Carmen + Paul - Bristol, Virginia Wedding

I am going to freak out in adoration about everything in this blog post. I will use the phrase "I LOVE..." about a hundred times and I'm not going to apologize. Just know that I'm not over exaggerating at all. I've been known to do that, but I'm not doing that here - I promise. I legitimately love basically everything about this wedding. Can't help it. It was an awesome wedding - you'll see. Here we go.

I was OBSESSED with Carmen's florals. I feel like no one is going to take me seriously here because I always say that I love the flowers at every single wedding. Every time I'm over here like I LOVE THE FLOWERS. This time I really mean it though. I LOVED her flowers.

Also her wedding band reminds me of mine and it made me smile.

Paul's gifts to his groomsmen were so awesome. Also, PAUL set it all up like this - not me. He's so skilled, right?

CARMEN'S DRESS. It was so beautiful and so perfectly Carmen. 

I really love first looks, but some especially great. They were both so crazy happy to see each other. You might notice the wind was going a little nuts, but I feel like it adds to the moment. Being swept up in each other's love! Is that cheesy? That's cheesy. I don't care. Going with it.

Honestly, this photo isn't my typical style at all. There were several photos of Carmen and Paul's wedding that had me thinking that's not really how I usually do things, but I took this incredible wedding as an opportunity to try to expand my horizons. This image is essentially just an accident. I was testing my light and they were just waiting on me, but I really like it. They are being blown around and yet it looks really calm and peaceful. Thoughts?

The last time I took photos of Carmen and Paul we were all sweating through our clothes in the Tennessee summer humidity. This time they were snuggled up keeping each other warm. You can't tell, but it was pretty chilly outside. I love cuddly pictures though, and I don't think they cared.

Again, the wind was in full force that day, but doesn't she have the PERFECT dress for wind?

I LOVE mismatched bridesmaids dresses. I want everyone to do this for forever. Carmen gave all of the girls these shawls as gifts and we decided to use them for photos since it was cold outside. I love the look of it.

Carmen potted succulents to line the aisle with and I thought they looked so cool. First, this was something I hadn't seen before which always gets me pumped up. I see a lot of the same stuff going to as many weddings as I do. These were so unique and again - so Carmen.

This moment GOT me, you guys. I was just snapping photos and sobbing into the back of my camera. Don't mind me.

Every wedding I've shot has included a prayer. It's a super common thing. What's significantly less common is praying with vulnerability and intimacy. Prayer is something we tend to do so casually that we forget the connection that comes with it. I think prayer is supposed to be raw and real and emotional. I think scripture talks about prayer in this way with imagery of people kneeling, tearing their clothes, raising their hands to the sky, being anointed with oil, etc. In the modern church world we tend to just bow our heads and get it done, but we miss an essential piece of prayer by doing that. Prayer becomes (in my mind) more meaningful when you do it with another person and acknowledge that by touching them. It's vulnerable and intimate to "lay hands" on someone. I thought it was so special that the people closest to Carmen and Paul physically acknowledged the blessing on their marriage. More people should do this.

As their unity ceremony Carmen and Paul planted a plant together with soils collected from all of the different significant locations in their relationship. SO COOL. 

Another one that's not really "my style" that I ended up loving.

We'll end on this note: these two being adorable and in love.

VENDORS

Venue, Catering, Lodging, Reception Floral
The Olde Farm (Lori Boggs and Marc Eubanks)

Videography
Genesis Media Solutions (Chris & Kenda Germain)

Reception DJ
Sound Extreme Entertainment (Steven Harris)

Ceremony Music/Cocktail Hour Music
Beth Snapp

Bouquets & Floral Crown
Connie Timmons

Terrariums - DIY Carmen's sister, Naomi Huffman

Homemade Pies/Caramels - DIY Carmen's Family  

Groom/Groomsmen Attire
Turtleson

Bride's Dress
Marie Gabriel

Hair + Makeup
Lashes & Lace (Haley Cason)

Bride's Jewelry
Homegrown Silver and Stone

5 Tips for Choosing the Right Wedding Photographer

One of the most important choices you'll make for your wedding day is who you have as your photographer. There are a thousand and one different photographers to choose, so how do you know who is right for YOU and YOUR special day? I've compiled five essential tips from my time as a wedding photographer and as a bride myself. 

1. Choose someone you like

I can't emphasize this enough! Many brides don't consider this, but you will spend more time with your wedding photographer than any other person on your wedding day. More time than your mom, more time than your MOH, more time than even your groom. Your wedding photographer will be by your side almost every moment of your big day. If you meet with a potential wedding photographer and think they are arrogant, or annoying, or you don't like their sense of humor, TRUST YOURSELF. Don't hire this person. On your wedding day you want to be surrounded by people who make you happy and make your day the absolute best it can be. You want a photographer who makes you feel content, calm, confident, and comfortable. Choose someone you will look forward to spending all day with. Someone who makes you happy. 

2. Choose someone who responds

It's frustrating when you want to get in touch with someone and they never seem to respond. It's even more frustrating when the person you want to get in touch with is responsible for your wedding photos, or has already taken the photos and you haven't heard from them. Unfortunately, I've had two friends in the past two years who had issues with uncommunicative photographers. One of these friends has STILL never seen her wedding photos (almost two years later). Understandably, not every business owner can respond within the first 24 hours, (though most GOOD ones do) but if you reach out to your photographer and regularly cannot get contact back that is a big RED FLAG. Great customer service is essential when you're talking about something as important and irreplaceable as wedding photos. If someone can't take the time to get back to you, you can find someone else who will be happy to work with you. 

3. Choose someone who fits your needs

You want full day coverage, but this photographer only offers 6 hours? No. You want a bridal session, but this photographer only offers engagement sessions? No. You want to be able to purchase an album, but this photographer doesn't offer that service? No. There are so many wonderful photographers out there in the industry. Find someone who is offering you EXACTLY what you want. 

4. Choose someone who fits your style

The best photographers have a clear style and vision. There are so many different artists with so many different perspectives on wedding photography. Find someone who has the right vibe for you. Don't book someone just because they are local or in your price range. If they don't produce the style of images that YOU want to treasure forever that's ok. But find someone who does.

5. Choose someone who has YOU in mind

Whew, this is a big one. As wedding photographers, it's our job to go to weddings all the time. Duh. I'm sorry, that was obvious. Because of this some photographers will fall into the trap of treating your wedding like a run of the mill day at work. It can be easy for people in this industry to begin to think of your super-special-once-in-a-lifetime-very-important wedding as just another task to accomplish. The cake was prettier at the last wedding I shot and will be better for my portfolio. Uh, if I see ONE MORE bride use navy blue for her bridesmaids dresses. I've already shot at this venue twice this year... BORING! Etc, etc. YOUR WEDDING IS NOT ABOUT THEM. You MUST choose a photographer whose number one priority is making YOUR big day the absolute best it can be. Your wedding is not a portfolio filler. Your wedding is not a future Facebook ad. Will your photographer use your wedding photos for their portfolio and future Facebook ads? Probably. But that cannot be the focus of a great wedding photographer. The focus should be you.

If you're still looking for your perfect wedding photographer I would love to work with you! Head to the contact page to get in touch!

Hiking Hoyt

Rachel and Josh have an amazing love story and so much of their story includes camping and nature. I absolutely had to include this in their engagement shoot!

Rachel and Josh met at camp many years ago, but were both dating other people. After graduating college Rachel decided to thru hike the Appalachian Trail with a friend. During the year of planning before she left for the trail she was reunited with Josh and they started dating. Josh, knowing that Rachel would be away from home for six months to hike the trail, was nothing but supportive. He helped her plan for the trip including writing sweet notes for her to read throughout her travels. He flew in to meet her along the trail and they ended up staying at an adorable bed and breakfast.

After six months of hiking the AT, Rachel came home to Josh. Within the month he proposed - while they were out hiking together on a nature trail. 

For this session I made a cute pop up tent for the couple to lounge in during our session. We found a pine tree farm and set up camp. Our little handmade tent was set up on a quilt that belongs to Rachel's grandmother. The two of them laughed and cuddled the entire time. 

In less than a month Rachel and Josh are getting married this summer at the very same bed and breakfast they stayed in along the Appalachian Trial.

Rachel & Josh - Jackson, TN Engagement

The day has finally come! I've been waiting to shoot Rachel's engagement and wedding photos for about five years now. She told me when we first met in college that she wanted me to be her photographer. Lucky for me, Rachel sticks to her opinions. She's been a huge supporter of my work from day one and it's been such a blessing to me. When this cute boy asked her to marry him a few months ago she immediately contacted me. I'm SO EXCITED for her destination wedding in North Carolina next summer. 

Rachel and Josh are both such kind and awesome people. I'm excited to be able to work with them and get to know them better!

I've been wanting to do some "camping" themed engagement photos and have been waiting for the right couple to present the idea to. Only a few months ago Rachel finished hiking the Appalachian Trail so I figured she'd be the perfect person to pitch the idea to! Pitch... like a tent... see what I did there?

Rachel loved the idea, which led me to building this super cute and entirely impractical tent for their shoot. It also led to me attempting to load said tent into the trunk of my car. I thought the tent was the perfect size to fit in the back but, alas, it was not. The tent had to go in the backseat with Josh wedged behind it looking a little imprisoned. It was really funny and only kind of dangerous.

Josh and Rachel love spending time outdoors (he even proposed while they were out on a nature trail!) so this set up was perfect for them. We decided to make it cozy by including a quilt from Rachel's grandmother and some delicious treats. 

Through the course of this shoot I learned that poor Josh is extremely ticklish. Rachel used this to make him laugh, and I believe to torture him. It's super unfair, but I don't think Rachel is ticklish at all so he can't even fight back. It worked though! I love a good laugh.

Rachael & Felipe - Louisville, KY Wedding Sneak Peek

I'm so excited to share some photos from the amazing wedding I shot last night. More to come soon! Enjoy!