and events space that still carries the imprint of its past. Original architectural details sit alongside a bright, coastal-chic design, creating a setting that feels both timeless.