Good Lord, how do I even begin to describe how much I love these two?!?

First, their engagement shoot and surprise proposal on UNC Chapel Hill’s Campus last year was amazing! I plotted with Eddie for WEEKS about how we were going to pull that off! And THEN I had to keep it a secret! For a year! These two babes love a good surprise and boy did they ever manage a big one.

They threw a “30th Anniversary Party” for all their friends only to surprise them with a WEDDING! Eddie and Derrick met at UNC Chapel Hill 30 years ago and have been inseparable ever since. The depth of their love was palpable all day as they laughed and cried along with their dearest friends and family who have supported their love from the beginning.

Eddie is a wedding planner himself… so you KNOW all the details were on point, and UNC Chapel Hill themed of course! He chose all his favorite vendors and and only we knew about the big secret for an entire year! I seriously have NO idea how they managed to keep it from everyone. I nearly dropped the word “groom” 20 times myself as I was setting up and making plans with the others.

Trying to take family photos without using my regular wedding language was way harder than I expected, I was just so excited!

As the guests arrived they were greeted with hugs and hors d’oeuvres, a photobooth and the promise of dancing after dinner. No one suspected the big surprise that lay ahead. The words I heard over and over throughout the night as each person shared how they knew the happy couple were: kindness, kindness, kindness, joy and love. And Chapel Hill. Everyone in the room had experienced the overwhelming love these two present to the world and were elated to celebrate them in any capacity.

The big moment had arrived. There were to be three toasts from friends…the first two toasters didn’t even know what was coming. Liza started by reading the definition of love from the dictionary, which she said was not good enough, she said, “love is a color… and it’s Carolina Blue.” As everyone giggled, she went to say how love shows up every day no matter what, just like Eddie and Derrick have for each other all these years.

Terri talked about meeting Derrick for the first time at a drag show and how all their friends thought Eddie had made him up because they hadn’t met him yet. She said they all loved him immediately, of course, because Eddie hadn’t known how to show the world his true self fully until he found Derrick, and once he did, there was no looking back. These two completed each other, grew up together and have hardly known the world without each other. Nothing else makes more sense in the world than these two together.

By the time Pastor Jason got up to toast, the whole room was already in tears then he talked about how Eddie and Derrick were the embodiment of provision for the ones in need. “When I was hungry you gave me food, thirsty you gave me drink” He said when they were met with persecution, they showed only love to the world and no one deserves happiness more than these two incredible souls.

Then he said, “You know what, everyone is here, I’m ordained…let’s just get married! What do you say?!?”

The whole room ERUPTED in applause, tears, hoots and hollers, amens and happy dances! The grooms made their way to the floor with rings and vow books in hand and it was pandemonium as everyone realized this was planned all along!

It’s hard to even put to words the amount of love that enveloped them as they laughed and cried their way though memories and vows. The rest of the evening was hug after hug as the room embraced everything about who they are and what they represent in the world. It was pure magic.

They hardly know the world without each other, and the world hardly knows them without the other. 30 years down, at least 30 more to go you guys and I am honored I was there to witness the beauty of this union. Thank you so much for including me! Love you both!!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Coordinator: Rebecca with Eddie McDaniel Events

Venue : Chatham Station

Florist: Flowers by Kyle

Officiant: Jason Butler

DJ: All Around Raleigh DJ

Photobooth: Zim Zoom Photobooth

Catering: Rocky Top Catering

Bartending: Artful Libations

Cake: Ashley Cakes

Rentals: CE Rentals, Capital Events and Green House Picker Sisters

Stationary: CK Creations

Invitations: Indigo Envelope

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage”

— Lao Tzu

You guys, I cannot even begin to describe how much I adore these two. From the very beginning I feel like we have been besties and I’m not sure there is anyone more supportive of my work. Every single time I post I’m going to be in there area they tell all their friends and it just means the world to me.

Last year they trusted me with an extra extra special engagement shoot at Linville Falls Winery which you should totally read about here first if you like. And they have been so very fun to work with on all things planning.

For their preparation time on the morning of the wedding, they decided they wanted to just be chill and get ready together along side all their mutual friends and not make a big fuss about waiting until the ceremony to see each other. I must say this made the day so enjoyable for everyone with tons of laughter, cheers and stories.

An equal star of the day was most certainly their best boy Ketsu who did everything exactly as they asked, and even waited until the perfect moment to bring the rings down the aisle. As the anticipation for the ceremony built I hid them in the back room with just Ketsu so they could have a moment, and I swear, as soon as he saw them he jumped for joy and pulled out all the excited wiggles, instantly bringing down any bits of stress that had built up. He really is the very best good boy. :)

The ceremony itself was one of those where we basically had to mop the floor after due to allllll the tears the entire room collectively shed, myself included. For two beautiful humans who felt the need to keep their relationship a secret up until their actual engagement out of uncertainty for how everyone would respond, the outpouring of love and support was overwhelming. Both that first day and this day were a huge testament to how far we have come as a society, and more importantly, how many truly genuine friends they have who adore them for exactly who they are.

May there be no doubt ever again. Justin and Bryan, you are loved, supported, celebrated. Thank you for trusting your community, for being vulnerable and allowing us to come along side you. We are all cheering you and Ketsu on, now and forever.

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola with Guillermo Delgado

Venue: The Rickhouse, Durham, NC

Wedding Coordinator: Rose at Bright Rose Events

Wedding Attire: Bernard's Formalware and David’s Bridal

The Rings: Lashbrook

Barber: Mike Chops RDU

Florist: Ninth Street Flowers

Officiant: El Fisseha

DJ: DJ Scotty B

Event Lighting: Get Lit

Photobooth: Cynthia Viola Photography