Sonia and Michael's Wedding at the Oaks at Salem

“Love is an endless mystery, for it has nothing else to explain it”

— Rabindranath Tagore

Michael and Sonia met at a Jazz Bar on Bourbon street. OR at an orthopedics conference where they were both presenting their work from graduate school. (depends on who you ask). After thriving through Covid together they knew this was real and we started planning all the things.

As Duke is near and dear to their hearts we captured their engagement between Sarah P. Duke Gardens and Duke Chapel. And all their wedding festivities were in and around Durham.

I initially met the rest of their family at the Mehndi ceremony at their home. It never ceases to overwhelm me as couples invite me into these sacred and life giving moments in their lives. Their families were already familiar with each other and blended easily as her family taught his, with great love, the meaning behind each moment.

A Mehndi is a way of wishing the couple health and prosperity as they make the next step into marriage but I love how it forces them to rely on the help of their friends and family to feed them, fix their hair, assist with potty breaks, shoe removal and communication. It forces them to slow down, not check their phone and simply be present with each other and their family while the henna dries.

I would love to see more of this for all my couples. Michael’s friends and family were certainly excited as they learned and experienced each new tradition.

As for their Haldi Ceremony, the celebrations continued and the familiarity with each others’ families grew. As each member gently and intentionally placed the turmeric and other spices on their bodies for wellness and good fortune, it quickly turned to a fun filled smearing of the yogurt and spices all over them to ensure the best wedding day “glow.” Everyone had a blast!

The wedding day welcomed more and more family and friends into the fold as they danced and laughed through each ritual and tradition. Michael and his crew had a blast celebrating his Baraat wedding entrance and her family greeted him with open arms.

Michael even included our very Southern tradition of burying the bourbon on the ceremony grounds and digging it up to ensure no rain on the wedding day. (it worked!) Both being proficient at ballroom dancing, they dazzled their guests during the reception and also tipped their hats to their NOLA beginnings and included a beignet truck instead of cake for their desserts!

You guys thank you so much for inviting us to be a part of your big weekend!

Instagram Handles for all the Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: @cynthiajviola with @jhaganphotog

Ceremony Venue: @oaksatsalem 

Reception Venue: @durhamcookery

Planning: @southernskiesevents

HMU: @weddedkiss

Henna: @hennaartbynadia and @mysticalhennabypriya

Florals: @beckettfloral

DJ: @dowoakevents

Catering: @limenlemon_indiangrill and @rocky_top_caters and @nukkad.usa

Bar: @withatwistbartendingservice

Dessert: @squaredoughnuts

Rentals: @curatedeventsraleigh, @americanpartyrentals and @greenhousepickersisters

Puppy Care: @barkandbonenc

Fashion: @Indochino and @bhldn

Rings: @emilychelseajewelry, @brilliantearth and @Thorum 

Officiant: Priya Amaresh

Haldi Venue: @achoteldurham

Alex and Daniel's Wedding at the Oaks at Salem

“Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction”

— Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Where to begin with these two? I need to start with Toni and Kim as I met Alex’s parents first, and I must say, I absolutely fell in love with them and wanted to adopt them immediately. We got to hang out at the Oaks a couple times during the planning process including an adorable video chat with Alex (on the West Coast) and I knew we would all be friends for life. The way they cared for each other and cared about every detail along the way was incredibly sweet. It was no surprise when I met Daniel and his parents on the wedding day, I loved them instantly as well. Everyone was so invested in this sweet couple. From running errands, to making sure they had drinks and getting hyped over chants and cheers for photos!

Thennnn came the first looks. I could barely see to keep shooting. Mom made sure she had each borrowed and blue item while Dad wiped her tears. Daniel left her speechless and then they were ready to party.

This crew did not disappoint. If I didn’t know any better I’d say every single one of them was a paid professional hype man. They brought all the excitement to the day and made sure these babes were overwhelmed with love. (not to mention SIX heartfelt speeches during dinner!)

What an incredible weekend Alex and Daniel!! Thank you so much for including me!! It was an honor to witness your love and vast friendships. You have an amazing group surrounding you.

The Wedding Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Coordinator: Christina Perkins

Venue : The Oaks at Salem

Dress: Martina Liana at Coastal Knot

Rings: Derco Diamonds

Hair: Mena Garcia Beauty

Make Up: Mena Garcia Beauty

Florist: Meristem Floral

Officiant: Kevin Grant

Live Music: Udeshi Hargett Violinist

DJ: All Events DJs

Video: Thomas Blake Films

Catering: Catering By Design

Rentals: Curated Events

Rachel and Stephen's Wedding at The Oaks at Salem

I’m not sure I’ve ever met a kinder or more endearing couple than Rachel and Stephen. I already loved them from their engagement session on the Blue Ridge Parkway, at Flat Rock Overlook. They both had the sweetest demeanor toward each other. Both mentioning several times how awkward they were sure to be in front of the camera, and of course being anything but. Totally natural together and comfortable in each others’ arms. They needed nothing else to make the shoot a success.

Fast forward to their wedding weekend in Apex at the beautiful Oaks at Salem. Everyone was bracing for the hurricane winds and rain only to be pleasantly surprised by a beautifully mild day. They were even able to keep their ceremony on the lawn! (With a few back up umbrellas just in case) :)

I loved how they described how they met on their wedding website: “Stephen was sitting at home feeling blue and cabin-fevery because the sure-to-be-shortlived COVID pandemic caused him to cancel his vacation plans. During a text chat with Rachel, he half-jokingly invited her to come over and watch this crazy Netflix show called Tiger King, certain that she'd say no. But to his surprise, she said Sure! It was an awkward hangout, followed by a couple more awkward hangouts, and then they realized they're just awkward in general”

How adorable are these two?!? I could feel the anxiousness building all morning, the power had gone out putting us all a little behind schedule, but the moment they saw each other during the first look, they practically melted into each others’ arms and the rest of the day was a breeze.

I am so grateful for kind and wonderful couples like these two. The love of the whole family permeates the day and it is such a joy to celebrate with them.

You guys thank you so much for including us on your happy day!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Venue: The Oaks at Salem

Coordinator: Southern Skies Events

Dress: Larisa Samarskaya at Larisa Style

Suit: Mens Warehouse

Rings: Hollands Jewelers

Hair and Make Up: Elaine Harrison

Florist: MEWS Floral Design

Officiant: Dawn Brinson

Music: Jenny's Music Studio,

Video: Steve Creel

Bartending: Brew Masters

Catering: Ford's Fluent N' Food

Cake: Ambrosia Cake Creations

Rentals: Party Reflections

Sarah and Dalton's Wedding at The Oaks at Salem

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

— Bob Bitchin

I have so very many things to say about this incredible weekend, oh my goodness! But before I go into that, take a sec and just look at how adorable these babes are! Sarah and Dalton are just one of those couples who make an impact with everyone they meet. (And I’m not even talking about their good looks! Seriously, 3 minutes into their engagement sesh, I had to ask if they’d both modeled before, both due to their looks and with how at ease they are in front of the camera and with each other. Capturing them was as easy as breathing. I knew the wedding weekend was going to be flawless…

Fast forward to this weekend! Wow!

I hardly even know where to begin. Normally I start talking about how cute the couple is and how beautiful their details were and how cool their wedding party was. But this weekend went a little different. (feel free to scroll past my ramblings and just look at the pretty photos, but I often use this blog space both for client stories, and my own inner processing)

Friday afternoon I threw out my back. Not the end of the world, it’s happened before, usually corrects itself by the next day. I knew shooting a 12 hour wedding wouldn’t be easy, but I’d get through it so I didn’t sound any alarms and just made the drive to Raleigh.

When I woke up Saturday, everything was not corrected. It was 100 times worse, as bad as my initial injury 10 years ago. I had to crawl to my phone. I had four hours to figure out how to get this wedding captured.

I already had a solid second shooter, Melissa, who also associate shoots for me from time to time and is a total rockstar. I messaged her right away and said her 7 hours of second shooting just turned into associate. She was 100% on board, but couldn’t do the full 12 hours I was contracted for. Then I messaged one of my other amazing second shooters, Guillermo to see if there was any chance on this Father’s Day weekend he could rescue me and help Melissa. He didn’t’ hesitate for a second. He hadn’t accepted any gigs this weekend so he could spend time with the family, but knew I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t an emergency. Not only could he cover the same 7 hours as Melissa, but his wife Katie is a PA at an Ortho. She called ahead and they were waiting to give me an emergency steroid shot to make me functional for the wedding I was now due to arrive at in 90 min.

I emergency blasted several Raleigh friends to see if anyone could just be my assistant, unload all my things and hold on to my extra cameras and lenses. (I usually wear a harness with 2 cameras attached to make transitions faster when I need a different lens)

My dear friends Amber and Eric came to the rescue. He was at a car show for father’s day, but she called him home, set up everything to make sure the kids were covered and let me borrow him for those first few hours. He, of course, didn’t hesitate at all!

Melissa and Guillermo took over the ceremony and portraits which gave me enough time to get the meds the Ortho had prescribed and when they both had to leave at 8 I was able to tag in and grab the last 3 hours solo. Crisis averted.

Why do I go into all that? Wouldn’t it be better to sweep that story under the rug and not let anyone know something went wrong? I don’t think so. Call me an optimist, but there are far too many valuable pieces of magic here. This crisis affirmed for me a few things, first that I will always do what it takes. And honestly, that’s just not something you truly know about yourself until that crisis arrives. It did not cross my mind for even a second to call the couple and say, “Sorry, can’t make it! Good luck!”

Second, I have surrounded myself with incredible people through the years who will jump at the chance to help me, as I would them. That is also something you can’t truly know until that chance presents itself. The way I have designed my life, it can sometimes feel like I’m disconnected from everyone because I travel almost every week. I have friends all over the country but often only see them every couple of years and while that independence is awesome, it can make you question if your friends are merely acquaintances you have a drink with occasionally, or if they are more.

In all my earlier years of working with folks who lived on the streets, the common denominator in their predicament was not drug addiction or laziness. It was a lack of network. For a myriad of reasons, they didn’t have people in their lives who would come to their aid when needed. If you have people who love you, you will have everything you ever need.

Third, the clients I am drawn to in this profession, and who tend to be drawn to me, are people who can go with flow, adapt when necessary, and trust me when I say I’ve got them. Sarah and Dalton are the epitome of that couple. When I showed up to the venue and explained the situation, they did not panic, they did not get mad, they did not question if everything was going to get handled. Both of them simply said we trust you. Thank you so much for working it out, we trust you.

And honestly, I’m sitting here bawling as I type. Having a couple’s trust is not something I take lightly. I come back to this “job” day after day not because I get a paycheck and get to dance on the weekends. I am here because I value memories deeply. It brings me life to know I have within me the ability to capture such an important moment in time and I will never take it for granted. The silver lining to it all is knowing that I deeply love what I do. Having to watch from the sidelines while my friends captured it for me made me proud to know I have an awesome crew, but made me so sad that I couldn’t participate. I love my couples, I love my friends, I love my “job” and could not be more grateful for this beautiful life. Thank you to everyone who has helped in anyway along this journey to right now. Love you.

“I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”

— Eric Roth

Now for the reason you’re really here…

Seriously though. Sarah and Dalton are absolute GEMS. I could not be more grateful for them, for their kindness, their grace and the love that pours out of them. Every single family member I was able to chat with while I was there spoke of how these two just go above and beyond to love on their people and how their kindness is unmatched. They love to be silly and make jokes and break into dance, but above all they are kind.

It was so special to see the deep connection they both have with their parents. This is certainly not always the case on a wedding day, so it really stands out when it’s there.

I feel like at this point, I have seen just about everything at a wedding…but these two managed to pull off TWO new things for me! First, a polish traditional dance where the bride’s family removes her veil and places an apron around her waist to signify her transition from bride to wife. All the women of the family danced in a circle around them and it was super fun!

Second, the table photo game. I must admit at first I was a little skeptical. Getting “table shots” of the couple with every table at the reception is not my favorite. As an artist, it’s hard to look past the clutter on the table and often people are still chewing their food when we get there or don’t want to get out of their seat to make a group shot, it’s usually very awkward and takes a very long time as the couple gets pulled into different conversations. I’d just as soon add all those groupings to the official family shot list and capture it “properly” in a beautiful portrait location.

I have officially changed my mind and will now recommend this to EVERYONE.

OMG it was SO fun! The DJ announced that we were going to play a game and the entire room had the length of one song to help the couple get photos with every table. It was chaotic in the best kind of way! Every table tried to one-up the last by posing in different ways and making it more fun for the couple. Not only did every single guest get captured with the couple, but everyone was belly laughing by the end and it was an incredible way to set the tone for the evening! Highly recommend!!

Omg and then we shifted into the entire room in tears as they surprised his grandparents with their wedding song. Everyone circled around them to appreciate the legacy they began when they danced to this song so many years ago.

You guys I seriously cannot thank you enough for trusting me with your memories. I adore you both and cannot wait to watch you grow and thrive together in your new adventures!

The vendors who made the day possible:

Photographers: Cynthia Viola with Melissa Toma and Guillermo Delgado

Ceremony Venue: Sacred Heart Church

Reception Venue: The Oaks at Salem

Coordinator: Southern Skies Events

Dress: Bridals by Elena

Suit: Jos A Bank

Rings: Pitman Jewelry Shop

Hair and Make Up: Head Turners- Ashley Massengill,

Florist: Blossoms Florist and Bakery

Officiant: Monsignor Brockman with Sacred Heart

DJ: East Coast Entertainment- DJ Daniel

Catering: Catering By Design

Bartending: Artful Libations

Cake: Bestow Baked Goods

Rentals: Party Reflections

Shuttle: Black Lane and Eco Style

Favors: Honey Sticks & Coozies from Etsy