I always love photographing weddings at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet. However, I’ve never had the opportunity to shoot a wedding during the Night of a Thousand Candles. During these special evenings in December, thousands of lights hang from the trees, and hand-lit candles light the paths and pools around the gardens. It’s a beautiful time to be in Brookgreen. We were fortunate enough to have a private moment after the wedding ceremony to capture some breathtaking photos of Riley and Hunter, the bride and groom, under the lights before the gardens opened to the public.
Getting ready pictures in the Holiday Cottage
Hunter and the groomsmen arrived at the cottage, already dressed. After taking pictures of the bride’s dress and other details, I took the groomsmen out by the lake for some pre-ceremony photos. The little ring-bearer, the bride and groom’s son, was dressed in a suit and bowtie, and I got some adorable shots of him and dad helping each other with their ties and dad putting on the Ring Security badge.
After taking pictures with the guys, I went back upstairs to capture Riley’s mom helping her put on the dress and then a first look with the bridesmaids. The light streaming in from the upstairs windows adds a beautiful, soft glow to the images. I also really liked the picture of the bride sitting on the couch in front of the window with her dress flowing out all around her.
Dress hanging in the upstairs window – Brookgreen GardensRings lying on the table – Brookgreen GardensBride’s sparkly shoes – Brookgreen GardensGroom and little boy before the ceremony – Brookgreen GardensGroom and little boy before the ceremony – Brookgreen GardensGroom helping son with his bowtie – Brookgreen GardensSon helping dad with tie – Brookgreen GardensGroom with father and son – Brookgreen GardensGroom with brother – Brookgreen GardensGroomsmen looking cool together – Brookgreen GardensGroomsmen lifting up the groom – Brookgreen GardensGroom putting on the Ring Security badge – Brookgreen GardensInvitation details – Brookgreen GardensBride on the lap of the bridesmaids in the window – Brookgreen GardensRings lying on the flowers – Brookgreen GardensMom helping bride with her dress – Brookgreen GardensMom touching bride on her shoulder – Brookgreen GardensFirst look with the girls – Brookgreen Gardens
Bridesmaids helping bride fluff her dress – Brookgreen GardensPictures with bridesmaids before the ceremony – Brookgreen Gardens
Bride posing in the window light – Brookgreen GardensBride looking out the window – Brookgreen Gardens
Bride sitting on the couch in the window light – Brookgreen GardensWedding sign – Brookgreen Gardens
Ceremony by the wrought iron gates on the Live Oak Allee
If you continue walking away from the Live Oak Allee towards the Youth Taming the Wild Statue, you will arrive at wrought iron gates connected to an old brick wall. These gates are one of the beautiful wedding ceremony spots in Brookgreen Gardens. Looking back, my first wedding at this location was over 12 years ago! It’s crazy how time flies.
The ring-bearer was so cute walking down the aisle holding a bridesmaid’s hand. He had a little smirk on his face and knew he was looking good with his Ring Security badge on. Erik Hunt, one of my favorite wedding officiants, was hosting the ceremony. I got many beautiful shots of the ceremony and the happy expressions on the bride and groom’s faces as they gave their vows.
Very happy couple walking away from the ceremony – Brookgreen GardensGroom’s brothers walking to the ceremony – Brookgreen GardensGroomsman walking to the ceremony – Brookgreen GardensBridesmaids walking to the ceremony – Brookgreen GardensBridesmaids walking to the ceremony – Brookgreen GardensRing bearer walking with a bridesmaid down the aisle – Brookgreen GardensRing Security – Brookgreen GardensGroom’s first look at the bride – Brookgreen GardensBride walking with fathers down the aisle – Brookgreen GardensHappy groom looking at the bride – Brookgreen GardensGiving away the bride – Brookgreen GardensWedding party standing by the iron gates at the Holiday Cottage – Brookgreen GardensBride and groom holding hands during the ceremony – Brookgreen GardensGroom looking at bride during the vows – Brookgreen GardensGroom looking at bride during the vows – Brookgreen GardensBride looking into groom’s eyes during the vows – Brookgreen GardensWide angle of the ceremony by the iron gates – Brookgreen GardensGroom putting on bride’s ring – Brookgreen GardensBride putting on groom’s ring – Brookgreen GardensFirst kiss – Brookgreen Gardens
Romantic pictures of the bride and groom under the lights hanging from the oak trees
I was getting anxious about the time during the wedding ceremony. It ended at almost 4:45 pm, and the gardens opened at 5 pm! As soon as the crowds arrived, taking pictures under the lights would be practically impossible.
I’ve learned over many years how to get a lot of pictures in a very short time. I quickly set up my off-camera flash and suggested several poses for portraits under the lights. I took almost all the photos with the Nikon Z 85mm lens. It does a great job of making the background soft and dreamy without purple fringing and other issues I used to have with older lenses.
I always make sure to step way back for some full-body shots as well as close-ups. The closer I am to the subject, the more soft and out of focus the background gets. We only had time to shoot in a couple of different locations before the gardens opened, so after the Live Oak Allee, we went to the Diana of the Chase pool for a few more photos. They have many candles floating in the pool and thousands of lights wrapped around the tree branches hanging out over the water. It is such a magical location, and someone commented that it looked like something from a fairy tale.
Dip on the Oak Allee under the lights – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensWalking together holding hands under the lights – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensSpinning the bride – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensBig smiles under the oaks – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensSo many lights hanging from the oak trees – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensBig smiles under the lights – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensKiss under the lights – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensCloseup of bride and groom looking into each other’s eyes – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensTouching noses – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensCloseup kiss with lots of bokeh from the lights – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensKiss on the cheek – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensBride and groom embracing without holding the flowers – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensGreat smiles – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensLifting bride into the air – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensDip under the lights – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen GardensWalking together under the trees – Oak Allee – Night of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen Gardens
Walkway under the foliage – Brookgreen GardensWalkway under the foliage – Brookgreen Gardens
Bride and groom with the candles on the water – Diana of the Chase Fountain – Brookgreen GardensBride kissing groom on the cheek – Diana of the Chase Fountain – Brookgreen GardensBride pulling groom’s face in for a kiss – Diana of the Chase Fountain – Brookgreen GardensStanding by the pool with the lights in the background – Diana of the Chase Fountain – Brookgreen GardensStatue in the background – Diana of the Chase Fountain – Brookgreen GardensBride and groom looking in each other’s eyes – Diana of the Chase Fountain – Brookgreen GardensBig smile from the groom – Diana of the Chase Fountain – Brookgreen GardensHolding hands by the water – Diana of the Chase Fountain – Brookgreen GardensLove by the fountain – Diana of the Chase Fountain – Brookgreen GardensTouching noses – Diana of the Chase Fountain – Brookgreen GardensKiss with lots of lights in the background – Diana of the Chase Fountain – Brookgreen GardensBride looking into groom’s eyes – Diana of the Chase Fountain – Brookgreen GardensKiss in front of the ancient tree – Brookgreen Gardens
Family and wedding party pictures back at the cottage
After our time was up in the main gardens, we returned to the Holiday Cottage gates for pictures with the family and wedding party. Even without all the hanging lights, it’s still beautiful down by the lake, with the sunset reflecting in the water and the moss hanging from the trees on the garden path. The bridesmaids even lifted the groom up for a picture, and I got a lot of fun shots with the group. We went out by the “Youth Taming the Wild” statue for a few quick pictures before heading to the reception.
Bride and groom in front of the Youth Taming the Wild Statue – Brookgreen GardensFamily portrait under the mossy oaks – Brookgreen GardensKissing dad on the cheek – Brookgreen GardensBride with her sisters – Brookgreen GardensFamily portrait under the oaks – Brookgreen GardensGroom with father and son – Brookgreen GardensPortraits by the lake in the sunset – Brookgreen GardensPortraits by the lake in the sunset – Brookgreen GardensPortraits by the lake in the sunset – Brookgreen GardensPortraits by the lake in the sunset – Brookgreen GardensBride with bridesmaids by the pond – Brookgreen GardensBridesmaids cheering and holding flowers in the air – Brookgreen GardensBridesmaids cheering and holding flowers in the air – Brookgreen GardensBridal party by the cottage – Brookgreen GardensWedding party cheering for a kiss – Brookgreen GardensWedding party walking together having a great time – Brookgreen GardensWedding party on the walkway to the gardens – Brookgreen GardensHappy wedding party – Brookgreen GardensBride with bridesmaids by the pond – Brookgreen GardensBridesmaids leaning out from behind the bride – Brookgreen GardensGroomsmen lifting up the bride – Brookgreen GardensBridesmaids lifting up the groom – Brookgreen GardensGroom with his best friends from growing up – Brookgreen GardensBride and groom in front of the Youth Taming the Wild Statue – Brookgreen Gardens
Reception at the South End Bistro
This wedding reception was my first at the South End Bistro. They are a catering business in Pawleys Island and have a physical location to host wedding receptions and other events. Behind the main reception hall, they have a large wooden patio for dancing and a covered area for all the guests’ tables.
I loved the cupcake and cake table. I didn’t notice it at first, but on a closer look, I thought someone had put a finger into the cake. A guest later told me that their dog took a bite out of it! You can see the cake on the little dog figurine’s nose on the cake.
The bride and groom only had me stay for part of the reception time. So after toasts and some dancing, they did a fake exit while everyone blew bubbles. It would be hard to see the bubbles in a dark outdoor area like this. So I set up a second flash behind the couple to light up the bubbles from the background. Please let me know if you plan a wedding at Brookgreen Gardens. I know the area well and would be happy to give you more information.
Table details – South End BistroTable details – South End BistroTable details – South End BistroDog took a bite out of the cake! – South End BistroLove – South End BistroBeautiful cupcakes – South End BistroBeautiful cupcakes – South End BistroWedding introductions – South End BistroFirst dance – South End BistroFirst dance – South End BistroFirst dance – South End BistroKiss at the sweetheart table – South End BistroCake cutting – South End BistroCake cutting – South End BistroCake cutting – South End BistroSmoking cigars – South End BistroCatching the bouquet – South End BistroBubbles exit – South End BistroBubbles exit – South End Bistro
It seems like there is something special about this November in Myrtle Beach. I’ve had so many couples doing engagement portraits and surprise proposals recently. After coming out of Covid, everyone is now making…
I always love weddings at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet. It’s located about 30 minutes south of Myrtle Beach, across from the Huntington Beach State Park. My family portrait clients are always asking me…
I always love going to the Holiday Cottage at Brookgreen Gardens for weddings. The gates, leading to the “Youth Taming the Wild” statue, are such a beautiful location for a wedding ceremony. This Monday…
It’s been a while since I photographed a wedding in Brookgreen Gardens. Weddings at the Brookgreen Gardens Holiday Cottage are always beautiful, so it is nice to be back. It’s always great to work…
