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Why Your Wedding Chairs and Seating Matter

You might not realize it if you have never planned a wedding before, but there are certain small elements that make BIG impacts - one, in particular, that should not be overlooked: chairs.

You might not realize it if you have never planned a wedding before, but there are certain small elements that make BIG impacts - one, in particular, that should not be overlooked: chairs.

Having photographed every style of wedding imaginable, I’m here to say that chairs can greatly influence the aesthetic of not only the event, but your photos as well. Of course, you can easily drop a fortune on chair rentals the same way you could to have extravagant florals or a fairytale venue, but there are easy ways to elevate the sophistication of your more common and affordable chair rentals.

Let’s call this segment:

HIGH IMPACT PLANNING

(I have a section in my Wedding Experience catalog about this too!)

First, it is important to consider the overall design and style of both your wedding vision and the venue or location. You likely wouldn’t want a bunch of bean bag chairs outside of your family chapel or wooden rocking chairs at an industrial loft. And often times, wedding venues provide or offer chairs they have onsite though I would suggest viewing these yourself to ensure they fit with the aesthetic of your vision - plastic folding chairs don’t exactly translate well in photos. For example, ghost chairs are fantastic options if you want the focus to be on the full environment of the ceremony or reception location. Since ghost chairs are transparent, they do a great job of blending in with their surroundings. Spend some time actually looking at the chairs on your moodboards as they can easily be overlooked when browsing Pinterest. Put together a selection you love and your planner and designer can help you source them.

If bespoke custom chairs are not in the budget, there are easy ways to elevate your more common chair rentals like the Cross-Back, Bentwood, or Chiavari chairs: fabric. That’s it. Wrap material around the chairs. You can use flowy chiffon, linen, silk, lace, velvet. It can be translucent or opaque and colorful. Personally, I’m a fan of neutrals and long flowing fabric for ultimate romance. I’ve included examples below! This is an easy and affordable option to really elevate the elegance of the event!

On the other hand, if there is room to splurge a bit, consider premium seating options for your head table and complimentary but cost-effective seating for the rest of the tables. Your head table is what your wedding photographer will likely zero in on when capturing your reception details. This is where you can really show off your design. Modern white and gold low-back chairs, leather butterfly chairs, or wicker boho chairs can make that impactful statement you’re looking for without breaking the bank!

It might not seem like much, but it is truly the small details that make the big picture. And ultimately, you want it to be a damn good picture.

Browse the inspiration down below, and get in touch if you’d like to more tips on getting the best wedding photos ever.

This wedding at Long Hollow Gardens took place in a working garden nursery. The bistro chairs enhanced the patio nature of the wedding reception while also mimicking the wood slat design of the nursery itself.

Image Sources: Greg Finck; Floral Style

The Provence patio chair lends to the backyard character with stunning florals situated at each row. While ghost chairs were used for this garden wedding where the couple wanted the full emphasis on their beautiful florals.

Traditional cross-back chairs are slight in size allowing for more guests per row.

Image sources: Lenny Pellico; Josh & Dana Fernandez
Wicker chairs bring this boho vision to life in Italy, while these white and gold frame chairs make a modern statement for this courtyard wedding.

Image sources: Muravnik; Babb Photo

Mismatched chairs can make a statement all in themselves! A mix of common rentals including Cross-back, Bentwood, and Louis XVI chairs. This design works well due to the light-coloring of the wood and chairs. On the right, is a more eclectic mix of common dining chairs! You could easily source these from your own family and friends, thrift stores, yard sales, and neighbors!

Image sources: KT Merry; Kylie Mills Photography via The Lane

The easiest way to elevate the most common wedding rental chairs: FABRIC! Draping linen, chiffon, velvet, or even lace can instantly make any normal chair look like a luxury ceremony setting!

Image sources: Tianran Zhang Photography; Katie Grant Photography; Sweet Pea Photography

Tulle was laced through these Chiavari chairs, while soft flowing fabric was draped and tied to the Cross-back chairs, and in the last photo, an Origami-inspired design was affixed to these Fishback chairs.

Image by Katie Grant Photography. See more of this wedding here. Cross-backed chairs go from “seen it before” to Wow! factor with simple drapery wrapped around the frame. We had to share this one again - it’s just so beautiful!

Image: Erich McVey

This transparent fabric catches the light so beautifully being tightly fastened around the Bentwood chairs.

Image: Katie Grant Photography

Delicate fabric is draped gently over the Chiavaris to catch the movement of the wind.

On the left, this wedding took place in a mountain lodge. To keep with the lodge design, the couple chose these rustic wooden chairs. On the right, this ceremony was parkside. The couple’s emphasis was their family and friends and they opted for bench seating to compliment the family-style of the wedding.

Image sources: Soil and Stem; Blue Rose Photography

Director’s chairs are both stylish and comfortable. They draped fur to further emphasize the Nordic styling. While on the right, these Rattan chairs perfectly compliment the color scheme and allow the luxurious table linen to be fully appreciated.

Image by Kartsie Photography via Junebug Weddings

Color for the win with both of these designs! The soft rose pink flatters the tropical greens.

Image by Moose Studio.

These modern orange velvet chairs make an impactful and fun style statement!

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Romantic Ridge Rose Wedding in Georgia

When I first toured Ridge Rose (formally Candlelight Ridge), it was quickly apparent it was unlike any other wedding venue here in Chattanooga, TN. Which meant that any wedding there would be unlike any wedding I’d photographed before here in the south. As an advocate of the nontraditional and the little bit weird and unique, I couldn’t wait to capture that wedding. Fortunately, I wouldn’t have to wait long.

Enter stage left: Haley and Travis: fellow creatives, lovers of the outdoors and of all things intimate, romantic, and doin’ it for the feels. Yep, the precise couple to shake it all up!

We could not have gotten luckier. It was the kind of spring day where the sun warms your skin, but you have to stay close and cozy when the light fades and the wind picks up. The quaint English-style cottage made for the most lovely of wedding suites. Haley could not have looked more angelic than if she had fallen to earth that same day. And next to Travis, these two looked as though they had just stepped out of a magazine.

There was no shortage of happy tears - from the first look, to the vows, to the speeches. They danced their first dance as they receded back down the aisle - nontraditional and a little bit weird and unique, definitely one of my favorite moments of the day. As the creators of the Flikr Fireplaces (go check these out! You’ll want one!), each table beneath the boho rustic tent was lined with the personal fireplaces so each guest could warm their hands and toast their marshmallows. They danced and lip-synced the night away beneath the stars, surrounded by their most loved ones, what I would call - The Perfect Wedding Day.

Venue | Ridge Rose

Gown | Stella York

Bridal Boutique | Ever After Bridal

Design + Rentals | The Copper Quail

Cake Designer | Blue Willow Bakery

Makeup Artist | Gabriella Bordo

Jewelry Designer | Spectrum Handcrafted Designs

Groom’s Suit | Blue Suit

Fireplace Favors | Flikr Fireplaces


rustic wedding ceremony in the georgia mountains
welcome to our wedding sign at rustic outdoor wedding ceremony
custom wedding rings in wooden jewelry box over lace background
bride in white robe getting ready before wedding ceremony
bridal jewelry and blue boots
bride and groom dancing in a blue room
bride and groom nearly kissing
groom grabbing friends suit before wedding ceremony
woman applying lipstick on bride in front of brick cottage
bride and groom embracing after wedding ceremony
bride and groom dancing in middle of aisle during wedding ceremony
guests roasting marshmallows during wedding reception in georgia
bride and groom gazing at each other during reception toasts
bride dancing with father during reception
guests dancing and singing with mic during wedding reception

Want to see another epic Georgia mountain wedding!?

Want more information for your wedding day investment?

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Kiss Compilation of 2017 | Love Stories | Taylor English Photography

A video compilation of my favorite kiss or almost kiss moments from every session in 2017. Well, every session with two people in love. 

I always wonder what it looks like to people outside of the 3 or 4 of us shooting together. There I am, encouraging you to make out with your partner, telling you to get closer, really go for it, kiss her like you mean it - like it's the last kiss you'll ever give her. And then I'm really supportive when you do that, cheering you on and all. It's a good thing we're all fully clothed and normally in public places, or else someone might think what I'm doing is illegal or at the very least, highly disapproved of hahah! 

Those of you watching - go home and make out with your significant other tonight. Making out is the best. Now excuse me, while I go kiss on J a bit :'D

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Colorado Springs | Hillside Gardens | Gabi & Manny

This day was filled to brim.... no, this day was overflowing with emotion. Gabi and Manny's wedding day brought tears to my eyes more times than I can count.

As Gabi stepped into her  wedding gown, her mother began to sing to her an old lullaby as she buttoned her gown. Later, she had a first look with her father and brother, both of whom were brought to tears as they approached her, whispering what a beautiful bride she made. In fact, during the ceremony as Gabi and Manny recited their vows, I don't remember seeing a dry eye in the house! It was touching and emotional and truly beautiful. 

But once the reception got going, the party was in full-swing! Hillside Gardens is an expansive an truly unique wedding venue! At night, market lights twinkle over the gardens, and the whole atmosphere feels magical! Their guests danced the night away, and the groomsmen even rapped an old rap they'd written as teenagers! 

Just another wonderful wedding in the Colorado mountains!

XOXO

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Chattanooga, TN Photographer: Winner of WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award

Taylor English Photography Honored For Excellence With 2017 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award®


                      Chattanooga, TN – January 12, 2017 – WeddingWire, the leading global online marketplace for the wedding and event industry, announced Taylor English Photography as a winner of the esteemed 2017 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® for Authentic Story-Telling in Wedding Photography in Chattanooga, TN!
                        
                        The Couples’ Choice Awards recognize the top five percent of wedding professionals on WeddingWire who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism. The prestigious awards are given to the top local wedding professionals across more than 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their professional achievements from the previous year. 
                        
                        The WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with Taylor English Photography. Award-winning vendors are distinguished for the quality, quantity, consistency and timeliness of the reviews they have received from their past clients.
                        
                        “The Couples’ Choice Awards’ ninth year features one of the most impressive groups of dedicated and acclaimed wedding professionals yet,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “It is our honor to work with high-caliber merchants, such as Taylor English Photography who not only make a couple's big day possible, but also contribute to the more than 2.5 million U.S. reviews represented on WeddingWire.  We congratulate all of this year's winners on their achievements.”
                        
                        As a Couples’ Choice Awards® winner, TEPhoto is highlighted on WeddingWire, which is comprised of more than 200,000 wedding professionals in the U.S.
                        
                        TEPhoto is thrilled to be one of the top Wedding Photographers in Southeast Region on WeddingWire. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. We truly value all of our clients and appreciate the positive feedback that helped us earn a 2017 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award.
                        
                        For more information about Taylor English Photography, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/taylor-english-photography-chattanooga/b778ef8d9f4a633f.html.
                        
                        To learn more about the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®, please visit www.weddingwire.com/couples-choice-awards.
                        
                        About WeddingWire, Inc.
                        WeddingWire, Inc. is the leading global online marketplace connecting consumers with event and creative professionals. Operating within a $200 billion industry, WeddingWire, Inc. hosts 10 million monthly unique users across its mobile and web platforms. Consumers around the world are able to read over 3 million vendor reviews and search, compare and book from a database of over 400,000 businesses globally. It provides these businesses the technology they need to serve their clients through advertising, marketing and business management tools such as websites, payment processing, invoicing and contracts. Founded in 2007, the WeddingWire portfolio of sites serves couples and businesses across 15 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia, making it the worldwide leader in weddings with brands including Bodas.net, Casamentos.com.br, Matrimonio.com and more. The company employs more than 800 and maintains global headquarters in Washington, DC and international headquarters in Barcelona, Spain.  
                    

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Chattanooga Wedding Photographer : Littleton, Colorado : Isabelle + Nick

Isabelle and Nick promised each other forever on a sunny, spectacular June Sunday in Littleton, Colorado at the Manor House. 

This couple, aside from being two of the tallest people I know, are also made for each other. They are so in sync, and the love they share is intoxicating. These two just get each other. 

And not just these two together, but the people they surround themselves with. You could feel the connection between Isabelle and her bridesmaids as they ooh'd and ahh'd when she stepped into her Zac Posen wedding gown (looking like a total Greek Goddess, by the way). Nick and his groomsmen were total jokesters - finding the fun in every wedding day event. 

The Manor House was a stunning venue with a very cool history. Situated right between the front range and with a view of Denver - guests can feel like they're in the mountains but are also close enough to the city that your first kiss can feature Denver skyline in the background!

I can't wait to see where Isabelle and Nick's future leads them!

And be sure to check out the feature of this wedding on Wedding Chicks too!

Venue: The Manor House

Bridal Gown: Zac Posen

Groom's Tux: Joseph Abboud

Bridesmaid Gowns: Badgley Mischka from Rent the Runway

Florist: Lehrer's Flowers

Cake Designer: The Makery Cake Co. 

Videographer: 515 Film Company

Entertainment: DJ Perry Washington

Hair: Montana Salon and Day Spa

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