Tennessee Weddings

If you ask me, the best thing about a wedding is two families blending into one. And a day that pays homage to both the bride and groom’s heritage makes that experience all the more special. Set at the Houston Station in Nashville, this Hindu wedding is a celebration of family blending in the prettiest darn fashion. Kristin Sweeting captured all the love, and my morning will officially be spent cozied up in the gallery right here.

From Kristin Sweeting Photography…Janhavi and Oliver’s laid back Hindu wedding in Houston Station in Nashville. Janhavi and Oliver planned their Indian/Hindu ceremony to be honoring of both their heritage, their families and their friends. The ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour catered by Smoke et Al and then a delicious reception with Indian food, dancing, and Indian Desserts.

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Photography: Kristin Sweeting Photography | Venue: Houston Station | Event Planner: Simply Stunning Events, Kristin Kaplan | Floral Design: Fresh by Carry Ann | Catering: Smoke Et Al | Hair+ Makeup: Amy Lynn Larwig | Cake: Dulce Desserts 

These two cuties were engaged among the macarons and champagne of Paris, and the wedding which followed was oh so fitting of that romantic proposal. Complete with those yummy treats, the day was tres chic, if you will. With JoPhoto behind the lens, this is a gallery that will leave you drooling… and begging for more.

From the gorgeous bride … We met while we were in graduate school. Jon spent three months in London for a internship while I studied for the Tennessee Bar to become an attorney, and the summer apart was miserable! After I took the bar and Jon finished work, he flew me over for a much needed European adventure. Halfway through our trip, Jon whisked me away to Paris where he proposed under the Eiffel Tower. We celebrated with macarons and champagne and traveled around the UK before heading back to The States.

Once the magic of the proposal had set in, we knew right away that Crescent Bend in Knoxville, Tennessee, my hometown, was the only choice for our wedding. The beautiful English gardens, fountains and twinkling outdoor chandeliers all came together to create the romantic setting we were looking for.

The color scheme and overall motif was actually inspired by my dress. The champagne ruffles in the skirt were echoed in the cabbage roses; the brocade bodice found its way onto the scrolls on the cake; the glistening crystal detail prompted me to chose silver and gray for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. We chose pale orange to accent the champagne and gray, creating a color scheme of understated elegance. The entire day had subtle reminders of our romantic Parisian proposal, including a champagne toast and macarons as favors.

The day was masterfully captured by our incredible photographers. One favorite is an action shot during an impromptu dosey doe that broke out when the DJ played Rocky Top. We spun around the dance floor among our family and friends before making our exit through a tunnel of sparklers!

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Photography: JoPhoto |Ceremony and Reception Location: Crescent Bend | Flowers: Always in Bloom | DJ: Ogle Entertainment | String Quartet: Special Notes Entertainment Agency | Catering and Cake: All Occasion Catering | Wedding Gown: Allure Bridal, from Wedding Wonderland | Invitations: Julie Hanan Design | Men’s Fashion: JoS. A. Bank | Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender | Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Bari Jay

Before you get your margarita on this weekend, we’ve got a Cinco De Mayo celebration, Style Me Pretty style here today. And you know what that means… impecable style, gorgeous design, and a love that is more exciting than a whole mariachi band. Ariel Renae Photography captured every subtly festive detail from Modern Vintage Events, and we’ve put them all into a party of a gallery. Click here to see it!

From the planner … The first thing I should tell you about Brittni is that she is always smiling. Her laugh is also contagious. Andrew and Brittni have this easy going relationship and genuinely care about the other’s opinion. Did I mention that Andrew helped with the planning?

Both Brittni and Andrew’s families are great influences on them. They all know how to laugh but work so hard to achieve their goals. Speaking of families, Andrew’s sister is one of Brittni’s best friends. In fact, they used to joke that Brittni would marry Andrew one day. I think this one is every seventh grade girl’s dream, that your best friend would marry your brother thus making you sisters!

Brittni had a great vision of what she wanted. She knew she wanted rustic but with some fun Cinco De Mayo flare thrown in since the wedding was on May 5th. Each table had ornate “wishing trees” complete with tags for the guest to leave notes to the couple. On the front of these tags was a photo of the spot where Brittni and Andrew got engaged. We hung a papel picado banner over the dance floor with B+A’s names and wedding date on them. We incorporated rocking chairs and whiskey barrels with just enough burlap to stand out but not enough to look like we had a sackcloth theme. We also made a ribbon backdrop to hang behind the dj booth. Brittni was a dancer so they had a bit of bling added to her dress and it was perfect! One of her visions was to have a few different fun items for the guest departure. We brought this in with sombreros, ribbon wands, maracas and biodegradable confetti. Andrew works with construction so his ah-mazing cake was a construction site equipped with a backhoe.

One of my favorite things about the day was the father/daughter dance. They had a mash up of “Mountain Dance” and “September”. They started our slow and then rocked it out. Another great moment happened after the ceremony when Andrew thought no one was looking. He scooped up his bride with reckless abandon and gave her a giant kiss, they were so happy. I know this day and that moment will be with them as they go through their marriage.

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Photography: Ariel Renae Photography | Flowers: Angela Pedigo | Event Planning + Design: Modern Vintage Events | Ceremony Location: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church | Reception Location: Stones River Country Club | Cake: Jay Quall’s | Rentals: Liberty Party Rentals + Southern Events | Lighting: Southern Sky Event Lighting | DJ and Rentals: Spangler Entertainment | Papel Picado Banner: Vintage Baby Doll

It’s the classics that get me every time. The bow ties and full-length veil. The elegant tablescape and five tiered cake. The church ceremony and the backyard reception. It’s that all-around sense of Southern elegance that ensures these Nashville nuptials will stand the test of time, guaranteed. And whether you’re smitten with the beautiful blooms by Big Events Wedding Co, or the stunning captures from the talented Michael Howard, there’s only one place to be, and it’s the ever-so-gorgeous full gallery waiting right here.

From the Bride…I first want to say that without the help of every single person in the credits below and my loving parents, this wedding would not have happened! Our families mean so much to Parker and me and this home is very special to us. We will forever be grateful for the sweet memories we shared that night in my parent’s backyard.  Parker and I have been together since high school, headed off and graduated from Auburn together and are true Nashvillian homebodies. In fact, we met each other on our church’s spring break mission trip, the same church where we had our ceremony. From the ceremony to the reception, I felt as though each stop had significance to our relationship. AND, to have our families and all of our friends celebrate with us after seeing Parker and I through years of dating was simply perfect and a memory we will always cherish!

My sister had her wedding 2 years ago and we formed a wonderful bond with every vendor including our kind and very creative photographer, Michael Howard. He captured moments during our wedding that we love to look at now and will treasure forever.  The Bride Room in Nashville is another place we formed a great relationship with two years ago, so when I got engaged I knew the first place to go! The ladies that work there are not only the kindest women, but they make every bride feel like you are the only bride which just makes you feel so, so special. Buchanan Inc, Leland Riggans, Kristen Winston Catering, Street Tuxedo, Bella Bridesmaid and Element salon were hands down the greatest at making sure those big and small details got done!

Last, but certainly not least, Big Events Wedding Co. Their team is fantastic and everything a bride could ask for in a wedding planner! They are creative, dependable and truly wonderful people that we had the pleasure to work with during this special time. They were the ones to mention a backyard wedding, guarantee it was possible, and sure enough, seamlessly made it happen! What I found to be so special about having a backyard wedding was knowing that our wedding planner, Denise Sikes, not only watched me grow up in that back yard with her daughter and one of my dearest friends and bridesmaids, Ellie, but she and her team also created the perfect night for me, my husband and our families. From the ceremony to the reception, it was more than we could have ever asked for and a beautiful and  perfect start on this new journey. A huge thank you to all that made it happen. We are truly blessed.

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Wedding Photography: Michael Howard | Floral Design + Wedding Booklets: Big Events Wedding Co | Ceremony Location: First Presbyterian Church of Nashville | Reception: Home of the Bride | Invitations: Buchanan Ink | Hair: Abbie Addotta at Element Salon | Makeup: Shannon Wright | Cake: Dessert Designs by Leland Riggans  | Catering: Kristen Winston Catering, Inc. | Wedding Dress: Augusta Jones via The Bride Room | Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

These two love birds have been together since high school, and get this: he proposed in a hot air balloon. Um, I’m swooning as I’ve never swooned before. The proposal lead way to a wedding which was perfectly whimsy in it’s floating hot air balloon centerpieces, and, of course, absolutely beautiful. Phindy Studios captured every sweet moment between these two and we’ve filled a gallery with so much love, you’ll be floating all day.

From the beautiful bride … Our wedding day started off with myself and my bridesmaids checking the weather updates every five minutes on every single weather iPhone app in the iTunes store with hopes of the forecast changing from 60% chance of rain and 50 mph winds to perhaps sunny at 70 degrees with a slight breeze… It wasn’t until after hours of door flapping from high winds, moments of rain storms, and a long morning of dreary clouds that we finally saw the sun during what was the MOST brilliant moment of the day for myself and many of our guests. Leading up to this moment were definitely moments of cackling laughter, cheek numbing smiles, and tear shedding equipped for a beach towel, but there was definitely that small element of worry – Will our dreamy outdoor wedding be wiped away in the storm? Will the ceremony spot be ruined by the beautiful oak tree we were to be married under suddenly collapsing and falling down? (Overdramatic, I know.) Many prayers were sent every moment of the day for the weather to change until the moment the ceremony music started and the wind suddenly STOPPED. The ceremony continued as planned still with rainy clouds lingering above, until that brilliant moment happened. Midway through the ceremony, we knew it was so important to us that we take communion to celebrate our union with each other and the Lord as well as have our entire wedding party participate in the “laying of hands” during prayer. Our band began to play “Come to Me” by Jenn Johnson that contains a lyric, “I am the wind and the way”, and just as we drank the wine from the communion cup, the clouds literally parted and the sun appeared in all of its glory with a quaint, peaceful breeze! It continued to shine brighter and brighter as our wedding party, MOH, and best man began to pray over our future as a couple. We all looked up halfway through the song and giggled as we felt a sense of peace and God’s blessing on our day.

As far as special touches and details, they were abound everywhere you looked! We had our dream wedding planned since we were 15 years old when we began dating! With seven and a half years of dreaming of this day under our belt, we definitely went through different styles, themes, and props we wanted over the years until we found what suited us the best; but we indeed created a wedding that reflected us 100% and our so thankful to our family and friends who helped us create it. After growing together through many important stages of our lives from 15-23 years old, we knew that the day that we made our vows to each other forever had to include characteristics and personal touches by our family, friends, and our personal taste in every aspect! As far as inspiration, THAT was a breeze after Kolby proposed to me in a hot air balloon out in the middle of a field followed by an hour long balloon ride across Franklin, TN on a sunny March day only to be carried down for a celebration with our family and friends. After this, I knew that those personal elements would have to reflect the whimsy and dreamy nature of our proposal. Therefore, I had a vision in my head and was determined to seek out vendors who could assist me in my DIY adventures. I tried to find props, DIY projects, and vendors that could help incorporate that whimsical dream in to our classy day!

First stop, find creative vendors and FIND HOT AIR BALLOONS. Thanks to BHLDN we found 13 darling wire hot air balloons with hanging baskets to be our floating centerpieces with little candles as the “flame” for each table. We used spanish moss to fill the baskets to bring in an earthy element to our natural, dreamy day. We both love the outdoors and feel the very connected with nature, it was important to us to incorporate natural elements such as moss, birch wood, and florals in to our day. We also used green moss table runners on our long rows of farm tables from Jamali Garden in NYC. Our fabulous florist, Jasmin Trenary from Artisan Flowers, was so creative in placing white hydrangeas, piano garden roses, whimsical green mini coin, and scabiosa pods in our birch wood table centerpieces as well as in our bouquets. We continued the hot air balloon theme in to our wedding cake as, Nashville Sweets, created a floating hot air balloon cake suspended from the ceiling with two towers of cupcakes in many different flavors on each side that were topped with hot air balloon cake pops! We also created a massive hot air balloon with tissue paper strips draped around the string to incorporate in to pictures. We purchased 200 sky lanterns (Mini hot air balloons) to be released during our exit to Norah Jone’s song “Come Away with Me,” but unfortunately the wind did not allow that, so we quickly went to plan B with sparklers! Still just as dreamy! I utilized my MOH and Best Man who own their own web and graphic design firm (Artpilot Studio) to make our menu cards, wedding programs, and invitations from the stationary found at Paper Source in Green Hills.

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Photography: Phindy Studios | Hot Air balloon centerpieces: BHLDN | Bridesmaid gifts: Anthropologie | Videographer: Phindy Studios | Venue: Frontporch Farms | Dress: The White Room | Groom’s Suit: Zara | Band: The Downtown Band | Florist: Gilded Thorn | Rentals: Southern Events Party and Rental | Bridesmaid Dresses: Forever 21 | Groomsmen Attire: American Apparel, J.Crew, and Urban Outfitters | Cake and Cake Pops: Nashville Sweets | Caterer: The Chef and I | Flower girl dresses: Ruffles and Cream | Hair and Makeup: Jordan Byers | Garter, Jewelry, Accessories: Etsy | Props for DIY: Preservation Station

There is a little spot in Nashville where the prettiest of pretty weddings are produced and it goes by the name of Historic Cedarwood. It’s a place where vintage details run a plenty and everything is designed in house – meaning the gorgeous florals, the ceremony by candlelight, those tablescapes dripping in lace – all those details crafted at the hands of Cedarwood Weddings. Not to mention that this day is completely personalized to a couple who is one half guitarist for Train and the other half insanely gorgeous Bride. Now add Kristyn Hogan swooping in and working her magic behind the camera and the results are all sitting pretty in the full gallery. Have a look.

Jimmy and Lindsay both grew up in Morris, IL, went to the same Jr. High and High School, but at different times. Lindsay shares, “After Jimmy graduated he left our hometown to pursue his dream of being a musician and after I graduated, I headed to college and then Chicago to start my career with Spencer Stuart. Jimmy became the guitarist for Train. In September 2009, Jimmy was living in Las Vegas and was in Chicago for a performance when he drove the hour to Morris to visit his family for a weekend. I happened to be making the trip from Chicago to Morris to visit my parents the same weekend. As it turns out, we found ourselves both going downtown to listen to a local band and that is when and where we met for the first time. We knew almost immediately that we had something special. We joke that it took him touring/flying around the world eight times just to meet a girl from his hometown. Jimmy was about to start a huge tour and for the first few years, it was a lot of flying back and forth and all over to spend time together. “

Cedarwood designers hand lettered lyrics from the couple’s favorite songs, including some by Train, to decorate the reception space, where guests enjoyed a rustic Italian menu by private chef Anthony Montgomery and assorted vintages from the Train-owned “Save Me San Francisco Wine Company.” Live acoustic music was performed by Nashville’s Rob Higginbotham for the ceremony and reception. Lindsay and Jimmy say their ceremony was beautiful and a moment they will never forget. Asking for three words to sum up their wedding, Lindsay replied “elegant, intimate, and happy.”

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Photographer: Kristyn Hogan | Wedding Venue: Historic Cedarwood |  Event Planning, Styling, Floral Design + Décor:  Cedarwood Weddings | Invitations and paper goods: Designs in Paper  | Hand Lettering + Calligraphy: Cedarwood Weddings | Officiant: Dr. P.A. Michael | Ceremony and Reception Music: Rob Higginbotham, Nashville | Catering:  Chef Anthony Montgomery, Nashville | Dessert chef:  Lori Seal, Nashville |  Bar: Save Me San Francisco Wine Company | Wedding cake: Patty Cakes | Transportation: Nolan at ABC Limousine | Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca via Arzelle’s Bridal | Shoes: Grace via Arzelle’s Bridal | Hair: Renee at Lucy Pop

When a wedding is this beautifully executed, it’s hard not to get lost in all of the pretty.  The gorgeous blooms from Cedarwood Weddings, the breathtaking Nashville setting, the amazing details sprinkled throughout… it’s mind-blowing.  But one read of this lovely bride’s heartwarming description and you’ll be thinking of one thing and one thing only.  Love.  The true love between two perfect-for-each-other people and the love a darling granddaughter has for her grandpa.  It’s a must-read story and a must-see wedding, all wrapped up in gorgeous images from Photographix.  See them all in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Shortly after Eric’s proposal, I received a congratulatory call from my grandfather asking that our wedding take place in a location where he could easily attend.  My grandfather is the kindest, most thoughtful man who I seldom get to see.   We knew honoring his request meant hosting a destination wedding in the South.  It was important for us to find a venue that reflected our laid back, low key personalities; a place where our family and close friends would feel relaxed and have fun.  Kind of like a backyard party, but with an elegant feel.  

We decided that Nashville would be the perfect place.  It offered the ideal Fall getaway for our guests.  When we found Cedarwood, we were instantly drawn to its Southern charm and natural beauty.  Every corner of the property offered something unique – a historic Antebellum home, cocktails in the barn, lake, nature preserve, rolling meadow, creek, and a pond on the front lawn.  Once I saw the Outdoor Cathedral (reclaimed gothic windows and pews) where our ceremony would take place, I was sold.  

I wanted our décor to be simple and understated – a rustic elegance that would not interfere with the natural beauty surrounding Cedarwood.   I chose a color palette of dreamy whites, creams, and silver with a touch of plum.  Since we were getting married in the Fall, we brought in hay bales and a fire pit to add a rustic flair and to warm our guests when the sun went down.  For our family and friends who had never been to Nashville before, we wanted to give them a ‘taste’ of southern culture.  Our signature drinks – Jack Daniels & Coke and shots of ‘Ole Smoky’ apple pie moonshine – were served in the barn and were a huge hit!  

A month before our big day, my grandfather took ill.  When it was clear that he was not going to be able to attend our wedding, he got very emotional.  My grandfather is a Godly man of strong faith.  We tied a ribbon around his tattered bible and had our ring bearer carry it down the aisle.  It was also important that I honor two special women in my life.  Attached to my bouquet were both of my grandmother’s wedding rings – which, when combined, symbolized a total of 138 years of marriage.   

When I realized our evening was coming to an end, I took a brief moment to step off the dance floor and take everything in.  It was such an amazing feeling to see everyone dancing, smiling, laughing, and singing.  I was in awe of the reception site – the soft light flickering in all directions from the chandeliers, candles, lanterns, and mason jars was breathtaking.  The Cedarwood design team had executed my vision to perfection.   It was magical.  

One of my most memorable moments centered around our first dance. Since Eric and I were getting married in Nashville, we thought it would be fun to take dance lessons to learn the two-step.  Admittedly, we are not the best dancers, but it was a great way to bond as a couple during the weeks leading up to our special day.  

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Wedding Photography: Photographix | Wedding Venue: Historic Cedarwood in Nashville, Tennessee | Floral + Event Design: Cedarwood Weddings | Officiant: Rod Lilly | Caterer: A Dream Come True | Wedding Cake: Patty Cakes | Dessert: Pink Sugar Bowl | Ceremony Music: Rob Higginbotham + Rebecca Baumbach | Band: Nash Vegas All-Star Band | Invitations + Wedding Stationery: Designs in Paper | Transportation: FADDS Ultimate Trolley & Grand Avenue | Limousine: Reggie Slaughter from Nashville Wedding Cars | Wedding Dress: San Patrick via Arzelles Bridal | Alterations: Karen Hendrix | Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade | Bride’s Jewelry: BHLDN | Bridemaids’ Attire: Jim Hjelm via Arzelles Bridal | Men’s Attire: Street Tuxedo via Arzelles Bridal | Hair + Makeup: Artistry SPASALON

It’s no secret that we have an unabashed soft spot for rustic weddings around here. Whether it be mason jars all lined in a row, receptions infused with a family-style feel, or a pair of newlyweds stealing a kiss in the back of  pickup truck, it’s the rustic affairs done right that get us time and time again. And this intimate farm wedding, set in the heart of Tennessee is the latest object of our affection thanks to the spot-on design and styling by Cedarwood Weddings. It’s a celebration of the autumn season that Kristyn Hogan captured to a T, and you can click here for even more.

From the Bride…In the summer of 2008 I walked into my first tattoo shop with a friend of mine. His artist that day was a man named Tommy Ray Cornett. I remember thinking he had the prettiest eye color I’d ever seen. We exchanged the usual pleasantries, my friend got his tattoo, and we left.  Months later I ran into Tommy at an event. To my surprise, he remembered me!  He told me he was in the process of opening his own business and eventually asked for my number. Our first date was a week later and we’ve been inseparable ever since. “You two just seem to go together…..” is a phrase I often hear. There is usually a small sentiment of surprise in the person’s voice, but that’s ok. We do look like people from two different walks of life, but anyone who knows us would say we are very much on the same path. Tommy and I are alike in many ways. We are both artistic – he tattoos, paints, draws and carves intricate woodwork. I’m a graphic designer and love to sing, paint and craft. We are fortunate to be passionate about many of the same things in the world.  We love our families, we take pleasure in life’s small gifts, we volunteer with various animal rescues and both hope to have a family of our own in the near future.  Beyond all of that, the single most important thing we bring to each other’s life is balance. Tommy makes me more adventurous and I help keep him grounded. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the man I was meant to marry. Tommy is strong, kind, caring and because he brings out the best in me, I know I’ve chosen the best possible person to share life with.

Tommy and I wanted to be married in a simple ceremony with our closest friends and family. Our personal style is somewhere between vintage and country, and we wanted our wedding to have the charm of a small, quaint, countryside affair, with authentic style – something that would be equally  at home on a rural Irish farm or the Tennessee countryside.  Cedarwood is more than an event venue;  it’s a state of mind.  With the massive mature trees, bubbling creek, old barn and rolling meadows, the historic farm setting was perfect.  An outdoor fire, warming blankets, hot cider, and a ‘guest book’ wedding quilt made everyone feel welcome and warm. Our reception centered around a southern style farm to table menu and dessert buffet with our loved ones sitting a long rustic farm tables decorated with flowers and vegetables in shades of coral, russet, gold and green, earthenware pottery, crocks and lanterns. Everything had a wonderful vintage patina and although nothing ‘matched’ it was coordinated and timed perfectly.

I wore a strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline and full skirt.  Although technically it is a ‘ball gown’ style, I paired it with a handmade gray shawl from cashmere yarn.  Cedarwood designers created my bouquet with a mix of rustic flowers and berries that looked so natural. The result was perfect for me – elegant with earthy elements. Tommy wore a classic 3-piece Irish tweet suit, bowtie and driving cap.  He was so dapper – the epitome of country ease. Tommy and I have 2 dogs who are part of our family and we were able to have them participate in our wedding. Budcus (our boy) wore a little plaid bow tie and a sign that said “Here Comes the Bride” and Bella Boo (our girl) wore a white lace collar with flowers and a sign that said “You Two Just Go Together.”

The setting /location of your wedding is crucial. Don’t compromise a venue that’s perfect for a specific day – be flexible and you’ll have a lifetime of satisfaction with a wedding that’s totally ‘you.’  The Cedarwood team really understood our sense of style and pulled everything together so Tommy and I could concentrate on being with each other and enjoy every element of our day.

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Wedding Photography: Kristyn Hogan | Wedding Venue: Historic Cedarwood | Floral Design, Décor + Styling: Cedarwood Weddings | Invitations and Paper Goods: Designs in Paper | Catering: Copper Kettle | Officiant: Ralph Griggs, Tennessee Wedding Minister

Tradition with a little sass is the perfect way to describe this affair. It’s as Southern as can be from the Riverwood Mansion backdrop to the elegant attire all wrapped up in a wildly beautiful wedding. On somewhat of a side-note  I’ve never met a feathered shoe I don’t adore and the adoration continues with those turquoise beauties worn by the Bride. And that is where you’ll find that aforementioned sass. Have a look at the dreamy images captured by Brandon Chesbro and then prepare to get lost in the gallery.

From the Bride…Ty and I were engaged inside Middle Bay Lighthouse in the center of Mobile Bay, Alabama, five months prior to our wedding day and wanted to find an equally romantic venue. We chose a plantation-style mansion to set the scene for our evening wedding. The ceremony was held outside of century-old Riverwood Mansion on a cooler day in late-July. Old oak trees and green leaves provided a frame and a barrier from Nashville. Guests were ushered into the outdoor ceremony by a string trio playing classical hymns, and were asked to sign a hand painted guest scroll artistically drawn by the Ty’s mom. With the scene set, my dad escorted me down the aisle to Be Thou My Vision in the first dress I ever tried on – a gorgeous silk and lace dress made by Paloma. The dress was accented by a floor length Italian lace veil handmade by my grandmother. My mom and her sister also wore the veil at their weddings. Bridesmaids looked stunning in knee length one-shoulder dresses in Seaside blue by Alfred Sung, accented by coral and white flowers. The men wore traditional black tuxes with coral boutineers. Ty’s father performed a sentimental ceremony at sunset before we entered the mansion for a cocktail-style reception, complete with a string trio, heavy hor d’vours and high top tables draped in cream linens. We toasted to our nuptials, and enjoyed a mint and gold colored cake. The wedding was elegant, intimate, and classic. We drove away in a 1947 Ford Coupe restored Ty’s grandfather, and landed at the historic Hermitage Hotel to complete our wonderful wedding day.

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Wedding Photography: Brandon Chesbro | Wedding Venue: Riverwood Mansion in Nashville, Tennesse | Floral Design: Franklin Flowers and Gift Gallery | Cake + Hors d’oeuvres: A Catered Affair, Nashville | Wedding Dress: Paloma via Arzelles | Tuxes: Arzelles | Shoes: Bridal by Butter

You know what I love? When a wedding is handcrafted by family. It always shines through in the photographs of the day. The year of planning my own wedding was filled with so many great Mother-daughter moments spent crafting, antiquing and the like. And when I read the description from the Bride, Danica, it brought me right back to that time. Sure weddings are all about the beautiful details but they are more importantly about the love, and family and all those memories so beautifully captured by Jackie O Photography. See even more right here.

From the Bride…We could not be more thrilled with how our day turned out, and it simply could not have happened without all of our awesome friends, family and of course, VENDORS!  Matt and I got engaged over Memorial Day Weekend, so we were working with a limited timeframe, however, I will be the first to tell any bride that it IS possible to plan a wedding in under 6 months. In fact, in some ways it made it easier to make decisions!

Though we live in different states, my mom and I separately scoured flea markets, antique malls and ebay for vintage kitchen tins,  tools and vegetable cans to hold our flower arrangements that would serve as centerpieces.   I knew I wanted a rustic look for the dinner tables, and since the hubs is a seasoned gardner and I am an avid baker, I wanted to incorporate dried herbs and various kitchen tins.  I took the idea to my mom, presented her with all the vintage tins, tools and cans, and she brought the vision to life.  The result was, in my opinion, incredible! I spent months collecting vintage handkerchiefs that I wrapped around silverware to serve as dinner napkins at the reception. The splashes of color combined with the vintage centerpieces created a cozy, charming feel. In lieu of table numbers, I found vintage “cheeky” sheet music that we hung from small garden flag poles which sat in small rustic pots on each of the tables that were set up in long rows, for a family style dinner. Since I was a music major and both the hubs and I enjoy playing music, we thought this was a fun way to incorporate more of who we are into our day.

Our favors were one of my favorite parts of the reception. The hubs proposed to me out in his garden, and he had the ring in a seed packet. We wanted to incorporate this part of our story into our wedding day, so we purchased herb seeds for our guests and made garden markers out of vintage silver-plated butter knives to go with them. My mom and I searched high and low for all the knives, and my sweet dad hand stamped each letter into the knives to spell out the herb names. It took a village, but the end result was something special! We tried to find a balance between “sacred” and “fun.”  Our service was very traditional, but once we were pronounced “man and wife” our guests erupted in sound with the various noisemakers we had passed out before the ceremony.  My friends and I have never had a party where glow necklaces aren’t present, so when the dance floor was opened at our reception, all of the bridesmaids came around passing out necklaces for all our guests (who actually loved them)!

I wanted to honor the many family members who are no longer with us, or who were unable to attend the wedding. I did this in a few ways: My maternal grandmother and my paternal great Grandmother were two spitfire women with incredible love-stories whom I greatly admire.  Along with my dad, I wanted to have strong women going with me down the aisle, so I had my florist attach pictures of both of them to my bouquet. I wanted to create family “trees” to sit on either side our guestbook. My mom found various old branches and secured them in small rustic pots.  We collected old family wedding photos from both my and my husbands families, and hung them in frames from the branches.

From calligraphy, to a hand-bound wooden guestbook, we worked to involve as many local and/or independent artisans as possible.  Our dinner was from one of our favorite local restaurants. Our programs were put together via a designer I found on etsy. The grooms cake and invitation suites were done by co-workers of my husband who both freelance in their respective fields in addition to their day jobs. In the end everything came together quite well! One last note… my bridesmaids came from 4 different states to be a part of our day.  They all picked out their own dresses and I didn’t see them until the day of the ceremony. I had sent them paint chips of suggested shades of blue… but imagine all of our surprise when we found they had all chosen the exact same shades, and many the same styles!  Just goes to show how well things can work out if you let go of control and trust your friends!

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Photography: Jackie O Photography | Floral Design: Katie Pollard | Event Planning + Design: Bride + Mother of the Bride + Front Porch Farms | Ceremony + Reception Location: Front Porch Farms | Invitations: April Maglothin | Cake: The Bake Shoppe | Groom’s Cake: Sweet Music Cakes | Catering: Calypso Cafe | Programs: Emily Weckesser | Guestbook: Michelle Skiba | Caligraphy: Esque Script Calligraphy by Molly Margaret | Dress: Pronovias Adela via The White Room | Shoes: 5/48 via Saks Off 5th

It probably comes as no surprise that I’m about as girly as they come. So when this photo shoot first popped across my screen, I couldn’t help but wish I could live inside it and never leave. I’m talking the fluffiest of florals, the dreamiest of dress, and a glass conservatory setting that puts a new spin on Parisian-inspired pretty. Social Graces Events infused the shoot with a subtle touch of Southern flair, and Annabella Charles captured it all behind the camera. Grab your coffee and get cozy in the full gallery right here.

From Social Graces Events….Our goal was to inspire brides to use alternative indoor event spaces such as this incredible glass conservatory.  It truly provided that warm, lush, and flowery feel that brings out the romantic in everyone! This inspiration shoot captured by Annabella Charles, showcases the talent of Haute Horticulture and her amazing counterpart, Everbloom Designs. Together we created a chic garden conservatory shoot. The nostalgic details were combined with a Parisian-inspired color palette of soft peaches, antique gold, and slate blue for a delicate and feminine impression. We chose to highlight this combination with some true Southern flair. From the charming bourbon bar to our rustic farm table we chose to incorporate a relaxed, yet elegant environment sure to awe any guest. Our model, Rebecca, shows a fun and playful side with her hand-crafted floral headpiece and necklace. Everything from the hand-lettered stationery to the dainty china played off these lovely elements, resulting in a dreamy garden escape.

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Photography: Annabella Charles Photography | Event Planning: Social Graces Events | Venue + Catering: The Conservatory | Coordination: Suzanne Dement | Floral Design: Haute Horticulture | Stylist: Kristin Wolter | Stationary + Papergoods: Natalie Chang | Hair and Mua: Tricia Coble  | Lighting: Bright Event Productions | Cake : The Flour Garden  | Linens : La Tavola | Vintage Rentals: Propcellar | Dresses: Olia Zavozina Couture Designs + Liancarlo + Rivini via Maggie Louise | Headpieces + Belt: Hushed Commotion | Shoes: Charlotte Russe | Jewelry: Forever 21

I have a four year old. And every day it’s a tutu. And a sparkly cupcake necklace. And a giant pink flower for her hair. And really anything with glitter that we can get our hands on. So this perfectly girly, perfectly princess birthday party that the lovely team at Whimsical Gatherings put together? Well, it’s all of Audrey’s dreams come true. And maybe some of mine too. Captured by Dixie Pixel, this party is one that will most certainly go down in every little girls’ Greatest Day Ever history. And there is soooo much more pretty right here in the gallery.

From Whimsical Gatherings… The party was designed and hosted by Whimsical Gatherings floral & event design studio in Maryville, TN.  Our Owner and Creative Director Leah McCall has been surprising brides and event hosts with her swoon-worthy designs in excess of 11 years.  Leah’s daughter Madeline shares her Aug 19th birthday with Coco Chanel.  The cake was made by Magpies Bakery in Knoxville, TN and the graphic design details were by Jude Staunton from Knoxville, TN.

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Photography: Dixie Pixel | Venue + Floral Design: Whimsical Gatherings | Event Design: Leah McCall | Cake: Magpies Bakery | Graphic Designs: Jude Staunton

Let me just start by saying this Tennessee wedding is about as cute as they come. It’s everything a southern wedding should be, plus more. The wide open spaces, the rustic chic barn, and the sweet as can be couple who couldn’t be more darling if they tried. Watson-Studios captured all the country cuteness and you can see every detail of the day right here.

From the bride…Brandon and I met four years ago at Auburn University where my two older brothers secretly plotted for their fraternity brother, Brandon, and I to meet. They have always very much approved of Brandon and since our first date at the Alabama state fair, we have been inseparable!

We fell in love with the beautiful property at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee and knew that from the quaint cottages to the out-of-this-world cuisine, the rustic yet luxurious resort in the Smoky Mountains was the perfect place for our destination wedding. I was inspired by my grandmother’s short vintage wedding gown and this simple idea set the theme for our wedding. We added fabulous florals, a bluegrass band and blackberry inspired cocktails like the blackberry bumpkin.
 
Our weekend started on Friday night with a rehearsal dinner under the stars on the main lawn and ended with a Sunday brunch. In between there was horseback riding, skeet shooting, and eating…. LOTS OF EATING! We served house made potato chips with paddlefish caviar and creme fraiche, crispy carolina gold rice fritters with black eyed pea hummus, singing brook cheese gougeres, guinea & dumplings and braised beef short ribs the night of our wedding. Our cake was a delicious classic white with a hint of almond buttercream; the design inspired by the dress. We picked the most perfect place on the property for the ceremony, the Yallerhammer Pavilion. The open air pavilion has the most perfect stone fireplace, wooden benches for seating, and a fabulous view of the mountains. We were so blessed to have had 115 of our closet friends and family together for the weekend, celebrating such a special time in our lives. Everything was perfect and Brandon and I wouldn’t have changed a thing!

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Photography: Watson-Studios | Venue, Catering + Coordination: Blackberry Farm | Designer, Florals + Cake: Edgar’s Bakery | Invitations: Weddings Etc | Cinematography: TLC Weddings  | Ceremony Music: Special Notes | Reception Music: The Bearded Brides Gown: Justin Alexander via Something Blue Bridal Boutique | Bridesmaids Dresses: Jim Hjelm | Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Banana Republic

Today’s lineup of lovely continues with a Tennessee barn wedding infused with a sense of southern charm. Filled with cheery pops of coral and a touch of rustic whimsy, this wedding has all the right components for the perfect “I do” day. Glass Jar Photography captured all the sun-soaked images sitting pretty in the full gallery here.

From Glass Jar Photography… Sam flew to Egypt to propose to Danielle so they wanted to incorporate lots of Egyptian elements into their day and decor mixed with where they live in the south. Some neat ideas and details of the day were that they played “Rock, Paper, scissors” for who said their vows first, they had their own beer brewed and bottled for the reception and the walkway from the ceremony to the reception was lined with family wedding photos to make a love lineage.

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Wedding Photography: Glass Jar Photography | Wedding Planning + Coordination: Sara Fried of Fete Nashville | Wedding Venue: Family Home outside Franklin, Tennessee | Floral Design: Always in Bloom | Catering: Jo’s Custom Cakes and Catering | Wedding Cake: French Confection | Invitations: Bride | Lighting: Nashville Event Lighting | Drapery: Blue Nova | DJ: Nashville Party Authority | Furniture and Rentals: Southern Events | Wedding Dress: Watters | Bride’s Shoes: Michael Kors

Four months to plan a budget-friendly wedding is not for the weak at heart. Let’s be honest, it took me that long just to decide on a pair of bridal shoes. But, rest assured, it is totally and completely doable. And even more so, it forces you to focus on the details that really matter – a heart-felt ceremony, images by Amanda Scott Photography that capture that emotion and all-in-all, a day that truly celebrates love. See all that love right here.

From the bride...Rob and I had originally planned to have a fall wedding, but after learning my sister would be out of the country for work on her grad school practicum, we moved our date up to May, giving us only 4 months to plan.  Due to our short engagement and a very tight budget, our friends and family played a huge part in making our wedding day so awesome. As our day was quickly approaching, our amazing group of friends from our church dedicated an entire evening to helping us cut paper vases out of old books to decorate reception tables, and helped us fill, decorate, and label jars of honey to give as guest favors.  To save money on flowers, I ordered fresh and dried lavender in bulk from California for the the reception decor and for the bridesmaid bouquets (which were assembled the morning of our wedding by two of my bridesmaids).  I also bought dusty miller and succulents at a local shop for the boutonnieres, and my brother and his fiancé assembled them the morning of our wedding as well.  My plethora of antique cameras and books I’ve collected over the years were used as centerpieces at our reception.  My sister did an awesome job on my hair for both the ceremony and reception, and my best friend did my makeup.

Rob and I wanted to have a laid back, casual, intimate wedding.  We tried to keep our guest count low by only inviting family and our closest friends.  As the guests were arriving, they were welcomed to our lemonade stand and to relax on the lawn as music played in the background.  The ceremony took place on the foundation of an old greenhouse as our wedding party and guests stood in a circle around us.  Just before Rob and I started dating, I mailed him a special letter that I had sealed with a wax seal.  Instead of a unity candle or sand ceremony, we decided to incorporate the wax seal again in our ceremony by writing our own vows, and after reciting them to each other, sealed them together with two different colors of wax. After the ceremony, guests entered the barn to find a biscuit bar with their choice of all kinds of southern toppings like apple butter, honey, and jam that they could enjoy as Rob and I were having pictures made.  We also wanted to do something a little different  post-dinner. Instead of having a DJ playing the usual wedding music tunes all night, we asked my brother, his fiancé, and my sister to teach our guests how to contra dance, which turned out to be so much fun.  Our getaway included (completely biodegradable!) Chinese lanterns and an awesome 1950’s MG Midget borrowed from a friend.

Our wedding day turned out to be so wonderful, but there are a handful of moments that I’ll always cherish the most.  The handkerchief wrapped around my bouquet was made from the bonnet I wore home from the hospital and the brooch pinned to the handkerchief was my grandmother’s. My grandfather, who was one of my very favorite people, and who passed away several years ago, gave it to her for their 35th anniversary.  It was nice to have a small part of him there with us.  I also love the memory of walking up the pathway with my dad to the ceremony as my uncle, friend, and brother played “Divide Me” by Kalai.  It’s such a beautiful acoustic song that fit the moment perfectly.  Directly after being announced as Mr. and Mrs. Feisley at the conclusion of our ceremony, Rob’s grandfather threw his arms in the air and shouted “YEEHAW!”  He had made the long trip down from Ohio for our wedding, even though he was very weak and battling cancer. Sadly, he passed away in September, but having him there will always be a special memory for us.  At the reception, the contra dance lessons turned out to be a bit more difficult than expected, which resulted in confusion, improvising, and lots and LOTS of laughs.  Some of our guests shot videos of the dancing, which were so much fun to watch. I laugh so hard I cry every time I watch them.  Lastly, as Rob and I were about to make our getaway, my dad pulled out his old classical guitar and surprised me by serenading me with a song he used to sing to me when I was a baby. Until that point in my life, I had hardly heard my dad play guitar, and never with accompanying vocals.  He isn’t much for performing, and I’m sure it was the first time he ever played in front of any type of audience.  I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Oh. my. goodness. Rob and I are truly blessed in so many ways, and our wedding day only proved that more.

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Venue: The Fillauer Lake House | Main Photographer: Amanda Scott Photography | Ceremony Photographer: Imago Photography | Videographer: Cardboard Films | Bride’s Bouquet and Corsages: Grafe Studios | Lavender: River Oak Lavender | Wedding Cake: Sifted Bakery | Catering: Ray’s Catering | Invitations: Designed by bride, printed by Millers | Wedding Dress: Casablanca | Guy’s Suits: Express

From the moment I laid eyes on this backyard beauty, I knew we were in for something special. Not only because it was photographed by the talented Leslee Mitchell, but because finding a wedding of such exceptional elegance yet casual rusticity is an absolute rarity. And while I could go on for days about how much I adore all the vintage details and so lovingly envy that beautiful Bride, let me lead you to the full gallery for even more of this most gorgeous affair.

From the Bride… Choosing a venue for our wedding was easy. My parents have the perfect location right in their backyard, which created the perfect intimate setting. Adam and I wanted everything to be simple with a touch of vintage elegance, and most of all, laid back. It was just that. We were a little nervous about having an outdoor wedding because of the unpredictable Tennessee weather, but it turned out to be a gorgeous day. We thought about going with traditional fall colors and flowers, but we knew light and airy with a slight splash of color was more our style. The wedding party fit this theme effortlessly. Everyone chose their dress or suit and accessorized according to their own personal taste—including our dog, Hank.

My friends helped out with a few DIY projects to personalize our day. Mason jars were used as flower vases. Each one was wrapped with twine and lace. We borrowed antique lace linens from family and friends to use on the dinner tables. One of my favorite things was the candlelight. We wrapped wire around jars and hung them from the ceiling of the clear tent. The ambience was incredible. Everything I had dreamed about came to life, and it turned out to be even more perfect than I imagined.

From Leslee Mitchell… Caitlin and Adam’s wedding was the type of wedding where I found myself repeatedly looking at my watch because I did not want the night to end. Simply put, Caitlin was stunning. She was the centerpiece of this event and she dripped with elegance.
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Wedding Photography: Leslee Mitchell / Wedding Venue: Bride’s Parents’ Home in Tennessee / Day-Of Wedding Coordination: Rebecca Welch + Heather Patton / Wedding Party Flowers: Flower Express / Ceremony + Reception Floral Design: Perri Piercey / Wedding Catering: A Dream Come True Events and Catering / Wedding Invitations: Twigs Print Studio / Ceremony Music: Lisa Vincent and Company / DJ: Nashville Party Authority / Reception Rentals: Liberty Party / Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal via The White Room / Bridesmaids’ Dresses + Jewelry: Various / Hair + Makeup: Tara Carver / Groomsmen’s Suits: Various / Men’s Ties: Tie Bar / Men’s Socks: Topman / Dog Bowtie: Silly Buddy

This wedding is right up my alley. Not kidding-I have already pinned a trillion of these photos from Watson-Studios to my inspiration board, and I want to seriously snag so many of these elements for my upcoming nuptials. Stacks of vintage china mixed with chandelier glamour make a killer combination and the result is an ingenious blend of  vintage chic. I am almost embarrassed to admit how long I spent in the gallery getting lost in these darling images.

From the Bride.. Peach and I met in the spring of 2005 at the University of Tennessee. If you asked Peach, he would say we met through mutual friends both being involved in the UT Athletics, he was on the football team and I was a majorette. However, our first real encounters were in a statistics class where Peach tutored me before finals, which then turned into a few dates after exams. From the moment I met him, I couldn’t get enough. His contagious personality won me over immediately and I couldn’t wait for the next time we could be together. We spent the next six and a half years falling in love, dancing the nights away and growing into two individuals truly meant to be together for a lifetime. In 2011, late Christmas eve, Peach made me the happiest person in the world when he proposed with the help of our puppy, Lucy. I had just finished wrapping gifts when Lucy approached me with the most beautiful ring tied around her collar. We were ecstatic to announce the news to our families and friends on Christmas Day. It was truly perfect–a Christmas I’ll never forget.

The planning process began immediately and after deciding on a wedding party, which consisted of 10 bridesmaids, 10 groomsmen, 4 ring bearers and the most precious flower girl, we knew there was no option but to have a wedding and a venue that could hold all of our families, friends and the people that had shaped us into the two individuals we are today. Our final guest list consisted of 420 people, so finding the ideal location was one of the hardest parts. After deciding on nearly ten locations, and then changing our minds, we stumbled upon what turned out to be absolutely perfect…Rarity Bay Country Club in Vonore, Tenn. Rarity Bay truly allowed us to create a one-of-a-kind wedding experience. We were married on the golf course with the Smoky Mountains behind us. We transformed the clubhouse and outdoors into a shabby chic meets French country getaway. Although the reception was held under a tent to help keep our guests comfortable, we also set up several “lounge areas” to provide a home-y and relaxing feel. We wanted the day to be something that just screamed our personalities and for our guests to leave saying “that was so Peach and Caroline”. From the hand-painted signs that my best friend and wedding planner created, to the beautiful flower arrangements, table settings, cakes, and just the overall look, it is entirely too hard to pick out a just a few favorites.

The most special were the details that were heirlooms of my family and friends- the curtains used on the arbor were handmade for my grandmother’s house, the dishes used to serve cake were collected from both of our families and dear friends, my garters were handmade by a long-time family friend, our cards from guests were held in one of my Grandmother’s old suitcases, one of my mother’s old hankies were sewn into my dress with 1 Solomon 3:4 embroidered on it, and I was able to wear my late-Grandmother’s wedding ring throughout the day as my “something old”, and my late-Papaw’s wedding band around my bouquet as my “something borrowed”. Peach has been my husband’s nickname since he was a little boy and is what he always goes by. I surprised him at the reception by serving Bellini’s during cocktail hour, affectionately named, “My Perfect Peach”. It was truly a day filled with so much love, and one that Peach and I will never forget.

Wedding Photography: Dan + Natalie Watson of Waston-Studios / Wedding Venue + Catering: Rarity Bay Country Club in Vonore, Tennessee / Wedding Planning: Alexandra Hansen / Wedding Design + Rentals: Jennifer Laraia Designs / Floral Design: Janet Hooper / Invitations: The Happy Envelope  / Band: The Downtown Band / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals / Brides Earrings: Diana Warner / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar / Bridesmaids’ Shoes: Off Broadway / Flower Girl Dress: The Princess and the Boutique / Ring Bearer Outfits: J.Crew

A breathtaking Houston affair, a drop-dead gorgeous BHLDN gown and a whole host of beautiful blooms from Floral Events (here’s looking at you, sweet, sweet bouquet)… is your heart pounding yet?  If not, then one look at the stunning images captured by Stefano Choi Photography and you won’t be able to escape it.  Because this is the kind of wedding that makes you sit back (in complete and total awe, mind you) and spend hours soaking it all in.  It’s just that good.  Oh, and the 100-year-old Crystal Ballroom? Awesome. Click here for so much more and stay tuned for a beautiful film from Sculpting With Time Productions below.

From Stefano Choi Photography… A classic elegant wedding and the bride DIY’ed the invitations, programs, guest seats all based off of a travel theme because they love to travel. She also wore a beautiful dress, veil and shoes by BHLDN. She chose the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the Crystal Ballroom for the ceremony because they are both nearing their 100 year anniversaries and she thought it would be a great fit for her theme. The old school charm in these locations were a perfect fit for this. the images were captured on digital, 35mm & Medium Format film.

Photography: Stefano Choi Photography / Floral Design: Floral Events / Ceremony Venue: Church Holy Rosary / Reception Venue: The Crystal Ballroom at the Rice Lofts / Cinematography: Sculpting With Time Productions / Music: “Remember When” by Us & Our Daughters via The Music Bed / Cake: Who Made The Cake! / Wedding Dress, Veil & Shoes: BHLDN / Reception Band: Doppelgänger / Cocktail Hour Musicians: Houston String Quartet / Ceremony Musicians: Chamber Music Unlimited / Late Night Snack: Tacos-A-Go-Go / Hair & Makeup: Your Beautiful Face / Linen & Tableware Rental: Party Cloths / Printer: Workhorse Printmakers / Wedding Invitations & Programs: DIY by The Bride

It’s one thing to have a vintage chic wedding because it’s in style, but when you infuse personal heirlooms from your family dating back over 100 years, it means something totally different and oh-so-special. This gorgeous bride described her sentiment perfectly when she said that love is timeless. What a beautiful notion to carry throughout your big day. Katherine O’Brien captured this day in such a pretty way. Click here for so much more and then stay tuned for a sweet film from Waterloo Films below.

From the Bride… The reception following this ceremony will include many memorable heirlooms passed down from these family members. We have had the greatest time gathering these pieces and exchanging stories with our families. From one hundred year old doors to timeless china, we wanted to include them all when decorating for our big day. Although the items alone seem to fit our current interests or style, surrounding ourselves with them during this celebration reminds us of their memory and presence even more.

This interest has also taken us on a vintage hunt through numerous antique shops for the last year and a half. From hole in the wall shops in Geronimo, Texas to the famous annual Round Top event, we have been taken back in time through so many unique pieces with amazing stories. We came across a beautiful chandelier from Romanian newlyweds who just immigrated to Houston. Another family passed along a Victorian couch to make more room in their home for abused transfer students from overseas. Each piece has one story or another that we will always remember from this little antiquing adventure, which has now become an addiction.

Love is timeless, so we believe this timeless collection dresses up our day just right. We hope you enjoy.

Wedding Photography: Katherine O’Brien / Ceremony Location: Brookwood Community Church in Houston, Texas / Reception Location: Private Residence / Floral Design: Karen Plumlee / Wedding Cinematography: Waterloo Films / Bakery: Maureen’s Bakery / Decor: DIY by the Bride / Band: The Dopplegangers / Photobooth: Crown Photo Booth by Scott and Rebecca Light / Wedding Dress: Ivy & Aster / Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Accessories: Ivy & Aster / Earrings + Veil: Unbridaled / Bridesmaid’s Attire: Amsale / Groom’s Attire: English Laundry

You always hear stories about brides who try on one gown – and know it’s the one. But almost all of them go on to savor the experience and try on a few more… just to be sure. Not this bride. This bride knew the moment she put her gown on that this was it. She simply knew. Just like she knew when she got engaged, there was no need for a long engagement. He was the one – it was time, and two short months later, they would marry. From the dreamy photography by Watson-Studios and the delightful bouquets from Mulberries, this Tennessee wedding is charming beyond belief. See the full gallery here.

From the Bride… Sam and I had been dating for over 4 years. When we decided to get married, we knew we didn’t want to have a long engagement.  We were engaged in June and set our wedding for August 25! We were so excited to lock in Natalie and Dan Watson as our photographers shortly after.  It all happened very fast! We both love the outdoors and knew we wanted to have our wedding outdoors, somewhere with a woodsy feeling.  After seeing the RT Lodge, we knew that was the place.  I did have a few things on my wish list, though, for my wedding…

1) my dream husband 2) my dream dress 3) great photography 4) our family at the wedding 5) as little stress as possible!

We decided to have a small, intimate wedding with family only.  Most of our immediate family were able to come, and our total attendance ended up being 22 (24 including the photographers)!  Having such few guests at the wedding allowed us to really slow down and enjoy the experience.  We didn’t have to rush around and say hello to everyone… we were able to have entire conversations with everyone and even enjoy the food made by  the RT Lodge. It was incredible!

As far as planning a wedding goes, I was a novice.  The RT Lodge pretty much covered every detail… all I had to do was send a few preferences about food, location of ceremony, etc and boom… it was done!  I enjoyed meeting with Samantha from Mulberries to pick out flowers and met with a local woman from Maryville who made our cake!  I ordered a few things from Etsy and Ellis (the RT Lodge wedding planner) took care of absolutely everything else!

Thanks to the small size of our wedding, our families were able to participate in the wedding.  We served communion to our guests after Sam and I took communion and then my dad and Sam’s dad prayed over us with our families surrounding us. It was an amazing experience! I can honestly say I had my dream wedding.  Every single moment was a blessing.  Our day was full of joy and fun and time with family, and there really was no stress.  Honest! I feel very blessed to have had such a wonderful experience and am grateful to all those who supported us and celebrated with us and helped the day be such a delight!

From Samantha of Mulberries… Sarah wanted a soft palette of light blue, green, and cream. She loved textural elements such as gray-green succulents, scabiosa pods, and touches of sword fern.  We agreed on tweedia, which is the small light blue star-shaped flower, to bring in a hint of blue. Green Dutch hydrangea, ivory garden roses, and pieris japonica completed the bouquet.  Sam’s boutonnière was one of my favorites – a combination of a small succulent, scabiosa pod, pieris japonica, touch of tweedia, and sword fern wrapped in burlap ribbon. 

Sarah had such a great relaxed attitude and was a joy to work with. She wanted simple elegance in a classy rustic setting, and the end result was a stress-free beautiful day, celebrated with only their closest friends and family. 

Wedding Photography: Watson-Studios / Wedding Venue + Catering + Planning: RT Lodge / Floral Design: Mulberries / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal