Smoky Mountain Wedding Photography at Honeysuckle Hills

2012-01-20T14:13:00.001-05:00

Choosing the right wedding venue can be a difficult task to
say the least… There are well over thirty different wedding chapels to choose from in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area. If you’re like most brides, you began your search on-line, immediately becoming overwhelmed with the research process. You won’t find Honeysuckle Hills at the top of any google, yahoo, or bing search engines, either. Why?

We’d much rather be viewed as the area’s best kept secret.

We can’t possibly take care of all the brides who choose to have their destination wedding in the Smoky Mountains. We prefer to cater to those who are seeking something different…
As professional wedding photographers, we need a creative outlet for all the passionate emotion we feel when each and every bride walks through our door. We desire to make our brides feel as if they are leaving their best friend’s home or a family reunion once all the ceremony, dancing, and romancing have ended.

Photography sessions for our honeymooning couples who dance and romance in their own home town are also common at Honeysuckle Hills. Our photography is the number one reason brides come to us from all across the United States. So if you can’t have your ceremony with us, the next best thing is one of our creative photography sessions.

Consider this. (This is probably THE most important part of this entire article.) Can you find another venue or photographer that charges less? Absolutely. Keep in mind that this price will also reflect the way you will be treated and the quality of items they will provide.

Also consider this…
When you’re on your vacation or honeymoon in the Smokies, how much money will you spend on impulse items such as trinkets, souvenirs, fast food, candy, or other temporary things? You might be surprised! Many times this dollar amount is equivalent to the difference of booking a budget wedding chapel versus a wedding you’ll never forget at Honeysuckle Hills. We guarantee you’ll return with photographs so emotional and so unique they will be cherished for a lifetime.

Call us today at 866-572-7724. Mention this article, and if you’re booking a new reservation with us, we’ll add $50 in services or print credits to your wedding or photography session.

Don’t forget to visit us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/honeysuckle.hills.photography. Don’t take it from us… read what others have written about their own experiences, and keep up with all our newest photographic designs.

2011-12-29T16:05:00.002-05:00

Announcing our annual winter sales...

2011 was the busiest year yet at Honeysuckle Hills. Now that we've had a breather and a much needed winter nap... we'd like to invite you to be our guest in the Smoky Mountains for your wedding. We specialize in weddings just for two this time of year, starting out in our cozy chapel upstairs in the barn, and ending with an adventure all over the Honeysuckle Hills grounds. We'll create images you'll be showing off for years to come. Brides from all over the United States come to Honeysuckle Hills each year for our award-winning photography, and winter time is no exception.

Call us today for these exceptional rates... exclusively for January through March 2012. 866-572-7724. You can also e-mail regina@honeysucklehills.com. Tell us you read about it on the blog!

Happy New Year!

2011-02-18T14:51:00.005-05:00

Paige and Marc were wed on a day holding on to what may possibly be the last snow for the Pigeon Forge area this year. (At least we hope so... spring fever has set in for us!)

Paige was drawn to Honeysuckle Hills after viewing a photograph of a "snow angel" posted on the Honeysuckle Hills Facebook fan page. Of course, we had to do a mother / daughter snow angel picture for Paige as well.

Her wedding ceremony was one of the most unique so far this year! Paige and her daughter danced down the aisle to the song by Sugarland, "Stuck Like Glue." I declare, if that doesn't put joy in your heart, nothing will!

We invite you to view Paige's slide show to see more of her heart-tugging wedding photographs.

Are you still frustrated, drowning in the sea of wedding chapel sites for Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge? If your wedding memories and the photography is the most important thing in your heart, we're waiting for you. Come be our guest at Honeysuckle Hills...

2011-02-18T14:25:00.004-05:00

Where has the time gone? 2010 was simply an awesome year for us at Honeysuckle Hills. We photographed beautiful outdoor Smoky Mountain weddings, families, and high school seniors. We made lasting friendships throughout the year and are already well on our way to a booked season for 2011. We will continue to compete in national print salons to push our creative abilities to their limits. In 2010 we were listed as one of the top ten photographers in Tennessee, as well as brought home our second Fuji Masterpiece from a wedding image photographed last February.

Won't you be our guest? Just image what we can create together!

2010-06-26T17:04:00.002-04:00

Nikki and Adam spent the day with us at Honeysuckle Hills on June 5th. The day was filled with family, friends, and a wedding officiated by a dear friend in their family. Their minister used the same set of vows as he did from his very first wedding. Though the paper is now torn and tattered, the words and meaning are still just as sacred.

2010-06-26T16:48:00.006-04:00

Weddings just for two are our favorites at Honeysuckle Hills, and the Great Smoky Mountains is the perfect honeymoon hideaway. Hilary and Stark snuck away to be wed outdoors on our farm, and because it was just the two of them we were able to do many more creative images than a larger wedding allows. The most interesting thing I discovered about this couple is that the bride has a tattoo of a honeysuckle on her leg. Now how cool is that!

2010-06-26T16:41:00.003-04:00

Natalie and Seth drove their Harley Davidson motorcycles with a motley crue all the way from New Orleans! I don't think I've had that much fun with a group in a long time... They were all open to our suggestions and most willing to model for the Honeysuckle Hills wedding camera!

One of Natalie's wall portraits reflected her passion for the Harley and for Seth. The other Signature Portrait was printed on metal and is now displayed in her curio cabinet with other Harley Davidson memorabilia. The next time Brad and I are in New Orleans we plan on looking them up!

2010-06-26T16:37:00.002-04:00

Memorial Day Weekend is when Ashley and Tyler decided to tie the knot. I thought it appropriate considering his own military status.

Ashley let us know that she enjoyed sepia tones and antique looks, so that was the direction we took with the photography. Their Signature Art Print has an "All American" feel, with a little old-fashioned romance and one of our Honeysuckle Hills horses to add a little more dynamics.

2010-06-26T16:15:00.002-04:00

May is also a great time of year for children's outdoor spring portraits! It's an adventure at Honeysuckle Hills, and the kids never seem to want to leave. When it's time for their next session, it's better than asking them if they want to go to Dollywood!

What child doesn't like dipping their toes in the creek?

2010-06-26T16:06:00.003-04:00

Whitney and Corey love four-wheelers, but she had such a beautiful, delicate appeal I included some more romantic images in their Signature Art Print. They were married outdoors on May 22nd at Honeysuckle Hills during the best part of spring here.

I couldn't help but create an autumn look with their wedding image alongside our creek. It's one of our brides' favorites, and nine times out of ten ends up on their wall.

2010-06-26T15:59:00.002-04:00

Trash the Dress is still ever popular at Honeysuckle Hills, especially now that the weather is nice. The first question we're always asked is, "Did they REALLY wear their own wedding dress?!" Yes, and no. Sometimes brides are not as sentimental and did not spend as much on their gown, so they are more than willing to jump feet first into art. Others want the fun, but choose to use a consignment dress instead.

Brad helped us create a little "rain" for Jennie's Trash the Dress session.

2010-06-07T20:32:00.003-04:00

Robin and Ray are set to be married during the joy and splendor the autumn leaves here in the Smoky Mountains. If their engagement photographs are any indication of what's to come for the wedding photographs, I just know we're going to capture some emotional photojournalism!

They met at their workplace, Denso Manufacturing, in Maryville, Tennessee. I have no doubt it was love at first sight.

2010-06-07T20:21:00.002-04:00

I don't know if we had more fun with Amy and Michael during their wedding on May 15th or their engagement session the following Monday... It's definitely a close call!

During one of Amy's visits to our gallery, she admired a portrait of a bride and groom with clouds in the background. It made her smile so much that we had to create one for her, too.

2010-05-21T18:17:00.005-04:00

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...fifteen years of them, as a matter of fact! Congratulations to Steve and Melissa on their fifteenth wedding anniversary, celebrated with a vow renewal at Honeysuckle Hills. Plenty of tears and laughter filled the afternoon. My favorite lines during the renewal of vows were spoken by Melissa, "And dear, I love how you end each night with, 'Honey is there anything I can lick, stick...or poke?'" There was little time for wiping tears, for the guests were too busy clutching their stomachs with laughter!

After I heard how they met, (Steve pushed Melissa into a swimming pool,) and after watching Steve admire her legs with his tongue hanging out, I knew we needed to do some photographs to reflect his admiration.

The remainder of the evening was spent doing family photographs for all the guests. Melissa's number one concern was having time to create all these images. Photography is extremely important to her... and she came to just the right place!

2010-05-21T18:09:00.003-04:00

May is the season for Proms, and around here eighth grade proms are as popular as junior / senior ones. Traditional photography provided at the prom is simply not enough for some. After spending hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on a dress, jewelry, hair and make up, many parents schedule a session with us. The result is an image destined for the wall to truly remember the evening. The prom is just the beginning of a young woman's life. It's her chance to shine and show that she is coming into her own.

2010-05-21T17:54:00.003-04:00

Courtney and Steve are an incredibly sweet couple. They wed on May 1st, surrounded by all their friends and family. I became quite attached to her grandfather, who loves flowers even more than I do.

Courtney's bridesmaids were filled with an energy that led to antics like jumping in the air and running barefoot in our little creek. I suppose it's a relief to be able to get rid of all the nervous energy that builds up just before the ceremony.

For Courtney's Signature Art Print, we combined a few files from previous sessions. She loves Cades Cove, the mountains, horses, and spontaneity. I combined a mountain scene with our horses along with their original image in our field of buttercups. Magic...

2010-05-21T17:22:00.004-04:00

High School Senior photography gives us a chance to really push our minds to the limit when brainstorming for ideas. Turner will be a senior at Gatlinburg Pittman High School next year. By talking to him and his mother, I discovered several things that make Turner smile. He loves football, enjoys a good storm rolling in, loves his truck, and loves mud even MORE. We all know that the girls count down the days until their senior portrait session, but the boys yawn and roll their eyes every time... that is until you tell them you're willing to get right down into the depths of sludge right with them for an image they will be proud to brag about.

Brad drove us to his favorite muddin' spot tucked away in a holler. I've never been so glad to touch solid ground in my life... Brad insisted on providing the "right atmosphere" by running our own truck through bumps, over stumps, splashing mud, and making me dizzy!

2010-05-21T17:15:00.003-04:00

Kayla and JJ will be married at the end of May. and decided to take advantage of an engagement session a few weeks before their outdoor spring wedding in the Smokies.

The number one draw for us this time of year is our field of yellow buttercups. The primary colors of red and yellow simply scream, "love in the spring!" Someone recently described Honeysuckle Hills this way: "If you're not in love when you get here, you will be by the time you leave." I have to say I agree.

2010-05-21T16:57:00.003-04:00

Kate and Anson's wedding on April 24th has got to be the funnest wedding we've had at Honeysuckle Hills, hands down! Even though we had to move all 100 guests downstairs in the barn for the ceremony because of rain, everything went off without a hitch.

I witnessed my first "keg stand," and laughed until I thought I would bust! There was quite a bit of friendly competition going on, but everyone had a safe ride home.

The flower girl caught the bouquet, and she was super-proud! She danced and pranced and showed off her prize... no doubt her wedding will be just as fine.... many years down the road, of course!

2010-05-21T16:51:00.003-04:00

A bridal session before the wedding is an excellent way to spend more time for creative images, play with hair and make-up, and build the excitement for wedding day. Nikki scheduled hers for when the dogwoods and redbuds were in bloom.

We really don't have a pond in our horse field... A little out-of-the-box artwork provided that for Nikki's wall portrait. Our horse, Sugar, was happy to do some real running in the background, though.

2010-05-21T16:43:00.003-04:00

Jessica and Glenn were married on April 22nd...just the two of them. Many brides are choosing exactly this option not only to save money, but to truly enjoy their ceremony without all the stress and fuss involved with larger weddings.

I absolutely love how Jessica "takes control." If a photographer watches carefully, a moment can be captured that really tells the story about the couple.

2010-04-23T14:23:00.003-04:00

Terri and David planned their visit to the Smoky Mountains months in advance for an intimate outdoor spring wedding just for them, their boys, and her best friend, Anna. Never mind the shinanigans in town for the Grand Spring Rod Run! They tucked themselves quietly away at Parkside Resort, only minutes from Honeysuckle Hills and our Little Red Barn.

Because family was important to them, we made sure to do a family portrait, country style. Brad encouraged our visiting stud horse, Thunder, to high step it a bit in the background, putting the finishing touches on a beautiful image.

I'd been eyeing a field of dandelions just up the road for days, so I talked Terri and David into a mini-adventure up that way. I'm so glad they were open to the idea!

Terri's Signature Art Print was inspired by her nickname, "Camo Queen." We did one other version with camouflage on her face and skin, but I decided to post this one because it was such a shame hiding all that beauty...

2010-04-23T14:12:00.004-04:00

Crystal and Shane were married on April 17th on a beautiful spring day. I especially loved the look on her face during the ceremony, because it seemed as if she had waited all her life for that moment, multiplied by the dreams she had for their future.

Crystal was fun-loving and high spirited, so we did a cute, flirty image on the lawn with our little red barn in the background.

Their Signature Art Portrait involved Shane's tattoos. Crystal has her share as well, but particularly liked her husbands. I pulled them close together, and put a main focus on his tattoo of Jesus and the cross.

2010-04-23T14:01:00.004-04:00

Engagement sessions are always fun here, but especially when you add our two beagles, Shiloh and Shorty. Courtney will be married at Honeysuckle Hills on May 1st. She has a love for the outdoors, horses, and all kinds of animals.

I especially love Courtney's new job at the Titanic exhibit in Pigeon Forge! The survivor stories of the Titanic have always fascinated me, and I look forward to seeing Courtney's smiling face when I finally get a chance to visit Pigeon Forge's newest attraction.

2010-04-14T15:39:00.006-04:00

I've been looking forward to Jennie and TJ's wedding all year... Like many savvy brides, Jennie reserved her wedding date a year in advance. (We turned April 10th, 2009 down several times after that!)

Our horses find themselves in the background of many wedding photographs here on the farm. They add such serenity to an already soft spring landscape!

Jennie has a degree in forestry, so we were sure to do a portrait for her in our enchanted forest. We posed her and TJ to reflect their romantic attitude for each other. A bit of artwork later revealed a stunning wedding image!

2010-04-14T15:36:00.003-04:00

Outdoor spring weddings on our farm have never looked so good than this year! Among the many flowers now in bloom are our weeping crabapple, trilliums, rue anemones, redbud, dogwoods, and more! (Not to mention the tame flowers Brad and I are constantly adding to the mix...)

2010-04-14T15:26:00.004-04:00

Zana and Kim were married on April 9th outdoors among our blooming cherry trees. As it turns out, many of the guests knew my late father, so it was wonderful to see them again!

Candice was one of Zana's wedding guests. We did a mini high school senior photography session for her since she was all dressed up. I would have loved to travel eight hours away to her home in North Carolina, but our season is already booked solid this year. Candice loves horses as much as we do.

Candice is pretty as a picture sitting perched upon our bridge! She strikes a lovely pose, as does her sister! They both took direction so well during their photography session.

2010-04-01T22:38:00.003-04:00

Bunnies and daffodils! You just can't have a spring portrait without either one! Gracie and Holly are the perfect models for our little flop-eared friends.

Shhh.... don't tell anyone! This place isn't like stuffy old commercial studios. It's fun!

2010-04-01T22:30:00.004-04:00

Vicky and Stephen were married on March 12th during a lucky spring rain. Our chapel upstairs provided a nice backdrop for the wedding, and we followed with family portraits indoors.

We scheduled another session for a few days later to take advantage of the great outdoors. It's what we call our "rain check." If it completely rains out the outdoor wedding photography, we'll schedule another day free of charge.

There were lots of children at this wedding, and lots of love being passed around!

Vicky was a beautiful bride with graceful movements and poise! She looks so happy while enjoying a moment alongside our creek.

2010-03-05T12:12:00.006-05:00

Read on for details about our March Special!

This article is for brides who are looking for the most beautiful destination wedding venue in the Smoky Mountains, but find themselves with an extra-tight budget. We realize the economy is putting a halt to extravagent spending all over the United States... but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice on the single most important purchase for your wedding... the photography.

Now through the end of June we are offing our thirty minute reservation, your minister, and professional photography for only $299. You won't find a deal like that anywhere else in the Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge area! Award winning photography, plus a beautiful venue for your wedding ceremony... all on budget!

If you'd like to add more time for photography with our horses or some of the other creative ideas we come up with (like four-wheeling or "trash the dress" sessions,) add another thirty minutes for only $99.

This special rate is not intended for wedding guests over 25... so if you've been saving your pennies and have bigger ideas for your wedding, take a peek at our "prices and information" section to the right. Better yet, give us a call at 866-572-7724. We're always glad to help, and enjoy getting to know each and every one of you personally!

We look forward to seeing you at "The Little Red Barn!"

2010-03-05T11:57:00.005-05:00

Gambler is still our favorite performer at Honeysuckle Hills! Weddings on the farm are beautiful no matter what time of year, especially with horses in the wedding photography.

During the winter months, a lot of time is spent planning new gardens or clearing creekbanks. (Thanks, Bradley!) The sensual curve of the water makes this wedding photograph of Kasie and Jon look oh, so romantic!

Beautiful brides...yes indeed! We have them every day at Honeysuckle Hills. Don't trust just anyone with your bridal portraits! Lighting, posing, composition, and more come together in a professional photographer's mind to yield a portrait that you will love for a lifetime. Remember, it's not the camera. That would be like telling John Grisham he has a nice pen...

2010-03-05T11:30:00.006-05:00

What a great way to spend your birthday...getting married! Jill and Clinton were married on February 24th, despite the winter wedding cold! I think Jill made a most stunning bride. Her dark hair contrasted agains her wedding veil only to bring full attention to her beautiful eyes.

We have another photographer at Honeysuckle Hills! Bradley Wall has not only stolen my heart, but may just steal the show before it's all over! Ordinarily Bradley is most content with dirt in his hands or riding high in the saddle, but once he picked up a camera, he fell in love with the art of photography. The above two photographs were created by Bradley.

During the winter months, it is not uncommon for us to spend a little time in our portrait studio upstairs. Again...what a stunning bride Jill makes!

We have photographed brides and grooms beside our antique stove many times, but never with actual fire inside... until now! The red glow in this sepia toned image was created by real heat...not photoshop!

Kasie and Jon

2010-03-05T11:29:00.001-05:00

Kasie and Jon

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2010-02-03T14:00:00.003-05:00

Winter weddings are always fun at Honeysuckle Hills, especially when we have a flurry or two of snow! Jonathan made sure to keep Stacy warm during their wedding photography.

Brad assisted for a gorgeous winter wedding scene with our horse, Sugar. He was later removed in Photoshop. His latest "trick" is to teach Sugar to jump, and it sure looks great in the wedding images!

Don't you wish you could hear the secret being whispered into Jonathan's ear? Ah... we'll never tell!

2010-01-08T20:32:00.004-05:00

Kati and Jarrod were married on November 28th. Most of the leaves have now fallen from the trees, but there is still a hint of warm weather and ample opportunities for wedding photography at Honeysuckle Hills! It should be noted that we may only allow experienced horseback riders to be photographed on our horses. Kati feels right at home on horseback, and we were able to herd some of my sister's quarter horses toward the background. Add a romantic moon in the background, and that makes a wedding photograph to cherish for a lifetime!

The patterns in the trees fascinate me this time of year. I think it only adds to the design of a wedding image.

Yes, here we are on a Honeysuckle Hills four-wheeler again! It seems to be a favorite this year. We brought out a leaf blower for Kati's hair, and it made quite a dymanic wedding image for them!

2010-01-08T20:27:00.003-05:00

A most unique couple provided the music for Melissa and Chris' wedding. They call themselves "Meg and Dredd." Not only do they provide a DJ service, but they also write and compose their own music. It has somewhat of a haunting melody, and Megan's voice keeps you hanging on every word. They are extremely talented and I would recommend them to anyone who needs music, live or a DJ service.

To book Meg and Dredd for your own wedding, you may contact them at megndredd@gmail.com.

2010-01-08T17:15:00.003-05:00

You may remember Melissa and Chris' engagement photographs from earlier in the blog. Their tattoos are a big part of their life, and we made sure to showcase that in their images. November 7th is time for the wedding... still some beautiful fall color hanging on, and definitely some romance still in the air!

The hay has already been taken to the field for the horses, and so I had to make sure we did a wedding photograph with it! Hay means fun. Flirting. What a great time to get married in the Smoky Mountains on a horse farm!

2010-01-08T16:50:00.004-05:00

On occasion, we photograph weddings at other locations such as Greenbrier river in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Courtney and John were married there on October 31st. (Yes, Halloween!) Some brides steered clear of that wedding date, but again....it's peak leaf color! They were certainly blessed with some beautiful wedding photographs, despite a few raindrops falling during the ceremony.

Courtney's Signature Art Piece included a photograph of her late mother. John asked for her hand in marriage just before her mother passed away.

2010-01-08T16:34:00.004-05:00

Jenny and Jared were married on October 30th, probably the absolute peak for the leaf color in the Smoky Mountains. I had the luxury of talking with Jenny's mother at length prior to their outdoor wedding, and this helped me create more personalized wedding photographs for them.

The flower girl simply couldn't let go of our little kitten, Cally. She literally carried her around the entire day, including during the wedding ceremony!

The Signature Art Piece created for Jenny and Jared is very significant for them. Jenny is a recovered drug addict. Jared was placed to the right, to encourage Jenny to make positive changes in her life. Often times drug addicts will be reluctant to do so, despite the assistance offered by their parents. The cross is located closest to her father, because he had a near-death experience on their farm with a four wheeler accident.

This wedding was probably the most emotionally moving of the entire year for me.

2010-01-08T16:22:00.002-05:00

Tammy and Dan were married at Honeysuckle Hills on October 24th, during the peak leaf color. Even though her guest count was small and her reception was held off-site, she scheduled three hours for wedding photography. This gave us enough time to include family, photographs with our horses, and photographs in multiple locations on the farm.

Tammy and I both love the moon. I photographed the locket she was wearing and incorporated it in one of her photographs. To my delight, she left me with a gift: a beautiful half moon pendant! Thanks again, Tammy!

2009-10-29T17:02:00.005-04:00

Melissa and David scheduled an engagement session with us the day before their wedding. The autumn colors are getting brighter every day, and so we did a family portrait among them just before the rain started to fall. Melissa's daughter is a big "liger" fan, so we did a Signature Art Print just for her, blending her in with her favorite creatures!

On wedding day we walked to the far end of the horse field for a soft wedding portrait with our white horse, Sugar, in the background. I love Melissa's delicate face, and the way David holds her so close!

2009-10-29T13:30:00.003-04:00

Leah and Jace have a love for music proven by their sky-high stacks of CD's. It's no wonder they hired the Jones Boys band for their reception. Mmmm...what a great sound those boys made! Those who weren't dancing were at the very least tapping their toes. I thought it appropriate to include a few musical notes and one of the band members in their Signature Art Print.

While we were doing their wedding photographs, a rainbow peeked across the mountain ridge for about two or three minutes. What a perfect symbol for a couple in love!

Leah has the most vivid blue eyes I have ever seen. They rival the color of the sky, I swear!

2009-10-28T19:05:00.006-04:00

Richelle and Zack, like most of our October couples, reserved their wedding a year in advance. I knew they were going to be a lot of fun to work with, and it was difficult to wait so long to finally meet them! For their Signature Art Print, we combined their love for four-wheeling and horses.

Richelle has the best set of legs I've ever seen on a bride! My assistant, Leslie, held Richelle's bridal gown off to the side for a nice, sleek angle.

One of Richelle's requests was for the "blowing veil on the bridge" shot. The veil in this image is not the one she wore for the wedding ceremony. It was purchased specifically for this photograph, and I must say worked extremely well!

Let's not forget the ring bearer, "Foxie!" This is Richelle's little baby, and she was certainly the star of the show! I always love it when my brides include their pets in their wedding.

2009-10-23T11:02:00.004-04:00

Angel and Ashley were married by their best friends during an intimate wedding with only the four of them present. This gave them an opportunity to choose the location of their choice for their ceremony, and they chose the rock garden beside our bridge, surrounded by fall mums and pumpkins.

After the wedding they changed clothes for "engagement" style images, and we laughed until it hurt! Angel and I are both flower lovers, and so I sent her home with some of our seeds and flowers . I can't wait until she sends me the Mexican Sunflower seeds in return!

Angel's Signature Art Print was inspired by her wedding gown. It had a mythical, fantasy look to me when she danced beneath the maple trees. Our horse, Sugar, needed only a unicorn horn to make it complete...

2009-10-23T10:56:00.005-04:00

Ashlee and Michael came to us for an engagement session because she loves our red barn and the rustic atmosphere. I completely fell in love with this couple, because they seemed to enjoy each other's company so much, and Ashlee has such an open, honest, and sunny disposition.

Walking along our creek is one of our couples' favorite things to do. And with the autumn colors bursting out everywhere, it makes a great photograph, too!

2009-10-23T10:46:00.004-04:00

Angela and Joey reserved the day with us at Honeysuckle Hills for their wedding on October 17th. Miss Kitty still tries to steal the show, even if she has to climb to the top of the barn outside the bridal dressing room windows!

The autumn colors in the Smoky Mountains are just now starting to put on a good show. The deep auburns and golds provide the perfect background for romance...

I did two signature art peices for Angela. One includes my sister's newest horse, "Shaker," who was feeling pretty frisky and wanted to show off while we walked to the top of the hill where our mountain ridge view is located.

2009-10-23T10:26:00.008-04:00

Jen and Scott were married at Brother's Cove, a beautiful log cabin resort in the Wears Valley area, on October 16th. She was a site to behold as she descended the stairs of her cabin in her wedding dress for the first time. No one could keep their eyes off of her! Don't let the beautiful gown deceive you; beneath it she wore brand new hiking boots. The boots not only fit her personality, but were extremely beneficial as we explored the grounds of Brother's Cove for wedding photographs.

2009-10-20T09:58:00.008-04:00

Despite all the rain we've been getting in the Smoky Mountains this year, there was plenty of sunshine in the form of laughter at Emiley and Andy's wedding on October 13th. For her Signature Art Print, we included another popular image of Gambler, our horse who still claims to be "retired" from Dixie Stampede.

Emiley was a beautiful bride, complete with full, voluptuous lips and a veil that looks oh, so good in black and white!
The rain stopped just in time for the arrival of the horse and carriage. Emiley and Andy exited the wedding ceremony, escorted by Rod (driving) and Barney (pulling.)

Let us not forget all the merriment going on! Everyone, including the bride, wore crazy socks and masks. There was laughter all around, and enough fun to make her wedding memorable to all!

2009-10-14T13:19:00.002-04:00

The color red signifies many emotions, passion being one of my favorites to capture on film. Cynthia requested a version of a signature art piece I did back in February of a couple by the mountain stream with buckets of fire. Cynthia's husband, Robby, works as an electrician for the Navy, so I added a little "spark" in the upper right hand corner of their signature art piece. Their excitement during the wedding photography was contagious! They truly have a passion for each other that will last a lifetime.

2009-10-14T13:00:00.009-04:00

Dana and Mike scheduled an engagement portrait session with us because they wanted images that make their friends say, "wow...where were those taken?" With Mike's assistance, bringing out every facet of Dana's personality, I think our mission was accomplished! The weather during their session was the best it's been all year. Gorgeous sunshine, a nice autumn breeze, and smiles and laughter as the cherry on top.

Mike and Dana met at their home-town church, and will marry in that very same place next June.

2009-10-13T15:46:00.004-04:00

Autumn in the Smoky Mountains always inspires families to have a portrait session created. I've been told by my brides and colleagues many times that "Honeysuckle Hills is a magical place..." I believe that with my entire heart.

I'm not sure if Gambler was trying to give Garrett a kiss or what...but it sure was cute!

Scout is featured in Garrett's family portrait. I have no idea this child is going to be a huge heart-breaker one day!

2009-10-12T13:23:00.004-04:00

I think this field is becoming a favorite of mine! Family portraits at Honeysuckle Hills often begin on our farm and then expand into a full-blown adventure along the miles of beautiful country near us as well. Tashia decided to include their family pet, Odie, in their family portrait. What a hoot! After he wallered and slobbered all over everyone he settled down as the perfect accent to their image.

Our horse, Gambler, has been itching to model for us again this year. He's taken a back-seat to Sugar for way too long. I think his color goes extremely well with the girls' hair and complexion. Add a little fall color and art work, and here's an image that brings a smile and motivation to get up and enjoy life like a child again...

2009-10-08T13:35:00.012-04:00

You may remember seeing Christi and Mark's engagement images from earlier this spring. They're one of our home-town Smoky Mountain Wedding Couples! The first thing I have to brag on is Graybeal's Catering for all their delicious food and incredibly beautiful displays! Any bride still searching for a caterer should contact Keith Graybeal at 865-429-6474 or e-mail him at kgraybeal@charter.net.

I love the way our new balcony photographs from the outside, especially against the deep red of our barn. How lucky can one photographer get for the perfect clouds framing the wedding couple, though? There was no artistic liberties taken here, I promise!

This image of Christi and Mark on our bridge was enhanced to give the appearance of beautiful autumn color. It's still just a little early for the Smoky Mountains to have the fall colors they are renowned for, but there's never any harm in taking a few artistic liberties!

Last but not least, I always love to share the "snuggly" moments from a wedding. Christi's daughter was being a little shy during the family portrait session, and it made a cute shot! And who can hold back tears when you see a father dancing with his daughter after walking her down the aisle only moments earlier? Those are memories one will carry with them for the rest of their lives. It's what MAKES a life....

2009-10-08T13:20:00.007-04:00

The first time Emily's mother met Jeremy, she left knowing in her heart that she had just met her future son-in-law. Finding one's soul-mate is rare enough, but when your parents recognize that love as well, it's akin to finding a fine diamond in a haystack.

Emily and Jeremy are both students at MSU working on a white-tail deer project that consumes most of their time. However, like my own profession of photography, because they love what they do it's more like play!

Emily and Jeremy chose Honeysuckle Hills because of our closeness to the Smoky Mountains, and they wanted a beautiful outdoor wedding. They scheduled enough time for an engagement session the day before wedding, and we took advantage of the mountain streams near by Honeysuckle Hills. On wedding day we also traveled up the road to a field of white flowers in full bloom.

Notice the fawn in this image? This is their signature art print, in which I added the fawn from one of our wildlife images taken a few years earlier.

2009-10-05T15:20:00.004-04:00

I'd like to share some of my favorite pages from Jenna and Gary's wedding album. They were married in early August of this year, traveling all the way from the breezy open plains of Oklahoma!

Jenna's wedding bouquet dangled with her grandparent's wedding rings on delicate silk. Because the rings were so sentimental to her, I used that image as the cover to her album.

If you're a regular follower of our blog, you may notice something new at Honeysuckle Hills...the balcony! The railings are made of twisted mountain grapevine, a native staple of the Smokies. The balcony actually opens up from our private living quarters, but I can't resist the opportunity for a good wedding photograph! This image of Jenna and Gary has an added Victorian style overlay.

2009-10-05T15:09:00.006-04:00

If the old saying "it's good luck if it rains on your wedding day" has any truth to it, then Lauren and Daniel will be swimming in luck for the rest of their lives together! They were married upstairs in our wedding chapel while it literally poured rain from morning until late afternoon on September 26th.

We were lucky indeed for the rain to subside long enough for some outdoor wedding photography. Their signature art print includes the most important things in their life: their son, Rylan, horses, and their devotion for one another.

2009-10-05T14:55:00.002-04:00

The winner of the longest distance to travel to Honeysuckle Hills and the Gatlinburg Smoky Mountains area to get married is Randy and Wendy! They drove down from Ontario, Canada for a private wedding attended only by their two best friends.

The wedding ceremony took place at Starkey's Cabin in the afternoon among the beautiful green forest.

After the ceremony I discovered their golf clubs had also made the long distance haul from Ontario, so we had to include them in a shot! Both Randy and Wendy enjoy a good game of golf. I asked who usually wins the game, but they were both just too modest to admit victory!

2009-09-24T11:33:00.004-04:00

Rachel and Nicholas stole away to the Gatlinburg area for a private wedding just for the two of them. We made it all the way through the ceremony and most of the wedding photography before it started to rain. As most of you know, the Great Smoky Mountains have been inundated with raindrops this year! However, we didn't let that stop the fun for the photography.

Rachel has has a face that wedding photographers simply die for. I think she also looks like the character Anne Boleyn from the show, "The Tudors."

2009-09-23T12:50:00.003-04:00

Erica and Bradley are on their honeymoon in Rome as I write this blog post. They were married at my mother's cabin (Starkey's Cabin) on September 19th accompanied by a close circle of their family and friends. From the very beginning Erica made their devotion to God and their goal of traveling the world as missionaries very clear.

Immediately following the wedding ceremony, Erica and Bradley paused beneath the tall trees for a moment alone with God. Their family kept their distance, respecting this wish and saying their own prayers for the couple as well. It was a quiet, reflective moment that I am thankful for being allowed to photograph.

The signature art theme for Erica and Bradley includes a map of the world, a book on Rome I found while photographing the girls getting ready in the cabin, and an image of prayer. Of course, the photograph of them walking along the road adjacent to the cabin had to be included as well, because "All roads lead to Rome," you know!

2009-09-22T12:40:00.003-04:00

Melissa and Chris will be married at Honeysuckle Hills on November 7th this year. They are one of our local Smoky Mountain couples, and one of the most important things about their life and relationship is their tattoos. It's one of the ways they express themselves artistically.

My daughter drew some flames to match Melissa's tattoo and to gently frame their intimate pose. This is my favorite engagement photograph all year.

Chris is a very protective husband to be and father, and so I enjoyed creating this black and white image of them as well.

And since they're both so "out of the box," we experimented with some poses that show Chris' devotion to Melissa as well.

I'm looking forward to their wedding...it just can't get here soon enough!

2009-09-14T14:08:00.008-04:00

Darlene and Tim were married on the magical day of 09-09-09. It's not uncommon for our brides to book their Smoky Mountain weddings up to a year in advance, so Darlene and I were able to communicate with each other for quite some time before the wedding. I was able to talk with Tim quite a bit, too.

Tim and I got into mischief. We arranged for a gentleman to be present to "object" at the appropriate moment during the ceremony. Before you catch your breath, keep in mind that it is common for Darlene and Tim to play practical jokes on one another...and I was more than happy to join in! Our good friend, Ian, played the part of the "wedding crasher," running across our bridge at the designated moment yelling, "What about Myrtle Beach? Wait! What about ME?" Truly hilarious...with much animated laughter following this display!

Tim has a favorite Playboy Cigar box that he likes to "keep Darlene." I suspect there is a very private, inside meaning for this metaphor. However, I was more than happy to create a signature art collage with Darlene and the box.

I can't wait to see Darlene's photographs on Facebook from the REAL honeymoon trip to Myrtle Beach!

2009-09-14T10:36:00.005-04:00

Wow. What an incredible year it has been so far at Honeysuckle Hills! As many of you may have noticed, we have not been as diligent posting blog stories for 2009, especially since the addition of our facebook page at www.facebook.com/regina.woods. Despite the slow economy, we have been blessed with a multitude of clients who realize the importance of commissioning a true, professional photographer to capture the most important moments of their life. These days it seems there are "photographers" on every corner slinging a camera in "P" mode, and selling their images on CD at ridiculously low prices. That's A-OK with me. Those photographers realize the value of what they're selling to you, and they also know they will never have to deal with you again. I think it is also safe to say that they care very little about whether or not they deliver quality images or if you are happy with the results.

The number one request at Honeysuckle Hills this year has been our signature art themed images. There is a unique story behind each and every one, and I have been on a natural high all year getting to know all of you! These art pieces fill my life with variety, and put a smile on my face every single morning.

Heather and Jerry love The Wizard of Oz movie so much that she even has a yellow tree skirt on her Christmas tree to represent the yellow brick road. After their wedding, a quick change of clothes and the addition of ruby red slippers, I photographed them in the field by our barn. Thank goodness the tornado wasn't really there! I love Photoshop...

Natalie and Kevin sell gore costumes for a living, on top of Natalie's nice hobby of roller derby. Can you imagine running into her on skates weilding a hockey stick over your head?! Natalie scheduled an engagement session with us the day before her wedding, and I photographed them in the graveyard of my church while Bible school was going on. (Don't worry, they all know me well and just rolled their eyes...) Naturally, this image isn't for everyone, but it meant a great deal to Natalie and Kevin because it reflects an aspect of their life that is extremely important to them.

I look forward to sharing even more of these stories with you on the blog...and maybe even your own!

2009-06-08T19:16:00.002-04:00

Many times during a wedding family members will request a portrait. Because so much of my energy is solely dedicated to the bride and groom, I always offer other family members to schedule an alternate day with us for their own portraits. The Great Smoky Mountains is a fabulous vacation spot, so usually our families are here for a few days, anyway.

Brianne was part of Jill and Taylor's wedding family. I'm so glad they scheduled a portrait session with us! Spring is the perfect time of year for a family picture, and coming with a wedding party usually means the clothing issue is well taken care of!

2009-06-08T19:11:00.002-04:00

Jill and Taylor were married on May 2nd when the buttercups in our fields were in all their glory! They spent three hours with us for photography and socializing with their family, then retired to their lodging at the Von Bryan Inn for the reception.

2009-06-06T10:30:00.004-04:00

I have photographed Faschyn for a long time. I've photographed her as both a Sweet 16 and a high school senior. She even modeled for me in a bridal gown when we first opened Honeysuckle Hills. Now, it's time for her own dream wedding with Derrick! To tell her love story completely required beginning with an engagement session in the City of Pigeon Forge. Faschyn and Derrick spent most of their courtship in the locations we photographed.

These images were done on location in Pigeon Forge at the Old Mill and at the Pigeon Forge Greenway.

2009-06-06T10:25:00.004-04:00

Heather and Tim raise sheep together on their farm back home. They enjoyed getting married on our little farm at Honeysuckle Hills on May 1st!

These images are from a few pages in the wedding album we designed for them.

2009-06-06T10:08:00.004-04:00

Krystle brought the red chair with her specifically for her bridal photography session. I was more than happy to include it! If we are known for anything at all at Honeysuckle Hills, it's for our unique, "out of the box" photography!

We also incorporated her other number one man, John Colby. It was a gorgeous April day at Honeysuckle Hills with the smell of spring in the air and billowing clouds in the sky.

2009-06-06T10:01:00.003-04:00

Anna and Billy! Wow...one of my favorite bridal portraits of the spring! They also expressed such love toward each other! Again, the dogwoods at Honeysuckle Hills provided a beautiful backdrop during for their wedding photography on April 22nd.

2009-06-06T09:49:00.003-04:00

Christi and Mark won't be married until October 3rd at Honeysuckle Hills. They have big plans for the entire day with us, including a pig roast!

These images are from Christi and Mark's engagement session on April 15th. They will be blending their two families together, so it was important to them to start off right with a beautiful family portrait beneath the dogwoods. It's going to be so difficult for me to wait until October to see them again!

2009-06-06T09:43:00.003-04:00

There are two very important things I learned about Angie and Tommy. The first is that God is the most important thing in their life. Each of them is an answered prayer to the other.

The second thing I learned about Angie and Tommy is that, "It's all about Angie." I got a phone call from Tommy a few days before the wedding after I had talked to Angie at length about what we would do during her wedding photography session. It was important for Tommy to make it clear to me that Angie was his entire life.

2009-06-06T09:28:00.002-04:00

The redbuds and azaleas are absolutely gorgeous this time of year! Believe it or not, this image was photographed on the edge of the parking lot where Mallory and Kyle were married.

Mallory and Kyle were married at Highland Condominiums in Gatlinburg, TN. Many guests to the Smoky Mountains love to catch a glimpse of one of our black bears. When you can't see a Smoky Mountain black bear, a warning sign will do! Mallory has a theatrical background, and she encouraged Kyle to match her facial expression for a fun wedding photograph.

2009-06-06T09:23:00.003-04:00

Jackie and Eric were married at Honeysuckle Hills on April 14th. I thought it was incredibly romantic that Eric planned the entire wedding from start to finish! Jackie didn't even know where they were getting married until they showed up. Even though it was just the two of them, Eric scheduled three hours with us so that we could photograph to our heart's content at Honeysuckle Hills, and then travel to their cabin for the final hour of photography. Because Jackie and Eric were so passionate for each other, I created a more dramatic image for them by layering in one of my fireworks images. This seemed to go along with his patriotic background as well!

2009-06-06T09:08:00.002-04:00

Sarah and Mark met at school. Not at college, but at the elementary school where they both teach Kindergarten. He was her mentor, and inevitably they fell in love!

They were married on April 11th, and returned a few days later for engagement style portraits beneath our blooming dogwoods.

2009-03-20T18:07:00.003-04:00

The daffodils are in bloom and the willow tree is sprouting fresh, green leaves at Honeysuckle Hills! Spring was definitely in the air for Theresa and Steve's wedding on March 16th.

Steve is a huge baseball fan, so I hopped over to the Smokies Stadium in Sevierville to photograph the diamond for a little art collage. Steve changed into a baseball shirt during our wedding photography session, and he and Theresa played ball for a few images. I also had them write a few cute love notes, and incuded one of them on the baseball in the upper right hand corner.

During their ceremony, Rev. Doyal added the lines from the movie, "Bull Durham," beginning with "I believe..." Naturally Steve knew every line and quoted them word for word to Theresa. This was truly a wedding to remember for all of us!

2009-03-12T12:35:00.003-04:00

Tiffany and Rodney were married at Honeysuckle Hills on February 28th. It was a little rainy at first, but that only made the outdoor wedding photographs more romantic. Or, should I say, "hot?" Sometimes I get a creative itch, and Tiffani and Rodney were more than happy to ease this for me! We used charcoal lighter fluid to make flames in a couple of buckets by the creek, and a few Photoshop strokes later....

Sepia images are always my favorite, especially when the bride and groom are in such a loving embrace.

This image was done in our chapel area indoors. I think it's so cute how Rodney is peeking around at Tiffani.

2009-03-12T12:20:00.004-04:00

Amanda and Alan were married on March 7th at Elk Springs Lodge in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was one of those fabulous Smoky Mountain spring teasers with 75 degrees and sun the entire day. We began Amanda's wedding photography inside her cabin at Elk Springs. She reminds me of a hollywood actress!

Of course, all those sentimental objects in a wedding are a must to photograph. This is Amanda's grandmother's hankerchief. The embroidery is beautiful!

Elk Springs has a good mountain view this time of year, and that famous haze that the Smoky Mountains are known for was at a minimum. We put an emphasis on the blue mountains and Amanda's yellow bridal bouquet in this image.

The cabin near their wedding ceremony site was also important to Amanda and Alan, so we did a few romantic images there on the balcony before moving on to the reception. It was a wonderful day, and Amanda was a gorgeous bride!

2009-02-18T20:18:00.003-05:00

Matt and Devon were married at Honeysuckle Hills two years ago on February 10th, 2007. If you look at "wedding stories" on our website, Matt is the fireman. The couple decided to take another trip to Pigeon Forge for some romantic photography, and I think we had even more fun this go around!

This is one of my favorite images that we did all day. Devon has a "model" look, and she presents herself very well to the camera! Even though there's nothing growing in our gardens this time of year, our bridge and grasses still photograph well. And, of course, the horses always add something special to the photographs!

2009-02-18T20:09:00.004-05:00

Michelle and Troy were married at Honeysuckle Hills back in the summer for an outdoor wedding when the flowers were blooming and the trees were green. They came back this Valentine's Day even more in love, and are expecting their first child together!

This portrait was done in the newly expanded reception area. We can now accommodate up to 100 people downstairs in the barn, and the floor extends all the way to the horse stables. Our contractor, Ian Littlefield, (from Portsmouth, England!) also cut a cute little window in that side of the barn. It's yet another photographic prop, and will no doubt be used frequently for 2009 weddings!

2009-02-18T19:52:00.002-05:00

Valentine's Day was spent at my favorite fund raiser of the year, Cure Finders, "A Special Evening, A Special Cause," at the Music Road Hotel in Pigeon Forge. My mother came with us this year and it was truly a great time!

Valentine's Day is for kissing! It's also for raising money for a good cause, finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Every year we attend the news just keeps getting better and better! It's close to being declared a "maintenance" disease instead of a "fatal" one. Cheers!

2009-02-03T15:48:00.006-05:00

Lauren and Levi visited for their engagement photography this past Saturday, and we wandered all over the farm trying new things. Levi is the quieter of the two, so I thought a photograph with him as a secondary feature would be nice, especially since Lauren has such beautiful eyes.

We also experimented with some art work in their engagement portraits. It should be noted that the portrait in blue was done along our creek bank, but the water was enhanced, making it look more like a lake. This image is more modern, and will go well in their wedding album when they're photographed later with Levi's motorcycle.

Our horses are popular year round for engagement or wedding photography. Buck is a sweet, laid-back horse, and was very content to graze nearby during the session. This image has some artwork overlay as well, giving it an autumn look.

2009-02-03T15:39:00.005-05:00

Heather and Tim are by far the most expressive couple to visit Honeysuckle Hills yet. They came for their engagement photography on a brisk winter day, but the air wasn't cold for long! We laughed so hard it was easy to keep warm.

Tim looks proud of the lipstick on his face, doesn't he? He should! Heather loves him dearly.

Every time I turned around, one of them was making a face or flirting with the other one. They'll be back for a beautiful outdoor wedding in May in the Great Smoky Mountains. I have no doubt we'll have even more fun then!

2009-01-24T18:33:00.006-05:00

There's snow in Smoky Mountains! Well, at least there was snow at Honeysuckle Hills earlier this week. We don't have a lot of outdoor weddings going on this time of year, but I thought it would be nice to show what our scenery looks like with a little of the white stuff on the ground.

I have always thought a winter wedding in Gatlinburg would be beautiful. If the timing were just right, can you just imagine a flowing wedding gown along our bridge? No matter what time of year it is, I can always find interesting spots on our farm to create beautiful wedding photographs.

Cabins in the Smoky Mountains are still quite popular this time of year. Romantic getaways are perfect at Starkey's cabin, because it's one of the most secluded mountain cabins in the Gatlinburg area.

Couples who want to steal away for a private wedding just for two can find some great package deals now through February. I can't promise there will be snow, but there's a good chance!

2009-01-05T17:20:00.002-05:00

Many of our brides request to have wedding photographs done with our horses. Gambler is retired from Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, and he's always ready for action. Scout is our retired rodeo horse, and while he's a little more laid back, he's not ready to be put out to pasture just yet. And Buck...well, he's just Buck.

*Please note that we only allow professional riders on our horses, because we are not a riding stable.*

2009-01-05T17:01:00.002-05:00

Here's a little peek of what a wedding at Honeysuckle Hills is like...

2009-01-03T18:51:00.007-05:00

David and Jennifer scheduled an engagement session with us on the day before their wedding. It was beautiful, fair weather, and very enjoyable outdoors!

David proposed to Jennifer in a red and white hot air balloon, so I ran out for a few helium balloons to use in their engagement photography.

I love the patterns that the trees make now that all the leaves have disappeared. Images like this wedding photograph are great to use in story book wedding albums.

This winter wedding photograph in sepia has a nice, romantic feel to it. I think it expresses David's love for Jennifer quite well, too.

Their wedding on New Year's Eve was not quite as warm as the day of their engagement session, but we still had great fun! David kept a warm coat around Jennifer's shoulders until I was ready to snap the shutter. What a gentleman!

Thanks again to both of them for the fabulous gift certificate to The Park Grill Restaurant in Gatlinburg! It's Gary's and my favorite place to eat and flirt with each other across the table!

2009-01-03T18:44:00.004-05:00

The Atchley boys are certainly a handsome pair! They were both very easy to photograph along the creekbank, on the edge of the woods, and in their hunting apparel.

Harrison is growing up, and he's beginning to look more like a man than a little boy.

Jonathan is just like my son, Thomas, and enjoys making plenty of noise with critter calls! I particularly love the look on his face in this image. It's just too cute!

2008-12-16T16:22:00.005-05:00

Angie and Brian had several requests for their wedding photographs, and I loved every single one of them. Angie and her fur Christmas wrap set the tone for a quiet winter wedding for just the two of them and their two best friends.

Angie's mother could not be with her on her wedding day. She always tells her daughter she reminds her of Gidget, so we did a cute little image with pink bubble gum.
Angie's favorite movie of all time (and mine, too!) is "Gone With the Wind." We decided to do one of the famous poses from the movie.

Silhouettes are also a favorite of Angie's. Throw in a little grab at Brian's tie, and it sets the imagination going!

2008-12-16T16:12:00.006-05:00

More Christmas weddings in the Smoky Mountains! April and JD were absolutely the cutest couple, and they displayed a natural passion for one another.

We used our Christmas sleigh once again for a wedding photograph rich in red and green. These colors fit the happy mood of our bride and groom quite well!

Let's not forget photographs of the groom! They so often get left out because all the attention is usally on the beautiful bride.

Four wheeling is one of April and JD's favorite pasttimes. It seemed only right that we create a unique wedding photograph with our four wheeler! It was fun, flirty, and an image they'll remember for a long time.

2008-12-08T13:19:00.007-05:00

It's time for Christmas weddings in the Great Smoky Mountains! Red ribbons, a Christmas sleigh, and prancing horses are all Sharon and Warren needed for their perfect December wedding.

Sharon chose the colors of her Christmas wedding bouquet well. The air was crisp and cool, but not chilly enough to prevent us from doing many outdoor wedding photographs.

Sharon and Warren were married in our chapel upstairs in the barn. We've strung our Christmas lights around the window, and it accented their ceremony so romantically!

2008-11-21T11:23:00.003-05:00

April and Greg celebrated their one year anniversary with us. They were married at Honeysuckle Hills last year, only then they left their four beautiful daughters at home. I was extremely lucky to meet the four girls upon their return trip, and we had a wonderful time creating some artistic family images.

If I'm really lucky, I'll get to see them on their second year anniversary!

2008-11-14T14:01:00.005-05:00

When you look at this image, can't you just hear the slow rhythm of "When a Man Loves a Woman?" I know I do!

Jena and Terry came to us for their engagement portrait session, and we hit it off almost immediately. Jena is the second bride who has asked my zodiac sign, so for all the rest of you who might be wondering, it's cancer. (By the way, so is Jena's!) We laughed, talked, and of course created beautiful engagement photographs into the evening. I can't wait to see them again in early May.

The leaves are beginning to fall now, and all our gardens have reluctantly gone to sleep. However, I can always find a great location for a photograph no matter what the season. The deep browns this time of year provide a rich background with a romantic mood.

2008-11-05T16:20:00.003-05:00

Christine and Trent had their outdoor wedding among the golden autumn leaves of the Smoky Mountains on our farm. Scout, of course, wanted to participate once again to provide ambience for a country wedding.

I thought I would showcase one of our grooms this time as opposed to a bride. Our grooms enjoy the wedding photography just as much, if not more...though I doubt they will often admit it!

2008-11-03T12:42:00.004-05:00

Carrie and Troy came to us for wedding photographs on October 28th. It seems the autumn colors in the Smoky Mountains are reaching their peak just now, and set quite a dramatic scene for outdoor wedding images.

I can't think of any better way to spend the day than photographing couples in love!

2008-11-03T12:36:00.003-05:00

Little kids make the world go round, and they are certainly the star performers at any wedding. I could barely concentrate during Mandy and Jason's wedding because their daughter was such a show-stopper!

We brought out our hand-crafted oak sleigh for a great family portrait. One of my assistants dropped Mandy's train to create a flow that evokes the sound of sleigh bells... Christmas weddings in the Smoky Mountains will be upon us soon!

2008-11-03T12:11:00.005-05:00

Sara and Jason flew in from Texas to spread a little southern romance around Honeysuckle Hills. My husband swears Jason looks just like Brad Pitt, so maybe that's one of the many reasons Sara looks so lovingly into his eyes!

This is another wedding that I could have posted dozens of images to our blog... It seemed that just around every turn we found a wedding photograph waiting to blossom, wishing for its turn to be created.

Sara specifically asked for a wedding photograph by our red barn. Our barn has never looked so good!

2008-10-30T17:08:00.005-04:00

Courtney and Todd will have the best of luck in their marriage because it rained on their wedding day. Doing wedding photography was still no problem. We did many of the images in our picnic pavilion, which was also used as the ceremony location.

Their new puppy, Benjie, had a very important job during the wedding. His role: Ring Bearer! Although I don't think he was too keen on the lack of attention after the wedding ceremony...

What else do we do when it rains? We do wedding photography in the horse stalls. This image is a country wedding novel of two people in love, stealing away for a private kiss.

2008-10-30T17:02:00.005-04:00

Angie sure knows how to make everybody cry. Our minister cried, her husband cried, I cried...all because she wrote a love song and sang it during her wedding accompanied by sweet guitar music.

Angie's little boy was all smiles! He thought it was really cute when his mom and his new step-father, Joe, tickled him with kisses!

The neighboring barn is always a favorite of our brides. Our creek meanders right past it, and makes beautiful wedding photographs. Outdoor weddings in Gatlinburg, TN just don't get better than this!

2008-10-30T16:59:00.004-04:00

Sharon and Warren came to view Honeysuckle Hills prior to reserving their wedding, and decided to do some engagement photographs while they were here. Sharon loves horses, especially her own back home named "Big John." Sharon just might bring her horse to the wedding, as my sister now has overnight horse stall rentals just across the hill from us.

2008-10-30T16:06:00.006-04:00

Smaller weddings are often the best kinds of weddings. Joellyn and Keith invited only their parents to their intimate Pigeon Forge wedding on October the 18th. The autumn leaves are just now beginning to change, making a beautiful backdrop for their outdoor wedding.

I love to lead my couples up our hillsides, and on this cool morning our horses were quite frisky! Oh, what a great wedding photograph this makes!

2008-10-30T15:41:00.004-04:00

It seems that Honeysuckle Hills brings out the romantic nature in all our couples! Alyssa and Kevin were extremely easy to photograph, and I could have featured several more

of their wedding photographs on our blog post.

Alyssa and Kevin had an outdoor Smoky Mountain wedding on October 18th. Her wedding bouquet provided by From the Heart Florist was gorgeous as always, and really added some nice color to this wedding photograph.

During their wedding photography session, we created a truly unique image, filled with flirtatious desire! Alyssa laid beneath our rose bushes, and we sprinkled petals all across her wedding veil. Once Kevin and Alyssa were posed, the rest was purely their own expression!