People always say that you should marry someone who is your best friend...

And I have no doubt that was what I witnessed at Don and Shae's smokey mountain wedding.

To say that I was excited to shoot a Christmas wedding in the smokies is an understatement! For a Tennessee girl like myself, this is the stuff dreams are made of! Now, planning and designing a wedding with just enough Christmas to be classy is not necessarily a simple task. But when I walked into the venue as some of the staff were buzzing around, I'm sure my eyes filled with excitement. I looked around and saw subtle pops of burgundy and green, with crisp whites and twinkling lights that evoked memories of childhood Christmas Eves spent full of anticipation. And that same anticipation was ignited in me as I began to photograph the beautifully curated details of the day.

As everyone began to get ready for the ceremony, I was struck by Don's desire for everything to be perfect for his bride. He was helping to arrange items, making sure centerpieces were just right, and helping to keep everything on track and running smoothly. It was apparent that he cared deeply about making this day exactly what he and Shae had been dreaming of. Then I met the incredible Shae in her bridal suite! Her warm smile, sweet hug, and peaceful spirit showed me exactly why Don was so excited to make her his wife.

The ceremony was absolutely my favorite part of the day, as I really got to know the hearts of these two. They liked to cut up and giggle together and had the perfect mix of light-hearted and emotional moments together. They place such a high importance on their children, that they each read vows specifically to them. As mama of a blended family, this had me literally crying. Finding someone who loves your kids like you do, is like striking gold, or better! During the reception, Don and Shae made it a priority to walk around and spend time with their guests. They shared lots of laughs and danced like no one was watching!

A special thank you to Lisa Allen, the event coordinator, and other staff, for making this day go so smoothly, and for helping me stay fed and hydrated!