Tennessee Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

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

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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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.

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

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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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.

When Your ‘Something Blue’ Is Your Bridesmaids’

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.

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

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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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 into Wedding Season with This Inspiration

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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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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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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Intimate Nashville Wedding with Every Guest in the Wedding Party

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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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.

Classic Nashville Fall Wedding in Rich Colors

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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From The Bride & Groom…We wanted our wedding to be a perfect blend of the two of us and the things we love to do together.

Lorrie is from Nashville and Dan is from Chicago. So we created a mixture of sophisticated southern charm and Chicago industrial. The Cordelle was the perfect venue for this.

We love to cook and entertain, so we wanted the night to feel like a dinner party. We made a jar of jam for every guest, mixed the families together and served food family style at long farm tables.

We both work in creative fields and have super creative friends and family members. We got them to help us design an amazing invitation suite, build & paint reclaimed barn wood signs as well as write & officiate a personalized wedding ceremony.

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Vera Wang

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Nashville Bloomsbury Farm Real Proposal

It just so happens to be National Proposal Day, so we couldn’t let such a momentous occasion pass us by without sharing a truly special proposal. And trust us, this proposal planned by the (very thoughtful) groom-to-be and Southern Social Events + Rentals is one for the books. Thankfully Jenna Henderson was on hand to captured every sweet moment, and you can see them all in the VAULT.

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From Southern Social Events + Rentals…Proposals. What is sweeter than two people deciding they want to spend forever together? To see the look of joy on the bride-to-be’s face when she realizes the love of her life is asking for her hand is priceless. Our team at Southern Social Events had the honor of styling a sweet proposal that took place at Bloomsbury Farms in Nashville, Tennessee.

With the rain falling on a Sunday afternoon, our team created a romantic, whimsical setting for this amazing couple, complete with a roaring fire and elegant and greenery by Karis Floral Design, and all set to be captured by Jenna Henderson, Photographer and Alyssa Torrech Videography.

Our happy couple Austin and Lindsey met their first year of college standing in line for books. Austin claims Lindsey blew him off, and they didn’t see each other again until their second semester where a mutual friend introduced them and the rest, they say, is history.

Austin found the opportune time for his proposal while Lindsey was on a weekend trip to visit a friend in Nashville. He himself made the trip in secret, bringing close family along to be a part of the wonderful day. When Austin arrived to our romantic set up at Bloomsbury Farms, we could tell nerves set in, but overall he was so excited to get down on one knee and propose. With the help of Lindsey’s friend Dana and a few white lies, Lindsey had no idea her life was about to change as she walked out of the car, umbrella in hand. Spotting Austin, she was confused, but overjoyed at the same time as she walked to him.

And then the moment came: Austin expressed to Lindsey how much she meant to him as he pulled that small box from his pocket and knelt on one knee, all while Liz Longley played soft music in the background. Much to all our joy, Lindsey said yes!

After slipping a ring on her finger, Austin also presented Lindsey a beautiful love letter that was calligraphed by Olive Juice Press. Tears, joy, and laughter took over the venue as the family came from hiding and joined the happy couple, celebrating with champagne and cake from Nashville Sweets. Austin and Lindsey left hand in hand with so much joy, seeing their kind hearts and love for each other made this proposal one for the ages.

Abby Capalbo

Design, Styling, Parties

Abby Capalbo Styling

Outer Banks Wedding Showcase at Sanderling Resort + A Giveaway!

There are bridal shows, and then there is the Outer Banks Wedding Showcase hosted by Sanderling Resort, a non-stop day of drop-dead gorgeous inspiration set against one of the world’s most beautiful backdrops. Think one talented vendor after another, yummy treats and useful tools to help pull off your dream wedding. All happening on March 19th, you must add this to your calendar NOW, lovelies.

Saying “I do” at the Outer Banks is always a beautiful thing… especially with the help of some of the most talented vendors you will ever meet. From cakes to floral to photography, the Outer Banks Wedding Showcase offers up over 30 wedding experts that will help you weave together that luxurious affair you’ve always imagined. Spend your day sampling tasty treats (hello cake, chocolate and Italian Ice), soaking in your complimentary hair and makeup consultation at The Relaxation Lounge, enjoying the live entertainment and even relaxing with a foot massage. It’s the wedding showcase to end all wedding showcases and we couldn’t be more excited.

Start making plans NOW to attend the Outer Banks Wedding Showcase hosted by Sanderling Resort on March 19th. Breathtaking tablescapes, fabulous gift bags and your dream day are sooo waiting.

What: The Outer Banks Wedding Showcase at Sanderling Resort is giving away a one night stay (either March 18th or 19th, 2016) for the Show, plus two tickets to attend! (Value $299)

How: Simply tell us in the comments below why you CAN NOT WAIT to say “I do” on the Outer Banks!

Who: One lucky winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, March 11, 2016. For terms and conditions, click here. Good luck, lovelies! xo

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Monique Lhuillier

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Classic Spring Wedding at Cheekwood Botanical Garden

I may be a little bit biased (some of my fondest memories of living in Nashville take place at Cheekwood Botanical Garden), but this classic affair is the perfect Southern wedding. From the Bride’s stunning Modern Trousseau gown and her bridesmaids’ pretty Jenny Yoo dresses to the elegant Bella Figura invitations and beautiful spring flowers, each and every detail of this day is completely lovely. See it all from Landon Jacob Productions in The Vault!

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From Sage Nines Event Production…Ellie and Andrew live in D.C., but chose to get married in Nashville where they attended college at Vanderbilt University. They have always loved Cheekwood and knew it was the perfect place for a classy wedding that would also allow the guests to enjoy the natural beauty of Tennessee, since most of them would be traveling from other states.

Guests were shuttled to Cheekwood and gathered in the Wills Perennial Garden for the multi-faith ceremony, which was officiated by the bride’s sister-in-law, and blended elements of Andrew’s Jewish heritage with Ellie’s Christian upbringing. Following the ceremony, cocktail hour took place in the courtyard of the Frist Learning Center. Guests were served bourbon slushes with local Benton’s bacon, along with lavender lemonade and mini grilled cheese sandwiches.

The reception took place under a big tent on the lawn. Guests were seated at a mix of round tables and wooden farm tables and enjoyed a buffet of upscale Southern favorites. The Atlanta All Stars kept the dance floor packed, and the highlight of the evening was seeing the bride and groom lifted on chairs in a traditional Jewish horah. The bride and groom left the party in style, riding in a 1959 Bentley.

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Rainy Day Rustic + Elegant Nashville Wedding

This, my dears, is how you achieve the perfect marriage of rustic charm and classic elegance, an easy task when you have incredible vendors like Cedarwood Weddings, Designs In Paper and Julie Paisley. And as Julie said, from the lush, autumnal florals and stunning ceremony backdrop to the sweet couple and beautiful reception, “this wedding was beautiful on the eyes and on the soul.” See it all in The Vault.

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From Julie Paisley…Sometimes it rains on your wedding day. All week it was saying 80% chance of rain but Leigh was determined to have her ceremony outdoors. She decided to chance it and we had a break for about an hour. Just long enough for a beautiful outdoor ceremony and a few pictures! My photographer heart was so happy. I loved shooting this beautiful wedding at Cedarwood. From the soft neutral palette of the bridesmaids dresses, the beautiful luscious florals and all the elegant rustic charm of the decor, this wedding was beautiful on the eyes and on the soul. Leigh just glowed and it was quite evident that Shawn adored her. They met through their mutual love of football and are certainly a perfect match. So much love, laughter and fun on that rainy day in October but it didn’t bother a soul.

Classic Ballroom Wedding in Nashville

When these two college sweethearts tied the knot, they planned around the concept of “classic elegance with a touch of glam.” And from the ceremony under the oak tree to the stunning ballroom reception, their day was one for the storybooks. Rachel Moore photographed, Little Josh Productions filmed, and you can watch it all unfold inside The Vault.

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From The Bride…Reese and I met while we were in school at Auburn University. Luckily for us our fraternity and sorority were always together, so we had lots of mutual friends. Through attending football games and date parties together, we both fell for each other quickly. We have been together ever since, through college, long distance, new jobs, and new cities. This year marks six years we have been together.

I randomly decided to attend Auburn University after attending one college day visit. I’m still not sure why I was so convinced Auburn was the school for me without knowing anything about it or anyone there, but now looking back it makes complete sense. I am so thankful for Auburn, Alabama because it led this Georgia girl to a boy from Tennessee and was the perfect place to start our story.

I will always think he planned the perfect proposal, because it was centered around the one thing that is most important to us: our family. I was completely shocked, and looking back I am astonished that I never had a clue with all the planning with our family and friends he did leading up to November 1st. With the help of both of our families and my friend, Lauren, Reese had set up 3 large tables by the river at his parents’ farm. One table contained pictures of me with my friends and family throughout all stages of my life, and the other table had pictures of him and his friends and family throughout the years. The middle table had pictures of us, and throughout his teary speech he centered his proposal around the importance of family and our love for each other. He surprised me even more with having not only both our families there, but having my two best friends, Kasey and Lauren, there for the celebration.

It was important for Reese and me to have the day focused on the love we have for each other, and the love we have for each person that was there that day. It was also important to have a wedding that was elegant, yet inviting. I loved that we had a seated dinner in a gorgeous ballroom filled with all white flowers and linens, and then moved to the tent where the band, décor, and lighting provided the perfect atmosphere for a memorable party.

My vision for the wedding was classic elegance with a touch of glam. Belle Meade Country Club provided the perfect backdrop for the vision. The color scheme of white and beige along with the large floral arrangements, lace linens and soft lighting in the ballroom provided a sophisticated setting for dinner. The draping, furniture, and chandeliers inside the tent kept with the theme, but we mixed it up a little with fun lighting and a touch of sparkle to highlight the glamour. The outdoor ceremony, ballroom dinner, and outdoor tented dance area allowed for three separate looks that were cohesive, yet different for each aspect of the day. I loved that we incorporated small touches that made our day unique for us. We provided Toomer’s Lemonade to the guests before the ceremony to incorporate our love for our alma mater, Auburn University. I loved that we had guests throw streamers and confetti at the end of the ceremony; that added to the excitement, and then the night ended with our getaway car driving through a fountain of fireworks. H Three Events made each detail come together seamlessly and provided the wow factor for each element.

Our wedding was at 6 in the evening outside Belle Meade Country Club under the huge 200-year-old tree. At 5:30 it was still raining and dreary, like it had been all day. We took a chance and did not move the ceremony location. At 5:45 the clouds parted, and it became the most beautiful day that was complete with a rainbow.

Our ceremony and the message that our pastor, Steve Berger, gave was a memory I will always cherish. It was tailored perfectly for our life and love story. Reese and I chose to not partake in a first look. The look on his face when he first saw me walk down the aisle was a look of pure love and excitement. That was a special moment where it seemed like we were the only ones there. I look back at each element of the day with true joy, whether it be our first dance, my father walking me down the aisle, watching our guests fill the dance floor all night, or ending the night with a firework exit.

Our wedding party of 18 was a mixture of our closest friends and family, who have all played a huge roll in each of our lives. My two matrons of honor are my childhood best friends from age five, and we are still inseparable to this day. Reese chose his father and his childhood best friend as his two best men. We were so thankful to have each person stand next to us on our wedding day to support and show their love for each of us.

The rehearsal dinner was held on the stage at the Ryman Auditorium. The night was filled with Nashville history and music. We knew the Ryman would be a fun and memorable location for both local and out of town guests to experience. The night was filled with touches that represented both Nashville, and us as a couple. To begin the evening guests entered the auditorium for cocktail hour, where they could view Ryman memorabilia before progressing to the stage for dinner and entertainment. The Ryman’s Official Minnie Pearl personality served as the hostess for the evening, providing entertainment and history of the Ryman Auditorium. One of our favorite parts of the night was being able to have a tour of the dressing rooms back stage, where we were able to view Johnny Cash’s and Hank Williams’ dressing rooms. Dinner on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium was a once in a lifetime experience.

Reese’s mother, Emily, added a special touch to dinner by serving her famous fruit tea for the guests to enjoy. The dinner ended with a duck hunting themed groom’s cake to represent Reese’s love for duck hunting. After dinner and toasts, the night concluded with entertainment by two local Nashville musicians and songwriters, Casey Beathard and Trent Willmon. It was a night to remember with every detail building on the next to create a true Nashville celebration.

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Sweet Southern Engagement Session in Nashville

You guys, how cute is this pup?! Even cuter? The fact this lil’ ball of fluff started one sah-weet love story. For it was when Hynes – Lara’s eccentric mosaic lab – took an interest in his new next-door neighbor Daisy – Will’s puppy – that resulted in a playful encounter and eventually a puppy park proposal. See I told you it was sah-weet – see it all from Cassidy Carson in THE VAULT!

From the Bride-to-be… Despite having lived down the hall from each other in our apartment building in Nashville, TN for almost 6 months, it required the intervention of our two dogs to bring us together. had recently been given a yellow lab, Daisy, for his birthday that fall. Hynes, Lara’s eccentric mosaic lab, took an immediate interest in his new next-door neighbor Daisy. While our two dogs were playing, it gave us a chance to get to know one another and Will arranged for our first date at the dog park. Living down the hall from each other gave us the opportunity to pursue our relationship, overcoming our busy work schedules as a resident at Vanderbilt and as a financial analyst.

A year and a half later, we got engaged at the same dog park where we went on our first date. Amusingly, neither dog was in Nashville at the time, forcing Will to borrow a dog to have an excuse to go to the dog park. During our engagement, Will, an only child, has enjoyed getting to know his two wonderful new sisters and Lara, a Pittsburgh native, is learning more about Will’s Southern roots in Alabama. Most importantly, we love spending time together and have enjoyed sharing our interests with each other. We enjoy running with Hynes and recently ran our first half marathon together and look forward to many more as husband and wife. Will recently took up snowboarding and is still hopeful that one day Lara will learn to drive a tractor. We can’t wait for our friends and family to join us next spring at Belle Meade Plantation for our wedding.

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Photography: Cassidy Carson Photography | Venue: The Cool Springs House

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