{my nana rides camels}

Ok... so I rarely put personal stuff up on this here blog, cause lets face it... who wants to look at a bunch of my family pictures when you're just trying to plan a wedding??  However, every once in awhile, I have something soooo good, I just have to share it.  My nana turns 85 years young this week and we surprised her with a camel safari ride for her birthday (with all of us decked out in full safari get-up, of course), so of course, I absolutely must share just a couple quick pics of the ridiculousness.

For all of you who wonder where I get my spunk and my slightly nutty personality, these pics should definitely help with that explaination.  I come by it honestly.

Thanks so much to our new friends at Circle G Ranch for a great time!  

jessa & jim {headed to the chapel}

I'm pretty darn excited about this post because it involves an old friend.  Jessa and I went to high school together back in the "day."  I was stoked to get to shoot their engagement party at the Sunsphere and they wanted a few quintessential Knoxville photos since they met here, but neither live here anymore.

nancy & matt {hitched}

i LOVE this gal.  A few of you reading this probably know her too.  She's my colleague and (more importantly) friend Nancy from Hunter Valley and I was so honored when she asked me to shoot her wedding last fall.  

They had a way cool wedding that was both laid back (only about 15 guests at the actual ceremony) and a BLAST (family and friends showed up for the rockin' afterparty!!

The day started off with a tea for all of the ladies in the group...

So, not only did I have an amazing time shooting this wedding, but so did Kayla.  Her dream in life came true when I said... Ok... you have all the time you want to just walk around and get some great property/detail shots.  She came back with these beauties (including the stunning pics of the horses).

Nancy's design company Swank did all of the design... including these rad tables as well as her bouquet...

sarah & stephen {sneak peek}

This is just a super-duper quick little blog to share a few pics from my oh-so AMAZING New Year's Eve wedding!!  Holy-moly, i can not explain how much fun this wedding was.  I'll make sure you guys get a FULL big ole blog story after all the pics are done, but until then... enjoy this little teaser...

Wishin' on bones...

I cannot explain in words how lucky I feel to have gotten to shoot this wedding.  Hold on to your seats and grab a big ole cup o' joe, because I think this is the longest blog post I've ever done!  How do you narrow it down when everywhere you aim your camera is another amazing detail - puppies, horses, a gorgeous farm, crazy-beautiful flowers- another funny incident or another super sweet moment??  Well, you just don't.  I simply love this family so much and Sara and Jake are two of the most gracious people I've ever worked with.  They deserved the perfect day, and I have to say, it was pretty darn close to that!  So sit back, relax and enjoy the story of Sara and Jake...

I'm starting out with some pics from the rehearsal dinner... notice the finery they are sporting!  Jake and Sara asked folks to wear something they'd NEVER consider wearing to a wedding.  There was everything from PJs to Prom dresses...  And their sweet families toasted them until the whole room was just one big blubbery mess.  LOVE.

These next are a mix of the rehearsal and the morning of the wedding.  Notice the wishbone flag... more about that later...

oh, Lordy.  Those of you who really know me know I CANNOT resist doggies... much less puppies.  Sara's sis had just gotten this sweet baby and he showed up in {probably WAY TOO MANY} of the wedding pics...

 There is just something about being able to get ready at home.  Sara and her sis getting ready in their own bathroom with family wedding pics just outside the door.  Gotta love that.

Ok... gonna jump back a little here... these next few are from a bridal session we did at the farm a few weeks before the wedding...

And back to wedding day.  The boutonniere (and rest of the flowers) are by Samantha at Mulberries.  Girlfriend ROCKED it!!!!   Sara wanted cotton, so Hope (from Simply Southern Catering) brought her bags of it back from some family in Georgia (or was it Alabama - sorry if I messed that up Hope). 

 Sweet, sweet, sweet first look.  Holy moly, the way Jake looks at her is enough to send anyone into heart palpitations. 

ok... so, I think it may be time to share the story of the wishbone.  Back years and years ago, when Sara and Jake were not even really old enough to think about things like serious dating, they had a bit of a crush on one another.  Working at a camp, they were on the dishline together (how romantic, right?!?) and a wishbone showed up on a plate.  They each grabbed a side (see photo below for the reenactment) and Jake ended up with the bigger side.  It wasn't until years later that Jake got his wish of a date with Sara.  Little did he know, Sara had wished for the same. 

The reenactment was true to the original outcome...  hehehe.

Oh, my.  gotta love a bride who doesn't take herself too seriously.  ;)

Seriously, are these not the coolest flowers ever?  OMG.  I died a little.

Ok... so,  the ceremony.  I'm gonna put my photographer's high-hat for just a second...  I LOVE a ceremony where I have the ability to move around...  With the barn behind them, I could hide in the shadows while getting really unique shots and the ability to move around on both sides let me get soooo many great shots!! It doesn't hurt that they were so precious and full of love and emotion and even some laughter. 

Samantha did all of these too...  gah.  Amazing.  And the ladies at Enchanted Details worked soooo hard to make it all come together. 

I've never seen a cooler cake (or cakes). By sugarbuzz Bakers.

The food (Simply Southern catering) was delicious!!!  She made homemade pies with fresh peaches...  insanely delicious!  I'm pestering Hope to make me one!!!

Some of my favorite reception shots...  they had a Square Dance caller!  What a great idea for getting everyone involved.  Loved it.

And....  the "get-a-way..." which consisted of being pushed down the hill by the crowd when the car wouldn't start in the uber-cold weather.  Gah, what a send off!!  it was perfect!

Sara and Jake (and your families)  thank you, thank you, thank you for having me...  its weddings like yours that helps me keep huge amounts of passion for my job season after season. xoxo  -j