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I’m Dakota, a Wilmington, NC-based photographer helping engaged couples feel comfortable in front of the camera and creative businesses grow with purposeful brand imagery.

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Winter Elopement On Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC | Amber and Mitch

February 19, 2020

I met Amber through Kiley and Aaron, one of my 2019 couples who chose to elope and then host a reception for all of their friends to celebrate. Amber was actually the one who helped introduce the two of them!

When she asked me if I could photograph her elopement style wedding, I was totally in! They are a ton of fun, very low stress, and result in the most gorgeous portraits because we have a full two hours of shooting with just the two of them!

Amber and Mitch live at Wrightsville Beach, NC in a house that you can hear the ocean from the front porch…it’s a dream!!! We met up there and traveled around to some of our favorite locations, including a boat dock on the sound, the south end of the island, and an access with a ton of greenery. It was definitely chilly but the sun was shining and the wind was low so it was an ideal day on the beach in February!

It was a fun challenge for me to shoot these portraits in the brightest sun of the day. I am SO thankful to be able to handle this type of lighting because it means I can create gorgeous portraits no matter the time of day. I’ve worked really hard and practiced a ton to be able to do this, so it’s a huge personal/professional accomplishment!

After portraits, we took some time to warm up and make sure the reception space at Pine Valley Country Club was ready for their party! I loved meeting all of their closest family and friends as they mingled around cocktail hour and then started tearing up the dance floor. Mitch’s nieces were so cute and kept me laughing all night!

Bride and groom wedding portraits on boat dock on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Solitare diamond with silver band detail shot

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on boat dock on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on boat dock at Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Bride and groom wedding portraits on Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC

Now on to the party!!!! Amber and Mitch chose to have a little reception party at Pine Valley Country Club with their closest family and friends. I loved meeting everyone and having DJ Sparxxs put on a great party!!!

Wedding reception at Pine Valley Country Club in Wilmington, NC

Wedding reception at Pine Valley Country Club in Wilmington, NC

First dance at wedding reception at Pine Valley Country Club in Wilmington, NC

Dancing at wedding reception at Pine Valley Country Club in Wilmington, NC

Wedding reception at Pine Valley Country Club in Wilmington, NC

Wedding reception at Pine Valley Country Club in Wilmington, NC

Wedding reception at Pine Valley Country Club in Wilmington, NC

I always love seeing past #DakotaHerseyCouples at weddings!!! I met Amber at Kiley and Aaron’s elopement style wedding a few months ago, so of course we all had to get a photo together!!

Wedding reception at Pine Valley Country Club in Wilmington, NC

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Provens!!!! I am so happy for you two!!!

Wedding reception at Pine Valley Country Club in Wilmington, NC

hello!

I’m Dakota, a Wilmington, NC-based photographer Helping engaged couples feel comfortable in front of the camera and creative businesses grow with purposeful brand imagery.

Looking for Something Specific?

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