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

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

Abbey and Mayukh's Wedding at The Oaks at Salem

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul”

— Martha Graham

Well…I thought I had seen alllll the dancing at weddings. But no. With three days of Henna tattoos, bridal showers, family talents shows at a Sangeet ceremony and then, of course, the wedding and reception…. now, I feel like I’ve seen all the dancing. I had SO MUCH fun this weekend. Abbey and Mayukh were gracious enough to invite me to all the festivities that their Indian/American wedding included and I was not disappointed. So much color, good food and alll the dancing.

Abbey and Mayukh like to say they met the third time they were supposed to. After being in the same place at the same time twice and missing each other, they finally had their first conversation at a friend’s birthday party and the rest is history.

Their wedding, like so many others this year was rescheduled due to covid, and still could not include at least 100 guests who would have otherwise been here if not for travel restrictions, but it didn’t damper the fun. Both families were so happy to meet each other and celebrate with the happy couple.

The Mehndi party kicked of the weekend as all the ladies were decorated with henna.

After the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal brunch on Saturday they had the Haldi Ceremony where turmeric was placed on their head and hands by 5 married women on each side of their family. This is considered a symbol of blessing for the couple and a healthy marital life. According to Indian customs, all the married ladies of the house apply haldi to the bride and the groom in order to bless them with a long and strong relationship.

Then the dancing began. The Sangeet. Everything you’ve ever imagined about Bali dancing…. this was it. It was absolutely mesmerizing and beautiful. It truly set the tone of celebration for the rest of the weekend.

Sunday morning for the joint wedding ceremony was perfectly beautiful and every tradition for both sides was welcomed and celebrated.

I had soooo much fun celebrating with these two and hope to witness many more Indian weddings soon!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographers: Cynthia Viola with Guillermo Delgado

Venue: The Oaks at Salem

Wedding Coordinator: Aubi and Laura from The Oaks

Henna: Henna by Neena Jain

Her Dress: Pronovias from Tre Bella in Durham, NC

Wedding Party Attire: David's Bridal and Menswarehouse

The Rings: Diamond's Direct

Hair Stylist and Make up Artist: Ashley Watts

Florist: Cary Florist

Officiant: Jason Lynch

DJ: Frankie at CWDJ Entertainment

Catering: Under the Oak Restaurant and Catering

Cake Baker: I Do Cakes

Bartending: BrewMasters

Linen/Chair/Tent Services: CE Rentals

Invitations: Papel Custom Design

Favors: Wine bottle stoppers featuring a prominent compass rose on top of the stopper