It’s been a little over a year since the Supreme Court ruling made marriage equality a right for all same sex couples across the country. June 26, 2015 changed the lives of so many couples, families, and LGBTQ allies. It also changed the lives of many wedding vendors, specifically those of us that live in the Bible Belt.

I committed to happily & openly photographing same sex couples, families, and weddings many years ago.  The June 26, 2015 ruling gave me the opportunity to photograph even more same sex weddings because local couples were no longer forced to leave Tennessee to be legally wed. For many wedding vendors who had no previously worked with same sex couples, it was time to make a decision.

In a perfect world, a directory of same sex friendly wedding vendors would be pointless. Being in the wedding industry, it’s been impossible to avoid stories of bakers refusing to bake cakes or venues backing out of wedding contracts. Over & over again when I chat with my clients, they tell me about the awkward interactions or upsetting situations they find themselves in. I can’t imagine what it would be like to navigate the stresses of wedding planning while trying to figure out if a vendor might refuse you service. I sincerely can’t wait for a time when all couples feel welcome everywhere.

To combat a little bit of the stress, I’ve created a list of Knoxville same sex friendly wedding vendors. These vendors have expressed desire to serve same sex clients openly & happily. They are ready for you to inquire with them.

This is in no way a comprehensive list. If someone isn’t on this list, it does not mean they don’t serve the LGBTQ community.

If you are a wedding professional in the Knoxville area who would like to be added to this list of Knoxville same sex friendly wedding vendors, please contact me. If you are on the fence on whether or not you should publicly serve same sex clients, I would love to share my experiences with you. Check out this wonderful list of ways you can become a better LGBTQ allied vendor by the incredible Kelly Prizel.

All photos provided by yours truly. Special thanks to Shaun Cox of a DIY Wedding Affair for compiling a list for Chattanooga weddings & inspiring me to create one for Knoxville.

Happy wedding planning!

KNOXVILLE SAME SEX FRIENDLY WEDDING VENDORS

VENUES

Heartland Meadows – Knoxville – events@heartlandmeadows.com
Christopher Place Resort – Newport- stay@christopherplace.com
The Knoxville Zoo – Knoxville- ahackney@zooknoxville.org
Dara’s Garden – Knoxville – sales@darasgarden.com
Club Leconte – Knoxville – patricia.johnson@clubcorp.com
The Historic Bleak House – Knoxville – historicbleakhouse@gmail.com
The Hilton – Knoxville – nthreadgill@hiltonknoxville.com
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame – Knoxville – dhart@wbhof.com
The Volunteer Princess – Knoxville – volunteercruises@bellsouth.net
Elizabeth Claire’s – Clinton – elizabethclaires@me.com
Smith Event Centers – Maryville – info@smithvenues.com
Idle Hour Farm & Retreat – Rogersville – idlehourfarmandretreat@gmail.com 
Bluff Mountain Inn – Sevierville – info@bluffmountaininn.com
Marblegate Farm – Friendsville – hello@marblegatefarm.com
The White Barn at Cruz Farm– Knoxville

 

OFFICIANTS

Celebrations by Celeste – celebrationsbyceleste@gmail.com
Sevier County Weddings – thomas@seviercountyweddings.com
Universal Wedding Officiants –  universalweddingofficiant@gmail.com
Judith Douglas – shortredhair@msn.com

DJs

Patrick Michael Weddings – michael@patrickmichaelweddings.com
Good Sounds Entertainment –  hkinney@goodsoundsentertainment.com
Side-by-Side Entertainment – jeff_dj@charter.net
Brian S. Graham Entertainment –  brian@knoxvillewedding.com

VIDEOGRAPHER

Casey & Kristin – hello@caseyandkristin.com
Ryan’s Production – ryansproduction@mac.com
Midnight Magic Studios – info@midnightmagicvideo.com
NuWave Productions – daniel@nuwaveprod.com

PHOTOGRAPHER

Alex Bee Photo – alex@alexbeephoto.com 
Erin Morrison Photography – erinmorrisonphotography@gmail.com
Break the Mold Photo – breakthemoldphoto@gmail.com

MAKEUP & HAIR

Beauty by Blair – beautybyblair@yahoo.com
Vivify Salon –  vivifysalon@gmail.com

WEDDING PLANNING

Southern Bliss Weddings – southernblisswed@gmail.com
Absolute Wedding Perfection – angie_froemel@yahoo.com
Premiere Events –  eventstn@att.net

FLORALS

Melissa Timm Designs – melissa@melissatimmdesigns.com
Flower Shop, Inc. – info@flowershopinc.com
The Fleurella – esme@thefleurella.com

CATERER

Holly’s Gourmet Market  – hambright610@gmail.com

BAKERY

Sugarbuzz Bakers – connie@sugarbuzzbakers.com
Art of Cakes – artofcakesbakery@gmail.com

MISC.

Unique Setting Rentals – Mismatched China & Tabletop Rentals – uniquesettingsrentals@gmail.com
Sarah Brobst Designs – Custom Brooch Bouquets and Wedding Jewelry – lilysjb@hotmail.com
Sweven Vintage & Rustic Rentals – swevenrentals@gmail.com
Wallace Paper Company – Invitations & Other Paper Goods – hello@wallacepaperco.com
Robyn James Ensembles – Musician – robyn@robynjames.com
Memories In A Flash Photo Booth – betsy@memoriestn.com
Regal Carriages – Vintage Car Transportation – steve@regalcarriagesknox.com

If you are a wedding professional in the Knoxville area who would like to be added to this list of Knoxville same sex friendly wedding vendors, please contact me.

All photographs by Alex Bee Photo

Since I’m officially a Knoxville wedding photographer now, it’s about time to blog some Knoxville weddings!

When I think of Sam & Casey’s wedding day, I think of family. They were married in their family’s backyard, surrounded by kids and loved ones. Sam & Casey must be the proudest aunt & uncle around. Their joy-filled wedding was an honor to photograph. After every wedding, there’s always a moment that stays with me. Photographing Sam & Casey after the ceremony on the porch of their newly shared home was a beautiful experience. They overflowed with happiness from just being married! These little personalized details of this backyard wedding came together to create a very intimate day.

 

Knoxville Wedding Photographer

Sam & Casey’s backyard Knoxville wedding was so classically southern. Quilts, apple butter, banana pudding, church pews, fried okra, homegrown green-beans, fried chicken, & summer humidity. All things that I think many of us who grew up in East Tennessee instantly connect with. It delighted me to see that Sam even had tiny green tomatoes in her wedding bouquet! As a Knoxville wedding photographer, I love the different types of weddings I am able to photograph!

Huge thanks to Brittany of Eden Bliss Weddings for second shooting this event with me. A few of these photos were taken by her. The incredible florals were provided by Scott Morrel. Enjoy a glimpse into this beautiful day!

If you are looking for your own Knoxville wedding photographer, I’d love to chat!

I met Rolla & Naseem on a sunny early October evening for their scenic Chattanooga engagement session. There are so many great places in the Chattanooga, but this sweet couple chose a location that was very special to their relationship. I always love that! And the light at this session was so dreamy I wanted to squeal like a little girl!

I can’t wait for their September wedding this year. Thank you Rolla & Naseem!

I met Christie & Seamus on a blistering August afternoon for their Belmont University engagement session. We explored the beautiful garden grounds & I awed in the deep greens of summer! We were hit with an unexpected storm just as their dog Wilson arrived. They took it like champions. We waited out the storm, introduced Wilson to some sorority girls, and then took more great photos. Wilson is the most handsome little beagle I’ve ever met!

Thank you Christie & Seamus for having me photograph your wedding & engagement photos!

Oh my, do I have sweet wedding for you today. I am so excited to share these RT Lodge wedding photos! If you’ve never been to RT Lodge, let me draw you a picture. Nestled in the foothills of the Smokies, RT Lodge is a stunner. Every piece of this property is beautiful & just oozing with Americana. From the drive to the property with the ivy-filled woods to the perfectly lit twinkle lights, you’ll be in awe. At least I am! Autumn & Jared were married on September Saturday with perfect weather. I assisted the wonderful Anna Hedges on this RT Lodge wedding. Thank you Anna for having me along!

RT Lodge Wedding Photos

If you are having an RT Lodge wedding & are looking for a wedding photographer, please do get in touch! I’ve got something special in mind for you. Despite shooting over a hundred weddings in the area, I’ve never shot as a primary photographer at RT Lodge & I am just dying for the opportunity! It’s definitely at the TOP of my wedding venue wishlist.

The english ivy surrounding the woods at RT Lodge adds such a dreaminess to the photos!

I am an absolute sucker for these two moments with Autumn’s parents. These moments!!

ALWAYS a huge fan of a wedding dip. Good job, Jared!

Autumn & Jared were so incredibly sweet together. I can’t get over these cute wedding recessional moments!

Jared’s parents looked on adoringly at their son & new daughter-in-law!

The classy hanging lights at RT Lodge show up in the photos so beautifully.

I always love it when a couple has fun with the cake cutting!

Wedding venue & catering by RT Lodge in Maryville, TN.

If you are looking for your very own RT Lodge wedding photos, I’d love to chat with you. Just get in touch!