Cape Fear Botanical Garden Wedding

If you want to have a whimsical garden-style wedding, why not host your event in a real-life botanical garden? That’s exactly what Kasey and Kevin did for their Cape Fear Botanical Garden wedding in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Even though they said “I do” on April Fool’s Day 2022, this wedding was no joke! It was a beautiful spring day with warm temperatures, but not too hot. It felt great to be outside.  

Nikki Whitt Belch, owner of Fancy This Photography, used her Nikon D850 and Nikon D750 cameras to capture the festivities. This was her first time photographing a wedding at Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

“Although the name states that it is a garden, I was not expecting how lush the scenery would actually be,” says Nikki. “There were so many secret places that I could take Kasey and Kevin for their wedding photos together. Honestly, it was like a photographer's playground. It was beautiful, especially with the spring colors in full bloom.” 

With camellias, daylilies and butterflies abound, it’s easy to understand why people come to Cape Fear Botanical Garden to take photos that will last a lifetime. Located in Fayetteville, it takes about an hour to drive from Raleigh to Cape Fear Botanical Garden and just under two hours from Wilmington. All 80 acres of these gorgeous gardens are nestled between the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek. 

Keep scrolling to witness more beauty from Kasey and Kevin’s Cape Fear Botanical Garden wedding!

Getting Ready With The Gals

I had so much fun taking photos of Kasey and her bridal party before her Cape Fear Botanical Garden wedding. First of all, the cozy little cottage they got ready in was too cute! Hello gray-blue fireplace mantel and trim. I’m also a complete sucker for a pop of green plants and rainbow book assortments.

Wedding Beauty by Wink Hair & Makeup

Wink Hair & Makeup is a team of artists that specialize in wedding, special occasion, photo shoot and commercial hair and makeup services. Although their studio is based in Raleigh, Wink is happy to travel to your getting ready location for on-site beauty services. They gave Kasey and each of her bridesmaids a beautiful wedding-day look. The bride chose an elegant updo that was pinned with an embellished bridal hair accessory. This angelic bridal party looked simply divine in all-white dresses of varying cut and style.

First Look With Dad

Kasey shared a first look with her dad before sharing a first look with Kevin. Dad’s reaction to seeing his daughter in a bridal gown from Vow’d Weddings was priceless. First looks with family members aren’t just beautiful and emotional, they are also practical! Why? Because this is the perfect time to get pictures with loved ones that you’ll cherish forever. 

The Groom’s Group

Kevin and his Cape Fear Botanical Garden wedding group looked amazing! I loved the sharp blue suits with matching light green ties. Even Kevin’s groomswoman looked fierce in a royal blue jumpsuit that complemented the group’s color palette. Bystanders couldn’t help but stop and stare at the cool crew as they walked through the gardens in aviator sunglasses. Peep the patterned eye candy inside the groom’s suit jacket! 

Kasey & Kevin’s First Look at Cape Fear Botanical Garden

Kasey and Kevin shared their first look beside one of the three gorgeous ponds at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. We could not have asked for a more scenic location. As the bride and groom stared in awe at one another, the sound of a water fountain and birds singing filled the air.

Bamboo Forest Beauties

Following their first look, Kasey and Kevin wandered into a forest of bamboo trees at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Bamboo forests feel intimate and whimsical as you walk through them and are perfect for taking wedding portraits. Light and shadows bounce off visitors in unique ways as the slender trees sway in the breeze. In a way, Kasey and Kevin look like two beautiful bamboo trees growing side by side.  

Flower Power Photos at Cape Fear Botanical Garden

In case you don’t know, Fancy This Photography is all about photographing bold color and even bolder emotions. Which is why we had to stop and take Kasey and Kevin’s wedding portraits in front of a flowering azalea shrub. The bride and groom popped in front of this fiery flower backdrop.     

Garden Photography Policy: If you are not getting married at Cape Fear Botanical Garden and want to take photos there, a fee applies and a reservation is required. The cost is $50 per hour if a photo shoot is scheduled after business hours. To schedule a photo shoot at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, call the Garden Gift Shop 910-486-0221 ext. 36. 

*Couples who are hosting their wedding ceremony and/or reception at Cape Fear Botanical Garden do not have to pay any additional fees to take photos in the gardens. 

Cape Fear Botanical Garden Wedding Ceremony

My favorite moment from Kasey and Kevin’s Cape Fear Botanical Garden wedding was their outdoor ceremony. The couple said “I do” in The Brick Circle, one of the garden’s outdoor event spaces. The Brick Circle path leads to a magical, vine-covered Wellons Arbor. 

“It was a simple, yet stunning backdrop,” says Nikki. “They married under an arbor that was lit up with lights behind it. It twinkled ever so slightly during the day, but made the scene that much more surreal. It was lovely hearing their vows during this time.”

The Brick Circle is on the main path into Cape Fear Botanical Garden and has high foot traffic during normal business hours, so ceremonies in this space must occur after hours.

Cape Fear Botanical Garden Wedding Cocktail Hour

After the ceremony, Kasey and Kevin invited guests to an outdoor cocktail hour on the lawn of The Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Complex. Some guests played corn hole while others sipped on Kentucky Mules (the couple’s signature cocktail). Instead of a traditional guestbook, guests signed wooden pieces of the game Jenga.  

Cape Fear Botanical Garden Wedding Reception

Cape Fear Botanical Garden has two unique indoor event spaces: The W.C. English Foundation Grand Hall (120 guest capacity) and The Ralph and Linda Huff Orangery (400 guest capacity). Kasey and Kevin chose the Grand Hall for their reception. This elegant indoor space features big windows with garden views, steel beam ceilings, and two exposed brick walls. All spaces within The Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Complex have free Wi-Fi, a set number of tables and chairs, a screen for projections, microphone, podium and sound system.

Kasey and Kevin’s reception tables were decorated with classic white linens, light-green satin napkins and ornate gray chargers. Each table featured a lovely vase of flowers. For dessert, guests enjoyed an assortment of colorful macarons and a tower of cupcakes.

Ready to book Fancy This Photography for your upcoming wedding? Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation about the big day. 

Photographer //  Fancy This Photography
Venue // Cape Fear Botanical Garden 
Hair & Makeup // Wink Hair & Makeup
Wedding Dress // Vow’d Weddings
Music // Five Star Entertainment