Lisa and Mike's Wedding at The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

I met Lisa at Deanna and William’s wedding in 2022 and we hit it off right away. The cheeriest little babe ever, and so happy to help with anything and everything. When she messaged about the wedding I said yes right away! Then seeing her with Mike at their engagement session, I knew they were meant to be, the perfect balance to each other. She encouraged him to be silly with her and live in the moment while he was steadfast and grounding. We pulled into Moses Cone Memorial Park, right as the black clouds were rolling but we knew we could beat them! So we jumped around the various spots as quick as we could, having an absolute blast and finished just in time! It definitely helped prepare us for the hurricane baring down this weekend!

Our babes stayed positive and excited all week, while making the necessary precautions just in case the storm hit hard, but to our delight the clouds just rolled passed. The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden luckily has several incredibly beautiful indoor locations to work with so we weren’t concerned about the pending storm, just a little bummed. Saturday morning, however, Lisa was just as bright and bubbly as she was when I first met her. And Mike is so chill, I don’t think anything could upset him. Fortunately we were able to follow the plan exactly and the sun came out making an already perfect day simply magical.

After a sweet first look with her father we made our way to the Conservatory so our babes could share a first look and private vow reading. All nerves were washed away as they shared their hearts with each other, laughed about inside jokes, lipstick and the giant machines trimming trees right where they planned to meet.

Next up the wedding party and family joined for photos, hyped them up, laughed, joked and touched up their final details preparing them for the ceremony and party to follow.

His dad officiated a beautiful ceremony speaking of their growth together through the years, conflict resolution beyond their years and fun competition along the way. Their siblings shared moving readings while every guest grew to love them even more.

After some fun toasts and formal dances the party really started! Chad with Split Second Sound read the room perfectly and the dance floor stayed full for FOUR fun filled hours! (in case you’ve not been to 400 weddings like I have, dance floors tend to wane after 2-3 hours, 4 is super impressive!)

As the night came to a close, we snuck away for a few private photos, they shared a sweet final dance and made it to the sparklers right as they blew out! Lol! But that only made everyone laugh harder and celebrate louder. These babes have an incredible crew around them and it was an honor to be a part of such a special day!

Instagram handles for all Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: @cynthiajviola

Venue: @danielstowebotanicalgarden 

Planning: @honeyidoweddings

HMU: @amycastro_wedding_hmua

Florals: @birch.nwillow

Rentals: @partyreflections

Video: @shutterandsound

DJ: @splitsecondsound

Catering: @bestimpressionscaterers

Tara and Mischon's Wedding at The Collector's Room

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses”

— UNKNOWN

Tara and Mischon had a unique covid-wedding story where they chose to go ahead and have a small ceremony at his parent’s home with their immediate family in 2020, and then their full ceremony and reception this year with the whole crew.

Fortunately, I and Vintage Soul Floral Design were both able to participate in both events and were able to help them seam both days into one cohesive story. Even more fortunate, mother nature decided to bless both days with beautiful weather, making the story all the more wonderful.

With the way these two approach life though, I think it could have poured rain both days or been completely canceled and they would have rolled right on, knowing they had each other and their family to make it all worth while. They are truly a one of a kind couple and I adore them.

I absolutely love that they were able to have a dress rehearsal, because it allowed Tara to realize she wanted to wear her hair down, without a veil, Mischon changed up his suit and Tara also wanted to make the bouquet absolutely EPICLY huge! It must have weighed 20 pounds but it was soooo worth it!

There were two very sweet differences between their two ceremonies. In the first, the sweet pups were able to participate and insisted on laying on the train the entire day. The second, already married, they walked each other down the aisle. I absolutely loved both scenarios. Also in both, Dean’s Duet’s performed, and Vintage Soul Floral stole the show in absolute glorious design.

You guys! I cannot thank you enough for including me in BOTH your beautiful days. I cannot wait to see what comes next for you. Always cheering you on from behind the lens!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographers: Cynthia Viola with Kalypso Burley

Venue: The Collector’s Room

Wedding Coordinator: Carla with Precious Times Events

Her Dress: Pronovias from Anjolique Bridal & Formal

His Attire and Groomsmen: Generation Tux

Bridesmaids: Azazie

The Rings: Diamonds Direct - Blue Nile - Collectors

Perfume: Yves Saint Laurent

Cologne: Mon Paris

Hair Stylist: The Makeup Addict

Make Up Artist: Glam by Tara (the lovely bride herself)

Florist: Vintage Soul Floral Design

DJ: Split Second Sound

Videographer: K2 Productions

Photobooth: ShutterBooth

Music: Dean’s Duets

Catering: Roots Catering

Cake Baker: Cake Expressions By Lisa

Linen/Chair/Tent Services: CE Rentals

Invitations: Lucrecia Caporale

Sarah and Rich's Wedding at Providence Country Club

The fourth times a charm! Sarah and Rich had to reschedule their wedding four times due to covid but that seemed to only make the day that much sweeter. Highly anticipated by all their friends and honestly less stressful. The went ahead and eloped last year so all the pressures that can build not seeing each other and making last minute decisions just weren’t there. They were so happy to just be celebrating with their friends and being able to move on past all the planning. It was a perfect day.

They met on the Bumble dating app a couple years ago and Rich proposed in Cancun on their 2 year dating anniversary (May 8th). As it turned out, all of their common interests revolve around sports! So of course they had to give a nod to both their alma maters for the weddings. North Carolina State Red and Penn State Blue.

While the sun could have made the day miserable with over 90 degree temps, the clouds rolled in just enough to keep everyone shaded the entire day was was quite literally a silver lining to it all. It was a great day indeed.

You guys thank you for inviting us to be a part of your day!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographers: Cynthia Viola with Kalypso Burley

Venue and Catering: Providence Country Club

Wedding Coordinator: Sarah Duckworth

Her Dress: Essence of Australia from Dar-Lynn's Bridal & Formal Wear

His Attire: Men's Warehouse

Bridesmaids: Azazie

Groomsmen: Men's Warehouse

The Rings: Helzberg Diamonds

Hair Stylist: Jessica with Giglio Hair Designs

Make Up Artist: Carly Sabato

Florist: Party Blooms

Officiant: Benjamin Mazur (Bride's brother)

Band: Marcus Harmon (Personal Friend)

Cake Baker: Renaissance Patisserie

Invitations: Paper Source

Favors: Koozies from Totally Promotional

Halee and Noah's Wedding at Trump National Golf Club

I knew I loved Halee and Noah the moment I met them. Both are so very laid back and easy to be around. They were not interested in too many bells or whistles, they didn’t even want to do the wedding party shenanigans, just say “I do” and throw a party! Covid of course helped them with this as they had to go ahead and elope last year and have that big party this year, but it was only that much more exciting for having to wait!

They met at the Tropicana Bar in Cornelius not too very long ago just a few miles away from Trump Golf Charlotte where they held the wedding, and then he proposed in the Maldives! They love their local area and also love to travel, with big plans ahead.

Halee’s grandmother gifted her with the bible she had carried down the aisle herself. Their marriage stood the test of time and this was her way of wishing many years of happiness to them.

For favors, they used Pittsburgh Cookies baked with love from the family, everyone made their own bag of treats to take home, it was a huge hit!

Thank you so much for including me you guys!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Venue and Catering: Trump National Golf Club Charlotte

Wedding Coordinator: Sarah Frischkorn with Trump Golf

Hair Stylist: Courtney Kay

Make Up: Julie Metzger at Craft Beauty

Dress: Martina Liana from Paige and Elliott suit Michael Kors from The Backroom

Rings: Both Verragio from Diamonds Direct

Florist: Flower by Barbara

Officiant: Jan Davis, aunt of the groom

DJ: Dj Bob

Kristin and Matt's Wedding at Emerald Lake

“Love isn’t losing yourself. Love is finding who you are in the arms of another person.”

— Marisa Donnelly

I met Kristin and Matt at Landon and Alexa’s wedding a couple years ago and knew right away we’d make it to this moment in no time. The way they looked at each other as they giggled in the corner said it all. Covid, of course, kept pushing it back further and further, but we did in fact make it eventually, and everything was absolutely perfect from the glowing candles to the guests in attendance to the way Matt nearly fell over when he saw her for the first time. You can read more about their sweet engagement story here, and their epic Hawaii trip will have to wait a few more months, but they were just so happy to finally say “I do” that all the details fell by the wayside.

When Matt turned 21 he decided to safe a bottle of Crown Royal for a super special occasion in the future. He’s been waiting all these years for that moment and when he met Kristin, he knew this would be the day. His crew was, of course, more than happy to celebrate with him, and he said it was totally worth the wait. He wouldn’t have used it for any other moment.

Just before their first look, they decided to exchange letters to each other and while they were both nervous as they opened them, they knew each other so well they were laughing right away and immediately put at ease. It was the perfect way to enter their first look.

Their friends Laura and David were supposed to attend and be part of the wedding party but Covid made that impossible. Matt and Kristin were super surprised however, when they showed up anyway and waved to everyone from the car, shared the famous crown shot from the car, and pulled up to the front spot so they could witness the entire ceremony from the parking lot. It was so sweet!

Kristin had her heart set on dancing in the rain at the end of the night, she saw something beautiful in the twinkling lights and I’m so glad she did! We had the very best time! You guys thank you so much for including me on your big day!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Venue and Catering: The View at Emerald Lake

Her Dress: Savvy Bridal Boutique

His Attire: The Tuxedo Shop

The Rings: Diamonds Direct

Officiant: Don Morphis

DJ: Raise the Roof Charlotte

Tara and Mischon's Engagement in NoDa

“I’m not good at making specific plans. Just meet me under the sky somewhere and be alive with me”

— Victoria Erickson

These two have been together for almost 7 years and it really shows! Mischon knew exactly which quirky things to say to Tara to warrant a huge smile and she knew right when to just grab him and pull him in for the kiss. After going back and forth trying to decide which park would be best to shoot in this time of year we finally settled on exploring the North Davidson area of Charlotte. They both love bright bold colors and I knew this would be a perfect fit.

We weren't sure if we were going to be able to find any color in the winter as most of the leaves are gone from the trees and it's not quite time for spring blooms, but NoDa is filled with colorful murals, buildings and now a balloon installation! It was was like a scavenger hunt trying to find each of the murals through all the construction but totally worth the effort!

The weather was supposed to be a little chilly so I offered to reschedule if they’d rather a more spring-y photoshoot, but they weren’t phased in the slightest. Tara said they’d throw on their peacoats and scarves and have fun anyway. There’s nothing better than a couple that can just roll with the punches. I know we’re going to have an amazing time on their big day!

Wedding at Separk Mansion | Shelby and Andrew

“To love is to soar in the wild unexpectedly”

— Robert M. Drake

I must say, I have never been one to swoon over any type of details, I prefer the sweet glances, inside jokes and knowing smiles exchanged on a wedding day. However, between Chelish Moore’s over the top florals, Shelby’s gown, and and Delish Cakery’s elegant cake, I was officially swooning. I think I had to say something to whoever would listen every single time I walked through the ball room.

Shelby’s girls knew exactly what she needed all day. From spontaneous dance parties to champagne toasts, unexpected gifts and last minute touch ups. There’s just something about being surrounded by your best friends that makes your best day even better.

Andrew is quite the jokester and had everyone laughing throughout the day, but when it came to seeing his bride for the first time, and again down the aisle, his emotions shifted and all you could see was love. He knew he was the luckiest guy in the world.

We could not have asked for a more beautiful day, every single moment went off without a hitch thanks to Kinsey’s team at Separk Mansion and Andrew and Shelby simply beamed with joy the entire day.

They told me from the very beginning that the most important moment to capture was the reception. They knew they’d be surrounded by their closest friends and singing their hearts out; and every single person seemed to be on that dance floor all night long thanks to Charlie and George.

You guys thank you so much for letting us be a part of your perfect day!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographers: Cynthia Viola with Guillermo Delgado

Venue and Coordinator: Kinsey Kiser with Separk Mansion

Hair and Make Up: Natalie Gladden

Florist: Chelish Moore

Officiant: Rebecca Nagy

Catering: Roots

Cake Baker: Delish Cakery

DJ: Carolina DJ Professionals

Invitations: Truly Engaging by Magnet Street

First Dance: Stand By Me by Florence & The Machine