Emily & Christopher {Nashville Elopement Photographer}

February 2, 2021 Heather Nelms

Hey, did you know I photograph weddings and elopements, as well? I had the privilege of photographing Emily and Christopher’s elopement at the Top of Woodland Weddings. While they couldn’t bring their fur babies this wedding venue IS dog friendly. I look forward to doing many more elopements with pups and their people there!

I first met Emily and Christopher with their pups during a mini session at The Farm at Natchez Trace in fall of 2019. Since I am a Pets and Their People Photographer, and their pets couldn’t make the elopement…I snuck a few pics from this session below so you could meet Oti and Mandy also!

Oti, a 12 year old pug, has been a part of Emily’s life since she graduated college. He absolutely hates skateboards, but he loves to eat dirt, snore, and is the bravest little thing. Oti really has no idea how small he actually is! Oti comes from Shakespear’s Othello, but that was quite a mouthful, so it was shortened.

Mandy is a two year old Blackmouth Cur/Hound Mix. She was an unplanned rescue from PetSmart. She is the sweetest, most sensitive hound pup. Because of her intuitiveness and understanding of human emotion, she has been a huge emotional support for Emily, especially during COVID. Being a big snuggler probably helped, too! Mandy loves to run super fast and chase the tennis ball, but the things she hates the most are fire alarms and oranges. Mandy is shortened from her original name “Mandalay”. The rescue organization named all the pups in her litter after casinos. So happy Mandy won the jackpot in finding Emily, Christopher, and Oti!

Enjoy some of my favorite pics from their elopement and mini session!

~Mandy

Vendors:

Wedding Dress: Anthropology presents BHLDN

Engagement Ring and Her Necklace: Pippin Vintage

His Wedding Band and Pocket Watch: Pippin Vintage

Her Wedding Band: Walton’s Antique and Estate Jewelry

Flowers: The Merry Stem in Franklin

Contact an Elopement Photographer in Nashville, TN!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!

4 Ways to Include Your Pet on Your Wedding Day {Nashville Wedding Photographer}

October 18, 2017 Kaitlyn Holeman

*This article was also featured on the CJ's Off the Square blog.

I love it when my couples include pets in their wedding day. After all, they are family too! Here are a few tips on how to include them in a stress free way.

1. Find a Pet-Friendly Wedding Venue

Not all venues are pet friendly so make sure you ask before you book if you want to include your furry friend. Even if the venue is pet friendly, make sure they are pet friendly to the extent you need them to be. If you want your little pup with you while you are getting ready, but the venue only allows him to be outside, it might not be the right fit for you.

2. Designate Someone to Be a Pet Handler

The best advice I can give is to find a pet handler for your wedding day, since it really helps takes the stress off you! This can certainly be a guest, but it must be someone who won’t be in any of the formal photos so they can handle your pup without worrying about getting dirty, and they will be able to take them home at the appropriate time.

3. Include Pet Decor

You can add an additional touch of pet love by adding pet decor in your wedding. You could have a pet related theme on your invitations. At the wedding you can add a take-home treat table, or you could even have a 'dog park' set up for your pup and any of the guest's dogs that attend your celebration! Consider including your pup in your engagement photos and display them at the wedding location as well.

4. Know Your Pet

Not every dog is up for a wedding celebration. Some pups get nervous in crowds and just aren’t going to be a good at walking those rings down the aisle. Please don’t try to force your pup to participate when you know they won't enjoy it. If I’m talking about your pup (and don’t worry, I have one of those as well) and you’d really like to include him/her, consider having that friend we talked about bring them in for a few photos with just the two of you!

Hire a Premier Photographer for Your Pet-Friendly Wedding!

5 Unique Proposal Ideas for Pet Owners

September 7, 2017 Kaitlyn Holeman

Asking the love of your life to marry you is an exciting (yet sometimes intimidating!) question. Once you decide to propose, it’s important to consider how you’ll go about doing so! After all, this should be a memorable and romantic gesture -- shouldn’t it be something your partner will remember forever?

If you are struggling to come up with the right proposal idea, but you know your other half loves animals, consider involving your furry friend in the process! Check out a few of these pet proposal ideas to give you some inspiration!

1. The Four-Legged Ring Bearer

Is your pet well trained? Consider tying the ring to your dog or cat’s collar! And if you’re worried about the ring getting lost, you can try ring boxes, pillows or pouches to hold the ring in place.

2. The Puppy Proposal

Have you been talking about adopting a new puppy? Giving your soon-to-be-spouse a dog and a ring on the same day is a sure-fire way to melt their heart! How can anyone say anything but a definitive “YES!” to a puppy proposal?

3. Have Your Pets Ask For You

Another great idea is to order a new collar or tag that pops the question so you don’t have to! Many places allow you to create a custom order, which you can engrave with, “Will you marry me?” It’s also something that the love of your life likely won’t expect!

4. Dress Them Up

If your pet doesn’t mind wearing new things, you might consider dressing them up with a bowtie and placing the ring box next to them! This is a fun idea for an at-home proposal when your partner isn’t looking. Then you can call them into the room for a little surprise!

5. Involve Other Animals!

Looking for a few extra options to consider? Take a look at these examples of how you can involve other animals outside of your home!

Use a trained owl to deliver a special package
Sign up for a behind the scenes tour at your local zoo or aquarium
Use your home’s fish tank to hold the ring in a treasure chest

Getting ready to propose? Capture the moment with Mandy Whitley Photography!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!