Smoky Mountain spring weddings are coming!

Spring is on its way in the Smoky Mountains!  We've already seen a few trilliums poking out their heads on our morning walks, as well as some healthy green leaves for the purple geraniums in our wildflower preserve.  Pretty soon the yellow field flowers will be in abundance, making the perfect setting for outdoor bridal portraits.

 

If you're considering a last minute elopement in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, there are still a few openings for spring weddings at Honeysuckle Hills.  Wedding chapels are almost as plentiful as the spring wildflowers around here, but if you're looking for something a little more off the beaten path, we're your destination wedding dream-come-true.

 

Remember, we welcome all of our brides whether their guest list reaches 100 or if it's just a private elopement for the two of you.  Our Master Photographer can tell your wedding story (and who knows... maybe even enter one of your images in the next professional print salon!) or you can simply rent our venue and bring your own wedding photographer.  The choice is yours.

 

Wedding receptions are no problem!  We've got that covered, too, with plenty of seating, tables, and table cloths.  Regina's assistant hand-made burlap table runners this year complete with white lace.  She also added several mason jars wrapped with twine and lace... with romantic tea lights to set the mood for a country barn wedding.  

 

Want a unique spring bridal photograph?  Trash the dress is still in style... so find a dress on e-bay, or use your own wedding gown.  We'll set the stage for a portrait that will be a conversation piece for years to come!  

 

Spring is in the air at Honeysuckle Hills!  Come join us...  

Our Promise...

When I was a senior in high school, having your portrait made by Larry Miller in Sevierville, Tennessee was a mark of prestige.  Not necessarily because he was expensive, but because he knew how to pose and light images so that you looked your absolute best.  There was no mistaking a "Larry Miller" image.  After all, he wasn't inducted into the Tennessee Professional Photographer's Hall of Fame for nothing.  

I missed out on my own "Larry Miller" session back then (instead seething with jealousy over my younger sister's senior portfolio by his studio.)  But... his style and ability was the bench mark of what I deemed the requirements to be called a professional photographer.  Every time one of my friends said, "you should be a photographer," I would look at my work compared to his and say, "no, I just don't have what it takes.  I could never compete with his work."  

Eventually, the opportunity presented itself so that I could learn in a professional photography setting.  I craved the words of the eldest and most experienced photographers I could find.  I pushed myself continuously... Once you make the leap from amateur to professional, your friends' compliments mean absolutely nothing...zero.  Less than zero, actually!  One Certified Professional Photography exam down and several agonizing years of Print Salons later, I finally grasped the title of "Master Photographer" through Professional Photographers of America.  Only then did I feel worthy of being in the same room with Larry Miller.  Better?  No... but I humbly felt that I could now call myself a professional photographer, just as he did.

Larry Miller has since retired, and the world of photography has changed by leaps and bounds.  For one, Larry shot film for well over 75% of his career.  Technology has now over-saturated the market with photographers by the ease of obtaining DSLR cameras in today's digital revolution.  Thus, the bench mark of what constitutes a professional photographer has unfortunately declined. 

Our standards, however, have not changed.  That is our promise to you.

We still believe nothing replaces quality.  We still believe in delivering images to our clients that stand out above and beyond what the general public presents at large. 

Our clients are the ones who know and demand this difference.  We are thankful every day for those who still believe in investing in things that last instead of settling for a cheaper substitute that will only leave them with the same regret I still carry over missing my chance of having my own "Larry Miller" portrait on my mother's wall.  

Thank you...  We promise to continue pushing ourselves and learning more ways every single day to preserve your legacy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSd-8T6m2lg&feature=player_embeddeder

Happy Valentine's Day!

Much like a photograph is worth a thousand words, so is a look.

While photographing our weddings, we like to capture as much feeling as possible, and in Ciara and Craig's case, this wasn't difficult at all!  

Craig is an MMA fighter, and Ciara was simply drop-dead gorgeous in our eyes.  If you ask me, I think either one of them could model for the cover of countless romance novels.

Writing love notes on the mirror of our antique wedding chapel mirror is becoming a big hit these days.  Ciara wrote, "I love you forever plus a day," because that was what was in the card Craig gave her when they became engaged.  Priceless wedding memory...

No outdoor Smoky Mountain wedding is complete without all the family, namely beautiful sisters!  Ciara's wedding was on a rare 55 degree February day, so everyone had plenty to smile about.  After all, I dare say the Honeysuckle Hills groundhog did NOT see his shadow this year!  Bring on the spring!

The Honeysuckle Difference

Meet Megan...

Now, it's pretty difficult to take a bad picture of Megan.  I mean really...  She's young with gorgeous flowing hair, a nice curvy body... so how could one go wrong?  Oh, if only we all were blessed with Megan's features! (Want to see more of beautiful Megan?  Keep reading.. I promise it's worth it!)

OK... We are NOT all built the same.  Photographers are not all the same, either.

Technology has saturated today's market with literally thousands of photographers.  The general public is so inundated with photographs via social media that they have temporarily forgotten what constitutes a quality image.   Quality today is subject to the comments generated by impulsive emotional attachments to “friends.”   For instance, ten years ago any client of mine would have raised the roof about sun flares and washed out images. They simply would refuse to pay for inferior work… now it's a sought after trend.

I must admit, it is disheartening to the die-hard, old-school photographers (like me) who've spent years studying with the Masters and having their hearts ripped to shreds in print competitions (even though it made us ten times better,) to see all these "newbies' crop up left and right.  It seems all it takes these days to be a photographer is a camera and a Facebook page.  Price seems to be the deciding factor over all.  But after much thought, I've realized the photography industry has been hit just like many other industries before it.  Cars were once made of metal, and I used to hand-write my Dad's invoices. 

Photography is easy to love.  I can honestly see why so many people dove head-first into the profession, especially those seeking a means of making money in today's failing economy.  I can also see how tempting it is to a bride who wants to save money when her best friend offers to photograph her wedding for free.  Problem is, photography is so much more than clicking a button.  (Free has dire consquences sometimes...)

Down to the nitty gritty...  Here's Megan again, in a trendy black-and-white filter. 



All the photographs of Megan in this post were taken with a Nikon D-7000, one of the most popular consumer level cameras on the market today.  The first two you've viewed so far have been with the camera in program mode using on-camera flash.

Now, many photographers these days will tell you they prefer "natural light."  So, here's an example of Megan photographed in program mode without the use of any "unnatural" interference. 



Note there are unflattering shadows on Megan's pretty face.  However, this image actually has one step of improvement, because the photographer backed up and zoomed in, instead of using a wide-angle, in-your-face move.  Take a look at the difference in the shape of Megan's face in this image vs. the one above in black and white.

And now...  The use of a little carefully placed professional lighting.  The photographer also used the shape and textures of the grasses behind Megan as leading lines to her gorgeous face. 

 



Professionals also have a creative story inside that simply MUST come out...  In the good old days, photographers had to compete with other professional photographers' style and level of creativity.   Now view an image of Megan that shows her inner-most, mischievous side... (And while you're at it, scroll to the top and see if you still like her original image quite as much as you first did...)

Let's look at another example.  The photograph below  was taken with the Nikon D-7000 in program mode once again, and Megan was asked to "pose herself."  A vignette was later added in Photoshop.

Now, let's delve into the mind and techniques of the Honeysuckle Hills Photographer...



Notice that we prefer the gradual fall-off of vignettes so there is no harsh distiction.  And if you haven't already noticed by now, our images are color calibrated for rich, pure skin tones.  (And we didn't have to "fix it" later in the computer, either.)

Let's go even further...  Everyone loves Pinterest these days, including us!  One of the most fun things to do is write your names, wedding date, or special note on a blackboard, mirror, or other prop.  While these things shouldn't take up 100% of your story, they certainly do add flavor and smiles. 

The image below was taken in program mode, photographer standing directly above.



Ahh... you just gotta love the "heart" shaped fingers, too!  If you viewed this photograph alone, you'd be overwhelmed with the cuteness and fun-loving nature of it. But Megan is a bold, powerful woman.  While she thought this photo was cute, too, she absolutely loved the next image (and so did her fiance!)  How many times have you chosen fad and followed the crowd without doing more research on what's possible?



Notice the three dimensional lighting on Megan's face.  Some photographers will tell you that "shadows are bad."  Well, yes, and no.  If the shadows cause black circles under your eyes... yes, they are bad!  But if they mold and shape a delicate face, making the image "snap" into existence... they are gooooood....  I would like to also mention here that if a photographer can't make you understand that Megan "loves the outdoors" by her clothing, pose, and choice of background, a sign just ain't gonna make you understand it any better...



So... what will your choice be?  Sure, it may cost just a little more today, but just imagine the long term benefits of choosing the right photographer the first time.  There are so many things not even mentioned in this article such as group posing (so some of your family doesn't appear as giants in the foreground,) depth of field (so you'll still love that photo in both a 4x6 and a 16x20,) and exposure (so you can see all those layers of lace in your wedding gown instead of a white blob.)  Honestly, it's difficult to cram in years of learning in one small article, (not to mention I'm STILL learning even after ten years of being a professional!)

The one thing that is still true today despite technology...

 You get what you pay for. 



Christmas weddings in the Smoky Mountains

 

There are still openings for your very own Christmas wedding in the Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge / Smoky Mountains! 

 

The best news is we still have the couples only special going on for only $599 plus tax, which includes an hour reservation time, your minister, professional photography, and ALL the digital files.  In season, this same package is worth almost $1600.00, so not only is it the season for love, it's the season to save money!  This incredible package deal ends on January 1st, 2013.

 

Have more guests that want to attend the wedding?  No problem... Inquire for more special rates. 

 

Want photography with our horses, or one of our coveted Signature Art Designs?  We can create wedding photographs that will take your breath away...

 

Did you know... Statistics show the number one regret brides have is not hiring a professional wedding photographer...

 

Honeysuckle Hills has over ten years experience in creative lighting, posing, and graphic design.  (Not to mention national awards) Why waste your money on anything less?  "Fauxtographers" are a dime a dozen... We know your wedding is worth so much more.  Your memories are priceless to us.

 

866-572-7724 (Toll Free)

865-368-5569 (Text)

All-Inclusive Gatlinburg and Smoky Mountain Wedding!

 The Great Smoky Mountains provide the perfect atmosphere for weddings.  With their proximity to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, it’s so easy for guests to have an excuse to plan a family vacation around your wedding day.  You’re simply the icing on the cake…  By the same token, it makes it much easier for you to keep control of how many guests come to your wedding.  I hear so many brides tell me, “things just got out of control, so we’re going to the mountains to keep our guest count below the 100 mark.”  Brides want a hearty celebration, but they also want to keep their stress levels and budgets manageable. 

 

Honeysuckle Hills has been a favorite for six years now for brides who want the whole ball of yarn.  Voted “Best Wedding Chapel” in 2012 by our local wedding couples, this gives us even more incentive to ensure our weddings will be talked about for years to come.  No one ever seems to want to leave “the Little Red Barn.” 

 

 

We’re here to do as much or as little as you need us to.  If you’re coming from out of town, you may want the ease of telling us exactly what you want and simply showing up to enjoy it.  We can provide the rehearsal, catering, wedding cake, DJ service, flowers, and more…  Sometimes an all-inclusive wedding package is just the ticket to wedding day success, joy, and heart-felt memories. 

 

 

 

 

When considering all the costs of chair rentals, wedding coordinators, decorations, and so on… why lose sleep over all the details we’ve had years of experience taking care of?  And why let another wedding venue nickel and dime you adding extra fees for every little thing?  If we have it, you can use it… all included.  Even if you want to use all your own vendors, we still won’t charge extra for tables, chairs, table cloths, unity candle tables, ceremony music, etc. 

 

 

 

 

If photography is as important to you as it is to us, here’s another important consideration.  Honeysuckle Hills is like a “two for one.”  Most photographers with our level of experience and national exposure charge our fees for their services alone.  Here, you also get the venue rental.  Don’t make the mistake of trying to keep your budget in line by hiring a second rate hobbyist, part-timer, or family member.  Saving a few hundred dollars today will amount to the loss of thousands later…  We photograph at least five to ten brides each year who come to renew their vows and get the photographs they wish they’d had on their original wedding day. 

 

 

Really want to save money?  We are your coordinator.  We’ll make an itinerary, and keep everything running smoothly.  Decorations?  All you really need here are your bouquets and table arrangements.  Our wedding arbor is decorated to match the season, and we even have a row of eight shepherd hooks with mason jars.  Our picnic pavilion is decorated with vine and lights… the reception hall likewise.  Our chapel upstairs has beautiful pine tongue and groove walls, four large windows traced with lights, and white chairs for all the guests.  Did I mention the gardens and horses?  You didn’t have to pay a thing for all that beauty and landscaping.  Need help with food?  We allow you to bring your own, or we can put you in touch with a vendor in your budget.  Just ask… we’re here to help!

 

To sum it all up….

 

• Honeysuckle Hills is a central location for weddings with families from out of town

 

• Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg provide a great excuse for your guests to schedule a vacation around your wedding day. 

 

• Use an all-inclusive package, or use all your own vendors

• No hidden fees for table cloths, seating, unity candle tables, etc.

• Photography by a real professional, not a staff member

• Privacy…  Not on the side of a busy highway

• Family run…  and we’ll treat you like one of us.

Exclusively for Couples...

Planning an elopement this year?  If so, you're in luck!  Weddings reserved for any date available in 2012 are now at the special rate of $599 plus tax.  (Regularly priced at well over $1000) 

This special rate includes an hour reservation time at either Honeysuckle Hills or Starkeytown Cove, the minister, ceremony, photography, and...(drumroll please....) all the digital files. (Signature Art not included, but available for an additonal $299.) This special is only offered late in our season when fewer reservation times exist.  If your schedule is flexible, now is the time to take advantage of unheard of pricing for Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg's most beautiful outdoor wedding venues.  Our photography is sought after from brides all across the United States for our creative style of posing, lighting, and graphic design. 

Now there's no need to sacrifice quality because of a tight budget.  Dont' settle for one of those cut-rate wedding chapels that offer rock bottom prices.  You will get what you pay for...  If customer service and beautiful photographs aren't important to you, then perhaps it's better that you go there instead.  But if you want a wedding to remember, one in which you leave feeling like family and have breathtaking images to remember the day by... we invite you to be our guest. 

Call or e-mail TODAY before our 2012 season is completely full.  866-572-7724