A Romantic Spring Wedding at Alexander Homestead | Charlotte NC Wedding Photos

Rain, a Horse Named Sammie, and the Most Details Ever | Alexander Homestead Wedding Photos

If you’ve been dreaming up every single detail of your Alexander Homestead wedding since the moment you booked, this one is for you. Samantha came in with a full vision and she executed it. Horse and carriage, candy truck, late night pretzel bar, a specific staircase shot, a specific invitation shot, a white cowboy hat, a long romantic lace gown with sleeves and a full train, pearls from her great grandmother. There was not a single moment of this day that wasn’t intentional, and it showed in every single frame! Welcome to Samantha and Alex’s Alexander Homestead wedding photos — one of my favorite days I’ve had the pleasure of photographing at this venue.

The Venue: Historic Alexander Homestead by Wedgewood Weddings

If you’re reading this because you’re booked at Alexander Homestead by Wedgewood Weddings and are still searching for your photographer — hi, I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve photographed multiple weddings at this venue and I am completely in love with it every single time. The 1903 Queen Anne Victorian estate in East Charlotte is just one of those places that photographs beautifully no matter what. The botanical gardens, the white garden pavilion, the Victorian veranda, the staircase inside the manor: every corner is a moment waiting to happen. It’s one of those venues where the Alexander Homestead wedding photos tell themselves.

Samantha: A Bride Who Knew Exactly What She Wanted

Samantha is a New Jersey girl who made Charlotte her home a few years ago, and she brought a little Northeast energy with her (in the best possible way). She knew what she wanted, she asked for it, and we made it happen (even when the day had other plans!) Her look was stunning. A long lace gown with full sleeves and a dramatic train, layered with pearls that belonged to her great grandmother. Something about heirloom jewelry just hits differently in photos, and Samantha wore them beautifully. She topped the whole look off with a white cowboy hat that gave her entire bridal vibe this perfect romantic-with-a-country-soul energy that suited her to a T.

One of her must-have shots was on the staircase inside the historic Alexander Homestead manor, and we absolutely nailed it. That staircase is a dream for detail shots and portraits alike, and Samantha’s train spread out over the steps like it was made for that moment. She also wanted a specific shot with her wedding invitations, which is something I always encourage brides to think about ahead of time, because those detail shots are so worth it and they come out gorgeous when they’re planned.

Alex: The Quiet One with the Best Hat

Alex was the perfect balance to Samantha’s big personality — calm, sweet, quietly supportive. He let Samantha shine all day, which honestly made for some of the most genuine, candid moments between them. And then he showed up to the reception in a hat that read “Let me ask my wife.” I absolutely loved him for that! It got a great reaction from the room and it’s the kind of moment that’s so perfectly them.

The Curveballs (Because Real Weddings Have Them!)

Okay, let’s talk about it, because this is the stuff that actually makes a wedding day feel real, and I want every couple reading this to know: curveballs happen, and your photos will still be beautiful!

The heat. It was a late spring day that decided to behave like midsummer. Think 92 degrees with high humidity, a full 10 degrees above average. We were strategic about timing, leaned into the shade the botanical gardens have to offer, and we still got gorgeous golden hour portraits on the grounds of the historic Alexander Homestead. Samantha was a champ about it the whole time.

The rain. Right as the horse and carriage arrived, so did the storm. We’re talking thunder and lightning. And here’s the twist: about 20 minutes before the carriage was scheduled, we got a call that the carriage itself had failed inspection and no one would actually be able to ride in it. Total curveball! But here’s the thing: the horse, a sweet guy named Sammie, still showed up, and so did the joy. Samantha’s great grandmother absolutely loves horses, and this whole surprise had been planned with her in mind. Sammie walked the property in the rain, guests came outside to meet him, and Samantha got to feed him carrots right there in her full lace gown and pearls. It wasn’t what was planned, but it was so sweet and so real that I wouldn’t trade those Alexander Homestead wedding photos for anything.

The officiant. She arrived at the exact time the ceremony was supposed to start. We kept things moving, the ceremony went beautifully, and no one in those guest chairs was the wiser.

The grass stain. During Samantha’s running shots (her idea — and they looked incredible!), Alex accidentally stumbled into her and she landed with a bright green grass stain on her sleeve. It wouldn’t come out all the way. Samantha was upset in the moment, and that’s completely valid! But you know what? In the photos, you can’t see it. And more importantly, the running shots are some of my favorites from the entire day. Movement shots like that bring out a genuine emotion that posed portraits sometimes can’t capture: the laughter, the adrenaline, the realness of two people just being together.

The nerves. Samantha was actually late to her own wedding because she was nervous and wasn’t feeling well before the ceremony. And I just want to say, that is so incredibly normal, and it doesn’t mean anything is wrong. It means you care deeply about this day and this person. Once she walked down that aisle, she was radiant!

The Details That Made This Day

Let’s talk about the fun stuff, because there was a lot of it! In addition to the horse and carriage, Samantha had booked a candy truck that guests absolutely loved. Because when you’re at a spring wedding in Charlotte in almost-summer heat, sugar helps! The late night pretzel bar was a huge hit too. It’s the kind of unexpected detail that guests talk about for years.

Every detail shot we planned together came out beautifully in the Alexander Homestead wedding photos: the invitation flat lay, the heirloom pearls, the lace of that train, the cowboy hat, the candy truck backdrop. Samantha put so much thought into this day and it all translated exactly the way she envisioned.

A Note for Couples Booked at Alexander Homestead

If you’re getting married at Alexander Homestead by Wedgewood Weddings and you’re still looking for your Charlotte NC wedding photographer, I would absolutely love to connect with you! I know this venue well, I know where the light hits best at golden hour, I know which staircase angles are magic, and I know how to keep things fun and moving even when curveballs arrive. My couples would describe working with me as easy, relaxed, and genuinely fun — because your wedding day should feel that way!

You can reach out through my contact page, and in the meantime, browse through more of my Alexander Homestead wedding photos and other North Carolina wedding photographer work throughout this blog. I can’t wait to hear about your day!

Now please enjoy some of my favorites from Samantha and Alex’s wedding day!

See more Alexander Homestead Weddings

Venue: Alexander Homestead by Wedgewood Weddings, Charlotte NC | Photographer: The Lilac Lion Photography