Garden weddings are some of the most romantic around. It takes almost nothing to transform the space into a magical atmosphere. All you really need is the right location as well as the people you love the most. As a Greensboro wedding photographer, I have gotten the chance to witness some pretty gorgeous garden weddings, and now, I am here to tell you about my favorite locations! If you are looking for a lush space, let me tell you why an Airlie Gardens wedding should be at the top of your list!
About The Airlie Gardens Wedding Venue
300 Airlie Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403
Airlie Gardens started with an acorn that began to take root around 1545. As the tree grew, the land was passed along from owner to owner until it was purchased by Pembroke Jones. He used the space to build a sprawling mansion for his bride-to-be, Sarah Greene. Sarah then went to work hiring a gardener to develop and maintain the grounds, and in 1931, Sarah began to tour the gardens. To this day, the Airlie Gardens plants continue to draw in crowds and weddings from across the country. And, of course, at its core remains the Airlie Oak tree.
Details of the Grounds
The Airlie Gardens grounds have several outdoor spaces you can use for your wedding ceremony. The Pergola Garden offers a verdant pergola you can use as your backdrop as you exchange vows. The Minnie Evans Bottle Chapel has a glass structure crafted out of colored bottles, and you can get married on the lawn out front. The Oak Lawn will give you Airlie Oak as the backdrop for your ceremony.
For outdoor receptions, you can set up a tent at Bradley Creek Lawn and have the ambiance of the nearby water to enhance your reception. The grounds in front of the Bottle Chapel are also available for this portion. You will be able to host up to 300 guests at Airlie Gardens, making it the ideal spot for weddings of all sizes!
One of the best spots for your cocktail hour is the grass of the Bradley Creek Lawn. You will have plenty of space to set up lawn games your guests can play as they sip on signature drinks!
Because this venue does not have a designated bridal suite or groom’s room, you might want to consider booking a nearby luxury hotel to get ready before your ceremony.
The namesake tree is draped in Spanish moss, and this area has landscaped paths leading into quiet clearings. Bradley Creek Lawn overlooks the water and gives your guests sweeping views of the land. The Minnie Evans Bottle Chapel is colorful, with glass trees on the exterior. At night, this structure is lit up, giving it an extra bit of magic!
Photography Opportunities
With the Airlie Gardens, you will have no shortage of gorgeous wedding portrait spots! The pergolas are the perfect spot for first-look pictures, while the gazebo on the waterfront is ideal for holding your first pictures together. Following the ceremony, you can journey through the tulips and the heritage roses to get pictures with your entire group. And make sure that you get some pictures in front of the legendary tree!
Wedding Details
Airlie Gardens will provide you with a wedding planner who will ensure you have all the information you need for your perfect day. You will be able to bring in your own vendors, including caterers. They offer rentals from March through mid-October, and they have flexible packages that will fit around your wedding.
These Picture-Perfect Gardens Will Make Your Airlie Gardens Wedding A Dream Come True
With the Airlie Gardens wedding venue, you will have a lush, gorgeous space for your day. As far as capturing all those details, that’s where I come in! I am a Greensboro photographer, and I adore getting to celebrate with couples all across the area. If you have been looking for your photographer, then send me a message! So you can decide if I am the one for you!
