This sweet wedding took us all the way to Chattanooga, TN and allowed us to meet Karen and John, one of the sweetest couples ever who share such a sweet love for one another. Their wedding day was full of “southern “elegance and I believe you will see that in their beautiful images.
We began the day with wedding party at the Bluff View Inn Martin House where the bride and groom had their first glance. This was a small intimate wedding full of love the bride and groom shared for each other and a celebration of that love with family and friends! The ceremony was held a short distance away at First Church of Christ, then we traveled back to Bluff View Art District for a beautiful cocktail hour on the Bocce Court Terrace overlooking the Tennessee River. After enjoying the beautiful sunset and the classic trio, the guests were escorted to the reception across the street at the Renaissance Commons.
Karen described their wedding as intimate, classic and sweet…and it certainly possessed all of those qualities. 
For the brides considering a first glance, you have to hear Karen’s response to the fondest memory of their wedding day – “We both we feel like the entire day was one, long spectacular memory. The feeling of the entire day was that of happiness, joy, and a certain feeling of peace. However, the fondest memory of the day had to be when we first saw each other. We were both so filled with so much love and awe that we were finally getting married! It felt like we were the only two people on the planet in that moment. So many feelings were communicated when we saw each other for the first time without saying one word. It felt like a sacred and joyous beginning to our lives as husband and wife. Also, it was really special having the reception at the Bluff View Art District because that is where we had our first date.”
And when asked if they were glad they did a “first glance”, she had even more to share – “We are so happy we decided to do the “first glance.” Having a private moment together to share in the absolute joy we felt when seeing each other for the first time was amazing and is now a memory we will cherish for the rest of our lives. There is so much anticipation leading up to that moment, it was really nice to be able to hug, kiss, and talk to each other. It also left a lot more time for pictures and time at the reception. It was really important to us to spend time with our friends and family and to enjoy the reception together.”
Karen describes John as… “Gorgeous! I never had to wonder if John was excited to be marrying me. He was genuinely invested in the entire day with me and we shared it together completely. He was handsome, as always, and so happy. When I walked down the aisle he looked at me with such a deep love, tenderness, and confidence in what we were doing. I knew I was marrying the sweetest man in the world.”
John describes Karen as….”Radiant. Karen was absolutely beautiful, self-confident, and full of joy. I never once saw a moment of concern on her face, it was nothing but pure happiness emanating from her.”
When I think of a true Southern wedding, a bluegrass band certainly come to mind. This was one of Karen and John’s favorite details of their wedding day…”Listening to the Blue Grass, The Lone Mountain Band, during the cocktail hour while visiting with our beloved friends and family. The view looking over the Tennessee River and the gloriousness of Spring made our wedding very special.”
The reception began at sunset with a cocktail hour on the Bocce Ball court overlooking the Tennessee River, then the guests were escorted to a dinner into the elegant Renaissance Commons of Bluff View Art District. The setting for this wedding celebration was so perfect!
Karen and John are looking forward to their future life together as “one”…they hope it to be “one that is filled with love, peace, support, adventure, and joy.”
Karen and John, you guys were a joy to meet and I am so thankful God allowed our paths to cross! Your wedding was such a sweet, intimate celebration with family and friends, one I will never forget. Thank you for trusting me with your precious memories!
To see more of the sweetness from Karen and John’s wedding day, click here.
VENDORS: Ceremony Venue: Bluff View Art District, Chattanooga, TN | Brides Gown: Allure Bridal | Brides’ Shoes: Menbur | Makeup Stylist: Alese Maples | Hair Stylist: Ariel Finley | Groom’s Attire: Jos A. Bank | Wedding Party Attire: Their choice!! | Florist: Humphrey’s Flowers | Wedding Cake: Rembrandt’s | Caterer: Bluff View Art District | BAND/Trio playing during the cocktail hour: The Lone Mountain Band
SPECIAL DETAILS: Guest gift bags – The Wedding Chicks | Cute personalized hand towel in the gift bag – The Wedding Chicks | Striped party straws – Shop Sweet Lulu | Macaroons – The Splendid Sweet Shop (Etsy) | Guest Signage Print – Mexcalline (Etsy) Sabina is the name of the artist | Lollipop Favors- Sweet Caroline Confections (Etsy) | Invitations – Minted
I was one of the lucky ones to get to know about the proposal before it actually happened, and to get to know the details! Keeping it a secret from Rachel was super fun (and hard)! The proposal was nothing short of perfect and nothing short of giving God all the glory for the relationship He blessed them with! Here is a glimpse into Kyle’s perfect proposal from Rachel, “The proposal was a complete surprise, but so perfect….When we walk in the sanctuary, I find three bibles down the aisle with a rose on each side and a picture of us with a short note above each Bible. We sit down at the first Bible and he reads me Mark 10:7-9 which states, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” I just can’t stop smiling at this point because I know it’s FINALLY happening. The next Bible was open to Proverbs 31:30, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” We go to the last Bible that’s laying down the aisle and it’s open to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” At this point, I was pumped. We got to the altar where the last Bible was open to Ephesians 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of the water of the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Once he read the last verse, he told me that he wanted to lead me to the cross every day and that he loved me. He grabbed the ring from the church pew and got down on one knee. Kyle and I had not told each other we loved each other the whole time we dated so I think I was more excited to tell him I loved him than I was him actually proposing! It definitely made the moment that much more sweeter and special! We were then greeted by our families at Kyle’s brother’s house and got to celebrate. It meant so much for my family to be there! I couldn’t have asked for a better proposal. I am so thankful for a guy who is so thoughtful!”
Rachel and Kyle, you guys are dear to my heart and I will be forever thankful that God brought you into mine and my families lives! The love you guys have for Jesus and the love that you share for each other is so encouraging! I’m very thankful to capture these images and celebrate this special time with both of you!!
Elizabeth and Bradford’s wedding could have not been on a more beautiful day! Spring was right around the corner when their wedding day approached on March 8, 2014, so we were blessed to have the warmth and the blue skies of a Spring-like day. Elizabeth and Bradford are so perfect together and their love for each other is deep, and most importantly their love for the Lord is even deeper. I’m so thankful to have been a part of their wedding celebration! Each and every one of these images reflects the joy that was shared between Elizabeth and Bradford and their family and friends – it was a sweet beginning to their happily every after! 
Congratulations Elizabeth and Bradford, your wedding was beautiful and so special! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of it all!! You guys are amazing and I pray a lifetime of happiness over your marriage! I know your marriage will bring glory to Him everyday!
This precious girl has been in my life since she was a little girl! Haley is one of my sisters best friends, so I have witnessed many special moments in her life and this Saturday, May 10, 2014, I get to document the next sweetest moment in her life!
While attending Auburn University, God placed the guy she would spend the rest of her life with as her neighbor, living right across the street from her! I met Jarred for the first time at their engagement session and he made a great first impression! They are perfect for each other and share a sweet, sweet love for one another!
What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We really enjoy the sunshine and being outside. One of our favorite things to do is to go to the lake. Jarred and his family have a house on Lake Wedowee so we have enjoy visiting there during the summer months.
Haley’s describes Jarred as….handsome, patient and loving
Haley and Jarred, my prayer for you is that you keep God as the center of your marriage and glorify Him in all that you do! May the love you have for Him and for each other grow daily! I wish you the happiest “Happy Ever After” and am honored to document your day this Saturday!