Haley and Kurt's Wedding at The Barn on New River

“When love is a habit, joy is a reflex”

— Bob Goff

Where do I even start with these two. After like 5 minutes of chatting on the phone, I knew we’d be besties for life. I couldn’t imagine another couple more suited to celebrating my birthday weekend with while capturing their special day! They are both total joy bombs who love the world with their whole selves. They said the hardest part of planning the wedding was going to be making sure every single person they loved had exactly what they needed and wanted. They weren’t worried about themselves at all! So completely genuine and compassionate. I just adore them.

And then of course after walking around downtown Old Salem with them at their engagement session, we had already shared all of our best adventures and future adventure plans…hopefully some together! We knew this was going to be such a fun year!

Fast forward to Haley’s Bridals on The Blue Ridge Parkway just a couple weeks ago!! Haley was already becoming a fast favorite human, then she introduced me to Boone! Her nephew is as much a Harry Potter Fanatic as I am and we pretty much left Haley, his mom Ashley and their mom Denise to fend for themselves on the shoot as we chatted about all things magic and muggles lol. When he showed up with a Polaroid Camera on the wedding day I knew who my next second shooter would be!

Side note…is Haley STUNNING or what?!?! I have been dying to share these images!

And then holy moley what a DAY! I couldn’t wait to shoot at The Barn on New River and it did not disappoint! What an incredible venue and I just adore their whole crew. Caroline is a freaking powerhouse coordinator who will make all the things happen, and Paula is just the sweetest venue owner you could meet, so very helpful and genuinely excited about her couples.

When I first spoke with Haley and Kurt about their day, it was evident immediately that the little details, heirlooms, and moments with their cherished people mattered more than anything. For something old, she had her bouquet wrapped in a 4th generation handkerchief passed down through her mother’s family. She had borrowed her grandmother’s wedding band to wear on her right hand. And since they love rival sports teams, her something blue was a Duke patch sewn into her dress. (He had a Carolina Blue lining in his suit)

When her Nana realized she wasn’t going to be present for the wedding, she made her a special book of notes and letters and drawings to send her love from afar and Haley had the whole room in tears as she opened it. Packaged with her Nana’s favorite yellow roses, her presence was felt immensely.

The fellas got ready at the cabins down the road and kudos to my girl Jenni for capturing the morning from Kurt’s perspective!

Don’t ever skip sunset portraits my friends…just don’t. (Or the opportunity to escape the party for a few moments to savor the day with your love)

When you can’t decide if you want a private last dance, a sparker exit, a champagne popping, lit balloons or a firework fountain for your final exit… DO THEM ALL! Seriously! WHAT an exit!! SO very happy for you guys!! Thank you for inviting me on your journey! I cannot wait for all the adventures we’ll share in the future! Cappadocia here we come!!

The vendors who made the day possible:

Photographers: Cynthia Viola with Jenni Chandler

Venue + Coordinator : Caroline with The Barn on New River

Hair: Megan Matthews & Tami Smith

Make Up: Sarah Warrick

Dress: Maggie Soterro from Lasting Impressions

Suit: Stitched By Mitch

Rings: Ballerina Jewelers

Florist and Cake: Dandelions All Things Wedding

Officiant: Rebecca Maynard

DJ: Ben with Mohr Fun Events

Photobooth: Elation Digital

Video: Serrano Film Co

Catering: Gadabouts Catering

Dessert: Blue Deer Cookie

Beer Truck: Tap Truck

Shuttle: Jeff Prestige with Prestige Limousine Service

Rentals: A&J Rental Group

Erin and Ian's Wedding at Brown Mountain Beach Resort

“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for a newer and richer experience”

— Eleanor Roosevelt

Erin and Ian know how to throw a party. From the very first conversation they knew they wanted me on site for both the rehearsal and the wedding day, and by the end of the chat, they were adding me for the river day that would follow on Saturday with their guests. And not long after that they decided I needed to be there for the Luau that would follow the river day and of course Sunday Brunch to send everyone off!

This isn’t even including the 3 days of Widespread Panic they attended before the wedding, the Tuesday group hike and Wednesday Rafting excursion. I could not have planned a better wedding week if I had laid out every single detail myself. These two are adventurers to their core and I adore them for it!

When I pulled up to the rehearsal on Thursday after unpacking my gear, I walked down to the beach to find these two love birds having the time of their lives in a bathtub that had been pulled into the river. I knew right then this was going to be one hell of a weekend and they did not disappoint.

After hours around the bonfire Thursday night with all their friends who had just arrived, everyone got up early to detox from the hangover with some group yoga on the deck, and now I must insist that EVERY couple offer this to their party on the morning of the wedding. It was such a relaxing way to start the day and the focus on gratitude brought many happy tears and hugs and simply set the tone for the day. It was like nothing could possibly go wrong after everyone set their intention for the day to be grateful for this space and these people. Truly incredible.

One of the most important pieces of the weekend for Erin and Ian was good music. They knew the music would set the tone for every activity so they went all out. Rebekah Todd serenaded the crowd during the ceremony and cocktail hour with some surprise songs that were super meaningful to the family.

The Dickens Band got every single person on the dance floor for the reception, bringing the mic to the floor and getting everyone to sing their hearts out to their favorite punk rock and alternative bands. It was an absolutely wild night followed by another fun bonfire.

Next up, Saturday was designated as the river day! Everyone hopped in the trolley and made their way down the beach on bright blue floaties! It was such a fun and relaxing afternoon filled with love and laughter.

If you know me at all, you knew this was coming :)

My favorite shoot of all time will forever be trash the dress and I knew these babes would be up for anything so I had them throw their outfits back on and hop in the river!! Always 200% worth it!! So fun and carefree!

The grand finale!

A low country boil, oysters leis and cocktail umbrellas. What a night! These two brought in Daniel Korzelius, the Human Juke, for their beach luau. There is no song he can’t play and they did their best to stump him! From Bohemian Rhapsody to Taylor Swift he had everyone singing along and made the night truly memorable. Definitely a weekend for the books. Please feel free to invite me to your next Smittfest you guys!!

Thank you so much for including me on your special day!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola Photography

Venue and Accomodations: Brown Mountain Beach Resort

Coordinator: Leah with Brown Mountain Beach

Rings: Perry's Emporium and Matheu's Fine Watches & Jewelry

Hair and Make Up: TM Bridal Beauty

Florist: Edgemont Garden

Officiant: Jay Webb with Love and Wisdom

Ceremony Music: Rebekah Todd

Reception Music: The Dickens

Luau Music: Daniel Korzelius The Human Juke

Catering: Plate Perfect Catering

Jessica and Zak's Wedding at Beacon

“Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness”

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

I could not be more excited for two people on their wedding day! I have had the pleasure of watching Jess and Zak grow more and more in love from the day they met until today. From long chats while horse back riding with Jess, to scheming the surprise proposal with Zak, capturing their engagements on Roan Mountain and finally as they said I do, I have listened as they both spoke so fondly of each other and jumped with excitement as they celebrated.

They celebrated at Beacon Butcher Bar in Boone as it’s one of their favorite restaurants and it suited them just perfectly from the incredible spread Beacon provided down to every detail Molly created to help remember the day.

We were worried the cold weather was going to make all the photos a challenge, but the sun came out just in time and bathed them in the most perfect sunset glow as they explored the waterfall on the premises. Little Colt might have had more fun than anyone throughout the day though, naming his favorite succulents, dancing with mom and drinking Shirley Temples. It was a perfect day indeed.

Thank you so much for including me in your big day you guys! I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

Love you!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Venue: The Beacon Butcher Bar

Coordinators: Tina and Susan from the Beacon

Florist: Fuschia Moss Floral Design

Hair: Sarah Simpson from Essential Beauty Salon Studio

Accommodations: Courtyard by Marriott

Cake: The Cakery at Lowes