Some wedding days come with perfect blue skies....

Others come with a little adventure, a few rain clouds, and a whole lot of watching the radar. Brogan and Cameron's Wilmington, NC wedding was definitely the latter, but we weren't about to let a little unpredictable coastal weather ruin our plans!

With their ceremony planned at the historic Brooklyn Arts Center in downtown Wilmington, we decided to get all of their portraits taken care of beforehand at beautiful Greenfield Lake. And somehow, between the clouds threatening rain all day, we managed to make it happen!

A First Look and Private Vows at Greenfield Lake

Before heading downtown to say "I do," Brogan and Cameron spent some time together at Greenfield Lake, one of my favorite locations for wedding portraits in Wilmington, NC.


They chose to share a first look and exchange private vows before their ceremony, giving them a little time together away from the excitement of the wedding day.

I'm a big fan of private vows, especially for couples who want to share something personal without an audience. There's something really special about having those moments together before walking down the aisle.



And from a photography perspective, doing a first look also meant we could take our time with their portraits without worrying about squeezing everything into cocktail hour!

Bride and groom hold two wedding vow books, one blue with a button clasp and one gray with leather straps, during an outdoor ceremony.
Bride in a sheer cape gown with an updo reaches toward the groom in a blue suit for a first look beneath a large tree on a sunlit lawn.
Groom in a navy suit and bow tie holds a book with eyes closed at an outdoor wedding as the bride in white waits behind him.
Groom in a navy suit and bow tie faces a bride in a flowing white gown and cape for a first look under tall trees on a sunny lawn.
Smiling groom in a blue suit and bow tie sees his bride in a white gown and sheer cape for the first time under a large tree.
Smiling groom in a navy suit and bow tie holds a vow book while facing a bride in a white veil during an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Bride in a flowing white gown and groom in a navy suit read vows facing each other beneath a large magnolia tree on a sunlit lawn.
Groom in a navy suit reads vows from a booklet to his bride in a flowing white gown beneath a large magnolia tree at an outdoor wedding.
Bride in a white gown with sheer cape holds a book while her groom in a navy suit reads vows during an outdoor garden wedding ceremony.
Person in a flowing sheer white sleeve holds a small mint green book with an ornate cover in a sunlit, tree-lined park.
Smiling groom in a navy suit and bow tie shares a first look with a bride in a sheer cape veil beneath large oak trees.
Groom in a blue suit embraces a smiling bride in a white veil during an outdoor wedding ceremony surrounded by trees.

Wedding Party Photos and Romantic Portraits Under the Trees

Greenfield Lake has some of the prettiest natural scenery in Wilmington. Between the towering trees, Spanish moss, and gorgeous greenery, it's a beautiful location for couples who love a romantic, slightly woodsy setting.


We photographed Brogan and Cameron with their wedding party before moving into their couple's portraits. I loved how Cameron's blue suit looked against all that greenery, and Brogan's flowing wedding dress and sheer cape were absolutely perfect for this setting.


We played around with a mix of classic portraits, movement, and some more editorial-inspired poses. One of my favorite moments was having Cameron twirl Brogan beneath the trees, letting all that beautiful fabric catch the movement.


The weather kept us on our toes, though! We were dodging rain clouds throughout the day, taking advantage of every opportunity to get outside and create something beautiful.



Sometimes wedding photography is as much about being flexible and thinking on your feet as it is about finding the perfect light.

Bride in white gown with greenery bouquet stands among six bridesmaids in mismatched pastel and jewel-tone dresses in a sunlit forest.
Bride and groom stand among their wedding party in dark suits and colorful dresses on a lush green lawn beneath tall trees.
Groomsmen in black tuxedos and bow ties walk together through a sunlit forest, with the groom standing out in a blue suit.
Bride in white gown and groom in navy suit hold hands beneath a large magnolia tree on a sunlit green lawn.
Bride in a flowing white gown and veil twirls under her groom's raised arm on a sunlit grass clearing surrounded by tall forest trees.

A Historic Brooklyn Arts Center Wedding Ceremony

After finishing our portraits at Greenfield Lake, it was time to head to Brooklyn Arts Center in downtown Wilmington for the ceremony. If you're planning a Wilmington wedding and love historic architecture, Brooklyn Arts Center is definitely a venue worth considering. The former church has so much character, from its dramatic arched windows to the warm architectural details that make it such a distinctive wedding venue.


It's also a wonderful contrast to the natural scenery at Greenfield Lake. Brogan and Cameron essentially got two completely different looks for their wedding photography without having to travel far.

Bride in a white gown walks down the aisle holding a bouquet as seated wedding guests look on in a bright indoor ceremony venue.
Wedding guests seated in rows watch a ceremony at the altar of a rustic chapel with a pointed arch, wood walls, and chandeliers.
Bride in a flowing white cape gown kisses groom in a navy suit on a wooden stage before an art nouveau stained glass wedding backdrop.
Smiling bride in a white gown and groom in a navy suit hold hands walking down the aisle as wedding guests look on in a church.

Editorial Wedding Portraits at Brooklyn Arts Center

Of course, I couldn't resist taking advantage of the architecture inside Brooklyn Arts Center for a few more portraits! The textured plaster walls, rich wood tones, and beautiful arched windows gave us the perfect backdrop for something a little more dramatic.



We created a series of editorial-style wedding portraits that felt romantic, timeless, and just a little moody. Brogan's dress looked incredible spread across the floor, and the contrast between her gown and Cameron's blue suit worked beautifully against the historic interiors.



These are the kinds of photographs I love creating. Images that feel like they could stand on their own as pieces of art while still telling the story of the people in them.

And yes, we even found time for a sweet little hand kiss on the staircase!

Bride in a white gown and groom in a navy suit and bow tie pose back to back on a leather chair holding a colorful bouquet.
Bride and groom embrace in front of a large arched window, her long ivory gown train flowing across the polished floor.
Bride in a white gown kisses the hand of a groom in a blue suit while standing on a rustic wooden staircase with a pastel bouquet.

Planning a Wedding at Brooklyn Arts Center in Wilmington, NC?

One thing Brogan and Cameron's wedding reminded me of is just how much variety Wilmington offers for wedding photography.

You can exchange private vows beneath the trees at Greenfield Lake, have romantic outdoor portraits surrounded by nature, and then celebrate inside one of downtown Wilmington's most recognizable historic wedding venues. And if the weather decides not to cooperate? Having a flexible timeline, a backup plan, and a photographer who's comfortable working in changing conditions can make all the difference.


After more than 20 years photographing weddings, I've learned that some of my favorite images happen when things don't go exactly as planned.

Brogan and Cameron's day was a beautiful example of that.


Planning your own Brooklyn Arts Center wedding or getting married somewhere along the North Carolina coast?

I'm Terah, the photographer behind Terah Hoobler Photography. I specialize in documentary wedding photography mixed with romantic, editorial portraits throughout Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Bald Head Island, and coastal North Carolina.

I'd love to hear what you're planning!


Explore my wedding photography and get in touch!


FYI...It did eventually start raining once the ceremony started!