Southern Weddings

Viva L’Event is a boutique wedding planning, event design, and floral design studio truly focusing on our clients’ individual personalities and love stories. We love to dig deep into your vision to create a unique and memorable day that you and your family will never forget. No matter the style or location, whether it’s near or far, our team has all of your details covered!

Full Name: Stephanie Cisko
Where you call home: Raleigh, North Carolina
Things you’d write home to your Momma about: I am so proud to be a published planner/designer in publications such as The Knot, Charleston Weddings, Trendy Bride, Style Me Pretty, Grey Likes Weddings, Snippet & Ink, Southern Bride & Groom, Wedding Row, Carats & Cake, and the one and only Southern Weddings. I have also been asked to speak at the Showit Conference as well as the University of East Carolina. I also take pride in mentoring other creatives through one-on-one meetings and branding sessions. Even more special to me are our clients’ glowing reviews.
Location/Coverage: Viva is based in the Triangle of NC (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) but has been a destination planner and designer since 2005. We LOVE to travel anywhere, including international locations.
How I got into weddings: After traveling in the US and Caribbean for corporate events, I have always known that I wanted to get more into weddings but wasn’t sure exactly how I would get there. You never know when you will meet someone you might fall in love with; I met my love at a meeting I was planning and we were long distance for almost a year when he got the word that he was going to be getting a promotion and had an opportunity to move to North Carolina. We jumped on it and made the journey there together. I started working as a lead planner for a wedding event company part-time and knew I had so many ideas I wanted to create for my own business. I went out on a limb and started my journey as business owner! I say everyday that I am blessed to be able to do what I love and love what I do.
Favorite thing about weddings in the South? My goodness there is so much: the food, the landscapes, the family traditions, and more! To be able to plan and design weddings on a family’s home property that has been passed on from generation to generation, a plantation built in the 1700’s with so much history and the beauty of Spanish moss trees, or an old warehouse that has been converted in an urban downtown location — the South truly has it all!
Favorite part of a wedding day? Thinking of the journey we have taken with our amazing couple while entering their ceremony and reception site to begin setup, it’s like an exciting rush that comes over you. Seeing the couple walk down the aisle after saying I do, the smiles can’t touch your heart more. Showing the bride and groom the reception space and seeing their reactions. One of my favorites is thinking that all those that have attended this special day will more then likely never be together again, and that because of the love of these two, they are there to celebrate and support them on the start of their marriage journey.
Dream travel destination? Creating and planning an event in Italy or Greece would be an absolute dream! I have been able to travel for two weeks all over Italy, then Paris and London. I have always believed in traveling instead of material things — it’s been something very important to my significant other and me.
Favorite Southern city? Charleston, South Carolina
Early bird or night owl? Definitely a night owl, but I love the excitement of waking up early on a special event day!
Favorite pie flavor? It’s a toss up between lemon meringue and a good old pecan pie.
Favorite biscuit topping? Toss up between my favorites, honey and pimento cheese!