Airlie Gardens Wedding Photos

Let the group photographs lead into time together.

The opening group photograph has people smiling and gesturing toward the couple. The smaller portraits give the couple a quieter moment within the garden setting. I want the group pictures to feel connected to the people in them.

I would prepare the family combinations and ask someone who knows the group to help gather people. Then we can use a nearby portrait route, leaving a separate window for just the couple rather than keeping everyone waiting.

See collections and coverage or share your plans through the inquiry form below.

Madison and Chris’s morning wedding at Airlie Gardens

A ceremony, family photographs and portraits in the gardens

I photographed Madison and Chris’s wedding at Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina. Their morning moved from the ceremony to family photographs, candids and newlywed portraits, with a small group traveling through the gardens together.

Their ceremony was at 9:00 AM on a Sunday, and our time in the gardens ended at 10:30 AM. Some chairs and tents from the previous evening’s wedding were still in place. Those were the circumstances of this wedding, not a promise of available setup, opening hours or access for another date.

Andrea from the Airlie Gardens staff greeted us and guided us between locations on the tram. There were 10 of us in the group, including Hilary, who helped with the ceremony and photographs. Confirm transport, accessibility and group arrangements directly with the gardens for your own wedding.

Our portrait route: The Lawn, pergola and Spring Garden

We stopped at The Lawn with the big oak tree, the pergola, and the Spring Garden. Andrea took us to all three. First up: the ceremony, then family photos, some candids, and finally, newlywed portraits.

The Lawn was our first portrait stop. Madison and Chris walked together while I guided them into different positions, and Hilary helped keep the session relaxed. A simple movement can give you something to do without asking you to hold a pose for every photograph.

Wedding Photos at the Pergola

Then Andrea got us back on the tram to the pergola. I set them up by the water while I moved to the main path to capture one of my favorite shots of the day. After that, we walked through the pergola area, making sure to stay on schedule since we only had until 10:30 AM.

Wedding photos at the Spring Garden in Airlie Gardens

With 30 minutes left in our agreed window, I asked Andrea where else we could go. She took us to the Spring Garden, where columns, ferns and ivy gave the last portraits a different setting from the lawn and water. We chose that final stop around the time remaining rather than trying to photograph every part of the gardens.

Parents signed the papers, and Madison and Chris went on with their day—just married!

Congrats, Madison & Chris!

Planning photographs around your Airlie Gardens ceremony

How much time should we leave for portraits?

Madison and Chris’s ceremony and photographs fit within their 9:00–10:30 AM window. That is an example from their day, not a recommended duration for every wedding. Your family list, ceremony length, walking time and access arrangements determine how much portrait time to reserve.

Which garden locations should we choose?

Our route included The Lawn, the pergola and the Spring Garden. Choose a few settings you love, then confirm access and the route with the gardens. For another wedding here, see Lizzy’s Airlie Gardens wedding story, with wider garden views, bridal portraits and quieter moments.

What should we confirm before the wedding?

Confirm your ceremony and photography access times, permitted locations, transport, accessibility and weather arrangements with Airlie Gardens. Share those details and your essential family group list with me so we can build a photography timeline around your own plans.

For the legal planning separately, read my Wilmington marriage guide. To discuss coverage for your ceremony and portraits, view collections and ask about your date.

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