Mandy and Johnathan are celebrating their first anniversary this week. Happy Anniversary, guys! I posted some album spreads from their wedding a few months ago, and I'm just going to post the rest of them here. If you want to see the actual book you can visit Butterfly Gap or set up a meeting with me. Butterfly Gap is a peaceful retreat in Maryville and one of my favorite wedding venues.

After helping with so many weddings at Butterfly Gap, Mandy knew exactly what she wanted for her own wedding. It was a beautiful day with great vendors all around.

Flowers by Mulberries, Music by Special Notes, Dj Jim Ogle from Special Notes, Cake by KatieKakes, Catering by All Occasions.

I posted a few of Crystal & Matt's portraits after their August 11 wedding in Elkmont. This week I'm processing the wedding day photos.

Crystal had "forever your girl" engraved inside Matt's ring. He told me to get a good shot of it before the ceremony because he doesn't plan on ever taking it off his finger. Crystal's mom made the beautiful (and tasty!) cake.



They had a very touching ceremony alongside a mountain stream. I love outdoor ceremonies where I'm allowed to move around and get shots like this. Afterward, the couple said that they don't even remember seeing me during the ceremony





Crystal's daughter was the perfect little flower girl. Matt is so great with her, and she was obviously thrilled for him to be a permanent member of their family.

Crystal & Mark just celebrated their one year anniversary. The wedding was held at Washington Pike United Methodist Church in Knoxville, and Crystal carried a bouquet of calla lilies. Afterward, the wedding party rode a trolley to the reception at Holston Hills Country Club. Elaine Mason of I Do Cakes served up a delicious cake with chocolate icing. The groom's cakes were cheesecake with sugared fruit on top.

The couple's engagement photos were done at the UT trial gardens on Neyland Drive.

If anyone picks up a copy of the magazine "I Do" for Tennessee Brides then you can check out their write up on one of my 2006 couples, Mandy & Johnathan Sitzlar.

Mandy's parents own Butterfly Gap, and she helps run the place with her sister Laura. It's really a gorgeous venue, and their whole family will go out of their way to make your wedding perfect. I highly recommend checking them out for a wedding, event, or just a romantic weekend get away. Marcus and I have spent the night in one of their guesthouses before, and it was very relaxing.

Also, I just received a great review in Clarksville's The Leaf Chronicle. After you check out the review, read more of Melissa's blog. She obviously has great taste since she declared my work officially hot. However, I have to say that it's my couples who are truly hot, and they make my job so much easier.

On Sunday, I photographed an engagement session for Diana & Zach who will be married in November. These two are just adorable. Although the heat can make it more difficult to be affectionate, they did a great job. Diana is a natural in front of the camera, and I'm excited to see what we come up with on their wedding day.

The wedding will take place in Sevierville with a reception at Hidden Mountain Resort Lodge, and that is where they chose to do the engagement photos.







With this last photo, the sun was behind them and hit the front of my lens. Instead of just trashing it, I experimented with some textures and colors. I think it's one of those things you either love or hate, but I like to mix things up once in a while.