Fall Wedding at The Magnolia Venue

January 31, 2025

The Perfect Smoky Mountain Fall Day

Maraya booked me as her wedding photographer at the beautiful Magnolia Venue months before their fall wedding day. From the moment she reached out, I knew it would be an amazing one. Their wedding date landed in October, and we all know that October is the month to get married in the Smoky Mountains! The light turns golden, the leaves shift into orange and amber tones, and that mountain haze creates the dreamiest golden-hour glow.

When the day finally arrived, I was beyond excited to be back at The Magnolia Venue — it's one of my favorites for so many reasons. The views are unreal, the space feels perfectly tucked into the mountains, and the bridal suites are just stunning. Plus, the staff from Elite Wedding Planning are always incredible to work with. Everything about this venue screams romance and ease.

A Relaxed and Heartfelt Celebration

Their wedding day unfolded so smoothly. Everything ran right on time, and we didn't even get a drop of rain — which is rare for October in the Smokies! Because everything stayed perfectly on schedule, we had plenty of time to enjoy each part of the day.

Maraya chose a beautiful fall color palette for her wedding — her bridesmaids wore warm orange-coral dresses that popped against the mountains, while the groomsmen wore navy blue suits with orange ties. The colors tied together beautifully and photographed like a dream!

Meanwhile, Maraya got ready inside the bridal suite surrounded by her bridesmaids and her sweet mom. Her dress was absolutely stunning — elegant, modern, and full of detail. Everyone kept complimenting how perfect it looked on her.

A First Touch, Not a First Look

Instead of doing a first look, Maraya and Brett chose to share a first touch, and I loved that decision. It gave them that emotional connection before the ceremony without actually seeing each other. They stood back to back, holding hands, smiling, and quietly breathing in the moment. You could feel the excitement building before they finally met at the aisle.

The ceremony itself felt relaxed and personal. The mountains surrounded them, the sun started dipping lower, and everything felt peaceful. Their friends and family watched with smiles (and a few happy tears).

The Speech That Stole the Show

After the ceremony, the reception brought laughter, happy tears, and so many sweet moments. My favorite part of the day happened during her dad's speech. He talked about Maraya as a little girl playing soccer, and you could tell he adored her so much. She tried so hard not to cry — but those emotions came through in the most beautiful way. Their bond as father and daughter was so strong, and capturing that moment honestly gave me chills.

That Unforgettable Smoky Mountain Sunset

As we stepped outside for golden-hour photos, the sky absolutely glowed. The sun turned the mountains orange and gold, and for a few minutes, it felt like the entire world paused for them. We had to wait just a bit for the light to soften, but once it did — wow. Every photo looked like a painting.

Because of that warm glow, those portraits became some of my favorite images from the whole day. The Magnolia Venue always delivers the best sunset light, but this one truly stood out.

Grateful for These Two

Maraya and Brett are such a kind, down-to-earth couple. They cared deeply about their families, their friends, and each other — and that energy made the entire day feel joyful. I'm so thankful they chose me as their Smoky Mountains wedding photographer, and I'll forever cherish the memories we made together.

Their day reminded me exactly why I love photographing fall weddings at The Magnolia Venue — the views, the emotions, and the people make it unforgettable every single time.