A June wedding at Common House Chattanooga is what dreams are made of. What once stood as a circa 1929 YMCA has now been restored to an Italian Renaissance-style building that feels like you’ve been transported to the vineyards of Tuscany, Italy. Terra-cotta tile, stone fireplaces, and exposed brick make this place a standout wedding venue option in Chattanooga’s historic Southside neighborhood.
As a local wedding photographer in Chattanooga, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing many moments of love inside the walls of this renewed space. For Olivia and Kaleb, it was the ideal place to say “I do” in an intimate setting for just over 100 guests.
The Venue: Common House Chattanooga
Before we dive into the wedding day, let’s take a moment for the venue. Common House is a modern social club with locations in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia, as well as Chattanooga. The Chattanooga location opened its doors in May 2021, offering both public memberships and private event spaces. The building itself features a stunning terrace overlooking the city and Lookout Mountain, along with a library, billiards room, co-working space, cocktail lounge, garden, fitness studio, restaurant, and plenty of inviting spaces to eat, drink, and be merry.
When searching for a wedding venue in Chattanooga, Oliva and Kaleb immediately fell in love with Common House, its grounds, and the quiet corners of the historic space. On their wedding day, it more than lived up to every expectation, and their Common House Chattanooga wedding photos reflected every bit of its charm.
The Invisible String That Led Kaleb & Olivia Together
Kaleb and Olivia’s story began in a place neither of them called home: Chicago, Illinois. Their jobs required a 3–4 month training program, so after they each graduated from college, Olivia in Louisville, Kentucky, and Kaleb in Dallas, Texas, packed their bags and headed to the Windy City. Although they thought it was a simple training, fate had a different idea in mind.
Once they got to
training, the connection was instant. Kaleb’s golden retriever energy was the perfect match for Olivia’s true Cancer nature: calm, cool, mostly collected (with perhaps a hint of chaos), and a true softy at heart. But it wasn’t time for it to develop into anything romantic quite yet. They decided to stay just friends, since they knew the training wouldn’t last forever and that they would both be moving to completely different parts of the state once it was over: Olivia back to Kentucky and Kaleb back to Texas.
Even though it was “platonic,” they spent most of their time together during training and outside of it. They wouldn’t call it a date then, but in hindsight, their first date was after a full day of job training. Both Kaleb and Olivia decided to get their training group friends together for a night of bowling, but alas, no one showed up except for the two of them—almost as if it was meant to be for them to have one-on-one time. They bowled, drank, and ate classic bowling alley pizza while playing in the arcade and singing their hearts out at karaoke.
After the training in Chicago ended, Olivia and Kaleb decided to keep in touch. After all, neither could ignore the spark they felt from the moment they met. The invisible string between them never loosened, and after six months of phone calls and late-night text messages, they decided to give long distance a shot. Four months later, Olivia accepted a job in Dallas, and the rest is history.
Kaleb popped the question while they were temporarily living in San Diego, aboard a small vintage sailboat in the bay. In true Kaleb and Olivia fashion, he held onto the ring until she was seated because he had a feeling she’d accidentally drop it into the water if he handed it to her any sooner.
The Beginning Moments of a Common House Chattanooga Wedding Day
Before walking down the aisle, Kaleb and Olivia had an intimate moment for just the two of them. With a view of Lookout Mountain and classic Italian Renaissance architecture surrounding them, Olivia stepped out on the Terrace of Common House Chattanooga for a first look that I couldn’t stop smiling at, even from behind the camera.
We wandered across the terrace and through the grand staircase inside Common House, capturing intimate portraits that reflected Kaleb and Olivia’s love story.
From there, the bridal party and family photos followed. As per the couple’s request, I photographed the bridal party in their element: gathered around a pool table, drinks in hand, and laughter echoing throughout Common House Chattanooga.
An Intimate Ceremony and Reception in the Halls of Common House Chattanooga
The ceremony took place in the Common House’s Pennybacker Room. It was the perfect space to exchange vows, with a stone fireplace and brick floors that complemented Kaleb and Olivia’s choice of decor, bursting with shades of orange and hues of green.
Kaleb’s niece and nephew stepped in as the flower girl and ring bearer, setting the tone for a family-oriented ceremony that felt exactly like the two of them. When Olivia walked down the aisle, heads turned, and tears were shed, including the groom himself.
The ceremony passed in a blur, and guests were invited into the grand Ruby Hall at Common House Chattanooga for a celebration that would last far into the night. Candles, greenery, and hints of orange lined elegant tables draped in linen, while twinkle lights hung from the high ceilings. Exposed brick and a checkerboard dance floor awaited the guests at the reception.
As the sun set, speeches were given, and guests raised their glasses to a love story they had witnessed firsthand. Full-bodied jazz tunes filled the air as tenor saxophonist Nick from Velvet City Sound serenaded the crowd—everyone mingled as the couple, and I stole away for a few more special photo ops on the Terrace.
. 
. 
Ending the Night with a Bang (and a Jump into the Pool)
If I could say one thing about this group of people, and dynamic duo, it would be this: they know how to throw a party. We ended the night at Ruby Hall, dancing to our hearts’ content—I unashamedly got down to a few songs as I captured photos left and right. Live music filled the air as we pulled out our best dance moves, and Common House Chattanooga was the ideal backdrop for a party to remember.
Olivia and Kaleb ended their wedding day with a somewhat spontaneous jump into the pool. It was fun. It was exhilarating. It was perfectly them. And Common House Chattanooga couldn’t have been a more fitting backdrop for the final chapter of their celebration.
Plan Your Common House Chattanooga Wedding With a Photographer That Knows It Well
Okay, it’s your turn now. If you want to plan your own wedding at Common House Chattanooga, I’m the girl with a camera to capture every moment of your big day. My past clients say I bring the party wherever I go, and I can’t deny it. At every wedding, I deliver energy with a balance of ease and photos that feel like you, capturing only the best moments. I make it my goal to help you feel comfortable and like yourself, especially when you’re in front of the camera.
Tell me about your wedding plans, what you want your photos to feel and look like, and be honest about what you’re worried will go wrong. I’ve got you from day one, and I’m here to ease your stress long before the big day arrives. Reach out to me with the details, and let’s capture your wedding day exactly as you imagine it.
Vendor Team
Venue: Common House Chattanooga
Planner: Before the Vows (Jenny & Kelsey Sue)
Florals: Fox & Fern (Liza)
Dress: Grace Loves Lace
Hair & Makeup: The Effortless Beauty
Band: Velvet City Sound (Nick)
Rentals: Dance Floor, Bar, Lighting – Luma Designs | Furniture, Tablescapes – The Copper Quail (Anna) | Linens – The White Table (Laura) | Audio Guestbook – After the Tone
Videography: Sarmiento Media (Will)
