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The Ultimate Spring Plantation Wedding

From Fete Nashville… Planning Shawn Johnson + Andrew East’s wedding was a dream come true! It was pretty exciting from the beginning when Andrew, a long snapper for the Oakland Raiders proposed to his sweetheart, Shawn, a gold Medal Olympic gymnast, at Wrigley Field right after she threw out the first pitch! 

We started planning right away and chose the top of a hill for the ceremony, with 360’ of countryside views at a farm in Franklin, Tennessee. The alter was designed with gorgeous whitewashed antique church windows dripping with flowers, honeysuckle, and vines with more natural elements at the base including logs and lots of candles.   Jack Daniel’s barrels served as aisle markers holding the most beautiful flower arrangements of white peonies, ranunculus & dahlias, ivory garden roses, and lots of textured greens. The bridal party walked through custom barn doors and down the aisle decorated with lanterns, candles and flowers. After the “i do’s, the new Mr. And Mrs. East jumped up with excitement to the cheers from all their friends and family and danced their way back down the aisle to Stevie Wonder’s “signed, sealed, delivered!” 

At the reception, Andrew surprised Shawn by singing “You’ve got a friend in me” with his father playing the piano accompaniment. As a late night snack, we had the famous Ellie’s doughnuts food truck come to serve sweet treats to all of the guests. At the end of the night, Shawn and Andrew ran through sparklers to a silver Rolls Royce. At 7 incredibly delicious layers, the wedding cake was taller than the bride!

The reception was lovely with Shawn + Andrew sitting in an ivory love seat with custom “bro” & “bug” signs on the back; their nicknames for each other. Gold calligraphy on white washed wood hanging with gold silk ribbon. Head table made up of several reclaimed wood farm tables with vintage lace runner. 25’ ladder covered in greenery installed over the head table with exposed bulbs hanging. White french urns and mercury candles with loose and flowing greens.

Guest tables: a combination of farm tables and rounds with ivory linens. Centerpieces of barn wood boxes filled with low, lush greens hanging over loose and whimsical. Shawn’s gown is a glamorous silk duchess trumpet silhouette with a soft geometrical lace bodice. Matching lace trim along the hem of her gown also appears on the removable silk satin organza cathedral train. Shawn’s gown features the Elena Zavozina signature keepsake pearls cascading down the back of her gown. Shawn also had her custom headpiece and jewelry designed by European designer Elena Zavozina designed Shawn’s dress, all nine bridesmaids dresses and Andrew’s entire custom suit

From the Newlyweds… Fete Nashville truly made my fairytale wedding come true! I don’t think our wedding day could have been any more perfect or any more “us.” From how it ran to the details, Fete Nashville thought of for Andrew and I. They blew us away and we couldn’t have been happier!!!

Can we please discuss how incredibly sweet Courtney and Isaac’s wedding is?! Filled with pretty pink details and a few happy tears, this is one celebration that you’re sure to fall in love with. Nathan Westerfield was behind the lens snapping it all to share and it’s all waiting for you in The Vault!

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From The Bride…May 14, 2016 was the most perfect day! The bridesmaid’s and bride started the day early with hair and make up and a few mimosa at the hotel. It was an atmosphere of joy surrounding the bride; everyone was happy and willing to make sure the day went great! After all the hair and make up was done, the bridesmaids put their Jenny Yoo dresses on and they looked beautiful. The bridesmaids and bride then headed to the venue for the bride to get dressed. The bride’s dress was a beautiful lace dress by Sareh Nouri with Badgley Mischka shoes. Her something borrowed were gorgeous diamond earrings from her Grandma, her something new was her dress, and her something old and blue was her mom’s garter that she had worn at her wedding. The bride put her dress on and her sister who was also her Maid of Honor zipped it up. While the bride and bridesmaids took all day getting ready, the groom and groomsmen spent the day relaxing and got dressed in their tuxes in about 15 minutes and then headed to the venue just before it was time for the bride and grooms first look. Once the groom and groomsmen arrived, the wedding planner, Lauren placed the groom, Isaac in the garden to await the first look with his bride, Courtney. As Courtney was walking to the garden to meet Isaac she was so excited to finally get to see her handsome groom! Their first look was such a happy moment as they got more and more exciting to marry their best friend! After the first look Isaac and Courtney took some pictures together and then met back up with their wedding party for some group pictures.

After all of the group pictures were taken it was about time to get ready for the ceremony! Guests started to arrive and Courtney and her bridesmaids were hidden away in the bridal suite until a majority of the guests were there. The wedding party then lined up at the back of the garden, where the ceremony was going to take place and it was then it hit Courtney that she was about to get married! She tried to hold back tears and shared a special moment with her dad. The ceremony then began and the music went along beautifully, all of the wedding party made it to their places and then it was time for Courtney to walk down the aisle with her dad. This was when the emotions really started flowing, Courtney was crying and Isaac teared up a little bit, this was it, they were getting married!!! The ceremony shared a beautiful message with Courtney and Isaac and all of their guests about how special the love was that was shared between a man and a women as they became husband and wife. It was a surreal and beautiful ceremony.

After the ceremony was cocktail hour which was held on the front lawn of the beautiful plantation house. There were many cute southern touches such as rocking chairs on the front porch, string lights over the lawn, corn hole boards and hors d’oeuvres of hot chicken bites and pulled pork with sweet potato grits. the ceremony was a blur as Courtney and Isaac tried to talk to all of their guests. A little ways through cocktail hour Courtney and Isaac were whisked away to take sunset pictures in a beautiful field. It was a nice chance for Courtney and Isaac to connect with each other and get to take a deep breath and enjoy the fact that they were married!! After the pictures they had their grand entrance into the reception area. The tent was beautifully decorate from chandeliers to bright flowers and gold silverware. It was like a dream. Courtney’s dad made a toast to the happy couple and blessed the food and then everyone ate. After dinner the best men and the maid of honor gave their speeches. The maid of honor wrote words to the song Bohemian Rhapsody and sang then couple a song, it was one of the highlights of the night!! From there the bride and groom cut the cake and maybe smushed some cake on each others faces and then it was time for their first dance! It was one of those things that seems like a normal thing, but was such a special time for them to connect and reflect on their amazing day. After their dance, Courtney danced with her dad and was able to thank him for everything he had done to make the wedding happen. (Courtney’s parents paid for the whole wedding) After that dance the dance floor was opened to everyone and then the party really started. It was so special to see all of the friends and family who had come out to celebrate Courtney and Isaac, it made them realize how truly loved they were. All in all it was an amazing day and there isn’t anything they would do differently!

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Badgley Mischka

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Sareh Nouri

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700 Guests + 2 Gorgeous Gowns Leave Us Speechless

I see a lot of weddings, there’s no denying it. But this one right here will be fresh in my mind for months to come; it’s simply too stunning for words, let alone to forget. When 700 guests gather at the gorgeous Castleton Farms, magic is bound to happen, and that’s exactly how I’d describe these pics from Finch Photo. Peerless Films captured the live action and I thank both artists for documenting it all for our Vault – my month has been made. So without further ado, let’s see it all here!

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Saying “I do” in the Outer Banks of North Carolina is EVERYTHING

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Multicultural Rustic

From Finch Photo… From day one, we knew Heena and Ronak’s wedding day was going to be something incredibly special – we just never knew they would become so near and dear to our hearts (so much so that Ben, photographer, and Darla, wedding planner spent two weeks in India helping plan the wedding). Heena wanted a traditional Indian wedding and the multi-day celebrations that come with it, but being born and raised in the United States, she wanted to incorporate a few American wedding trends as well (first look, cocktail hour, late night snack and sparkler send-off). Knowing that most weddings in India take place outside, she stumbled upon Castleton Farms as the perfect outdoor wedding venue (it also didn’t hurt that the venue could accommodate their 700 guests, almost half of which traveled all the way from India). Also, instead of the vibrant colors most often associated with Indian weddings, Heena chose a more neutral color palette – blush and cream. Together, Heena and Castleton’s on-site event planner, Darla Walker, were able to dream big and bring her every wedding wish to life. From the stunning floral arrangements by Samuel Franklin to the draping and décor provided by All Occasions Party Rentals, no detail was forgotten. Each vendor was able to see Heena’s vision and execute it better than we could have ever imagined.

And let’s talk about the energy of their wedding day! Their 700 guests were entertained from sun up to sun down – starting with a traditional Indian breakfast and ending with a custom fireworks show. Even though we all suffered an early morning wake up call, things definitely livened up during the barat. Guests danced from the front gate of Castleton to the Manor, where Ronak (seated on a white horse decked out in Indian garb) greeted Heena’s family. From there, the curious guests roamed the 108-acre property during the ceremony, enjoyed an Indian lunch, and went back to their hotel rooms to freshen up. Once everyone was able to catch a quick cat nap, they joined us back at Castleton Farms for a cocktail hour in the Vineyard, a traditional Indian dinner (did we mention there were table assignments for everyone?!), dancing, late night pizza, a father-daughter dance that made us even tear up, a choreographed dance from the bridal party, fireworks, and so much more. Not only was it the most memorable day of Heena and Ronak’s lives, but it definitely goes down as of the most memorable experiences of our lives.

Guys, I love ALL weddings… I really, truly do. But, if I am being honest, it’s those seaside nuptials in paradise that really get my heart pumping. I’m talking miles of sandy beaches, crystal blue waters and, of course, a beautiful locale like the Sanderling Resort making every moment happen perfectly. I mean, a vaca of a lifetime meets the ultimate wedding? Yes. Please.

Located in the oh-so-stunning Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Sanderling Resort is everything you’ve ever wanted (and more) for your Big Day. Think space for 15-180 guests, luxe accommodations and mesmerizing sunset views to add a little touch of romance to your festivities. From their ah-mazing venue options to their knowledgeable staff to their relaxing spa, the team at Sanderling Resort will turn your dreams into an absolute reality. We promise you that.

Contact the Sanderling Resort TODAY to speak to one of their full-service event planners and begin planning your destination celebration. We can’t wait to see you say “I do” in the Outer Banks, lovelies.

An Elegant + Modern Gown You’ve Got to See

A gown so gorgeous that it’ll makes your head spin? Don’t say we didn’t warn you because Bride has done just that. A modern celebration that’s chockfull of design details that you’re sure to love (like this chignon, that protea bouquet, and gorgeous greenery). It’s as chic as it is camera-ready and Austin Gros snapped the entire celebration share. See it all in The Vault!

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From The Bride…For the thousand of set ups that go wrong, there’s one that goes right.

A few mutual friends had thought Tim and Leland could make a great pair and decided to play matchmakers by setting up a happy hour at a cocktail bar in TriBeca.

The night turned into a spontaneous party on Tim’s rooftop and ended in his apartment where he impressed the whole crew (especially Leland) with his fully stocked bar, his ability to make muddled cocktails on the fly and his excessive order of late night pizza.

As the night wound down, Leland raced out to catch the elevator. Tim ran after her and they exchanged numbers. Five nights later, they went on their first date. Six weeks later they weathered the Sandy Storm together. Seven months later, they went on a two week trip to India and the Maldives. A year and a half later, they moved in together. And two and a half years later, they got engaged.

Despite having lived in NYC for almost 10 years, Leland still has a soft and special spot in heart for Nashville, where she went for business school. Tim and Leland wanted a destination wedding—a place where friends and family could be together for more than a few hours. Nashville was a no-brainer and 240 people descended on the city for a weekend full of festivities including a night at the honky-tonks, a Friday night BBQ with live music, a Saturday morning Kasspatrick Klassic tennis tournament (complete with t-shirts) and an elegant Saturday night Cheekwood wedding.

The vows took place in a picturesque perennial garden with the sun peeking out just in time for everyone to walk down the aisle. The couple danced out to “Islands in the Stream” and guests followed for cocktails inside the beautiful mansion. As night fell, everyone walked into a gorgeous, draped tent with long tables, white flowers and accents of gold. Tim and Leland kicked off the party with their first dance to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder, and the rest of the night was filled with Motown tunes, an abundance of food, lots of laughter and much love.

Highlights include:
When Tim started his vows with “I, Leland, take..” and the audience erupted in laughter…
An outfit change by bride and groom for the party
The rustic and delicious naked cake with three flavor tiers
Frozen Brandy Alexanders and fries served on the dance floor late night

This Elegant Nashville Wedding’s Reception Takes Fun to New Levels

If you really want to get your guests on the dance floor at your wedding reception, take a cue from this fabulous couple who projected their favorite Nintendo Wii game, Just Dance, on the walls of their reception. Relive all the fun — and see a whole lot of pretty — thanks to Brandon Chesbro and FreshSox in The Vault!

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Style Meets Southern Charm for this Fashion + Floral Filled Bridal Shoot

From The Bride…When we were freshmen in college, Aaron and I happened to sit next to each other at a McGill University football game. We hit it off immediately and Aaron asked me to find him in the 5th row of the lecture hall in our Chemistry class the following week. A few months later we went on our first date to a bring-your-own wine restaurant, which kicked off the next 10-years of fun and adventures through life together. Last year Aaron planned an elaborate scavenger hunt (on our 99th “month-iversary”) involving clues and destinations related to all the things most important to us. The scavenger hunt ended in the Duke Gardens, where he proposed in a gazebo our friends had decorated with string lights and flowers.

We first met Brandon at the engagement shoot – he took us to a friend’s farm outside of Nashville a few hours before sunset on a hot July day. We got to know him and explore the farm and surrounding forest and creek and roam among cows, wild turkeys, and even an alligator snapping turtle! Aaron and I initially felt very awkward in front of the camera, giggling nervously the whole time. But Brandon was able to put us at ease and captured the moments when we looked and felt the most natural and happy.

We decided to have the wedding in Nashville, where I grew up, even though we live in North Carolina now. This meant we had to do a lot of planning remotely, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of my Mom and bridesmaids who live in Nashville, as well as the wonderful Sarah Ann Miller from Randi Events. She listened to all of our ideas and brought to life an absolutely beautiful event at aVenue with everything we wanted – not only unique and magical displays of flowers, candles, and greenery draped across wooden planks suspended from the rafters, but a frozen yogurt dessert bar from sweet CeCe’s, and a projector setup to project our favorite Wii game, Just Dance, onto the wall so all our guests could dance along. We had the time of our lives and are so thankful to everyone who made it all possible!

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Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

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Spring 2016

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My adoration for bridal shoots grows deeper by the day. Latest case in point: this gem by Julie Paisley. With Glen Leven Farm as a backdrop, our Southern belle preps for her big day with not one, but two gorgeous gowns, and a bouquet that makes me weep tears of joy. I could ramble on and on about these pics but let’s save you the time and just hop on over to our Vault for it all – you can thank me later.

From Julie Paisley… Bridal shoots are big in the south. It’s a tradition for the bride to get completely ready for portraits just of her before the big day. We styled this bridal shoot and pulled inspiration from the historic Glen Leven Farm. It’s a pre-Civil War antebellum home complete with peeling wall paper, old floors, exposed brick and period furniture. The bride’s style is classic and Southern so the soft blush and neutral palette really played well with the overall feel of the shoot. We also loved being able to step outside under the old oak trees to capture some images in her reception dress and of course, the vintage car added more character to the shoot. The wedding day is something every bride dreams about since she was a little girl, having a pre-wedding bridal session gives more time for the bride to live out her dream.

Bacon + Bourbon Make This Southern Affair All the More Memorable

Sweet southern sizzle this wedding is everything. For not only did this pair plan one heck of a celebration, they also made sure guests were well equipped to carry on the fun throughout the night. Translation: A passed hors-d’oeuvre consisting of bacon paired with single barrel bourbon. If that doesn’t get your heart racing then maybe all the stunning captures from Austin Gros in The Vault will do the trick!

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A Laid-Back Wedding With So Much Heart. See Why We Adore These Grooms!

From The Bride…Where do you have a wedding when the bride grew up in Maryland, the groom New York, and they are currently settling in Los Angeles. You dig for roots…

We planned a Tennessee wedding after relocating to from New York City to Los Angeles. We were drawn to Middle Tennessee for our wedding as I spent many spring vacations from elementary and middle school visiting relatives and family friends in Franklin – rollerblading through town, movies at the Franklin Theater, and listening to seemingly endless family stories – as my dad wanted me and my sister to experience a little of our Tennessee roots.

It wasn’t hard to sell Matt on the idea of a Tennessee wedding as few of our New York friends and Matt’s family had ever visited Nashville and he knew it would be fun for them to experience someplace new. My easiest wedding decision was where to have the reception. Carnton was in my blood – literally, as I am a lineal descendent of Randal and Sarah McGavock, who built the home. Actually, as delineated in the “father of the bride” speech, our wedding reception is the first family wedding celebration held at Carnton since January 3, 1884, 131 years ago. Also, there were more direct McGavock descendants at Carnton that May 9th evening than at any other time since the house was built in 1826.

Most importantly, this was a magical evening for us, complete with a surprise ice-breaker for all the guests, Tennessee Moonshine. The photographs capture the wedding spirit, complete with a bride and groom dance-off and yes, even doing “The Worm” on the dance floor. Matt’s reaction early the next morning as he slowly, oh ever so slowly, eased himself into his now father-in-laws car: “That party was the best night of my life”.

It was very important to us that our wedding feel relaxed and not formal. On a night when all eyes were on us, we felt incredibly comfortable and relaxed. I credit this because we didn’t feel like we had to adjust how we acted due to the wedding, the wedding adjusted to us and our energy set the tone. We were 100% ourselves that night, just as everyones wedding should be. We made the decision to have our wedding party photos taken at Carnton before the ceremony. This turned out to be crucial as we were able then to be present for and enjoy every minute of the reception. While there were 250 people there, it still managed to feel like one tight-knit gathering.

This morning we’re taking a little trip to rural Tennessee for a wedding with so much heart we can hardly stand it. These two grooms set out to plan their “perfectly imperfect” celebration with Stunning Events by their side, the end result was a day overflowing with love. Kristin Sweeting captured and there’s lots more right this way.

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When Your ‘Something Blue’ Is Your Bridesmaids’

From The Groom…Mike and I knew from the start that we wanted our wedding day to be above all a celebration of love. We of course didn’t have the most storybook relationship and we knew that we didn’t want to have a storybook wedding, but we did want all of our closest family and friends to know and share in our love for each other. After a very long engagement, which itself took place in the presence of a small group of family and friends, we quickly set to work in planning the biggest day of our lives. We almost immediately settled on a spring wedding due to its association with renewal and life. With a spring wedding planned, we couldn’t bear the thought of getting married indoors, so it was relatively easy from there to land on Arrington Vineyards in Arrington, Tennessee as our venue. The site offered tons of space for our celebration, along with flexibility in planning.

Neither of us are formal people–we are most comfortable in gym clothes with a small group of friends. We wanted this casual vibe to be present in our wedding but in an elegant way–we wanted the day to be care-free for us and our guests while emphasizing elements of simple beauty. We chose blues, whites, and grays as our theme mostly because we knew that they would flow well with the background of spring in Tennessee. From there, it was mostly a matter of choosing our vendors and sharing our vision with them. Many of the people who helped us pull off our biggest day were already our friends, and those who weren’t became our friends during the process. Our two biggest life savers in the whole process were definitely our wedding planner, Kristin Kaplan of Stunning Events, and Kristin Sweeting of Kristin Sweeting Photography. Both were so easy to work with while maintaining a high degree of professionalism. There were definitely hiccups along the way, but these two in particular were right there to smooth them over.

In the end, our wedding day was perfectly imperfect. Our wedding party all looked beautiful, our florals were stunning, the food was delicious, the band was rowdy, the drinks were strong, and the rain held off until the final declaration and then let up right after cocktail hour. Our friends and family were able to celebrate with us for a whole night with more than enough smiles to go around. And the love, which we worked so hard to be able to show to the world, was given right back to us in overflowing abundance.

Looking to incorporate a few wedding traditions in a super stylish way? Why not take cue from Mary Corder and Josh’s Big Day have your Bridesmaids’ be your ‘something blue’? Complete with Alyssa Joy Photography behind the lens this is one celebration that you’re sure to love. See it all for yourself in The Vault!

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From Alyssa Joy Photography… There is so much to be learned from Mary Corder and Josh and the way they planned their big day. They thought through each and every detail and tradition to make the event most personal to them. The couple has one sibling each, so instead of a big bridal party, they knew they wanted only their siblings at the front, as the maid of honor and best man. To honor her girlfriends, Mary Corder invited her would-be bridesmaids to instead be her Something Blues. The “blues” got to wear any blue dress of their choice, spend time in the bridal loft on wedding day, and sit in reserved seating at the ceremony. This unique spin on the traditional wedding party is just one example of why this wedding was such a personalized day. Mary Corder and Josh were both so grateful for each of their wedding vendors and really chose people who not only were very talented but that they also really “clicked” with. From the very beginning of the wedding planning process, I felt so appreciated as their photographer but also felt like a friend! This connection really made the wedding day itself so wonderful, and I believe it really shows in their photographs.

From the Bride… We didn’t meet in a coffee shop or take a class together in college. We didn’t grow up together or meet through mutual friends. We met on the apparently not-so-silly dating app Tinder, and while I never thought that would be my story, I love to share it because it led me to Josh.

After a marathon of a first date – nearly 7 hours long, best friends and even a sibling (!) included – we promised each other we’d skip the games. We promised to be real and honest and not to wait 8 minutes to respond to text messages just for the sake of waiting.

Fast forward 13 months and Josh was on his knee in my parents’ home, shaking wildly and forgetting the majority of his proposal spiel. (Lucky for him, only one line really matters after all!)

It didn’t take us long to find the venue of our wildest dreams, and then I headed to New York with my mom and sister to find the dress. I had scheduled several appointments and only ended up going to one. I fell in love with Sarah Seven’s Lafayette gown in her flagship shop on Lafayette Street, and then Sarah herself showed up to my appointment. Needless to say, the dress felt totally meant to be.

Our wedding day was truly magical. Josh challenged me early on to really think through the checklist of wedding to do’s and traditions and opt only for the ones that felt personal to us. Our vision was for an intimate and incredibly personalized day, including handwritten vows, a guest list of under 100, a team of vendors who felt more like friends, and breaks in our wedding day timeline for us to just be together and soak it all in. (Perks of having your ceremony and reception in the same place, which we highly recommend when possible!)

I credit our florist, Rosemary and Finch, to making our day beautiful. Mary Love and I met for coffee when I was beginning the vendor hunt, and we immediately clicked. I just knew I had to work with her! I decided very early that I wanted our wedding florals to be wild, white and cream, with plenty of greenery. (What can I say – I just love neutrals!) Mary Love took my vision and ran with it in the most extraordinary way. One of my favorite moments of my wedding day was seeing my bouquet for the first time. I’ll never forget it.

My biggest piece of advice for couples would be to set time aside on the wedding day to be together, breathe, and take it all in. Our planner, Kasey, advised us to take a break from the hustle and bustle to eat together in the bridal loft alone after the ceremony while our guests enjoyed the cocktail hour. I’m so grateful for those first moments as husband and wife, and that I got to spend them with Josh and not buzzing around trying to greet guests or pose for photos.

Bottom line: your wedding should be about you and your spouse. Skip the traditions that don’t give you the feels, choose vendors you genuinely like having around, and take time to sit back and take it all in. Too often weddings are planned for the guests when really, it should be about you.

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Classic Southern Elegance Done Oh-So-Right

Guys, this is classic southern elegance done so, soooo right. From the lush blooms crafted by Branches to the absolutely breathtaking Harlinsdale Farm locale to the stunning stationery designed by Mariko Lamb, the beautiful, beautiful bride. Think traditional beauty with a little side of rustic pretty, all captured perfectly by Brittany Conner. See it all right here in THE VAULT.

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From Brittany Conner… One was a humble leader, star athlete and Southern gentleman; the other was an adventurous traveler, outdoor enthusiast and free spirit. Three years ago, both of these Tennessee natives found themselves living in sunny Southern California by way of two very different paths.

Harlin was a captain in the Marine Corps and Mariko was a local newspaper reporter when their paths first crossed. Despite Harlin being scheduled to move back to Nashville a mere three months after meeting the girl of his dreams, he didn’t give up hope that the two could spend the rest of their lives together. Knowing that Mariko was an avid traveler, Harlin asked her to take a leap of faith and spend two weeks with him in New Zealand just a few months after they met. It was there that Mariko realized she had met a man who she could happily embark on the life’s next adventure together. The two moved back to Nashville shortly thereafter, and the rest is history.

Harlin and Mariko were married on June 6, 2015 in a rustic outdoor wedding ceremony at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, TN. The naturally stunning and historic site was a place where Harlin spent many years during his childhood breaking in colts and bailing hay on his grandfather’s old walking horse farm. It was there that Harlin learned about hard work, the value of a dollar and the importance of teamwork. It was also there that Harlin and Mariko would wed more than a decade later.

A Classic Southern Wedding Featuring Rustic Farm Décor and Timeless Country Club Elegance
Mariko believes that elegant simplicity combined with opportunities to have a rollicking good time is the key to a memorable wedding. The bride designed the textured black and white wedding invitations, program fans and stationery herself, while the groom selected the evening’s hottest entertainment to celebrate the night.

The rustic outdoor wedding ceremony centered on Harlinsdale Farm’s natural beauty with just a few white and champagne floral adornments. Bridesmaids were dressed in simple black strapless floor-length gowns, while groomsmen donned traditional black and white tuxedos. The two wed just as the sun set over the main barn in a beautiful twilight ceremony.

The wedding reception took place at the always stunning and elegant Belle Meade Country Club. White hydrangeas, roses and lilies fused with soft sparkling champagne accents, soft, subtle décor and lots of twinkling lights dressed the venue. The timeless elegance of the venue and décor exuded a classic Southern charm with a hint of modernity – just like the couple themselves.

This Bride Pushed Up Her Wedding So Her Father Could Walk Her Down the Aisle

Lauren and Bryant had a wedding planned for May, but when they received news that her father’s cancer had spread to his spine, they were told they would need to push up the date if they wanted her father to walk her down the aisle. Enter Bethany Veach Photography, Sami Sue Studios and an incredible team of vendors who volunteered their services for a March wedding. See every moment from the heartwarming day in The Vault!

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They Began Dating in 7th Grade. See How Their Wedding Day Turned Out!

From Sami Sue Studios…In January, Lauren shared, “We found out the cancer has spread to his spine. My daddy is the strongest man I know and I know he can get through this! This is in God’s hands and I thank the Lord everyday for every second I have with my first love, Rodney Riales!”

Lauren and Bryant were engaged to be married in May, but they were told if they wanted her father to walk her down the aisle, the wedding needed to be sooner. Thanks to the kind heart and fast thinking of Bethany Veach Photography, an incredible wedding team had volunteered their services for a March 13th wedding, if Lauren and Bryant were up for it! They graciously accepted and we had a wedding. After a week of flooding in Memphis, we had a GORGEOUS day for Mr. and Mrs. Presley. God had his hand over this day and this family.

From The Bride…Standing in the breezeway with my arm through my Daddy’s whom is my first love; pausing just before I walk down the aisle to my future and the love of my life; I am moved to tears by all that surrounds me. The beauty of Annesdale mansion, the fragrance of the flowers me and my bridesmaids carry floating through the air, the scent of delicious food being prepared for us, the music of the violin as I walk down the aisle, the soft light of candles glimmering, and the subtlety of photographers and videographers creating memories of a lifetime all encompass the efforts of the vendors that came together to give their time, money and talent to ensure that my sweet Daddy is able to walk me down the aisle. Our wedding was exquisite in every way down to the smallest detail. To say thank you hardly seems enough but from the bottom of our hearts we are thankful and immensely grateful. I will forever cherish my wedding day and all the memories made.

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Bella Baxter

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Though they met when she was the new girl in school in fifth grade, and started “dating” in seventh grade, this Bride and Groom didn’t officially start dating until freshman year when her father’s “no dating until high school” rule expired. A year later, they shared their first kiss. And the rest is history — until their winter wedding. See every sweet moment, captured by Texture Photo, in The Vault!

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Spring into Wedding Season with This Inspiration

From The Bride…Davis and I met when we were just twelve years old. I had just moved to Knoxville from Colorado and we both were going to the same school. Keep in mind this is fifth grade and I was the new girl in school. Not the new girl that everyone wants to be friends with, but more the weird one that showed up in a pink camo backpack and pigtails. Needless to say Davis didn’t fall in love with me right then and there. Fast forward to seventh grade and we had home room together. By this point I had lost the pigtails and camo backpack and was a little less awkward. I remember thinking Davis was so cute and wondering if there was a chance that he would ever like me. At this point in time not many people had cell phones and so Davis and I would email back and forth. I look back on those emails and laugh at the amount of times we ask who each other likes and how many times we answer with “I’ll tell you if you tell me”. Each time we would always say each other, and each time it was like we had no idea. Davis and I say we started dating in 7th grade because without the title, we did. We talked all the time and honestly grew up together. My dad had a rule though that I wasn’t allowed to “officially” date until I was a freshman in high school. As soon as that day came, Davis asked me out and we started dating! My dad also had a rule that Davis had to wait a year to kiss me. His reasoning behind this was that if a boy can’t wait a year for something then it isn’t that important to him. He wanted Davis to know how important it really was. Davis has always been so kind and respectful. I am amazed at how caring he was even at such a young age. In middle school sports aren’t that relevant so when I went to my first high school football game and heard Davis’ name over the intercom more times than I can count, I realized I really needed to learn more about football. Our high school experience was somewhat of a dream. Davis went on to break a national football record and I was able to cheer him on in the stands every game. We went through so many stages of life together, it is hard to remember a time when Davis wasn’t my best friend. We went to college together at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga where Davis played football. After our freshman year we knew that Chattanooga wasn’t our home and decided to transfer to the University of Tennessee Knoxville. This leads us to our Junior year of college.

Davis was a ranch hand at one of our family friends ranch in Knoxville. I would go up there with him some days to take care of the horses and just watch him. These were some of my favorite days because it felt like we were escaping reality for a little bit. In February of 2015 Davis said that one of the horses was hurt and he was going to go up to the ranch if I wanted to come. Of course I said yes and he came and picked me up. We drove up to the ranch and he told me that the medicine was on the top level of the barn and he asked me if I could go get it. I didn’t expect a thing and went up the stairs. That is when I saw hundreds of candles lining the floor, bistro lights draped across the ceiling, and a huge projector that said “Press Play”. I went up to the computer and in a moment of panic forgot his password. I shouted down, “Davis what is your password” and the crisis was averted. The video started playing and it was hundreds of photos and videos documenting our whole life together. From pigtails and camo back packs to where we were that day, Davis had it all in that video. At the end it said turn around and when I did there was Davis, with Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheehan playing in the background, walking towards me. I wish I could remember all that he said to me in those few minutes. Before I knew it he was down on one knee and my absolute best friend was proposing to me. It was a whirlwind of emotions when we walked downstairs to our whole family cheering us on. I can honestly say that I have never known a man to love so completely and so mindfully as Davis Howell. That day, up until our wedding, was the very best day of my life.

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Spring awakening is here and it’s all thanks to this inspo from Julie Paisley. Layered with delicate blooms and fresh design details courtesy of Cedarwood Weddings, this is one gallery that’s introducing new life into our favorite season. Complete with Designs in Paper goods and a spring cocktail we’ve just got to try, we’ve got it all in The Vault!

From Cedarwood Weddings…Inspired by the early delicate blooms on the flowering trees that grace Cedarwood’s stately historic grounds, our design team styled an intimate garden wedding to celebrate the symphony of spring.

Adorned in a pure white Sarah Seven gown and the most delicate hellebores floral crown, the bride is the epitome of fresh beauty as she says “I Do” to her love surrounded by petals in the estate gardens. The groom’s fashionable pale grey suit compliments the delicate color palette with an earthy balance.

An ethereal table is adorned with cut crystal and glimmering glass atop flowing organza, completed by an abundance of spring’s prettiest blooms. Keeping the tabletop fresh and light, we used muted color with pops of rosy petals and fresh green stems to mimic the delight of our garden’s flowers at first bloom.

Finely calligraphed invitations and event paper suite repeat the dreamy romantic feel of the day, while a grand cake display with an aptly named cocktail celebrates the joy and sweetness that comes from the most famous season of love.

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Master the Art of a Large Dinner Party

Sometimes bigger is better. Usually that applies to candy stashes and shoe collections and once in awhile… dinner parties. Whether you have 4 guests or 40, there are a certain tricks of the trade that will have you entertaining with ease. Lauren Kelp promise it’s doable and if her pop up dinner party hosted with Ashley Cooper in Nashville is any indication, her tips will have you mastering the art of a large dinner party. See even more captured by Josh Ulmer in the VAULT.

Whether you are hosting a party for 2 of 200, setting the table and creating a space that allows your guests to feel relaxed and comfortable is key. Today we are going to show you how to set the perfect table for a big dinner party. What makes me an expert on this? Well, every few months the fabulous fashion illustrator & graphic designer Ashley Cooper and I pick a new city and host about 40 people – creatives, local influencers, photographers, designers, you name it – who are doing something interesting in their city for a big, fantastic, heartwarming dinner party.

We call these dinner parties Tablemakers (http://laurenkelp.com/tablemakers/) where we are creating an event where everyone can eat great food, drink delicious wine, make new friends, and celebrate community.

Sounds fun, right? It is! Big dinner parties are my favorite & they are much easier than many people think. So call up your favorite caterer (or, heck, try it yourself!), invite 40 of your favorite people over, and let’s have a party!

STEP ONE: Picking the Perfect Place

I am a huge proponent of throwing dinner parties that feel intimate no matter the head count. Backyards, porches, dining rooms that spill into living rooms, front yards – whatever allows your guests to relax, feel comfortable, and stay awhile is the perfect place to throw a party in my book!

Entertaining rules are mostly there as guidelines, in my opinion, so it’s okay to tweak them depending on the situation. Is your living room larger than your dining room? Flip them! Push the sofas against the wall and move the harvest tables in so you can seat more people. Don’t worry, your friends will help you move the sofas back!

Don’t be afraid to play with different seating options. Once you’ve got the place picked out, now it’s time for a little logistics. Determine how many guests you want at your fabulous get-together so you can accurately configure seating. Maybe you have multiple long tables with benches instead of chairs or perhaps you’ve got several open seating options so people and eat and mingle as they see fit.

For our latest gathering, we hosted our guests in a historic home turned flower shop in the heart of East Nashville. We sat 40 new friends at harvest tables encircled around fresh flowers in the shops store front. It was intimate, but it allowed our guests to stay awhile & celebrate that community ambiance we hold dear.

STEP TWO: Setting the Table

Unless you are hosting a formal gathering, there is no need to set a full place setting. I say ditch the bread plates and think family style!

Whenever I host a large dinner party, I try to keep the place settings as minimal as possible so I have a ton of space in the middle of the table. This allows me to place the family style dishes, carafes of water, wine decanters, and bread baskets down the table so guests can serve themselves, grab seconds, and get to know their neighbors by serving them. Plus, it creates a relaxed ambiance & saves time on cleanup (and who doesn’t love that?)

Grab your favorite plates, mix and match your stemware, and have some fun with it!

STEP THREE: It’s All in the Details!

With the amount of large dinner parties we have thrown the best ones are always the gatherings that have a few extra little details. Set your dinner party apart by going a little bit above and showing your guests how thrilled you are they spent the evening at your party.

Set the tone to your dinner by placing the evening’s menu on top of the dinner plate – this makes for a lovely table decor as well. Go for something extra personal and write a fun fact about each guest on a small note card, place a note card in front of each place setting, & use them as ice-breakers. This is especially fun for parties where guests don’t know each other.

Send your guests off with a piece of the decor – like a mini potted plant or a small bouquet of flowers. Each little detail helps impact the dinner as a whole and creates a night your guests will not forget.

Above all else, remember to have fun! This is your night to celebrate with your friends & your community, so relax, have an extra glass of wine, and give yourself a pat on the back – you did it!

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We’ve got another entertaining secret and we’re spilling the beans right here…

Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson Shares Her Adorable Engagement Photos

You know her as Olympic gold medalist, but this weekend Shawn is taking on the role of “bride” as she weds Oakland Raider long snapper, Andrew East in Nashville. While we’re on pins and needles to see how the big day turns out, let’s a peek at her darling engagement session shot by Wild Native in the meantime. Congrats, Shawn! We know you’ll make the most beautiful bride.

From Wild Native…If she looks familiar to you, you may be as much of a fan of the 2008 US Women’s Gymnastic team as I was! I remember parking myself in front of the TV in my college dorm, locked in as this incredible group of women competed for the gold!

If he looks familiar, you might be a bigger fan of pro football than I’ll admit I am. In fact, I didn’t recognize this handsome hunk at all before we started taking engagement pictures one sweet springtime afternoon in Nashville. Recently signed with the Seattle Seahawks, sweet Shawn is the only thing this dashing long snapper loves more than sports.

This pair has a redemptive sort of love. Not only an incredible amount of affection and grace for each other, but there is this kindness about them that you can’t help but notice. We spent an entire day together and I was blown away by their warmth and their generosity. They are the sweetest couple I have ever photographed and am over the moon to shoot their wedding.

Photography: Wild Native Co. | Venue: La Sirena

Rustic Fall Wedding at Nashville’s Cedarwood

I adore little ones at weddings. And one look at these pics by Julie Paisley and I have a feeling you’ll be agreeing with me. This intimate rustic celebration, crafted by Cedarwood Weddings, was filled with smiles for all ages, topped off with the beautiful Bride and her new husband. Join me oohing and aahing over everything, from the bouquet to the babes in our Vault right this way.

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Intimate Nashville Wedding with Every Guest in the Wedding Party

From Julie Paisley… When you put together a beautiful venue, a couple so in love, their adorable blended family and 20 of their closest family and friends, you get a wedding that will make you just swoon and believe that it’s never too late for “Happily Ever After”.

As always, Cedarwood knocked this wedding out of the park with their color scheme of blue, grey, blush and gold. Lush florals, a romantic candlelight ceremony space, an ombre’ cake, a beautiful long tablescape with gold candlesticks, layers of flowers, crystal plates and gold silverware brought together wedding decor that was a dream to photograph.

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It’s official, this is one of the most adorable couples and sweetest weddings ever. Though Sammi and Branden originally had two very different visions of their wedding (an elopement for her, a big wedding for him), the duo ultimately decided to exchange vows surrounded by 30 of their closest friends and family, all of whom “got a bouquet or corsage because each of our guests was in our wedding party.” See every moment of this special day, captured by Maria Lamb, in The Vault!

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Classic Nashville Fall Wedding in Rich Colors

From The Bride & Groom…On November 15th, 2015, we gathered with 30 of our closest friends and family to make vows to be forever committed to each other, to God, and to our relationship.

When we first got engaged and began to talk about our wedding, we both came from different perspectives. Originally, Branden wanted a large wedding and I (Sammi) wanted to elope.

Now, I’m glad we did neither of those.

Having a small, intimate wedding was so incredibly perfect for us. With both of our lives so public online, it was a relief to let things go and not have to make a big production out of the day.

We’re both so glad we took advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have everyone we loved most, from all over the country, in the same room. And not just for a day, but to hang out all weekend in Nashville before our Sunday afternoon wedding.

One of the things that was most important to us while we were planning was that everyone had a role within the wedding. My sister did my make-up, our friend Judson made our vow books, our friends the Lambs took photos, our mentors read passages during the ceremony, my mom gave me my great-grandmother’s china to use for our doughnuts….

Everyone got a bouquet or corsage because each of our guests was in our wedding party; everyone from Branden’s grandma to my best friend.

Because of the small size, we had everyone join us in a circle during the ceremony. A decision that we originally made from a practical standpoint turned out to be a beautiful physical reminder of the amazing support we have received through the years of our relationship.

We are so grateful for all the love we have received as we have stepped into this new chapter together. Thank you to all of our friends and family who have chosen to be a part of our story.

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Petit Bouquet

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This Southern Bride and her Chicago Groom wanted a wedding day that reflected their love story. The result is a gorgeous mix of sophisticated Southern charm and industrial Chicago flair. From the Bride’s gorgeous fall bouquet and pretty pink Jenny Yoo bridesmaids’ dresses to the cool invitation suite and rich color palette, this Nashville wedding is all kinds of perfect. See it all from Kristin Sweeting and Matt G in The Vault!

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