Wedding | Knoxville Botanical Gardens, Knoxville, Tennessee
Man oh man these two are just ridiculously amazing. I actually went to high school with Caetlyn (she was a couple years older than me) and I was in the same graduating class as her wonderful younger sister Carly. I never talked to Caetlyn in high school though and our paths never crossed for years. Fast forward to this past January — I was the wedding photographer for Brian and Kali’s wedding in Georgia (if you haven’t checked out their wedding omgggg what are you doing). Joel was actually a groomsman in their wedding, and after that day he told Caetlyn to reach out to me because he had so much fun taking photos and looked good in them too!
SOOOO here we are now. I’ve just truly enjoyed spending time with these two while planning their wedding day and the details with them, and just their spirit, humility, gentleness, grace, and endless and radical joy. They are quick to love (and their numerous intentional friendships just emphasize this) and they are fun to be around, and it was truly an HONOR to be their wedding photographer!! Oh, and Caetlyn put me and the wedding planner (the ever talented Caroline Miller) up at the sweet home of the Stellings, and LET ME TELL YOU — there was no greater gift that I could have received that weekend. Grant and Suzanne Stelling are some of the most intentional, kind, gracious, generous, fun, and just truly out of this world friends and hosts. They welcomed the both of us into their home, made breakfast for me in the morning (with eggs from their chickens in the backyard!), shared their story and love for photography and hearts with me, and even read before bed (which is my favorite habit ever, even though I fell asleep 10 minutes after joining them on the couch oops). Grant and Suzanne, thank you for that gift of a weekend — it rejuvenated me, encouraged and convicted me, and truly just reminded me of what I’m grateful for and how I can use this short time on earth to serve our glorious God. I’ll be back!!
But okay, now for all the cute PICTURES!! First up, some sweet detail shots of their lovely morning! Caetlyn got dressed in a little basement at Knoxville Botanical Gardens (KBG) with the help of her sisters, Carly and Cami.
Then her bridesmaids got to see her for the first time, followed by her sweet parents (cue all the tears!!).
And up next, was sweet Joel. This man was just SO excited to see his now-wife and was just giddy with joy. Their time together was so so sweet and precious.
Andddd we got to end photos with some bridesmaid and groomsmen photos — their squad was huge and wonderful and just really showed how deeply loved and cared for they are! Their time of prayer right before the ceremony was just so sweet and God-glorifying as well.
These two got married at Graystone Presbyterian Church, a few minutes away from KBG. The ceremony was overflowing with Gospel truth, lots of Scripture readings, and singing sweet hymns. The celebration that erupted when these two were finally pronounced husband and wife was OUT OF THIS WORLD!! We ended this sweet time with some family photos, AN OUTFIT CHANGE!!!, and more family photos 🙂
And then the rest of the night was a PARTAY. A lovely dinner, sweet dances, many touching toasts, lots of incredible dancing, and just an amazing and sweet evening (and sunset photos in their Indian garb! And a flower petal send off!!). Joel and Caetlyn, I’m so thankful that I’ve gotten to share this season with the both of you. Y’all are kind, full of grace and love, patient, laidback, tender hearted, and just so generous — I’m so thankful to be friends. I love y’all lots and will cherish this sweet day forever!!
