Lookout Mountain wedding Archives

August 7, 2020 — Comments are off for this post.

Oakleaf Cottage Wedding Styled Shoot

I was thrilled to be invited to photograph this Oakleaf Cottage wedding styled shoot. Styled shoots allow creatives and wedding vendors to experiment without the pressure or expectations from real clients. We get to work together and play off each other’s energy, strengths, and vision. And, of course, I love Oakleaf Cottage, so participating was a no-brainer.

Enjoy scrolling through this gallery, and if you have any questions about planning an Oakleaf Cottage wedding, I’d be happy to answer them! I’ve also included a list of the vendors at the bottom for you. 🙂

bride and groom hold hands and walk in the lawn in front of Oakleaf Cottage wedding

FLORAL DESIGN BY EVAN LEGGOE OF THICKET CREATIVE

Evan Leggoe of Thicket Creative and her partner recently relocated to the Chattanooga area from Atlanta. Evan started putting together styled shoots to get to know local venues and vendors and show off her own capabilities and creativity. For this wedding styled shoot, Evan wanted to envoke a whimsical, forest feel, which is why she approached Oakleaf Cottage to host.

Evan styled the florals in an understated, natural way. Her dainty, elegant, and light floral design paired perfectly with the venue's vibe. In the bedrooms, where our models got ready for the shoot, Oakleaf has gorgeous wallpaper and hand-painted murals with florals and birds. The barn's interior space is bright with white, shiplap walls and open rafters. Notice how the floral designs catch your eye but blend so well with the setting and tone of the shoot. I really love the pink carnation garland Evan hand-strung together and hung over the sweetheart table. And when we headed outside for photos in the forest, she created little pockets of flowers that fit so naturally with the landscape.

farm table with goldenrod napkins and simple table settings sits under pink carnation garland at Oakleaf Cottage

pink carnation garland strung from the rafters at Oakleaf Cottage on Lookout Mountain

farm table with goldenrod napkins and simple table settings sits under pink carnation garland at Oakleaf Cottage

woman in blue and white checkered shirt and white hat collects white wildflowers for a glass vase

wooden farm table at Oakleaf Cottage wedding set with goldenrod napkins, flatware, white plates, and simple floral arrangements

kumquats and greenery in a small clear glass vase set on a wooden farm table

simple purple flowers in a simple glass vase on a wooden farm table next to white china and flatware

classic white place settings with flatware sits on a wooden farm table with white tapered candles and pink carnations

small yellow flowers with long stems in a simple glass vase

greenery, kumquats, and small flowers in a vase next to white shiplap walls of Oakleaf Cottage

woman in blue and white checkered shirt and floppy hat pins boutonniere on groom's gray suit coat while he smiles

groom's simple boutonniere pinned on his gray suit coat beneath his red beard

AN OAKLEAF COTTAGE WEDDING

After planning and dreaming for years, owners Dave and Cris Angsten completely transformed Oakleaf Cottage with meticulous detail, doing a lot of the heavy lifting themselves! Their hard work really paid off with this beautiful property.

Oakleaf Cottage is a woodland cottage and renovated barn located on 28 acres on the side of Lookout Mountain in North Georgia. Tucked off the road, the venue sits surrounded by trees and rocky outcrops. An Oakleaf Cottage wedding feels so private and intimate like you’re the only people on earth. When you’re at the Cottage, you feel like you’re at a calm, mountain retreat. It really is magical, and I absolutely love shooting here!

Oakleaf Cottage offers events from intimate elopements to moderately-sized weddings, either inside or outdoors under the forest canopy. The self-described “upscale barn structure” provides a bright and airy interior with tons of natural light and open rafters. The venue can accommodate up to 125 guests.

Additionally, the Angstens are passionate about creating “green” events and environmentally responsible weddings. This couple really goes above and beyond to create a dream experience for all their clients.

woman styles another woman's hair with a curling iron for her Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride wearing embroidered, scalloped-hem gown stands in front of watercolor wallpapered wall at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride in embroidered wedding gown with plunging neckline holds her bouquet on a white armchair at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride wearing embroidered gown stands in front of watercolor wallpapered wall at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride stands face-to-face with groom in front of watercolor wallpapered wall at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride and groom kiss in front of watercolor wallpapered wall at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride stands face-to-face with groom in front of watercolor wallpapered wall at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride sits in white armchair holding bouquet while groom stands behind her against dark blue wall at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride and groom laugh sitting at a farm table with simple table settings and florals at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride and groom kiss while sitting at a farm table with simple table settings and florals at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride and groom sit at a farm table with simple table settings under pink carnation garland at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride and groom kiss while sitting at a farm table with simple table settings and florals at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride and groom sit on a padded bench with her hand holding his arm and her head on his shoulder at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride and groom sit on a padded bench with her head on his shoulder at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride and groom sit on a padded bench holding hands and her head on his shoulder at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride and groom sit on a padded bench with her head on his shoulder at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

groom's hand across bride's knee over her embroidered wedding gown

bride rests her hand gently on groom's cheek at Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride sits on groom's knee in front of white shiplap walls of Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride sits on groom's knee as they kiss in front of white shiplap walls of Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride and groom stand together on steps in front of Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride and groom hold hands and walk in the lawn in front of Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride stands behind groom who sits on large boulder in the misty woods near their Oakleaf Cottage wedding

bride and groom sit on mossy boulder in the woods near their Oakleaf Cottage wedding on Lookout Mountain

bride and groom sit on mossy boulder in the misty woods near their Oakleaf Cottage wedding on Lookout Mountain

groom sprays bottle of champagne while he and bride laugh together

groom shakes bottle of champagne while he and bride laugh together

bride drinks champagne from the bottle in the woods near Oakleaf Cottage on Lookout Mountain

OAKLEAF COTTAGE WEDDING STYLED SHOOT VENDOR S/O

The vendors involved in this shoot are a dream to work with.

Along with Oakleaf Cottage and Thicket Creative, Ramblewood Events styled the barn with furnishings and tableware (DROOL). I asked Davey and Nina, a real-life couple, to come work with us for this Oakleaf Cottage wedding styled shoot. I’d worked with Nina before on a shoot where she was doing makeup and styling direction, and *I* was modeling. It was really fun to work with her in reverse roles. Since they’re a couple IRL, they were very comfortable together and so easy to direct. Monica’s Bridal provided Nina’s gown. Shaina Ramsey Beauty tackled hair, and Gabriella Bordo completed Nina’s look with makeup.

Venue -- Oakleaf Cottage
Floral design -- Evan Leggoe of Thicket Creative
Furnishings/Tableware -- Ramblewood Events
Dress -- Monica’s Bridal
Hair -- Shaina Ramsey Beauty
Makeup -- Gabriella Bordo

Oakleaf Cottage featured this shoot on their blog, and Rustic Wedding Chic also featured our wedding styled shoot on their site.

Hi, I'm Rachael Crowe of OKCrowe Photography, and I'd love to be your wedding or elopement photographer. You can see my work here on my blog and even more on my @okcroweweddings Instagram profile.

I'm a wedding photographer based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but I love to take my cameras on the road with me, too. Whether you're looking to get hitched here in town or you're planning a destination wedding and want to bring me along, drop me a line, and we can see if we're a good fit.

Published by Rachael Crowe in Weddings

June 30, 2020 — Comments are off for this post.

Art Deco Mountain Wedding | Bri + Trevor

Pretty much every Chattanooga wedding photographer has shot on Lookout Mountain. I’ve included Lookout destinations twice in my Top 5 Engagement Photo Locations blog, and every season we discover new Chattanooga wedding venues in the area!

Brianna (Bri) and Trevor got married at the base of Lookout Mountain in the fall, and I was so excited to be their chosen photographer! You’ll see why when you scroll through this blog--every detail was stunning.

bride and groom smile while holding hands

A MATCH MADE IN THE TATTOO STUDIO

Bri and Trevor met when she walked into his tattoo studio with plans of making an appointment. A local tattoo artist with his own shop near downtown Chattanooga, Trevor is in high demand for his gorgeous, custom work. Bri said she left with her head spinning and immediately started plotting a way to see him again. Not too long after, they ran into each other a the local climbing gym and started hanging out every chance they could get. She said, “Had Trevor asked me to marry him a month into dating I would have said yes.”

DREAM DETAILS FOR CHATTANOOGA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

A few days before Bri and Trevor’s wedding I got super sick--I actually ended up in the emergency room with sepsis. After I got swift medical care, I checked out under strict doctor-ordered rest. I let Bri know about my situation and that I’d do everything in my power to be there in person. Delivering my best wedding photography to my couples is always super important to me, but I was afraid I might not make this one. Still, I assured her that if I couldn’t make it, I’d set her up with one of my highly-skilled, highly-trusted associates. She was so so kind about my health situation even though I’m sure, on some level, she was stressed at the possible sudden change.

Fortunately, with tons of rest, I felt mostly recovered and made it to the wedding. And I’m really glad I did! The details they pulled together for their wedding were all the heart eyes.

Bri and Trevor planned their wedding and ceremony at The Venue right at the base of Lookout Mountain. I was over the moon with so many of the details for their big day! The art deco invitation suite. The elegant and classic calla lily wedding bouquets. Trevor’s cufflinks, tie, and pocket square. Bri’s INSANELY gorgeous dress (more on that in a bit!), her family heirloom rings, and her nails! The details on the bridesmaids’ dresses. Just so much wow! Wedding photography allows me to really highlight so many details of every event, and this one was full of treasures!

Some of my favorite photos are the Vogue-style bridal party group shots. These were Bri’s idea, and I am all about it. I love any creativity and vision my couples bring to our time together! Watching a couple and their besties act goofy together and show their personalities often turns into a really rich set of images. This happened with this crew for sure.

wedding gown hangs from window sill and bride's bouquet sits on a vintage wingback chair

art deco style black and white wedding invitation suite

bride and bridesmaids laugh together in high ceiling room with barn doors

bride exchanges phone details with woman while bridesmaids talk at a round table

woman in lace dress zips the back of bride's gown while bride laughs

groom's tattoo covered hands fold his pocket square

groom's mother adjusts his tie

groom leans against a high table in front of large windows and vintage furniture

groom with clear glasses and tattoo covered hands wears dark suit and tie

groom's dark suit and tie

bride holds her bouquet of greenery and white flowers in front of her ornately jeweled bodice

bride stands in her jeweled gown beneath a large tree

bride stands behind groom on a stone path in anticipation of their first look

bride and groom share first look on a stone path under large trees

bride and groom laugh together in the shade of large trees as they share their first look

ornate jeweled details of bride's gowns bodice

bride laughs while holding hands with groom under large tree

bride and groom hug and snuggle their faces together and make goofy faces

groom holds bride with his face on her temple. her arm is over his shoulder and she holds her large bouquet of white flowers

bride stands between bridesmaids who hold long stem calla lilies and wear maroon and gold scarves over their shoulders

bride stands between bridesmaids who wear cream and gold dreses. they all hold white calla lilies.

bridesmaids hug each other while bride laughs with another bridesmaid under a large tree

bride and bridesmaid make silly faces while groom pretends to look down groomsman's pants

groom stands between groomsmen who wear dark pants, white shirts, and dark suspenders

groom stands between groomsmen who wear dark pants, white shirts, and dark suspenders while they all laugh

groom and groomsmen walk on a stone paver path under large tree

bride and groom stand with wedding party on stone paver path under large tree near Chattanooga, TN

wedding party in a vogue group pose in high ceiling room in front of large barn doors

bride and groom sit on cream loveseat in front of large barn doors

VENDOR SHOUT-OUT: OZ BRIDAL BY OLIA ZAVOZINA

This dress. Oh my. Bri ordered her stunning gown online, but it arrived several sizes too big. The retailer would not accept a return or do an exchange, and she was in a real time crunch to find a solution.

Enter Oz Bridal who totally saved her gown and her dream day! The team at Oz completely altered the dress for Bri. They had to cut out loads of fabric and redid all of the beading on her dress. And let me tell you: this wedding gown fit Bri’s figure so well when they were finished with it. An absolute makeover from what had been a disastrous situation for her!

I also appreciate how Bri’s gown flowed so beautifully with her tattoos, many of which are Trevor’s work. One of my favorite shots of this couple is the close-up with his hand on her arm where you can see the details of her dress and tattoos.

PRIORITIZING FAMILY AND FRIENDS

A big priority for Bri and Trevor was making sure their wedding reflected them, but they also prioritized making all their wedding guests feel welcome and included. To accomplish this goal, they made several strategic decisions for their wedding timeline.

First, they chose the same Chattanooga wedding venue for both their ceremony and reception. This meant guests didn’t have to drive between venues and could stay onsite the whole time.

Second, they opted to have a first look and took most of their bridal portraits and wedding party photos ahead of the ceremony. This allowed them to spend the precious moments between the ceremony and reception with the guests. Other than a short sunset portrait session, they were hanging with their guests.

Third was a really cool idea I haven’t seen done much at all, but I’m into it. Instead of a typical send-off from their reception, guests deployed gold streamers over Bri and Trevor during their recessional! This allowed them to maximize time with their family and friends by not staging a reception exit. I thought this was a great way to buy time on a day that is often crunched for the extra moments.

bride looks at her father as he walks her down a stone paver path under a large tree

bride and groom stand with officiant in front of an outside stone fireplace

bride and groom share first kiss in front of an outside stone fireplace while wedding guests watch

Chattanooga wedding photographer favorite overlooking wedding ceremony and views of Lookout Mountain and valley

bride and groom walk down the aisle under gold streamers while guests clap

bride and groom kiss at the end of the aisle while guests watch

bride and groom hug groomsman

bride and groom pose for family photo under a large tree

groom dips bride in a grassy lawn while they both laugh

bride and groom hold each other tightly. he grasps her tattooed arm with his tattooed hand.

bride and groom hold hands and walk along a grass lawn

Chattanooga wedding photographer favorites table settings by The Copper Quail

Chattanooga wedding photographer favorites bright entryway with large windows and vintage furnishings

Events with Taste catering serves small scallop appetizer bites to wedding guests

Events with Taste catering serves small scallop appetizer bites

Chattanooga wedding photographer favorite Events with Taste catering serves small appetizers with napkins

wedding guests collect vegetables from silver platters on a buffet table

small chocolate cups with cream mousse sit on a silver platter

bride throws her chin back as she laughs while she and groom dance together as wedding guests watch

bride and groom smile at each other as they hold each other closely during their first dance while wedding guests watch

mother of the groom laughs as he reaches toward her during their dance together

bride dances with her father while wedding guests watch

wedding guests stretch their hands toward bride and groom during Lookout Mountain wedding reception toasts

bride rests her head on groom's shoulder as he talks with a friend

wedding guests enjoy a sit-down dinner under several candelabras

wedding guests dance in the dark dance floor

young girl dances in a twirling light green dress

bride holds a cocktail and dances with a man at her Lookout Mountain wedding reception

women in floral dresses dance at Lookout Mountain wedding

woman dances in the dark with a young girl

wedding guests gather near an outdoor stone fireplace under string lights

woman holds a cigar in one hand while she crouches in front of an outdoor fireplace roasting a marshmallow

two older men in suits exhale puffs of cigar smoke in the night sky

bride and groom sit close to each other on a low sofa. he reaches for cocktail and she cuts a small bit of cake with a fork

bride and groom sit together on low sofa enjoying cocktails and dessert

bride and groom sit on low sofa with hands outstretched to feed each other

One more note on this reception: I’ve gotta give a GIANT THANK YOU to my friend Jaime of Our Ampersand Photo for coming in toward the end of this day for me. By reception time, I was feeling worn down from my recent sickness, so Jaime came to support me and photographed a lot of the reception for me!

CREATING A TIMELINE WITH YOUR CHATTANOOGA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Planning a wedding is a huge undertaking. Couples are often faced with conflicting priorities: family needs, budget, creating an event that feels like YOU… it’s a lot! On the questionnaire I send to my couples, I ask for the biggest priority in planning the wedding. Almost everyone writes that they want to host an event that feels true to who they are as people. And, almost every couple feels the pressure to create a day that will also honor their families.

As your Chattanooga wedding photographer, I will develop a timeline with you that will give us some of the extra moments you need to accomplish both these priorities!

VENDORS:

Florals: May Flowers
Coordinator: Maggie Walker Weddings
DJ: Wesley Walker
Catering: Events With Taste
Decor: The Copper Quail
Dress alterations: Oz Bridal by Olia Zavozina
Venue: The Venue Chattanooga
Trevor’s tattoo business: Philosophy Tattoo Collective

Hi, y’all! I’m Rachael Crowe of OKCrowe Photography, and I love getting to share these wedding days with you all. Thank you to every couple who’s privileged me with the opportunity to capture your big life moments! If Bri and Trevor's wedding was inspirational, I hope you’ll check out my other wedding blogs as well.

I’D LOVE TO BE YOUR CHATTANOOGA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER–OR YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING OR ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER! CONTACT ME TODAY SO WE CAN MEET UP AND START PLANNING!

Published by Rachael Crowe in Weddings

Tags: Chattanooga wedding photographer, Georgia wedding photographer, Lookout Mountain wedding, Tennessee wedding photographer

January 27, 2020 — Comments are off for this post.

Fall Wedding at The Homestead at Cloudland Station | Caitlin + Joe

Caitlin and Joe’s fall wedding at The Homestead at Cloudland Station showcased the beauty of their love as well as this gorgeous property in the North Georgia mountains.

Bride and groom hug and kiss at the end of the aisle with The Homestead at Cloudland Station's Peacock Hall behind them

The Homestead at Cloudland Station wedding venue

The Homestead venue is nestled at the base of Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia about 15 minutes south of Chattanooga. Cloudland Station is a 450-acre property with multiple planned neighborhoods and an intentional community vibe. As they were envisioning their ideal community, the developers decided to incorporate a venue for weddings and other events.

The results, a 150-year-old, hand-pegged Amish barn, a carriage house, and an Italianate architecture farmhouse called Peacock Hall, sit on an antique brick carriage path just beyond the property’s private Lake Angela. These buildings, which make up The Homestead at Cloudland Station, surround a green lawn--totally perfect for an outdoor wedding!

The formal green between the barn and Peacock Hall at The Homestead at Cloudland Station, Lookout Mountain in the background

White chairs set up on the formal green between the barn and Peacock Hall at The Homestead at Cloudland Station Chattanooga

Bridal party stands on antique brick carriage path in front of hand-pegged Amish barn at The Homestead at Cloudland Station

Bridal party stands on antique brick carriage path in front of white farmhouse at The Homestead at Cloudland Station

Bride and groom kiss on antique brick carriage path in front of carriage house at The Homestead at Cloudland Station

From best friends to bride and groom

These two are my kind of people. They’re very easy-going and gentle-natured, and they love to goof off and laugh with each other. We have a few friends in common, so I was excited to hear from them in the early planning stages. Joe and Caitlin have a really sweet love story. In short, they met as co-workers and became best friends. Even after they stopped working together, they maintained a close friendship. After awhile of each thinking “Who us? No, we’d never date!” they realized that maybe there was actually something there, that this person had all the qualities they’d been looking for in a partner. They developed feelings for each other, and the rest is history.

Before the big day, on my pre-wedding questionnaire, I ask couples What is one thing you would tell to future couples planning their dream wedding? I love Caitlin’s advice so much. She says, “Through all the researching, pinteresting, and budgeting, make sure you remember what the day is for. At the end of the day, I just want to be married to my best friend!”

On the big day, because they planned their wedding for later in the day, the sun wasn’t directly over us. In fact, once it passed over the barn, we had a perfect balance of light and shade for their portraits and outdoor ceremony! It’s always nice when nature does you a solid on the lighting and nobody has to squint through their own wedding. Caitlin and Joe planned a first look ahead of the ceremony, and we shot most of their bride and groom and bridal party portraits beforehand, too. As a result, they had more time at the reception with their guests!

Wedding dress hangs on the door under the wide front port of Peacock Hall, and Italianate style farmhouse near Chattanooga

Wedding invitation and RSVP card lie between flowers and bride's shoes. The wedding bands sit on top of the cards.

Wedding bands nestled inside the petals of a peach rose. Dark red flowers and greenery make up the rest of the bouquet.

Mother in dark, lacy dress, zips the back of bride's low-back lacy wedding dress

Groomsmen gather around the groom on a porch, pushing him and laughing. They all wear dark suits and brown leather shoes.

Groomsman in dark jacket and simple boutonniere straightens the groom's tie knot

Man buttons the top button of his dark suit jacket

Groom stands on a wide brick carriage path next to a tall barn. His bride stands behind him on the path before the First Look

Bride and groom first look on brick path in front of tall wooden barn. Groom smiles, clasping his hands under his chin.

Groom hugs bride in front of dark barn. Her low-back lacy dress reveals a black key tattoo on her upper back.

Bride and groom overlook their Chattanooga wedding photographer's camera screen, previewing a photo

Bride and groom smile at each other as they walk down antique brick carriage path

Groom wears a dark suit over a gray vest, navy tie and white shirt. He holds his lapel and his watch peeks out of his sleeve.

Bride holds bouquet of deep red, peach, and white flowers with greenery. She stands on a brick path next to a tall wooden barn.

Bridal holds her Petaline bouquet filled with dark red flowers, pink and white roses, and greenery against her lace gown.

Bride laughs as she holds her Petaline floral bouquet

Bride and groom smile at each other on antique brick carriage path between trees

Bride and groom kiss on antique brick carriage path between trees

Bride and groom smile at each other as they walk down antique brick carriage path

Bride and groom laugh as they walk down antique brick carriage path

Bride and groom kiss, her hand around his shoulder

Bride and groom walk down antique brick carriage path toward trees

Groom stands with groomsmen in their dark suits in front of tall wooden barn doors

Bride and bridesmaids stand on brick path in front of large wooden barn door

Groom stands with groomsmen in their dark suits in front of tall wooden barn doors

Bride and bridesmaids laugh together in front of large wooden barn door

Bride and groom stand with their bridal party on brick path in front of large wooden barn front of tall wooden barn doors

Large black chalkboard with white words announce the wedding and date

Wedding party lines up between tall wooden barn doors

Bride and her father walk down a wide wooden ramp, while Mia + May wedding coordinator fluffs her train behind her

Groom, officiant, and groomsmen stand in front of wide stone stairs

Bride is escorted by her father down the center grass aisle. Guests stand from their white wooden fold-up chairs.

Bride is escorted by her father down the aisle. Guests stand from their white wooden fold-up chairs.

Bride's father joins her hand with groom's hand as she holds her Petaline floral bouquet of deep red and white flowers

Bride and groom stand between their bridesmaids and groomsmen as officiant speaks into the microphone

Bride places a ring on groom's finger

Bride and groom stand at the base of the stone steps in front of Peacock Hall while guests sit in white chairs on the lawn

Bride and groom kiss at the base of the stone steps in front of Peacock Hall

Bride and groom walk hand-in-hand, smiling, while bridal party claps and watches them walk away

Bride and groom walk down the aisle hand-in-hand, smiling, while guests sit facing Peacock Hall

Your Chattanooga Wedding Photographer...
and everything else, too

I like to provide FULL SERVICE to my couples during their portrait sessions and at their weddings. I always have a go-bag of wedding emergency essentials! It started raining during the ceremony? Here’s an extra umbrella! Mom’s dress ripped? Let me grab my sewing kit! Rain is killing your sparkler exit (surprise rain is sort of thing around here)? These days I’m keeping my car stocked with glow sticks! Do you have any go-bag essentials suggestions for me?

For Caitlin and Joe, the “emergency” wasn’t anything major. But after we finished shooting their family photos in front of Peacock Hall, they needed to sign the marriage license. We realized everyone had already gone into the barn for the reception, and so I signed as their witness! Rachael Crowe, Chattanooga Wedding Photographer...and everything else. Gotta get my business cards updated. Haha! Caitlin's thumbs-up in this photo kills me. Too cute! I really enjoy my job, especially in these moments. Wedding days can be stressful, and I like feeling like I contributed a little bit extra to make the day easier or flow more smoothly.

Rachel Crowe, Chattanooga wedding photographer, signs marriage license for her bride and groom as they all smile

Getting that barn wedding venue vibe in Chattanooga

I can’t begin to tell you how peaceful and lovely this property is. If you’re searching for barn wedding venues in Chattanooga, definitely add The Homestead at Cloudland Station to your list to check out. I’ve photographed many farm or barn weddings (The Gray Dove, Crabtree Farms, private family properties), and I love how unique each one looks. I have attended several events now in The Homestead’s barn, and I’ve seen it decorated differently each time. You can have a rustic barn feel, or you can create a more modern look. Yes, you can have an elegant barn wedding!

Caitlin and Joe kept decorations very simple for their wedding, and I love that that puts the beauty of their connection front-and-center. Caitlin added a few floral accents along the aisle during the ceremony. She also designed the table centerpieces and decorations herself for the reception, keeping a tastefully simple aesthetic. The couple allowed the stunning beauty of nature and the venue play a big role in their day. They got married in mid-November, and the colors they chose for their floral bouquets and their bridal party’s attire align so well with the fall colors of the Lookout Mountain scenery.

The Homestead at Cloudland Station with open high, barn rafters and wooden support beams. White table linens on round tables.

Long, farmhouse table in front of a wall of white windows under the high, open rafters of a barn's interior

Wagon wheel light fixture suspended by black chain under the exposed wooden rafters at The Homestead at Cloudland Station

White Table linens and simple table decorations on round table surrounded by white wooden folding chairs

Simple table decorations of greens and candles next to "Reserved" sign

Long farmhouse table lined with white chairs in front of wall of windows. Naked white cake sits on large wooden spool.

Bride and groom portraits at The Homestead at Cloudland Station

After the reception was underway, I snuck Joe and Caitlin out for some sunset photos. Gotta make time for golden hour! The bride and bridesmaid’s bouquets were designed by Petaline, and I am still drooling over the rich jewel tones of Caitlin’s bouquet. I am not sure which of these is my favorite shot, to be honest, but I loved when Joe held Caitlin’s bouquet while she twirled in that gorgeous dress.

Bride and groom hold hands and walk through a grassy field at Cloudland Station's Lake Angela.

Bride and groom portraits in a wine grass field. She holds a bouquet of maroon and white flowers.

Groom twirls bride in a grassy field. He holds her bouquet by his side, and she holds her train as she spins under his hand.

Groom holds bride around her waist and kisses her cheek as her veil streams around them

Man in dark suit stands in a grassy field.

Bridal holds her Petaline bouquet filled with dark red flowers, pink and white roses, and greenery against her lace gown.

Bridal bouquet by Petaline contains deep red flowers, pink and white roses, and greenery.

Bride and groom hold hands and walk through a grassy field at Cloudland Station's Lake Angela.

Bride and groom kiss in a grassy field. She has one arm around his shoulders and holds her large bouquet in the other

Bride and groom kiss under her veil, his hands cup her face and she holds his shoulder

Bride and groom in a green field with Lookout Mountain behind them. Her hand is on his shoulder, her veil surrounds them.

Bride and groom walk through grassy field toward Peacock Hall and the barn at The Homestead at Cloudland Station

Groom dips bride low for a kiss. She holds her bouquet behind her as her veil streams to the ground.

Bride and groom kiss on antique brick carriage path in front of carriage house at The Homestead at Cloudland Station

Groom stands behind bride with his hands around her waist. She looks back at him, her hand at his neck.

Dance your hearts out, Joe and Caitlin

Dear Joe and Caitlin, I am so grateful you chose me to be your photographer for your wedding at The Homestead at Cloudland Station. You are both such lovely, fun people, and your friendship and care for each other really shines. I wish you all the happiness that your years together will bring. Cheers to you!

Bride and groom dance under the exposed beam ceiling of The Homestead at Cloudland Station while guests watch from tables.

Bride and groom laugh together during their first dance. Guests watch from round tables.

Groom dances with his mother while bride dances with her father under open rafters of The Homestead at Cloudland Station

A large blackboard in a white frame with "Cheers!" written on it sits on the floor in front of a table with bottles of wine

Chattanooga's BarCart bartenders present a bottle of white wine to a guest with other beer and wine options on the table

Man in dark suit and tie speaks into microphone under the exposed beam ceiling and loft of The Homestead at Cloudland Station

Bride and groom sit and raise glasses as they are toasted

DJMCPRO playing music with his laptop open in front of him

Bride stands with several bridesmaids who wear shades of pink and maroon dresses

Bride and groom laugh with each other as they dance surrounded by wedding guests

man crowd-surfs under the high ceiling of The Homestead at Cloudland Station

man in dark suit and tie dances

woman in red dress dances while holding a yellow glow stick

Bride holds up her dress as she and her groom dance surrounded by friends

Groom holds out his arms as his bride dances toward him

Bride and groom hold hands and duck between waving glow sticks

Bride and groom hug each other tightly and kiss while friends wave glow sticks around them

Vendor shout-out: Mia + May Events

Besides the incredible venue at Cloudland Station itself, I’ve got to give a shout-out to another of the vendors that made Joe and Caitlin’s wedding a complete dream day. Mia + May Events coordinated all the moving parts seamlessly. I love working with Danielle and Jillian! I love that they always have 2 people at every event: one person to manage all the vendors and make sure things are kept on task, and one person to attend to anything the bride and groom might need throughout the day. Talk about a dream team! I’ve listed the other vendors at the bottom of this blog, but I really wanted to make sure to tell you about Mia + May Events because I’ve been privileged to work with them a few times now.

Planning a fall wedding in Tennessee

Before I go, let’s talk a sec about the weather. Y’all know everybody loves October and thinks it’s the most “fall” month, but in southeast Tennessee, we can still get some pretty hot days through October. Also, in our southeast corner of the state, we really see some of the best fall colors in November! So if you’re scouring Pinterest and wondering when to schedule your colorful fall wedding...give us Chattanooga wedding photographers a break on October. I mean, definitely book October, but spread some of that love into November. I think you'll find it's very much what you're hoping for!

VENUE and VENDORS:

Wedding and reception venue: The Homestead at Cloudland Station
Coordinators: Mia + May Events
Bridal bouquet and bridesmaids bouquets: Petaline
Reception DJ: DJMCPRO
Caterer: Edley's BBQ
Bartenders: BarCart
Tables and linens: White Table
Beverages: Riverside Wine and Spirits
Wedding gown: Ever After Bridal
Hair and makeup: The Satin Doll Beauty Room

Hi, y'all! I'm Rachael Crowe of OKCrowe Photography, and I love getting to share these wedding days with you all. Thank you to every couple who’s privileged me with the opportunity to capture your big life moments! If Caitlin and Joe’s wedding at The Homestead at Cloudland Station was inspirational, I hope you’ll check out my other wedding blogs as well.

I’d love to be your Chattanooga wedding photographer--or your destination wedding or elopement photographer! Contact me today so we can meet up and start planning!

Published by Rachael Crowe in Featured, Weddings

Tags: Chattanooga wedding photographer, Georgia wedding photographer, Lookout Mountain wedding, Tennessee wedding photographer, The Homestead at Cloudland Station wedding

January 9, 2020 — Comments are off for this post.

Lookout Mountain Destination Wedding | Jim + Emily

You know I love to travel to photograph a wedding, but, as a Chattanooga wedding photographer, there’s something really special about a couple choosing my own city for their big day! That’s exactly what Emily and Jim did. Although they’re both from the Southeast, Emily and Jim live in New York City (Brooklyn) now. When they considered destinations, a Lookout Mountain wedding with downtown Chattanooga wedding reception took the cake. 😉

bride and groom hug and touch foreheads under strands of backyard lights at downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee wedding reception

A destination wedding in Chattanooga, Tennessee?

Yes! Chattanooga proved to be a perfect location for their wedding and reception. It's close enough for Jim’s Alabama family, practically down the street from where Emily grew up, and accessible by direct flights for all their New York friends. Talk about an all-around win!

This couple was a lot of fun from the beginning to the end of the day. They got ready at The Westin Chattanooga with downtown Chattanooga setting the scene in the background, and as the bride and groom dressed, some of the fine details of their day began to emerge.

man straightens polka dot tie knot while woman sits in feather-fringed slip in blue chair in front of floor to ceiling window

Father pinning boutonnière to groom's jacket and groom standing with right hand on lapel

Woman in white feather-hemmed slip laughing in front of floor to ceiling window and mother fastening waist on wedding dress

Bride stands in front of floor to ceiling window looking over left shoulder while mother fastens waist of wedding dress

Mother's hands fastening waistband of bride's backless tulle wedding dress

Bride with bouquet in front of floor-to-ceiling window overlooking downtown Chattanooga while friends take photos

Emily’s backless gown from Gabriella Bridal with layers of satin and tulle, and Jim’s steel blue suit and polka dot tie. And THEIR SHOES! I can’t wait for you to see their shoes! Emily’s dress offered a peek of her bumblebee tattoo, which served as inspiration for their day with bumblebee details popping up throughout the wedding and reception.

woman with bumblebee tattoo wearing backless wedding dress leaning into a window overlooking downtown Chattanooga

Bride sitting in chair while friends help her buckle her stacked heels

Bride hugging her family's dog and gold bumblebees painted on the back of groom's shoes

Bride and two friends enjoy shots in hotel lobby bar

Lookout Mountain Wedding Ceremony

Emily and Jim’s ceremony took place on Lookout Mountain at the Rock City group pavilion. The covered, open-air venue provided me with tons of natural light for shooting, and the park-like scenery was a gorgeous backdrop. Emily’s grandmother designed all the floral arrangements for the wedding, as well as the floral garland over the wedding arch.

Groom with mother and father walking down the aisle toward his bride at Lookout Mountain wedding open-air pavilion ceremony

Two bridesemaids in champagne gowns walking down the aisle during Lookout Mountain wedding in open-air pavilion

Bride and her father walking down the aisle toward groom during Lookout Mountain Chattanooga, Tennessee wedding ceremony

Back of bride and her father during giving-away portion of Lookout Mountain Chattanooga Tennesse wedding ceremony.

Bride and groom under floral arch at the front of a Lookout Mountain wedding open-air pavilion in Chattanooga Tennessee

All ceremonies are individual and special, and this one was no different. During most ceremonies, the bridal party stands with the bride and groom; however, during this one, they sat with other friends and family. Without extra folks in the shot, the simple lines of the pavilion and wedding arch elegantly frame Jim and Emily. As a photographer, this is almost one of those things you don’t fully notice or appreciate until you’re in editing mode!

Bride and groom stand with minister under simple floral archway during Lookout Mountain Chattanooga Tennessee wedding ceremony

Bride reads vows to groom under simple floral archway during Lookout Mountain Chattanooga Tennessee wedding ceremony

Bride slides ring onto groom's finger under simple floral archway during Lookout Mountain wedding ceremony

Bride and groom look into each other's eyes while minister looks on during Lookout Mountain Chattanooga Tennessee wedding

Bride and groom with heads bowed together during prayer during their Lookout Mountain Chattanooga Tennessee wedding ceremony

The couple exchanged tender looks and heartfelt promises in front of their family and loved ones, including their favorite pooch. And, at the moment of their kiss, the officiant stepped aside so you can see how comfortably Jim and Emily fit together.

Bride and groom kiss under simple floral archway during open-air Lookout Mountain wedding ceremony in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bride raises bouquet in victory solute during Lookout Mountain wedding ceremony in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bride and groom stop for a deep kiss during their recession after their Lookout Mountain wedding in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bride and groom hug after their Lookout Mountain wedding near downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, her bouquet over his shoulder

Bride and groom with family after Lookout Mountain wedding ceremony in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bride laughs with grandparents after Lookout Mountain wedding ceremony in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Groomsman stoops to pet the family dog in front of bride and groom

Bride and groom with family after Lookout Mountain wedding ceremony in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bride and Groom Portraits at Sunset Rock, Lookout Mountain

Following the ceremony we’d planned some time for bride and groom portraits out at Sunset Rock, which you might remember as one of my Top 5 Chattanooga Engagement Photo Locations! Y’all. Remember what I said about the shoes?! Don’t worry--Emily did not hike to Sunset Rock in those incredible heels! I know you were wondering.

Bride and groom standing side-by-side on a dirt trail with the sun streaming through surrounding tall trees at Sunset Rock

Bride and groom snuggle nose-to-nose under bride's veil at Sunset Rock in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Groom kisses bride on the cheek under bride's veil at Sunset Rock in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Close-up of bride's emerald cut diamond ring as bride and groom snuggle nose-to-nose under bride's veil

Bride and groom kiss under bride's veil, her left hand on his chest

Bride and groom hug under her veil in the woods at bride and groom portrait session on Sunset Rock in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bride displays stacked heels under her wedding gown during bride and groom portraits at Sunset Rock in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bride holding bouquet looks over her right shoulder into the woods during portraits at Sunset Rock in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bride and groom American Gothic portrait at Sunset Rock on Lookout Mountain wedding in Chattanooga, Tennessee

I love how Emily’s bouquet cascades down Jim’s back when they hug. SO DREAMY. Grandma for the win.

Bride and groom hug each other tightly at Sunset Rock on Lookout Mountain overlooking Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bride and groom snuggle atop Sunset Rock after their wedding on Lookout Mountain, her legs across his lap.

Bride's hand with emerald cut ring over groom's hand with wedding band.

Bride and groom snuggle atop Sunset Rock after their wedding on Lookout Mountain, her legs across his lap.

Bride and groom at Sunset Rock after their Lookout Mountain wedding ceremony near Chattanooga, Tennessee

Downtown Chattanooga Wedding Reception

Once we finished the portraits at Sunset Rock, we joined up with the rest of the guests in downtown Chattanooga, where Jim and Emily hosted their candlelit reception at Alleia. The space was a terrific fit for Jim and Emily’s classy and modern aesthetic. And can we talk just a sec about those cakes? Sweet Angel Cakes created both simple, elegant cakes, and they suited the couple’s style perfectly.

Bride and groom walk into downtown Chattanooga candlelit reception with arms raised

Simple wedding cake surrounded by white flowers and candles, elegant groom's cake with chocolate ganache and berries on top

Groom playfully reaches to feed bride a bite of wedding cake

Bride playfully reaches to feed groom a bite of wedding cake while he holds her hand

Bride and groom hug after cake cutting, fingers covered in cake and frosting

Bride and groom smile at each other during their first dance at their downtown Chattanooga wedding reception

Bride and her father enjoy a dance together while wedding guests watch

Groom smiles widely as he twirls his mother during their dance at wedding reception

Personalized green wedding koozies with bumblebee printed on side

Groom stands in his shirtsleeves with his arms around 2 friends during downtown Chattanooga wedding reception

Bride and wedding guest sing to each other during downtown Chattanooga wedding reception

Wedding guests sing and dance with glow sticks during downtown Chattanooga wedding reception

Groom stands behind bride her arm around his neck while they sing to each other during downtown Chattanooga wedding reception

Wedding guests sing and dance with glow sticks during downtown Chattanooga wedding reception

Groom and friends stand together during Chattanooga wedding reception

Bride and groom hold each other and kiss while guests dance around them at their downtown Chattanooga wedding reception

Bride holds bouquet above her shoulder, getting ready to toss it to wedding guests

Wedding guests laugh as one woman catches the bride's bouquet

After a delicious dinner, the couple led the rest of the crowd onto the dance floor for live music from Oh No Stereo and hours of dancing! Between all the food and dancing, I was able to sneak the bride and groom away to Alleia’s private patio for a quick photo session. I needed to see that tulle in action. Who doesn’t love a good twirl?

Bride and groom share a private dance outdoors under patio string lights at the end of their downtown Chattanooga wedding

Sparkler Send-off in Downtown Chattanooga

At the end of the evening, Jim and Emily’s family and friends gathered for a sparkler send-off, and OMG look at these smiles. A couple more kisses and twirls to make this wedding photographer’s entire night.

Bride and groom walk through sparkler send-off at the end of their downtown Chattanooga wedding reception

Groom twirls bride amidst sparkler send-off at the end of their downtown Chattanooga wedding reception

Bride and groom share a final kiss of the evening during sparkler send-off after their downtown Chattanooga wedding

Jim and Em, thank you for letting me be part of your beautiful Chattanooga wedding day. Many congratulations!

Vendors for this Lookout Mountain Destination Wedding

Thank you to the following vendors:

Getting ready venue: The Westin Chattanooga
Ceremony venue: Rock City Group Pavillion
Bride and groom portrait venue: Sunset Rock, Lookout Mountain
Reception venue: Alleia
Band: Oh No Stereo
Cake: Sweet Angel Cakes, Toni Doster Repko
Gown: Gabriella Bridal
Wedding coordinator: Jessica Ann Wedding Co.
Florals: Emily's grandmother

Thinking of a destination wedding in Chattanooga or the greater Chattanooga area?
CONTACT ME, your friendly Chattanooga wedding photographer, so we can start planning!

As a local Chattanoogan, I can tell you one thing for sure: the Chattanooga area is a wonderful place to get married. If you’re looking for astonishing scenery (intimate wedding at Fall Creek Falls), or wonderful venues (Chattanooga Whiskey Event Hall wedding), or both (DeBarge Vineyard wedding), keep Chattanooga on your wedding bucket list.