I wish you all could have been at Leah and Jacob’s Chattanooga Whiskey Distillery wedding. For real. Leah and Jacob were the FN best! We had a blast together and it was such an honor to get to know them through the process. We did their engagement photos in the spring at Middle Creek and I knew then these were my people. Leah and Jacob’s wedding day was stacked with happy tears, deep belly laughs, tons of giggles, lots of tissues, and I can’t wait to show you everything.
GETTING READY ON CHATTANOOGA’S RIVERFRONT
Leah and Jacob got ready at a hotel right on Chattanooga’s riverfront. In one room, Leah and her bridesmaids got dolled up while sharing Trulys, champagne, snacks, and just tons of good, mushy energy. In another room, Jacob and his groomsmen got dapper and joked around. Jacob put that suit coat on and looked handsome as hellllll!
I was really excited about a few details. First, Southerly Flower Farm kicked so much butt with these florals. They showed up early with some extra stems for me to photograph the invitation suite. I used these same stems to get a lovely shot of the couple’s rings. And I can’t wait for you to see the untraditional color palette of Leah’s caramel, rusty bouquet! Gah! I can’t get enough of their work EVER. (Check out my other blogs with their floral design!)
Leah had her fancy dress shoes and a pair of lace-covered Keds for dancing. Her dress from All About the Bride had a detachable train! DETACHABLE TRAIN! I had never seen anything like it, but this is way simpler than a bustle. All the drama for the photos earlier in the day and then with a few quick hooks she was ready for the dance floor.
After we got some of these getting ready photos, we did a brief first look on the balcony of the hotel. Normally, I try to set up a quiet meeting for the couple so they can share this moment together privately. But all the ladies were in the room still for Leah and Jacob’s first look, and everyone was so emotional. So much human connection juiciness going on with this crew! I loved it.
BRIDE AND GROOM PORTRAITS ON CHATTANOOGA’S RIVERFRONT
After their first look, I took Leah and Jacob down to the river. I’d done some location scouting the day before, which is normal for me, and I saw that the water was really low. So within just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel and Chatt Whiskey, we had “beach” access.
Jacob loves fishing, and travels the world to go fishing. Being able to do this series of portraits at the river was perfect because he spends so much time on the water. The light was perfectly gold because November in Chattanooga is magic like that! We seriously could not have asked for better weather.
These two have wonderful chemistry and kept themselves and me laughing through these photos. They’re just two firecracker human beings. I loved coming back along the Riverwalk and seeing Leah’s dancing her little soul out because she’s so giddy.
CHATTANOOGA WHISKEY DISTILLERY WEDDING DETAILS
Let me pause in telling you about Leah and Jacob for a quick tour of the Chattanooga Whiskey Event Hall. The Event Hall is located at the corner of MLK Boulevard and Riverfront Parkway adjacent to the Chattanooga Whiskey Distillery itself.
The Chattanooga Whiskey Event Hall is a really versatile space, and I think it’s perfect for weddings. The venue, just beyond downtown Chattanooga, is a round hall with floor-to-ceiling windows on just about every side. The Event Hall can accommodate 225 guests (300 if standing), and the venue includes a small catering prep kitchen, full bar (alcohol not included in cost), tables (including up to 10 whiskey barrels which are great set up as cocktail tables!), and plenty of off-street parking.
Holding your wedding here at the Chattanooga Whiskey distillery also allows you to incorporate a guided tour if that’s part of your passion!
You’ll notice that Leah and Jacob had a white pipe and drape backdrop hung to frame their ceremony site. Other than this and a few minor floral installations, they did not add any decoration to their Chattanooga Whiskey Distillery wedding. The opted to have the space “reception ready” and arranged with tables and chairs for the ceremony. This meant their guests didn’t have to clear out of the room for reception set-up and saved a significant amount of time!
BRIDAL PARTY PORTRAITS AT CHATTANOOGA WHISKEY EVENT HALL
One cool thing about a distillery wedding at Chatt Whiskey’s Event Hall is having access to the barrel room! This is always a super impressive backdrop for the bridal party and couple’s photos. Later on, we also took family photos out here, and the folks at the Event Hall even brought out a 12-foot ladder for me to climb and take a giant group shot of everyone who attended.
If you notice, you’ll see in these bridal party portraits that I love to get a good mix of candid, interactive, personality shots AND ALSO those traditional shots of the wedding party posing for the camera. We think that those shoulders back, smiling for the camera pictures are just for mom or grandma. But my couples are always happy to have these more traditional shots for their wedding albums, too.
After the group shots, Leah donned a white leather jacket for just a few more pictures, and then we hit the exterior of the venue. Their snuggles out here are so so sweet, and I loved finding the high-contrast of the bright sun, deep shadow, industrial brick, and the couple’s tenderness.
CHATTANOOGA WHISKEY DISTILLERY WEDDING AND RECEPTION
Leah and Jacob’s wedding ceremony at Chattanooga Whiskey distillery was beautiful. Jacob’s father performed the ceremony, which was so special for the couple. I still get some warm-fuzzies looking at Leah and Jacob’s faces while they read their vows to each other. I know I’ve said this before, but it’s the truth: weddings where the couple writes their vows just open up people’s hearts in so many good ways! The entire event has a sense of intimacy and connection, and the dance floor is a total rager!
Following a catered dinner by Bitter Alibi, Jacob and Leah cut into their B’s Sweets cakes and mingled with guests. Then the dance floor opened, and Solid Rock brought their A-game! The couple planned a sparkler exit, and at the last minute, we had them ride through the tunnel of sparklers in the back of a pickup truck. I was so excited at how this worked out! What a fun twist.
Overall, this day was as sweet and fun and emotional as it looks!
I absolutely loved photographing Leah and Jacob’s wedding and reception at Chattanooga Whiskey Event Hall. I’d love for you to check out my other wedding work. It just never ever gets old, y’all! Bring me all the love you’ve got, and we’ll document the heck out of your special day.
A number of wonderful venues and vendors came together to create such a gorgeous day for Leah and Jacob. I’d love for you to check them out for further inspiration!
Venue- Chattanooga Whiskey Event Hall
Caterer- Bitter Alibi
Florals- Southerly Flower Farm
Dress- All About the Bride
Suit- Men’s Warehouse
Hair- Salon Haven
DJ- Solid Rock
Cake- B’s Sweets
Event Design- Luma Designs + Southerly Flower Farm
Rentals- Luma Designs
Wedding Planning- Wildflower Wedding Planning
