Jessica and Corey's Wedding at Twickenham House and Hall

It’s not often I get to capture a wedding in the middle of the week, but this Wednesday wedding at Twickenham House was an absolute delight. The hurricane that bore down on the area all week cleared literally just a couple hours before the ceremony, all the fog it brought with it lifted and we had the most beautiful day anyone could ask for.

Jessica chose to wear her mother’s wedding dress with a few alterations and it fit like a glove. Her father loved it so much and said she looked just as beautiful as her mother 37 years prior. As an extra special feature, her mom and sister sewed into the dress her “something blue.” They created a lace pocket with the leftover train material to place a photo of her Nana and Zadie wearing blue. Every guest who caught a peek went wild with love for them both.

Corey was a bit more quite and thoughtful during the preparations. As I hadn’t met him before today I wasn’t sure if this would remain his style all day, but I was blown away when the ceremony was over. He and Jessica danced their way through photos, climbed to the highest peak for the perfect shot, ran and skipped their way down to the shuttle and entered cocktail hour wildly in love and ready to party!

Together these two brought the party with them everywhere they went. Dragging friends into the photobooth and onto the dance floor, back to the patio for a quick drink then onto the dance floor again. They were showered with love and celebration by everyone and it was an absolutely unforgettable night.

You guys I cannot thank you enough for trusting me with your special day! Let’s do it again soon!

The Instagram handles for all the vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: @cynthiajviola

Venue & Catering: @twickenhamhouse

Planning: @kelseystricklandweddings

Hair: Haley 

Florals: Village Florist

Officiant: @revrichardtidyman

DJ: @ontargetdj

Social Media Curator: @furandlacephotography

Cake: @sassy_cat_bakery

Best Locations in the High Country for a Photoshoot

“Because in the end you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb the Mountain.”

— Jack Kerouac

Beacon Heights (Parkway mile 305.2) 30-45 min Roundtrip hike, No restrooms

Whether you’re here for a family session, engagement session, as a graduating senior, surprise proposal, extended family, anniversary or you’d like head shots, there are several things to consider in your photography location. If you’re here on vacation to see the mountains, you’ll likely want to incorporate those in the background, but not all locations have easy access. If you live here and see the mountains every day, maybe you’d be more into a waterfall, also a more difficult access. If you’ve got 30 people to organize and at least half of them are not into the idea of shooting at all, maybe the driveway at your rental cabin will be just fine so long as everyone shows up. Whatever your situation, I’m happy to help you navigate what’s best for you.

Moses Cone Memorial Park (Parkway mile 294) No hike, Paved Sidewalks, Restrooms.

Time of day

I will forever be an advocate for Golden Hour. That can be first 90 minutes of the day after the sun rises, or the last 90 before it sets. In the best conditions on a perfect day, you cannot beat light which is flattering in every way possible. Blue hour just before/after can also add a unique light to your images. If the sky is cloudy, really any time of day will look about the same, so we can be flexible if it’s calling for rain at a certain time. That said, our schedules don’t always align to make this time possible. If that’s the case I’ll help you navigate a location in the best lighting possible. Capturing the moment is more important than the light or the location.

Rough Ridge (Parkway Mile 302.8) 45-60 min Roundtrip Hike, No restrooms

Tourists/Parking

Many of the more popular locations such as Rough Ridge above are EXTREMELY crowded in the fall, on weekends and at sunset. As such I will always advise against these locations during these times. If you’re open to a different time of year/week and open to sunrise, we can certainly try it then.

Season

Depending on the time of year the sun will rise and set at drastically different times. I will help you plan accordingly. If you’d like snow, that is definitely possible, but only about 5-10 days out of the year. You have to be on my waiting list and ready to shoot usually within 24 hours notice. Sometimes the forecast is accurate, sometimes we get rain or sleet and have to reschedule. We both have to be super flexible.

Various Locations Downtown Banner Elk.

The age/size of your crew

If this is an engagement session, the sky is the limit. If we’re talking 30 people of all generations, shapes and sizes, I will happily advise you on the locations that will accommodate you best. Moses Cone and the various town parks tend to be best if your home is not well suited. You will know your crew better than me though, if everyone is down for a hike, like Roan Mountain below, you know I am.

Roan Mountain, Carver’s Gap. Tennessee Border. As little as 5 min, as much as the entire Appalachian Trail. Restrooms.

“Attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure”

— Bob Bitchin

Not everything will go perfectly… and that’s perfectly fine. If it rains we will adapt. If you’re running behind, don’t let it ruin your day, I'm so easy going, I’m happy to get work done on my phone while I wait. If the dress doesn’t fit perfectly, maybe send me a quick photo of what’s wrong with it before you switch outfits, chances are I can fix it in photoshop. All that to say, if you just show up, as you are, willing to have a new experience, we will have a great time and make some memories no matter the circumstances. But if you show up stressed out, with various expectations of exactly how everything will play out… chances are you will be disappointed.

Below we have 5 different surprise proposals at Grandfather Mountain (and a wedding). The winds at the wedding were so strong, her dress blew over her head three times. We all just laughed it off and kept shooting and they have a ton of fun blooper photos. Three of the summer couples made it to Calloway Peak for their wedding proposal as intended, no problems. The other two autumn/spring couples had hoped to hike the peak but got major fog, rain or ice that day and we had to stick to the bridge for safety. All turned out beautifully of course and she still said yes ;)

So let’s just agree to show up as our most authentic selves and see what kind of adventure we can have. :)

Grandfather Mountain Bridge + Ladders Trail to McRae Peak. 5min to Bridge. 45-60min each way to peak. Restrooms. $30 admission.

Below are a few other popular locations for a photoshoot in Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and elsewhere in the High Country.

Watauga Lake. Just over the Tennessee border. Several inputs with restrooms. BYO Canoe.

Surprise Proposal at Linville Falls Winery, Banner Elk Winery and Grandfather Mountain Winery.

Flat Rock (Parkway Mile 308.3) Further south, but usually far less crowded. 30min round trip hike. No restrooms.

Otter Falls in Seven Devils. 45-60 min round trip hike, pretty steep. No restrooms.

Brown Mountain Beach Resort. Lenoir. Appointment only. Minimal hiking. Restrooms on site. (You should totally stay in one of their YURTS!)

Arborcrest Gardens. Downtown Boone. Appointment Only. As little as 5min walking, as much as 90, pending preference. Restrooms.

McRae Meadows at the base of Grandfather Mountain. No hike. No restrooms.

An unnamed field at the top of Beech Mountain Near the Pinnacle Inn. No hike. No restrooms. Parking for only 2-3 cars.

The Mill Pond in Downtown Banner Elk. No hike, just walking over these rocks. No restrooms.

The Blowing Rock. Paved sidewalks, no hike. Restrooms. $9 admission.

Mountain Magic Resort. LOTS of fun options here, but you need to rent one of their Airbnbs for the night. Totally worth it.

Hawksbill. 2-3 hour roundtrip. 4x4 needed to get to trailhead. Portapotty at trailhead. Parking for less than 10 cars.

If you’d like tips on other hikes in the High Country Area just let me know! I am familiar with most of them, just may not have captured a photoshoot there.

Compression falls in the iphone photo below, for example, is one of the most difficult short hikes in the area, requiring ropes to climb the very steep bank down, but the epic waterfall is worth it. You’d just have to change clothes and dry off all the sweat and mud after the hike before photos. So you might be better off just bringing your bathing suit and cooler and enjoying the day. Save the photoshoot for another time. (no restrooms there btw)

Counter Clockwise: Laurel Fork Falls, Tennessee. 60-90min round trip. No restrooms. Very steep. Crab Orchard Falls Valle Crucis. 45-60min round trip. No restrooms. Compression Falls 60-90min round trip. No restrooms. Very steep with ropes. 4x4 recommended for parking. No restrooms.

This local girl loves each and every location up here and I’ll be happy to guide you to any of them. (or experience them for the first time with you if you’ve found something new to me!) You can contact me here, or find me on instagram at @cynthiajviola.

Jen and Justin's Spring Wedding at Overlook Barn

“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”

— E. Roosevelt

I didn’t have a chance to meet Jen and Justin before the big day, but it didn’t matter, from the moment we started chatting, we knew we’d be a perfect fit. They LOVE the mountains just as much as I do but also live in Raleigh, my second love. They love all things outdoors and aren’t afraid to bust a move on the dance floor. As they always vacation in Banner Elk, it was very special for them to get married here and Overlook Barn never disappoints.

Justin proposed on the same day they closed on their first home together and they both reminisced about it during the private vows. Sweet Justin was nearly bursting at the seams before this moment, but after they had time to share their love and a few stories from the morning, everything shifted and only excitement filled the air. Jen kept repeating she was ready to get started. So off we went!

The winds were picking up just as everyone lined up for the ceremony and it took a whole team of friends, family and Elegant Events Staff to hold the Arbor in place. It only served to add to the adventure of it all though. We got them down the aisle and all the guests secured in the barn before the rains came.

The fog was rolling in hard the night before but we weren’t concerned. I’ve managed mountain top fog many times. When it shifted to black clouds right before the Mr. and Mrs. portraits I looked at Jen and said we can see if it passes and risk it never stopping…or make a run for it.

Obviously we ran.

Rain turned to hail and hail turned to a rainbow. We were all soaked from head to toe but filled with great big belly laughs. Her dress must have gained an extra 15 pounds with the water weight but she took it like a champ then skipped off to the dance floor!

Fortunately the rain stopped, and as the fog rolled back in, it brought with it the Northern Lights!! We couldn’t see them in their entirety, but very much appreciated the pop of color! We ran back and forth between Jen’s favorite songs and a new color in the sky!

What an incredible adventure this weekend turned out to be! All four seasons in one day! 10/10 would do it again next weekend!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: @cynthiajviola with Michael Freas

Venue: @overlookbarn

Planner: @eleganteventweddings 

Dress: @essenseofaustralia from @carolinabridalworld

Suits: @black_tie

Rings: @kayjewelers

Florals: @bouquet_florist_boone

HMU: @bella_bridalartistry

Catering: @gadabouts_catering

Cake: @choicecakes1

Video: @HoneyDewFilms

Rentals: @thesummitwoodworks

Rehearsal @stonewallsrestaurantnc

Officiant: Bruce King

DJ: @djdaybreak

Emma and Christian's Wedding at The Barn on New River

I met Emma and Christian last year at the Married in the Mountains showcase at The Barn on New River and we hit it off right away. I could tell by they way they teased each other and were relaxed about the wedding details we’d be a great fit. They were excited about how they met through a common love of White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake and couldn’t wait to gift honey jars to their guests becase they met on Bumble.

They chose not to have a first look with each other, but Emma did have a sweet first look with her dad and her bridesmaids before the ceremony while Christian poured bourbon for his fellas and helped wrangle the littles.

The Barn has a magnificent flower garden for portraits and we were so excited to utilize it before the reception started. Not to mention the ice cream cookie sandwiches from Blue Deer. ;)

The four by four ride to the top of the mountain for sunset photos is a highlight for every couple .Not just for the beauty of the photos, but for the chance to savor the day together. As much as you love each and every guest, no one compares to the one the day was created for to begin with. It was so sweet watching them play around together and talk about how the day had played out. When the Mustang arrived to pick them up, we had to create a few fun memories! Let’s do it again soon you guys!

The Wedding Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola with Aja White

Venue : The Barn on New River

Coordinator: Caroline with The Barn on New River

Dress: Justin Alexander Signature

Suit Designer: Kenneth Cole at Men’s Warehouse

Rings: Diamond’s Direct

Hair: Jill at Shine Hair Lounge

Florist: New River Escape

Officiant: Richard Tidyman

Live Music: Mountain Peak Sound

DJ: Mountain Peak Sound

Catering: The Scarlet Hen

Bartending : Vintage Pours

Dessert: Blue Deer

Rentals: A&J Rentals

Sarah and Matt's Wedding at Weaver House

“Tale as old as time. True as it can be. Barely even friends, then somebody bends unexpectedly”

— Beauty and the Beast

I loved listening to Matt and Sarah’s friends reminisce about this love story built on friendship. How they were hanging out again, but were only “friends.” How they were meeting each others’ families, but were only “friends.” How everyone should come to this fun party at Weaver House this weekend because somehow friends became more than friends and they’re ready to celebrate!

And there isn’t a crew out there who was more excited than these guys! Armed with all the best college, family and work stories, white claws and good vibes, everyone showed up and helped Sarah and Matt celebrate in style!

Sarah is a huge Disney Fan (peep her Cinderella Shoes!) and Matthew is a Star Wars fanatic, so naturally they appreciate each others’ excitement. They spent a mini-moon in Asheville prior to venturing down to Orlando for a few days to enjoy their 'happy place' at the most magical place on earth and I cannot wait to hear all about it!

I could tell right away both their families already loved each other. From all the hugs at the rehearsal to the moms choosing to walk each other in the ceremony to the newly formed secret hand shake from both their dads at the reception, they were already family and just there to celebrate!

My goodness, I could not have chosen a better wedding to end out the season! I haven’t known Sarah long, but we only needed five minutes to become instant besties. Then I got to stay with her night before the wedding and we rocked an absolute total girls night shenanigan fest with Wedding Crashers, white claws and life stories followed by calming yoga before the big day began. We had so much fun! I would not have missed this day for anything! Thank you so much for inviting me into your incredible family you guys! Love you so much!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Venue and Catering : Weaver House

Coordinator: Alexandria from Weaver House

Dress: Vow'd Weddings

Suit: Men’s Warehouse

Rings: A. Jaffe

Hair and Make Up: Brushes and Braids

Florist: All the Pretty Flowers

Officiant: Megan Roberts

Ceremony Music: Appalachian String Duo

Reception Band: Blaze the City

Lara and Ben's Wedding at Westglow Resort

“Love her, but leave her wild”

— Atticus

Oh my goodness what a day! I didn’t get to meet Lara and Ben in person until the wedding weekend which always makes me a little nervous. It’s so nice walking into the wedding day knowing exactly how the couple interacts in front of the camera and how our personalities vibe. But with these two, you would have never known! Big hugs right away and I could tell it was going to be one hell of a party!

Their 24 person crew rolled into the rehearsal looking fabulous, cracking jokes, full of smiles and ready to dance! It was completely irrelevant that a hurricane was brewing outside and everyone knew they would be soaked by the end of the day. They were there to support their favorite couple no matter what! I knew I’d fit right in. ;)

Then there’s Westglow Resort! Wow! I haven’t had a chance to shoot here yet and I was not disappointed. The getting ready spaces in the mansion were filled with beautiful natural light and we had plenty of indoor options for portraits while it was rainy and cold.

Lara wore her grandmother’s gorgeous veil which has been passed through the family in 14 different weddings. Such a beautiful heirloom.

These two babes were not interested in too many official portraits, they just wanted to get to the party! We made a quick stop downtown to stop traffic for a photo, snagged a few when they arrived at the venue then let the shenanigans begin!

These guys had soooo much fun and there couldn’t have been one guest in attendance who didn’t end up on the dance floor at some point! The high winds made a sparkler exit impossible, so their crew whipped out their iphone flashlights and not one memory was lost!

We have to hang out again soon you guys! Thank you so much for inviting us to be a part of your day!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola with Jesse Roberts

Coordinator: Megan at The Elegant Event

Ceremony: First Baptist Church of Blowing Rock

Venue : Westglow Resort and Spa

Dress: Essence Designs of Australia

Suit: Men’s Warehouse

Rings: Engagement ring from Ben’s Mother, Wedding Bands: Diamond’s Direct

Hair and Make Up: Shear Shakti

Florist: Thistle & Twigs Flowers

Officiant: Mike Mckee

Band: Diamond River Band from East Coast Entertainment

Catering: Earthworks Catering

Cake: Wendy Shanahan

Get Away Car: Air Haven Limo

Rentals: Classic Event Rentals

Rehearsal Dinner: Blowing Rock Country Club

Nikki and Jake's Wedding at Eagle’s Nest

I had the wonderful and unexpected opportunity to meet two incredible families at a pool party this summer while hanging out with Anthony’s family. In between cocktails, chats about clean eating and photos of bear cubs they discovered I was a wedding photographer, and I discovered they were in need of one…soon…like in 3 months!

Nikki and I started chatting all things details and as soon as she mentioned her date my excitement turned to dismay! With a dozen weddings already booked in September/October, I just knew I would be unavailable for their date…until she mentioned it’d be on a Thursday! Queue the dance party! I knew 4 weddings in an 8 day period would be pushing it, even for me, but I couldn’t let this sweet new friend down. We got right to work!

We weren’t able to squeeze in an engagement session before the big day, but I wasn’t worried, the way Nikki and Jake flirted at the party and spoke about each other told me everything I needed to know. Head over heels for each other and absolutely committed to each others’ families.

And let me tell you, oh my goodness, the way Jake lit up when he saw Nikki at the first look and then RAN to grab her was my favorite part of the day! He nearly tackled her to the floor in his excitement but I guarantee she would not have minded. As the stress builds on every wedding morning with various details falling apart or changing, it is always a delight to watch the weight completely dissolve as the couple hug each other for the first time. They realize instantly every anxious detail is unimportant compared to joy their other half brings.

While I’ve captured dozens of Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations, I’ve never had the honor of witnessing a Jewish Wedding Celebration. Complete with Chuppah, Ketubah, the bride’s circling of the groom and the groom’s breaking of the glass! It’s always so fun to learn new traditions.

With the hurricane threatening to wreak havoc on the High Country with heavy winds and rain all weekend, we were all nervous about the various outdoor elements of the day. However, as the forecast announced the storm had pushed back another day or so, the relief was palpable. The day began to embody a sense of astonishment and awe. Not only did the rains hold back, the blue skies were endless and the views at Eagles Nest, breathtaking.

As the evening came to a close, every face exuded an expression joy, gratitude, and above all, love. You guys thank you so much for including us in your special day!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola with Jesse Roberts

Coordinator: Megan at The Elegant Event

Venue : Eagle’s Nest

Dress: Giambattista Valli

Veil: Vera Wang

Hair and Make Up: Caiti at Canvas Beauty Bar

Florist: Fuschia Moss Floral

Officiant: Rabbi Loring J. Frank

Ceremony Musicians: Dean’s Duets

Band: Cassette Rewind

Photobooth: Boone Photobooth

Catering: Reid’s Catering

Cake: Choice Cakes

Rentals: Parties Too and Classic Event Rentals

Dessert: Beth Westfall Chocolates

Shuttles: Air Haven Limo

Delina and Mike's Wedding at Overlook Barn

Oh my goodness, I had so much fun learning how Delina and Mike fell in love on a motorcycle trip across England, France, and Belgium. Their love of adventure made them an absolute dream couple for me! For their engagement session they brought their bike and we cruised around the parkway stopping at favorite hiking spots and making sure to capture their love of both each other and the type of adventure that brought them together in the first place.

For their honeymoon they’re taking an epic road trip across the US then hopping over to Hawaii to hike to waterfalls and get scuba certified. I must say, I’m super jealous and totally tempted to stalk behind them the whole way so I can capture every moment I love it so much!

We had a major threat of rain all day but we were all so happy it held off allowing everyone to see the beautiful mountain backdrop at Overlook Barn.

Delina chose to do a first look with her grandmother as well as Mike…and let’s just say the whole room was in tears. Just look how precious they are together.

Mike and Delina have fostered 8 dogs and over 20 kittens too young, injured or sick to stay in the shelter and that too, helped bond them early in their relationship. They're happy to report that all are living happily in their forever homes now. And they made sure to include their pups at the wedding for 15 min for a super important photo op.

Delina of course wore a gorgeous gown for most of the day, but wanted to be sure to honor her grandmother by also wearing her wedding dress for part of the reception. It was restored by Dorian at Poinsett Bride and fit her perfectly.

Between the dancing, s’mores, late night popcorn, sparklers and perfect weather, the evening was a huge success and our happy couple left feeling loved and adored.

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

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola with Jesse Roberts

Coordinator: Johna O'Leary, Maready & Co. Events

Venue : Overlook Barn

Dress: Poinsett Bride

Suit: Hugo Boss

Rings: llyn Strong

Hair and Make Up: Bella Bridal Artistry

Florist: Thistle and Twig

Officiant: Seth Bickley

Ceremony Music: Summit Strings

DJ: Split Second Sound

Video: Honeydew Films

Photobooth: CLT Shutter Booth

Catering: Earthworks

Bartending: Black Moth Bars

Cake: Stick Boy

Rentals: Professional Party Rentals

Talia and Robbie's Wedding at Beech Mountain Club

“And there are those that show up in your life so unexpectedly and with gentleness, patience, love and sincerity - change the course of your life”

— Vansana Nolintha

This week shattered me.

When I say I love my job, I mean it with my whole heart.

I adore getting to go to dance parties every weekend and celebrate with new friends, old friends, forever friends and every vendor who loves their job as much as I do.

I love the adventure of traveling to new cities and new venues. I love the psychology of meeting new couples and seeing how their families fit together.

I love when they don’t realize I caught that stolen kiss from the flower girl that made them beam with laughter or that quick pep talk from grandpa that calmed their nerves just in time.

I love that I still get teary-eyed when a daddy’s girl takes her hero by the hand to walk down that sacred aisle or when the couple realizes their best day ever just ended and they just look at each other for a minute…absolutely overcome with joy from the outpouring of love their friends and family just bestowed upon them.

I love that part of my job.

And as much as I love it, it can still be easy to slip into “work mode” when I overbook myself and get 4 hours of sleep in between two back to back 14 hour weddings that are a 3 hour drive away from each other. With lack of sleep, it can be easy to feel annoyance at the little things that make a wedding day more challenging or go on auto-pilot when it comes to photoshop sessions that bleed into the morning hours.

But Lord have mercy, this was one of those weddings that will fuel my passion for this life for years to come.

If you’ve been around this past week you already know… but if you haven’t brace yourself.

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

— Lao Tzu

Talia asked me to meet them at the hospital 10 days before the wedding to capture a quick ceremony. She didn’t think her dad would be strong enough to make it to their mountain top wedding and she wanted to honor him by coming to his room and letting him see first hand that she said her “I dos” and made it official.

Complete with officiant, rings, paperwork and flowers we filled his tiny hospital room with all the love we could give and the newest Mr. and Mrs. could rest, knowing dad didn’t miss a thing and the party would still go on the next weekend.

What we did not expect was her father, at peace with the love of his family, would go to heaven quietly that very night.

If ever in my life photos ever mattered. It was this moment.

I am absolutely overcome with the gravity of this “profession.”

Of course, every memory captured in time is meaningful. Every chance we get to recall a moment that made us feel the power of love is important.

But to know that you made the right choice to honor your father, even when it was hard, even when it meant you wouldn’t get the “fairytale” wedding - that is a core memory that will not only empower our beautiful couple, but will inspire countless others for the rest of time.

My words fail me now. There is only gratitude. For Talia and Robbie. For this profession. For this incredible community who rallied around them when they needed it most. For breath in my lungs to do it again tomorrow with a renewed sense of passion. For every single couple and family who has trusted me thus far. I owe you everything.

However, I know Talia wouldn’t want us to dwell in the sadness for too long. She’ll be grateful we showed up, and she’ll insist we move on to happier thoughts. So without further ado…

The “second” wedding:

It absolutely down-poured all morning. But not one well-wisher who apologized to Talia for the crummy weather could bring down her spirit. She just brushed them off with, “don’t apologize, it’s perfect.”

They chose not to do a second ceremony because they could never recreate something more perfect than the first…and they didn’t particularly want to deal with all the other “official” things like dances and cakes anyway, so they just spent the weekend enjoying their friends and family, each other, and the gift of their new life together.

Talia warned me she had a big surprise at the end of the night for Robbie (and everyone). So of course I set up my lights and got ready for the 2-3 fireworks that occasionally accompany a wedding. But none of us could have expected the Fairground style - Independence Day-sized spectacle she pulled off that night! Robbie was stunned, the guests went wild and everyone raved for days about the best ending to any wedding EVER.

You guys I cannot thank you enough for trusting me with this incredible moment in history. I adore you and cannot wait to crash your next house party!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Coordinator: Elizabeth Hempfling

Venue and Catering: Beech Mountain Club

Hair: Jezabel with Mane Habit Salon

Florist: Aster Breeze Designs

Officiant: Gil Adams

Bands: If Birds Could Fly and Winston Ramble

Photobooth: Boone Photo Booth

Rentals: A Bushel and a Peck and Parties Too

Amy and David's Wedding at The Lodge at Brier Creek

It’s not often I get to shoot a couple’s engagement session at the same location as their wedding, but The Lodge at Brier Creek is so beautiful, we all agreed it would be the perfect choice. I knew right away these two were going to be perfect to work with, they’re super fun and quirky and we literally already had everything we needed in first five minutes of shooting because they’re so natural. They came with their own ideas of what they wanted, different outfits and were willing to walk every square inch of the grounds.

Fast forward to their wedding weekend! Amy and David’s crew showed up ready to party and from the rehearsal to portraits to running away from giant lightening strikes to dance party entrances and dance party final exits, they provided just the right amount of hype and helped these two celebrate in style.

Fun fact about Amy and David. They are both entomologists and had met in an entomology class in college in Southern California. So it’s only fitting he proposed during a cicada explosion (I’m sure that’s the wrong term for it). He literally timed his wedding proposal around the cicada’s schedule and I think that is just the most adorable gesture to the field they both love. In addition she chose a dress to highlight her beautiful tattoos, wore insect earrings and had cicada fondant on their wedding cake.

She also held her Great-grandmother's handkerchief in her bouquet, which had been passed down through several family weddings.

Just before the ceremony started, the storm clouds rolled in and we were so glad we got the beautiful glowy engagement photos on the grounds previously (as well as their first look). However, the Lodge has a beautiful front porch overlooking the same mountains as their ceremony field and it worked perfectly as our covered option.

After the reception had started and everyone was having dinner, I noticed from the back room that the clouds parted and there was a perfect sunset. I knew we’d only have a couple minutes to capture it before the following cloud rolled back over so I ran from the back with cameras in hand, pointed at our happy couple- in the middle of dinner- they knew right away what they needed to do and they jumped up and followed me. The sun was out for just a couple minutes but it’s all we needed to capture that beautiful glow!

After tons of dancing with their friends and family we were about to close out the night and right on cue, we had a little visitor. ONLY an entomologist couple would notice a cricket on their dance floor, stop the show to pick it up and free it into the field nearby. It was the most adorable ending to their insect-friendly day.

You guys I cannot thank you enough for including me in your special day! I had the very best time and cannot wait to hear about all the cool bugs you discover in the future!

Photographer: Cynthia Viola with Sydney Gail

Coordinator: Sincerely Chic

Venue : The Lodge on Brier Creek

Dress: Maggie Soterro from New York Bride and Groom of Raleigh

Suit: Suit Shop

Rings: Brilliant Earth and Emblem

Hair and Make Up: The Beauty Tribe

Florist: Brookside Flowers

Officiant: Sara Vesta/ Vestal Ceremonies

DJ: Tu-can Jamz Mobile Productions

Catering/Bar/Rentals: Catering by Tracy

Cake: Dewey's Bakery

Get Away Car: Elkin Vine Line

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

Aspen and Ty's Wedding at the Barn at Fraser Hill

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

— Marisa Donnelly

What an incredible weekend with these two babes! Surrounded by the thriving Christmas Tree farm at the Barn at Fraser Hill, it felt like Christmas in June! We had to be patient with a little rain in the morning, but the rest of the day was perfect for a mountain summer wedding and everyone danced the night away!

These two met while hiking with their ski team at Price Lake and of course Ty thought that made the perfect backdrop to pop the question just two years later! Both their families were so excited they had met in the mountains and wanted to tie the knot here too because it gave everyone a chance to escape the summer heat and celebrate them in their favorite little mountain town.

In his Best man speech, Ty’s dad said he had found Ty’s mom while attending App State and when he dropped off his son for the first day of freshman year he wondered if he would find his future wife as well. When Ty said he was going to join the ski team, having never raced before, Tait didn’t see how that was going to turn out well… until he met Aspen, when everything fell into place.

In Aspen’s vows, she said, she was looking for a reason to push away every guy before him, but with Ty, she stopped looking for reasons. He was everything she was looking for and more.

It was such a perfect day you guys! Thank you so much for including me!

The vendors who made the day possible:

Photographers: Cynthia Viola with Aja White

Coordinator: Jill Mills

Venue : The Barn at Fraser Hill

Dress: Allure from South's Specialty Clothiers

Engagement Ring: Hayes Jewelers in Lexington (wedding bands from grandparents) :)

Hair and Make Up: Mia McNeill of Mia's Mark Salon

Florist: Bouquet Florist and Gifts

Officiant: Pastor Leigh Tuttle

DJ and Photobooth: DJ Don from Cherished Memories

Catering: Sagebrush Steakhouse

Beer Trailer: Happy Trailers

Cake: Sassy Cat Bakery

Rentals: Boone Rent-All

Get Away Car: Highland Limousine Service

Allison and Karen's Wedding at Overlook Barn

Oh my goodness. I feel like I know these two almost as much as they know each other!

I met them when Allison wanted to propose to Karen at a Treehouse AirBnb in Asheville… I was only TOO excited to drive down there first to see the space and make sure everything was perfect before their arrival. Karen’s mom and best friend were there too, to set up all the fun extras.

When I realized there was no place for me to hide in the bushes, I called Allison, on the road with Karen, and pretended to be the AirBnB host and told her “I would be there to greet them and show them the house.” She rolled with it and when they arrived, of course Karen started asking me questions about when we built the space and I made up all kinds of nonsense. Until of course we reached the bridge, when Allison knew she’d pop the question and I snagged my camera out of the bushes! Never a dull moment in the surprise wedding proposal world!

Fast forward a few months and Karen contacted me to capture HER surprise proposal to Allison at the Linville Falls Winery Christmas Tree Farm! I was so happy there were actually trees to hide behind and could not wait to pop out and show Allison I was there to capture her moment too! Her mom had set up the cutest Christmas tree in the middle of the farm with ornaments and presents, hot chocolate, and of course the ring!

The build up for this weekend made everything flow seamlessly. It didn’t matter that it rained literally 100% of the day without so much as a 5 minute break for photos. They were surrounded by their loved ones and more importantly these two love each other more than I can possibly describe.

Inside or out, their heartfelt vows had everyone (including me!) in tears so no one even noticed the weather. They had every guest fill out well wishes and place a pebble in the bag while they etched their names in their own pebbles. All piled together, every stone brought them to where they are today on their journey and will help blaze the path ahead.

There was never a moment where it wasn’t raining as least a little, so we played with umbrellas for a bit and they just decided to let the rain fall for some as well. Never without a smile on their face, and always filled with love.

That said, we still decided to meet up again over the weekend when the weather broke so they could get the mountain backdrop they were hoping for from Overlook Barn. It was no less special a couple days later, and in fact, more so because there was no wedding day pressure or timeline, just love. While I will always be sure to capture your day no matter what happens with the weather, if you have the option to meet up again the next day with better weather… it never hurts ;)

I have been so honored to be a part of your journey you guys and cannot wait to see what the future holds!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola Photography

Coordinator: Miranda with Simply Bliss Weddings

Venue : Overlook Barn

Florist: Thistle and Twig

Officiant: Amanda Kerr

Hair: Myan Littleton

Band: Courtney Lynn and Quinn

Catering: Sage and Spice

Bartending: Happy Trailers Beer Truck

Dessert Truck: Blue Deer Cookies

Cake: Sunflower Baking Company

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

Alex and Harry's Wedding at Brown Mountain Beach Resort

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

— Victoria Erickson

I vibe really well with all my couples. They and I can usually tell right away from the initial consult that we will or won’t be a good fit and we book accordingly. That said, some vibes are next level. The fact that Alex and Harry are both avid adventurers and love all things camping and exploring was a given that we’d be a great fit, but then they chose my favorite wedding venue, Brown Mountain Beach Resort.

BMBR encourages the whole wedding party to hang on the river all week, stay in yurts, roast s’mores at the nightly bonfires, drink bourbon and smoke cigars. I mean… if you’ve known me for any amount of time… nothing speaks my love language more than alllll that.

Harry and Alex were actually exploring the area looking for a place to camp when they stumbled upon BMBR & just knew it was where they were going to get married! They weren't even engaged yet, but Harry had the ring, and it was only a matter of time. They were college sweethearts and knew each other well enough to know, it was their perfect magical place.

Triple bonus, I found out Harry is an automotive engineer and actually builds the racing breaks for my baby!! We geeked out more than once over the weekend lol. There seriously could not be a better match.

Alex’s relationship with her father and brothers is much like my own, and was therefore absolutely necessary to share a first look (and first sip of bourbon) with them. She and I might actually be twins in another universe.

Then Harry’s crew had their own surprise for him, which shall not be named here, but the bottom right photo below is a good indicator. They were all banned from the bar afterward lol.

In addition to sharing a first look on the river rocks, they decided to do a private vow exchange as well. They knew their ceremony vows would be perfect and meaningful in their own way, but there were other things they wanted to share with each other in a more intimate way. I highly recommend this you guys. Tears were shed by all of us, they were able to get all the initial jitters out of the way, it insured they had alone time to just enjoy their wedding day for a bit, and the rest of the day was a party with everyone they loved. Best of all worlds.

Harry is actually from England, so they had several international guests staying onsite who had never been to North Carolina, or even the U.S. so they had so much fun introducing them to their favorite way of life.

My favorite vow from anyone on any wedding day I have ever witnessed, happened to also go down this weekend. Harry vowed to always have chocolate on hand for Alex, to cure any blue day…then he pulled a Kit Kat out of his pocket. Ladies and Gents… this is a proper vow. Take note.

After hours of dancing the night away, they shared one final solo dance while their crew lined up for the sparkler exit. A perfect quiet moment to soak in a day full of love and laughter.

You guys thank you so much for including me on your incredible day. So grateful to know you! Hopefully we can share a hike or camping trip soon!! Enjoy Punta Cana!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola Photography

Venue and Accommodations: Brown Mountain Beach Resort

Coordinator: Sonia with Brown Mountain Beach

Her Dress: Angel Rivera from Hayden Olivia Bridal

His Suit: Tommy Hilfiger from Men's Warehouse

Her Ring: JSV Concepts

His Ring: MN Handcrafted

His Tie: Kind Design

Hair and Make Up: Tiffany at Brushes & Braids

Florist: Edgemont Garden

Officiant: Derek Portugal - Bride's Brother

DJ: Mountain Peak Sound

Catering: Plate Perfect Catering

Desserts: Nothing Bundt Cakes

Tarin and April's Double Proposal in Banner Elk

“Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale”

— Anonymous

Goodness, where do I even begin with these two. If ever a couple were more meant to be, I haven’t met them.

April contacted me a few weeks back asking if I’d be available for a surprise proposal on 2-22-22 on Beech Mountain while she and her girlfriend were in town for skiing. I knew I’d be traveling until the 20th but could make it work so we started all the furious planning. She sent me a playlist to have playing on a small speaker when they arrived, mailed a special sign to my house, and I agreed to pick up some flowers from a local florist and have it all set up before sunrise so she could walk up with her blindfolded bride-to-be and wow her. It was going to be perfect.

Fast forward a week, I get another message from Tarin asking if I’d be available on 2-22-22 for a surprise proposal on Grandfather Mountain….

Ummm…yes? Hmmm, how am I going to pull this off without either of them knowing? I just said yes and knew it would all work out one way or another. It was going ok, the plans for Tarin were a little simpler, I just had to be set up as a nature photographer in a particular location just before sunset when they walked up and then just redirect to them at the right moment. No problem.

And then the weather happened. It was going to be cold and rainy on the 22nd so both of them started texting me to see if we could reschedule a day early to sunset on the 21st… both were texting at the same time and both wanted the same thing. So after going back and forth and trying not to mistake who I was texting what, we finally worked it out to do Tarin’s proposal first and follow it an hour later with April’s.

The dilemma was that the two mountains were about 35 min away from each other and the second shoot required a small hike plus major set up on my part. I was determined to make this epic day happen for them though and agreed.

I got home from my travels at midnight the night before but got up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with excitement. I gathered the sign, the speaker, the flowers - all scattered over the high country, made dinner reservations for them since they were skiing and couldn’t get away from each other to do so. April texted me a couple hours before the first proposal saying she had a sneaky suspicion Tarin was about to propose…I of course said that that would be crazy, and what are the odds… *wink wink… and after texting them both back and forth as the day progressed I got into place, possibly more excited than either of them.

As they approached, I tried not to make eye contact with either of them as I knew April would recognize me, which she did of course anyway because of my bright purple hair, but once she realized what was going on, she just played it cool like we had never met. The moment was magical of course anyway, people were cheering around us and we were all teary-eyed.

We walked around the mountain trying not to freeze as we captured a few “just engaged” photos and April and I shook hands as if meeting each other for the first time and then I said something about needing to get to another shoot and best of luck etc, and off I raced up to Beech to set up for the next moment.

April and I had spoken with Overlook Barn about using their Boulder View location because it had the best sunrise and was out of the way in case anyone else was using the property that day. Of course at sunset it’s not quite the same, but it was overcast anyway so it still worked out perfectly!

I had hoped to set everything up on top of the boulder but the wind was racing around furiously making it impossible. After setting it as best I could on the ground, I started scattering the rose petals as April had hoped for into a heart, but the wind had other plans. If I had known in advance what a struggle it would be I would have set up a timelapse on my phone to document the shenanigans. It must have been absolutely hysterical to the on-looking birds and squirrels to seeing me diving on the ground trying to wrangle featherweight roses with those high winds.

Nevertheless I persisted and five minutes later I heard their car roll into the parking lot, I dived for my camera and ran down to meet April to snag her phone (Tarin was still blindfolded in the car) and then I raced back up to the site, set up her video and stepped back in awe as the magic unfolded.

When Tarin took off the blindfold and saw me, she burst out laughing and exclaiming, “How?!?!” I told her not to worry about it, we’d discuss all the details later…

She read the sweet words April had pre-written for her in a letter while listening to James Arthur sing “Medicine” in the background, and I swear we could’t have timed it better if we tried…the moment she finished the letter and turned around to see April there waiting for her, the next pre-chosen song began. “Marry Me” by Train. *que all the tears.*

Lots of happy tears later, all three of us just died laughing at the insanity of the day. I was so relieved the secret was finally out as it was about to burst out of me otherwise, and they were both elated to find they were so in sync and in love.

If they weren’t already aligned in so many ways, they both also chose to engrave their rings. Tarin with “Forever Always”, their favorite memo to each other, also tattooed on their arms, and April with the date they had both said, “I love you.” It was truly a proposal for the books and will not ever be a day any of us could forget. We were all freezing from the double mountain top winds so they opted not to do any further photos, and we all grabbed a seat at Sorrento’s in Banner Elk to talk about everything and really take it all in. They told me more of their story and we made plans to hang in Atlanta soon and start making the next plans for the Big Day!

Babes, I am so honored to have been chosen to capture this moment in time for you. Thank you for trusting me with your memories and I cannot wait to celebrate with you in Georgia in 2023!

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

First Location: Grandfather Mountain

Second Location: Overlook Barn, Boulder View

Flowers: Shady Grove Gardens

The Rings: Cumberland Diamond Exchange

Handmade Sign: Etsy - Sterling Shore Co

Celebration Dinner: Stonewalls

Trash the Dress Shoot 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

If you have followed me for any amount of time, you know trash the dress photography is my all time favorite type of shoot. The wild abandon of breaking the “rules.” The sheer joy that comes with splashing water on your love when you’re “not supposed to.” The simple fact that you get authentic memories of a moment that wasn’t buried in tradition and expectation, but wild and free, just like your new love.

Katie and Dan wanted those moments too and with as much fun as we had on their adventurous engagement session at Otter Falls, we knew we made a great team.

Of course Brown Mountain Beach was the perfect venue for capturing everything they were looking for. They wanted to include their best girl Kimura, ride off on their motorcycle, hop in the canoe, and of course, jump in the icy mountain water! I couldn’t have dreamed up a more perfect shoot if I wanted to!

While perfect photos in a proper, clean dress and suit certainly hold value and help you remember your wedding day, you cannot deny that you could ever forget holding onto your train so it didn’t get caught in the engine as you road away on a motorcycle, or dying laughing as your splashed your love and danced in an icy mountain river barefooted as the sun set in the background.

There are days that need to be remembered, and then there are memorable days. And I submit that the spontaneous moments that catch us by surprise in between the planned ones, are the ones that will never leave us.

I’m ready for your next adventure whenever you are.

Gabby and Brett's Wedding at Hidden River Events

Oh how I love these babes! You’ve pretty much never met a more genuine couple than Brett and Gabby. The way they compliment each others’ strengths and weaknesses, you’d think they were one person. All weekend everyone kept talking about how well she cared for him and how well he looked after her, like a protector. One of my favorite moments with them was when they were models for one of my styled shoots, almost 2 years ago. During the shoot, I literally watched before my eyes as it went from fun shoot, to the moment Brett realized he was ready to propose, and sure enough, that’s exactly what he did! The way they look at each other in the little moments throughout everyday tells you every thing you need to know about their relationship.

They met each other at Crossfit, and that’s where I met them, and they were, of course, already great friends of Anthony’s so we hit it off right away. When I found out Gabby loves to dance just as much as I do, we immediately proceeded to attend all the house parties together and have become great friends, I felt like family the whole weekend. She couldn’t wait to tell me to put down the camera at the reception so I could join them in the shenanigans…which of course I did, then continued with the wedding party afterwards. We stayed up until 3am just chatting about all the things. I’m pretty sure every single person in the wedding party at some point during the day told me one thing or another about how wonderful they are both as individuals and together. We are all so excited to see where they will go in life. (And also to share many more dance parties!) Love you guys!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Venue, Florist, Coordinator and DJ: Hidden River Events

Her Dress: Wedding Inspirations Bridal Boutique

His Attire: Best Bride Prom & Tux

The Rings: Village Jewelers, Ltd

Hair Stylist and Make Up Artist: Della Terra Beauty

Officiant: Irma Strikesky

Catering and Cake Baker: Anne's Custom Catering

Fall Engagement Sessions in the Mountains

“Because in the end you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb the Mountain. ”

— Jack Kerouac

Oh my goodness! I have had SO many fun Engagement Sessions and Surprise Proposals this month so I thought it would be more fun to post them all together! I’ll never get over the fact that I get to be a part of so many life changing moments in couples’ lives. I can’t imagine there’s a better job on the planet.

I captured Phil and Ashley’s surprise proposal in Raleigh this summer then they joined me in Banner Elk for their engagements. They are adventurers too, (literally mountain biking right up until the shoot) and were all about a last minute trash the dress at the end of the shoot! It makes me so happy when couples are willing to let loose and have fun! I cannot WAIT til the big day next year!

I will be capturing Rachel and Stephen’s big day also in Raleigh next fall but they wanted the Blue Ridge Parkway as their engagement back drop. Being able to flow freely between both locations is so much fun for me! I love that my couples love it as much as I do!

I schemed with Brooke for WEEKS on how to make her surprise proposal to Kayla special. She absolutely loved the view from the park in downtown Banner Elk and wanted to make it even more special with this moment. After quite a bit of back and forth on weather and back up locations, the rain parted JUST long enough to make it happen! I could not be more excited to capture their big day next fall at Overlook Barn!

I have known Brandon and his family since my early days living in Raleigh. When he said he was ready to propose I was all in on helping him to plan everything! After his and Shelby’s engagement on Blue Ridge Parkway, they asked me to come by their house in Raleigh to help them make their wedding plans! They have big dreams of owning a wedding venue themselves and I can’t wait to pass on to them 250 weddings worth of venue experiences!

John and I were both a nervous wreck trying to plan his surprise proposal to Alyssa! First he drove 2.5 hours up here a week early to scope out the location I suggested, and then couldn’t find it! And when it came time to pop the question, alllllll the hand drawn directions I had given him about exactly which rocks to stand on were completely useless, because when I arrived I realized the heavy rains from the day before had FLOODED the entire area! I sent him a new quick drawing to try to describe the new option, jumped behind the bridge and hoped he got the message in time! He did, and of course she said yes!! We were in full dance party mode when it all came together! I cannot wait til next year!

SO many couples to celebrate, so little time. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Love you guys!

Taylor and Sam's Wedding at Chetola Resort

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore”

— Andre Gide

These two babes somehow found each other living on two different continents, a half a world away from each other, but the moment they met, they knew it was meant to be. Taylor and Sam are perfect for each other in every way and it was so fun to watch them celebrate with each other. The wedding itself was a little bittersweet as his half of the family in New Zealand were unable to travel due to Covid, so they joined via zoom, but her half of the family doubled down on making them feel loved. The weather even cheered them on with the most vibrant fall colors and blue sky.

Even though I hadn’t met them in person before this weekend, I knew from our conversations they would be really fun! Then the moment we started a few portraits at the rehearsal they turned into giggly sweethearts who were so adorable and easy to shoot I just knew the wedding was going to be a blast.

If you don’t know their proposal story already, you should read that first, it’s so cute. Taylor describes it like this:

“I love our proposal story. It was Christmas morning 2020. We woke up early to a white Christmas in Blowing Rock at my parents house. We haven't had a White Christmas in YEARS. Sam literally never gets to see snow since it didn't snow where he grew up in New Zealand so I thought he was all excited to get up and go in the snow so early in the morning at like 7:30am. We had our Christmas jammies on (a cute tradition in his family), got our jackets and gloves on, and went outside in the front. I was playing around and sliding on the road out front and kinda hanging on to his jacket, having no idea what was in the pocket. He kinda quickly asked if we could go take pictures outside on the back deck instead with our amazing view of the mountains in the back and I of course said yes. My mom was up and he asked if she could take some pics of us. So we go on the back deck taking pictures and all of the sudden he asks my mom to take a video, he turns and looks at me and starts saying the sweetest things about us and the love he had for me and all of the sudden he gets on one knee and opens a box! I was totallllly shocked and surprised and just couldn't believe it was happening. I had these big gloves on so he just had to hold the ring while I cried and hugged him and of course said yes! It was one of the best moments (if not the very best moment) in my life. The rest of the day was literally perfect, filled with celebration, so much love with family and friends, and so much more. It was the best Christmas ever!

They are just the sweetest together! And right after their first look with each other, Taylor decided last minute to do one with her brother as well, neither of them expected tears, but were both just so happy to be celebrating something so wonderful.

What I didn’t realize before the wedding was that I actually when to high school with both the bride and practically the entire wedding party. We had so much fun catching up, I even joined them at the after party! They were an amazing crew!

Taylor and Sam thank you so much for including me on this special day! I am so grateful for you both and excited to hear about your New Zealand celebration!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Venue and Catering: Chetola Resort

Wedding Coordinator: Megan Drake with The Elegant Event

Her Dress: Maggi Bridal, Raleigh, NC

Bridesmaids Attire: Bella Bridesmaids Charlotte, NC

Men’s Attire: The Tuxedo Shoppe

Rings: Ballantyne Jewelers

Hair Stylist: Susan Geer-Fickling and Chetola Spa

Make Up Artist: Layne Barter

Florist: Bouquet Florist Boone, NC

Officiant: Jon Murto

DJ: Split Second Sound

Videographer: Elliot Wilks

Cake Baker: Hallmark Cakes

Favors: Welcome bags for the guests with party supplies