Anna and Jim's Backyard Chapel Hill Wedding

Anna and Jim are quite the match. When a perfectly sunny week turned tropical storm first at their rehearsal, then again the moment the wedding ceremony was to begin, they were not phased. With the help of Melissa, their coordinator, they simply danced around it. First with changing up ceremony locations multiple times and finally with pushing back the start time 45 minutes to catch the clear weather window before it started raining again. In every decision they were together and ready to face it.

While they live in Kentucky, they held their ceremony in her dad’s back yard in Chapel Hill.

They both adore their pup Kit and worked several parts of the wedding around him, starting with a first look. (technically, starting with their engagement shoot) When the biggest decision of the day (to push back the ceremony) was upon them, they each did a first look with Kit and the stress just melted away. His happy demeanor calmed them right down. (Kit has a super cute instagram account by the way, @kitthegoldenretriever) He preceded Anna down the aisle, and also appeared in both their vows and the wedding speeches. He is well loved indeed.

They decided to throw confetti after the ceremony (as opposed to sparklers after the reception) which was super fun and could include all their guests. I highly recommend this option!

Bourbon was a theme throughout the day as well, from Jim’s morning details to their first drinks to a classy line up at the reception and even mini bourbon bottles as favors to the guests, along with super adorable matches with their date and “Stolen from the Hallahans” written on the back.

Kit, of course had his own space at the reception complete with a dessert made by a local dog bakery to look just like the cinnamon roll the adults received! He was so cute all night, bringing his ball to all the guests to throw for him, and everyone was happy to oblige. Even during the first dances he made sure his parents were having fun with the ball too.

It was such a wonderful and happy day, thank you guys for inviting me to be a part of it!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Coordinator: Melissa Hayes

Venue: Dowsett Home

Bridesmaids Hair and Make Up: The MakeUp Addict

Wedding Attire: Show me your Mumu

Rings: Jared

Florist: English Garden

Officiant: Mike Hallahan, Father of the Groom

Musicians: Duo Licht

DJ: DJG

Catering and Cake Baker: Edward White

Kit’s “Cinnamon Roll Cake:” Oliver’s Collar

Rentals: Grand Rental Station and Cottage Luxe

Erin and Matt's Wedding at Home

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass...It’s about learning to dance in the rain”

— Vivian Greene

Like so many weddings planned during Covid Matt and Erin’s big day was shrouded in uncertainty. They had hoped they pushed out far enough to have the big wedding downtown with all their friends, but Covid just had other plans. Just a couple weeks before the big day they made the tough decision to cancel the plans with their beautiful venue, Vidrio, and have a small ceremony at home. They still hope to throw a big party there in the future, the date is just a little uncertain.

That didn’t stop them from committing their lives to each other through thick and thin. No matter what they go through in the future they’ll know they’ve already come through this and be stronger for it.

With grandparents unable to attend, they found other ways to include them in the ceremony and Erin also had a handkerchief made out of her Maternal grandmother's bridal gown and wrapped it around her bouquet. The penny in her shoe is the same penny her mother and grandmother used before her. Lots of beautiful traditions made this day extra special.

Her brother John, wasn’t going to be able to make it to the wedding due to covid traveling issues and she was extremely sad because they’re quite close. However, at the final moment he was able to pull it together and surprise her the morning of the wedding. Everyone was a bundle of tears and filled with joy. We decided to include him on the first look with dad and that made it even more memorable.

As with all weddings that have had to move forward during Covid, they were unable to have the majority of friends and family in attendance. They set up a zoom call though and were able to include them via video, as well as several face time calls after ward.

The sparklers *may have all been duds but that didn’t stop them OR the rest of the family from partying! They ran through spirit fingers to everyone’s delight concluding the happiest of days.

I had so much fun with you guys! Thank you for including me on your special day!

The vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Coordinator: Kyle Riggan

Dress: Mon Cheri Bridal from Channy Bride & Beyond

Suit: Jos A. Bank

Party attire: Azazie and Jos A. Bank

Rings: Raleigh Diamond

Hair and Make Up: The Makeup Addict

Officiant: Kayelily Middleton

Catering: Ashley Christensen Catering

Cake Baker: Once in a Blue Moon Bakery

Florist: Expressions of Love

Invitations: Minted

Backyard St. Augustine Wedding | Angelica and Billy

“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own”

— Robert A. Heinlein

It was so much fun being back in St. Augustine this weekend! Especially for the wedding of two of my former neighbors! I literally walked right past my house with Letty Girl smiling through the fence to get to Angelica and Billy’s house for the festivities Sunday Morning. I knew from their Engagement shoot at Washington Oaks Garden State Park that we were all going to have a great time. They’re both so easy going and all their friends are same. The whole day was nothing but smiles and laughter (and a little bit of bug spray…backyards in Florida are notorious for mosquitos).

The guys started the morning fishing on the beach, while the ladies prepped for the party. With the help of some friends Angelica and Billy planned everything themselves. They even catered the event themselves with a DIY taco bar. It was flawless. Throughout the night they had a slideshow going in the living room of all their photos and I just loved that they had photos from their high school prom. They’ve loved each other for most of their lives. :)

They made sure to give a special gift to each of their parents throughout the day for being such a huge part of who they are and making the day happen. There were plenty of tears to go around :)

Their grandparents may not have been able to be there in person but they still got to have a front row view of the ceremony and first dance. So special.

They had a halfpipe in their backyard for Brayden to use and it doubled as a perfect dance floor!

You guys I cannot thank you enough for letting me be a part of your day! Congratulations!!

The Vendors who Made the Day Possible

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Venue: Their Backyard :)

Her Dress: David’s Bridal

His Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

Her ring: Tamara McFarland

His Ring: Resin and Wood World

Her Perfume: Heavenly by Victoria's Secret

Make Up and Hair Stylist: The Bardot

Officiant: Billy Knight

Catering: DIY Taco Bar

Rentals: Taylor's Rental

Invitations: Shutterfly

Rehearsal Dinner: Back 40