David Howell

Humbly observing and artfully capturing love in its infinite forms

David Howell

David Howell

Bridals

McAlister-Leftwich House Bridal Session | Greensboro, NC

May 13, 2026

Bride posing on the front porch of the reception space of McAlister-Leftwich in Greensboro

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Grace

Profile bridal portrait of Grace in a fitted strapless mermaid gown with her hand on her hip on the wraparound porch of McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, looking back toward the camera with her bouquet at her side in warm golden evening light — Raleigh wedding photographer

Give it up for Grace. She nailed her spring bridal session at McAlister-Leftwich House in Greensboro, NC. That venue is always so pretty and a joy to photograph. Everything was blooming, the light was soft, and the whole property had this calm, timeless feel to it that worked perfectly for bridal portraits.

We spent the afternoon wandering around the venue, finding little pockets of light and talking through ideas for the wedding day coming up next month. I always love when bridal sessions feel collaborative like that — less about stiff posing and more about getting comfortable together before the wedding.

One of my favorite things about this place is how much variety it gives you without ever feeling overwhelming. The gardens, the old architecture, the quiet corners everywhere — it all photographs beautifully without trying too hard.

Mostly, though, I just wanted her to feel relaxed and present. The best moments usually happen in between everything else anyway. A small laugh, fixing her dress, taking a breath for a second. Those are the kinds of photos that end up meaning the most later on.

As the sun started dropping, the whole place warmed up and gave us the softest light to finish the session with. Just an all-around beautiful afternoon, and it made me even more excited to come back for the wedding day soon.

Bride in a strapless white ballgown looking back over her shoulder in the chandelier hallway at McAlisterLeftwich in Greensboro NC, holding her skirt as her cathedral train pools on the black-and-white tile floor — Raleigh wedding photographer David Howell
Close-up bridal portrait of Grace smiling and leaning against a white door frame in her strapless white ballgown, wearing pearl bracelet, gold drop earrings, and engagement ring at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC — Raleigh wedding photographer
Dramatic close-up bridal portrait of Grace with smoky eye makeup and hand raised to her temple in a strapless white ballgown at McAlister-Leftwich in Greensboro NC — Raleigh wedding photographer
Full-length bridal portrait of Grace in a strapless white ballgown with cathedral train holding a white rose and baby's breath bouquet while gazing out the window in the chandelier hallway at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC — Raleigh wedding photographer
Soft bridal portrait of Grace framing her face with both hands, showing her diamond engagement ring and pearl bracelet in a strapless white ballgown at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC — Raleigh wedding photographer
Dramatic low-angle bridal portrait of Grace on the grand staircase at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, sunlight streaming through the window with lens flares, strapless ballgown train cascading down the wood steps — Raleigh wedding photographer
Joyful close-up bridal portrait of Grace beaming while holding a white rose and baby's breath bouquet in the blue parlor room at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, wearing gold pearl drop earrings — Raleigh wedding photographer
Bride framed in a white doorway holding a white rose bouquet in the blue-painted parlor room at McAlisterLeftwich Greensboro NC, with a vintage gold chair and settee visible in the background — Raleigh wedding photographer
Bride wearing a cathedral veil and holding a white rose bouquet while leaning against a white column in the ballroom at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, chandelier glowing in the background — Raleigh wedding photographer
Full-length bridal portrait of Grace in a cathedral veil and strapless ballgown beautifully framed by a white doorway arch at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, looking down at her white rose bouquet — Raleigh wedding photographer
Close-up side profile bridal portrait of Grace with a cathedral veil draped over her dark wavy brunette hair, gazing off to the side at McAlister-Leftwich in Greensboro NC — Raleigh wedding photographer
Bride seated on a blush tufted velvet chair in the blue parlor room at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, smiling broadly and holding a white rose bouquet in natural window light — Raleigh wedding photographer
Soft bridal portrait of Grace seated on a blush velvet chair in the blue parlor at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, wearing gold drop earrings and holding a white rose and baby's breath bouquet — Raleigh wedding photographer
Grace lifting her cathedral veil overhead with both hands and looking down through the tulle in the blue room at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, pearl bracelet and diamond engagement ring visible — Raleigh wedding photographer
Bride seated with a cathedral veil draped over her face, gazing upward while holding a white rose bouquet with her diamond engagement ring visible in the blue room at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC — Raleigh wedding photographer
Romantic soft-focus bridal portrait shot through the cathedral veil at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, Grace's hand with her diamond engagement ring resting on her chest and white rose bouquet in the foreground — Raleigh wedding photographer
Black and white aerial view looking down the grand staircase at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC with Grace from behind in a cathedral veil and ballgown train, hand resting on the wood railing — Raleigh wedding photographer
Grace smiling up at the camera from the grand staircase at McAlister-Leftwich in Greensboro NC, wearing a cathedral veil and holding a white rose and baby's breath bouquet, strapless ballgown train on the stairs — Raleigh wedding photographer
Grace joyfully twirling in her strapless white ballgown in the floor-to-ceiling bay window sunroom at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, skirt flying out as she laughs — Raleigh wedding photographer
Grace from behind in the bay window sunroom at McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, holding out her ballgown skirt to reveal the bow detail on the back of her strapless gown and looking back over her shoulder smiling — Raleigh wedding photographer
Full-length bridal portrait on the exterior wraparound porch of McAlister-Leftwich in Greensboro NC, Grace looking down at her white rose bouquet with the strapless ballgown cathedral train spread across the blue-painted porch floor — Raleigh wedding photographer
Low-angle exterior bridal portrait looking up at Grace on the upper porch of McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC at dusk, warm lantern glowing behind her as she gazes upward, strapless ballgown and white rose bouquet — Raleigh wedding photographer
Wide exterior shot of Grace on the front entry steps of McAlister-Leftwich at 507 in Greensboro NC, looking back over her shoulder with her strapless ballgown train cascading down the stairs and potted boxwood topiaries flanking the arched door — Raleigh wedding photographer
Close-up bridal portrait of Grace on the front porch of McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC looking over her shoulder with her white rose and baby's breath bouquet, warm lantern glowing above — Raleigh wedding photographer
Full-length golden hour bridal portrait of Grace on the circular brick pathway in front of McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, strapless ballgown cathedral train spread across the brick, smiling toward the camera with the historic columned mansion behind her — Raleigh wedding photographer
Golden hour full-length bridal portrait of Grace on the grounds of McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, holding her white rose bouquet with the strapless ballgown cathedral train spread across the brick circular pathway and columned mansion entrance behind her — Raleigh wedding photographer
Wide golden hour bridal portrait showcasing the full facade of McAlister-Leftwich in Greensboro NC with its iconic white columns, Grace in a strapless ballgown smiling on the brick pathway — Raleigh wedding photographer
Grace in a second fitted strapless white gown smiling between white columns on the wraparound porch of McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC at golden hour, holding her white rose and baby's breath bouquet — Raleigh wedding photographer
Grace in a strapless fitted mermaid gown on the front entry steps of McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, standing between white columns and smiling, lantern-lit arched front door behind her — Raleigh wedding photographer
Profile bridal portrait of Grace in a fitted strapless mermaid gown with her hand on her hip on the wraparound porch of McAlister-Leftwich Greensboro NC, looking back toward the camera with her bouquet at her side in warm golden evening light — Raleigh wedding photographer

McAlister-Leftwich

McAlister-Leftwich House is one of my favorite wedding venues in Greensboro, North Carolina. The historic home offers beautiful natural light, elegant interiors, wraparound porches, and multiple portrait locations without ever needing to leave the property. I personally love the black checkboard flooring in the hallway between the two homes. For bridal sessions, I especially love variety the home offers from editorial vibes to classical southern portraiture. It’s a beautiful venue and I highly recommend it!

Vendors

Story and photography by David Howell Photography
Dress by Anjolique Bridal
Hair and makeup by Beauty by Reese

Want to Learn More?

If you’re planning a bridal session or wedding at McAlister-Leftwich House in Greensboro, I’d love to be your photographer!

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