Anna and Jim's Engagement at the American Tobacco Campus

“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

These two cuties drove down from Kentucky for their engagement shoot this weekend and will again for the big day in May. We were so excited to find the weather would be perfect, because when you travel that far, you’re not as able to do a rain back up.

They have the sweetest Golden pup, Kit, who just had to be a part of the shoot as well. He’s basically the star of the show, but they prefer it that way, and Kit certainly doesn’t mind.

While we were waiting for Anna’s dad to drop off kit for his debut, we took a pause to celebrate the day at a local pub, I highly recommend this (or bringing a bottle of wine if we’re in a park to share) for your shoot. It’s such a fun way to celebrate and also get rid of any nerves. ;)

When I asked what they would be doing in 30 years she said he will have invented something by then and they would be living off that plus Kit would still be alive for sure since he’s a super golden and their cat too of course…. Perhaps that’s what he invents…everlasting life for the fur babies!

I had so much fun getting you know you guys this weekend! Looking forward to spring!

Anna and Steve's Elopement at Rough Ridge

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

— Lewis Carroll -Alice in Wonderland

I became friends with Anna when I started shooting her bother’s family photos a few years ago. We’ve since hung out several times and I must say I have never seen her as happy as I did this weekend. Steve just gets her in a way that makes her feel free and adored and it brought me so much joy to capture these moments for them.

We had to change around the plans a little since the mountain weather was being a little finicky, but we did the first look and ceremony at their cabin and followed up a couple days later with a hike a Rough Ridge Hiking Trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway at sunrise.

I am obsessed with their Wooden Flowers from Forever Floral! They were so easy to tote around everywhere we went and never lost one petal. The wood is actually really soft and nearly feels like actual flower petals somehow.

They *might have kissed a half a dozen times throughout the ceremony, but we didn’t mind ;)

It was 42 degrees at sunrise but they weren’t afraid. She threw on some leggings and hiking boots under her Rustic Grace dress and blazed down the trail. Definitely my kind of people. ;)

Anna I cannot tell you how much joy it brought me to see you so happy this weekend! Thank you for including me on such a special day! SO happy for you both!

Gülşah and Vanessa's Engagement on the Blue Ridge Parkway

“Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.”

— Ann Landers

I could not have been more excited when Gülşah and Vanessa asked me to photograph their engagement and big day, just through our initial video chat I knew we would be great friends!

These two beautiful souls met in their Counseling/Psychology profession at Old Dominion University. So naturally we hit it off right away as my major was also Psychology focused on counseling. When you meet them, you’ll know right away they have to be in a field like that because they are both simply so easy to be around. They ask great questions and listen intently, they are truly the type of friends you want to have in your corner.

When the weekend finally arrived them them to travel here from Norfolk, VA the weather looked like it wasn’t going to cooperate for our scheduled day and I already had shoots booked every other day surrounding it, so we decided to have them meet me a day early just a little bit before my other shoot that evening so we could at least guarantee a few glowy sunset photos if we weren’t able to get them the next day.

So the duck pond in Banner Elk served as our first backdrop and worked out perfectly. I had them climbing all over rocks and dancing in tight spaces but we made it work and it was totally worth it!

The rain held off just long enough for us to also capture a few memories at Rough Ridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway as well! We brought a couple umbrellas just in case and were so glad we did, we walked right through the center of a cloud on the way up and brought the rain back down with us on our way. The rain splattered hair simply added to the romance though and those final photos were some of my favorite from the whole weekend.

Cara and Justin's Engagement in Raleigh

“So I’m thanking you today, because of you I am now me...”

— John Butler Trio

I met these two cuties at a wedding expo back in the spring and we hit it off right away. They were telling me all about their plans for their big day at The Sutherland and I just knew we’d be a great fit.

He’s a vet tech and she does clinical research in optometry…so obviously they’re way smarter than me lol, but we had a great time walking and driving all over Raleigh as we discussed their plans.

Falls of Neuse was an important place to start because they walked their first baby Tucker there every week…not so much now with little Molly, but it still holds great value to them. They also wanted to show off all the green that is representative of NC to her Ohio fam, so we chose Pullen Park for that.

They said it’s been different planning the wedding with covid, but no less fun. They’re just excited they get to make the plans at all and each vendor is going out of their way to make it possible, for example for cake tastings, they sent them a to-go box of separate cupcakes to try. So it can all be done

And of course the Beauty Tribe did a phenomenal job on her hair and make up, so I can’t wait to see them in action on the big day!

Please note little Molly’s tongue above. It just made me so happy! How cute is she?!? And of course Tucker is very best good boy. :)

You guys thank you so much for trusting me with your memories! I’m so excited for you both!

Justin and Bryan's Engagement at Linville Falls Winery

“To dare - is to lose one’s footing momentarily. To not dare - is to lose oneself”

— Soren Kierkegaard

Love sometimes has a funny way of presenting itself in our lives. Sometimes it hits us like like a freight train and we cannot help succumbing to its force. Sometimes it enters our lives subtly and without notice at first. It enters with small gestures and inside jokes, commonality and late night discussions. It can come when we’re desperate to find it and also when we’re not looking for it all. However it comes, when it does, it is good. Everyone deserves it and everyone is capable of giving it. Regardless of what it looks like.

I simply could not be more honored to be a part of this announcement.

Justin and Bryan decided to announce both their engagement AND their coming out at the same time and of course wanted a fun photoshoot to go with it! I *may have held a small dance party by my laptop when they told me.

They met at work several years ago and hit it off pretty quickly, but their common love of To-Shin Do ninjutsu really seemed to seal the bond. Throw in their best Shiba Inu pup, Ketsu and you’ve got the sweetest little family.

They’ve been waiting for just the right time to take this big step and feel that they cannot wait any longer. They both wanted to propose to each other to show they were both choosing and both saying, “Yes.” They have such a fun journey ahead and I cannot wait to watch their story unfold.

They said it best themselves in their announcement, “There is no perfect time or way to open yourselves up to the whole world, but we have decided that right now is the time because we have great news to share. We just got engaged! Our relationship is one that has evolved over time. Together we have been around the world, we have helped each other through tragedy, celebrated each other’s victories, and we have made each other laugh so hard that we have cried. Together we can endure anything that life throws at us and we are ready to learn and grow even more together in this next stage of our lives.”

I’ve had so much fun getting to know them over the past few days as we made all the plans and ensured it would be the perfect photoshoot! Their rings are inscribed with their martial art warrior names and it’s such a big part of their lives so we had to include a special photo with their swords as well.

Ketsu was definitely one of the best puppers I’ve ever worked with. He was so very regal and calm. I can definitely see him being the very best little ring-bearer in the future!

You guys thank you so much for including me in this special time! I am truly honored and I’m excited for all that’s in store for you!

Photography: Cynthia Viola

Venue: Linville Falls Winery

Rings: Lashbrook Designs

Best Pupper: Ketsu

Jessica and Zak's Engagement at Carver's Gap

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

— Robert A. Heinlein

I have had a front row seat to these two cuties from the moment they started dating. Zak is good friends with my guy, and we both started dating at roughly the same time so we’ve been hanging out together ever since!

Just before Covid hit Zak wanted to do this epic proposal with a horse and carriage at the Biltmore House and we were so excited for him…so when that became impossible we started scheming how to make it happen closer to home. They have an awesome boat and RV out at Watauga Lake, so we considered that, we thought about hikes and picnics and in the end it simply and beautifully worked out to have dinner together at our favorite spot, Louisiana Purchase, and surprise her with the ring at dessert.

Needless to say, she said, “Yes!” and their engagement shoot followed last night. Roan Mountain is just so incredibly beautiful this time of year, it was the perfect backdrop. They brought the kiddos along and we made an evening of it.

I am grateful for such incredible friends and cannot wait to capture the big day sometime next year! It’s going to be an amazing journey!

Katherine and Michal's Engagement on the Blue Ridge Parkway

“When you trust someone, you don’t need to know everything.”

— Bob Goff

Kate and Michal had quite a journey traveling up to the mountains for their Engagement shoot, but that didn’t overshadow their excitement in the slightest. While we walked she would whisper “I love you’s” and he would tell her how beautiful her green eyes were in the evening light as if they’d just met.

It’s so beautiful to watch a love story unfold right in front of your eyes. They talked about how they’d met in undergrad, experienced a mud run together and how they knew from the very beginning something was different about “this one.” As they talked about their common career paths in Physical Therapy, they also dreamed about their future and potential matching Jeeps. They couldn’t be more natural together.

We began at Grandfather Meadows where they host the Highland Games every year, and finished nearby at Flat Rock Overlook just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. We couldn’t have asked for better weather!

I cannot wait for your big day in Roaring River this spring you guys! It’s going to be perfect!

Leann and Jeremy's Wedding at Sacred Heart

“And after all this time
I’m still into you”

— Paramore

These two have been together for like a decade and are just as adorable and happy now as they were when they met. Everyone who knows them was so excited to celebrate their happy day and then of course Covid had other plans. (insert eye roll and dramatic sigh)

They are actually one of the few Covid weddings I've had this year that decided to go ahead with the wedding after changing the date and having to face changing it again. 25 people can be JUST as fun as 200 though when they're your closest friends. The bridal suite was a dance party all morning and each person showed up fully present and ready to make 25 feel like 200. Everyone pitched in to make sure things showed up on time and in the right location, carried boxes, sanitized surfaces, pinned boutonnieres, curled hair, drove caravans and kept the music going.

Starting with the First Look, including the ceremony and the reception speeches Jeremy was all emotions all day and the way Leann wiped each tear was so precious and gentle. They both care deeply for each other and were simply grateful to have the freedom to say “I do” in the middle of 2020’s madness (not to mention the job and city changes they also had this year!)

They wanted to do a bubble exit as they left the church, but like so many other changes from covid they had to go with sparklers, and like every other change it turned out better than we’d hoped. Daylight sparkler exits have their own kind of magic!

During the final toasts Kat talked about how it’s not “them against the world,” but them as ambassadors for each other TO the world, and that rang so true. They’ve been there for each other over and over in each of life’s challenges, and they will continue to do so moving forward.

You guys thank you so much for including me in your big day! I wouldn’t have changed a thing, your crew was one of a kind!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Ceremony Venue: Sacred Heart

Reception Venue and Catering: Crabtree Marriott

Her Dress: Moonlight from Unveiled Couture in Greenville NC

His Attire: Men's Warehouse

Hair: Bekah Ellen

The Rings: Custom made from repurposed family heirlooms by Quercus Raleigh

Florist: The English Garden

Officiant: Father Ian VanHeusen

Cake Baker: Cinda's Creative Cakes 

McKenzie and Ian's Engagement at American Tobacco Campus

“Keep your face always toward the sun and shadows will fall behind you ”

— Walt Whitman

These two have been such troopers as they’ve navigated what it means to reschedule a wedding due to Covid. We were supposed to have these engagement photos back in the spring with the wedding this fall, but of course all has been pushed back a little. It was far from spring in the 95 degree Durham Summer heat but they pulled it off like professionals.

They both kept apologizing for being awkward and unphotogenic, and well…as you can see… I kept telling them they’d lost their minds because not only are they beautiful but so very natural together.

The humidity finally got the best of all of us so we decided a quick pit stop for a couple drinks would cool us off and it worked like a charm. (not to mention gave us extra photos in a fun location!)

Refreshed and ready, they changed into their favorite team jerseys and showed off all their personality. They are die hard fans and were so excited to show off their colors. :)

Thank you so much for enduring the heat with me you guys! All the reschedules will be worth it in the end! Can’t wait til next fall!

Jennifer and Justin's Wedding in Ocean Isle Beach

“The greatest adventure is to have no fear for the blaze that lies ahead”

— Robert M. Drake

Well Covid certainly has put a damper on all things weddings this year, but it wasn’t going to stop Jenn and Justin from tying the knot. After much deliberation over when and whether to postpone again they decided instead to move it off to the coast with just their immediate family and make it happen.

They had planned to have only their immediate family there to celebrate with them, but at the last minute Jenn surprised Justin and had his best man Tripp show up! There was so much love from everyone all day. It was a wonderful experience.

It felt like everything that could go wrong already had and then a monster storm rolled in 5 min before the ceremony was supposed to start. At this point all anyone could do was laugh and so we just danced around it in the carport by going ahead and making some of the photos happen, we did a first look on the balcony and moved in and out of cars for family photos until the rain stopped and the sky graced us with an incredible sunset instead.

All good things are worth waiting for and all love stories deserve their moment to shine. We only had about 10 minutes for photos after the ceremony before it was too dark to shoot so we opted instead to get up at sunrise and continue the party. It was 100% worth it.

They couldn’t end the weekend without including their best fur pup. Sterling was a perfect angel and showered them in kisses.

You guys thank you so much for including me on your big day! I know it wasn’t your first plan or even your second but you made it work and your marriage will only be stronger for it! Love you both!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Ceremony: Ocean Isle Beach

Reception and Catering: Jinks Creek Waterfront Grille

Her Dress: Allure Bridal by NY Bride and Groom

His Attire: Lauren by Ralph Lauren

The Rings: Diamonds Direct

Bridesmaids Dresses: Chianti by David’s Bridal

Groomsmen’s Attire: Ralph Lauren

Hair and Make Up: Elise Bonenberger

Perfume: Lancome Idole

Cologne: Calvin Klein Euphoria

Florist: The English Garden

Officiant: Lisa Mosca

Cake Baker: Publix

Linen/Chair/Tent Services: Beachway Rentals and Services

Invitations: Shutterfly

Davis and Sarah's Wedding at The Arbors

“Surrendering is the free-falling backwards into the unknown and trusting that The Universe will catch you.”

— Jen Sincero

Engaged at Shenandoah National Park, Eloped on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Covid-Wed after six other plans fell through with a small group of their closest family and friends at home in Charlotte. To say that these two are up for any adventure that comes their way is an understatement. For better, for worse, in sickness and in health has kept them grounded as they navigated this craziest of all years.

With all the mess of Covid postponing their first wedding date, and continuing to threaten their second date, they decided to go ahead and share their vows with each other on the side of a mountain last month. Being married in the Catholic church they knew they wouldn’t be able to write their own vows so they thought this would be the perfect time to say everything they really wanted to say.

After hiking with headlamps before the sun rose they spoke with sincerity and tenderness:

Sarah: “Throughout our entire relationship in all of its forms, you’ve consistently showed me that expectations can be exceeded. You believed in me…and made sure I wouldn’t be adventuring alone.

As your wife…I vow to push you to be the best version of yourself…and to keep life exciting and to make sure you never have to face this world alone.”

Davis: “I wouldn’t have it any other way, it fits. It’s us. It’s our story. I vow we will take on this world together. This is and always will be an equal partnership. In the end we are infinitly stronger together than we are apart.

I have no idea what the next chapter of our story holds, but as long as you are by my side, then that’s enough for me.”

I was so incredibly honored to be a part of their vow exchange. It gave me hope for the future amid the craziest of years. Their shared day with family was no different. With masks at the ready, they walked with grace and affection for each and every person there to celebrate them.

Sarah and Jess have been friends since they were kids and were sure to recreate one of their favorite photos.

Sarah wore a diamond necklace and earrings that her dad gave to her mom for their wedding. He gave it to her during their heartfelt first look just before the ceremony.

You guys thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your journey! It’s only just begun!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Ceremony Venue: St. Therese Catholic Church, Mooresville, NC

Ceremony music: Queen City Ensemble

Reception Venue: The Arbors, Cleveland, NC

Wedding Coordinator: Tonya at The Arbors

Her Dress: Maggie Sottero from New York Bride and Groom

His Attire: Bruce Julian Clothier

Bridesmaids dresses: Azazie

Groomsmen’s suits: Bruce Julian Clothier

The Rings: Diamonds Direct

Hair Stylist & Make Up Artist: Jen's Styling Booth,

Florist: Charlotte Flower Market

Officiant: Rev. Mark Lawlor

DJ: Graham Blossom from Dow Oaks Events

Videographer: Elyse Serrano (A video of the elopement *might be under the most recent work…hint…it is…go watch it and cry immediately)

Catering: Smoke Pit

Cake Baker: Sweet Cakes Bakery

Get Away Car: Blue BMW convertible

Invitations: Minted

Favors: Chocolate Dipped Oreos from Chocolatier Barrucand

Rehearsal Dinner: North Harbor Club

Cindy and Logan's Engagement on Watauga Lake

“The ship is safest in the port. But that’s not what ships were made for”

— Paulo Coelho

Sometimes you come across people who you know will be lifetime friends the moment you meet them. Cindy and I chatted back and forth for months before this shoot happened and talked about all sorts of adventure options. She and Logan can be found on some sort of adventure just about every week.

The fact that they met snowboarding on Appalachian Ski Mountain was a great indicator to where their relationship was heading. (He did propose while snowboarding in Brekenridge after all) And with their first date canoeing on Watauga Lake, we just had to reenact it for their engagement photos. Little Marcie certainly approved.

Sunrise was not the easiest of course, the lake was almost an hour away and we needed to be there by 6 to make sure we caught the light, but it was totally worth it, as it always is. I met them at their house bright and early and they offered me some Chai…which I happened to already have in my thermos, so I knew we’d be besties before the day was over. ;)

We had a cute little duck follow us around for a good part of the morning which we all loved. But when we got to the island where we planned to shoot, we found about a dozen tents with tenants sound asleep! We tried to sneak around and whisper to get some of the photos, but one of their hounds alerted them of the intruders and we dove back into the boats to give them some peace. Oops!

It was such a perfect day and I’m SO excited to see what adventure awaits their wedding guests next year!

The Tilton Family at Roan Mountain State Park

I don’t typically blog my family sessions anymore since I’m moving more into wedding and engagement photography these days. But when you work with such an awesome (and large) family like the Tiltons, you just can’t help yourself.

We basically had 4 time slots set aside over the weekend to make sure we could get the very best weather. They were traveling from Florida and with plans set months ago, there was no way to know then what the best time would be. Following all the weather apps it appeared that the morning sunrise would be perfect so we set our alarms and showed up to Roan Mountain expecting brilliant reds and pinks…we were met instead with heavy fog. These mountains may be beautiful but they are quite fickle with a mind of their own. Since there was nothing we could do about it, we decided to just go for it! We hiked with all 4 great grandparents up to the meadow and approximately 60 seconds later were met with the largest rain drops any of us had ever experienced! Giant monster drops started falling, first slowly, then too fast to escape! Fortunately everyone kept their spirits high and we just laughed it off for a few shots then took cover under the restroom shelter while we waited for it to pass.

With everyone thoroughly drenched, we knew these photos would tell a great story one day and not one person complained about wet clothes or frizzy hair. We hit every shot on the list then decided to descend the mountain for a bit to see if the weather was any better and sure enough the sun came out from behind the cloud and the beautiful Blue Ridge came into view! Soooo we started the shoot all over and got every shot even better the second time.

You just never know what you’re going to get when you hike a mountain but you can guarantee it will always be an adventure. Grateful these guys were down for the ride!

Kim and Will's Surprise Proposal at McRae Peak

“Go as far as you can see. When you get there you’ll be able to see farther. ”

— J.P. Morgan

When you mix your favorite type of hike (challenging) with your favorite type of photoshoot (surprise proposal), you have a cocktail for the BEST DAY EVER!

The excitement of getting connected with Will late the night before started with a frenzied thread in the High Country Photographer’s collective I’m a part of. The photographer originally slated for this session didn’t realize how advanced the hike was and everyone in the group teamed up via dozens of texts back and forth to each other to figure out who was available and who could handle the hike. Once it came across my plate I dropped everything to make it happen! This is literally my DREAM photoshoot!

If you’ve followed me for any amount of time you know I am an avid hiker and up for any challenge, and well, surprises are my MOST favorite! I practically ran up the mountain I was so exited to get set up. Will and I texted back and forth all morning to make sure we were on the same page in case it poured the rain while we were hiking or if there was no signal. We had decided that I would be set up already when they arrived and we would just strike up a conversation and I’d offer to take their photo, at which point he’d drop to his knee.

It was FLAWLESS! He did SO great and she was super excited, and of course said, “YES!” They didn’t realize it, but I actually set up my phone on a mini tripod and recorded the whole thing as well! It’s SO sweet!

We spent the rest of the afternoon hiking back down the trail together, you can see how it’s a bit more advanced, involving ropes and ladders to navigate the boulders. Kim was overjoyed to show off her ring from very different angle and I was more than obliged to capture it. I simply cannot wait to follow the rest of their journey and hopefully share some more hikes!

Thank you for trusting me with your memories guys!! I love you already!

Nakaya and Aaron's Pullen Park Engagement Session

“Love doesn’t make the world go ‘round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”

— Franklin P. Jones

I connected with these two cuties because of The Oaks at Salem, one of my all time favorite venues. Their big day is scheduled there in October this year and we’re all crossing our fingers that nothing will need to change due to the current events. Booking their engagement photos was proving difficult enough, with the winter weather postponing our last attempts and the corona threatening this one, we all really wanted to move forward.

Fortunately the weather cooperated and every single flowering tree in the park seemed to have blossomed over night. It was a perfect day. As most exceptionally beautiful women usually are, Nakaya was super shy at first, believing she’d chosen the wrong outfit and wondering if she was standing just right and not feeling especially beautiful, but Aaron saw to it right away to shower her in kisses and tell her everything that would make her smile.

These two have the type of friendship that loves to play and tease. I could tell from just their social media posts that they were going to have a great time no matter what we did. They were not the least bit bashful when it came to being silly or following the off the wall prompts I threw at them. This makes a shoot so much more enjoyable. It’s not about posing. It’s about connecting with each other and capturing your love in a way that the grandkids will know what you were like together.

I’m so excited for you both! October is just around the corner and we are going to have SO much fun!

Kristen and Kate's Surprise Proposal at Pullen Park

“I’m so happy I could bounce!”

— Tigger

Kristen proposed to Katelyn first down in St. Augustine during the Nights of Lights and it was of course wonderful and the catalyst for all the wedding planning and this engagement shoot. When Kate messaged me to say she wanted to propose back to Kate during their engagement session I could hardly contain my joy! I LOVE surprises! I told her I’d wait until I found the best spot for light then cue her by saying I was going to take some headshots of Kristen at which point she’d step back, pull out the ring and get ready.

The sun had completely hidden itself behind this giant dark cloud as soon as we pulled into the parking lot so we were a little bummed but we knew we’d make the most of it, and started walking and talking about their plans. The wind was really strong freezing us all as it whipped across the lake but they braved it like champs every time they had to take off their coats for a photo.

We were rounding the lake almost to the bridges (where I had previously figured we’d do the proposal) and out of nowhere the sun in all its glory popped out from behind that cloud and said, “it’s time.” I nearly jumped for joy and blurted out something about headshots and gave Kate a look and she knew exactly what I meant and then we got Kristen into place. The next few moments were pure magic as the sun bathed them (and the fresh field of flowers behind them) in light. All three of us were crying before it was over but we were able to snag a few more photos in the sun before it disappeared entirely for the rest of the shoot.

Kate chose a sapphire ring as it’s Kristen’s favorite stone and we were so excited to find some blue flowers to match them.

You simply can’t make this stuff up. It gives me so much joy to celebrate with my couples all the magic and joy that defines their lives during this season. Thank you for letting me be a part of your story guys!! Can’t wait til October!

Tara and Mischon's Engagement in NoDa

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

— Victoria Erickson

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

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

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

Lake James Wedding | Rachel and Brandon

“When you trust someone, you don’t need to know everything.”

— Bob Goff

Once Brandon and Rachel decided they wanted to be married, they wasted no time making it happen. A quick six week engagement was plenty to make all the necessary plans, get the families on board and say their I Do’s. Apparently the actual proposal was almost an accident as they chatted over face time, but once it was decided they knew they’d made the right choice and moved forward full of excitement.

It was evident to them both from the first day they met that God was at the center of each persons’ life, and that qualifier was the most important to each of them. The fact that they both loved Crossfit and dancing among other things were simply bonuses.

You know you’re working with the most chill family in the world when they take time to play spoons before the ceremony. Everyone had the very best time, you could hear the laughter over the torrential downpour happening outside and it was wonderful.

We had to sneak in a quick first look with dad just after the first look with Brandon. He was so kind to blow all the leaves away from the shooting area to make the photos better.

We might have taken a four wheeler down a super sketchy bank to make it to this beach, but it was totally worth it!

Rachel’s sweet grandmother made it her full time job over the past month to make each and every decoration for the reception. She and Rachel’s mother hand picked all the dried flowers for the arrangements out of a field by their home and it just made everything feel so magical.

They couldn’t help but dance down the aisle, as the first time they met involved lots of singing and dancing to High School Musical. (That, btw, is when Rachel knew he was the one) ;)

You guys it was such an honor to be a part of your big day! Thank you for including me!

The Vendors who made the day Possible:

Photography: Cynthia Viola

Venue: Camp Lake James

Her Dress: Allure Romance

His Suit: Kenneth Cole

Hair Stylist and Make Up Artist: Shauna Cook

Officiant: Cory Smith

Catering: Countryside BBQ

Cake Baker: Kara Poovey

Bryan Park Wedding | Barb and Crystal

“No measure of time with you will be long enough. But let’s start with forever.”

— Edward to Bella (and Crystal to Barb)

I met Barb at an event last year and we just connected right away. I knew I had to shoot their big day no matter what. She is such a kind person and was so overjoyed to tell me all the little surprises she had in store for Crystal. Like that fact that she got Crystal’s favorite band to give a video shoutout to them for their special day! What I didn’t know was that Crystal had her own surprises in store for Barb! She created a skit and sang a special song! It was so sweet to watch them get so excited about surprising each other.

In addition to surprising each other, they couldn’t wait to surprise their guests with a special appearance from Sir Purr of the Carolina Panthers! With a Panther themed day they could hardly do it without him. He was so excited to bring them lots of gifts and dance with all the guests and give his signature hugs and belly shakes.

I had so much fun with you guys and Sir Purr! Thank you for including me!

The vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Coordinator and Officiant: Tara Grant

Venue and Catering: Bryan Park Golf and Conference Center

Wedding attire: David’s Bridal

Hair stylist: Michelle Meeks at EgoHour

Make Up Artist: Brittany Lance

Florist: Hobby Lobby

DJ: DJ Chilly Entertainment

Special Guest: Carolina Panthers Mascot Sir Purr

Invitations: Sports Invites