planning the big day | the paper goods

Wow! I can’t believe that May 4^th is right around the corner!!! Planning a wedding, having a full time job and growing my photography business has just eaten up my time, but I wanted to continue with the planning the big day series! I’ve had many people ask me when my next post will be, so I’ll be making a solid effort to blog once a week on our big day!

In my last planning the big day post, we showcased our amazing venue! Rob and I just absolutely fell in love with Maple Grove Inn and knew that we had to have our wedding here. It had everything we wanted and SO much more!!!

Since we got engaged {almost} two years ago, we wanted to send out Save-the-Dates to our friends and family that we 100% knew we wanted to invite to the wedding so they could mark their calendars. Having a wedding in early May means little kiddos are still in school and families are starting to begin {or already have begun} planning their vacations. So we knew we wanted to get a jump on them!

In looking at Save-the-Dates, there is an abundant amount of inspiration and incredibly talented designers out and about!!! {See a list at the bottom of this post for some vendors}. Would we go with a photo for the save-the-date? A magnet? A viewfinder {trust me, they make them}? Or stay simple and showcase the amazing venue that we are getting married at?? Well, you guessed it! I actually had my mind set on a photo save-the-date. I mean, I am a photographer and all. But after meeting with one of my brides Katie, and seeing her save-the-date, I instantly knew that I wanted to have a drawn representation of our venue! 

The Save-the-Date that started it all. {the link to this vendor is at the bottom of this post}

Now, you all have probably seen me gush about Kate with Kate Moore Creative! She designed my photography logo and I’ve had a love fest with her work for a few years now {she’s genius, let me just say}! So off I went to send an email to Kate. Here is a verbatum excerpt of what I sent her, “We absolutely LOVE our venue (Maple Grove Inn) and would love to have a sketch done of it for the save-the-dates.“  When she replied back with “Ummmm YESSSS! yay! i would adore doing something for you guys. Your style is so awesome and I am in love with the idea of a sketch of the maple grove inn. so different and adorable.“ I knew we were a match made in Heaven {as if I didn’t already know this…psh}.  So a few emails back and forth and I sent her this image! 😀

Let me just say, when I got the proof back for our save-the-date, I literally sat there and stared at it for probably a good 5-7 minutes. I was in aww! It was EXACTLY what I wanted! She nailed it. Literally. I couldn’t have even thought that it would be this awesome! She even did a handdrawn  picture of Maple Grove Inn! I loved every single little big of it! Now the only conundrum I had was what color did we want it in???

We chose lavender {did you expect me to choose something else} and then decided that we wanted to STAMP them! Oh yea! We bought this amazing super thick cotton paper from Holyoke Papers,  our envelopes from Paper Source, and our stamps from Clancy Stamping Co. {local}. And off we starting stamping!!! 

{so I’m a loser and only documented our envelope process, sad day}

You’ll see the FINAL product in our wedding day pictures!! I hope you loved seeing the process that we went through and how you can make a save-the-date unique and tie in with your wedding theme!!! 😀

Smiles,

Kayla F

 View Finder Save-the-Dates

Adorable Picture Save-the-Dates

Katie Save-the-Date

Calligraphy Postcard Save-the-Date

Custom Handkerchief Save-the-Date

the kiddo | elijah vance

So as you are reading this, I am on my way to Nashville for an awesome photography workshop help by two AMAZING industry professionals!!! I hope to come back with a fire under my tush to accomplish my 2013 goals (which I will share in a later post) and take this whole photography “thing” to another level. Its my passion and why shouldn’t I be happy and do this as much and as BIG as I can?!? So, more with that later! Now onto the awesome stuff…

This may be one of my favorite sessions and clients (I know I know…I say this every time, but my clients ROCK my socks off)!! When I received Sarah’s email I might have done a little happy dance at my computer!!! I had been FB and Pinterest stalking Sarah since her wedding that I shot with Jennie Andrews all the way back in 2010!!! I was just absolutely BLOWN away that she would ask me to do her newborn session!! So baby watch began…and ended rather soon! Before I knew it, I was sending an email just checking in and Elijah had been born the day before (so maybe my stalking skills are not up to par). Since it was December and chilly (or freezing) we decided to do the session at home! I love love LOVE home sessions! Especially newborn home sessions. Everyone is comfy, everything that baby needs is right there, and if you are to ever have pictures taken in your home, it should be with a new addition to the family! Eeek! Be prepared to Oohhhh and Aaaahhhh! I know I did countless times while taking these pictures, editing them and then again when choosing which ones to blog! 😀

I came in to a sleepy baby (which is my favorite) and he was just soooo stinking cute! I soon found that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and Elijah definitely takes after his Dad, Jason in height! He’s SOOO long!!!! 

Look at those cheeks! 

 I think babies with one sock is mandatory. Two socks is not cute, one sock…PERFECT! 

 Omgsh…just melts my heart how Jason looks at Elijah!!! 

 Sarah is little miss crafty! She not only made these adorable letters, but she also showed me all kinds of other adorable things….like a growth chart that goes all the way up to 7ft! Lol!!! Hey, you never with this kiddos’ genes! 

 LOVE all the orange details!!! The awesome mobile is from Africa when Sarah went and did mission work last year and the type writer is a present from a friend. LOVE details in a nursery!!!!

 Ok, maybe this one is my favorite…I seriously just can’t get over it!

Seriously, seriously?!?! No, this one is my fav of the day! 😀 

Sarah, Jason and of course Elijah, thank you SO much for inviting me into your “temporary” home and taking these images of Elijah! I hope you cherish them and I can’t wait to see you soon! 6 months will be here before you know it! 😀

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

geist clan | on the tree farm

So. This MAY be one of my favorite sessions to date! Why you ask? This couple = awesome. This location = so much fun. The crazy ideas they let me do = my job is AWESOME!!! I could not be happier when Jessica and Justin fell in my lap (thanks to my amazing December couple Keely and Scott)! When Jessica told me that she and Justin were already married, they just wanted some fun Christmas pictures I was SO excited!!! And when she mentioned blankets, hot cocoa and lights…I hit the roof! I immediately sent her links and ideas and she hadn’t even booked me! Lol! It was meant to be! We fit perfect…they laughed at my ridiculous antics, they went along with anything I said, they wore the cutest outfits and they were crazy in love! What else is a girl with a camera to ask for??? 

So here is my super awesome Merry Snuggly, Loverly, Amazing Christmas session!!! ❤

Adorable!!! Jessica’s nose itched…and Justin was just too close! 😀

 Sweetest picture EVER!!!!

Carson and his pup Rider

Making their debut on the blog are my BESTIE’S two little boys! Bekah and Bobby not only love their little puppers, Rider, just as much as Robby and I love Diesel (we aren’t the only crazy dog people out there), but they love their little guy Carson about 1000x more! Carson is the sweetest, blondest, little blue eyed boy EVER! He was just a ball of energy and I was so happy to finally get him in front of my camera! Bekah started this session off by telling me it was supposed to be a surprise for her husband Bobby (so no sneak peak) and then after I posted the mini session sneaks on the evening of the session, I got a text from Bekah saying “I can’t keep a secret. I already told Bobby! I am too excited about them!” LOL!!! LOVE IT!

I was SO excited to edit these and having my fingers crossed that I got some good ones of Carson. I’ve never had such an energetic little guy, so I was on my toes the whole time! Lol!

Love these pictures and I hope Bekah, Bobby, Carson and of course Rider do too! 😀

 Awesome family!!!!

 Love that Carson is Rider’s “Little Bro”

 This is one of my favorite images of Carson. I think it just captures the silly wonders of being a 2 year old…<3

Kaitlyn and Brett Sneak Peak

Because I cannot wait until Monday to show you some of the amazingness that is Kaitlyn and Brett’s wedding, I thought I would share a little something something from their beautiful day in September! A full blog post will be ready to go on Monday so be sure to come back to check out the Stewart’s awesome family and fun bridal party! 

Smiles,

Kayla F

Amber and Jamie – The Clan

I had the absolute PLEASURE of photographing a old friend, her husband and her adorable pooch earlier this summer at Ijams Nature Center! I can remember the first time I ever met Amber. It was the summer before 4th grade and we had just moved into a new house. A whole gang of kids showed up at our front door and asked us to go ride bikes. 🙂 (Do kids even do things like this now-a-days?) I thought I would be cool and ride my bike up our driveway….and thought I was going to die at the end. Only those who know my parents driveway would get a chuckle out of that. Amber was the cool kid. The leader of the pack. And I wanted SO bad for her to think I was awesome…well, many many MANY years later, I was tickled pink when Amber contacted ME to capture her incredibly awesome family! 🙂 Does that make me cool? I think SO! 

Amber and Jamie are the absolute cutest! Not only are they adorable (and so incredibly into each other) but their little puppers, Roxy is pretty stinking awesome as well. She really did steal the scene! 

Amber wore the BEST shirt ever! Not only is it orange and white (LOVE) but its so bright and vibrant. Perfect for pictures! 

See what I mean…she’s adorable!

I had such a blast with you three that (incredibly hot) summer evening!!! Lol! You all are so awesome!!! 

The Day: Tiffany and Fran

I have been waiting and waiting to share this awesome couple’s beautiful wedding from the Bleak House! Tiffany and Fran are Awesome (yes, with a capital A)! I seriously couldn’t ask for a better bride and groom to start off my 2012 season! Tiffany was referred to be by another amazing photographer and Tiffany and I have come to the conclusion that it was meant to be! We seriously have SO much in common that I’m pretty sad that I’ve handed over her images…no more emails, phone calls or fun lunches! 😦 

So on to their amazing wedding! Tiffany was going for an easy going, vintage/20’s vibe. She nailed it. Everything fit with her vision and she even had some people dress the part! 😉

Here is Fran and Tiffany’s big day! 

I was in love with Tiffany’s jewelry! Her chandelier ear rings were a thrift store find and her beautiful blue ring was from her mother. 

Major love for my second shooter Anjelica for capturing this gem!! 

Tiffany, seriously?? You are absolutely stunning!

Tiffany and Fran opted for a first look and I couldn’t have been happier! Their main focus for their wedding was to have a good time with their friends and family, so they didn’t want to have to take pictures after the ceremony…first looks are my favorite part of the day! Both the bride and groom are so excited, nervous, happy to see their soon-to-be and you just can’t match that intimacy. Love that Anjelica was able to capture the shot of Fran seeing Tiffany. Love!!!

 LOVE how Fran looks at her!

Fran was such a trooper…and even gave me the best smile EVER!!! 

 Yes…we did a mafia picture with the gents. 😉

Once guests started to arrive, Tiffany and Fran went inside to cool down and get ready for the ceremony. I got to go have fun and get all the yummy details!

I love the Bleak House and the backdrop for the ceremony!!! 

Tiffany’s brother, Jason, is in a band…oh yea! And that band just so happens to be the Humanaires! Lets just say, they gave me their CD and I have been listening to it non-stop for a month…seriously. I love them!!! 

Ava and Camden= the coolest and CUTEST flower girl and ring bearer ever! Seriously, they were attached at the hip all night and were soooo sweet with each other!

I can’t take how cute they are!!!

My FAVorite first dance pictures EVER! Seriously??? 

Tiffany and Fran, I cannot thank you both enough! I hope DC treats you amazingly and when you come back in town…you know my number! ❤

Smiles,

Kayla F

Bleak House Sneak Peak

I am beyond excited to share this amazing little sneak peak of my gorgeous bride, Tiffany, and her bridal shoot that we did two days before her wedding at the Bleak House! Tiffany oozed vintage and sophistication and she stole my heart when I saw her vintage chandelier earrings, her handmade bouquet, and of course her open backed, lace dress! Check back in a few days to see her full post!!!

The Hodges and their Pups

So, if you know me AT ALL, you know how much I love puppers! I mean, look at how much I dote on my silly little Bean Butt, Diesel! So when my awesome friend Jessica asked me to do a session with her, her hubs and the two new additions to their family I was all on board!!! Seriously, how can you not fall in love with these fluffy faces?? I packed up my doggie treats (as is evidence by Tucker’s little snout) and headed off! Lets just say, that I went home and took a very long nap after this session! I forgot how exhausting puppies are! 

Jessica told me that she and Brad hadn’t had pictures taken since their wedding 3 YEARS AGO!! I couldn’t believe it! So of course I had to shove a little bit of just the two of them in there as well!!! I’m just going to let the rest of the pictures unfold…because looking at them all over is making me tired again! 😀

I can’t help it…I love the one of their hind ends!

And of course I love Happy Puppers #1 and Happy Puppers #2!!

This final picture was literally pure and utter luck! With two puppies, not on a leash and with a large black noise box in their faces, they were not interested in sitting still. But boy was I excited when I saw some of these while editing! Yay!!!

Next week is going to be busy busy busy! Not only do I have my first bridal shoot, but I also have lined up an engagement shoot AND my first wedding for the 2012 wedding season!! I can’t wait to bombard you with yummy, lovey dovey goodness!