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The Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, TN

Friday, August 10, 2007
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On a sunny August day in 2005, Alicia Sawatsky married Brent Altum on top of a mountain near Gatlinburg. The bridal preparations took place in a nearby cabin that was included in the venue's wedding package. Alicia's family traveled in from as far away as Canada to share in the special day. After the outdoor ceremony, the couple released doves and then retreated into the enclosed pavilion for dinner, toasts, a bit of dancing, and of course cake.

Sawatsky/Altum Wedding Anniversary August 10
Sawatsky/Altum Wedding Anniversary August 10
Sawatsky/Altum Wedding Anniversary August 10

Sawatsky/Altum Wedding Anniversary August 10

Sawatsky/Altum Wedding Anniversary August 10

Sawatsky/Altum Wedding Anniversary August 10

A tip on destination weddings in Gatlinburg:

There are many small venues in Gatlinburg that specialize in destination weddings. These places can be an excellent choice for couples who want a small wedding, and they often have various packages to fit different budgets. However, these venues usually do perform many, many more weddings than venues in other cities, and couples often have less say in how their day will play out. The main problem that I have seen is that venue employees will agree to special requests by phone or email and then the people there on the wedding day know nothing about it and can't allow the changes.

If you are planning such a wedding, absolutely get everything in writing, and take it with you to the wedding. Learn who will be there on your wedding day and only deal directly with them. The day before (or at least as early on the wedding day as possible), get together with the person to go over your plans for the day and reiterate any special requests that you have made. Alicia and Brent did have a problem with their venue early on their wedding day, but they were able to speak with the owner and straighten things out because they were well prepared.

Many of the venues will not allow outside photographers, and many will not even allow guests to take photographs. They will even separate the guests from the wedding party and couple during the photographs. I once witnessed an employee yell at the groom's mother for trying to take photographs. She then stood in front of everyone to keep them away from the couple and to block photos.

However, you may be able to work out a deal with the venue in which you either pay an additional fee or pay for their photography service and then just don't use it. This is an example of a special request that you would want to have in writing.

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Laurel Church of Christ, Knoxville, TN

Monday, August 6, 2007
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Hannah Wright and Jeremy Vest were married in 2005 at Laurel Church of Christ on Kingston Pike. The couple chose to meet before their ceremony so that they could spend some private moments together and then complete the formal photos. We also drove down Cherokee Drive to get more relaxed couple photos at Sequoyah Hills park before returning to the church for the ceremony. 

The couple met and live in Alabama, but they're from Knoxville. Hannah's father was one of my favorite teachers in High School, and I remember him talking about his little girls Hannah & Hailey. In a way, I felt like I knew them. I was honored to be there on Hannah's wedding day and to watch him proudly walk her down the aisle to Jeremy.

These two are just genuinely good people, and it's always a pleasure to see such deserving people find happiness together.

Before the wedding day, I did a bridal session with Hannah in the Knoxville Museum of Art courtyard.

Wright/Vest Wedding Anniversary August 6

Wright/Vest Wedding Anniversary August 6

Hannah was a beautiful bride who radiated happiness.

Wright/Vest Wedding Anniversary August 6

The ceremony was a mixture of laughter, sincerity, and love. On the way up the aisle, Hannah stopped off to give her father a kiss.

Wright/Vest Wedding Anniversary August 6

Wright/Vest Wedding Anniversary August 6


The bon-bons at the reception were AMAZING.

Wright/Vest Wedding Anniversary August 6

After a reception at the church, the couple exited to their limo through a shower of rose petals.

Wright/Vest Wedding Anniversary August 6
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Rothchild Conference Center, Knoxville, TN

Monday, July 30, 2007
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In 2005 I photographed an intimate wedding at Basswood Church in Knoxville. Dressed in her native wedding attire, Mimi was a beautiful bride as she walked up the aisle hand-in-hand with Ian. After being married by a close friend, they shared dinner and cake with friends and family at Rothchild's Conference Center.

Jung/Watkins Wedding Anniversary July 30
Jung/Watkins Wedding Anniversary July 30

Jung/Watkins Wedding Anniversary July 30

Jung/Watkins Wedding Anniversary July 30

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Madison Street United Methodist Church, Clarksville, TN

Saturday, July 28, 2007
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Oops. This week got away from me, and I missed an anniversary. I wanted to be sure I got this one blogged as it was one of my favorite weddings last year. They're such a wonderful couple. Marcus and I really enjoyed spending the day with them, and their family and friends were so much fun.

Kimberly Mathis and Tim Brooks were married at the Madison Street United Methodist Church in Clarksville, TN. The church itself is pretty amazing. Locals may remember the severe tornado outbreak in January 1999 that devestated several states. One of the tornados hit downtown Clarksville, wiping out most of the church's main building and removing the tops of the two spires. You can view some before/after photos of the church on the Everton Oglesby Architects' site. They did a wonderful job rebuilding the church. It has the feel of an old, gothic cathedral but the modern conveniences (and natural light!) of a newer building.

Kim & Tim chose to see each other before the ceremony so that we would have plenty of time for photos of just the two of them. It also allowed for a nice petal toss as the couple left the church for their reception at Riverview Inn.

Mathis/Brooks Wedding Anniversary July 22

When we started to go outside for couple photos, we found that the grass was being mowed just outside. Kim watched as Tim took care of the situation.

Mathis/Brooks Wedding Anniversary July 22

The first photo below shows where the brick of the surviving church meets the brick of the rebuilt portion.

Mathis/Brooks Wedding Anniversary July 22

Mathis/Brooks Wedding Anniversary July 22

Mathis/Brooks Wedding Anniversary July 22
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World Outreach Church, Murfreesboro, TN

Monday, July 23, 2007
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Marcus and I drove to Murfreesboro last Thursday for Rachel Robinson & Ben Strickland's Friday wedding at World Outreach Church. After some photos of the girls getting ready backstage, Rachel and Ben had a private meeting in the sanctuary before doing their formal photos. They even braved the summer heat and sun for a few couple photos outside. The reception included a full dinner buffet and a DJ.

Robinson/Strickland Wedding July 20

Robinson/Strickland Wedding July 20

Robinson/Strickland Wedding July 20

The Krispy Kreme groom's cake was a hit. Also, I thought it was a great idea to attach the personalized matches to the sparklers so that everyone could light their own.

Robinson/Strickland Wedding July 20
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Welcome to the Nancy Hellsten Photography blog! This is the place to be if you’re looking for wedding ideas and photography promotions or if you just want to view some great photos and see what I’ve been up to. If you or someone you know are getting married, having a baby, or just want some relaxed portraits with the family, please visit my website or contact me for more information. I would love to hear from you. Thanks for visiting and check back often to see what’s new.
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