Nashville Wedding at Cedarwood Mansion
Okay kids. New favorite wedding alert. BIG time. This drop dead gorgeous bride approached her day with SUCH charm, such sweet style and personality, you can’t help but fall in love. You can just tell that every detail was thoughtfully crafted and lovingly designed so that the wedding really told a story about the bride and the groom’s personality. And when I say that this wedding is a new favorite, it definitely has a lot to do with the killer style of the day. But even more to do with the unbelievable story that followed. Curious? Read on, my friends. It’s a pretty incredible wedding. Oh and you can click here to see a TON of additional details.
click here to see the full wedding gallery!
After 30 years of going to weddings and being in 10 weddings, I had a pretty good idea of what I did not want to incorporate in my own wedding…trick was, i wasn’t exactly sure about everything I did want. I started asking myself questions and thinking back to some of the weddings I had been involved in that I really enjoyed. I envisioned different aspects of my special day and took note of what I was drawn to… colors (neutrals with aqua and teal accents), textures (burlap and lace) and charming things (birdcages and antiques). Tearing out pages of magazines and reading blogs like SMP helped me further define my wedding style. My inspiration started coming together with a quilt that I had found on etsy.com and a nicole miller bracelet from anthropologie that my parents purchased for me and gave as Christmas gifts. Both were incorporated into our wedding.
As I continued my wedding style research, DIY projects were especially appealing to me because I wanted to add a personal touch to our event. Over the 9 months that we were engaged, I collected 13 birdcages. I painted 10 of them aqua/teal and distressed them by hand. I used the white ones for the guest book table and our table and combining them with antique tins, bird figurines and blue mason jars completed the vintage whimsical look i had envisioned!
After picking out the bridesmaids dresses at anthropologie, I immediately wanted to start working on customized jewelry for each bridesmaid to give them as one of their gifts. I found an incredible jewelry designer on etsy.com and worked with her to design a unique set for each girl based on their individual taste and personality. I was thrilled with how they turned out! I packed each earring/necklace set in a blue pint size mason jar and put it in a gold box with an antique hanky, decorative kleenex and makeout mints. Since I had both a maid of honor (my sister) and a matron of honor (my best friend since 8th grade), I wanted them to stand out a little bit and I gave them a handmade tiffany blue rosette hair pin.
As for my outfit, my dress was a gorgeous rosette pattern lace that played off of the anthropologie bridesmaid dresses. I knew I wanted to add a little something to my dress, though. I picked a gold satin sash to complement my jewelry and then found a designer who specializes in custom boleros/wraps and knew that would be the perfect addition. I sent her a swatch of fabric, my sizes and a few ideas and she sent me the perfect piece.
I fell in love with the process of putting everything together… and when it came together I was in love with it all over again!
Now for my unpredictable wedding story. Nothing was left to chance. I should have been a wedding planner…this is what I kept thinking while planning my own wedding. Every detail was planned, every “i” dotted & every “t” crossed. So then, what is the “plan” when the UNTHINKABLE happens? Well, i found out…the hard way.
The day of my wedding, I got up ready to embrace the day I had put so much effort and detail into planning. I ate a little breakfast, got my coffee and went to my hair appointment. Our photographers started taking pictures and all was progressing as I had anticipated. We went from the hair appointment to the makeup appointment and all of a sudden, something just was not right. The sweet makeup artist cleaned my face and started to apply the primer when she noticed I was turning red and asked me if I felt okay. My face was tingling and starting to itch. I looked like a lobster! The gracious staff came to my aid with hydration, crackers and a cold compress. I thought i was fine. Maybe my body was just reacting to the lack of sleep and normal pre-wedding anxiety I had experienced.
Then the stomach cramps hit. Killer pain and discomfort. Let’s just say I had to take several trips to the bathroom and it took twice as long to complete my makeup. Still, I thought I would be fine. Right? A tad tardy, but I finally arrived at the wedding venue. As time the passed, my pain worsened. All I could do was lay down, attempting to preserve my pretty hair and makeup. After hours of taking A LOT of medication, I still felt horrible and it was time to make a decision. I asked to see my fiance, Sloane, who had been patiently waiting to hear a verdict.
Wearing a white anthropologie dress and a gray shrug, bellied over in a twin bed of the bride room….I saw my husband-to-be for the first time that day. As soon as I saw him, I burst into tears. All I wanted to do at that point was get married, but I was in too much pain. The thought of putting on my wedding dress was unimaginable.
Sloane was the rock of comfort I needed that day. At the moment, he was indeed my husband in every sense of the word. He helped me feel like no matter what, all that truly mattered was that we were going to be husband and wife. We decided to postpone the wedding a little longer and have the cocktail hour. Yes, that’s right. We had cocktail hour BEFORE the ceremony! Our guests were pleased, to say the least. They enjoyed drinks, h’ordourves and music in the Cedarwood barn. Meanwhile, I mustered up the energy to put on my dress and have my makeup and hair touched up.
An hour after the wedding was supposed to be, our guests were led to the outdoor cathedral setting, most of them with a drink in their hand! By the time I walked down the aisle, I could barely see in front of me, it was so dark. Looking straight ahead, tears already flowing, my dad held onto me and I made it down the aisle.
Sloane and I had a beautiful ceremony, by candlelight in a field in the dark. Not the plan, but our wedding was more honest, romantic, and heart-felt than I could have ever dreamed. We were able to laugh when saying our vows that we had written together…. “I promise to be your loyal partner. I will love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy, and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort.” I have to say, our guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves and no one cared that we had to start the wedding late. It was pure and unplanned.
I woke up the next day, still nauseated, but feeling very blessed, love and supported by my now-husband, family & dear friends. And isn’t that how EVERY bride should feel the morning after her big day?
Photgraphy: Souder Photography / Invitations: Julia’s Poppies Design / Venue: Cedarwood Mansion / Overall Design & Table Centerpieces: Jessica Sloane (the bride) / Bridesmaid Jewelry: Pink Street via Etsy / Quilt: Mom N Mia Quilts via Etsy / Maid & Matron of honor’s hair pins and bride’s garter: The Posh Bow Tie / Custom Stamp, Cuff Links and Wood Table Numbers: Little Wee Shop / Bride’s Shrug/bolero: Holly Stalder / Thank You Cards: Customized Stationery
55 Comments about “Nashville Wedding at Cedarwood Mansion”
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November 5, 2010 at 12:53 pmLOVE this! Absolutely stunning
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November 5, 2010 at 1:06 pm
OMG!! This is the wedding i have started creating for our october 2011 date!! birdcages, twine tied on blue ball jars, birds same color scheme! i am in love with this and so glad to see that my assorted collection of wedding items CAN come together to make a lovely scene :) loving this immensely!
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November 5, 2010 at 1:08 pm
oh yes.. and bunting, quilts and gorgeous white cake stands! she did a phenomenal job♥♥
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November 5, 2010 at 1:18 pm
wow is ALL i can say. this is absolutely stunning in every way!
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November 5, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Beautiful wedding! Where did you get the colored chalk?
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November 5, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Wow--not only is every detail beautiful, but the story is absolutely amazing! Although not so great at the time, I'm sure, I'm glad they could laugh about the situation and once again realize how important they are to each other! That's what it's about after all!
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November 5, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Tree trunks! Suitcases! Spartan trailer! I'm dy-ing over how awesome this couple is.
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November 5, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Gorgeous wedding- it's my new favorite too-and kudos to the bride for being a trooper!
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November 5, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Ohhhh, love the idea of a cocktail hour BEFORE the ceremony! Beautiful, beautiful gathering :)
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November 5, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Oh my gosh, SOOO cute! I love every single thing about this wedding.
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November 5, 2010 at 1:59 pm
exquisite wedding and heart-felt story...beautiful!
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November 5, 2010 at 2:10 pm
I'm madly in love with the sweet bolero!!
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November 5, 2010 at 2:21 pm
PERFECT!
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November 5, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Love all the muted tones of the outfits, really makes the colours of the flowers stand out! Beautiful wedding!!
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November 5, 2010 at 2:54 pm
This wedding has everything!
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November 5, 2010 at 3:56 pm
What a dream come true wedding. This took so much imagination and thinking to plan a wedding like this. The couple just fit in. I've never seen such a wedding in this theme and era. I gives a thumbs up for this couple, and I wish them all the happinest in the world.
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November 5, 2010 at 4:15 pm
OBSESSED! So gorgeous times ten! Love love love! xo!
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November 5, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Sooooo beautiful! Love everything! Where are these adorable bridesmaid dresses from?
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November 5, 2010 at 4:41 pm
So, so pretty! I had a Holly Stalder bolero, too! She is so great to work with.
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November 5, 2010 at 8:53 pm
I LOVE love LOVE everything about this wedding! Oh, I dream of photographing weddings like this, all of the details and the love!!! ;)
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November 6, 2010 at 9:38 am
i'm the bride in this wedding, so thanks everyone! it was so much fun to plan that i started my own wedding styling buisness! you can find me at lovebirdstyle.com where i'm even selling some of the stuff i used.
and to answer a few questions... the colored chalk is old and i bought it from a friend who is an antique dealer. the bridesmaid dresses are from anthropologie last year. i'm a huge anthro fan, if you can't tell! :)
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November 6, 2010 at 10:13 am
Wow! Wow! Wow! What an absolutely GORGEOUS wedding! I am so honored that you used our quilt in your photos - what a fabulous idea for a backdrop! All of the little details, from the flowers, dresses, decor and photos just go perfectly together!
I am in awe of your beautiful wedding, and I am so happy for you!
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November 6, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Photography was awesome!!!
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November 6, 2010 at 2:05 pm
She absolutely did a great job! I love the dress and the matching bolero, the birdcages, and the flowers! Really perfect for a DIY wedding! Congrats to the Bride and Groom! Stay in love!
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November 6, 2010 at 9:25 pm
My favorite is the shot on the bicycle. Great use of the surroundings.
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November 6, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Beautiful Wedding! You can get colored chalk at Toys 'r' Us and I think Dollar Tree has it duringthe spring and summer months.
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November 7, 2010 at 2:36 am
What an absolutely gorgeous wedding!! This has given me some fantastic ideas. Jessica-- if I may ask, what Etsy designer did you use? I love the idea of getting customized pieces for the bridesmaids! What a sweet idea!
So glad you ended up feeling better-- you look beautiful in the pictures. You would never know you were sick!
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November 7, 2010 at 2:38 am
Wow you would never know looking at pictures of her that she felt so awful.... what a predicament to be in... but so lovely that is all came out fantastically in the end. And what a stunning wedding it was, such beautiful details!
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November 7, 2010 at 6:41 am
Awesome images and great idea. I love the colours that go throughout the entire theme and hold it all together. The & as well, nice shot but just a good concept.
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November 7, 2010 at 12:08 pm
We had a great time working with Jessica and helping bring her vision to life! Great wedding design and photography.
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November 7, 2010 at 1:49 pm
cannot get over this AMAZING wedding is! I am about to venture out and plan my wedding in Nashville and couldnt be happier with how motivated this made me! Just charming... =)
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November 7, 2010 at 4:03 pm
I love this wedding! Love the muted tones and vintange feel. Thats exactly what I'm planing for my November 2011 wedding. Very charming wedding...pat on the back to the bride. Estate sales and junkyards have been my best friend as I search for screen doors, and old mantles. My last name will be Cotton so i'm especially anxious to hear where you got the cotton decal on the burlap sack. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING EVERYWHERE! I did a free hand on a old window and it looks great, but I don't know if i can do it again, much less on several pieces included in the wedding. I think the one I did free-hand was just luck! Any suggestions?
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November 7, 2010 at 6:34 pm
What great style! Love this.
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November 7, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Beautiful floral arrangements. Love the earth tones and pops of bright blues.
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November 8, 2010 at 4:53 pm
My sister and I have been dreaming of birdcage centerpieces for my wedding for the past year now and have yet to see anyone else really do it, so when trying to explain our vision, it's been difficult. NOW, with your wedding I feel like I can use this as a base. Where did you find your birdcages? Especially the big white one?
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November 8, 2010 at 9:15 pm
LOVE this. SO perfect! Jessica, you looked beautiful and would never know you were sick! What a trooper!!! I'm planning my wedding right now for next July, and using lots of similar touches... gray bridesmaid dresses, vintage themed, birdcage centerpieces (which we purchased at Flower Factory). I would like to second Rachel and ask if you would mind saying what etsy designer you used for the jewelry?
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November 9, 2010 at 10:25 pm
thank you SOOO much guys! to answer a few questions... the birdcages can be rented. just contact me via my site: http://www.lovebirdstyle.com . the jewelry is from an etsy designer, sarah timmons. her store is called pink street. she was so incredible to work with! you can find her at: http://pinkstreetdesign.blogspot.com . :)
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November 10, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Jessica, Thanks for letting the Little Wee Shop be part of your day. Your photos are dreamy and are sure to inspire many future brides.
Jennifer ~ The Little Wee Shop
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November 11, 2010 at 11:59 pm
OMG!! Your wedding is my dream, if only it were my fiances! We love the outdoor relaxed country theme, all i have to do now is adjust some colors. BEAUTIFUL
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November 24, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Love the details! Beautiful wedding!!!
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November 26, 2010 at 3:45 am
How did you photo booth area work?
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November 30, 2010 at 5:03 pm
This is so fantastic! It just made me tear up in public just reading your story darling! God Bless!
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January 13, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Oh I just love this!! Beautiful work, Jessica!
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March 1, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Please help us win our dream wedding by voting for Tacoya & Travis @ http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entry/137157
It's easy. just click VOTE! Thanks!! -
March 14, 2011 at 12:21 am
I am just in love with everything you have done here! LOVE the old camera and books, you found just the color books I am dreaming of! Where did you look for your vintage finds?
Also I don't think I see the answer here, maybe I just read over it...
Where is your beautiful wedding dress from?
Congratulations! I can't believe you look so stunning when you were feeling so sick. -
June 15, 2011 at 6:53 am
wow, what a beautiful bride.. she looks gorgeous!
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