Dotson Studios » Modern Photography & Design in Chattanooga

We are so happy to be a part of Justin and Anna’s wedding! Justin was a groomsman in one of our former client’s wedding and we knew they would be a lot of fun and a joy to work with from the first phone call!

Grant had a lot of fun with them during the shoot, and I love the location that they shot at. Everything came together perfectly and we are excited to be sharing these pictures. Anna and Justin have a sweet story, a sweet relationship, we hope you enjoy!

How did you meet?
We met at Bryan College during Anna’s first semester and Justin’s last. We both sang in the choir and our initial interaction took place following rehearsals.

Anything special you’d like to share about dating?
We started dating during a choir tour to North and South Carolina, and we made the announcement to our friends on the bus ride home. During the two years that we have spent dating, we have enjoyed sharing our mutual love for music, hiking, cooking, and taking pictures in the car.

Describe your proposal.
Our proposal took place on New Year’s Day in Philadelphia, PA at Rittenhouse Square beside the giant Christmas tree.  I described to Anna the extent of what she means to me, and asked Anna if she would be willing to begin a new stage of our relationship on the first day of 2011.  Then I hovered on one knee (to avoid the slush on the ground) and asked her to marry me.  She said yes, with all her heart. Our good friends John and Amanda, who live across the Delaware River in New Jersey, were two of several onlookers to the event.  They joined us immediately following for a celebration dinner at Parc, a French brasserie along the border of the square.

What is your ring like?
My ring is channel set with a single princess-cut diamond. In two words it is simply elegant.

How would you describe the way you feel about each other?
There is no one else with whom we’d rather be, and we complement each other in many wonderful ways.

Justin helps me see the “silver lining” in every situation and makes me laugh even when I don’t want to. He treats me like a princess because in his eyes, I am one. He loves me at my worst, and I cannot imagine life without him in it.

Anna’s encouragement empowers me to do anything to which I set my mind.  I can’t get enough of her contagious smile and I find attractive her love of life’s simple things.  I treasure her careful wisdom and gentle spirit.

It’s so special to be able to photograph Sarah and Chis! We’ve known Sarah since our college days and were so very happy for her as things with Chris developed and now they are getting married in just one week! We love seeing our friend laugh and smile as much as she does whenever she’s around him.

How did you meet?
Sarah: We met through a mutual friend at my company’s golf tournament.

Anything special you’d like to share about dating?

Chris: Sarah is a very special person and very caring. When we started dating I was living with my parents (yes I know 35 years old) because I just got divorced…that didn’t bother her! I have 2 great kids age 12 and 8 that she accepted and my boys love her very much. Sarah has been there for me every step of the way. She listens and makes suggestions to issues that really she shouldn’t worry about, but she does! Without the support from Sarah, family and friends I would be a complete wreck and I am very blessed to have these people in my life. I am marrying my best friend! We can sit around and do absolutely nothing and be happy.

Describe your proposal.
Chris: I took Sarah on our anniversary to the place we had our first date. Very nervous, but got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.
Sarah: I almost ruined the proposal!!! I left home without my insulin pump, and we were going to eat pasta! I told him we would probably have to skip dessert and I would be ok, of course that is when he was planning on asking! Even though I threw him a curve, he asked and I said YES! Two things I will always remember: how nervous he looked, and the song Jolene being played by the bluegrass band in the background!

What is your ring like?
Sarah: I didn’t give Chris much help, he was on his own, but every time I look at it I think how I couldn’t have found a ring I loved more myself!

How would you describe the way you feel about each other?
Sarah: I have waited a long time to meet my best friend that I want to spend the rest of my life with. God had His plans for both of us, and I thank him everyday that His plans for us include each other! Watching Chris be a dad and love his two boys so much has captured my heart and I feel lucky he has enough room in his heart for me too.

Do you have any special plans for your wedding that you’d like to share?
Just excited about saying I do!

We are really excited to be working with Stephanie & Joey. They contacted us from Knoxville and were looking for a specific style and we fit that style for them! We enjoyed eating ice cream as we talked about their wedding plans and getting to know them a little more. They are a fun, sweet couple planning a fabulous wedding and we are honored that they asked us to be a part of it. We started off shooting in downtown Knoxville and loved the neat places we found. Then we went to the Knoxville Botanical Garden and had some fabulous places to shoot there as well. The weather was perfect, the sun was gorgeous…couldn’t have asked for a better shoot.

I loved reading their story, we hope you do too…love is a strong and beautiful thing!

We hope you enjoy, Stephanie & Joey….

How did you meet?
In February of 2010, I (Stephanie) was hanging out with some friends on Maryville College’s campus. My friends and I decided to go to a get-together at one of the soccer player’s rooms, which happened to be one of Joey’s best friends. Out of the 25 or so people there, Joey and I randomly started to talk. I did not think anything of it, but eight months later, Joey called to ask me out on a date.

Anything special you’d like to share about dating?
We both knew early on that our relationship was special. Our friendship grew very fast, and the relationship felt very natural. We both are extremely close to our families, and their acceptance of our relationship only strengthened what we knew was right. Joey had knee surgery just a few months after our first date, and his difficult recovery highlighted the uncanny compatibility between us. We both know marriage will be difficult and hard work, but we are more than confident in our friendship and relationship.

Describe your proposal.
I had been pestering Joey all year to take me to the Biltmore while it was decorated for Christmas, and he finally bought us tickets for December 4, my favorite number. Based on my intuition, I thought he would propose in Asheville somehow that Saturday. I was wrong. The night before we had plans for dinner. When he arrived at my door, he told me to sit down for a second and handed me a scrapbook he had made. The pictures started with the beginning of our relationship, and the trips/events/dates we had together all the way up until that very day. As I got to the last page, he dropped to one knee and proposed. He told me he could not wait until the next day; the ring was burning a hole in his pocket. We made all of our phone calls, went to dinner, and celebrated with both of our families. The next day we were able to visit the Biltmore as an engaged couple!

What is your ring like?
My ring is perfect: classic, yet modern; simple, yet elegant. We did not go shopping for my ring together. I told Joey an idea of what I wanted, and he delivered. When he first opened up the box, I could not have been more elated. The princess cut solitaire is absolutely stunning, and the tiffany setting looks perfect on my finger.

How would you describe the way you feel about each other?
Stephanie: Joey is, more than anything, my best friend. God placed him in my life at the perfect time, and I could not ask for a better partner. He is a true Southern gentleman with a caring heart and infectious personality. I am beyond blessed to have him, as well as his family, in my life forever.

Joey: Stephanie’s beautiful face, kind heart, and loving touch not only made my heart melt but also completed my soul. I have finally met the single, most perfect girl that I had designed in my dreams. She is exactly what God had promised me: someone who is my best friend and soul mate, someone who I think about more than my thoughts can handle, and someone who I cannot live a second of my life without.

Do you have any special plans for your wedding that you’d like to share?
We are getting married August 20 in Knoxville, Tennessee. The wedding will take place at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, followed by the reception at Fox Den Country Club. One of our favorite singers, Erick Baker, will be performing at both the ceremony and reception. We have been going to his concerts and listening to his music throughout our relationship, and we cannot be more excited to have him as a part of our big day. Our colors are royal blue and orange, with a ribbon inspiration. We cannot wait to become man and wife in front of our closest friends and family, as well as celebrate with everyone afterwards.

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