A Plaza Midwood Wedding at The Long Room in Charlotte, NC

There’s something warm and honest you can feel about weddings that are 100% planned by just the couple, and this wedding at The Long Room in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood was exactly that. Rich with mid-century brickwork, and local art on display, The Long Room was the perfect venue for a celebration that felt equal parts intimate and effortlessly cool.

Originally built in 1953, The Long Room embraces its past while feeling distinctly modern. The venue’s exposed brick and concrete walls, preserved from the original structure, create a textured, urban backdrop that photographs beautifully. Throughout the space, rotating original artwork by local Charlotte artists adds color, creativity, and a sense of place—making every angle feel unique and alive.

A Venue Designed for Energy and Flow

One of the standout features of The Long Room is its thoughtful layout. The large sprung dance floor anchors the celebration, while the wrap-around balcony with wrought iron railing offers guests a unique vantage point and gives couples dramatic photo perspectives.  Whether it was guests watching heartfelt moments from above or dancing late into the evening below, the balcony added a layer of visual interest that made this wedding feel dynamic and immersive.

The venue also features a full bar—always a guest favorite—and an outdoor courtyard, which provided a relaxed space for conversation, fresh air, and candid moments away from the dance floor. It’s the kind of venue that encourages connection, and genuine moments throughout the day.

Capturing the Day with Digital and Film

As a PPA-trained Certified Professional Photographer specializing in weddings, my goal is always to tell a couple’s story in a way that feels honest, timeless, and true to who they are. For this wedding, I used a blend of digital and film photography, allowing me to capture both precision and emotion in complementary ways.

For film, I photographed on Kodak Portra 400 for color and Ilford Delta 3200 for black and white—films known for their beautiful tonal range, soft grain, and ability to handle challenging light with grace. Shooting film in a venue like The Long Room, with its moody textures and ambient lighting, adds a richness and depth that feels especially fitting for a historic space.

All film was shot on my Canon EOS 1V paired with a Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS lens, a combination that allows me to work fluidly, stay present in the moment, and capture scenes as they naturally unfold. The result is imagery that feels classic without being stiff—photos that will still feel meaningful decades from now.

A Celebration Full of Character

This wedding was a beautiful reflection of the couple themselves: warm, expressive, and rooted in authenticity. From laughter echoing across the balcony to quiet moments shared in the courtyard, The Long Room offered endless opportunities for storytelling.

If you’re planning a wedding in Plaza Midwood and are drawn to venues with history, art, and architectural character, The Long Room is truly one of Charlotte’s hidden gems. And if you’re looking for a photographer who blends editorial sophistication with genuine, candid moments—captured on both digital and film—I’d love to tell your story.