After tying the knot at 128 South in Wilmington, N.C., Allison and Chyan kicked off newlywed life with a glamorous sunset sail photo session.
From heartfelt vows to golden-hour sailing, this Wilmington wedding is pure joy from start to finish. Set in the heart of downtown, every detail of Allison and Chyan’s day reflected their radiant love, their easy laughter, and their shared sense of style.
Through these stunning images, you would never even know that the journey to this perfect day wasn’t without challenges. Just four days before the wedding, construction issues forced them to change venues. “Our world was flipped upside down,” they said. “We were devastated. But thanks to our coordinator, Shannon Sullins, and Mira Favor, the owner of our new venue, everything came together in just a few short days.”
The morning began with the couple sharing their suite in a romantic historic inn. “We spent the morning together in our suite where we had our hair and makeup teams work simultaneously,” they shared. “We parted ways when it was time to get dressed, because our dresses were kept secret from one another.”
Both brides looked absolutely glamorous—chic hair and makeup paired with perfectly fitted white gowns that reflected each of their personal styles. “After we finally got to see them, we were amazed at how well we coordinated!” they said with a laugh.
Their semi-outdoor ceremony was intimate and breathtaking, with baby’s breath lining the aisle for their 65 closest family and friends. They wrote their own vows and added a playful touch that perfectly captured their relationship. “We played Rock Paper Scissors during the ceremony to see who went first,” they said. “It’s very much on brand for us—we love a little friendly competition!”
Allison’s three sons took part in the ceremony, presenting the couple’s vows and rings. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd from the moment we laid eyes on each other in our wedding dresses,” they recalled.
Guests looked effortlessly chic in all-black attire, creating a stunning backdrop against the couple’s elegant white gowns and timeless white rose bouquets with eucalyptus and greenery.
The celebration continued inside the historic venue with dinner, dancing, and so much laughter. Simple and elegant white-and-green centerpieces and glowing candle votives let the venue’s riverfront charm shine. The sunset over the Cape Fear River painted the perfect backdrop as everyone toasted to love and new beginnings.
Dinner was a delicious nod to Southern comfort: fried chicken, salmon, potatoes au gratin, and haricot vert, served family-style. “Shout out to 128 South for the fried chicken!” they said.
Their vintage-style white cake with cherries on top was the picture of retro romance—topped with “Just Married” in bold black cursive. And in true Southern fashion, guests also enjoyed homemade peach cobbler.
The following day, the newlyweds set sail to celebrate that just-married feeling along the Cape Fear River. As the golden light reflected off the water, their joy was unmistakable, from the smiles that lit up their faces to the spontaneous jumps of celebration that perfectly captured their happiness.
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