Anna Claire & Daniel’s Wedding at Kingfisher Lodge | Tupelo, Mississippi
Kingfisher Lodge Wedding in Tupelo, MS | Hannah Ellis Photography
A Tupelo Summer Wedding at Kingfisher Lodge
When Anna Claire and Daniel started looking for a wedding venue in Tupelo, MS, they wanted somewhere their guests could gather for the whole day, ceremony to reception to an overnight stay, without loading everyone back into cars in between. That's exactly what led them to Kingfisher Lodge, tucked off Raymond Avenue in Tupelo, with its chapel, lakeside ceremony spot, lodge-style reception space, and on-site Bunk House.
As their photographer, this venue has easily become one of my favorite North Mississippi wedding venues to work, especially for a summer wedding in Tupelo. In this blog, you'll find why this all-inclusive venue is a powerhouse for North MS weddings, plus a full look at the day, from getting ready to exit. Take a look at everything this day entailed, and the talented vendors who helped bring it to life.
Getting Ready & Details in the Bunk House
Anna Claire got ready in the Bunk House at Kingfisher Lodge, where soft morning light made for some of my favorite quiet moments of the day. Her dress was from Bridal Path, and hair and makeup were done by Beauty by Brooklyn, both bringing her vision for a green, blue, and white summer wedding to life from the very first hour.
Brooklyn did such a great job with the wedding party’s hair and makeup, kept us on schedule, and was collab-minded with other vendors. I highly recommend them for the North Mississippi area.
The Wedding Party Portraits
The wedding party portraits were a mix of outdoor shots around Kingfisher Lodge's grounds and a few inside the chapel, giving us a nice variety of settings and light throughout.
For this timeline, we shot bridal party and groom’s party portraits separately before bride and groom’s first look, followed by the whole wedding party portraits being captured prior to the ceremony.
Family Portraits
Mother and daughter portraits of getting ready were captured in the Bunk House followed by remaining family portraits in the chapel. We took that time to get a few portraits of mom and groom inside the chapel prior to the ceremony.
Bridal Portraits
Anna Claire's bridal portraits started in the Bunk House bridal room, utilizing the large window and beautiful mirror, and then transitioned to photographing around the lake at Kingfisher Lodge, where the water and greenery made the perfect backdrop for her dress from Bridal Path.
Groom’s Portraits
Daniel’s portraits were captured on the grounds at Kingfisher. I felt like this was such a great space for groom’s portraits, pine trees always give a sense of elegance and more “groom”-like photos. One of my go-to groom’s poses is leaning up on a tree, so I love finding the space for this.
First Look in Chapel + Portraits
Anna Claire and Daniel shared their first look in the chapel after finishing up individual and party portraits. The new Chapel at Kingfisher is a perfect space for this, as so much natural light enters the room mid-day, and it was helpful since this wedding was in July in Mississippi, so it was nice to get a break from the heat.
Ceremony
The couple chose the newly built chapel on Kingfisher grounds to host their ceremony and exchange their vows. It is a beautiful space and was perfect for an indoor ceremony for a warm southern summer wedding day.
Couples worry a lot about it being too hot for Summer weddings, which is why I love this venue. There’s plenty of space to capture both indoor and outdoor portraits.
Post-Ceremony Portraits
Right after the ceremony, we snuck away for a few portraits of the newlyweds around the chapel and by the bridge near the lake while the light was still soft. We timed it during cocktail hour, when guests transitioned to the reception space and started in on the appetizers before dinner was served.
Reception at Kingfisher Lodge
The reception took place in Kingfisher Lodge's lodge-style reception space, with florals, catering, and the cake all handled in-house, tying together Anna Claire and Daniel's green, blue, and white palette beautifully.
The couple’s entrance was followed by first dances, cake cutting, and mingling with their loved ones.
Sunset Photos & Exit
We closed out the night by grabbing a few sunset portraits by the lake before losing daylight and before Anna Claire and Daniel made their exit, the perfect ending to a beautiful summer day at Kingfisher Lodge.
One of the most special moments about this day was that the bride changed into her mother’s elopement wedding dress for the exit, and the couple had matching sneakers for their grand exit and sweet goodbyes.
Kingfisher’s New Chapel
Kingfisher Lodge's newly built chapel is one of the most photogenic spots for a Tupelo wedding ceremony: crisp white walls, blue wooden ceilings, gorgeous windows, and chandeliers overhead, with on-site chairs already provided.
Anna Claire and Daniel said "I do" here in front of 70-100 guests on a warm July evening, and the natural light pouring through those windows did a lot of the work for us.
Reception Details at Kingfisher
Catering and the cake were both handled in-house by Kingfisher Lodge, which made the day feel seamless from a vendor standpoint. Anna Claire and Daniel kept their palette in soft greens and blues with crisp white throughout the space, but the cake took a fun, personal turn: rather than florals, it was topped with two little ducks, and Daniel's groom's cake ran with a full duck theme. Having everything, such as catering, florals, and cake, under one roof through Kingfisher Lodge's package is one of the biggest perks for couples who don't want to juggle a dozen separate vendors.
They also sent guests home with vintage glass cups they'd thrifted together since getting engaged, a sentimental detail that made the reception feel entirely their own.
Why Kingfisher Lodge Is a Great Venue Choice for Tupelo Couples
If you're comparing wedding venues in Tupelo, MS, here's what stands out about Kingfisher Lodge:
All-in-one property. Ceremony, reception, and overnight lodging in the Bunk House, so guests aren't driving between locations
In-house catering, florals, DJ, and photography options through their Princess package, which simplifies vendor coordination
A Micro-Wedding package for couples planning an intimate day under 50 guests, available select Wednesdays and Sundays
Indoor and outdoor ceremony space, so you have a backup plan if weather doesn't cooperate
Year-round availability, which is rare for a venue with this much outdoor charm
Tips for Planning Your Own Wedding at Kingfisher Lodge:
Book your photographer early. Popular Tupelo venues like Kingfisher Lodge fill weekend dates fast, especially in spring and fall.
Use golden hour by the lake. If your ceremony is later in the day, the light on the water around sunset is some of the best on the property.
Take advantage of the Bunk House. Getting-ready photos with natural morning light hit differently when the whole crew doesn't have to travel.
Ask about the Micro-Wedding package if you're planning a smaller guest list. It's a great value and still gets you the lake and chapel setting.
Take advantage of the New Chapel. Kingfisher already has a beautiful outdoor ceremony space, but I genuinely believe that the Chapel is such a game changer for this venue, and truly elevates the experience with couples and overall portfolio.
Looking for a Wedding Photographer in Tupelo, MS?
Hey hey! If you're getting married at Kingfisher Lodge or anywhere else in the Tupelo area, I'd love to talk through your day. I specialize in Tupelo and North Mississippi wedding photography, and I know this venue's light, layout, and best photo spots inside and out. I’d love to chat, inquire with the button below!
