These two had the sweetest and most perfect Sunday wedding in September. Taylor is in the military so they had to work with his schedule to pick their date. It was a warm day with a light breeze— my favorite! We started the day with a sweet first look by the creek and a few portraits, then made our way to their creekside ceremony. Callie and Taylor invited their closest family and friends, which made for it to be such an intimate celebration!

These two became husband and wife amongst friends, family, and the Blue Ridge Mountains on a beautiful summer night. Everyone traveled to a breathtaking outdoor chapel that sits high on top of a mountain on the NC/SC border, called The Pretty Place. I can tell you right now, that the name says it all.

When I arrived at the chapel, there was a breeze that greeted us as storms loomed in the distance! We really lucked out with going through all of the day's events without a few drops of rain, but as soon as Holly and Mason exited through the sparklers and we all packed up, the skies burst open as we all traveled home!

Ever since I got into wedding photography, I’ve always been told that the very most stressful part of the day would be family formal portraits. I think that is simply because, from a couple’s perspective, you’re trying to round up family members and hope everyone cooperates, and as a photographer, you’re trying to photograph a whole group of people that you’ve mostly never met before and are trying to keep them happy before they head to the reception! It can definitely be a little stressful, but if both the couple and photographer prepare, it really can go more smoothly than expected!

Here are 5 tips that I’ve learned through the years and shooting weddings that help make family formal portraits run smoothly!

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!

Lakyn and Neal became husband and wife at the always magical Waterstone Venue in Johnson City, Tennessee! Mother Nature had us on rain alert the entire week leading up to the date, but eventually decided to just rain the night before and gave us the moodiest overcast skies! These two said personal vows at their first look but officially tied the knot waterside. We all danced the night away under the tent as it drizzled and ended the celebration with a private last dance and sparkler exit! It was a truly magical and absolutely beautiful Fall wedding day in Northeast Tennessee!

I met Lakyn through a local photography group and asked her to second shoot a wedding with me out of town. We spent the weekend chatting about all of our favorite things and have since become close friends! I was incredibly honored (and ecstatic) when she asked me to be her wedding photographer!

I met up with Lakyn and Neal for their engagement session at Lakyn's father's land in Kingsport that happens to be at the base of Bay's Mountain. Needless to say, it was right up my alley! We hiked through the fields and chased the sun, touched some questionable weeds and laughed the entire evening. We ended the session at her dad’s private pond and sat around a campfire as the stars came out.

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!

Ben and Hillary are getting married here in the mountains of Tennessee, so we decided to change up the scenery and have their engagement session at Mead’s Quarry and Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee! We met up the day before the Fourth of July and found that it’s quite the popular place, but that didn’t stop us from having a great time! We explored the quarry with their dog, Sequoia and ended the session at the Forks of the River Wilderness Management Area where there is currently a huge field of sunflowers!

Day-of timelines are pretty important for planning your wedding day, and that includes deciding on having a first look or a more traditional timeline. From a photographer’s perspective, and having been a bride myself, I am personally a huge fan of first looks! My husband and I decided to do a first look for our own wedding and it was the best decision. We have never regretted it! With wedding season around the corner, I thought I’d share my top 5 reasons to why you should consider having a first look on your wedding day!