Bridal Portraits at River Forest Manor and Marina

Welcome to the Fancy This Photography blog! Find out why bridal portraits are worth it and view Abigail Chance’s bridal portraits at River Forest Manor and Marina. Abigail, aka Abby, tied the knot at River Forest Manor and Marina wedding and event venue in April 2022.

Not sure if you want to book a bridal portrait session? I hear you. The photo shoot itself requires extra time and energy that you might not have. But hear me out, there are reasons why taking bridal portraits is a good choice.

Abby decided to take bridal portraits at her wedding venue River Forest Manor and Marina. There’s no rule that you have to take bridal portraits at your wedding venue, but I love it when people do! For starters, it’s a wedding fashion dress rehearsal. Aka the perfect opportunity to release jitters associated with strutting confidently in your wedding attire. Practice walking around in your wedding dress (or suit) and shoes. Confirm that you’ll be able to comfortably walk, sit and dance in your outfit on the big day.

Bride-to-be Abby got a special preview of what it would feel like to walk through River Forest Manor and Marina in her wedding dress. And y’all, it was pure magic. From the gorgeous getting ready rooms to the grand front porch, this restored century-old Victorian mansion is breathtaking. Add a beautiful bride to the picture, and this waterfront wedding venue sparkles.

Keep scrolling to learn more about bridal portraits and River Forest Manor and Marina!

Romance at River Forest Manor and Marina 

Located in the lovely little “inner banks' town of Belhaven, North Carolina, River Forest Manor and Marina is a waterfront wonder. The fabulous home was commissioned by John A. Wilkinson in 1899 and completed in 1904. Every corner of the manor is filled with architectural details and beauty. Fun fact: the manor was constructed by the same Italian craftsman who contributed to The Biltmore!  

Lucky for me, Nikki Whitt Belch of Fancy This Photography, I have photographed River Forest Manor and Marina wedding venue before! The first time I photographed River Forest Manor and Marina was for Stephanie and Dan's wedding. Click here to witness their big day. Abby (the bride pictured here) and her fiancé Kyle Chance married at River Forest Manor and Marina in April 2022, which is why this place was such a special bridal portrait backdrop.

Bridal Portraits: A Southern Wedding Tradition 

Bridal portraits are definitely a Southern wedding tradition. Honestly, I photograph brides from all over the U.S., but the Southern ones book bridal portrait sessions the most. I absolutely LOVE a bridal portrait session, but I realize that this is not a normal "thing" up north or in other areas of the nation. Nevertheless, a bridal portrait session is useful for many reasons. 

Traditionally, the bride schedules a photography session of herself in her bridal gown (before the wedding day). Brides typically schedule their wedding hair and makeup trial for the same day as their bridal portraits. The bride can even bring a floral bouquet to match the style of her wedding. 

According to Southern wedding tradition, after the bridal portrait session gallery is polished, the bride picks her favorite portrait and has it framed for display at the reception when guests enter (and only at the reception because we want guests to first see the bride in her dress when she walks down the aisle!). After the wedding, it is said that the bride gifts this framed bridal portrait to her parents. However, I have known brides who decided to keep this one and order a second or third bridal portrait for their parents.

There are no laws written about how to or how not to do bridal portraits. You can wear your hair and makeup in a slightly different style, you can take portraits at your wedding venue or someplace completely different, you can frame and display your portrait at the reception or not - it’s totally up to you and I support you. 

Why You Should Consider a Bridal Portrait Session 

There are several major benefits to booking a bridal portrait session. Not only does the bride receive amazing photos of herself in her wedding dress, but she also gets a run-through before the big day. For example, if you have hair and makeup done then look at the bridal portraits and feel like the style needs to be tweaked, you can communicate with your beauty stylist. If your wedding dress needs to be hemmed more, then you have time to go to your tailor to let them know. Bridal portraits are a great way to try everything before you just put on your wedding dress and walk around in it for the first time on the big day.

You could argue that bridal portrait sessions are a waste of time. They do require some extra time to schedule and execute. But consider this - if you schedule a bridal portrait session, you don’t have to spend as much time taking solo photos on your actual wedding day. Instead, you can spend more time at cocktail hour or on the dance floor with family and friends. Just sayin’.

Q: I’m nervous about taking bridal portraits, any advice?

A: It's definitely normal to be nervous. If you ever see me, Nikki Whitt Belch of Fancy This Photography, in front of the camera then you know I know the feeling is real. However, most of the time, brides bring someone with them to their bridal portrait session. Usually it’s the bride’s mom, or someone who is like a mom. Either way, their presence eases the bride’s anxiety so much. Within a few minutes, brides feel right at home. I think this is one reason why so many couples come back for post-wedding photo sessions with Fancy This Photography – they feel comfortable with me and my camera.

Fancy This Photography’s Top Five Bridal Portrait Poses

No. 1: Bride places her hands on wedding bouquet stems and tilts it slightly toward camera.

No. 2: Bride pulls veil over face and looks down, straightforward and away from camera.

No. 3: Bride pulls veil behind her face with the wedding dress fluffed behind.

No. 4: With a fluffed wedding dress, bride turns around so that the back of the dress is facing camera.

No. 5: Classic sitting down on chair pose.

Learn More About River Forest Manor and Marina 

Still wondering where the heck River Forest Manor and Marina is located? It’s in Belhaven - a cute intercoastal town just over two hours away from Raleigh. It’s about one hour away from Greenville (any ECU brides in the house?) and a solid three hours from Wilmington. Even though River Forest Manor and Marina isn’t on the Outer Banks, there’s still plenty of waterfront views at this NC wedding venue. River Forest Manor and Marina rests on the easy, breezy, beautiful coastal estuary of the Pamlico Sound, Pantego Creek and Pungo River.  

The venue itself is a historical Southern landmark. With 13 rooms in total, up to 30 people can spend the night at the River Forest Manor. When you walk up the front steps, stop to look up at the grand two-story ceiling painted “haint blue” and crowned by neoclassical columns. Shoutout to River Forest Manor and Marina’s landscaping team, because they keep their lawns luscious all year long.   

The 13,000-square-foot Southern mansion is nestled on four-plus acres of waterfront property and can host up to 500 wedding guests. And yet, it’s still intimate and romantic enough for smaller guest counts. River Forest Manor and Marina couples enjoy access to indoor and outdoor event spaces, a full catering kitchen, getting ready suites, tables, chairs and more. River Forest Manor and Marina wedding venue rental prices start at $4,700.  

Ready to book your bridal portrait session with Fancy This Photography? Click here to schedule a free consultation or email nikki@fancythisphotography.com. 

Photographer //  Fancy This Photography
Venue // River Forest Manor and Marina 

Stephanie and Dan’s River Forest Manor Wedding in Belhaven, NC

“Where do I begin?! Let me start with... I am not photogenic. I hate taking photos. I was not looking forward to any of the photography processes but Fancy This Photography made all our dreams come true! Nikki took our engagement photos, rehearsal dinner, wedding photos, and an additional mini shoot photo. At every shoot, she genuinely listened to our ideas, made us feel comfortable, and creatively came up with unique ways to enhance shots. The photos came out better than we could have ever imagined. I never felt like I was taking photos with Nikki. I felt like we were hanging out with a best friend that kept us laughing the entire time. I was lucky to meet Samantha at our wedding (as the second shooter) and she is wonderful as well! They both are so supportive, make you feel so confident, and are a blast to be around!”— Stephanie, The Bride

It’s not very often that I find blog posts difficult to write. With Stephanie and Dan, I have found it so hard to put my thoughts and experience on paper—as its just overwhelmingly happy. I met Stephanie and Dan at The Carolina Inn bridal show a couple of years ago. I remember Stephanie’s energy, her laugh, and the sweetness she had towards me. At that time, I did not know she would end up being such a great friend.

Leading up to their wedding, we would have dinner and drinks almost every other month. I always enjoyed getting to know she and Dan, and looked forward to hearing all about their wedding. It was because of this that we became close, and that on their wedding day it just seemed like all was well with the world. No nervous jitters on my end (I am typically always nervous right before a wedding), but with theirs I was just so happy to serve my now dear friends.

Their day started out with both sets of their bridal party getting ready in the prettiest of suites. Stephanie and her bridesmaids (and bridesman—looking at you, Alex) got ready in the utterly perfect bridal suite at River Forest Manor. The entire room had windows surrounding it overlooking the water and the pier of the venue. This created such a nice touch and the photos from here are just ah-mazing! Like, thank you River Forest Manor for having a great spot like this! Dan and his groomsmen got ready in the Grooms suite which was separate from the main venue—and right on the water.

Their bridal party was fairly large—it was such a fun site to see when they all lined up to head down the aisle right in front of the venue on the steps. To paint a picture… imagine this gorgeous house of a venue with towering columns right in front with steps leading up to the old wooden and vintage door—all white backdrop, and a gorgeous bride in white walking down the aisle. To say it was magical was an understatement. Stephanie walked down the aisle with her father, and the way Dan looked at Stephanie was so endearing. Their ceremony brought me to tears—from the sheer beauty of it, and the fact that I had a front row seat to it.

Later, at their reception, the newlywed couple did a choreographed dance as their first dance. There was a LIFT, yall! Like, Dan and Stephanie did a LIFT during their first dance song! The first dances with their parents were sweet to witness for everyone there. And, the toasts came from generosity, love, and history. This was such a fun part of their night to photograph (especially the cake cutting and champagne toast!).

The night was filled with so much dancing, laughter, and friends and family from all over the States. At some point during the night, Stephanie and Dan loaded a docked boat at the Marina, and popped champagne for their bridal party. Let me repeat—THEY POPPED CHAMPAGNE OFF OF A BEAUTIFUL YACHT! This was so fun to watch, but also photograph!

They ended their night with a fun farewell exit leading them to the pier with all of their friends and family surrounding them. It was one of the sweetest endings to a wonderful day. The moon was full, and so were hearts. Cheesy, I know—but, it was a downright perfect day!

Stephanie and Dan, it was an honor serving you on your wedding day, and all of the days leading up. Thank you for your kindness, love, and most of all—friendship. Congratulations, and well wishes for a joyful marriage! Love you both!

Special thanks to all of their amazing vendors who made this day possible!

Planning and Coordination by Plume Events (Seriously, Amy was amazing!!)
Wedding Venue at River Forest Manor
Rehearsal Dinner at The Tavern at Jack’s Neck
Catering by Capital City Chefs
Flowers by Plume Events
DJ by Perfect Event Entertainment
Makeup by Bardot Studio
Hair by Bardot Studio
Rentals by CE Rental
Cake by Publix in New Bern
Invitations by The Salted Script
Signage and Calligraphy by Mason Dixon Designs

An interview with Kate Brown of River Forest Manor

Photo taken by Sara Coffin Photography

As most of you know, I am from Eastern North Carolina. Now, I know some of you may think that eastern NC is like the rest of the state—but, it is not. There’s a harder southern drawl, things are typically slower, and honestly—the people are more tan. I miss living in this part of the state, there’s some sort of magic to it. That’s why when Kate agreed to chat with me about her venue in Belhaven, I was just so happy!

Kate is a wonderful point of reference for business, but also for brides in general. Kate is one of the owners of River Forest Manor located in Belhaven. Now, if you have never been to River Forest Manor (which just opened up only a few years prior), you should really take a trip to go see her in its glory. Imagine a white house with the tallest of columns belting loud and proud on the patio porch right in front of the water. I mean, it is something spectacular to see even if you are a local. It is such a sight that it will immediately put you at ease—this is a place for celebration in the happiest of ways. I am excited to share with you more from Kate on how River Forest Manor came to be what it is today.

The images that you will see in this blog post are not my images. Please see the verbiage written under each image to see which wonderful photographers shot which image.

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Photo taken by Renee Sprink Photography

N: Tell me how you came to be part of this wild and wonderful wedding industry. What is the history behind your venue?
K: My family is from Belhaven and I grew up on its waters, so the River Forest Manor & Marina has always been in my life.

When I was little, the River Forest Manor operated as a restaurant and hotel with a fully operating marina. It was a true landmark in the community and our town. The River Forest was a place that people gathered for a special meal or came to buy boat gas. Sadly, it fell into disrepair and eventually closed.

Together with a handful of investors all with local ties to Belhaven, I bought the historic mansion a few years ago in 2014. We were not quite sure what to do with the property at that time, but similarly timed marriages among our investment partners and some of our investors’ children led us to realize the grand place was meant to host life’s most important events.

More than a century-old, the River Forest had set the stage for great celebrations, large and small. We knew that its first owner built it for that purpose in mind and we were ready to restore it to do just the same.

 We officially re-opened the doors in 2016 and the River Forest Manor & Marina again has become a place where the local community and people from all over can celebrate. It is again a place that will bring economic opportunities to our charming waterside town.

N: What sort of couples do you typically have at the venue, etc.?
K: The majority of our couples come to us seeking a memorable destination for their wedding. We’ve proudly hosted local couples as well as welcomed couples from throughout the state and many parts of the country.  

 N: What are some key things about The River Forest Manor that separates it from the other wedding venues? Is your venue considered a destination wedding venue?
K: We affectionately call the River Forest Manor & Marina our Grand Lady because she is a true historic gem and definitely a destination. When we purchased the property and started to do renovations, we had to search for key contractors who specialized in ornate ceilings and antique woodwork to ensure we restored her properly. Because of this, we now have the most gorgeous renovated details throughout the house and property.

 We have 13 bedrooms on the property all perfectly suited to host bridal party members and guests. We’ve also created a network with the Bed & Breakfast owners and AirBnBs within the Belhaven community for guests to stay within walking distance of the Manor. We’ve even had guests dock their sailboats at our Marina for accommodations.

 Our events team will also set up fun activities for the bridal party and guests including massages and facials, boat rides off our docks and even hunting excursions.

 Our full-service Marina also makes the River Forest a unique setting that guest really enjoy. We always have boaters on our docks and they especially love to see the wedding festivities on our property. Many boaters will camp out on their vessels to watch the bride and groom depart—some will even sound their horns to send them off. It’s just amazing to hear and see so much celebration right here on the property. The guests love it, too. It truly is special.

Photo taken by Debra Ash Martin

 N: Do you work off a preferred vendor list? If so, why? If not, are there any vendors that are absolutely necessary from a venues standpoint--like catering, etc.?
K: We do have a preferred partner list and it includes the companies we have previously partnered with to envision and create spectacular events. We appreciate professional, honest, and fun companies. However, we also appreciate it when a couple has their heart set on a specific vendor or partner—that allows us to broaden our network. We do ask that our caterers be licensed and bonded accordingly, but other than that we welcome all vendors.

 N: How often do you receive images from photographers who have photographed weddings at The River Forest Manor? Which images stand out more from a venues perspective? Which ones are you more likely to share or showcase on your website?
K: We do receive images from the majority of our wedding photographers. We often receive our couple’s engagement photos, sneak peeks during and after the events and eventually the full wedding gallery. We love to share those photos with our community, on social media and our website. Of course, we always ask permission to share the images and are very courteous to every photographer to ensure credits are included.

 N: What are some things that you wish more photographers did on a wedding day shooting wise? Anything dealing with communication you wish photographers did in advance?
K: We are firm believers in allowing the photographer to be his or her true artistic self. There is no limit to the images that could be created here, and every eye is different. Our Grand Lady photographs well—ha! Truthfully, we very much appreciate the opportunity to see the special moments each photographer captures.

N: If you've never worked with a photographer before--do you suggest having them reach out to you? Do you ever suggest them to come by to take a look at the property?
K: We know our brides, grooms and their families want the very best photos to remember their special celebrations and, therefore, I do recommend that photographers visit our venue prior to the events. If a photographer doesn’t have the knowledge of light or hasn’t seen the full property in advance, the photos may not work out as well as they could.

We’ve found that many photographers will scout the property during bridal portrait sessions and speak with the bride about ideas.

N: What makes for a good vendor relationship?
K: Our job is to make sure the event logistics are seamless. We ask planners to pass along timelines a few weeks before the wedding to notify us when vendors will start delivering materials, like tents and décor, to the venue and offer a schedule for the various activities.

With proper planning and communication between all vendors, we are able to better support our couples and their family to make sure the celebration they’ve dreamed about comes to life.

Photo taken by Dana Jo Photography