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

Chapel Hill Wedding | Judy and Allen

“To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.”

— Mark Twain

As they stood, surrounded by their friends and family, Allen said they chose everything for their wedding intentionally. They wanted to make sure each piece would represent them well. The Tuscan theme and historic elements, the spiritual foundation and excellent food, the dancing, the wine.

But what really represented them that night was the happy faces around the room. Those who loved them well and supported their decision. Their people are the ones who make them who they are. Not only on that day but every day.

Holding back tears, a speechless Judy found herself in full agreement. They were exactly where they were supposed to be and overflowing with joy. The room cheered and everyone celebrated these two wonderful friends.

Chapel Hill was picture perfect over the weekend as well. The temperature had just dropped out of the high 90s to be a mild 70 and everything was a bright green from the rain the night before. They couldn’t have asked for a better day.

Everyone in their wedding party was also family so we simply had to add Judy’s beautiful mother to make the family formals complete. :)

Just as their new marriage was born out of their beautiful history together, the chapel was born out of so many beautiful historic elements. Old doors frames were made into mirrors, floor boards into tables and now this new family out of two previously separate ones. Abigail said she knew Allen was going to be a keeper when the pets seemed to approve of them together, and now too, all their children approved and were overjoyed to see them so happy.

You guys thank you for letting me be a part of your special day!

The Vendors who made the day Possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Venue: The Parolour at Mann’s Chapel

Coordinator: Folie a Deux Events

Officiant: Celestial Ceremonies

Hair Stylist: Jay Andrews Salon

Catering: Catering Works

Dessert: Beauty and the Batter

Rentals: CE Rentals

Tent: Grand Rental Station / Capital Events

DJ: YES Raleigh

Snipes Farm Retreat Family Portraits | Tiffany, Carlie and Remi

“To love is to soar in the wild unexpectedly”

— Robert M. Drake

When Carlie and Tiff said they wanted to celebrate their five year wedding anniversary going back to their wedding venue, getting back in their wedding clothes and having a photo session I was more than excited... like, overjoyed! I love these two anyway and their little Remi, and thinking of them reliving such a special moment with her brought all the feels. 

They found the tree where they said their vows and just spent a few minutes there sharing the memory then we showed Remi around the farm and danced in the tall grass. It was so beautiful. Remi couldn't stop talking about how excited she was to put on her mommy's wedding gown but when it came time to actually do so, she was less than thrilled, lol. Gotta love kiddos. 

We had to reschedule the photos three times due to bad weather, and almost had to again, but the clouds let up just long enough for us to dance around the farm a bit finally capture the moment. We had so much fun. 

If you enjoyed this, you might also enjoy their shoot at the Rose Garden last year or Jen and Erin's family session in Goldsboro. 

Engagement Session at UNC Chapel Hill | Annie and Stephen

“If I had my life to live again, I’d find you sooner.”

— Kobi Yamada

Watching two people like Annie and Stephen commit to loving one another for the rest of their lives is such a beautiful thing. From the very first shot yesterday they were super comfortable with each other and with whatever crazy idea I threw their way. Their smiles spoke for themselves as they shared with each other their favorite things and laughed at each other's jokes. I cannot tell you how incredible it is to get a couple in front of the camera and know instantly they are your people. (You can guess at it at the initial consult based on their personalities, but it's hard to know for sure til they're actually in front of the camera). We had so much fun walking all over UNC Chapel Hill's campus where she graduated. 

Annie and I texted back and forth all week, prepared to move the session at a moment's notice if we needed to as the weather kept changing it's mind which day it wanted to be sunny and which a total wash out. We were all prepared to dance in the rain to make it happen but were SO grateful the sun came out and made the shoot a total dream. It was amazing seeing students out on every lawn across campus soaking in every ounce of sun they could before it could hide again behind a cloud. 

You guys I had a blast! Your love flows so freely with each other, I cannot wait to spend your wedding day with you! I hope you love your engagement photos!!

If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy: This Chapel Hill Wedding or  Gabrielle and Baron's Engagement

Barn of Chapel Hill Wedding | Hollie + Matthew

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

— Robert A. Heinlein

These two blew me away with their love the moment I met them. Matthew had invited me to capture their proposal earlier this year and I knew before I even met Hollie how special this was going to be simply because of the way he talked about her: never without a smile on her face and doing everything she can to make others feel loved. 

She did not disappoint. Hollie's love for people is the very first thing you notice about her; you cannot help but be drawn to her and the way she smiles when she looks at her groom is another level entirely. Matthew is her constant and they are incredible together. 

As for this weekend, the words that permeated the day as their guests described them were humility, loyalty and love. These two are adored by everyone they know. One of their best men, Deontra, aptly compared them to peanut butter and jelly (complete with props) and said if you've had a jelly sandwich you know it's pretty good, but not quite complete. And you also know if you've had a peanut butter sandwich it's pretty good, but it's missing something. Together though, you've got one heck of a dynamic duo. Hollie and Matthew complete each other in every way. 

Hollie wore her sister's wedding veil and Matthew's mother, Linda let her borrow her pearl earrings. 

We didn't actually set up a father-daughter first look as we so often do but it happened to work out that when they did see each other for the first time they brought us all to tears. Hollie and Ricky have such a special relationship, the way smile at each other will melt your heart. From the rehearsal to the first look to the ceremony and first dance I was wiping away tears every time they were together! 

Matthew and Trey have known each other for several years; when he heard Trey play the sax in college he told him he wanted him to play at his wedding some day. Trey not only flew up for the wedding, but also the proposal in the park! I just adore the deep relationships both Hollie and have with everyone who participated in their big day!

During the ceremony, in addition to sharing their first communion together as a married couple, they braided a beautiful rope to symbolize God partnering with them in their marriage to make it strong. This was another piece of the day that could not go unnoticed, they both acknowledged God first and foremost in everything they did and said. So many blessings to be grateful for. 

You guys! I cannot thank you enough for letting us participate in your story. You overwhelmed us with your generosity and love all weekend, so grateful to count you among our friends and cannot wait to watch your love story unfold. Love you guys!

The vendors who made the day possible:

Photographers: Cynthia and A.J. Viola with assistance from Brittany Sloan

Venue: The Barn of Chapel Hill

Coordinator: Cheryl-Anne with Kast Events

Bride's Dress: Lana Addison Bridal

Groom's attire: Men's Warehouse

Both Rings: Jared's The Galleria of Jewelry

Hair and Makeup: Ashley Mooney

Florist: The Barn of Chapel Hill at Wild Flora Farm

Officiant: Pastor Steve Williams

DJ: DJ Kevin Timothee

Saxophonist: Trey Daniels

Pianist: Chris Moten

Videographer: David with Charis

Photobooth: ZimZoom

Catering: Empire Eats Catering

Bartending: The Kindred Team

Cake Baker: Michelle at Pink Flower Sweets and Suppers

Linens/Chair/Tent Services: CE Rental

Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas