Creating Your Dream Day: A Guide to Choosing Wedding Vendors
Congratulations, lovebirds! As you embark on the exciting journey of planning your special day, one of the key decisions you'll make is selecting the vendors who will bring your wedding vision to life. Rather than tiptoeing around budget concerns, let's dive into the art of expressing your expectations and defining your style.
Know Your Numbers
Start by embracing transparency. Rather than shying away from the budget conversation, consider stating your approximate budget upfront. This not only streamlines the vendor selection process but also ensures that you find professionals who align with your financial comfort zone. Let the experts know your ballpark figure, and watch as they work their magic within those parameters.
Set Expectations
Communicate your expectations clearly. Share your vision for the day, outlining what matters most to you. Whether it's capturing candid moments, creating a floral wonderland, or curating a culinary experience, express your desires openly. Vendors appreciate a couple who knows what they want, allowing them to tailor their services to your needs.
Define Your Style
Every couple has a unique love story, and your wedding should reflect that. Take the time to define your wedding style. Are you envisioning a classic and timeless affair, a modern and sleek celebration, or perhaps a bohemian-inspired gathering? Clearly articulating your style preferences helps vendors tailor their offerings to complement your aesthetic.
Do Your Research
Explore vendor portfolios and reviews to find professionals whose work resonates with you. Look beyond the price tag and focus on the value they bring to your wedding. Don't be afraid to ask for references or schedule consultations to get a feel for their personalities, workflow, and style.
Build Connections
Building a rapport with your vendors is crucial. Seek professionals who understand your vision, communicate effectively, and genuinely care about making your day extraordinary. A strong connection fosters a collaborative atmosphere, ensuring a smoother planning process and a more enjoyable wedding day.
Stay True to Your Vision
Throughout the planning process, stay true to your vision and values. Remember that your wedding is a celebration of your love story, and the right vendors will enhance that narrative. Choose professionals who align with your style, meet your expectations, and, most importantly, make you feel confident in entrusting them with the most special day of your lives.
In summary, be open about your budget, communicate your expectations clearly, define your wedding style, do thorough research, build connections, and stay true to your vision. By approaching vendor selection with style and savvy, you'll create a wedding day that reflects the essence of your love, without ever needing to utter the phrases "I'm on a budget" or "cost an arm and a leg." Cheers to a wedding journey filled with joy, authenticity, and the perfect team to bring your dreams to life!
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
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
Spence Cabin Wedding in The Great Smoky Mountains - Chelsea & Nick
The Smoky Mountains are the perfect place to escape for couples who love nature and a gorgeous mountain view. We think that is why so many choose to be married in the National Park and particularly at this quaint little pink piece of history, Spence Cabin in the Elkmont Historic District. The inside of the cabin features wooded walls for a very traditional feel, while just behind the cabin, located on the Little River, is the perfect riverside patio for a special event along the rolling waters. It's no wonder that our lovebirds, Chelsea and Nick, chose this charming cabin as the location for their intimate ceremony and the Appalachian Clubhouse just around the corner for their dinner reception, with amazing food from First Fruits Catering and an abundance of moonshine toasts.
Chelsea and Nick's first vacation together took place in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and they wanted to come full circle for their wedding day with close friends and family. Chelsea said about her love for Nick that "It's hard to describe...other than it's just the thing that has made the most sense to me ever. We are each others even keel, and it doesn't make sense that there was ever one without the other." We loved how these two looked at each other as we frolicked through the woods with them and even did a little climbing on the rocks waterside. With tons of smiles and a little bit of laughter, its undeniable seeing these two together that they are just meant to be.
This day was truly special not only because of the meaningful choice of location and because of the palpable joy you could feel throughout the day but also because Chelsea and Nick chose to keep it simple and to make their union and families the true focus. All of their loved ones contributed to the day with sentimental touches and noteworthy details. For example, Chelsea's mother made her belt for her gown and her veil and even arranged the flowers for the bouquet with the help of a few friends. The bride's earrings were her grandmother's, and the garter belonged to her mother when she was married (and her grandmother added the significant prayer knots for Chelsea). The officiant for the ceremony was Chelsea's brother, and one of the neatest touches was the wine for the reception made and bottled by the groom's mother, sister, and aunt. We loved that everyone seemed to play such an integral role in the union of these two, and this is what made the day such a memorable one.
Travel to our beautiful Smokies today for this woodsy wedding with Chelsea and Nick!
Spence Cabin | Appalachian Clubhouse | Madison James | Brooks Brothers | Organic Infusion
