Must-See: Nashville Couple Treat Guests to Breathtaking, Hollywood-style Wedding on New Year’s Eve
Friday, June 13, 2014
What is better than a celebratory occasion on a celebratory day? Nothing if you ask us! Kelly and Reise’s “Old Hollywood” style New Year’s Eve wedding at The Hutton Hotel, captured by SheHeWe Photography, was nothing short of spectacular. Since the bride, groom, and their guests were not only celebrating their wedding, but New Year’s Eve as well, they decided to transform the traditional ballroom into a luxurious lounge with untraditional seating and food stations scattered throughout the space featuring unique, elevated-southern cuisine. This got the party started right off the bat by allowing the guests to mix and mingle while they enjoyed delicious fare and specialty cocktails.
The gorgeous décor featured gold, black and blush hues, exquisite blooms by Enchanted Florist, and modern lit-up columns flanked on all four sides by white couches complete with pillows that complemented the color scheme of the event. But the piece de resistance? A stunningly large chandelier dripping with cascading crystals that hung over the dance floor…talk about a statement piece!
As the guests partied the night away ringing in 2014, they were treated to another surprise, a late-night snack of grilled cheese and candied bacon…yum! I’ve haven’t been fortunate enough to attend a NYE wedding but if I do, I hope it is EXACTLY like this one!
Kelly & Reise
Wedding Date: New Year's Eve 2013 - 12/31/13
Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Hutton Hotel
Guests: 160
Budget: $40,000 - $45,000
Wedding Team
Wedding Planner | Lesa Neff at Infinity Restaurant Group
Photographers | SheHeWe Photography
Videographer | Needle + Thread
Gown | The White Room
Bride's Accessories | Saks Fifth Ave (earrings), Nordstrom's (bracelet), Etsy (shrug), and hair piece (my grandmother's brooch altered by Lisa Wolfe).
Men's Attire | In lieu of tux rental, we ordered the guy's suits from Max suits. They were a steal at $175 a suit! I purchased the bow ties and handkerchiefs from Steinmart.
Bridesmaids' Attire | The White Room
Hair and Makeup | Lisa Wolfe at Ardon House Salon
Stationery | Champagne Press
Caterer | The Hutton Hotel (1808 Grille)
Cake Artist | Vanell's Creations (Murfreesboro)
Floral Designer | Enchanted Florist
Ceremony Musicians | Good friends of ours...Dr. Megan Blemker, Jeremy Pate, and Zac Blemker (guitarist)
Reception Musicians | Mindub (Tim Hiber)
Furniture/draping/decor | Visual Elements
Chairs | Liberty Party Rental
Lighting | Bright Events
Flipbook Station | A Super Party (Kingsport, TN)
Wedding Details
How would you describe your style as a couple?
Our style as a couple is classic, elegant, and most importantly fun.
How did you incorporate that style into your wedding (e.g. décor, colors, details or even picking the venue)?
Our number one focus was on the ceremony! We wanted everything to be centered around the actual union and our faith in God. Three of our close friends sang, and we asked our good friend Jeanette Moffett to marry us, she is a pastor in San Diego, CA. It was so special to have someone that actually knew us and our relationship tell our story and to join us together and celebrate our faith in God all at the same time. The ceremony was very personal, she told how we met (match.com), funny/embarrassing stories, and things each of us had said about the other. Also, we decided to write our own vows. We received so many sweet compliments on the ceremony! It blew us away.
We decided not see each other before the wedding. My groom had said that he had always dreamt of that moment, seeing me for the first time as I walked down the aisle, and I would HIGHLY recommend it! I know it isn't as convenient for the photographers, but if you have amazing ones like ours, you can make it happen. We got all of our photos done together and with our family and wedding party within an hour after our ceremony. It made the ceremony much more emotional and raw and I wouldn't trade that moment or the excitement building up to that moment for ANYTHING!!!
The grandmothers/mothers walked down the aisle to, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", chills! The bridesmaids walked to, "To Make You Feel My Love" and I walked down the aisle to a song that was a surprise to my groom - a rendition of Sister Hazel's "This Kind of Love" - a perfect description of our love for one another. All were sung by our close friends.
It was our first priority to make our wedding memorable and personal, from there we wanted a CELEBRATION and to have a NEW YEARS EVE party was even better. We went for a "Chanel/Old Hollywood" feel, but not too stuffy. We are super silly with one another so we wanted to have that aspect present as well (there were NYE hats, beads, horns and glow sticks, which were a HUGE hit). Our DJ was a perfect choice, he spent time to get to know us and took the mood from classy (think of Michael Buble and Frank Sinatra) to a great dance party as the night went on.
We incorporated our sense of style with simple colors of white, black, gold and blush. Our ceremony space was simply decorated with candles, rose petals, pearls (which I used from my mother's old Christmas decorations), two large centerpieces which we transferred to the reception room afterward, drapes and two clear boxes that held the arrangements.
The ballroom was transformed into a "lounge feel" with non-traditional seating. We did not want assigned seating or for people to sit all night, so we encouraged the guests to move around and socialize by passing food and placing food stations throughout the room. The entire area was filled with a mix of small bistro tables and high-boy cocktail tables. There were three major statement pieces - two lit-up white towers and a crystal chandelier over the center of the dance floor which the entire layout was centered around. Also, when our guests first walked into the room there was a beautiful clear box drizzled in rose petals and crystals holding our amazing cake!
What was your (or your guests’) favorite aspect of your wedding?
Our guests raved about many things, but the number one thing we were complimented on over and over again was the ceremony. It moved several people to tears. Also a HUGE hit was the flipbook booth!!! Our guests had a blast and it was a unique experience and different from the standard photo booths you see at most weddings. They got to take home a flipbook with our names and wedding date on the cover, which only took about 50 seconds to create.
Another favorite was our casual and social reception. We went with a non-traditional menu of stations and passed food including; hybrid chicken n' waffles skewers drizzled in maple syrup, artichoke beignets, root beer glazed pork tenderloin with a sweet potato shot, a gnocchi station and coconut shrimp. Our cake we had three flavors to choose from, carmel, raspberry, and red velvet. At the end of the night, we had a late night snack which was grilled cheese with candied bacon, honoring the 'cuisine of the south' with a twist.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
As far as picking a venue, it was not easy to find a place that would host a wedding on NYE and not break the bank. Something I realized quickly was the spaces where you can bring in your own stuff are not always the best for the budget. We actually saved money because the Hutton's price included table, chairs, china and glassware, as well as a waived "rental" fee for the room once you exceed 10k. In addition, we appreciated that all fees (such as service and tax) were included with their quotes, which is an important factor! Most importantly we wanted a venue that could host both the ceremony and reception so our guests would not have to drive on NYE and could also have the option to stay overnight and make it a fun holiday celebration.
Some of the DIY projects included trying to make the decor fun and interesting without breaking the back to rent all of it. We located some discounted decor such as black glass vases at Hobby Lobby. Instead of a guest book, we had a print of Nashville I found off Etsy matted and our guests signed it. One of our favorite things to do together as a couple is to volunteer for the Middle Tennessee Boxer Rescue. We included a take home bag of "puppychow" with a tag giving our guests information regarding the rescue. Also, a small bag of goodies for their canines to take home with a note from our pups, Rupp and Zoee! I also purchased table runners off a used bridal site named "Ruffled" to add some character to the larger tables. My mom made some cute little stirrers for the bar with black and white striped bows at the end of them. One of our friends made a slideshow of pictures of Reise and I growing up and played it in the lobby where our guests entered.
Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
The only thing I would have done differently is taken time to EAT the food my husband and I took so much time planning and choosing!! I heard how amazing all the food was all night but the only thing I had to eat, even though the sweet chef and our sweet planner had set us both aside a plate, was a grilled cheese. We felt like we didn't have time because we spent the night talking with everyone. I will say though, Chef Charles and Chef Dario have told us to plan a time to come back and they will make us all the things we offered the night of the wedding. Pretty awesome if you ask me!
Our wedding day exceeded every possible expectation we had. We loved everything about it and I think it was reflective of the time and energy we put into it as a couple. I was extremely lucky to have a groom that was supportive and wanted to help. I think also respecting one another through the process, delegating and knowing what each other's strong points are important. As well as, asking for help from people you can count on. For example, my husband had a spread sheet of guests and expenses made before I could blink an eye and I was the visionary on decor and layout along with our amazing wedding planner who brought it all to life!
What advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Make your day reflective of your relationship and what is meaningful to you as a couple, and remember what the day is about, a celebration of beginning of your marriage!
Pick vendors that you generally like and who "get" you! We LOVED ours and as a result they went above and beyond for us as a couple and surpassed all of our expectations, and we now have some great friends!!!
The best part is, you get to start your life with this person you love more than anything in the world. I wanted to capture that day so we would look back and remember just how special of a moment that was. Our photographs and video captured our emotions and the feeling I had that day and we can reminisce for years to come! Even though the wedding was outstanding the marriage is even better. :)
Reise + Kelly - Nashville Wedding
About the Author:
Newlywed Heather
Heather is a Pittsburgh, PA native who now proudly calls Nashville home. As a newlywed herself, Heather is excited to talk about the latest wedding trends and share everything she learned in planning her very own Nashville wedding (psst: don't stress...At the end of the day, you'll be married to your best friend!) with Ashley's Bride Guide's readers.
send
Posted on June 13, 2014 |
Filed under: Florals, Details & Design , Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds, Real Nashville Weddings, Wedding Style - Classic,
