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

Mindy and Oliver's Wedding at Appalachian View

I had so much fun getting to know these two cuties as we ventured around Charlotte for their engagement session. We started at Wooden Robot Brewery, where it all started for them, and casually strolled around to some of the popular spots like the Hearts Wall and anywhere we could squeeze in the Charlotte City Scape.

Fast forward to the wedding weekend, I joined them for a group hike with all their friends and family along the Tanawa Trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was such a fun way for all their guests to get to know each other before the big day, I highly recommend for all my adventurous babes!

For the rehearsal dinner Mindy wore her grandmother/mother’s wedding gown which she had modernized, so we made sure to create a few portraits with it the morning of the wedding. With the remaining lace from the dress she made a brooch for her mother and pocket squares for her brother and dad. Her mother also hand painted all the wedding invitations and she wore her grandmother’s bracelet.

For their wedding party they wanted only the best dogs they knew, Lexie and Frankie, who of course had joined us on the big hike the day before as well. They were certainly a crowd favorite :)

At the reception they incorporated teal glass insulators and money tree seed pods onto the table design. These were to honor her grandfather who was a line man electrician and also loved money trees. He had collected them both through the years and they were perfect for the reception tables.

In addition to their other fun reception festivities, they chose to do an Hora Loca with their friends and family. “The Crazy Hour” it is essentially a party within a party and everyone had a blast. Fun lights and hats and masks, it definitely adds another element to the day.

You guys we had SO much fun celebrating with you! Let’s do it again soon!

The vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola with Jessse Roberts

Coordinator: Megan at Elegant Events

Venue : Appalachian View

Dress: Jenny Yoo from J Majors Bridal in Charlotte

Rings: Custom Jewelry Lab

Hair: Mirror Bomb

Make Up: A Little Bit of Powder

Florist: Bouquet Florist

Officiant: Nicolette Filson and Christopher Cleboski

Live Music and DJ: Mountain Peak Sound

Video: Nathan Chesky

Catering and Bartending: Gadabouts Catering

Cake: Elizabeth Cole

Rentals: Festive Elk

Beer Trailer: Happy Trailers

Katherine and Rob's Wedding at Sky Retreat

“Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime full of adventures ”

— Lewis Carroll #aliceinwonderland

When Katherine first messaged me, she said she found me through various instagram tags, and my work stood out as bright and colorful. I immediately knew we’d get along great because bright, bold colors are my favorite….and THEN she said their wedding date was my birthday! June 10th! What more could you ask for?!? I knew we were going to have way too much fun!

She and Rob were connected to both Raleigh and Boone, like me, so we decided to capture their engagement session in Raleigh since their wedding would be at Sky Retreat, one of my favorite Boone Venues. The JC Raulston Arboretum was sure to have plenty of color and I knew it would fit with with their adventurous side.

Fast forward to their big day! We had actually had multiple chats before hand as they navigated various mountain vendors and I was so excited to work with such an incredible team. Most of my couples resonate with my style in one way or another, but I swear Katherine and I could be the same person.

As her friends and family described her adventurous way, they also spoke of her excitement for life and great big feels. She was not shy with her tears, hugs or celebratory cheers! Further they described Rob’s perfect compliment to her personality through grounding; he balances her without holding her back. He might seem shy at first, but he was so comfortable in her presence, he was happy to share a cheers or a cigar, twirl her on the floor, surprise her with a dip and run through the sparklers twice!

You could simply feel the energy between them all day. They were both a big ball of nerves until the moment they saw each other and everything else fell away. When they finally had to chance to really embrace and share a moment together after the ceremony, she melted right into him and you could tell she was home.

I would celebrate with you two every weekend if I could! Thank you for including me in your big day! It was the happiest of birthdays!

The Wedding Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola with Jesse Roberts

Venue: Sky Retreat

Coordinator: Katie Brooks Event Co

Dress: Maggie Soterro - Artimus dress from Simply Blush Bridal

Suit: The Black Tux

Rings: Raleigh Diamond

Hair: Brittany Pruitt

Make Up: April Bennett

Live Painter: Abby Lynne Artist

Arch Florist: Bouquet Florist

Bouquets: Something Borrowed Blooms

Officiant: Megan Roberts

DJ: Welter Entertainment

Catering: Casa Rustica Catering

Cake: Hallmark Cakes

Rentals: The Festive Elk

Bar: Bartenders Plus CLT

Priya and Trevor's Indian-American Wedding at Brown Mountain Beach Resort

“In the flush of love’s light
We dare be brave
And suddenly we see
That love costs all we are
And will ever be.
Yet it is only love which sets us free”

— Dr. Maya Angelou

Who wouldn’t love the opportunity to wear three different gorgeous outfits at their happy wedding celebration?!? Anyone who knows my photography style, knows I LOVE bold colors and Indian ceremonies are notorious for their incredible colors. I was SO excited when Priya messaged to say my colors would show off their day best. She also wanted a team of “female boss babe vendors” because she knew we would get *ish done! Obviously I loved her immediately!

From the beginning we knew the timeline would be a little complicated with two ceremonies in one day but it was super fun exploring the options and the various ways Brown Mountain Beach could accommodate what they were looking for.

Her family was coming in from India and his mostly from Texas but because they currently live in NC, they wanted to highlight the beauty of our lovely state. She wanted mountains and he wanted the beach. They could not have chosen a better venue.

After the rehearsal Monday evening, everyone was delighted to celebrate with dancing at their Sangeet. For those unfamiliar with the term, the word “Sangeet “ means  music, or in this case, Music Night or Musical party. This musical night is a celebration of the union of not only the couple but the bonding of both families. It is here that both sides bring down their barriers and mingle in a fun environment. Everyone had so much fun!

Tuesday morning preparations finished with a first look between Priya and her sweet parents before she met her groom at the aisle. They exchanged a few sweet moments, raved over her dress and wished her many blessings.

Seriously though… this dress. You guys. Can all my future weddings PLEASE have this many colors!! I am obsessed!

They were adamant that this ceremony represent who they are as a couple, and not the typical patriarchal traditions that typically come with wedding ceremonies. They wrote most of the bi-lingual service themselves, incorporating a few traditions they loved and creating new ones at the same time. It was a beautiful testament to their strength as individuals and as a newly bonded couple.

With the first ceremony in the books, everyone took a lunch break then changed outfits for the American ceremony. Trevor and Priya shared a first look this time and after solidifying their vows a second time, had fun with their wedding party and relaxed for the rest of the evening, full to the brim with the love of their blended families.

It was an absolute honor to be included in your big day you guys!! Let’s do it again soon! ;)

The Wedding Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola with Ashley Warren

Venue: Brown Mountain Beach Resort

Coordinator: Hillary with BMB

Indian Sari was flown over with Priya’s mother direct from their home town.

American Dress: New York Bride and Groom

Rings: James Allen

Hair and Make Up: Shipra Ajmera

Florist: Edgemont garden

DJ: Spin Fire Entertainment

Video: Breel Productions

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

Brooke and Kayla's Wedding at Overlook Barn

“Too much of a good thing can be wonderful”

— Mae West

Rainbow everything! Donuts, shoes, purses, flags and explosives! Give me alllll the color!

I have had the pleasure of getting to know these two babes over the past year with two different surprise proposals and have been anticipating this happy day from the beginning! That excitement amplified tenfold when I walked into Overlook Barn and Megan, the coordinator handed me a box labeled ‘explosives’ that she was instructed to “give to Cynthia, she’ll know what to do.” Bring it on.

I started reading the instructions and these simple "smoke bombs” made it seem like we were about to go to war. We apparently needed gloves, face masks, fire extinguishers and the fire department on stand by just in case. Luckily we had just that! Half the fire department was, in fact, in attendance as guests and we had a whole crew of vendors and wedding party at the ready to make this magic happen. I don’t think one single person was upset about it. ;)

Que the tears! Little Dexter has been a part of their journey together from the beginning and always wants to be included when rings or other gifts are being exchanged. So they gave him a promise ring to wear around his neck during the ceremony and promised to raise him with all the love they possess. The entire crowd began weeping of course. These three are surrounded by love on all sides and you could feel it as they greeted each guest and relived all their happy memories together.

We originally planned to sneak them out of the reception after all the “important” moments like the first dance and cake cutting to do these smoke bomb photos. Brooke and Kayla knew these colorful bombs might not go as planned and their beautiful white attire might not be white afterwards. However I realized the sun was “setting” earlier behind the mountain than we anticipated and we needed to squeeze in this moment before they started the reception so we could get that incredible glowy sunset light. They didn’t pause for a second, they just said they trusted me, grabbed their flag and we went for it! These are now possibly my favorite photos ever! So grateful for the whole wedding party and The Elegant Event and Overlook Barn crew who jumped at the chance to make these rainbow dreams come true!

I would not have missed this day for the world! Thank you so much for including us!! Love you guys!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Coordinator: Megan Drake at The Elegant Event

Venue : Overlook Barn

Dress - Madi Lane from One Bridal

Make Up: Sharla Bance

Hair: Allie Oliver with Battle Born Beauty

Florist: Bouquet Florist Boone

Attire: One Bridal and White House Black Market

Officiant: Rev. Dr. Gregory Possman High Country Ministers

Live Music: Hope Griffin

DJ: Chad at Millennium Entertainment

Video: Trent at TW Productions

Catering: The Smoke Pit

Cake: Sassy Cat Bakery and Local Lion

Rentals- Dinnerware/cups/sweetheart table: Miss Match Rentals

Arbor: The Summit Woodworks

Beer Trailer: Happy Trailers

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

Ashe and Justin's Wedding at The Inn at Crestwood

I had the best time getting to know Justin and Ashe at their engagement session at Moses Cone last year. We hit it off right away of course; they are so down to earth and easy to be around. They had no expectations, they just wanted to capture this moment in the exact weather of the mountains. Their proposal was in a thick fog and they loved every minute of it. They hoped their engagement session and wedding day would each be something different to capture the mountains in their entirety. They were not disappointed.

These two met just before covid and found that the world’s shut down only brought them closer together as their dates looked more like long talks on the porch or walks in the park rather than watching a movie. She bought a puppy together they trained little Benson, and that too only brought them closer.

In their sweet ceremony at St Elizabeth’s Church, they shared their first communion together, as well as a their first prayer to Mary as a united couple. After that they had scheduled a two hour break before the cocktail hour began so they were able to enjoy their day together privately before entertaining their guests.

Back at Crestwood, Emerald Empire band brought the party and everyone danced the night away with the chill of fall beginning to settle in around them. It was a perfect day!

You guys thank you so much for including us in your special day!!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola with Shannon Leopold

Ceremony: St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church

Reception Venue: The Inn at Crestwood

Dress: Sealed With A Kiss

Rings: Paffrath Jewelers

Make Up: April Bennett

Florist: Callista Flower Company

Officiant: Deacon Larry O'Toole

Band: Emerald Empire Band

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

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

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

— Bob Goff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The vendors who made the day possible:

Photographers: Cynthia Viola with Jenni Chandler

Venue + Coordinator : Caroline with The Barn on New River

Hair: Megan Matthews & Tami Smith

Make Up: Sarah Warrick

Dress: Maggie Soterro from Lasting Impressions

Suit: Stitched By Mitch

Rings: Ballerina Jewelers

Florist and Cake: Dandelions All Things Wedding

Officiant: Rebecca Maynard

DJ: Ben with Mohr Fun Events

Photobooth: Elation Digital

Video: Serrano Film Co

Catering: Gadabouts Catering

Dessert: Blue Deer Cookie

Beer Truck: Tap Truck

Shuttle: Jeff Prestige with Prestige Limousine Service

Rentals: A&J Rental Group

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

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