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!
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.
Photography: Austin Gros | Coordination: Leigh Bawcom Events | Floral Design: Vintage Florals | Cake: Dessert Designs | Ceremony Venue: Church Of The Assumption | Reception Venue: Carnton Plantation | Catering: Kristen Winston | Hair + Makeup: Amanda Gros | Lighting: Bright Event Productions | Band: The Legendary Memphis Icebreakers Of RAM Entertainment | Transportation: Grand Avenue | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Rentals: Southern Events Party Rental & Vintage Prop Shoppe | Stylist: Jessica Sloane Event Styling & Design | Tent & Event Rentals: Music City Tents