My favorite New-To-Me Venues from 2023

This is something I have been excited to share about since the beginning of the year!

Thinking back on my 2023 wedding season, it was truly one of my favorites and I want to share 3 of my favorite venues that stuck out to me more than any other ones, and some reasons why I loved shooting there! I LOVEEEEE having the opportunity to photograph at new wedding venues for so many reasons! A change of scenery, new challenges, and finding ways to make that venue UNIQUE to the couple that chose it! It’s such a great way to stay fresh and creative! One of my favorite things about being a wedding photographer is the creative side of it. There are SO many ways to document a wedding day, and being trusted to capture it in a way that tells a story and the couple can look back on and remember even the smallest things is what brings me life! So, in turn being able to shoot at venues I have never photographed at before is so fun for the creative side of my brain!

Dont get me wrong…. I LOVE shooting at my favorite venues over and over…but there is something that sparkes that fire inside when I get to visit new ones!

So I wanted to highlight 3 of my favorite New-To-Me venues I photographed at last year that either treated me or the couple really well, impressed me, had gorgeous portrait locations, had great getting ready spaces, and just overall stood out to me more than any others!

A Touch of Country Venue - Harrels, NC

There are a few reasons why I loved this venue! The main reason was the owner was so sweet, helpful, and appreciative of everything! I am a PEOPLE’S PEOPLE! I love to meet new people and build even the smallest of relationships with them if possible, and it was SO SO easy with this venue! They have both an option for indoor and outdoor ceremony’s, and such a unique inside reception space! It overall was just beautiful, and of course….one of my favs! Here are a few images from Tiffany + CT’s wedding I did there!

Kyles Farm - Harrels, NC

This venue landed on one of my top favs because of the portrait locations! Depending on the time of year you book it, it has so many different options!

Grape vines in the fall, flowers everywhere in the spring, so much green coverage and good shade in the summer (which when I shot this wedding here it was in May in NC. Quite possibly one of the hottest wedding days I have ever had so we were VERYYYY thankful for the shade!) and wide open fields that are perfect for winter weddings! It was very kid friendly with big black farm slides outside, and so much space for kids to run, play and get their energy out! It had beautiful portrait locations, and I took some of my favorite EVER SUNSET portraits here! All around…..just another FAV :) Here are some images from Skylar + Camerons wedding I did here!

The Grand Regal - White Lake, NC

This venue will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart, mainly because this is where me and Justin got married back in 2015! It was so sweet to go back and be able to photograph a wedding there! It looked totally different than many years ago. This venue has some of THE MOST GORGEOUS portrait locations I have ever seen!!!! Some may be a small hike, but not too far :) It has options for indoor and outdoor ceremonies, and has SOOOO much natural light that pours inside from lots of bay doors, which is amazing for portraits! This was no doubt…..ONE OF MY FAVS!!!! Here is a few photos from Mikaela + Stanley’s wedding day I photographed there!