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!
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!
Wedding Planning Tips - Part 2: Booking Your Vendors
You're engaged! Congratulations! Now, it's time to start planning for your big day and reaching out to the people that you'd like to be part of creating your wedding vision. As part two of our tips series, we'd like to share some advice about the initial steps you should take in planning and communicating with potential vendors before booking.
Tip 1: Know the Details to Share
We have a ton of couples reach out to us immediately after they are engaged, and it is always great to be ahead of the curve when selecting vendors as many tend to book dates up to a year in advance. The single most important thing to have determined, however, prior to booking any of your vendors is a firm wedding date. Asking for a photographer or other vendor, for pricing information to get a feel for what is out there and doable for your budget is acceptable, but without a specific date, you won't be able to book with the company and may be disappointed to find out later that they are unavailable. Generally, most vendors will also want to know your venue as well as some may charge additional fees for travel if the site is outside of their normal coverage area. So, set your date as quickly as possible, and go ahead and book your venue to get the ball rolling for your other inquiries.
Tip 2: Respond and Just Ask
Any time I send an email, whether personal or business related, I am always impressed when the recipient responds quickly. This is something we really strive to excel at in our correspondence with clients, and it's one aspect of our communication that our couples really value. This is just as important when requesting information from a photographer, caterer, or venue, just as examples, from a client perspective. We always appreciate when a couple gets back to us, even if it's just to say that our pricing does not work in their budget. That's ok, and there are never hard feelings on our end. We are grateful for the response, and we both know that it's nothing personal or that they don't love our work. The other aspect of the pricing conversation is also being willing to ask what a particular vendor can do within your budget or requesting if there is a package or option that may suit your needs better. I always think, what's the worst that someone can say? No? I can handle that. If you really want to book a particular service or company, just ask, and the vendor will let you know if your vision is doable or not for them in your price range.
Tip 3: Keep an Open Mind
Don't forget one important tip from our last blog as well; although pricing and budgets are, of course, important, many vendors want to get to know you a little better and build a relationship with you also. Sharing details and information about yourselves as a couple and being specific about your dreams for your wedding allow us to have some insight about who you are and if we are a good fit for capturing your big day. Quality work, goods, and services may cost more than you anticipate when starting your wedding planning, and although you should stick to a budget, make sure you are considering other aspects of what a vendor can offer including experience and the overall vibe you want to achieve for your wedding.
Thinking about the planning process from a vendor perspective can only help you achieve a more relaxing and smooth experience for your wedding day. To summarize, choosing your date and selecting your venue are usually the first decisions to make. Be open to corresponding with vendors openly and honestly and asking questions you may have. Finally, consider all aspects of what a potential vendor has to offer as part of their pricing. Referrals from friends and family are always meaningful, as personal experience is definitely valuable, and meeting with vendors in person to discuss options can always help you evaluate the connection you have with one another, which is another important factor to consider. Your wedding day should reflect your values and your style, and carefully choosing your vendors will ensure that you have the best, most memorable day possible.
Dara's Garden | Whitestone Country Inn | Spence Cabin | Knoxville Botanical Gardens | Volunteer Princess Cruises | Walnut Hill Farm | The Barn at Living Water | Ijams Nature Center | Melissa Timm Designs | May Flowers | Echelon Florist | Grafe Studio Floral | Beez and Blossoms | Axel Marshall Productions | Rellek Films | Rivershack Farmhouse | Stylebar Chattanooga | Melissa Cubberley Makeup Artistry | Whitney Evans Beauty | Organic Infusion | Olde Enzor Lane | Magpies | Z Studio Weddings & Events | First Fruits Catering
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens Engagement - Britni + Andrew | Charleston Wedding Photographer
First opened to visitors in the 1870s, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina, boasts a gorgeous natural setting with an array of plants and flowers, beautiful animals freely roaming the property, and, of course, the well-known picturesque Spanish moss covered oaks so distinctive to this southern city. We were thrilled when Britni and Andrew decided to do their engagement photos here while they were in town for a wedding and asked us to capture these special memories for them.
This couple was initially reluctant to admit their feelings for one another despite constantly being together and finding excuses to be alone (like needing help with Christmas shopping). That all changed, however, the day Britni was scheduled to leave for basic duty. The two finally confessed that they knew this could be something truly special, and although they had to spend time apart, just like a classic love story, the two wrote letters to one another with updates and sweet sentiments, stressing how much they missed each other during her time away. When Britni returned home, the two were inseparable. Andrew calls Britni his best friend, and the two are ready to begin this new adventure together as husband and wife.
A breathtaking garden setting at Magnolia Plantation meshed flawlessly with Britni's flowing white dress and her feminine pink floral printed skirt, and we loved Andrew's choice to wear suspenders. So classic. These two were all smiles throughout the session, and the genuine reactions and laughter they shared are our favorite parts of this shoot. Join us as we whisk you away to romantic Charleston for this lovely engagement.
Knoxville Botanical Gardens Engagement - Kendall + Nathan
These two made the journey from Jefferson City to meet us at the always gorgeous Knoxville Botanical Gardens for this amazingly beautiful engagement. We hit it off with these two instantly, as we made a connection over their profession. Kendall is studying to become a teacher, and Nathan currently teaches history, which we truly respect and admire (as Jason is the son of a teacher and I'm a former teacher of 8 years).
We could not have styled these two any better had we chosen their outfits and accessories ourselves. Nathan's button up and gray pants (funny fact...we're pretty sure Jason had on the exact same pants while photographing this shoot) meshed perfectly with Kendall's phenomenal blush gown. The flattering cut and flowing fabric made this dress a perfect choice for a spring engagement and combined flawlessly with Kendall's touches of gold in her jewelry.
We truly enjoyed spending the evening with these two and getting to know them better, and we cannot wait for their wedding this June. We are so excited to share the memories created with these lovebirds, and we invite you to explore the gardens with us through this elegant engagement.
The Cove Park Engagement - Kristina + Ben
"I find it incredibly amazing how at every sunset, the sky is a different shade. No cloud is ever in the same place. Each day is a new masterpiece. A new wonder. A new memory".- Sanober Khan
We didn't have to travel far for this couple's photos, but we love that they chose to use locations in Farragut for the backdrop of this engagement. Kristina and Ben, who were engaged in December and did have to make the journey from Illinois, wanted to have sentimental and meaningful locations, and the most important must have was the lake.
We ventured into the woods by Kristina's family home with this super active couple for some playful and romantic shots creek side. We were thrilled when they volunteered to get in the creek despite the somewhat chilly weather, so we could catch some beautiful moments of the two.
Our final planned stop took us to Cove Park, where Kristina and Ben strolled together on the sand; however, we spotted a beautiful dock on the way here and just couldn't get the image of the sun setting on the lake out of our minds, so we asked if the two were down for some additional photos. What a great decision this was! There is nothing like a sunset glimmering on the water with a gorgeous couple in the foreground!
We are super pumped to share these photos, and we can't wait for Kristina and Ben's big day at Mill and Mine in September. Enjoy these newly created memories!
