From a River Float to Forever: Alexis & Rogerio’s Rainy Nana Mac Meadows Wedding

Some love stories begin with a first date at a restaurant. Others start with a movie or a carefully planned evening out.

Alexis and Rogerio’s love story began floating down a river.

Years later, that middle-school friendship and river adventure led them to their wedding day at Nana Mac Meadows, where they celebrated their marriage surrounded by family, friends, meaningful Brazilian traditions, and plenty of unexpected fun.

And yes—there was a lot of rain.

But as their wedding photographer, I quickly discovered that the rain wasn’t going to stop Alexis and Rogerio—or their guests—from celebrating.

A Love Story That Started in Middle School

Alexis and Rogerio first met in middle school. Eventually, their relationship grew beyond friendship, and their first date was spent floating down the river together.

But there was something extra special about that first date.

Rogerio had apparently already decided it was a moment worth remembering. His dad was secretly hiding in a bush with a camera, taking photos of them.

That family tradition of hiding in bushes with cameras would come back years later.

The Proposal: Family, a Hike, and a Very Familiar Bush

When Rogerio proposed, he and Alexis were traveling with family. Their driver had the family get out of the vehicle first so they could secretly watch the proposal.

Alexis and Rogerio stayed in the car and drove farther down the road.

Rogerio told Alexis they were going farther because it would make the hike easier for their parents.

Meanwhile, his dad was already positioned above them, telling everyone exactly how Rogerio was going to propose.

And, naturally, Rogerio’s dad was hiding in a bush with a camera once again.

So when I photographed Alexis and Rogerio’s wedding, I couldn’t resist carrying on the tradition.

At one point, while photographing the newlyweds, I found myself partially hidden behind a bush.

I wasn’t there for the first date or the proposal, but I figured the family bush tradition needed to continue.

A Nana Mac Meadows Wedding Filled with Brazilian Heritage

Alexis and Rogerio’s wedding day was filled with personal details, and one of the most meaningful was the way they incorporated Rogerio’s Brazilian heritage.

His family has a beautiful tradition whenever they travel to Brazil. They choose a special piece of rock as a remembrance gift and send it home to Rogerio.

For their wedding, those special rocks became party favors for their guests.

It was such a thoughtful way to share a piece of Rogerio’s heritage and his family’s traditions with everyone celebrating alongside them.

Their sand ceremony included another special connection to Brazil, with the sand coming directly from Brazil.

These details transformed the wedding from simply a beautiful event into a celebration that told their story.

First Look and Wedding Party Photos

Before the ceremony, Alexis and Rogerio shared their First Look.

It was also the perfect opportunity to photograph the couple and their wedding party before the festivities officially began.

There was excitement, anticipation, laughter, and all the little moments that happen when the people closest to a couple finally see them dressed and ready for the big day.

Then it was time to get married.

Then the Rain Came

After the ceremony, the weather changed dramatically.

It started to pour.

Many guests gathered underneath the covered areas to escape the downpour, while others decided that getting wet was simply part of the fun.

Some guests actually went outside to play in the rain.

And that’s one of the things I loved most about Alexis and Rogerio’s wedding.

Nobody allowed the weather to take away from the celebration.

Instead, the rain became another part of the story.

As a North Carolina wedding photographer, rainy wedding days are a wonderful reminder that some of the most memorable photographs aren’t always the ones we planned.

A Private Cheesecake Cutting

Amid the excitement, Alexis and Rogerio took a quiet moment for themselves with a private cake cutting.

Except their “cake” was cheesecake!

It was a sweet little pause in the middle of a busy wedding day before they returned to celebrate with their guests.

And while the newlyweds were dancing later in the evening, Rogerio’s dad was still doing what he does best—photographing them.

Apparently, once you’re the family photographer, you never really clock out.

Bourbon, Parents, and College Roommates

At 7:30 p.m., Alexis and Rogerio had another surprise planned for some of their friends: a shot of bourbon.

Because what better way to mark the celebration than with a little toast?

We also captured some special photographs of both sets of parents with their college roommates.

These photographs were about more than getting everyone together for a group picture. They captured friendships and relationships that have been part of their lives long before this wedding day.

When There Was No Sunset, We Made Our Own Magic

With the rain continuing, a traditional sunset portrait session wasn’t happening.

But that didn’t mean we were giving up on romantic newlywed portraits.

Instead, we grabbed a clear umbrella and headed outside.

The result was a completely different kind of wedding portrait—romantic, intimate, and full of atmosphere.

The rain became part of the photographs rather than something we needed to avoid.

And honestly?

I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Glowsticks Took Over the Dance Floor

Inside, the party continued.

The dance floor filled with guests and glowsticks.

And one flower girl may have taken the glowstick trend a little further than everyone else.

She had so many glowsticks sticking out of her dress that she practically became a walking light display.

The kids were having their own fun, too.

The ring bearers had a sliding contest going on in the back while everyone else danced and celebrated.

At one point, I even handed my camera to one of the flower girls so she could take photographs.

The reactions from the guests were priceless.

Some were amused.

Some were surprised.

And some weren’t quite sure what to think when they saw their newest photographer walking around with a camera.

But she was having a fantastic time.

The Prince Concert Nobody Expected

Then came one of the biggest surprises of the night.

Alexis’s mom and aunts apparently have a serious love for air-guitaring to Prince.

So they decided that the reception needed a concert.

Inflatable guitars appeared, and suddenly Alexis’s mom and aunts were ready to perform.

It was hilarious, unexpected, and completely unforgettable.

And that’s exactly what made this wedding so much fun.

It wasn’t just about following a timeline.

It was about making room for the people, traditions, inside jokes, and personalities that make Alexis and Rogerio’s family unique.

A Wedding Day Full of Meaning

When I think back on Alexis and Rogerio’s Nana Mac Meadows wedding, it’s difficult to pick just one favorite moment.

There were so many.

There was the story of their first date and Rogerio’s dad hiding in a bush with a camera.

There was the proposal—and Rogerio’s dad hiding in a bush again.

There was the Brazilian heritage incorporated throughout the wedding.

There were the special rocks from Brazil given to guests.

There was Brazilian sand in their sand ceremony.

There was the rain.

The guests playing in the rain.

The clear umbrella portraits.

The private cheesecake cutting.

The bourbon surprise.

Parents reunited with college roommates.

Glowsticks everywhere.

A flower girl becoming a photographer.

Ring bearers sliding around in the back.

And, of course, an unexpected Prince concert complete with inflatable guitars.

It was colorful, personal, funny, emotional, and completely Alexis and Rogerio.

Their Final Dance

At the end of the night, Alexis and Rogerio stepped away from the celebration for one last private dance.

After a day filled with family, friends, laughter, rain, dancing, and surprises, they had a quiet moment together.

Just the two of them.

Then it was time for their final exit.

Surrounded by their loved ones waving ribbon wands, Alexis and Rogerio made their way out as newlyweds.

Their wedding wasn’t memorable because the weather was perfect.

It was memorable because they made the day their own.

From a river float on their first date to dancing in the rain on their wedding day, Alexis and Rogerio’s story has always included a little adventure.

And now, they get to continue that adventure together.

Congratulations, Alexis and Rogerio!

May your marriage be filled with as much laughter, love, family, adventure, and unexpected fun as your wedding day.

And may there always be someone hiding in a bush with a camera to document it all.

Vendors
Venue: Nana Mac Meadows
Photographer: https://mariasollecito.com
Hair/Makeup: https://briannaleighbeauty.com
Florist: https://www.creativedesignsflowersandgifts.com
Caterer: https://www.culinaryvisions.com
DJ: https://www.bossplayaproductions.com
Officiant: https://www.weddingofficiantholly.com
Wedding Dress: https://www.evasonlagrange.com
Bridesmaids Dresses: https://www.azazie.com/gb/products/azazie-marley-olive-a-line-off-the-shoulder-chiffon-floor-length-bridesmaid-dress/19885408
Groomswomen Dresses: https://www.birdygrey.com/products/devin-convertible-dress-blush-pink#reviews-container-title
Tux: https://www.menswearhouse.com