Hidden in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm is a luxurious countryside venue known for its superior service, farm-to-table cuisine, and picturesque setting. The estate, located in Walland, Tennessee, is a sprawling property with a working farm, complete with livestock and food cultivation.
With a reputation for understated elegance and genuine Southern hospitality, Blackberry Farm has become a favored destination for those seeking a refined and exclusive experience. The property absolutely delivers on the quiet luxury aesthetic. If you are looking for inspiration for your dream destination wedding, read on!
About This Wedding at Blackberry Farm
The breathtaking scenery of Blackberry Farm set the stage for this remarkable wedding celebration. What an honor and pleasure to capture such a refined black-tie wedding in this picturesque location.
The destination wedding festivities began with a memorable rehearsal dinner at Yallarhammer, a party venue within Blackberry Farm situated on a pond. The bride wore a stunning pink floral organza gown by Monique Lhuillier which inspired the incredible decor by legendary floral designer Mindy Rice Designs who collaborated on the event with planner and event designer Jennifer Laraia.
Romantic florals mixed with natural materials such as wood created stunning tablescapes for the lakeside dinner. As dusk fell, the smoke-like fog rose along the horizon for a quintessential Smoky Mountains effect. And fire pits allowed the young and young at heart to roast marshmallows and soak in the bucolic setting.
On the wedding day, guests enjoyed the vast property at their leisure, including woodland hikes, pool time, or a visit to the Lagotto Romagnolo dog breeding kennels on property. Later, the ceremony took place on the front lawn of the Main House.
The area was adorned with lush and whimsical florals in pale pinks and greens by Mindy Rice Designs. An asymmetrical arch created a focal point for the ceremony. This breathtaking vista of the foothills provided a stunning backdrop for the couple’s vows.
The black tie reception took place inside the barn with stunning rustic exposed beams. Loads of candles and flowers gave the room a cozy, romantic feel while the guests dined on farm to table cuisine.
The bride looked utterly classic in her extraordinary guipure lace gown by Monique Lhuillier with long sleeves and an open back. She carried a timeless bouquet of lily of the valley. Post ceremony, the top of the dress was seamlessly transformed into a strapless gown for the reception. And her third look debuted at the afterparty — a stunning silk satin mini dress paired with Mach & Mach crystal-encrusted stilettos.
Doing my “homework” is an important part of my shooting process so I arrived early to scout Blackberry Farm on a golf cart. This allowed me to identify the best spots for capturing photos throughout the weekend. During this time, I also captured scenic shots of the farm’s picturesque landscape, including photographs of the farm’s animals in the pasture. And of course, I made a visit to the kennels to see the Lagotto Romagnolo puppies!
I shot a mix of film and digital using a mix of cameras including my state of the art Nikon mirroless digital, a medium format Contax 645 camera, and an antique Rolleiflex film camera. Film scans were expertly processed by Fast Foto.
Vendors
The success of this luxurious countryside black-tie wedding was made possible by an exceptional team of vendors, each contributing their expertise and creativity to create a truly magical experience. The wedding planning and design was executed by Jennifer Larraia. Mindy Rice Design created lush and inspired florals. The intricate custom paper goods were designed by the one and only TPD Design House. It was a dream team!
The night was filled with dancing to the energetic beats of the “Nation” band by Elan Artists. The wedding cake was crafted by Blount County Bakery, and the video of the event was masterfully captured by Anchor Heart Films. My second shooter was Rachel Fugate.
The bride’s elegant hair was created by Carly Bethel with makeup by Lyndsay Zavitz.
End of a great day!
Thanks for stopping by! Send me a message here if you’d like to learn more about having me photograph your special event. Cheers! Liz