2016 Favorite Weddings

I am going to go ahead and give you permission to nag me hard core. I can’t believe it took me nearly 9 months to get this out. I’m literally going to be working on the one for 2017 in 3 months ha! BUT never-the-less, I did get it out! This is a collection of all of my favorite weddings photos from 2016! And as usual, I am sharing some favorite moments from 2016 as well:

1. I have some really great moments from 2016 because it was when I got pregnant. Knowing I was pregnant but having to keep it a secret from my brides because we didn’t tell anyone until we were 13 weeks along. Aaaaaand, during that 13 weeks was when I was my sickest, so trying to fake it like I was feeling great in the miserable heat and at venues with no air conditioning! But one couple found out I was pregnant before most people. Did I feel bad that a wedding client of mine knew I was pregnant before my parents or dustin’s parents? Yes, I kind of felt terrible about that. But regardless, it was impossible to avoid in this particular situation. Holly and Eric are two of the most down to earth people that I’ve ever worked with. They are so personable. so friendly. Long before Dustin and I even thought about getting pregnant, I met these two in Knoxville for engagement photos. They parked their car at my house and rode with me to the locations. During which time we really got to know one another. They proceed to be amazing and invite Dustin to the wedding and tell me that they are saving us each two drink tickets so that when my time is up, I can grab a couple drinks and get my dance on. Well that was the plan and I was looking forward to enjoying the remainder of the reception with them. Then I got pregnant. At their wedding, I was approximately 8 weeks along. I had become super nauseous, incredibly exhausted, and already feeling the swollenness and bloating. They got married in Pigeon Forge, so I leave my house with WAY too much time because I just knew there would be tons of traffic. Well there was none and I was an hour early. Also on this trafficless drive, I was fighting sleep the whole time. So instead of risking being exhausted while I shot their wedding, I pulled into the shade once I got there and slept in the car for 30 minutes. Fast forward to their first look. We had just finished it and were headed back to their room in the hotel when they tell me they had two drink tickets for me to use at the reception. I respond telling them they are so sweet but that really wasn’t necessary. Both of them being the amazing people they are, start insisting. We really want you to have a good time and not feel like you are working… please use the drink tickets, we saved them just for you. As the words were coming out of their mouth, my facial expression must have been turning to mush because in a split second Holly said oh my gosh, you’re pregnant!!! I couldn’t believe it! She knew! How did she know?! She said I could just tell. My poker face is terrible apparently.
2. Another July wedding. Another pregnancy story. I was taking photos of a couple getting married at a farm in Kentucky. Last year it was especially hot and humid and this venue had zero air conditioning. I had spent the morning with the girls getting ready and then went the venue to photograph all the details of the ceremony and reception. Everything was right beside each other and already set up when I got there. And my amazing second photographer had gotten there early so we ended up finishing the detail pictures much faster than we anticipated. She went to grab us lunch while I sat down in one of the only air conditioned rooms in the barn. It was a tiny room and was a window unit air conditioner. All the flowers and all the girls stuff were being stored in this room as well because of the heat. Well in typical pregnancy fashion, as soon as I sat down, I felt the waive of exhausted sweep over me. I rest back against the wall and literally fell asleep sitting up. A step dad or uncle or someone was there to drop off something for the flowers and came into the room I was sitting in. It startled me awake and then I realized I had fallen asleep and instantly threw my hand into my bag and pretended like I had been doing something all along. Thankfully, he didn’t notice me until I said, “Oh hello!” and I actually startled him. But I instantly felt so embarrassed… here I was, having a narcoleptic moment, catching flies in my mouth, while I was on the job. If you know me, you know this is totally not my style.
3. I got to photograph my sister-n-laws wedding this year. It was a favorite because I knew every single person involved and I knew the intentions behind every single person involved. I got the jokes being made, I joined in on all the laughs, I sat down and relaxed as I ate the reception meal, and so much more. As emotional as I am on every single wedding day, I felt twice the emotion on hers. The speech my father-n-law gave had me both weeping and cracking up behind my camera. I slept at the house with my sister-n-law and all her friends. Which meant I woke up early and got to be a part of the bible study with the bridesmaids, the gift giving with her parents, and all the moments in-between. I got to slow dance with my husband on the dance floor, hop in some of the family pictures, and knew everyone by name instead of having to read off of a sheet like I do for other weddings. It was just such a fun experience, and I think I said this in the blog post of her wedding, but usually photographers don’t like photographing family and friends weddings because they just want to take a break and relax and enjoy the wedding but for me it makes it even better. There are no clients like the ones that are my friends and family. I love what I do and it doesn’t feel like a job, it just feels like something that I genuinely love to serve others with.

So there it is folks. 2016 is a wraps. Like it has been since January 1st ;-). Enjoy the photos.

I’m a Knoxville Wedding Photographer that loves to travel… I shoot anywhere! If you have any questions about pricing or booking with me, click here to contact me now! If you liked what you saw above, go ahead and follow me on Facebook or Instagram to see my daily updates of the latest sessions!

Other posts you might be interested in:

2016 Favorite Engagements

2016 Favorite Portraits

2015 Favorite Weddings