Today on the blog, we’re moving away from recent sessions and weddings and chatting about a super important wedding topic- DAY OF TIMELINES!

One thing that I love to include in all of my wedding packages — no matter if it’s a shorter elopement or a full-day celebration— is offering to assist in creating a day-of timeline for each couple. I know that usually this is the first time a couple has planned a wedding and understand that it can be tricky to put together a schedule for everyone to know where to be and when, coordinate where the photographer should be, and just how the day is going to go in general! When I help my couples create a timeline, I try to make things easy for everyone and try to keep their ideas and wishes in mind.

It all can be overwhelming, but it’s a super important part of the day, and here’s why!

Last year, I had so much fun putting together my first behind-the-scenes blog (you can see that here) that I made more of a conscious effort to get more content this year! I am so thankful to have had amazing second shooters who caught some funny (and embarrassing) moments throughout the year of me doing what I do! I love sharing the not-so-glamorous side of wedding photography- it’s not all rainbows and butterflies on a wedding day! Enjoy this brief inside look of what it’s like to be a wedding photographer in Northeast Tennessee!

Luke and Caroline were married at the Camp at Buffalo Mountain in beautiful Jonesborough, Tennessee! These two said their vows inside of the camp’s cozy Allison Lodge, complete with candlelight and warm fire in the fireplace. After becoming husband and wife, we took portraits around the camp’s cabins and creek, and hurried back for drinks and bbq dinner. After a fun introduction, including their ‘secret’ handshake, Luke and Caroline danced the night away with family and friends.

Stacy and Jason came all of the way from Michigan to get married in the beautiful mountains of Tennessee. They rented a huge cabin at Parkside Resort for their family and friends to stay, and to hold their intimate ceremony! After a super sweet first look, we drove to the Magnolia Venue for more breathtaking views. We arrived back just in time for family portraits and their ceremony on the back porch, overlooking the Smokies.

A running theme of wedding season this year has been the constant threat of rain, and it was no different for these two. You can probably see the ominous clouds in the photos, but we lucked out and had a sunny and breezy evening for their wedding day. Renita and Nate didn't want a huge wedding, so they opted for an intimate celebration with their closest family members at the Millstone. Renita and Nate walked down the aisle together and met the officiant, Renita's dad, Reub! I thought it was so special that the father of the bride was also the officiant! After vows were read and rings were exchanged, Renita and Nate kissed for the first time as husband and wife and headed to the reception for delicious barbecue, pies, and cupcakes!

Renita and Nate are getting married at one of my favorite venues in northeast Tennessee, The Millstone, this coming June and I couldn't be more excited about it! We chose to meet up at Grayson Highlands for their engagement session, on a gray, cloudy, Sunday afternoon in April. Nate had told me that he and his family had come to Grayson a few times while he was growing up, so it's a special place to him and Renita! These two were absolute troopers and stood like champs up on the high rocks as the wind whipped around us. We didn't get to see any ponies that trip, but the views were gorgeous and these two were so sweet. 

Matt and Bethany became husband and wife at the beautiful Mount Airy Mansion in Upper Marlboro, Maryland! Bethany is a friend and fellow wedding photographer, so it was an even more special day to be a part of! I loved all of their details of the day, from the bridesmaids' gemstone colored dresses, succulent centerpieces and their Rock, Paper, Scissors game during their ceremony!

Hello, 2018! Nice to see you! If you guys read my Best of 2017 blog you know that I promised my first Behind-the-Scenes blog. Well, today I'm delivering! I know it's not as jam-packed as some behind-the-scenes, but there are still some great (and embarrassing) moments! I'm lucky to have had some awesome second shooters and friends who helped capture me in work-mode and some of the silly moments in between!

Kayla and Aaron are getting married at the Millstone in Limestone, Tennessee this coming Spring! We jumped at the opportunity to catch the last bit of Fall and explored the grounds of the venue for their engagement session. It was unseasonably warm, so we were able to spend the whole evening there just laughing about Aaron's top 5 pizza toppings and chatting about wedding details! When the sun faded, I got on Spotify and played 'Perfect' and let them dance under the patio lights! It was a magical way to end our evening!

I recently visited Staunton, Virginia to shoot Josh and Lyndsey's home engagement session and celebrate! Lyndsey is a dog trainer and photographer, so I thought it was fitting that we incorporate her pups Warden, Josie, and Dot in the photos! We had a great time shooting in Lyndsey's cute little house and chasing the sunset in her backyard! We hiked through a cow pasture where a ginormous tree provides shade and up the hills to a breathtaking view of the Virginia Blue Ridge.