While we are anxiously awaiting our own baby, I managed to fit in a session with my friend Leah and her son James. I photographed Leah and John's wedding at Bleak House way back in 2005, and it is always fun to get together and catch up with my brides. With all the feeding and consoling that goes on, baby sessions leave lots of time to catch up. Unfortunately, John is busy being a marine out in California so he couldn't be in the photos, but I'm sure he'll be super excited to see new pictures of his adorable little boy.

I think that this is my favorite because it almost looks like a smile.

Marcus and I had our baby shower at Brixx Pizza Sunday and had a great time. I owe a big thank you to my friend Christa for organizing and hosting. We really appreciate all of our friends who were able to come out and celebrate with us including Matt Browne who was nice enough to take a few photos for the baby book. After pizza, we enjoyed a very delicious carrot cake from Magpies, and we didn't have to play any embarrassing shower games!

Even though I am a photographer and know that it is best to do maternity photos much earlier than the 35th week, I somehow managed to keep putting it off. Although I'm now feeling very huge with the lovely stretch marks and swollen ankles that go along with late pregnancy, we did snap a few maternity shots after the shower. For our out-of-town friends and family who have been asking about the bump, here you go. Keep in mind that the official due date isn't until September 6, more than a month away.

I met Kendra when she was the maid of honor at Candi's wedding last year, and I am honored to have been her wedding photographer this year. Kendra and Matthew's ceremony last Saturday was at The Knoxville Botanical Gardens on what turned out to be a very hot and humid day. Happily, the girls got ready in the lower level of the house which has stone walls and stayed nice and cool. In addition to all of the beautiful plants and trees, the stone walls and buildings are really what make this particular venue so unique and charming. The reception later that evening was held at Regas Restaurant in downtown Knoxville.

Although they didn't want to see each other before the ceremony, the couple did have a short "meeting" on either side of a heavy door.



Kendra was expecting a romantic kiss on the hand from her loving, soon-to-be husband...



Guests were provided with fans and cold drinks to beat the heat before being seated for a short but sweet ceremony in the greenhouse.



Rather than a candle or sand ceremony, the couple performed a unity tree planting which was especially appropriate given the venue.







After a bubble exit and some dress adjustments, we did a few quick formal, bridal, and couple photos in the gardens.







It was great seeing Candi again as she was Kendra's matron of honor, and Kendra's brother also received leave from the navy to attend the wedding.



Kendra and Matthew's wedding was my last for the year as I am now 31 weeks pregnant (and huge). It's going to be tough taking off from weddings until next year, but I couldn't have ended this year's season with a better couple. Special thanks to Marcus who was wonderfully helpful as always and to Sondra of Leban Photography who graciously withstood the heat to help me with this wedding.

Kristin Elise and Ben were married in an outdoor ceremony at Brother's Cove Lodge overlooking the Smoky Mountains. Being my first Jewish wedding, I expected a whirlwind day, and I wasn't disappointed. The day was a wonderful mixture of religious symbols, rituals, traditions, and joyous singing, dancing, and celebration. If you've been to a Jewish wedding before then you probably have some idea of how much fun they can be. Even though it was a bit hot that day, the couple and guests were all able to let loose and really enjoy themselves in a way that not many wedding groups do. It was a true celebration of marriage.

Before the actual ceremony, the bride was joined by all the women who danced, sang, and took turns offering her advice and best wishes. This kabbalat panim is really a wonderful ritual in that it allows all of the women to come together and share their love and support with the bride. Meanwhile, Ben was joined by the men at his tish outside where they also sang and danced.



Once everyone was relaxed and caught up in the happy mood, the men encircled Ben and then sang, danced, and carried him into the lodge to see Kristin Elise for the first time. When the men came in with him and joined the women, the whole building filled with singing and stomping. It was a very exciting moment for everyone, especially the bride as she nervously waited for Ben to make his way across the room to her.







During their bedeken ceremony, Ben lowered Kristin Elise's veil over her face, she helped him into a traditional white robe, and they also signed their ketubah. Then it was time for the guests to make their way outside to the tented ceremony site.



Their Jewish ceremony included many rituals and participants to make the day more meaningful. It was especially nice to see so many of their family and friends involved as they took turns reciting and singing blessings in both English and Hebrew. Their parents also took turns coming forward and offering the couple blessings and words of love and support.









I especially loved their ceremony, but I think that the dancing is probably one of the most unique aspects of Jewish weddings. Of course they had a long and jubilant hora at the reception which included a brief period when the guests lifted the couple into the air on chairs. Receptions are usually happy events, but this crowd was especially jubilant. Everyone participated in the laughing, singing, dancing, and general celebration.





Although Marcus was a huge help as always, I also want to especially thank my friend Alecia for coming up from Atlanta to shoot with us. Being in my third trimester now, I couldn't have done it without her help. With the 3 of us shooting, we ended up with many wonderful photos, and I didn't have to worry about getting in the middle of a crowded dance floor where I could have been knocked down or bumped. Check out some of her great shots from the day (including Ben being danced into the bedeken and Kristin Elise being raised on the chair) on the Alecia Lauren Photography blog.

Sarah & Matt Fielden were married at New Market Baptist back in March but waited until everything turned warm and green to do their photo session together. Sarah had two beautiful dresses for her wedding, one for the ceremony and one for the exit, so she used both for the photos. She also had sexy shoes that just had to be shown!