Danielle Embry and Rashaan Backers of Kentucky had a 2005 destination wedding on top of a mountain near Gatlinburg. These are two of the most beautiful people inside and out, and they had a perfectly beautiful wedding. After getting ready with her girls in a cabin nearby, Danielle was driven to the ceremony/reception site where her mother walked her down the aisle to Rashaan. When the officiant asked for the rings, Danielle surprised Rashaan with a diamond band instead of the plain band that he was expecting. With tears of joy, they exchanged their vows and then jumped the broom before heading up the aisle as man and wife.

Also memorable were the delicious caramel apples that the guests received as favors, the program printed on fans for the guests, the groom acting as DJ, and a beautiful sunset over the mountains.


Danielle getting laced into her dress




The cloud cover helped keep the temperature comfortable and created dramatic skies.









This isn't exactly what I was expecting when Rashaan asked me to take a photo of him with one of his students...

In June 2006, Josh Price wed Kristen Davis at Christ United Methodist Church of Chattanooga. The couple chose to meet before the ceremony for a private moment together, and then we did the formal group photos. After the ceremony, the guests were treated to a buffet reception by candlelight in the church's gymnasium. The buffet included a pasta station, and a live band played while everyone ate and socialized. After changing into their going-away outfits, the couple exited through a tunnel of sparklers to their very well-decorated car.

I did an earlier blog post on out-of-the-ordinary bridal sessions that place the bride and her gown in some extraordinary, often grungy, locations. John Michael Cooper was one of the first photographers to begin photographing brides like this, and he was definitely the one that inspired other photographers to do the same. Now the whole phenomenon is gaining national attention.

The New York Times even published an article on the trend this week.

Now I'm really excited to get out there and see what I can come up with so the first qualified person to email me will receive a free anti-bridal session. To qualify, you must already be married and be willing to use your own dress. You must sign a model release so that I can post the photos online, and you must be available to do the shoot on a weekday (probably July). If you're a person that's up for anything or know someone that fits the description, please get in touch.

In addition to offering a free session to the first person, if you have a really great session idea or access to a great location then contact me and you may also get a free session. Just brainstorm for creative locations that you may have access to: old theaters, barns, warehouses, junkyards, fire stations, lofts, cabins, forests, the lake, yachts, bed and breakfasts, museums, airplane hangars, cafés, horse stables etc.

Saturday's afternoon wedding for Andrew Sampson and Casey Cash was at the United Methodist Church in Spring City, TN. Casey described Spring City as "Mayberry", and it is definitely a cute little country town. With the green, rolling hills and white, fluffy clouds, the drive from Knoxville was scenic and relaxing.

Andrea was a very composed, adaptable bride. Unlike some weddings that can be stressful and hectic, this wedding was easy breezy with the focus on the couple and their marriage. After the ceremony, the guests moved to the church's fellowship hall for the reception.

In addition to attending workshops and conventions, reading books and magazines, watching instructional DVDs, and participating in online forums, I like to hone my photography skills by working with other photographers. In 2005, I had the opportunity to second shoot the Campbell wedding with the amazing Tina Wilson.

Sarah Keeton & Scott Campbell had their wedding at Cedar Springs Presbyterian in Knoxville. Then the wedding party took a trolley to the reception at The Knoxville Museum of Art.

I think the most common "mistake" for ceremonies is that the bride is so excited that she forgets to get her bouquet for the recessional. I'll admit that I forgot at my own wedding.

The second most common would probably be a problem with the ring exchange. I've seen several people drop the ring. At this wedding, the couple shared a fun moment when Sarah couldn't fit Scott's ring onto his finger.

Another memorable detail from this wedding would have to be the wedding cake. Elaine Mason of "I Do" Cake baked and served a strawberry cake, and it was delicious.