Congratulations! You’re engaged! But what’s next?

Engagement season is once again upon us! Many couples around the world have recently said yes to spending the rest of their lives with someone they truly love and are envisioning their perfect wedding day! Once the whirlwind of the proposal winds down, it can often feel overwhelming to start the wedding planning process— I know I felt that way after my husband proposed to me!

Here are 5 steps to jump-start the wedding planning process!

Mason proposed to Holly at the South Holston Dam in Bristol, so it was only fitting that we go there for their engagement session! We met up in March for their session, just a few months prior to their wedding day in May. Even though Spring had just started, the trees hadn’t yet decided to wake up from their winter slumber and give us any leaves. The winter sun still gave us such a beautiful, glowy, sunset that we watched from the top of the dam!

Eric and Kelsey are married!

Even though their original plans had changed a few times thanks to Covid, these two were finally able to become husband and wife on Labor Day weekend in September! Since Kelsey and Eric are from Ohio, they chose Sugar Hollow Retreat because they offer weekend packages with lodging on-site, so it made traveling a little bit easier for their families! They also loved the relaxing atmosphere and outdoor retreat feel of the venue, which made their wedding weekend feel more like a vacation in the mountains than a traditional wedding day and allows for more time spent with friends and family! Sugar Hollow is also dog-friendly, which was an added bonus for these two dog lovers!

As engagement season is upon us and as more couples start to research and book vendors, and start the wedding planning process, I thought it would be the perfect time to share just exactly what us photographers do when you book us for your special day! Wedding photography can often seem like a photographer will just show up on the wedding day and click a button- but I’m here to tell you that as a professional, we do SO much more than that! I know that wedding photography is a huge investment and takes a big percentage of a couple’s budget when it comes to their wedding day. I want to walk you through the process and share a little behind-the-scenes information of what goes into being a wedding photographer!

Zack and Kinzie finally became husband and wife on a balmy July day at one of my favorite venues here in Johnson City— The Side Porch! When my second shooter, Sam, and I arrived, it was certainly hot and humid but the forecast had appeared clear. After everyone was ready, we captured a super sweet first look in the forest where Zack and Kinzie said private vows. Immediately after, as we were gearing up for the ceremony, a huge rain cloud loomed over the venue. Everyone hopped into gear and brought the ceremony inside in minutes where Zack and Kinzie would finally become husband and wife! Talk about an adventure, but what a story to tell!

Mini sessions have become such a popular part of the photography industry! They’re usually held around popular holidays like Thanksgiving/Christmas (Christmas cards) and Valentine’s Day/Easter, etc! In my years of being a professional photographer, I somehow never held a day of mini-sessions, but have seen how popular they’ve become. This past year, I thought it would be a great chance to dip my toes in the water and see what mini-sessions were all about! I asked my very good friends at The Camp at Buffalo Mountain if I could come on a Sunday in October and host mini-sessions at their beautiful venue

Northeast Tennessee is not only home to beautiful mountains and breathtaking lakes, but also some of the most gorgeous and unique wedding venues that are perfect for adventurous couples and outdoors lovers!

I’ve compiled a list of my top favorite wedding venues (in no particular order) here in northeast Tennessee that are great for adventurous brides and grooms who are looking for a place to say their vows.

I kicked off the year with Ashley and Logan’s engagement session, and let me say- we started with a bang! I’ve wanted to shoot on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a few years now, and when I first pitched a list of locations to Ashley, I was silently hoping they’d pick the parkway. Needless to say, they made my parkway dreams come true! We had a blast laughing and hiking up to the view! I just love how these two make each other smile and laugh constantly. They are absolutely perfect for each other and it’s so easy to see just how much they care one another.

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.

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!