The Standard Knoxville Wedding - Kimmie + Zac
"Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile." Franklin P. Jones
When we capture a couple's wedding day, one of our favorite aspects of the editing process is just looking through the photos initially to see the story of the day. As we made our way through these images the first, second, and subsequent times, we've always had the same reaction; Kimmie and Zac's wedding was one of the most clear representations of love and raw emotion that we have ever seen. As we view the many tearful moments from their wedding, we are immediately brought back to the overwhelming joy of this day not only among the couple but also everyone involved in this celebration of Kimmie and Zac's love.
These lovebirds chose one of downtown Knoxville's coolest venues, The Standard, for their ceremony and reception. With exposed brick, natural light beaming through large skylights, and details original to the building, this event site offers a unique urban vibe . The bridal suite has become somewhat iconic in Knoxville, and some of our favorite photos with Kimmie and her girls were taken here as well as beautiful details of her dress . Although the indoor venue offers a reprieve from the summer heat, we love that there are some amazing places, like the rooftop patio we utilized for golden hour photos with the couple, to grab some shots outdoors. We've come to refer to the friends and family that stood beside them on their day as "the big, beautiful bridal party," and The Standard offers a large event space that could easily accommodate their 11 groomsmen, 11 bridesmaids, 4 flower girls and ring bearer.
We adored the unique choices that this couple made from Zac's blue checkered shirt to Kimmie's flawless two piece ivory gown and even the food (a taco bar and donut bar). Large, breathtaking flowers in Kimmie's bouquet with touches of burgundy mirrored in Zac's tie added pops of color, and we loved the incorporation of feminine floral crowns for the oh, too, adorable flower girls. The emotional first look and walk down the aisle made us melt, and we couldn't have been more honored to be part of this sweet couple's wedding. Enjoy these newly created memories as we share their joy with you today!
The Standard | Catherine Deane | BHLDN | Men's Wearhouse | Always in Bloom Florist, LLC | All Occasions Party Rentals | Scrumps Cupcakes | Simpl Food , Arts, and Catering | Salon Biyoshi | The Pour Guys | Sword Sounds- Mobile DJ Services | Erin Morrison Photography | The Find Lab
Knoxville Museum of Art Wedding - Miriam + Ryan
A beautiful two piece gown, the perfect accessories, touches of lavender, and a gorgeous handmade Chuppah were just a few of the memorable details of Miriam and Ryan's fall wedding, but it was the palpable love you could feel from everyone who shared in their day that truly made this event special.
The couple's big day took place at the perfect location for the two, the Knoxville Museum of Art. This venue boasts two gorgeous courtyards and a modern, sleek style ideal for such an affair. The two were wed outside under a beautifully crafted Chuppah, a canopy characteristic of Jewish wedding ceremonies. The ceremony incorporated various poems read by friends and family, and a friend was granted the honor of marrying the two, which made these nuptials even more meaningful; the two shared personalized vows before celebrating their matrimony by breaking the glass and sharing a kiss as guests shouted, "Mazel Tov."
We are so thrilled to share Miriam and Ryan's wedding with you today, and we wish them nothing but happiness as they begin their journey as husband and wife.
A great day is even better with such amazing vendors!
Venue- Knoxville Museum of Art | Dress and Bridesmaids' Dresses- BHLDN | Suits- The Black Tux | Catering- Calhoun's Flowers- Jennifer Roden | Chuppah- Gerry Moll | Officiant- Elizabeth Phillips | Chairs- All Occasions Party Rentals | Film Lab- The Find Lab
Norris Lake Wedding - Amber + Nathan
You may remember Amber and Nathan from their amazing Cincinnati engagement featured previously on our blog, but today, we have the honor of sharing the highlights of their wedding day with you.
This elegant and intimate affair took place alongside Norris Lake in private homes rented not only for the ceremony and reception but also for their guests to stay comfortably pre and post wedding. We loved the spacious rooms in the three level homes as they provided the perfect setting for some getting ready photos with the bride, groom, and their friends, but the gorgeous stairways amongst the wooded shoreline down to the lake were truly the standout. In fact, Amber and Nathan's guests were seated on various levels as they watched the ceremony that took place atop one of the docks.
The day was all about family and friends, and this relaxed couple made it a priority to spend time with their loved ones despite the hustle and bustle of the day. From the perfect place settings, to the always delicious Big Fatty's catering, and the gorgeous florals from Echelon, every detail was perfectly planned and executed. We loved the incorporation of shades of pink combined with navy to tie in a nautical element.
The most memorable moment of the day, however, occurred at the end of the evening when the bride and bridesmaids decided to trash their dresses. This only reinforced the carefree vibe thought the day, and we gazed on as Amber playful pushed Nathan into the lake as well.
We cannot say enough about this sweet, fun loving couple, and we are so thrilled to share these memories with you today. Congratulations, again, Amber and Nathan.
Dress - Donna Salyers Fabulous Bridal; Essense of Australia | Bridesmaids Dresses - Azazie | Venue - Private residence on Norris Lake | Catering - Big Fattys Catering | Dessert - Dale's Fried Pies | Flowers - Echelon Florist | Rentals - All Occasions Knoxville
Cades Cove Smoky Mountain Engagement - Alisha + Evan
We met our friends in the mountains for this romantic engagement session. Evan and Alisha are not only awesome people, but we discovered that they are also models on the side (only kidding).
Alisha's sundress was a perfect choice for a summer shoot, and her white maxi dress added a bridal touch. We loved the incorporation of her flower crown for a stunning and unique detail. Evan's outfit choices complimented hers but added to the casual and playful nature of this shoot.
Alisha also brought along some great props that we were excited to capture for the two. The pendant sign with their wedding date was adorable, and we couldn't get enough of the cabinet door that they converted into a sign for a great save the date photo. Our favorite styled detail, however, was the inclusion of the pillows of different colors and patterns as the two cuddled on a blanket together in the middle of a small trail.
We are so happy for these two, and we are thrilled that we get to be part of their day next May. Take a trip to the Smoky Mountains with us through these photos of Alisha and Evan.
The Barn at Living Water Wedding - Sarah & Daniel
We want to share with you today a very special wedding between one of my former students, Daniel, and his beautiful bride, Sarah, the epitome of high school sweethearts. Although they are still a young couple, one still in nursing school and the other pursuing a degree in medicine, they are wise beyond their years and so in love with one another.
Sarah and Daniel wanted a meaningful location for their nuptials, so they chose to have their wedding at the church they attended while students at Lee University, the Barn at Living Water. Featuring gorgeous fields, lush greenery, and a quaint barn, this venue was perfect for a beautifully sunny summer wedding. The two wed overlooking rolling hills and under an iron canopy adorned with purple, blue, and white flowers. This sentimental ceremony was performed by their pastor, and the two shared communion together as soon to be husband and wife. We loved the incorporation of string quartet for a touch of elegance and the family Bible that held the wedding bands for a sense of nostalgia.
Sarah's dress is aligned with one of the biggest wedding gown trends right now as it was two separate pieces. We loved the choice of a lace beaded bodice with a full skirt and long veil. The flawless "something blue" came into play with her shoes, but her gorgeous sapphire engagement ring and necklace were unique plays on that tradition as well. One of our favorite color pairings incorporated the girls' lavender dresses with the groomsmen's gray suits, and all of these shades blended perfectly within the rounded bouquets accented with greenery.
The couple's reception was held in the barn, and some of the most endearing moments of the day came as Sarah danced with her father and Daniel did the same with his mother; however, it was the speeches delivered by the bridesmaids and groomsmen that touched our hearts and showed us how much the love shared between these two has impacted others. The best man performed an emotional rendition of "Make You Feel My Love" that we think brought the entire room to tears. What a perfect gift for these two!
We feel blessed to have been able to celebrate the union of these two at their wedding, and we hope you see all of Sarah and Daniel's joy reflected in these images as we do.
Event Venue: The Barn at Living Water | Floral: Grafe Studio | Cake: Kimmie's Cakes | Dress: Monica's Bridal | Shoes: Steve Madden | Catering: The Barn at Living Water | Bradley Rentals | Chattanooga Tents | Hair: Bliss | Makeup: Ryan Andrews | Videography: Martha Douhne & Ruthie Martin
Cleveland Tennessee Bridal - Sarah
A bridal session is perhaps the best way for a future Mrs. to become comfortable in front of the camera prior to her big day. Just like an engagement shoot, we treat this as an opportunity to get to know our bride better and for her to learn more about us too. Having a relationship with your photographer upfront is a major advantage in having natural and effortless posing in your photos when the wedding rolls around.
The bride also gains another huge benefit from this session aside from becoming familiar with our posing and growing more comfortable as the subject of so many photos. This provides a perfect chance to put that hair and makeup trial to great use. Brides can see in advance exactly how they will appear in photos in order to make any alterations, but a great photog always keeps these hidden from the groom until after the wedding.
We were so thrilled to capture all of these moments with Sarah before her wedding day with Daniel. We loved the incorporation of the Lee University campus, as the couple attended school there together. The gorgeous chapel and classic buildings provided the ideal backdrop for her timeless gown and perfectly styled veil. The photos taken at the venue, the Barn at Living Water, allowed us to familiarize ourselves with the ceremony and reception site in advance and to snap some shots of Sarah where the two attend church together. These special moments with the bride are some of our favorites!
A bridal session can truly provide a great opportunity for the bride and photographer to develop a rapport with one another, but it also gives the bride a more relaxed occasion to capture some amazing photos to add to the wedding album. We hope you are inspired by this elegant and romantic bridal session with Sarah!
