128 South Wedding in Wilmington, NC | Allie + Hunter

Coastal Elegance on the Cape Fear

128 South Wedding, Wilmington NC

We had all prayed the rain would stay away that Sunday, and we breathed a collective sigh of relief waking up on July 26th to soft white clouds and promising rays of golden light. Downtown Wilmington was already coming alive as people strolled the historic streets. It felt like a day primed for celebration, and Allie and Hunter were ready.

Allie had meticulously planned every element of the day, curating a timeless palette of crisp whites and soft blues. She wore her great-grandmother’s hummingbird ring, a subtle detail rooted in family history. Their venue, 128 South, overlooked the Cape Fear River (the exact spot where Hunter had proposed). Every choice pointed not only to their love story, but to the generations of family supporting them.

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Getting Ready: The Moments Before I Do

When we arrived at 128 South that morning, I left my Hunter (not to be confused with Allie's groom!) to begin documenting the reception space while I headed over to capture the women getting ready. The Cottage, a charming house sitting catty-corner to the main venue, was quiet, light-filled, and serene.

Walking into the Cottage, I was immediately greeted with warm smiles, sweet music, and that joyful sense of girlhood that never quite leaves us when we are getting ready together for a big day. You could instantly tell how cherished Allie is. She was surrounded by childhood best friends, sisters, and her future mother-in-law, and her mother: women who have each made a profound impact on Allie's life.

After greeting everyone, I gathered the box of special wedding details Allie had carefully set aside to preserve in photographs. Capturing the heirloom details during morning prep is always one of my favorite creative moments of the day. As I styled Allie’s mother's pearls and her great-grandmother's ring alongside a custom watercolor invitation of downtown Wilmington, every piece instantly set a tone of effortless, coastal elegance.

The Dress

Once the details were captured, it was time for Allie to step into her gown. With the gentle help of her mom, Allie transformed into a breathtaking bride. In that quiet, private moment between mother and daughter, a look of pure love and pride washed over her mother’s face: perhaps reflecting on her own wedding day, and the love she and her husband had cultivated into a marriage, a family, and a daughter now ready to carry that legacy forward. As these final moments of sharing a last name drew to a close, Allie was ready to step into a new chapter.

Allie’s gown was the picture of timeless Southern grace, defined by its classic silhouette and beautifully draped fabric. She paired it with delicate pearl-adorned heels and a veil framed in soft lace florals. There was a captivating blend in the room—a mix of refined elegance and the vibrant, youthful energy of getting ready with her favorite people. Standing in her gown, it felt like a true intersection: the moment of transitioning from the family that raised her to the family she and Hunter are building together, with the classic white dress serving as the ultimate symbol of that journey.

The Venue

While I was finishing photos at The Cottage, my Hunter (not to be confused with the groom!) was capturing photos and video of the untouched ceremony and reception spaces. If you want a venue that blends Southern charm with sweeping views of the Cape Fear River, a 128 South wedding in Wilmington, NC is a hidden gem. Up on the open-air deck where the new Atkinsons would soon say "I do," white and blue details framed the space. Below, the sounds of the river lapped gently against the riverwalk, boats puttered by, and laughter from people strolling the streets floated softly up to the deck. White chairs stood in neat rows, a guestbook lay open waiting for its first note of encouragement, and a hot coffee bar stood ready, a thoughtful nod to the hospitality Allie and Hunter extended to guests and vendors alike.

Inside 128 South, a venue that originally served as a dry goods store in the late 1800s, the atmosphere was stunning. Warm golden light streamed through the original stained-glass windows at the entrance, reflecting off the warm hardwood floors. Tables were draped in crisp white linens, centered with Allie's grandmother's blue-and-white heirloom vases filled with fresh blooms. Seating spanned both the main floor and the cozy loft balcony, giving the space an inviting, multi-layered feel. One of our absolute favorite details was the custom wedding newspaper Allie and Hunter had printed for their guests. Complete with a fun crossword puzzle about the newlyweds, each paper was paired with a little blue-and-white pencil.

The First Look: Moments Alone

With "Cigarette Daydreams" by Cage the Elephant playing softly in the background, Allie gently tapped Hunter on the shoulder as he stood looking out over the Cape Fear River. Hunter had been anxiously awaiting his bride. Perhaps his mind was reliving the moment he proposed, the moment he knew he had found his forever, and now, here she was as their forever officially began. When Hunter turned around, he was completely speechless. Allie, standing in all her bridal beauty, was radiant. Embracing, overwhelmed, and overjoyed, the moment had finally arrived. Even with the bustle of the Sunday riverfront boardwalk, all the background noise faded away. Onlookers paused to soak in the love unfolding in front of them, but for a moment, it felt as though Hunter and Allie were the only two people on the riverfront.

My Favorite Photo

Like any magic moment, it eventually gave way to the next. Lindsey, the wedding planner from Avery & Bloom Events, let us know that Allie's dad was ready for his first look with his daughter. We began our walk from the riverfront up a block to where Allie would meet her dad. As is so often the case with our absolute favorite moments, an unscripted memory unfolded right in front of us. Gabby, Lindsey's assistant, was holding the long train of Allie's gown to keep it from dragging along the historic brick streets. I asked Gabby if she could hand the dress over to Hunter to carry, and just like that, the photo that will forever live in my mind when I think of July 26th was born.

The Ceremony: The Atkinsons

Freshly tossed petals from the three flower girls lay scattered across the wooden deck, following two young ring bearers who had walked down the aisle ringing tiny wedding bells to herald the bride's arrival. Hunter stood beside the officiant, his grandfather, Willie, with a wide smile that betrayed just a touch of nervous joy. Standing behind him, his groomsmen looked on proudly, while the bridesmaids lined up in their soft shades of blue. Restless children fidgeted in their seats, and my Hunter had his video cameras rolling as the guests rose in quiet anticipation. A gentle call of "All rise" swept across the deck just as the guitar player, Justin began to strum "Oceans" by Lauren Daigle. The doors parted, and out walked Allie, glowing on the arm of her father.

Water Ceremony

One of our absolute favorite moments from the ceremony was Allie and Hunter’s water ceremony. Allie is originally from Rome, Georgia, while Hunter grew up in the Wilmington area. Mid-ceremony, they stepped over to a small table holding two vessels and a central glass jar. Allie had brought water from the creeks near her childhood home, while Hunter brought water from the Cape Fear River. Together, they poured them into the jar, a beautiful, tangible symbol of two lives and two families flowing into one. Once blended, the waters are inseparable, representing the unbreakable unity of their new journey as husband and wife while his grandfather read 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 over the quiet moment:

The First Kiss

Following the scripture reading, Willie led Allie and Hunter through their vows and ring exchange. Right in the middle of their vows, a passing tugboat sounded a long, low horn from the river below. Allie and Hunter instantly broke into laughter together, a candid, unscripted moment that might have slipped away if it hadn't been captured on video. It was a perfect reflection of their entire day: beautifully planned, yet filled with so much grace that the pressure for perfection melted away, leaving only pure joy in the moment. As Willie pronounced them husband and wife, the deck erupted in cheers as they shared their first kiss with the Cape Fear River flowing behind them. Moments later, the new Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson walked hand-in-hand back up the aisle, ready to celebrate with the people they cherished most.

The Reception: Dances and Celebrations

Mocktail hour had wrapped up, complete with signature "Georgia Peach" and "NC Coastal Spritz" drinks served in honor of Allie's roots and Hunter's home state. While guests mingled, the newlyweds stole a few quiet moments to themselves tucked away inside the venue. Following grand entrances, emotional thank-you speeches from Hunter and Allie, and family portraits along the deck, it was time for everyone to gather indoors as Allie and Hunter took to the floor for their First Dance as husband and wife.

First Dances

With guests seated inside, "Starting Over" by Chris Stapleton began to play, and Hunter took Allie’s hand as they stood up from their sweetheart table on the balcony overlooking the room. The two gracefully and playfully danced along the banister to the top of the stairs, sharing a sweet kiss before dancing their way down the steps to take center stage. Guests looked on with wide smiles, little girls dreaming of their future weddings, and married couples holding hands as they remembered their own. Hunter and Allie smiled and giggled as they swayed to the music, completely wrapped up in one another. With the ceremony nerves behind them, all that remained was the pure joy of sharing a dance under a new, shared last name.

Brunch, Fellowship, and Cake Cutting

Following the parent dances, Allie’s father took the microphone to offer a heartfelt prayer over Hunter and Allie, asking for blessings on their new marriage and the meal they were about to share. Classic 1960s love songs played softly in the background. Guests were treated to an incredible full brunch spread, an absolute favorite of ours for wedding fare! From savory bacon and buttery grits to fresh eggs and a decadent assortment of pastries...it was a delicious feast.

As guests dined, Hunter and Allie made a point to visit every single table. They truly cherished each person in the room, ensuring they shared a warm hug and conversation with every guest present. After connecting with their loved ones, they gathered around to cut their wedding cake. Adding to the sweet favors of the day, a live watercolor painter created custom portraits as personalized gifts for guests to take home alongside their custom newspapers. From the nostalgic 60s love songs to the live art and heartfelt conversations, the entire room buzzed with an overwhelming sense of warmth and gratitude.

The Goodbye

To close out an extraordinary day, guests lined the alleyway holding ribbon wands adorned with crisp white and blue streamers. As Allie and Hunter walked down the path, the air filled with fluttering colors and joyous cheers. Everyone gathered at the end of the alley to wave a fond goodbye to the new Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson as they loaded into their getaway car and set off for their honeymoon. It was a sweet, cinematic end to a day grounded in family, legacy, and love, and we couldn't be more honored to have captured the beginning of Allie and Hunter's next chapter.

A Note from Us (Hannah and my Hunter)

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Allie and Hunter for trusting us to document their wedding day. From start to finish, it was an absolute joy to capture every sweet, intentional detail and memory. We are so excited for them and can’t wait to share their full photo gallery and feature film in the coming weeks! You can follow along for more updates right here on the blog or on Instagram @hannahelizabethfineart.

We also want to give a special thank you to the incredible team of vendors who worked alongside us to make Allie and Hunter’s day so seamless and beautiful:

The Creative Team

• Venue: 128 South

• Planning & Coordination: Avery & Bloom Events

• Photography & Videography: Hannah Elizabeth Fine Art Photography

• Florals: Impressive Events

• Hair & Makeup: Livy Lewis

• Acoustic Guitarist: Justin Lacy

• Linens: Party Suppliers

• Live Portrait Artist: Kinza Kirkman

Reach out to us at hannah@hannahelizabethfineart.com for wedding day inquiries.