Sun Dance Farm Wedding in the Sunset Garden | Kelsie + Daniel
You would never know by looking at this gorgeous day with these perfect details that Kelsie and Daniel planned their wedding in a mere twenty-eight days. This super outdoorsy and adventurous couple got engaged on a camping trip at Max Patch in October and decided that they didn’t want to wait an entire year to have a fall wedding. Although the planning was self-described as a whirlwind, Kelsie and Daniel’s Sun Dance Farm wedding was an intimate and sentimental affair.
Sun Dance Farm is an actual working farm and event center located in West Knoxville. The venue offers multiple ceremony and reception sites for up to 200 guests including a beautiful hidden garden, stable-side options, and even a garden pond for smaller weddings. Kelsie and Daniel’s ceremony was held in the sunset garden area under the expansive arbor draped with flowing white fabric and crystal chandeliers that glistened in the dimming light. Elegant floral garlands lined the aisle along with wooden and metal lanterns and natural elements like pine cones. One concern for the couple was to keep their wedding as eco-friendly as possible, so they chose a non-traditional guestbook with an oh too cute carving of their initials and date, and they even opted for biodegradable plates for serving the cake. The sweetest touch, however, was the spruce favors that guests were encouraged to take home and watch their love grow.
Kelsie and Daniel opted to forgo a wedding party to make the day about what was truly important, their union, and decided to have only their closest loved ones in attendance. The two were married by their minister, and the ceremony incorporated a tying of the knot inspired by a bible verse to symbolize their unity, which we thought was a great reminder to display in their home of their marriage and this special memory. Kelsie and Daniel stopped midway down the aisle as husband and wife so that their guests could pray over them and their marriage, and we were so glad to capture this sentimental moment for them.
Couple’s photos lakeside were a must for the two, and they brought along their dog, Ronix (who also participated in their ceremony), for a family photo as well. We loved that Kelsie opted for her cowgirl boots so that we could add a little movement to their photos while they playfully jogged down the narrow road together (which turned out to be some of our favorites). Their whole day was about their love for each other and for God, and we are nothing short of ecstatic to share more of their wedding with you today. This Sun Dance Farm wedding may have been one of our last for 2017, but it was definitely a memorable one. Enjoy this glimpse of Kelsie and Daniel’s day!
Venue: Sun Dance Farm and Event Center | Dress: David's Bridal | Flowers: Kroger | Suit: Coachman Clothiers | Catering: Gavino's | Videography: Rellek Films
The Sinks & Gatlinburg Engagement - Emily + James
Together for 8 years, these two lovebirds, Emily and James, started as high school sweethearts. Although they were long distance in college, they reunited in Knoxville where he just finished his masters and she landed a job as a sports reporter. Emily and James wanted a location similar to the setting of their proposal for their engagement session, so the obvious choice was the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with its mountain backdrop.
Emily and James saved every penny for five years, even rolling their own coins, to travel to Europe together after college. Little did Emily know that James had hidden an engagement ring in his favorite pair of socks within his backpack. One their first day in a picturesque town in Switzerland, the two hiked up a mountain where James popped the question, much to Emily's surprise as she cried a self-proclaimed ugly cry (and we love that she shared that detail with us; so genuine).
This couple climbed, danced, and practiced their ability to balance throughout this session, and we could tell that they were adventurous and down for anything. The location in these images, found along the bypass, was perfect to incorporate the flowing waters, wooded forest, and pretty rock formations characteristic of the park. Seriously, they are the most adorable couple, and we are thrilled to be part of their celebration of love at The Standard next spring. Congratulations to Emily and James!
Gay Street & Downtown Knoxville Engagement - Kayla + Derick
"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that's what you've given me. That's what I'd hoped to give you forever." - Nicholas Sparks
Sometimes, there are people that you meet that make you have an immediate emotional reaction. You can actually feel the spark between the two, and it is just so blatantly obvious that they are madly in love. This is how we felt about our first encounter with Kayla and Derick in downtown Knoxville. These two beautiful people didn't need much directing as they just naturally gravitate towards each other, and we were so thrilled to be able to capture their energy as a couple in these images.
Kayla and Derick met at Lee University when Derick decided to make some life changes and move to a new school. The two were instantly attracted to one another, but they initially only interacted on social media. Eventually, Derick asked for Kayla's number, and they spent their first date chatting over coffee. Each says they fell for one another that night through their smiles and laughs. Derick's insanely romantic proposal was a scavenger hunt set up for Kayla including her sister as a driver, a playlist of all of their songs, clues that led her to all the places that are part of their love story, and a go pro to record it all. So thoughtful and endearing!
This engagement session took place along Gay street in downtown Knoxville--beginning at the Gay street bridge, moving to the iconic Tennessee sign, and wrapping up in Krutch Park and the surrounding streets. We are beyond ecstatic to share this couple's photos with you today, and we can't wait for their summer wedding next year at Black Fox Farms. Join us in giving Kayla and Derick your best wishes!
Mill and Mine Wedding - Sarah Beth + Matt
I remember meeting these two at Technology Student Association conferences when I was a club sponsor and high school teacher in what I now refer to as my previous life. Matt was volunteering as a former TSA member, and I noticed immediately how friendly and outgoing he was. His counterpart, Sarah Beth, was a high school student and committed member to the organization as well; she's always been the sweetest most caring individual, and I was instantly impressed by her personable nature. Little did any of us know that years later, Sarah Beth and Matt would be walking down the aisle of their home church together and celebrating their union at an awesome downtown Knoxville venue with 400 of their closest friends and family.
Wallace Memorial Baptist Church was the obvious choice for this couple's nuptials as Matt is a Student Ministry Director there, and Sarah Beth's dad serves as an administrator for the church. The ceremony site was so meaningful to the couple, and that just made this traditional sharing of vows even more special for all involved. Their reception took place at the super modern Mill and Mine in the heart of downtown Knoxville. This industrial venue provided getting ready spots for the two, and the expansive event space was perfect for a large wedding such as Sarah Beth and Matt's.
Three very special first looks were part of this couple's big day-- one with Sarah Beth's dad, another with the bride and bridesmaids, and the final one with Matt. We love an emotional first look, and choosing to do one gives a couple a truly intimate moment together, allowing us to spend more time capturing the reactions and initial interactions of a couple. Matt's first glimpse at Sarah all dolled up in her beautiful gown did not disappoint, and his tearful reaction conveys just how happy and stunned he was to see his bride for the first time and also the pure love he has for Sarah Beth. From dancing at the beginning of the day to choreographed dances at the reception, personal touches like the arbor made by Sarah Beth and her grandfather for the ceremony, and gorgeous shades of blue and crisp white florals, Sarah Beth and Matt's day was nothing short of spectacular. With traits of loyalty, dedication, and fun loving spirits, these two are destined for a marriage full of happiness and love. Join us in wishing these two lovebirds a huge congratulations, again, and take a trip downtown with us today through these images.
Reception: Mill & Mine | Ceremony: Wallace Memorial Baptist Church | Dress shop: White Lace & Promises | Bridesmaid dresses: Azazie | Hair: Styles Etc | Makeup: Samantha Lambert | DJs: Ogle Entertainment | Video: Nate | Catering: The Original Louis' | Rentals: Campbell's Tent and Party Rentals | Dessert: Roberto's Italian Ice | Floral: Lisa Foster Floral Design | Second shooter: Erin Morrison Photography | Coordinator: Micki Duncan | Bridesmaid shirts and hats: Sew Happy TN | Film lab: The Find Lab
Forks of the River Sunflower Engagement - Sarah Beth + Josh
One of Knoxville's most popular destinations for summer photos only exists for a couple weeks at the beginning of July. The sunflower fields at Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area appear and fade away quickly, but we made sure to meet this couple, Sarah Beth and Josh, just in time for their engagement photos before the blooms disappeared until next year.
Adventurous and outdoorsy, Sarah Beth and Josh decided on a sunrise shoot, and although a glorious peeping of the sun through the clouds didn't really happen on this overcast day like we were hoping, we embraced the dramatic fog hovering over the fields for some super cool shots of the two. Sarah Beth told us in her initial contact that nature and wildlife are a what brought the two together (as they are both field researchers), so we thought it was only fitting for their engagement to be in a unique outdoor setting with this fleeting show of natural beauty. Although these flowers come and go quickly, we know the love these best friends share isn't going anywhere and neither is our excitement about their wedding in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this fall. Enjoy the photos from this summer session!
The Carriage House Wedding - Kendall + Nathan
A stylish bride, a dapper groom, and gorgeous shades of blush, gold, and ivory came together for Kendall and Nathan's summer wedding. It was an extremely hot day, but these two warmed it up even more strolling among the green fields of their venue and breaking it down on the dance floor with their friends and family. This couple completely rocked their engagement, and Kendall stunned us at her bridal session. Throughout our interactions with this couple, though, we were most impressed by their honesty with us and one another and just how darn fun they were. They may have started a little rocky on their first meeting in college (and we loved hearing this hilarious story), but these two truly are destined for a happy ending.
Both Kendall's bridal session and the couple's wedding day took place at this Jefferson City venue, The Carriage House. True to its name, this venue features a huge carriage house building with an oversized outdoor porch (perfect for dancing under the stars or admiring the amazing views) and beautiful chandelier lighting inside. A setting with green pastures and rolling hills and a picturesque white fence make up the surroundings of The Carriage House, and the stone path at ceremony site for Kendall and Nathan features a pristine arbor and perfectly manicured red blooms in the shape of a heart. We appreciate the attention paid to these details, and this venue is nothing short of elegant.
These two were surrounded by love and support throughout their day. Emotional first looks with her Kendall's bridesmaids and father convey this through the photos, but it was a heartfelt toast by Kendall's sister at the reception that really stressed just how much this beautiful couple is loved. Kendall and Nathan's wedding was one we were looking forward to all year, and today, we are thrilled to share it with you.
The Carriage House | Little City Catering | Wendy Morgan | LB Floral | The Pour Guys | The White Room Lebanon | Regal Tuxedo of Knoxville | All Occasions Party Rentals | Sound Revue Tri Cities | Jessica Hyde | Hali Leffler- Salon Biyoshi | Candice Cornett Photography
