Great Smoky Mountain Wedding Photographers
Getting Married in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Just forty-five minutes away from our home, a treasure exists. The place is so special and so unique that people travel from all over the world to East Tennessee just to see the sites. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not only a perfect getaway for nature lovers, but it is also an amazing place to tie the knot. What do you need to know before planning a wedding here? Permits, permits, permits. You need a Special Use Permit in order to hold your ceremony and/or reception here, and there are specific park guidelines to keep in mind. Also, there are approved wedding locations to choose from, and the permit process applies to vendors as well. Photographers must obtain a Commercial Use Authorization in order to capture your day, and we are permitted National Park photographers who know all the ins and outs of making the most of your mountain wedding. Do you want to know more? How about working with an experienced husband and wife team who can offer all the insights on locations, planning, and executing your vision? Feel free to reach out for more info.
Cades Cove Wedding at the Primitive Baptist Church - Jordan + Nick
One amazing aspect of being locally permitted National Park photographers is that we get to meet couples from all over who come to our gorgeous Smoky Mountains for their weddings and elopements. We’ve photographed couples from Texas, Florida, Michigan, and Alabama, just to name a few places, and although Jordan and Nick didn’t have to travel that far from Nashville, they knew they wanted to get married in a beautiful setting surrounded by their closest loved ones. We knew that Cades Cove would provide the ideal setting and were so glad to learn that they had chosen to get married here.
Sometimes keeping it simple is just the way to go, and Jordan and Nick decided that an elopement style wedding was practical for them considering the life changes (new jobs and a move) they wanted to make shortly after being wed. Having spent a lengthy amount of time away from each other shortly after they started dating, as Nick was deployed to Afghanistan, each stressed that waiting for the other was so easy. It was the initial contact when they indicated that “photography is the most important aspect” of their day that we knew these two would just be a dream to work with, and guess what? They absolutely lived up to that expectation. With a quaint ceremony inside one of the churches throughout the one-way loop, the Primitive Baptist Church, it didn’t really matter that a thunderstorm rolled in during the intimate ceremony (despite our promises to do our “no rain” dance). The skies cleared miraculously right after family photos in order for us to take Jordan and Nick on an adventure through the Cove, utilizing the mountain views, expansive fields, and pictereqsue pathways as the backdrops for their wedding photos.
We know that we will reconnect with these two in the future and hope we have the honor of continuing to capture their monumental life events as husband and wife. Enjoy this glimpse of Jordan and Nick’s day within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in breathtaking Cades Cove.
Location: Cades Cove | Floral: Lisa Foster Floral Design | Officiant: Radiant Gatherings
Summer Wedding at Black Fox Farms - Kayla + Derick
When we think about Kayla and Derick’s wedding, a few words come to mind—sweet, endearing, sentimental, and romantic. These two met in college, and although it took them a little while to come together as a couple, once they did, there was no separating them. Kayla and Derrick consistently use the word “blessed” to describe their feelings about finding each other, and they see God as the center of their relationship, which was abundantly evident on their sunny wedding day at Black Fox Farms.
A picturesque wedding venue amidst a working nursery, Black Fox Farms features rustic touches that are also incredibly elegant in a serene setting. A beautiful pondside ceremony site under a wooden arbor is where Kayla and Derick became Mr. and Mrs., and their reception was housed in the venue’s expansive barn that also has an outdoor deck overlooking the farm. One of the most impressive aspects of Black Fox, however, is the fact that it is an actual nursery, which means they provide beautiful lighted trees and shrubs as well as actual plants and flowers that compliment the couple’s wedding colors. We also adored the outdoor space with a canopy of twinkling lights that served as an extension of Kayla and Dericks’s reception space as well as a backdrop for their sparkler exit.
Some of the most endearing moments we have ever seen at a wedding occurred on this sunny, summer day. Both Kayla and Derick gave wedding day gifts (via delivery by family members) to one another to celebrate their union; however, the surprise journal that each shared really touched our hearts. Without knowing that the other had done the same thing, both Kayla and Derick wrote entries over the course of their engagement to give to each other on their wedding day. Talk about a special moment! Both were tearful as they realized that their soon to be spouse had created the same thoughtful gift that each could cherish forever and look back on later in life as a memory of their journey. Supportive friends and family, who showed an outpouring of love to the two, surrounded Kayla and Derick on their day, but it was Derrick’s brother’s speech at the reception that brought all of their guests to tears. It was simply the sweetest moment to witness.
If you can’t tell already, these two really left a lasting impression on us. Kayla and Derick were so gracious, and they truly embrace positivity and humble spirits that are evident from the first meeting. We are so thrilled that they chose us to capture all their memories, and we hope this outpouring of love moves you today, too.
Venue: Black Fox Farms | Dress and Suit Shop: Ever After Bridal & Formal Wear | Dress Designer: Maggie Sottero | Floral: Isbill Floral Gallery | Coordinator: Kendra Collins of Ever After Bridal & Formal Wear | DJ: Sound Force | Rentals: Bradley Rentals | Film Lab: The Find Lab
Howe Farms Wedding Venue Engagement - Hayley + Chris
When these two met at an annual work meeting in 2015, the rest became history. They’ve gone through so much together, including a two-year long distance relationship, her relocation to Texas, and parenting a golden doodle, but these two are just meant to be. Hayley and Chris invited us to join them at their wedding venue, Howe Farms, to capture these engagement photos while they were in town for a wedding shower, and we are beyond ecstatic to share a glimpse of their session.
We have to give kudos to Chris for his amazing proposal, as he planned a spectacular surprise for Hayley. Utilizing the second largest canyon in the US, these two met up with their family for what was supposed to be a session for Christmas card photos. Chris put together a book of pictures of their life together and had a videographer there to film the entire proposal. Talk about a thoughtful gesture! We thought this was even more special as they already had family there with them to celebrate.
This wedding, we know, is going to be so beautiful, and we are thrilled that this fun, personable couple has chosen us to curate their memories. We’re taking you to Georgetown, TN, with Hayley and Chris and this romantic, golden hour engagement today. Enjoy!
The Concord Farmhouse Winter Wedding - Knoxville Wedding Inspiration
Winters in Tennessee are usually incredibly mild, but our first blustery, chilly, and overcast day of the season coincided with this session, our winter wedding inspiration styled shoot. Held at a local farmhouse, The ConcordFarmhouse as it has been named, we wanted to channel the rustic nature of the venue in styling elements while also ensuring wintery details were highlighted.
The farmhouse, built in 1905, sits on 2 ½ acres in the small town of Farragut within Knoxville. The home feels like a step into the country amidst a city setting as it surround by woods and features a classic Southern-style covered porch. The historic home contains many original finishes, and the owners also built much of the furniture displayed in the home, including the large over-sized farmhouse table styled for this shoot. Aside from the classic white exterior, towering white columns, and quaint green shutters, this house also boasts private gardens and a phenomenal ivy archway utilized in some of our shots.
The first decision we made regarding this inspiration were the gorgeous jewel tones that were incorporated in the floral, place settings, cake, and even the makeup. These hues evoked a winter vibe, and the copper accents through the handmade candle holders and mugs added a warmth and richness that made these colors pop even more. Lovely fur stoles paired perfectly with the flowing white Azazie gowns that allowed for graceful movement, and our groom’s navy suit featured a cozy tweed vest and tie necessary for a cool outdoor winter wedding. The rich black dahlias incorporated in the stunning bouquet and table garland also carried into the groom’s boutonniere, which was ornate but inherently masculine. Deep shades of red were also prominent on the handmade cooper calligraphy place cards at each guest’s seat. Plump berries on a spiced three-tiered naked cake and bright pink and red cranberries strewn along the table made up the other fresh elements along with deep purple plums as the centerpiece for each place setting. Fruit was another defining component of this inspiration, and we wanted all of the choices to feel like the perfect winter edibles.
These photos make us want to snuggle up with a warm drink, but we also wanted to convey a timeless elegance with a bit more dramatic look to welcome the colder weather. Rustic, simple, and classic, we hope this farmhouse styled shoot leaves our readers feeling inspired to embrace a winter wedding.
The Concord Farmhouse | Echelon Florist | Azazie | Unique Settings and Rentals | Whisk N' Batter | The Tristar Scribe | Regal Tuxedo | A Ribbon's Nest | Mrs. Box | Pier 1 Imports | The Find Lab | Off the Top Barbershop | The Hair Life by Elisha | Edienna Smith with Bluzybuffs | Ashley and Christina Harding
Candoro Marble Inspiration Shoot
We love coming together with our fellow Knoxville wedding photographers, and this Candoro Marble styled shoot allowed us to do just that. Located in South Knoxville, Candoro Marble was formerly the Candoro Mable Company and is now a historic treasure turned event center and museum. A marble exterior and elaborate ironwork are just a couple features of the property which offers an indoor venue space as well as a covered outdoor patio and cypress tree lined lawn. You can't help but feel transported to a different time when setting foot in the building, and we were excited to highlight the character of this venue through these images.
With a New Year's theme brought to life by Erin Morrison and Team Wedding, this wedding inspiration included a sequined dress with gold and black accents in everything from the place settings to the cake. Feathers and confetti made for festive additions, and how could a couple ring in the new year without an intimate champagne toast? Shooting side by side with our photog friends is always a great time, and we are thrilled to bring you this unique wedding inspiration today. Cheers to 2018 and another year of adventures for Juicebeats Photography!
Venue: Candoro Marble | Coordinator: Team Wedding | Hair and Makeup: Southern Belle Beauty | Dress: Rent the Runway | Suit: Prestige Tuxedo | Floral: Swank Floral | Rentals: All Occasions Party Rentals and Unique Settings Rentals | Cake: Annie Intrieri | Calligraphy/Paper Goods: The TriStar Scribe | Models: Rachel and Nick | Concept: Erin Morrison Photography
