2015. I can’t believe it’s come & gone. As a wedding photographer, I have a strange connection to years. How many weddings did I book this year? How many do I have next year? Should I book this wedding for 2017? I can hardly imagine the year 2017!

2015 use to be one of those far off years that I couldn’t imagine and now it’s gone and here I am reminiscing about it. Just like they say time flies when you get older, it certainly feels like it flies when you are a wedding photographer. I arrive at weddings thinking “didn’t I just sit down with this couple for coffee? Oh wait, that was 14 months ago.” Never before have I been so aware of time. Was that too weird? Oh well, new years always seem eerie to me.

Damn. What a year. I photographed more than I ever have before. I delivered a whopping 24,372 photos to clients this year & pressed the shutter button about 4x more than that. I photographed my first wedding under a live oak tree in Beaufort, South Carolina. Two incredible artists flew me to New Hampshire for their wedding. I photographed a couple with a llama. My pants split at a wedding (and I don’t think anyone noticed). I was rained on. I stopped a kid from lighting his hair on fire with a sparkler. I found myself all over the south photographing joyful days with joyful people, stuffing my face with cake when I had the chance.

Lots of cool stuff happened this year, but I’m still finding myself back where it all begins: the moments & the joy. From the meaningful to the weird to the hilarious… those are the types of photos I’m always drawn to & the ones I work tirelessly to photograph for my clients. Weddings aren’t perfect & neither are my photos. They’re real & they are full of all sorts of ridiculous things, like a groomsman stuffing his face with barbecue or a dad embarrassing himself on the dance floor.

The best part of 2015: marriage equality. I photographed so many same sex elopements, weddings, and sessions this year, many of which where completely set into course by the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court ruling. I photographed three ceremonies on the first say of same sex marriage in Alabama & two on the first day in Chattanooga. I photographed friends finally able to marry in their state! It was such a historic year & it was a privilege to feel so involved, even in such a small way.

To my clients, thank you for your trust and your vulnerability and your weirdness. Thank you for the cake, pies, cookies, buffets, and everything else I nommed, Thank you for your kind reviews & sweet emails. Thank you for helping me make 2015 the most productive & exhilarating year in my career.  <3

“She’s saying that she loves you” interpreted Alex.

They were just married & bride Shannon had her arms wrapped around Lydia, Alex’s mom. Alex did a bit of translating for Lydia & it was a moment that has remained with me since this wedding. Shannon & Alex’s wedding is a tale of cross-cultural love & the creation of a happy German-American family. It’s also the tale of the first time I was able to photograph a Barn at High Point Farms Wedding- a venue that had been on my wishlist!

Alex & Shannon are both from different places, but at the time of their wedding they had one city in common- Chattanooga. Now they have another city in common: Berlin, Germany! Right after their wedding, Shannon was packing up her worldly American possessions & heading to Europe. Talk about brave! Chattanooga was the obvious choice for their wedding. I think it’s great they were able to bring both families to the city where they met for the first time.

The Barn at High Point Farms Wedding

This sweet couple was married right outside of Chattanooga at the Barn at High Point Farms. It’s the cutest, chicest, family-owned & operated barn venue around. Come for the view of Lookout Mountain & stay for adorable goats. This charming Barn at High Point Farm wedding included a smores bar, German-American traditions & decor, and yummy Events with Taste catering.

If you’d like to see more details from this wedding, check out the Wedding Chicks feature! Are you having a Barn at High Point Farms wedding & want more info about my work? Get in touch!

Venue: The Barn at High Point Farms
Planning & Designing: Homespun Parties & Events
Florals: Sophie’s Shoppe
Catering: Events with Taste
Beauty: Salon 30 A
Rentals: Heirlooms Vintage Rentals

When Leigha first emailed me about her upcoming Spence Cabin wedding, there was a caveat. I’d have to fill out a ton of official Great Smoky Mountain National Park paperwork, deal with my liability insurance, and pay a fee to be allowed to photograph her Elkmont wedding. My response? HELL YEAH! Mountains are just the best. And in my humble opinion, there are no better mountains than the Smokies. I am so excited to share these Spence Cabin wedding photos with you!

Pssst… I still have that permit so I am happy & ready for all your Great Smoky Mountain National Park wedding photography needs!

Close your eyes & imagine the sounds of the Little River crackling around you. Oh, how I wish I could transport you there so you can see just how magical it is to get married at Spence Cabin. This private little enclave is surrounded by private forest & tranquility. Honestly, if I wasn’t shooting a wedding I’d have had my feet in the Little River as soon as I arrived. It is basically heaven.

After their ceremony, we headed over to the historic Appalachian Clubhouse for Leigha & Geoff’s reception. Guests ate, drank, & danced the night away. And I can’t forget the amazing PIZZA cookie cake. It was mindblowing.

SPENCE CABIN WEDDING PHOTOS

I hope you enjoyed these Spence Cabin wedding photos! If you are getting married in the Smokies, I’d love to hear from you. Check out the vendors that contributed to this wedding below.

Florist- LB Floral
Cake- Art of Cakes
DJ- Fuller Light N Sound
Ceremony Music- Quarter Mile Strings
Catering- Bradford Catered Events
Coordination- Courtney Kliman
Dress- Wedding Wonderland
Stationery- Ashley Elliot Designs
Alterations- Sandra G’s Alterations
Furniture Rental- Restoration Rentals

Elopements are incredible. I am so excited to share these photos with you! Last month I had the honor of photographing Jessica & Ryan’s intimate elopement at their home in Chattanooga. Just the couple, the officiant, and ME! How cool, right? Jessica & Ryan’s home is on the most beautiful wooded lot complete with boulders & wonderful fall colors.

Jessica & Ryan, it was such an honor to be witness to your first moments as a married couple! Thank you for letting me share in your joy & document your elopement. If you are searching for Chattanooga elopement photography, I’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch for more info!

Chattanooga Elopement Photography by Alex Bee Photo. Elopement officiating by Rev. James Ramsey.

With this wedding, I’m continuing with my theme of “Why Did It Take Me So Long To Post This?” Crazy, right?! I’m so happy to finally have Jennifer & Alan’s wedding gracing my blog, especially after their incredible engagement session.

Jennifer & Alan were married at Scott Mansion in Tellico Plains near the Cherokee National Forest. Then we returned the next day for a very rainy but fun after session. Scott Mansion is currently in limbo. I’d love to photograph another wedding here sometime, so somebody should purchase the historic home & turn it back into a wedding venue! Pretty please!!! Seriously, it’s so gorgeous & it has incredible views of the mountains. Janna at All About Weddings meticulously coordinated this event & Lisa Foster Floral Design provided the incredible florals. Enjoy!