Engagement Taylor Torres Engagement Taylor Torres

A Foggy Fall Engagement Session on Lookout Mountain

This foggy Lookout Mountain engagement session felt like another world. You really can’t even tell that we are cliffside because of how thick and encompassing the clouds are. But it sure made it feel magical! These two were dressed like a Vogue fall spread, and they clung to each other in the cold stickiness of the heavy fog.

This foggy Lookout Mountain engagement session felt like another world. You really can’t even tell that we are cliffside because of how thick and encompassing the clouds are. But it sure made it feel magical! These two were dressed like a Vogue fall spread, and they clung to each other in the cold stickiness of the heavy fog.

Many couples might have wanted to reschedule their session because of this less-than-ideal weather, but the truth is, it photographed so beautifully and made for an incredibly unique engagement session. Plus, Allie’s red hair blazed against the whiteness of the clouds, and you all know, I love photographing a fiery redhead!

This is just another reminder to embrace the conditions. Yes, while there is a limit to this concerning my camera gear (it’s, you know, sort of expensive to replace), for the most part I suggest going with it! Sometimes a drizzly rain can make for the most romantic photos, cold temperatures might just mean building a fire and cuddling close, or even a summer storm might mean swinging on a porch swing watching it wash down around you. Be willing to change it up and use the weather as part of your session rather than in spite of it!

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Engagement Taylor Torres Engagement Taylor Torres

Lookout Mountain Engagement Session

Bella and Matt made this really easy for me, even driving in from Atlanta for their session. They said they wanted mountain views, so mountain views there were - we even got way lucky with the tow planes flying over head! We ran around the mountain top, twirled on the curving roads, and snuggled in summer wildflowers. I don’t think there’s a better recipe for a perfect Tennessee engagement session!

Love stories and engagement sessions are my favorite thing to photograph.

There. I said it.

Now, let me explain. This is where we get to know each other. I get to hear about your love story, how you met, how you fell in love, how you adopted a puppy together, how the proposal happened, and the wedding planning is going. All the good stuff. This is where you get comfortable, better understanding how it feels to be in front of my camera, having clearer expectations of what wedding day might be like. This is where I get to observe what kind of couple you are - if you’re flirty and cute, if you’re serious and steamy, if you’re playful, or if you’re a bit intimidated by P.D.A., if you’re cool with my potty mouth, or down with the N.W.A., or if you know all the Hogwarts houses. This is when all that magic happens.

Engagement sessions also give us more control. We get to pick where we want to shoot, we get to figure out what sort of vibe we want, what clothes would work best (always a big fan of neutrals and earth tones, or pop of flattering color like the red is on Bella’s skin tone!), and if there’s anything of big time importance you want to include and why (like your pup or the location where you met, or playing your favorite Super Nintendo game). It’s way less stressful than wedding day, and often times way more creative, and even better light.

Bella and Matt made this really easy for me, even driving in from Atlanta for their session. They said they wanted mountain views, so mountain views there were - we even got way lucky with the tow planes flying over head! We ran around the mountain top, twirled on the curving roads, and snuggled in summer wildflowers. I don’t think there’s a better recipe for a perfect Tennessee engagement session!

couple walking through tennessee hills
couple standing on hills in tennessee
couple embracing during engagement photo session in tennessee hills
plane flying over couple holding hands
couple dancing over tennessee hills
portraits of newly engaged couple
couple looking at each other over tennessee hills
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Weddings Taylor English Weddings Taylor English

70's Inspired Hang Gliding Wedding on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

Adventurous 70’s inspired hang gliding wedding.

Yeah, you read that right.

All of the coolest things rolled into one incredible mountain wedding at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.

Becca and Ted are hang gliding pilots and they live and work at the largest hang gliding school in the United States, Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding. They knew they wanted to include all the things most important to them: friends and family from around the world, hang gliding, their pup, and the beautiful property they live and work on, not to mention, an incredible fire installation built by a friend of theirs who has also helped build incredible installations at the Burning Man Festival!

These two weren’t getting caught up in all the frivolous rituals of a typical wedding. They were doing everything their own, very unique way. Becca even thrifted her vintage wedding gown! They pulled inspiration straight out of the 70’s, with wildflowers, flowers everywhere - especially in the bridesbabes hair designs! As well as wearing all white gowns, while the dudes were in muted pops of color and suspenders, bow ties and paisley designs.

After the stupendous ceremony (check out their first kiss shot from the perspective of the bride and groom with all their guests looking on!), we headed up the mountain for some of the most INCREDIBLE and EPIC wedding portraits EVER. They enlisted their fellow pilots and friends and gliders to photobomb their portrait session! WHAT EVEN GUYS.

And then later, they set that massive fire installation on fire in a blaze of glory!

Okay, I just can’t wait any longer. GO LOOK AT DIS!

The bride and groom see each other for the first time next to a creek on Lookout Mountain
Forest portraits for the bride and groom
Mother of the bride sings her favorite song
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Weddings Taylor English Weddings Taylor English

Intimate Wedding at The Grandview

Elizabeth and Tom told me on their wedding day at The Grandview on Lookout Mountain that just about every significant event in their life together was characterized by rain - lots of rain. They told me this as it poured down on the patio of their reception overlooking the mountains. To them, rain on their wedding day really was good luck. 

But for hours before that moment, it was a sunny beautiful day! Elizabeth and her ladies were in a quaint rental home right around the corner from the Rock City entrance. The venue and the getting ready home mimicked the overall vibe of the day - classic, timeless, with a touch of English countryside romance. 

Their friends and family had made their way there from Alabama and Texas. An intimate gathering of their closest friends and family, it was a small wedding party which kept the focus on the message of the day - the love Elizabeth and Tom share for each other and for their son, Eli. 

Later, right after the ceremony, the skies opened up on the celebration and the awesome team at The Grandview along with Elizabeth's own guests rushed to help gather all the details, centerpieces, florals, and decor before the rain washed them away. When it cleared, out came the troops again to reset everything! Elizabeth was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from her family and friends to ensure she had the perfect wedding reception. They danced the night away atop Lookout Mountain. 

Creative Team ||

Gown Designer: Jasmine Bridal 

Bridal Boutique: Ventura Bridal

Florist: May Flowers 

Venue: The Grandview

DJ / Entertainment Services: Soundforce Inc.

Photobooth: Soundforce Inc.

HMUA: The Blowout Co.

Jewelry Designer: Bhldn

Cake Designer: Heather Sissons

Officiant: Jacob Dunston

Catering: The Grandview

Nacho Bar - Chuy's 

Bridesmaids Dress: Dessy Group

r. Bridesmaids Dress: The Wooden Soldier

Groom Attire: Brooks Brothers shirt, J&M shoes, Hickey Freeman Suit

Invitations + Paper Goods: Minted

Favors: My Wedding Favor

Linens: White Table

Rentals: Showtime Rentals

 

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