Last summer I got to photograph Savannah and Luke's wedding at Rock Creek Farm just outside Nashville, and honestly, it's one I still think about. Between the details, the animals, the queso fountain (yes, really!) and a couple who just wanted their people to have the best day possible, this one had it all.
The Details
Savannah's flat lay came together beautifully: a newspaper, a parasol and some gorgeous dried florals she had left over from her arrangements, which I grabbed and worked into the layout. I also found the perfect vintage couch on the property to use as a backdrop for all of it. Little details like this are some of my favorite things to photograph, because they tell you so much about a couple before the day even really begins.
For Savannah's dress, I found the perfect tree on the property to hang it in, tucked into the shade with just a few leaves starting to turn ahead of fall. It's one of those small moments that ends up being one of my favorite images from the whole day.
First Look and Private Vows
Savannah and Luke chose to do a first look and private vows, and I'm always so glad when couples choose this. It gives them a real, quiet moment to just be with each other. No crowd, no performance, just the two of them. There's something so genuine about the way couples show up in those photos when it's truly private.
The Reception Was an Absolute Party
If you want proof that a wedding can be elegant and fun at the same time, this is it!
The queso fountain. It was legitimately epic. I don't think I've photographed anything quite like it, and the guests were all over it.
Custom sunglasses for every guest. The whole party got to join in and celebrate all night long. No wallflowers at this wedding!
Horses and donkeys. They grazed right there on the property, because you really can't have a proper Tennessee wedding without them. They were so gentle that guests could walk right up and pet them between toasts.
A whisky bar and cigar bar. These kept things going well into the evening. Photographing guests sneaking a shot or a quick puff between dances was one of the most fun parts of the night, especially once Savannah joined in herself.
An audio guest book. An After the Tone wedding guest voicemail stood in for a traditional guest book. Instead of signing a page, guests picked up an old phone and left the couple a voicemail. Even I got to leave Savannah and Luke a little message! I love seeing couples swap the standard guest book for something guests actually enjoy doing.
How I Approached the Photography
Rather than pulling Savannah and Luke away for one long portrait session, we broke it into three 15-minute windows spread across the day: before the ceremony during their first look, during golden hour, and again later with some flash photos after dark. Each one gave us different light and a different mood. Just as importantly, it meant Savannah and Luke actually got to spend their wedding day with their friends and family instead of disappearing for an hour of portraits. It's become one of my favorite ways to build a wedding day timeline.
A Wedding to Remember
Savannah and Luke's day at Rock Creek Farm had everything: heartfelt details, genuinely happy guests, a few farm animals and a couple who knew exactly how to make their wedding feel like them.
If you're planning a wedding near Nashville or Chattanooga and want a day this full of personality (and maybe your own queso fountain), I'd love to talk! Take a peek at another Nashville backyard wedding, find a few unique Chattanooga wedding venues, or reach out here and tell me everything!
