Wedding in The West Village Chattanooga - Our Ampersand Photography

Every so often, you get a wedding that checks all the boxes: stunning decor, amazing music, fun guests, and an awesome couple. Haley and Collin’s wedding in The West Village in Chattanooga was one of those weddings!

Enjoy their modern, one-of-a-kind wedding in The West Village!

A bride and groom stand together against a white wall in harsh light and shadows.

GETTING READY FOR WEDDING AT BODE CHATTANOOGA

After they had to give up their original date due to COVID-19, Haley and Collin pushed their wedding back to a Friday in April. By then, nearly all of their guests had been vaccinated and they were able to host the wedding they’d been dreaming of. These high school sweethearts are one of those couples who you just know are best friends. I’m so glad they were able to throw such a killer freaking wedding.

On the morning of, I met the wedding party at Bode Chattanooga, a gorgeous hotel and getting ready location in The West Village. While it’s technically an Airbnb, Bode Chattanooga has the charm of a retro hotel. The rooms are enormous, and they all have massive windows for great natural light. Since it sits right in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, it’s a great spot for couples getting married nearby who want a little extra elbow room while they get ready.

I spent some time with the ladies, documenting their getting ready process and their badass black gowns. Haley’s mom helped her get into her dress and veil (which was her mom’s originally!), we did a little first look with the gals, and then I snuck Haley away for some bridal portraits. Bode Chattanooga’s windows make for some really cool lighting, and I had a blast playing with the direct light and contrast in the space. It perfectly showcased Haley’s modern, edgy style and her stunning bouquet by Blue Thistle.

I also popped in on the groom and his groomsmen, who were loosening up with some bourbon and dancing. Then, it was time for the first look!

A flat lay of the bride's shoes, jewelry, and wedding invitations. A box of cookies next to a sink. A bride closes her eyes while her makeup artist mists her face. A bride poses with her bridesmaids in matching black clothes on a white bed. A neutral, wild-looking bouquet on a black and white rug in a spot of sunlight. A bridal gown and bouquet resting in an open window. The bride's mother buttons the back of her dress and smiles. A bride throws her hands up in celebration as she sees herself in her wedding attire for the first time. The bride and her mother hug and smile against a white wall. The bride poses in a sliver of bright light against a plain wall. A boutonnière of dried flowers and grasses lying on a black and white rug. A groomsman helps the ring bearer tie his bowtie. A close-up of the groom's dried floral boutonniere against his black suit. The groom and a groomsman dance in the getting ready room. The groom stands in front of a wooden door and checks his watch. The bride and groom's rings in the center of a black and white flower.

FIRST LOOK & WEDDING PHOTOS IN THE WEST VILLAGE

Once she was ready, Haley headed down to a secluded spot in the hotel for her first look with Collin. She came up behind him, grabbed his butt, and laughed as he whirled around to see her. It was super sweet, super simple, and super fun.

With the first look out of the way, we jumped right into bride and groom portraits. Lucky for us, the West Village has tons of gorgeous spots. And since they opted for a Friday wedding, we didn’t have to work around other wedding parties. Score! I absolutely love weddings in the West Village because it’s both beautiful and convenient. There are so many cute photo ops, and being in the heart of the city means we can bop around from location to location without driving for ages. With the parks downtown, you can get outdoorsy, nature-heavy shots without leaving the city. Then, after your reception, you’ve got endless options for afterparty spots.

As I do with all my downtown couples, I dragged Haley and Collin to the roof of a parking garage in the West Village for some wedding photos. That high up, you get an amazing view of the city and tons of gorgeous afternoon light. After playing around outside, we skipped back over to the hotel for wedding party photos, threw some confetti, and got ready for the ceremony.

The bride sneaks up behind the groom and grabs his butt for the first look. The groom smiles as he sees his bride for the first time. The bride and groom hug during their first look. The bride and groom touch foreheads in a sliver of bright light. The bride and groom pose together against a plain wall in a sliver of bright light. A close up of the bride and groom's feet on a black and white tile floor. The bride and groom hold hands and walk while smiling at each other. The bride poses with her bouquet in front of two large wooden doors. The bride and groom walk hand-in-hand down a street in downtown Chattanooga. The bride adjusts her veil in the reflection of an elevator door. The bride and groom smile and embrace on the roof of a parking garage. The groom poses staring at the camera while his bride looks off in the distance in the background A bride and groom walk hand-in-hand and smile at one another. The bride and groom lean against each other and hold hands in front of a white wall. The bride and groom's shadows on a brick street in downtown Chattanooga. The bride and groom pose with their bridal party. Everyone but the bride is wearing all black. The bride poses and smiles with one of her bridesmaids. A close up of the bride and bridesmaid's dried floral bouquets. The bride and groom cheers with their bridal party while smiling for the camera. A bride and groom kiss while their bridal party celebrates behind them. A bride and groom laugh among their bridal party. The ring bearer plays pool before the wedding. The bride and groom kiss among a shower of confetti.

A CLASSY, MODERN WEDDING CEREMONY WITH BLUE THISTLE

Haley and Collin booked Blue Thistle to create installations for their ceremony at The Church on Main. Blue Thistle designed these modern arches for the altar that paired perfectly with the personal florals. It was modern with just a touch of boho, and it looked great in the space.

Haley walked down the aisle with her mama, she and Collin exchanged vows in a short and sweet ceremony, and then it was time to celebrate! We took family photos outside of The Church and sipped some beer before we headed to the reception.

An outside view of The Church on Main. A view from behind as the ring bearer and flower girl walk hand-in-hand down the aisle. The bride walks down the aisle with her mother, who dries her eyes with a tissue. The groom smiles as his bride walks down the aisle. The bride and groom hold hands at the altar. The bride and groom exchange rings at the altar. The bride and groom raise their hands in celebration at the altar. The bride and groom walk together up a grand wooden staircase. The bride and groom drink beers together outside their wedding venue. The bride and groom pose with their large family against a brick wall outside their wedding venue. A wedding guest slips a beer into a custom coozie at the wedding reception.

A WILD AND FUN WEDDING RECEPTION WITH THE MILLIONDOLLAMAN

As soon as we walked into the reception, you could just feel the joy and relief from both the couple and their guests. My COVID couples often have to wait much longer than they originally planned to tie the knot. By the time the ceremony’s over, they’re just glad to be official!

And as if this crew wasn’t already down to party, Haley and Collin booked one of the best DJ’s in Chattanooga, Milliondollaman Keenan Daniels! If you want a DJ who 1) gets the party going, 2) keeps the party going, and 3) looks great while doing it, I can’t recommend Milliondollaman enough. He gets out on the floor, teaches you dances, and generally keeps the vibes up for the entire night. Plus, he brings all the crazy dance lights and speakers. Seriously, I’ve seen couples change their wedding dates just to get on his calendar. If you’re looking for an amazing DJ, get on his calendar early!

We ate, we drank, we smashed some cake, and we danced the rest of the night away! Haley and Collin had an absolute blast, and I’m so glad I was there to witness and capture it. Congratulations, lovebirds!

The DJ announces the bride and groom's entrance with a gold microphone. The bride struts into the reception space, her bouquet in one hand and a beer in the other. A dried floral bouquet on a simple reception table. The bride and groom smile at one another during their first dance. The bride and groom raise their hands in celebration after their first dance. The bride and her mother dance and laugh during the wedding reception. Groomsmen dance and remove their suit jackets at the wedding reception. The bride and groom dance with the flower girl under party lights. Wedding guests dance under party lights. The bride and groom smile as they cut their cake, a three-tiered champagne cake with neutral flowers. The bride smashes cake into her groom's face. A champagne wedding cake surrounded by simple cupcakes with white frosting. The DJ at his table beneath party lights. The bride yells and dances under party lights. Wedding guests leap to catch the bouquet under party lights. Wedding guests dance under party lights. The DJ lays on the floor and speaks into a gold microphone late into a wedding reception. The groom dips his bride and kisses her under the party lights.