Courtney + Brian = Married - sneak peek {Tennessee Photographer}

Courtney is in one way or another related to me... my sister-in-law's husband is her uncle, which makes her my... ?  niece-in-law?  Either way, it was truly a pleasure working with her and Brian.  They are THE most laid back, sweet, relaxed, go with the flow, happy and in love couple I've worked with.  We headed to Washington D.C. for their ceremony and pictures - I had never been before, so my family and I came up a couple days early to tour around the city before the wedding.  What a fun city with so much to do!  

You can't tell in these pictures, but it was INSANELY HOT!!!!!!  Thank GOODNESS I wasn't in any of these because I looked like a sweaty tomato.  Jeans and a black shirt was a bad choice.  Somehow Courtney never once looked flushed in her fluffy dress!!  They are a gorgeous couple with a wonderful future ahead of them.  Best of luck to the two of you and thank you for allowing me to capture your special day!  Enjoy the sneak peek!

Monica + Tyler - sneak peek {San Diego, CA Photographer}

This gorgeous and adorable gal happens to be my little sister...  I still can't believe she's MARRIED, but she couldn't have chosen a more perfect and wonderful guy.  I'm so grateful for how happy they both make each other!!  I wish them the best of luck as they begin their adventure together!!

We all went to San Diego where they both live and where the wedding was.  Tyler and Monica chose to do a First Look, which in my opinion, is the smartest thing a couple can do to make their wedding day more enjoyable and less stressful!  The night before the big day, we went out to Balboa Park (and a couple other locations) for a fun and relaxing evening of picture taking.  It was so special to be able to watch Tyler see Monica in her dress for the first time!  They're so adorable... did I already mention that?

Everything was beautiful and the weather was perfect!  I loved meeting and getting to know Tyler's family - they fit right in with our wild and crazy bunch!  It was a little crazy being the photographer and a bridesmaid (yes I'm actually IN some of these pictures, thanks to my amazing Aunt Cynthia!)  The reception was tons of fun - everyone had a great time.  Nothing is better than family!!  Tyler and Monica rode off into the night on their bikes at the end of the party and are doing great!  Enjoy this walk through their big day...

One of my sisters is on a church mission, so she was unable to attend the wedding (although, she did in spirit - she wore her own bridesmaid outfit that day too!!)  We took this picture for her - all the girls, oldest to youngest (minus our "little" brother)...  We missed her so much!!  {FYI: It's rare to see a picture of me on here, so for those of you who don't know what I look like, I'm the oldest, the one on the far left.}

Whitney Bridals - sneak peek {Johnson City, TN Photographer}

I met Whitney back when I did her adorable neice's 1 year session over a year ago, and then got to hang out with her again just a couple weeks ago when I did her neice's 2 year session and sister's family session!!  She is such a beautiful (inside and out) and sweet person - I could hang out with her all day!  I love her family too!  I was finally able to meet the "other" sister Ashley, who was an awesome help and just as cool as her sis.  They all remind me of me and my sisters and make me wish they lived closer!!  

Anyways (getting off subject here), Whitney was absolutely stunning in her vintage inspired dress, and the location was almost as beautiful.  Chateau Selah is a breathtaking venue - 360 views, amazing house, gorgeous landscaping... it's a photographers dream!  The weather and light were perfect as well...  Enjoy this sneak peek of the beautiful Whitney.  Congratulations girl - you are a beautiful bride!

Liz & Brian's Wedding - sneak peek {Tri-Cities TN Photographer}

I had SUCH an awesome time with Liz and Brian - as well as their families and friends at their gorgeous wedding this past weekend.  We kicked things off at The Caregie Hotel where the bride and her bridesmaids were getting ready.  Liz was calm and collected and was absolutely stunning in her wedding attire... I'm in LOVE with her dress!  Then we headed over to Storybrook Farms in Jonesborough, TN - a BEAUTIFUL venue that I had never even heard of!!  The boys were having a great time getting ready there when I showed up for pictures.  Brian had warned me at their engagement session that he was the least rowdy of the bunch... I'm not sure if he was right, but let's just say there wasn't a dull moment while taking their pictures!!  Before the ceremony, we snagged Brian, made him promise not to look, and had Liz sneak up behind him for a pre-ceremony hug.  You could feel the excitement and love - I think those are my favorite images from the day.  

The ceremony was beautiful, from the blooming hydrangeas in the background, to the violin playing music to the touching wedding vows given by the bride and groom.  Afterwards, they made things official by signing the wedding license and then hopped in the limo to head to the reception, which was at The Johnson City Country Club.  The bride and groom were introduced, the food was served, and the fun began!!  Congratulations to two amazing people - I wish you the best!!  Enjoy the sneak peek into their special day... 

Hannah + Mac = Married - sneak peek {Tri-Cities, TN Photographer}

These faces are sure to be familiar now from their engagement session on Friday...  Hannah and Mac's wedding was just perfect.  The weather was great (much warmer than Friday's session!!!) and the decorations were gorgeous.  Both the ceremony and reception were at the Holiday Inn in Johnson City and everything was fabulous.  Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day - you are surrounded by amazing family and friends who love the two of you, and it was such a joy to see it in person.  Enjoy the sneak peek!!

Beau & Holly's Wedding - sneak peek {East Tennessee Photographer}

Okay so before you freak out, just take a deep breath.  I am still no longer officially shooting weddings, however there were very special circumstances with Beau and Holly's.  I'm so glad that I was able to be a part of their day - they are both remarkable people with a very special bond - not only with eachother, but their families and friends too.  What a fun, awesome bunch of people I got to spend the day with!!  My apologies for how LONG this has taken me to post... it's been mayhem around BDP the past month or two.  It always gets that way during the fall.  Anyways, I wont make you read any further - please enjoy this sneak peek into Beau and Holly's beautiful Lake Lure, NC wedding.  Congratulations again you two!!!!  Thanks for being so patient waiting for these!!!

leah + cody = married {sneak peek} - East Tennessee Photographer

Rain.  Lots of rain.  After an entire day filled with warm overcast weather (a photographer's dream) I pull up to Maple Lane Farm to meet up with Leah and the girls who are getting ready.  Literally the second I parked, it started raining - hard.  So hard that I had to wait a few minutes until it let up enough for me to run to the house!  I was worried about how Leah would be doing considering her sunny outdoor spring wedding wasn't exactly going as planned.  When I saw her she was calm and collected and just said, "I'll be in sitting in Jamaica tomorrow soaking up the sun, so it's okay!"  This should give you a perfect taste of why I think Leah's so awesome.  It was quiet getting ready though as the girls kept looking out the windows every few minutes to check on the rain status.  

The ceremony ended up being moved indoors last minute because the weather was so unpredictable.  Luckily, right before the ceremony there was a break in the clouds, so we ran out with a table cloth to use under Leah's dress and got some shots of all the girls.  

The ceremony was great - it never fails... I don't think I've been to a wedding yet where I haven't teared up.  I'm such a baby.  But this wedding was a special one for a couple reasons: 1. it's my last one (at least for a very long period of time) and 2. I just can't tell you how much I love Leah and Cody.  After the ceremony we headed back outside to the not-raining-at-the-moment weather to get all the group and family shots.  By the time we finished up with the family pics the weather started getting DARK again and we were officially forced inside when it started raining {again}.

The reception went great and everyone had lots of fun.  Someone ran over and told me there was a rainbow outside, so I grabbed Leah and Cody and they stood in the mist so we could get a few shots.  Talk about a good sign on your wedding day right??  A full ground to ground rainbow - that has to mean something great!

The finale was lots of fun... Leah and Cody ran through a crowd of their friends and family holding sparklers and then headed to Cody's truck where all his buddies followed behind in their trucks (there had to have been at least 8-10 of them) and made some serious noise peeling out on the road.  It was a first for me - but I loved it!!!  Congrats Leah and Cody!!!!  Hope you guys are enjoying the warm weather - enjoy your sneak peek!!!

brianna + jeff = MARRIED... sneak peek {sacramento, ca photographer}

This is almost embarrassing how long it's taken me to get Brianna & Jeff's sneak peek up... maybe I just wont mention their wedding date and then some of you will never know! Muah ha ha haaaa!!!  I do have a little teeny tiny excuse to be a little bit of a slacker - Miss beautiful Brianna is my BFF (or maybe this should mean I should have posted it first thing??).  Anyhoo, I flew out to Sacramento CA to shoot their wedding and I'm so glad I was able to be there with her and to be so involved in their big day.  I'm so happy for the two of them!!  They were so relaxed and natural together - it was very special to see their happiness and deep love for each other.  

Okay now to the good part - the pictures.  I know that's all you want anyways.  To Brianna and Jeff and all their families and friends - I'm so sorry it took me so long to get these up!!!!  I will include lots and lots of pictures as my way of apologizing!  =)  Thank you for such a wonderful day everyone!!  Enjoy the sneak peek!! 

lindsey + chris = married - sneak peek {johnson city, tn wedding photographer}

COLD!! That's the first word that comes to my mind when I think of Jan. 8, 2011.  Why??  Because I talked the beautiful Lindsey and her groom Chris as well as their friends and families into coming outside with me to take advantage of the natural light that can only be found outside (but it was totally worth it - there is NOTHING like natural light folks!!).  They were all such great sports - Lindsey was even rockin some Timberland snowboots!!!  Although it was (below) FREEZING - it turned out to be a perfect day for a wedding!

The reception was gorgeous - Lindsey and her mom did a fabulous job picking everything out.  There were goodies galore, practically every single kind you could imagine!!  But my most favorite part was probably the candy bar.  It was so beautifully displayed in apothecary jars and some of the candy looked almost too pretty to eat - I said almost!!

Lindsey and Chris - I hope the two of you have an awesome time on your honeymoon and congratulations!! Enjoy your sneak peek!

Gina + Michael = Married - - sneak peek {morristown tn wedding photographer}

When Gina called me to see if I would be available to shoot her wedding I told her I couldn't.  I already had a wedding booked that same weekend, and it would just be too much.  As I talked to her I could sense the desperation in her voice and she was just so sweet.  I'm so glad that I caved in - it was an honor to be a part of Gina and Michael's wedding.  There are some special couples that are so obviously in LOVE - and they were definitely one of them.  They were so kind and considerate to eachother, something that's so incredibly important in a marriage.  It was also fun to see their families and friends work to help everything come together.  Thanks again you guys - enjoy your sneak peek and have a great time!!!!

SIDENOTE:  This is officially my last post until after Thanksgiving!  I wont be answering calls or emails until the weekend or if I can stand it, Monday.  Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday - there is so much to be thankful for.