Category: Wedding - Boone Studios

Joel and Jennifer : Sneak Peek

5/30/2016

Here are just a few photos from Joel and Jennifer's beautiful wedding in Lebanon, Tennessee.
More will be posted to our facebook page later! Hope you enjoy!

They had the cutest wedding favors: jars of honey with a "meant to Bee" tag on them. While we were taking photos outside a bee decided to join us on the Bride's bouquet. Meant to Bee for sure!

This is the first time I have ever had a Bride with a cathedral veil so I was super excited about being able to shoot the "veil in the wind" pose! So much fun!

Check out more photos from this wedding on our Facebook page!

Jennifer,
I am so honored that you asked me to be the
photographer at your wedding.
I wish for you and Joel to have many great
years together as husband and wife.
Love, Chelsea

Our First Bridal Show

3/21/2016

Yesterday we participated in our first ever Bridal Show....it was super stressful, exciting, and ultimately an amazing experience. Big thank you to Matt and Mary Grace Wooten who were the hosts of the Simple Elegance Eastern Tn Bridal Show and to all the amazing vendors who came out to showcase their awesomeness! We had a blast meeting all the brides along with their significant others, family, and friends. We can't wait to participate again next year!

Check out the pictures from our awesome booth (sorry for the poor quality...they were taken with my phone).. Not too shabby for a first time Bridal Show Exhibitor...

Big shout out to Heidi who won our Free Engagement Session in the prize drawing at the show! Super excited to be able to work with her!

Sneak peek: Hayes Winter Wedding

1/22/2016

I had the honor of being able to photograph a beautiful wedding at Rose Hill Chapel in Johnson City, Tennessee, back in December. The church was stunning, the ballroom had a great atmosphere with the special touches of light, and the wedding party was an absolute blast to work with! Take a look at some of the highlights from that special day!

I loved the Doctor Who tshirts under the groomsmen's tuxedos! So cool!!!

This is one of my favorite shots from the reception. It's not the best angle or greatest action shot, but it certainly shows the joy of this generation spanning dance to The Twist. I am so glad that this grandmother was not only able to attend the wedding, but also able enjoy herself at the reception.

For more photos from this wedding visit our Facebook page!

This wedding was unique in that my second photographer and I were treated like family rather than the hired help. I don't know exactly what they did to make us feel this way, but it didn't feel like we were "working" all day...it felt like we had shared in the joy of a close friend or family member. Everyone, including the guests, were so incredibly laid back and sweet. It made for a much less stressful wedding day and it is a memory that we will always cherish.

Megan and Chris,
Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your special day. I wish you all the joys of marriage as you journey onward together.
Much love,
Chelsea

Jon and Amos : Sneak Peek

11/10/2015

This past June saw the momentous decision from the Supreme Court supporting marriage equality for all. I am so thankful to have been able to take part in the Love Wins movement and actually photograph a same sex couple at their wedding during this exciting time.

Jon and Amos were a great couple to work with, even with Amos being a little camera shy. Their wedding was beautiful and the reception was an absolute blast. Below are some of my favorite photos from their special day. Enjoy!

There wasn't a traditional wedding party, but we still had fun taking photos with their close friends who helped make their special day possible.

Post ceremony shots were a breeze with this couple. I loved how each of them turned out.
Below are a few of my favorites!

I personally thought the grey and yellow decorations and suits/accesories looked fresh, modern, and quite stunning. Such a great choice on their part!

You guessed it...that's a bleeding armadillo groom's cake! How cool is that?!? What a great way to pay tribute to one of the greatest movies of all time!

"The cake part is red velvet cake. Blood red!! People are gonna be hackin' into this poor animal that looks like it's
bleedin' to death."
-Shelby, Steel Magnolias

This was, by far, the best groom's cake I have ever seen at a wedding (and I thought my husband's duck cake was pretty cool at our wedding). It was certainly a great way to start off the spectacular reception.

Dancing, dancing, and more dancing! What a great crowd and such a fun spirited group! This reception was a photographer's dream when it comes to the dancing photos.

I want to give a special thank you to Jon and Amos for allowing me to be a part of their
special day. I wish them a long life of happiness together.

Wedding Day: The Dance

11/7/2015

This is part 9 of a 10 part wedding series.
Be sure to check back for the final post!

So...life happened. It's been awhile since I have posted anything regarding this wedding series. House buying, vacations, new dog, and everything in between has gotten in the way. Great things come to those who wait though, right? Anyways, I hope you enjoy the final two posts of my wedding series.

Though dancing at weddings or celebrations can be traced back to ancient times, the idea of the "first dance" tradition we are accustomed to started as far back at the 17th century and was a part of an etiquette for balls that were held by wealthy families. It was customary for the guests of honor to have the first dance and afterwards everyone else could join them on the dance floor. Today the idea of a first dance is to signify the beginning of the reception for a newly married couple.

In recent years, the first dance has become more popular than the actual wedding ceremony and in some weddings it even takes more time and preparation than the wedding itself. Perhaps you prefer the more traditional first dance where you share in a special moment of swaying back and forth with your new spouse to a slow romantic song that is meaningful to the both of you. Others may choose to take dance lessons and surprise the guests at the reception with their ballroom dancing skills. For some the idea is to choose an upbeat pop song and perform a well practicied choreographed dance that will end up going viral on YouTube.

Regardless of the kind of first dance you have, it will be the first organized event that you and your new spouse will do together as a married couple. So fast or slow, choreographed or not, the first dance is significant of your love for one another and your desire to work together on whatever may come your way throughout the years.

From one former Bride to another, the first dance is sometimes the first chance you get to really communicate with your spouse on the day of your wedding. If you don't have a choreographed dance planned, then you are on the dance floor swaying back in forth and probably staring lovingly into each other's eyes...and more than likely talking about your day so far. Did your great Aunt from out of town squeeze your cheeks too hard after the ceremony? Is your tuxedo tie choking you? Wasn't it a beautiful ceremony? Bet you can't wait to get out of your killer pumps that look amazing, but feel awful to walk in.

Make sure that you have a photographer who can capture those sweet moments between the two of you during your dance. It will be these moments that will be most precious later. The ceremony is important. The portraits afterwards are always special. The first dance is your first experience working together as a married couple. So make sure it's a good one and be sure to find a photographer that will give you photographs you can cherish for the rest of your days.

Let's not forget about the Father Daughter Dance!
(or other variations of this dance)

The first dance is significant, but the father daughter dance is oh so sweet. Even the most stage fearing Dads won't turn down their baby girls when asked to dance at their wedding. These days it is becoming more popular to also have a Mother Son Dance and in the case of deceased parents another older adult, such as an Aunt or Grandfather, can be chosen. I have photographed weddings where the Father Daughter dance and Mother Son dance were seperate with their own specially chosen songs. At other weddings, I have witnessed the dance being done together. No matter what you choose, make sure the song is just right and that you have a photographer who can capture those precious moments with your family.

Be sure to check back for the final post in the Wedding Day Series.

Sneak Peek of the #MoreLoveWedding

7/13/2015

I had the honor of being able to photograph a lovely wedding in Kingsport recently. Cody and Julianna are such a sweet couple and their wedding was absolutely beautiful. It is the first wedding I have photographed where I cried during the vows. Their sweet and rustic wedding decor was stunning with it's touches of deeply personal items and photos. I'm so glad I was able to be part of their special day. Please enjoy the sneak peek of their photos!

They had a vintage car to escort them! How cool is that?!?

It may have been unbearably hot that day, but at least
the reception decorations were stunning!

This wedding party was a blast to work with!

The sweet Bride and Groom.

Cody and Julianna,
Congratulations on tying the knot! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to take part in such a momentous occasion in your life. It was a blast being able to document your wedding through photography. May you be blessed as your family grows and may your marriage be long and happy.
Best Wishes! --- Chelsea, Boone Studios

Wedding Day: Decorations

4/24/2015

This is Part 8 of a 10 Part Wedding Series.
Be sure to check back for the next 2 posts!

Every wedding has it's own unique style. Some weddings go all out and decorate for the both the ceremony and the reception. Others opt for just decorating the reception area. Whatever way you choose to decorate for your wedding it should reflect both the theme and style of the Bride and Groom's collective taste.

DIY Weddings are all the rage, so there's a good chance you are making your decorations...or paying someone to make them for you. Either way, your decorations should be featured in your wedding photography.

I have photographed themed weddings, such as Christmas (which was an absolute joy since everything was so stunning and festive). I have photographed weddings where the reception was geared towards the Groom's interests: football or fishing. Other weddings have just focused on using their colors. Regardless of their choice, the decorations truly make the wedding experience special for the guests. Sure, everyone will talk about how lovely the Bride looked in her dress, but it's always great to hear the guests talking about how wonderful the decorations looked.

Flowers (real or fake) are always a great choice.
Using wedding favors for the guests as part of your decorations also help
add a little touch to the reception tables.

A great way to decorate tables is to use your engagement photos in frames. Alternately, photos of the bride and groom as children is always a nice touch! Regardless of how you choose to decorate your ceremony or reception area, your wedding photographs should include every little detail that made your day beautiful and unique.

Be sure to check back for the last 2 posts!

Wedding Day: The Rings

4/8/2015

This is Part 7 of a 10 Part Wedding Series.
Be sure to check back for the next 3 posts!

The origin of using rings in wedding ceremonies can be traced back to ancient Egypt. The rings have not always been metal, often times they were woven from grass and other plants. Men have not always worn a ring to symbolize their marriage. The rings have not always been worn on the fourth finger of the left hand.
Whatever it's history, the rings have always symbolized never ending love.

Some people pass down engagement rings through the family. Others simply buy newer, more modern looking rings. Some choose to have theirs custom made. No matter what engagement ring or wedding bands you choose to have, it should be special to the both of you. After all, it is a symbol of your never ending commitment to one another. And if you are lucky, you'll never lose your precious rings down the drain or in the ocean (seriously, be careful with those things...they can be quite expensive to replace)!

The rings from each of the weddings I have photographed have been different. Some are covered in precious stones. Some are engraved with a sweet message on the inside. Others are engraved all around the band.

If I am photographing a wedding, after the reception has started, I will ask you for your rings. Scary right? I promise I always take good care of them. I will then wander off and take photographs of your rings in a unique setting that is special for your day. Perhaps you have an old family Bible that is near and dear to your heart and you want it to be utilized in your photos. Other times there are decorations that speak to your character and style that I will use to accent the photographs of your rings.

The idea is to create something beautiful that you can cherish, either in your wedding album or showcased in a frame on your wall.

Platinum, white gold, yellow gold, titanium, or sterling silver...doesn't matter. They all photograph well. And even the "cheaper" rings can still look amazing and have the same "never ending love" meaning as the more expensive rings. Don't let your financial situation dictate your love for one another. It's all about finding the ring that works for you and one that you'll be comfortable wearing for the rest of your life together. Maybe your engagement ring has smaller stone than you would have liked. That's ok. You can always upgrade to a newer/bigger one down the road, perhaps for an anniversary. Your wedding band should be able to stand the test of time as you share your new married life with your partner.

Be sure to check back for the next post: The Decorations!

Wedding Day: Don't forget to have fun!

3/16/2015

This is part 5 of a 10 part wedding series.
Be sure to check back for the next 5 posts!

Weddings are serious business. They symbolize the start of your new life journey and, when possible, your marriage will last for the remainder of your days together on earth. With that in mind, that doesn't mean you can't have fun on your wedding day. However serious the subject matter, it should also be a day that you remember being an absolute blast.

Your wedding photography should cover all the basics of the wedding, but it should also get those moments of silliness so you can look back and remember how awesome your wedding day truly was.

If you or your wedding party has an idea for a fun photo then you should feel free to express your idea to the photographer. If the photographer has an idea for an interesting photo then go with the flow and see what happens.

Your wedding day isn't just about getting dressed up to say your vows. It's about sharing in the joy of your special day with those you love and cherrish.

Every bride and groom have their own sense of humor and it should be reflected in their photography. Perhaps you have a special thing you like to do in your photos together at home or on trips...why not include that in your wedding photography?

Several years ago it became popular to have the groomsmen hold the bride in the air. I had a wedding where the bridesmaids did a twist on that idea and they held the groom.

It doesn't matter what the idea is...as long as you are having fun.

As stressful as a wedding day can be, you need to make sure that you fill it with moments of fun and not just at the reception when you arne't worried about the ceremony anymore and you can dance the night away. The last thing a person wants is to look back on their wedding day and think it was just so stressful. Your wedding day should be a joyful celebration, with moments of stress, that were outshined by laughter and merriment.

Don't forget to check back for Part 6: The Ceremony!

Wedding Day: The Best Mates!

3/10/2015

This is Part 4 of a 10 part wedding series.
Don't forget to check back for the next 6 posts!

Brothers, Friends, Partners in Crime, Best Mates, Fellow Servicemen, Groomsmen...

No matter what you call them they are the Groom's "entourage" on the day of the wedding.

No wedding is complete without the Groom's best mates. Perhaps he chose his brothers or maybe he went with his old teammates from school. No matter the choice, they are all important to the Groom.

Though many will never openly admit it, they feel very honored to have been asked to be a part of the wedding party. Their boutoniers become like a badge of honor, announcing they were chosen to be the select few that would stand by the Groom as he takes the plunge into marriage.

Your photographer should be able to capture the style and charisma of the groomsmen. Their photographs with the Groom should not only reflect the seriousness of the day, but also their fun side as they share in the joy of such a beautiful occasion.

Be sure to check back for Part 5
"Don't Forget to Have Fun!"