katie & robert | married

There’s nothing quite like a World’s Fair Park wedding, let alone one that falls on the date of the Orange and White game. This seemed like the perfect coincidence for Katie and Robert’s wedding, as they are both BIG Volunteer fans and would probably have been at the game if they weren’t getting hitched! They were surrounded by not only their friends and family on their big day, but a bunch of Volunteer fans rooting them on too! It was one for the books!

Katie and Robert are pretty picture perfect. I cannot begin to express how excited and humbled I was that they asked me to be their photographer. I’ve known Katie for many years and when I met Robert, I saw how perfect they were for each other; they balance each other perfectly. I loved every tiny detail and every tear shed at this wedding (most by the big guy himself), and am beyond grateful that I was there to witness this family being created. Robert’s daughter Hadley was a big part of the festivities. We originally wanted to have a “First Look” with Hadley and Robert so they could have a lovely moment together, but decided that surprising Robert with Katie and Hadley all dressed up would be the perfect start to their day! I couldn’t have asked for a better reaction than what you will see. This little family has absolutely stolen my heart and I hope you enjoy their beautiful day as much as I did!

I also want to give one of the biggest thank you’s to my amazing second shooter Anna of Anna Hedges Photography.

Venue: World’s Fair Park | Florals: LB Floral | Caterer: Jon Gatlin, Culinary Concepts| Rentals: Rothchild’s | Coordinator: Erin Holbrook | Ceremony Music: Eric Aguilar | DJ: Music in Motion | Cake: Teresa Lutner | Desserts: Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop | Arbor: Carlos Horne 

katie & robert {the question}

There is just way too much cuteness and sweetness in this session for me to NOT share! {As a precaution…I am ridiculously behind on blogging. And well, that’s about to change!} I have known Katie for years! We went to middle and high school together and when she asked me to take her wedding photos I just about fell over. {I think my mouth stayed open for a solid 3 minutes}.

I’m absolutely in LOVE with this little family! Robert and his daughter Hadley {as if there was any question, she looks just like her daddy} are two peas in a pod! You can just tell when you are around them that there is an incredible amount of love between those two! I felt so honored to be able to experience and capture Katie fitting right into their adorable family! Hadley was so silly and cute and sweet and just loved watching Katie and Robert have their picture taken. I’m not going to lie…she wanted to be in the pictures more than watch and I was SO happy for that! She was a little firecracker!

Katie and Robert decided to have their engagement session downtown and we were greeted by very chilly weather! But they were such champs! Robert did a very good job of keeping his girls warm! Snuggle up while peeking at these…they are so worth it! 😀

A fav…I just love this one! 😀

Emily & Blake {the question}

“Quintessential Knoxville” is what she asked for, and Quintessential Knoxville is exactly what she got! 😀 Emily & Blake are not originally from Knoxville, but have fallen in love with the city as most do when they go to the University of Tennessee! I loved listening to Emily talk about how much of a die-hard Volunteer fans her and Blake are (Emily worked for the football team while going to school) and knew that we had to start this session off down at Neyland Stadium! We were totally bummed that the field was closed, but decided to tromp around and we discovered the backside of the stadium. The area all of us alumni are familiar with…the student entrances! What could be a more perfect spot to start the session off? 

 I finally got Blake to loosen up a bit and to see Emily blush like she did was just the cutest moment ever!

 Oh Emily, you are going to be a stunning bride!

I am beyond excited to see Blake & Emily’s wedding day and all the hard work I know Emily has put into it!!! Can’t wait to see your amazing pictures you two! 

Smiles,

Kayla F

the question | erica & jared {knoxville, tn}

I am crazy thrilled to share this session with you all! Erica and I go WAY back…well, not really WAY (lets not age ourselves or anything) but we tended to hang out and “work together” during our Information Management courses at good ole University of Tennessee! I swear…I don’t think I would have made it through those classes without Erica! Lol!! So when she got in contact with me about having her session here in Knoxville and wanting ME to shoot it, I just about died!!! I might have secretly been FB stalking Erica and when I saw she was engaged I might have done a fun little dance to celebrate for her! 🙂 She’s all the way out in Cordova, TN so I never in a 100 years would have thought I would get an email from her…but I most certainly did! Yay!!!!

Fast forward to Erica telling me that she and Jared would like to have their pictures at…dun dun dun…Neyland Stadium!!! SCORE!!! :huh, no pun intended on that one: I was elated, but nervous. You just never know with the stadium! Sometimes you can get in, sometimes, theres just no such luck. I won’t give my source away (bc I don’t want him to get in trouble), but my dad would be so proud of me by just walking up to someone and asking him to let us in. My heart raced, especially when he told me I only had 3-5 minutes…Whoa! Here is the magic that happened!! 😀

Ok, so I’m happy I’m not the only one that was CRAZY excited!!!

 My FAV!!!!

Our 5 min was up FAST! But, we still had the rest of campus to tromp around on! I love this session so much! Erica and Jared were so awesome…and their puppers were pretty stinking cute too! 

Yes, that is a Rottweiler and a Dotson. Too funny, I know!

Ahhhh Erica & Jared! I know your wedding will be absolutely STUNNING and tons of fun!!!! I can’t wait to see pictures! 

Smiles,

Kayla F

abby & andrew | the question

These two. Seriously. These two brightened my week during their session and then again when I was editing it! These two, Abby & Andrew, are perfect. They know how to hold eachother, Andrew knows the perfect time to kiss Abby (whether its an endearing kiss on the forehead, a sweet peck on the cheek or an eat your face with my beard kiss on the lips – you’ll see what I mean later). They are amazing together. I had the HONOR of taking their engagement pictures and am ecstatic to be witness to their amazing wedding coming up at the beginning of June.

I honestly can’t express the joy this session brought me. I don’t want to talk about it too much…because you will see it in the pictures. However, I will let you know a little bit about the day. They wanted it to be like a date. Literally. Me tag along while they did things they normally do. Check…I’m yours! So we started off at Coffee & Chocolate downtown and then did a little people watching at Krutch Park. 😀

 See what I mean about it being a date and me just taking pictures?!? Gah! I love it!

 A little bit of people watching…mixed in with some explanation of the Picard Maneuver

 We then decided to duck into Union Books for some fun!

And ended this amazing session down at World’s Fair Park with a little game of catch and getting our toes wet. Love these!!!

 This is totally what I mean about Andrew’s beard eating Abby’s face. Lol! I cracked up!

Abby & Andrew…You know how much I loved you two and your session! June 9th can’t get here fast enough! Its going to be crazy awesome! 😀

Smiles,

Kayla F

the day after | lindsay & duane

Maybe its been the gloomy weather we’ve had this winter, maybe its because I haven’t gotten out to shoot in a while, or maybe its just the simple fact that Lindsay & Duane were completely smitten, in love, and just flat out adorable with each other that makes me LOVE this session!!! I received an email from Lindsay that just absolutely BROKE my heart! She and Duane were married just this past December, but through some bad situations they have just a handful of wedding images! A HANDFUL! Can you believe that?!?! My heart broke. I was sick to my stomach! I knew in that instant that I would do anything I could to make this session awesome! Snow? Thats magical! Frigid temperature? Cause for more snuggling! Semi gloomy day? Well, thats called perfect light! 😉 Lindsay and Duane were amazing! I seriously don’t think I could have asked for a better couple to jump start my 2013 season!!! 

I loved that we started off the session where they first met…Oodles, downtown. 😀

Are they not adorable???

Whooa! Love love this one! 

Lindsay & Duane! I know I’ve told you probably 100 times how much fun I had…but its so sincere! You two were just perfect!

Smiles,

Kayla F

keely and scott | the big day

Wow!!! Where did December go and did anyone else notice it is 2013??? I’ve been busy busy busy wrapping up the last sessions of 2012 and wanted to share this amazing couple’s big day with you!!

You all may remember Keely and Scott from their engagement session I did back in March! Let me just say that I am absolutely in love with these two! I may have told them that more on their wedding day than they did to each other! Lol!!!! These two took a chance on a girl with a camera when I barely had ANYTHING of a wedding portfolio. They were a referral from a sweet friend and I am just thrilled that they chose ME to spend their big day with! 

Keely and Scott’s day went by SO calmly and smoothly! I give a lot of that credit to the amazing to Angie Froemel with Absolute Wedding Perfection. Angie was a champ! Anything that needed to happen she was either on top of it before anyone noticed or was on her way to fix, change, move or light anything that needed to be done! She really made the day the easiest wedding I’ve ever shot! Even if you are only able to hire a day of coordinator, I highly recommend giving Angie a call! 😀

Ok, so onto the big day!!! December 1st was literally one of those perfect weather, is this really December 1st kind of days! 

Love my second shooter Kristin for grabbing these handsome pictures of Scott getting ready and this incredibly stoic image of Keely taking a moment before she sees Scott for the first time! 

 First looks are my favorite!!!! 

 Love Keely’s expression!!! 

 My favorite image of the day! I just love this one! 😀

 Keely is ALL kinds of gorgeous!!! 

Keely’s grandmother gave her an heirloom hanky right before the ceremony! It was just too adorable! 

 Pinecones were definitely the decor theme for the wedding! And I love the sense of elegance and winter they give off! Just because its December doesn’t mean everything has to be snowflakes, a little bit of chic winter is perfect!! 

 I love a bride with a blusher!!! 

 Yay!!! They’re married!!!! 

Yes, that is a GIANT fish for the groom’s cake! 😀 Scott is just a little bit of an outdoor’s man!

 Love this pic of Scott and Keely’s father. Right as the ceremony ended I caught a peak of this little sit down between father-in-law and son-in-law. 

Thank you SO much Keely, Scott and your amazing families for allowing me into the biggest day of your lives! I hope you all had as much fun as I did!!! Its weddings and couples like you two that make me realize why I absolutely love what I do! 

Smiles,

Kayla F

Wedding Day Magic:

Ceremony: Smithwood Baptist Church

Reception/Catering: Knoxville Marriott

Ceremony Musicians:

Reception DJ: Davis Sound & Recording, Inc.

Florist: Powell Florist

Cake: Rosa’s Catering Service, Inc.

Videographer: Nicholas and Keaton

Transportation: Chariots of Hire

Wedding Coordinator: Angie Froemel, Absolute Wedding Perfection

Bride’s Dress: I Do Bridals in Jacksboro, TN

Bridesmaids’ dresses: David’s Bridal

Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse

Planning the Big Day – All the Places Part 3

Today is the last and final day of All the Places for this crazy wedding that Robby and I are planning. This is going to be a rather small post as I have two sessions that are calling my name to start editing! 😀

The last venue that Robby and I went to look at (and absolutely fell in love with) was Mabry Hazen House right in the middle of Downtown Knoxville! We loved the idea of having a historic venue be apart of our wedding. Robby and I have a thing for history (especially me) so we were absolutely ecstatic to find Mabry Hazen House. I contacted Calvin, the director of the museum (YES, MHH is a museum), and we got to scheduling a visit to the house. 

It was of course, January/February when we toured, and AGAIN it was absolutely freezing (I didn’t take any pictures on our initial visit, so all of the images below were taken in April). Calvin showed us the grounds where the ceremony and reception would both be and we could only imagine how much more beautiful it would be in May for the wedding. 

There is a gazebo on the grounds that has ample amounts of electrical outlets…a great place for the band or DJ to set up! 

One of my biggest requests is the fact that we definitely want Diesel to be there on our wedding day! Therefore, it is a huge deal to make sure that the venue is pet friendly. To our surprise, Calvin stated that the last owner of MHH, Miss Evelyn Hazen, was actually a pet lover. She occupied the house alone (along with many dogs and cats). In her will, she stipulated that if the house was to be sold, all profits would go to animal causes. This 100% stole our heart!!

This is the side of the house that would be in primary view during the ceremony and reception. Since the house is a museum, there only only about 2 rooms that guests would be able to see on the actual wedding day, and those would probably contain the remnants of what myself and the bridesmaids brought. However, we thought it would be great to have all of our out of town guests take a tour of the house on Friday leading up to wedding! 🙂

When Calvin took us on a tour of the inside of the house, Robby and I almost died!! There is so much history in this house from 3 different generations. Its absolutely amazing how much history one house can hold! 

Oh how I am in love with these doors…I could see many pictures right here on the big day!  

A little bit more history of the house: it was a vital part of the Civil War, both for the Union and Confederate forces!

As you can see, the venues that Robby and I looked at all definitely have a similarity. They are all historic homes that have amazing life around them. This is something that I have always seen as apart of my wedding day. I never saw myself in a ballroom or in a barn. I’m definitely a big old home kind of girl! 🙂 

Tomorrow, we will finally let everyone know which venue we chose for our wedding! We couldn’t be happier with our choice and know our guests will absolutely love it too!