Few places capture the spirit of Wrightsville Beach quite like Trailborn Surf & Sound. Framed by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other, the reimagined coastal resort blends contemporary design with the relaxed charm that has made this stretch of North Carolina's coastline a beloved destination for generations.

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.

From the timeless beauty of 35mm film to joyful, laughter-filled wedding days, Allison Eding, owner of Lightbloom Photography, has built a reputation for creating authentic images that feel just as meaningful decades later as they did in the moment they were captured.

For Rebecca Harris, wedding photography is far more than documenting a celebration—it is preserving the beginning of a family's legacy. Inspired by a lifelong love of art, fashion, classic cinema, and the quiet beauty found in everyday moments, Rebecca approaches each wedding with an artist's eye and a storyteller's heart.

For more than 20 years, Terah Hoobler has been documenting weddings with an eye for authenticity and a passion for preserving life's most meaningful moments. Inspired by childhood memories of flipping through family photo albums with her grandmother, Terah learned early that photographs are more than beautiful images—they're a legacy that connects generations. T

For Sara Baker, owner and creative force behind Snack Time Sweets, pastry has always been about more than sugar and flour. It is a form of artistic expression—a place where flavor and craftsmanship come together to create something as meaningful as it is beautiful.

A wedding day is made up of moments both grand and fleeting: the quiet anticipation before walking down the aisle, the happy chaos of getting ready, the embrace that lingers a little longer, and the spontaneous laughter that no one could have planned. For Maggie B Photography, those unscripted moments are where the real magic lives. With a style that is bright, warm, timeless, and deeply personal, Maggie B Photography goes beyond creating beautiful images.

A wedding day moves quickly—filled with quiet glances, happy tears, unexpected laughs, and once-in-a-lifetime moments that can pass in an instant. For Heart First Weddings, the focus goes beyond simply documenting the day; it’s about preserving the emotions, energy, and connections that make each celebration unique.

Set among the natural beauty of the Cape Fear region, Beau Rivage Golf & Resort offers couples the rare opportunity to transform their wedding day into a complete coastal celebration. Blending resort-style amenities, Southern hospitality, and picturesque surroundings, the property is designed to create a seamless experience where couples and their guests can gather, celebrate, and make lasting memories all in one destination.

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.

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

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.