Tennessee Weddings

Romantic Belle Meade Plantation Wedding

Styles

Rustic Vintage

From the Bride… We met in New York in 2011 at a dinner party in Brooklyn, a set-up by our mutual friend, Alex Boling. I was living in LA at the time and Chris was living in the East Village in New York. We dated long distance until the following spring, when I moved to New York full time. Portland is now our home base since I have to be there to shoot Grimm and Chris tours most of the year.

We were married December 23rd at Blackberry Farm, a rustic resort in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and our favorite place on earth. Chris has played for many special events over the years, and it was the first place he took me on getaway as a couple. We’ve become great friends with so much of the staff that the place now feels like home.

There were 20 people total in attendance at the wedding…Our immediate family and grandparents, plus Chris’ best friend Rob Moose (Bon Iver), who played Bach’s 3rd movement of the C Major Sonata for solo violin for my walk down the aisle. I wore a vintage lace gown from 1937, purchased at Xtabay Vintage Bridal Salon in Portland, in the 11th hour. Chris’ touring schedule and my hiatus schedule made scheduling a wedding difficult… It was either the upcoming Christmas holiday or a year and a half from that Christmas, and I was just didn’t have the patience to wait that long. Also, the idea of spending an efficient but nutty three months planning sounded better than stressing about an event for over a year! Such a short timeline eliminated the custom order gown option, so I started scouring the racks.

I’m a frequent shopper at Xtabay, a vintage dress boutique in Portland, and the girls there know me and my taste fairly well. That lace gown had just arrived to the vintage bridal salon – they hadn’t even put it out on the rack yet – and it fit like a very delicate glove. Erin Schmitz, their marvelous seamstress, stitched up and reinforced some of the lace that had fallen apart over the years so that we were assured it would make it at least through the ceremony. I called it the James Bond dress, since it was bound to self-destruct immediately after the ceremony (it made it to the end of the night, but just barely!) The veil was vintage tulle sewn onto a 50’s era Juliette cap, also from Xtabay.

I did my own hair and makeup on the day, after getting some coaching from our Grimm makeup artists.Chris’ dark brown wool suit was custom made by Against Nature, a bespoke suit shop in New York City.

My sister Abbie officiated the ceremony, which we wrote by cobbling together pieces of old and traditional ceremonies. Our vows came from an old Irish ceremony I found and absolutely fell in love with:

By the power that Christ brought from heaven, mayst thou love me.
As the sun follows its course, mayst thou follow me.
As light to the eye, as bread to the hungry, as joy to the heart,
May thy presence be with me, Oh one that I love, ’til death comes to part us asunder.

Flowers were by Leah Teague of Flourish Floral, a local Knoxville designer, who created the gorgeous archway to Yallerhammer Pavilion.

Dinner was in the wine cellar at Blackberry Farm’s The Barn at Blackberry Farm. The menu featured grilled Carolina shrimp, guinea and dumplings and local Border Springs Farm lamb. The cake was a rich dark chocolate made by the Blackberry Farm pastry team, with mint chocolate chip ice cream, Chris’ favorite. Andy Chabot, Blackberry Farm’s wine director and a friend, curated a wine pairing using our favorite varietals and vintners.

We drank our first toast from my Grandmother’s Welsh Drinking cup, a tradition that’s been in the family for longer than I know!

Post dinner we retreated to one of the cottages for port and stilton cheese, fried black eyed peas and christmas carols accompanied by Chris, Rob, and my mother on flute (something she hasn’t done in at least a decade!).

We stayed on at Blackberry Farm after the wedding for Christmas with our family.

Commerce Street Events

This wedding is everything. A heartfelt ceremony set against a breathtaking backdrop, a dance ’til the sun comes up reception and drop-dead gorgeous details wowing each and every guest. It’s the kind of wedding that mixes Southern tradition with a little modern bling, and it was all planned and designed by the team at Commerce Street Events, a group of ladies that know a thing or two about perfect weddings.

From the stunning ceremony featuring a floral arbor, fabulous custom made doors and wooden church pews to the rustic farm tables highlighting the reception, this is a day that is all about the details. Something the team at Commerce Street Events is so very, very good at. They have the ability to take your story (in this case, an adorable duo who literally fell in love over their shared love of wine) and make that story the centerpiece of your big day. Think an Arrington Vineyards setting meets a sophisticated elegance that is literally jaw-dropping (hello, chandeliers). Teaming up with Commerce Street Events means hiring a group of amazing planners and designers who will walk with you step by step throughout the process, from event design and management, set-up and tear down, timeline management, guest services, vendor negotiations… and more. Which means that fairytale wedding you’ve been envisioning is right at your fingertips.

Contact Commerce Street Events TODAY to begin planning that wedding of a lifetime. You most definitely won’t regret it.

Drenched in a classic contemporary style, yet casually chic, this Belle Meade Plantation wedding is worth a good long gander m’dears. The Bride in her custom Olia Zavozina dress will make your heart flip-flop a few times, while every detail from Simply Stunning Events follows that same stunning air. Our fave moments below are just the start—there’s even more in the full gallery from Bamber Photography!

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From the Kristin Kaplan with Simply Stunning Events…As to Jessica & Adam’s wedding style: They wanted their wedding to feel classic and contemporary but also have some natural elements to blend well with the style of Belle Mead Plantation. We decided to stick with a neutral color palette of white, ivory, champagne, and blush tones with pops of gold, green, and pink. Jessica also wanted to mix some of her Indian upbringing into the overall southern feel of the event which we did with the food and the music.

My biggest advice to brides is to not get too caught up in a million little details. Pick a few aspects of the wedding to tie in some personal details such as the signature drinks, favors, or paper products. Resist the urge to incorporate every idea you see on Pinterest or obsess over every tiny thing. It will just lead to feeling overwhelmed. At the end of the day your guests are there to celebrate with you and have fun!

From the beautiful Bride…My husband proposed to me in Heidelberg, Germany. Heidelberg holds a special place in my heart because I went to Heidelberg for my undergraduate degree. Besides the city holding a special place in my heart because I went to university there, the city is also known for its romantic flare and they say Heidelberg is a city where many people loose their heart. So for my husband to propose to me on the famous bridge, “Alte Brücke”, was one of the most cherish-able moments of my life.

From the very first day that I started planning the wedding, I knew the most important thing to me was for my big day to be a big party. I wanted it to be classy yet casual so that the atmosphere and vibe on my big day didn’t feel stiff. So it was important to me to choose a venue that was just classic and elegant so that the decor we chose just added to the classic feel of the venue but not overpower it.

The thing I was looking forward to the most on my wedding day was walking down the aisle with my father and seeing my husband for the first time at the altar and then for the dance party.

I have always been one of those girls that knows what looks good on my body and hence I knew exactly what I wanted. It was actually one of my bridesmaids that pinned a dress on my wedding board, and ever since I had laid my eyes on that dress on Pinterest, I knew that was my dress. That said, to make this dress come to life, I went to local couture designers in Nashville who came highly recommended from friends. The designer that made my dress was Olia Zavozina. Olia is a Russian/American designer based in Nashville, who has an amazing eye for detail and style and she was able to bring my dress and vision to life beautifully. I LOVED my dress.

My parents flew in from India and my brother and his girlfriend flew in from Germany. My grandparents unfortunately couldn’t make it to the wedding because it would have been too long of a journey for them; but otherwise it was just magnificent. Adam is from Chicago and when we decided to do the wedding in Nashville, we knew this would be a destination wedding for 80% of our guests. So just having everyone around us from all over the country and the globe celebrate our union and our marriage was just fantastic.

What I would really like other brides to know about my planning and thought process is to most importantly have fun throughout the whole process. Minute details such as how the napkin color looks against your table cloth; how the flowers look etc doesn’t matter at the end of the day. The things that your guests remember about your day are if you as a couple had fun and the after party. So if you ever find yourself thinking twice about whether to spend more money on flowers or to spend more money on drinks or food; do yourself a favor and choose the latter.

Further, choosing a venue that reflects the type of wedding you are planning is very very important because I think that is half the battle. For me, like I mentioned before, a classic venue with the rustic charm was very important because I didn’t want to spend much on flowers etc. So by choosing Belle Meade Plantation, I knew from the very first day that no matter what I did, the venue was just so beautiful that I wouldn’t have to do much to make it “wedding ready”. That said, I am going to contradict myself by saying – you only get married once (I hope); so if there is something or a particular vendor that you really want and have dreamt off, then please do spend the few additional $$$ to make that happen. For me those few additional splurges were worth every memory.

Jekyll Island Club Hotel

With the holidays just behind us, and engagement season in full force, there are lots of sparkly new rings upon fingers! Now that you and your honey have decided on forever, the wedding planning can begin. First up? A gorgeous venue. Lucky for you, I’ve got just the place — the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

This incredible venue located on Jekyll Island, Georgia, is as gorgeous as they come. Offering couples a huge variety of settings where they can tie the knot — garden, beachfront, ballroom, cottage lawn + chapel to name a few — the breathtaking grounds of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel will have you and your guests head-over-heels. To help you navigate the planning process, the hotel has a top-notch sales + catering department that will walk you through everything from package options, room blocks, booking vendors, day-of coordination and so much more.

I don’t know about you all, but I’m seriously smitten with this stunning locale. It’s not too late to book your 2015 big day at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel — there are even a handful of discounted weekends available! To learn more about the venue and to get started planning, call 912.635.5170, email sales{at}jekyllclub.com or head over to their website. Happy planning, my dears!

Fact: LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort is the type of place that just makes your soul happy. The perfect combo of luxury and elegance, it’s glistening beaches meets amazing accommodations meets that sweet Florida sun. In other words? It’s the ideal setting for your wedding, vow renewal or honeymoon.

Located against a stunning Gulf of Mexico backdrop, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort knows a thing or two about throwing a perfect party. From that intimate vow renewal to that 200-person affair, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort has the venue just right for you and yours. Think grand ballrooms, poolside spaces and sandy beaches that will wow you and your guests with their awesomeness. Not to mention an amazing team of wedding professionals that will make sure each and every moment of your day is simply flawless. Add all of that to the peace and tranquility of a Naples vacation and it’s the wedding of your dreams… and then some.

Courtyards & Cobblestones 2015

Fact: if you’re tying the knot in Wilmington, NC, I am sooo jealous. And not just because Wilmington happens to be a place known for magical + oh-so beautiful I do’s. Nope, it’s also the home to the fab Courtyards & Cobblestones event, a walking tour through several downtown wedding venues. It’s a glamour-filled night of good food, yummy drinks, amazing vendors and a whole lot of inspiration.

At Courtyards & Cobblestones, you can leisurely stroll through all that downtown has to offer, making it that much easier to select a wedding venue. And your self-guided tour doesn’t just include fabulous locales, you’ll also be meeting some of the finest wedding professionals Wilmington has to offer, from awesome photogs to cupcake masters to floral pros that will take your breath away. Soak in each space that has been meticulously crafted by an amazing Wilmington designer, and munch on the yummy samplings from some seriously talented caterers. Oh, and did I mention the live entertainment? Sooo awesome. Call it date night or even a girl’s night out, but seriously don’t forget to mark your calendar for January 17th, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Tickets are $18 online or $25 at the door.

For day to day updates go to the Courtyards & Cobblestones Facebook page… and don’t forget to check out the amazing film below!

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Romantic Belle Meade Plantation Wedding

Somewhere in between the first and last image of this darling gallery from Brooke Boling, lives a cozy, happy place that I want to live for hours on end. Maybe it’s the charming red-wheeled wagon (that I want to curl up in) or the glowing reception thanks to Alice Hendry and Bright Event Production or the welcoming place settings prettied up by BBJ Linen and Lauren Marie Atkinson Designs. Thankfully I don’t have to pick a favorite moment, because they’re all sitting pretty right here.

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From Brooke Boling…It was the perfect Fall Day designed with a true Southern spirit. On Sunday, October 5th 2014, Allison Keaton married Dale Binkley in a beautiful Oscar de la Renta gown. The ceremony looked just like a beautiful southern backdrop. The trees, the soft wind, the bridemaids in long green dresses. Allison is a trained chef and the menu for the guests was absolutely incredible. Pumpkin soup served in tiny pumpkins. Charcuterie Boards with an assortment of locally cured meats and house made pates. Passed edible tea cones with curried chicken salad, sweet potato cake with goat cheese and caramelized bacon, wild rice orzo in a wonton crisp. They also had a bourbon and cigar bar for the guys. The details were as perfect as perfect can be.

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Dessy

Bridesmaid 2014

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Tuxedo

Fall 2014

Spring 2015

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Rustic Downtown Knoxville Wedding

I adore high school sweethearts and these two are no exception. Tying the knot at the The Emporium, their laid back celebration was fun, fresh, and perfectly captured by Kristin Sweeting. From the bright blooms by The Flower Pot to the rustic cake by Sandy’s Cakes, to their first meal catered by Chipotle (hello, dream!) every detail was the perfect reflection of their lovely relationship, and you can see it all here!

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Museum

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Modern Art-Inspired Styled Wedding Shoot

From Kristin Sweeting… If I had to describe this laid back wedding in Historic Downtown Knoxville in three words it would be fresh, unique, and simple. Monet and Michael met and dated throughout High School and College (UT Knoxville). Their wedding was laid back and they wanted to focus on enjoying this day with their family and friends. They both got ready at the stylish Oliver Hotel and we took pictures all around downtown Knoxville. Their ceremony and reception was at The Emporium, and whole night was full of dancing, food, and heart warming toasts from their friends.

Just when I think things can’t get any prettier, another slice of lovely comes along a steals my heart away, claiming it’s spot at the top of my faves list. This art-inspired shoot from Bamber Photography is owning it big time. With blooms from Humphreys Flowers that look like they came straight out of a painting, elegant paper pretties from Amanda Day Rose Paperie, the cutest flower girl around and style for days, I recommend you steal a lengthy moment today for this one m’dears, I promise, it’s so worth it.

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Fashion Essentials with The Perfect Pair Nashville

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Oh, and stay tuned for that delish looking cocktail, the Southern Belle from Repeal And Serve, that we’ll be sharing later this afternoon!!! After all, it is Friday!

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From John And Lindsey Bamber …With a venue like the Hunter Museum of American Art, in a city like Chattanooga, how could you not be inspired? Planning for a shoot was such a good excuse to take some time to enjoy the local gem and really soak it in. Right away, I began to draw inspiration from the stunning, larger than life piece by Helen Frankenthaler titled Around the Clock with Red. I wanted to continue the range of pinks throughout the shoot and play on the idea of two artists getting married. This inspired the faint watercolor on the paper-goods and the raw canvas backdrop that translated to a ceremony piece. At the same time, in the back of my mind were the delicate paint strokes of all the beautiful realist paintings at the museum. I wanted the flowers to look like they came straight out of a still life painting by a pink obsessed artist. By focusing on these ideas, I worked with the challenge of mixing the old with the new and modern, the delicate with the strong.

But why stop there? Not only was I inspired by the beautiful artwork inside the museum, I drew much of my inspiration from the outside the museum, in it’s architecture overlooking the city and Tennessee River. With dark and light grays, as well as a deep zinc blue, I pictured soft pinks that stood out from these backgrounds. Often times, the florals and decor can get lost in the background of the event. I wanted the flowers to really pop but also provide an ethereal, romantic feel. My goal was to have soft and delicate offset the modern shapes of the building. Humphry’s Flowers of Chattanooga delivered on this vision 100% with billowy peonies and overflowing delicate tissue-like petals. Our models were really a family; the bride and groom were one of our past couples, the adorable girl was their daughter, and the bridesmaids were a friend and sister to the bride so there was a real family feel to the shoot. It all felt very natural and easy. A roaring thunderstorm blew its way through the middle of our shoot and our team kicked it into hyperdrive to bring the party inside. But when we returned outside, the rain had created a shimmery layer on everything and the sky created just the right amount of muted color tones, creating a filter that fit perfectly in the shoot.

Helen Frankenthaler, Around the Clock with Red, 1983, acrylic on canvas, 71 1/2 x 123 3/4 inches (181.6 x 314.3 cm), Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Davenport, Jr., 1986.23

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Wedding Dresses

BHLDN

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Two Words: Bootie Wall. The Perfect Pair in Nashville might be our own little slice of bootie lovin heaven. It’s crazy chic design by Rachel Halvorson infused with fashion staples curated by a Nashville native who also happens to be one heck of a stylish lady. Meet Whitney Dunn Daniel, along with her retail baby so perfectly captured by Alyssa Rosenheck Photography and her top fashion must haves below!

From Alyssa Rosenheck Photography… I recently helped The Perfect Pair Nashville rebrand her store which is filled with layers of fashionable staples that apply to all seasons in a very conscious and artful way. She has a glorious bootie wall that I immediately fell in love with along with her casual chic style. I love that the booties can be worn with dresses, skirts, jeans, shorts, a cool hat and cut offs, great accessories etc.

Whitney Dunn Daniel has been a stylist to some of Country Music Royalty. She has curated labels that are environmentally mindful and mostly family owned. Whitney enlisted her close and talented friend Rachel Halvorson to create a space for her clients that is chic and casual.

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1. A Neutral Bootie | Like this one from Coclico. It elongates the leg, looks great with all black, and pairs well with dresses or pants.

2. Geode Stud Earrings | These Liz Legg studs pair well with all of my jewelry. A pair of earrings that I rarely change out.

3. A Neutral Tote | These Nisolo totes are made right here in Nashville of the most wonderful leather.

4. A Great Wavy Blowout | From my friends at the Dry House in Nashville. Nothing makes me feel more ready for an event. They last for days! With my hair done, I feel more put together.

5. Molecule 01 | My all-time favorite scent. It’s mysterious and simple and smells unique on everyone.

How They Tricked Their Guests and Planned the Coolest Surprise Wedding

Is there anything quite as exciting as a surprise wedding? I think not. With guests arriving at Roaring Creek Farm for what they believed to be a surprise birthday, a gorgeous wedding celebration ensued and it’s brimming with rustic elegance crafted by Missie Hinson, blooms by Missie Hanson and Cassidy Carson was there to snap every detail. More right here!

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Rustic Elegance in Nashville, Tennessee at Mint Springs Farm

From Cassidy Carson…I’m so excited to be submitting Tim and Dolly’s SURPRISE wedding! It was one of the most memorable weddings I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing. Every aspect of their day was filled with significance and every detail reflected their personalities.

From The Bride…Given that this would be a second marriage for both of us and having done the big wedding before, Tim and I both agreed that something smaller and more intimate suited us best. Honestly, I would have eloped; however, Tim was adamant that his mother would never forgive us and she confirmed his belief on a phone call one day when we posed the question. After considering a destination or a small family wedding, I came across the idea of a surprise wedding. I posed the idea to Tim, and he loved it. Being from Nashville, it would have been nearly impossible to keep our wedding small so the idea of a surprise wedding centered around Tim’s birthday in May seemed the perfect choice especially given our venue location that could only accommodate 50 people. Those invited would include immediate family, a few out of town friends, and a group of couple friends from our neighborhood that had become like family to us. Paperless Post digital invitations were sent inviting guests to a surprise birthday dinner with guests realizing upon their arrival that they had been the ones surprised.

Once we had decided upon a surprise wedding , we immediately knew that we wanted to host our special day on Roaring Creek Farm. Over the course of our dating relationship, we frequented Joe Natural’s Farm Store & Cafe in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee and had come to love Farmer Paul (aka Joe) and his wife Pat. Having attended several dinners on their farm where the food, ambiance, and decor made for an amazing overall experience, there was no doubt that we wanted that same experience on our wedding day surrounded by our family and friends. Another plus for us was that they would pretty much handle all aspects of the wedding including food, rentals, place settings, decor, flowers, and dessert . We only needed to hire the photographer, band, and then decide what to wear. It allowed our wedding weekend to be virtually stress free, and allowed us a bit of surprise when we showed up to see our wedding vision come together.

Not only was the proposal and wedding a surprise, but the dress was a surprise as well. I had fallen in love with the dress after trying it on, but didn’t feel that my budget would allow for such an extravagance. Though in my heart I knew that I had found my dress, I continued to look, order online, and try on one dress after another hoping to convince myself that another dress was “the one.” A wonderful friend, having seen the dress and confirming it was perfect, conspired with Tim to buy the dress. If it was the dress I wanted and would feel beautiful in, Tim wanted me to have it. He gave my friend his credit card number, and told her to order it and have it shipped to me at work. Upon the arrival of the dress, the box actually had the name Donna Kelly on it. I kept denying the dress was mine given the name listed wasn’t me and I knew I had not placed an order. It wasn’t until every co worker had been asked who it belonged to that I had someone open the box. Upon describing the dress to her over the phone and confirming it was indeed the dress I had fallen in love with, I called Tim. I knew he had purchased it for me as it was just the type of thing he would do once again confirming that I was marrying the man of my dreams.

Having a wedding outside on a farm in May can certainly have one checking the weather daily. Luckily for us, the wedding weekend was beautiful. We couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather. Not only did the weather cooperate, it can be said that the farm animals did as well. During the wedding vows as I was asked to say “I do,” a goat, ironically named Dolly, decided to speak up at the exact moment I said those two little words. Our friends and family couldn’t even hear my response over the goat’s baa. I guess Dolly the goat decided she wanted to marry Tim too. It had everyone laughing, and was quite the memorable moment.

Following the exchanging of rings by me and Tim, Tim made a promise and vow to my six-year-old son, Finn, that not only was he vowing to take me as his wife but he was vowing to take Finn as his son, and would love him as such. At this moment, Tim presented Finn with a silver band as a symbol of his love for him. This was a perfect way to unite our family, and to include Finn in the ceremony vows in such a unique and special way.

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Vera Wang

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

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Charming is a word we tend to use a lot on SMP, but when it comes to a southern wedding as sweet as this one from Jessica Lorren, there just doesn’t seem to be a more fitting adjective. Rustic yet elegant, sweet yet sophisticated – even with all the gorgeous details sitting in this gallery love just seems to outshine them all, and it doesn’t get more charming than that.

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Classic Nashville Ballroom Wedding

From The Bride…Brandon and I wanted our wedding to speak to who we are, both as a couple, and as individuals. We wanted a classic, yet relaxed feel to the day, with elements of southern romanticism. For us, this meant tailoring elements of a classic wedding, so that it fit who we were. We had traditional wedding vows, yet we also wrote our own, and instead of having one minister to officiate the wedding, we had two ministers who were both very important and influential in each of our lives. I also had my father and grandfather walk me down the aisle. It was so important to me because my grandpa, who is still spry as ever at 90, has been such a significant part of my life, and has taught me how to truly love life, and not sweat the small stuff.

After the engagement, I began looking at Style Me Pretty almost daily for wedding inspiration, and pinned countless of their pictures on my Pinterest. From the beginning I knew I wanted the colors to be light and ethereal, and I went for a classic palette of blush pink, white, and ivory. I loved the way these colors looked with the light wood colors in the open-air chapel and the reception barn.

The days leading up to the wedding were hectic, of course, but perhaps the best part was how relaxed the entire day was. My planner, Brandy, and everyone at Mint Springs made the day so easy and stress free. My maid of honor and bridesmaids were truly the best, and I know I could not have made it through the day without them. The whole day was truly indescribably perfect, from arriving in the morning to driving off in our Rolls Royce that night.

My advice to other brides? Enjoy the day, knowing that at the end of the night you’ll be married to your best friend. For me, it was realizing that I had spent months planning, and I completely trusted my planner to make the day beautiful. Thus, all that was left to do was enjoy and savor every moment.

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Wedding Dresses

Vera Wang

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Some things in life just make sense together, and for me black tie and ballroom weddings are one. This timeless soiree captured by Bamber Photography is drenched in Southern elegance, and just like the Bride’s Monique Lhuillier gown, sure to leave you dazzled. It’s image after image of pure wedding magic, and you can see it all right here.

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From John And Lindsey Bamber… This was one of our favorite weddings to date; classic, timeless, and extremely elegant in style. Lauren and Tyler are both from the south, so their classic wedding at the Schermerhorn center was filled with southern flair. During the cocktail reception guests were serenaded by a local saxophone player and enjoyed gourmet grilled cheese and BLT’s. People literally gasped when they entered the ballroom draped with crystals, orchids, and vases filled with Champagne. It was a gorgeous event.

From the Bride and Groom… A few piece of advice for planning a wedding, firstly, if you can afford it, hire a reputable wedding planner. Our planner did a fantastic job of getting to know our tastes and narrowing down every decision to just a couple of options. This made our lives so much easier and made the whole process much more fun. Secondly, allow yourself plenty of time to plan. We had a relatively long engagement (15 months), but it still felt like a whirlwind. Third, Be organized. We are both Type A people, but all of the planning can easily become overwhelming without a system to keep track of everything that has been done and what needs to be tackled next. Fourth, remain calm when you experience bumps in the road- things will not always go according to plan, but it will be okay!
We wanted a classically elegant black-tie wedding with some elements of Southern charm thrown in. Our ceremony was held in an old Gothic-style chapel on the campus of Vanderbilt University, and we had our reception in the magnificent Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville. We could not have been happier with these venues- they gave us exactly what we wanted! Celebrating our commitment to each other with all of our family and friends (we had approximately 220 guests at our wedding), and seeing all of the hard work we put into planning this event come together for a truly magical night. The Bride’s something borrowed and something blue was actually the same item- a beautiful sapphire ring owned by Lauren’s grandmother that had been given to her as a gift from Lauren’s late grandfather.The something old was a handkerchief that Lauren’s mother and grandmother had carried with them on their respective wedding days. We had it sewn into the inner lining of Lauren’s dress. And of course the something new was Lauren’s stunning dress itself!

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Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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Woodland Tennessee Wedding With Rustic Elegance

There are some people that are just meant to be, and really, it only takes one look at these gorgeous images from Brandon Chesbro to see that these two lovebirds fall beautifully into that soul mate category. Their wedding was a culmination of love and gorgeous styling by the Bride, her mother-in-law and Amanda Matacale, and the result was a day they are all sure to remember forever.

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Enchanted Southern Summer Wedding Inspiration

From The Bride…Jourdan and I met by way of a pancake. On that day, my sister and roommate, Christin, her friend Evan, and Jourdan came over to meet me. Before they left the car, Jourdan was dared to present me with a nasty, day old pancake. Jourdan accepted the challenge of greeting me, pancake in hand. He admits, when he saw me for the first time – he immediately regretted the situation. But he accepted a challenge, so he went through with it anyway. I thought it was a sweet gesture and replied with “Ah, for me?? Thank you!” Then he proceeded to tell me, “You don’t want that, it’s been in a car all day.” I stared confused. He left feeling silly. This inspired our wedding favors – pancake mix and syrup. Our wedding party came together to make these as we reminisced about the day Jourdan and I met. The favor included a tag that said, “A Pancake Story”.

Jourdan’s mom, Robin, told him at a very young age that he would marry a girl named Rachel. She was determined of this throughout his entire life. Jourdan would occasionally meet a girl name Rachel and wonder… maybe this is it? He went so far as to name his car Rachel! On our third date, Jourdan picked me up in his blue Ford and took me out for dinner. We parked and I got out and slammed that blue door shut a little too hard. Jourdan jokingly said, “Be careful with Rachel!’ I replied, “Hey, that’s my middle name!” I will never forget Jourdan’s face turning pale white. He didn’t tell me why at that time. Several months past and he finally confessed. The day Jourdan proposed Robin and Harry, his dad, surprised me afterwards. As we set down for dinner, I turned to Jourdan and asked if it was time to tell Robin about my middle name. He said it was the perfect time. I turned to Robin and said I had something very important to tell her. I said,” Robin, my middle name is Rachel.” Robin and Harry turned to each other and tears welded up in their eyes. Robin had prayed over this “Rachel” for years and that girl happen to be sitting right in front of her. Robin often refers to me as “her Rachel.”

I had the joy of planning this wedding with my mother-in-law. I shared my vision and she executed it out more beautifully than I could have imagined.

We hired a close friend of mine, Amanda Matacale, to be the wedding coordinator. Amanda added her own beautiful touch to the wedding, making flags for the mini-pies, tags for the favors, and many other details that popped throughout the wedding. She was Robin’s right-hand lady. I STILL have people come to me and ask where I found my fabulous wedding coordinator. She was exceptional and I still can’t figure out how her and Robin pulled everything off.

Robin and I found a local Nashville wholesale florist, Geny’s, and met with a sweetheart named Nicole Arbuckle. She was fabulous to work with! I highly recommend her. She caught onto the vision in no time.

Robin drew the entire wedding by hand. She called the vision, A Woodland Fairytale. I was in awe as she shared her drawings with me. She took all of my ideas and married them on a page right before my eyes. She is a very talented woman! We wanted the décor to be very floral, including moss and branches. Our wedding was beautiful and elegant with a Hobbit like feel (I like to say). Robin’s drawings shocked most people. Her vision was so extravagant. How could she accomplish everything? With an army of loved ones. We did not hire one single person I didn’t know personally, down to the florist. My father has delivered mail to Geny’s for over 20 years. Our wedding was a labor of love. That is why I am convinced, it could not have come together more beautifully. When I gazed upon the décor, I realized how much my family and friends truly love us. My suto-mom, Amanda Sites spent countless hours with Robin planning and talking about the wedding. I witness a friendship form between them. My mentors hosted a GOURGEOUS bridal shower that I will never forget. My sister and maid of honor, Christin, threw me a bachelorette party I will never forget; we met Robin Williams!

Our caterer, Debbie Hart, is a very close friend of ours. She is family to us. We were spoiled rotten, having Chef Deb at our fingertips. She worked closely with Robin, helping choose table décor. I STILL can’t stop talking about that spinach dip – oooh wee!

A couple I know from church, The Fennels, took on the HUGE carpentry jobs Robin planned out. Burt Fennel made the wood pie/cake platter. Burt helps load in the branches that would turn the reception area into the Woodland Fairytale is truly was!

Our ceremony sight did not need much décor. Our backdrop included a creek with a huge, mossy stone cliff and trees galore. We added an arbor made of branches and flowers. The scene was breathtaking. We placed a vintage doorway at the start of the aisle.

Robin wrote a song for Jourdan and I to sing at the reception. This song incapsulated our story in a beautiful way. Here are the lyrics.

Three Little Words

Nothing like this moment

Nothing like this place

Nothing like the way you look

A vision of grace

Here I am to say

Three little words

I love you

Let me say again

Say it every day

I love you

Nothing like this beauty

Nothing like your face

Nothing like this feeling

That I have for you today

I dreamed of you

Prayed for you

Gave up others waiting for you

Just to say

I love you

Let me say again

Show it everyday

I love you

Shortly after Jourdan and I met, my best friend passed away after 3 months fighting for her life. This song was inspired by the way Jourdan stood by me during that time.

I had no idea what the reception would look like. Robin kept it a secret. Jourdan and I were blind folded and guided to our reception. When the room was revealed, I could not believe my eyes. This far surpassed my dream. It took my breath away. Branches filled with lights towered the room. Flowers filled the tables. I looked around to see those who worked countless hours preparing for this moment and our guess enjoying our reactions on the back porch. I can’t describe the joy that brought me with words.

I love all weddings, I really do, but Southern Weddings just so happen to pull the hardest on my heartstrings. The romance is palpable, the style impeccable… so obviously, when this Southern wedding inspiration shoot popped up on my computer I was giddy with excitement. Ashley Upchurch and her talented team pulled together what I can only assume will be the top trendsetter in the seasons to come!

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Boho Chic Nashville Wedding

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Estate Weddings

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Romantic

From Ashley Upchurch Photography… Tennessee in the summer is full of bright colors, warm sunshine, and luscious green fields so I knew it had to be incorporated into the backdrop for this summer wedding inspiration shoot. When we began planning this styled shoot I knew I wanted to expand on the idea of the southern wedding. Too many brides believe that a true southern wedding is full of burlap, mason jars, and baby’s breath. While those elements are still beautiful they don’t have to be the staple for a truly southern wedding. Angela and I, along with my fellow photographer friend, Leilani Evans of Elsy Photography, decided to use a color palette of peaches, light pinks, and corals to compliment the greens surrounding the location. By pairing these colors with gold flatware and gold-rimmed plates and glasses, we are showing brides how to incorporate southern elements with classic pieces. We chose a lacy Rivini gown for the bride and a dark navy suit for the groom to add to the southern charm. We also decided to have a more casual, organic style cake for this shoot.

To be totally honest I’m kind of obsessed with this Tennessee shindig. Filled to the brim with Afloral silk flowers, Chinese lanterns, and adorable pups, Jessica Ranae captured each moment to a perfect T. Everything from the cake to the Bride’s veil were made by those dearest to the darling couple, and you can take a peek through the gallery over here.

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Spring Weddings

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Industrial

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Bohemian

From Jessica Ranae Photography…I am so excited to share this wedding with you guys. There were so many DIY details that were amazing, especially the Silk flowers from Afloral Design! You couldn’t even tell that they were silk. I also loved the mason jars that each guest got to take with them, the wedding party’s attire, the huge gold balloons, lanterns they released at the end of the night and the chic vintage blue Jaguar getaway car. This DIY wedding was amazing from start to finish and here is the bride’s description on her amazing day and how they made it so perfect.

From The Bride…Tyler and I met on the first day of a PhD program at Vanderbilt in Biomedical Research. Having just moved from Arkansas (me) and Oregon (him), Nashville was a fresh start for both of us, and through the years we loved exploring all it’s nooks and crannies, making it our town together. When it came time to plan the big day, we knew it would have to be a very Nashville affair. We toured several farm venues, but ultimately fell in love with the industrial-rustic flair of Houston Station. Not only was it centrally located in town, but it also offered enough indoor space for all of our activities (erasing our fears of the fickle Nashville weather), a coffee shop and an amazing on site coordinator. We wanted our wedding to be relaxed, comfortable, fun, and reflective of the life we created together in Nashville. The ceremony/reception space was already gorgeous, with beautiful brick, original wood floors & exposed beams, that we focused on accentuating this “Nashville” vibe with string lights, ivory linens, burlap touches, and lots of mason jars!

Tyler & I wanted to have an amazing day, but we didn’t want to start our lives together with wedding debt. So we pinpointed some of the areas we were willing to spend more on & then did our best to save, save, save on the other parts. For us, we wanted good food, plenty of booze, music, & a space big enough for all of our family and friends without whittling away the guest list. Working with the family members that helped fund our nuptials, we set a budget & it ruled all planning decisions we made. If not, things can get out of hand & quickly!

Our wedding was truly a family affair – I sourced decorations from the Nashville flea market & DIY’d the invitation suite, my sister made the veil & wrote on the chalkboard signage, my stepmom made my garter, my mom made the flower girl dresses, my aunt and cousin made our entry way picture (out of a vintage window, so cool!), my grandparents designed & made our Mr. & Mrs. chair signs, a friend made our cut cake, & two of my friends played the ceremony music. Not only did we save money, but the family touches were meaningful additions to our day that we will never forget.

My best piece of advice…Hire vendors that you actually enjoy working with, and then let them do their thing. Ok, I can’t limit myself to just one. So here is another: plan for your marriage, not just your wedding day, surround yourself with your friends and family and spend time showing them how much their love and support has meant to you and your special someone.

Song List…
Wedding Party Processional – “Black Bird”, The Beatles (performed by Kiernan McMullan)
Bridal Processional – “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole rendition (performed by Kiernan McMullan)
Ceremony Song – “Sing This Life Together”, Blair Bodine (performed by Blair Bodine)
Recessional – “Time to Run”, Lord Huron (performed by Kiernan McMullan)

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Wedding Dresses

Jim Hjelm

Fall 2015

Spring 2016 Collection

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Lingerie

Plum Pretty Sugar

Castelbel & Trumpet

Signature

Lilli Tru

PomPon

Plum Pretty Sugar for BHLDN

PPS Couture

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Rooftop Destination Wedding in Nashville

Fair warning: this wedding will cause you to lose hours and hours (perhaps days) getting lost in the gallery while your Pinning finger develops overuse cramping. But it’s all worth it. As seen through Erin H Photography’s lens, the destination soiree epitomizes everything romantic that Nashville is, from the cowboy boots to the fantastic band to the bright city lights a la Bright Event Productions.

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Outdoor Weddings Rooftop

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Sailboat Honeymoon Styled Shoot in Knoxville, Tennessee

Donny and I had been dating for over 10 years, so you can imagine how excited our family and friends were when we told them Donny had popped the question during an amazing trip to Italy. Assuming planning a wedding would be quick and easy, I was hoping to set a date for later that year.

Fast forward a whole year with nothing but bridesmaids dresses picked, we found ourselves in my favorite city, Nashville, Tennessee with me convincing Donny it was the perfect location for our wedding…which took all of five minutes to do!

Knowing we wanted something a little different, one trip up to the rooftop at Aerial we knew it was the perfect spot. Overlooking downtown Nashville, we knew it would be a fun, exciting way for our guests to experience the Nashville nightlife and a place that Donny and I had fallen in love with. We wanted our guests to love Nashville as much as we do so we had our favorite restaurant cater delicious southern food and had an amazing band, from our favorite bar, play at the reception.

The one piece of New Jersey we had to bring with us was our photographer Erin H. She had done a few of our friends’ weddings and we loved her style, plus she was dying for a trip to Nashville. So she was just as excited as we were to have her be a part of our big day.

We wanted our wedding to have a fun, southern feel, so we had our ceremony in a beautiful courtyard at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and our rooftop reception at Aerial. The reception was the perfect continuation of that fun, southern feel with mason jars and burlap covered tables with hydrangeas, babies breath and lanterns. Being a graphic designer, I loved being able to add little details like menu bags for the biscuits and place cards made of tree slices.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Ivy & Aster

Through the Forest

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Honeymoons are pure magic. I swear my husband and I talk about ours a least once a week and it was almost five years ago. So this honeymoon shoot from Red Boat Photography, Honeybee Events and LB Floral on sailboat? It basically is my heaven. And you can see why here.

From Honeybee Events…This honeymoon styled shoot at Fort Loudon Marina in Knoxville, Tennessee was ideal for our models (who had been married 2 weeks previously) was nothing short of amazing! This duo was incredible and set the tone for the shoot. I wanted the shoot to tell a story from the moment they walked onto the boat dock with their luggage, to mapping out their sailing journey (also representative of their recent marriage and journey they were embarking on). The Red Boat Photography husband and wife team are super talented and SO much fun to work with. LB Floral created an over-the-top floral design for the back of the boat to display the “Just Married” sign.

Photography: Red Boat Photography | Event Design: Honeybee Events | Floral Design: LB Floral | Venue: Fort Loudon Marina | Hair & Makeup Artist: Southern Sirens

Classic Black + White Cedarwood Wedding

Classic brides, get ready to lose a good chunk of your afternoon on this b-e-a-utiful Historic Cedarwood wedding—a well spent afternoon I might add. Every nook and cranny is filled with elegance, grace and tradition, from the welcoming invitations by Designs In Paper to the lush blooms at every turn, Nyk + Cali are behind every moment of love—it’s all right here.

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