This wedding was the first I’ve photographed at Tanglewood Plantation in Lynchburg, SC. This historic venue is about 1 1/2 hours inland from my home in Myrtle Beach. This two-story plantation house was built in the 1830s and centered on 25 acres of land surrounded by mossy live oaks and other ancient trees. The large columns and porches make an excellent photo backdrop. The house has a lovely upstairs area for the bride to get ready in and a separate cottage for the groom that used to be an old schoolhouse.
Pictures before the ceremony with the bridesmaids and groomsmen
When I first arrived, I checked in with the bride, Emily, who was getting her hair and makeup done by Beautifully Wed Salon. I started with pictures of the dresses hanging in the doorway and detail and ring shots. I also attached my little Insta360 Go3 camera to my shirt for some behind-the-scenes video while I worked.
Next, I checked in with Jordan and his groomsmen. After a few pictures of helping with ties and boutonnieres, I took the guys under the trees in front of the plantation house for some groomsmen pictures. The mid-day sun was intense and unusually hot for April, so having all the shade from the trees was nice.
After taking some pictures with the guys, I hid them away in the old schoolhouse and took Emily and the bridesmaids out for photos in their robes. I got some cute pictures of them posing on the front porch steps. Emily put on her dress and veil privately with his mother. Their bedroom had full-length mirrors, and I loved some of the pictures I captured.
I’m directing people often, but I always keep my eye open to catch a candid moment, such as the little ringbearer helping his mom tie a bow or the grandmother looking out the window at the ceremony lawn. After some cute first-look pictures with the bridesmaids, it was time for the ceremony to begin.
Dress hanging in the doorway – Tanglewood Plantation
Invitation and rings details – Tanglewood Plantation
Rings on the flowers – Tanglewood Plantation
Rings on the flowers – Tanglewood Plantation
I always like seeing my engagement pictures at a wedding – Tanglewood Plantation
Groom helping father with his tie – Tanglewood Plantation
Bride’s hair and makeup – Tanglewood Plantation
Putting on groom’s boutonniere – Tanglewood Plantation
Groomsmen working on the ceremony arch – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the groom in front of the house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the groom in front of the house – Tanglewood Plantation
Groomsmen standing in V shape – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of groom with groomsmen – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of groom with groomsmen – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of groom with groomsmen – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of groom with groomsmen – Tanglewood Plantation
Bride’s shoes – Tanglewood Plantation
Bridesmaids in robes on the front porch – Tanglewood Plantation
Bridesmaids in robes on the front porch – Tanglewood Plantation
Bridesmaids in robes on the front porch – Tanglewood Plantation
Details in the plantation house – Tanglewood Plantation
Wedding dress hanging hanging from the bed – Tanglewood Plantation
Wedding favors of flower seeds – Tanglewood Plantation
Mother helping bride with her dress – Tanglewood Plantation
Mother helping bride with her dress – Tanglewood Plantation
– Tanglewood Plantation
Mother helping bride with her veil – Tanglewood Plantation
Mother and daughter looking in the mirror – Tanglewood Plantation
Mother helping bride with her veil – Tanglewood Plantation
Bride putting on her earrings in the mirror – Tanglewood Plantation
Ring bearer helping mom tie a bow – Tanglewood Plantation
Grandmother looking out the window – Tanglewood Plantation
Bride posing in the plantation window – Tanglewood Plantation
Bride posing in the plantation window – Tanglewood Plantation
Bride posing in the plantation window – Tanglewood Plantation
Bride posing in the plantation window – Tanglewood Plantation
Brides first look with the bridesmaids – Tanglewood Plantation
Brides first look with the bridesmaids – Tanglewood Plantation
Brides first look with the bridesmaids – Tanglewood Plantation
Brides first look with the bridesmaids – Tanglewood Plantation
Happy flowergirl – Tanglewood Plantation
Bride standing in the hallway – Tanglewood Plantation
Wedding ceremony under the trees in front of Tanglewood Plantation
The plantation has a large lawn for the ceremony that gives some soft shade from the afternoon sun. It was a short ceremony, but I had enough time to get some wide-angle shots from the back of the guests and nice pictures of putting on the rings and tying a rope together. I love mirrorless cameras because it’s so easy to hold them overhead and take shots using the back screen. It’s a nice trick for wedding party pictures during the ceremony without being blocked by all the seated guests.
After the ceremony, we took family pictures in front of the wedding arch and more photos of the wedding party. I was waiting for the sunset to take the romantic portraits with Emily and Jordan, so they went directly to the introductions and dances under the reception tent.
– Tanglewood Plantation
Walking to the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Walking to the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Walking to the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Walking to the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Flowergirl throwing the petals – Tanglewood Plantation
Ring bearer carrying the box – Tanglewood Plantation
Bride and father walking to the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Bride and father walking to the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Bride and father walking to the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Pictures during the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Pictures during the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Pictures during the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Pictures during the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Pictures during the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Pictures during the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Pictures during the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Groom giving vows to the bride – Tanglewood Plantation
Putting on the rings – Tanglewood Plantation
Putting on the rings – Tanglewood Plantation
Trying the rope together – Tanglewood Plantation
First kiss – Tanglewood Plantation
Happy couple after the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Happy couple after the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Happy couple after the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Family pictures after the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Family pictures after the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Family pictures after the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Family pictures after the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Family pictures after the ceremony – Tanglewood Plantation
Big wedding party under the trees – Tanglewood Plantation
Dip back for a kiss with wedding party cheering – Tanglewood Plantation
Bride with the groomsmen – Tanglewood Plantation
Girls with the groom – Tanglewood Plantation
Bridesmaids with bride – Tanglewood Plantation
Bridesmaids holding flowers in the air – Tanglewood Plantation
Wedding party with bridesmaids in the front – Tanglewood Plantation
Wedding party walking together – Tanglewood Plantation
Wedding party with guys and girls grouped together in front of the hose – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the bride and bridesmaids in front of the house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the bride and bridesmaids in front of the house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the bride and bridesmaids in front of the house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the bride and bridesmaids in front of the house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the bride and bridesmaids in front of the house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the bride and bridesmaids in front of the house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the bride and bridesmaids in front of the house – Tanglewood Plantation
First dance under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
First dance under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
First dance under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
First dance under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
First dance under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
Wedding Cake – Tanglewood Plantation
Cake cutting – Tanglewood Plantation
Cake cutting – Tanglewood Plantation
Sunset pictures with the bride and groom
Earlier in the day, I wanted to take pictures of Emily standing in the doorway of the plantation house. I knew these would be beautiful, but guests were starting to arrive. I was glad I remembered to do these during the sunset pictures because the way her dress flowed out behind her in the light of the open doors was beautiful.
When walking around the property earlier in the day, I noticed a section of flowers that I knew I could use for bride and groom portraits. I placed them behind these flowers and shot through them to frame their portraits. I always love the look of flowers or greenery going out of focus in the foreground or surrounding a picture.
This wedding ended early, and after the shoe game and an anniversary dance, everyone left the dance floor. Since I had some extra time, I pulled out my drone and captured beautiful pictures of the property with the sun setting over the trees. I always like drone pictures because they give a unique overview of a wedding venue you can’t get from the ground. Emily and Jordan did a sparkler exit and ended the evening at dusk. This wedding was one three that weekend, so I was happy to have an early end to the night. I hope you enjoy these pictures. If you are planning a wedding at Tanglewood Plantation, please let me know. I would be happy to give more thoughts and suggestions on the venue.
Portraits of bride in the doorway – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of bride in the doorway – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of bride in the doorway – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of bride and groom in front of the plantation house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of bride and groom in front of the plantation house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of bride and groom in front of the plantation house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of bride and groom in front of the plantation house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of bride and groom in front of the plantation house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of bride and groom in front of the plantation house – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the bride and groom surrounded by the flowers – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the bride and groom surrounded by the flowers – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the bride and groom surrounded by the flowers – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the bride and groom surrounded by the flowers – Tanglewood Plantation
Portraits of the bride and groom surrounded by the flowers – Tanglewood Plantation
Snuggling in front of the flowers – Tanglewood Plantation
Snuggling in front of the flowers – Tanglewood Plantation
– Tanglewood Plantation
– Tanglewood Plantation
– Tanglewood Plantation
– Tanglewood Plantation
Sunset filtering through the oaks – Tanglewood Plantation
Kiss under the trees – Tanglewood Plantation
Pulling groom in for a kiss with the bokeh from the sunset – Tanglewood Plantation
Touching noses – Tanglewood Plantation
Big smile from the bride – Tanglewood Plantation
Kiss on the forehead – Tanglewood Plantation
Holding hands walking under the trees – Tanglewood Plantation
Spinning his bride – Tanglewood Plantation
Dip back for a kiss under the oaks – Tanglewood Plantation
Dip back for a kiss under the oaks – Tanglewood Plantation
Dip back for a kiss under the oaks – Tanglewood Plantation
Picking up the bride – Tanglewood Plantation
Picking up the bride – Tanglewood Plantation
Dance time – Tanglewood Plantation
Wedding shoe game – Tanglewood Plantation
Wedding shoe game – Tanglewood Plantation
Dancing under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
Dancing under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
Dancing under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
Dancing under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
Dancing under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
Dancing under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
Dancing under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
Dancing under the tent – Tanglewood Plantation
Drone photography of historic plantation house – Tanglewood Plantation
Drone photography of historic plantation house – Tanglewood Plantation
Drone photography of historic plantation house – Tanglewood Plantation
Drone photography of historic plantation house – Tanglewood Plantation
Drone photography of historic plantation house – Tanglewood Plantation
Sparker exit – Tanglewood Plantation
Sparker exit – Tanglewood Plantation
Sparker exit – Tanglewood Plantation
Last picture of the evening under the lights – Tanglewood Plantation