Lindley and Justin's Wedding at Wonderlust Acres

“Love her but leave her wild”

— Atticus

Oh my goodness, I love how deep connections to my couples comes full circle a decade later. I captured sweet Lindley’s cousin Kathryn’s wedding over 10 years ago and have, of course, stayed connected with family photos through the years and I was so excited when Lindley popped into my inbox to let me know it was her turn and Kathryn insisted she message me!

The only potential hiccup was my plan to hike my next Appalachian Trail Section the next morning, so they agreed it would be fine for them to wait an extra week for their photo delivery, but then my start date got pushed back a couple days so I get to write their sweet story before I take off!

I’m pretty sure there couldn’t be a more perfect couple to kick off my next adventure though. These two are also avid adventurers who will be going white water kayaking for their honeymoon! Once I received that information, coupled with two empty kayaks sitting beside the venue’s pond… I mean there was really no other option than a trash the dress moment after the reception. Just sayin…

Gregory asked the family to pass around the wedding rings at the beginning of the ceremony to give the couple blessings before they exchanged rings. Then he asked Lindley and Justin to look at each others hands during the ceremony. Hands that would hold them and comfort them and protect them forever more. You could feel the love they had for each other as they took in each detail and fingerprint. When they added the rings which had been blessed by the family, the love surrounding them, and the legacy in the heirloom involved, everyone felt the weight this beautiful moment carried.

Lindley and Justin were just as excited as I was to get to the fun part and we were willing the sun to move into position just a little bit faster. After splashing around in the creek, they jumped into the kayak and had a blast splashing each other and playing with the resident alligator :)

You guys thank you so much for including me in your special day! It was the perfect adventure to start off my next AT Section! Hope you have a blast on your trip!

The Vendor’s who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Venue: Wonderlust Acres

Dress: Watters from BHLDN

Her Ring: Clean Origin

His Ring: A family heirloom

HMU: Kaylee Davis

Officiant: Rev. Dr. Gregory Possman

Catering: Can-Do Catering

Cake: Stick Boy

Elopements on the Blue Ridge Parkway

For Earth Day, it seemed appropriate to highlight the beauty of our Blue Ridge Mountains with all the magical elopements I’ve had the honor of capturing lately. There’s just something about the rolling land and vast sky that draws so many to make their commitments here.

Sha’Lanika and Mike drove up from Florida, seeing mountains for the first time on this trip, and while a little nervous on the roads, were overwhelmed by the beauty surrounding them. We chose Thunder Hill both due to its ease of access for hiking and also because it happened to snow and ice just the day before closing off the rest of the parkway to access by vehicle. You never know what kind of weather you’re going to get up here!

Keith and Rebecca drove down from Illinois and chose Carvers Gap on the Appalachian Trail at Roan Mountain State Park because they are newly avid backpackers who met during covid and fell in love with backpacking and each other! We swapped hiking stories while we walked as Roan Mountain is still, in my opinion, the most beautiful section of the Appalachian Trail I’ve seen to date and I frequent the balds both for shoots and for camping! We were freezing in the 38 degree temps of course but Rebecca was such a trooper, you’d never even know her teeth were chattering.

Oh my goodness, when Claire told me they were driving down to Blowing Rock from Ohio and their big day would be more of a “private affair,” I knew exactly what she meant and my heart broke into a million pieces. Sometimes these elopements can have a bittersweet feel to them, however, the love these two share, CANNOT, be denied. They were so precious to witness all day. The friends and family who came to support them were all they needed to feel loved and adored. Tears flowed from each of us all day but the flood gates came when Claire got down on her knees to promise to love and honor Erica’s kids as well. I know this little family will be there to support each other for life.

And just yesterday Jon and Kristianna said their “I dos” at The Blowing Rock. Their kiddos couldn’t have been happier to participate and celebrate with them and the weather was Carolina perfection. I can’t believe I’ve never been to The Blowing Rock before… in all the years I grew up and built my business in these mountains, for whatever reason had simply never made it. So grateful to know what I’ve been missing though! I’ll be back very soon! All Kristianna wanted was a photo standing on the edge of the rock and she walked up there like a damn queen. I am really beginning to love these intimate affairs. The freedom of the schedule to adjust with the weather and wind or an upset child or delayed friend. There are no rules, just overwhelming love and support from those present.

I am grateful to each of you for including me! Can’t wait to see all that is to come!

Meghan and Andrew's Elopement on the Blue Ridge Parkway

“Go as far as you can see. When you get there you’ll be able to see farther”

— J.P. Morgan

When a couple is willing to get up at 4am to climb a mountain with you in the DARK just to catch the sunrise you know you’ve found the right couple. Meghan and Andrew wanted a simple ceremony at Beacon Heights with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background so we made it happen!

She literally had to put on her dress and adjust her make up in the dark while we waited for the sun to make an appearance, but it was totally work the effort.

With a few 20s crooners playing in the background, they shared their first dance and spent some time taking in the moment.

It was truly the perfect ceremony and I am so honored you chose me to be a part of it you guys!