Super thrilled to have you here! Wilmington is a fantastic place to get your engagement photos in 2025. There are plenty of places to go and do after your session. Note that every photo and location was professionally planned and photographed by Glenn Guiao of Pink Penguin Studios.
Here are some of my places to propose in Wilmington
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Wrightsville Beach Access 2
St. James Episcopal Church
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Airlie Gardens
Downtown Wilmington
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Bald Head Island
Johnnie Mercer Pier
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Kure Beach
Fort Fisher
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The Marsh
Carolina Beach State Park
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Wrightsville Beach Park
Downtown Rooftop
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Greenfield Lake
One Tree Hill Bridge
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](https://www.pinkpenguinstudios.com/Blog/wilmington-proposal-bijou-park/)
Fort Fisher Aquarium
Bijou Park
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Blue Post
Riverwalk
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Engagement/Proposal Session Planner
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More detailed places to get engaged in Wilmington
Engagement Photos in St. James Episcopal Church
This is hands down my FAVORITE place to get engaged or have your proposals done in Wilmington. It requires little to no planning, no reservations, or fees. You can park inside the church. Here are the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Close to the Restaurants Downtown Wilmington
- Wide open courtyard
- Gothic and European architecture
- Beautiful arches
- Free parking
- Shade when it rains
- Little to no foot traffic
Cons:
A ton of photographers shoot there and might have service going on. So plan ahead of time.
Best Time of Day
When planning your photoshoot, aim for about an hour before sunset to capture the enchanting golden hour light that bathes the church in a warm, ethereal glow. Find Wilmington engagement photos here.
No fees to shoot there
Engagement Photos in
Airlie Gardens
Airlie Gardens feature a ton of Spanish moss, large oak trees, turtles, themed gardens, sculptures. You can be in awe just by looking at their lawn because they maintain it so well.
Pros:
- Beautiful grassy area with a large oak tree
- A ton of themed gardens for different photo ops
- You can ask for a golf cart
Cons:
Their do charge to stay open later. Especially at sunset. At that point, if you want to save a bit, I would go to the beach for a second location.
My Engagement Sessions offers 120 minute session which is perfect because we can split the time at Airlie Gardens and the beach for a contrasting session.
It’s $150/hr to reserve a photo session here.
Address: 300 Airlie Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403
Engagement Photos in Wrightsville Beach, North End
There are 4 different locations to go to in Wrightsville beach
North End of the Beach
To get here, you’ll need to park at Beach Access 2, walk 15 minutes north, and veer away from the shore. Mind the signs during the nesting season in the winter and spring.
Jack Parker Beach(South End)
This is a beautiful flat beach with dunes, secluded paths, dunes, but it’s very busy with tourists, theres limited parking, and there are sandflies(which is weird, considering that I’ve never experienced it in the North End
Crystal Pier and Johnnie Mercer Pier
It’s my least favorite because of how often photographers take their clients here. Its over shot and there’s too many tourists. But you can get symmetry from under the pier.
Parking is $6/hour(they’re very strict and give out parking tickets)
Request info about North End Beach here!
Engagement photos in Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher is another great place to get your pictures taken. There’s arching trees, big boulders that separates the shore and land, two large meadows, and a beautiful boardwalk.
ACCESSIBILITY
There’s plenty of parking at the Visitor Center or the beach front.
BEST TIMES OF TO VISIT
For the perfect engagement photos, consider arriving during the golden hour when the soft, warm light works its magic.
ADDRESS: 1610 FORT FISHER BLVD S, KURE BEACH, NC 28449
Schedule a Proposal in Wilmington
Engagement photos in Downtown Wilmington
I love downtown because we can complete a session at one or two locations.
Theres plenty of opportunities to take photos with your significant other. I’m not gonna list why because it’s way too long.
Please see the map below!
- Elija’s
- Riverwalk
- Water Street Park
- Alton Lennon Federal Building
- Conlon Pier
- Riverfront Park
- Rooftop Parking Lots
- The Riverwalk
- Bellamy Mansion
- The Cotton Exchange
Engagement Photos in Greenfield Lake
This place is HUGE. So huge that a session wouldn’t even cover half of the lake. So were splitting this up because you can park at 3 different places. The Skatepark, Boat Ramp, Amphitheater.
The Boat Ramp
My favorite spot out of the three is located on South West of the Lake. I recommend it because you can walk to either The Skate Park or The Amphitheater. They both have different feel for the session.
The Skate Park and The Amphitheater
The Skate Park a playground, a canoe and paddleboat rental, and its only a few minutes to the bride(which is under construction as of Nov. 27, 2023).
The other is located east of Greenfield Amphitheater. There is a pergola and vertical trees that would be perfect for proposals and engagements.
Engagement Photos in Downtown Wilmington Parking Deck
This is a go-to for many Wilmington Engagement photographers because it’s secluded from the street, which means, less foot traffic and you can enjoy all of your PDA.
Cape fear memorial Bridge
You can see Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in the background when you’re on a higher ground.
The sunsets on the west
You’re on a higher ground, there’s plenty of light which means you can stretch out your session a little longer than usual.
Note: This parking deck is located on Market Street and Front St.
Engagement Photos in Blue Post Downtown Wilmington
My latest Engagement photoshoot in 2025.
Honorable Mentions
Here are the locations that would’ve made it to my favorites list but they all come with caveats, either the park isn’t maintained, not enough parking, too crowded, too loud, too far, or might face some difficulties.
New Hanover Arboretum
Abbey Nature Preserve
Dram Tree Park
Satellite Bar
Snow Cut Park
Long Leaf Park
Carolina Beach
Kure Beach
Orton Plantation Gardens
Poplar Grove Plantation
Carolina Beach State Park
Green Swamp Preserve
Battleship North Carolina
One Tree Hill Locations
St. Stephen AME Church
One Tree Hill: River Court
One Tree Hill: Bridge
Riverwalk
Hey Y’all
Meet Your Photographer
I’m Glenn, THEE “Ride or Die” Engagement and Proposal Photographer in Wilmington.
Thank you so much for checking out my top list. I try to update this post periodically to give you the BEST experience.
If you want your photos done right, fill out the form below and we’ll send you a text within 24 hours.