List of my top 5 favorite outdoor wedding venues in North Carolina

August 21, 2019 • Leave a Comment

I love photographing outdoor weddings. In fact, I enjoy it so much that I actually specialize in capturing outdoor ceremonies and receptions. The varied lighting conditions are fun to work with and in my opinion, there is nothing prettier than a natural backdrop when it comes to portraits. Winter, spring, summer and fall taking pictures in the great outdoors is my thing and I am all about getting out there to travel to all kinds of neat places to get the pictures that will mean the most to my couples in any weather.

Here is a list of my top 5 favorite outdoor wedding venues in North Carolina. These awesome properties are able to serve as the perfect places to get married outside and in addition, most of them also offer indoor facilities which are climate controlled for the comfort of your guests during your reception. Feel free to click on the photos below to see full galleries of actual real weddings that I have photographed at each place.

1. Vizcaya Villa + Fayetteville, NC

An incredibly beautiful day of wedding photography at the Vizcaya Villa venue in Fayetteville North Carolina.

2. Shady Wagon Farm + New Hill, NC

This beautiful afternoon that I photographed for my clients J & M at the Shady Wagon Farm in New Hill North Carolina was just awesome!
Thanks to the exceptionally friendly and enthusiastic service provided by the owner and her staff, this venue definitely rose quickly to the top of my preferred-vendors list. There is plenty of space to party in the gorgeous red barn and a postcard-perfect lakeside wedding ceremony spot in front of the main house.
Add to that, the overall property is just lovely and there is even a wide open grassy field lined with a split rail fence that is just perfect for sunset couples photos.
Contact the event coordinator of Shady Wagon Farm, Mrs. Monica West to learn more about what this fantastic (and affordable!) lakeside farm venue can offer you on your wedding day.
Once you have done that, send me an email because I'd love to photograph your wedding here, you will not be disappointed!

3. Snipes Farm Retreat+ Chapel Hill, NC

Check out this gorgeous wedding that I photographed for my clients B & C at Snipes Farm Retreat in Chapel Hill, NC.
The first thing to note was that this couple did things a little differently than the 'usual schedule-wise, and you know what? It was awesome!Soon after B & C's arrival at the farm, we got started taking the "formal" photos first of their families and friends behind the main barn. There was plenty of laughter and love to go around as we moved on quickly from "posed" photos to boisterously fun group photos.

B & C broke away from the more familiar wedding day itinerary by then holding their wedding reception dinner before their ceremony.
It was nice because the meal was super laid back as there were none of the usual time constraints of more "traditional" activities (such as cake cutting, bouquet toss, or garter throwing) planned to interrupt the table side conversations held between the couple and their guests as they moved throughout the room.
After it appeared that everyone had finished their meals, the announcement was made requesting all of the guests to make their way outside to the side of the barn where B & C would hold their ceremony on the lawn.

The couple was surrounded by their families and closest friends standing beside them as they exchanged their vows. Though the slate-colored skies threatened rain the entire time, the drops held off until the ceremony was done and sealed with that forever "first kiss".

Once the ceremony concluded B & C wanted me to take a big group photo of everyone who attended their wedding. Of course, I happily obliged and snapped off a nice picture for them and then grabbed a funny group pic too. It's so awesome to work with clients with a goofy- fun -loving side!