Dallas + Erin’s Wedding Boasts Cheekwood’s Natural Beauty and a Taste of Tennessee

Friday, May 22, 2015

Going into the wedding planning process, they knew exactly what they wanted to create: an elegant, rustic, Spring wedding that gave guests a wonderful taste of Tennessee.  Their planners at Firefly Events worked to use what Cheekwood already offered to create a wedding that reflected their personalities.  

Take a look at the pictures Nyk & Cali Photography captured of the newlyweds!

Erin + Dallas 
Wedding Date | April 5, 2014
Ceremony Venue | Cheekwood Wills Perennial Garden
Reception Venue | Cheekwood Museum of Art
Guests | 120
Budget | Luxury

Wedding Team

Planner | FireFly Events
Photographer | Nyk and Cali
Videographer | Matt G Video
Gown | Glitz Bridal
Bride’s Accessories | Glitz and BHLDN Weddings
Men’s Attire | J. Crew
Bridesmaids’ Attire | Bridal Warehouse
Hair and Makeup |  One10 Makeup
Stationery | Designs In Paper
Caterer | Chef’s Market
Cake Artist | Wedding Cake and Dessert Buffet | Dulce Desserts
Groom’s Cake | Dessert Designs
Floral Designer | Knestrick by Design
Ceremony Musicians | String Quartet from High Tone Entertainment
Reception Musicians | Kansas Bible Company
DJ | High Tone Entertainment
Rentals | Music City Tents and Events
Lighting | Nashville Audio Visual and Southern Events
Transportation | Guest Transportation-Anchor Transportation | Getaway Car | Matchless Transportation
Guest Accommodations | Hilton Brentwood
Rehearsal Dinner location | Husk
Officiant | Unforgettable Ceremonies

Wedding Details

How would you describe your style as a couple?
I don’t know that we have a style exactly.  We wanted our wedding to be elegant, rustic, and classic, but most of all fun.

Where did you get your inspiration?
We loved the natural beauty of Cheekwood in the spring with all the tulips blooming, so we really wanted to make choices that did not overwhelm the setting.  Our colors were navy, light green, white and coral.  Like most brides these days, I used Pinterest  to find ideas and looks that we wanted.  Firefly Events understood what we were and were not looking for in our wedding, and they were able to narrow down our selections for us so we did not have to do all the initial legwork.

How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
Basically we came to Samantha and Michelle from Firefly Events with ideas and pictures, and they found a way to make it all work.  When you have great planners, they can make any crazy idea work together in a cohesive and flawless manner.

What was your (or your guests’) favorite aspect of your wedding?
It is hard to pick a favorite part, but I think our favorite part was our band, Kansas Bible Company.  They are not your typical wedding band, which is exactly what we were looking for in our music.  They were so much fun and played such a varied selection of music.  We actually saw them play at a beer festival earlier that year and knew we had to have them be a part of our day.
Our guests really liked our dessert buffet. It had a groom’s cake and then lots of desserts from Dulce Desserts as well as some Nashville and TN treats like Goo Goo Clusters, Moon Pies, homemade marshmallows, chocolate bars, and macaroons.  There were only a few things left at the end of the night.

Where did you splurge?  Where did you save/DIY?
We splurged on our photography and videography.  Nyk and Cali were so much more than we could have anticipated.  We have hundreds of frame-worthy pictures.  We actually went back to Cheekwood about two months after the wedding to take more pictures and some of those are my favorite.  The after-session also let us enjoy the wedding day more because we knew we could come back and get those shots that we wanted on another day.

We saved on some of our décor.  My mom made all the table runners for the reception.  It is very special to have those now because we can use them in our house.  Also, my dad made our guest seating chart from old windows and chalkboards.

Who were your favorite vendors and what made them exceptional?
We loved all of our vendors, but a few stood out.  We absolutely loved our food.  The wonderful people at Chef’s Market came up with a great menu that was beyond delicious.  I love to cook and we both love trying all the great restaurants in Nashville.  We wanted traditional southern food but with a sophisticated flair.  Amie changed our entrée several times until we were over-the-moon happy with it.  My dad even called after the wedding to get the recipe for the shrimp and grits.  She did not give it to him, haha.  While we are talking about food, I have to mention Juanita at Dulce Desserts.  Our cake was incredible!  Please go taste her cakes!!  We recently moved to South Carolina, and I sometimes want to make a trip back to Nashville just for one of her cakes.  The orange ginger cake with pistachio butter cream was unique and a guest favorite.

High Tone Entertainment was so easy to work with before our wedding.  The string quartet learned one of our favorite songs, “Never Gonna Give You Up,” for us to walk down the aisle.  One of our requests was to have some sort of music playing the entire time.  They transitioned so well between the ceremony and reception since they were right next to each other.  Josh actually listened to all of our requests and the ever-important do not play list.  We could have danced until 3:00 in the morning.

Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
Not a thing!!  We loved every second of our wedding, and we would do it again every day if we could.  We were very happy to have such wonderful wedding planners to guide us during both the planning process and the big day.

In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Plan to steal away for a few minutes with just the two of you to take in the day and reflect on how you are starting your lives together.

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Posted by Holly Nashville Newlywed | Filed under: Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds, Real Nashville Weddings, 0 comments »

Jessica + Kent Welcome Guests with Idyllic, Backyard Wedding in Nashville’s 12 South

Friday, May 15, 2015

Many couples dream of having an outdoor, intimate wedding in their own back yard! Jessica and Kent Miller went this route because of the meaning their home had to them.  It was where their relationship began. This laid back couple wanted to incorporate special touches of where they grew up, Texas and Michigan, and where they live now in Nashville, TN.  They succeeded in doing just that with their special toast of bourbon and Biscuit Love food truck!

Jessica + Kent
Wedding Date: July 7, 2014
Ceremony Venue: Scarritt-Bennett Wightman Chapel
Reception Venue: Our private residence in 12 South
Guests: 100
Budget: $20,000 – 30,000

Wedding Team
Photographer | Erin Lee Allender, The Collection
Gown | Augusta Jones, purchased from the Bride Room
Bride’s Accessories | Shoes-David Tutera, Earrings-Jenny Packham, necklace: owned prior to wedding
Men’s Attire: Groom | Banana Republic; Groomsmen: variety (personal choice)
Bridesmaids’ Attire | J.Crew Bridesmaids line, varying styles in Newport navy
Hair + Makeup | Babe Beauty Bar (Hillsboro Village)
Stationery | Buchanan Ink
Caterer | Biscuit Love Food Truck
Bakery | Sweet16th Bakery
Florist | Bloom (12 South)
Ceremony Musicians | Friends of the bride
Reception Musicians | Friend of the groom
Rentals | Southern Events (Franklin, TN)
Guest Accommodations | Loews Vanderbilt
Wedding Coordination | Music City Events

Wedding Details

How would you describe your style as a couple?
We are both pretty laid back, but we also wanted to honor the occasion.  We chose traditional styles but with a twist to reflect our own interpretation.  We also wanted the event to include our favorite things about our hometowns (in Texas and Michigan) as well as our new home together (Nashville).

How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
For the ceremony we wanted somewhere it would feel sacred and give meaning to the vows we were sharing with each other.  After the formality of the ceremony, we wanted to create a celebratory atmosphere where people could really have fun.  We chose to have the ceremony at home.  We met as next door neighbors and started our relationship at Kent’s house so we wanted to celebrate it there too!  It also allowed us to pick all of our favorite drinks and food to serve to our guests.

Our colors were navy and gray (both of our favorites) with a pop of lavender.  We grew lavender in the backyard to accent the hydrangeas already planted to create a natural and beautiful setting for the reception.

For our vendors, we really focused on keeping things local and personal.  The florist we used was the florist where Kent purchased the first bouquet he gave me…and every one after that.  Bloom is a local neighborhood florist literally 3-4 blocks away from us and we were beyond happy with everything that came together for the wedding.  I chose a local print shop for our Save-the-Dates and invitations.  The furniture/event rentals reflected southern, vintage style, which fit into the vibe we wanted for the backyard reception.  We focused on finding a caterer that focused on local ingredients and flavor, and Biscuit Love was the perfect fit.  We also choose to do a cake bar with cakes, cookies, and pastries from our favorite Nashville bakery, Sweet 16th.  For drinks we both chose a white wine and a few beers from our states of origin and then some favorites from here in Nashville.  The guests toasted with bourbon instead of champagne since we both prefer it, and it fit with our local, southern theme.

Do any of your vendors stand out as exceptional?
We loved all of our vendors, but our photographer Erin Lee (with The Collection) really stood out.  Neither one of us are very photogenic or comfortable around cameras, but she and her team captured the day beautifully.  We felt incredibly comfortable around them and they really went above and beyond to get the right shots (even getting soaked in the rain).  I knew I didn't have to worry about that piece of the wedding; she was so incredibly organized and proactive.  You can tell it's something she and her team really enjoy doing.  Those photos will be what we have to remember one of the most important (and favorite!) day of our lives, and I love every single one if them!  I really could not have asked for anything more in a photographer or her team.

What was your (or your guests’) favorite aspect of your wedding?
I think our guests’ favorite aspect reflected their own personal taste: some people loved that we walked out of the ceremony to an acoustic version of “Crazy in Love,” others really loved the food truck or the bourbon toast, and still others loved the personal aspect of our ceremony itself and the gorgeous venue.

Where did you splurge?  Where did you save/DIY?
I knew photography was one of the most important things to me and not something where quality was negotiable.  Other places where we concentrated on quality included our catering and my dress.  We saved on program costs (DIY etsy template) and I did most of the planning myself instead of hiring a planner/event designer.

Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
Most of the planning I would do exactly the same way.  However, a lot of the details taken care of in the last 3 months could have been scheduled out more instead of trying to get everything done in the last 2 weeks before the wedding.

In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Focus on celebrating the union you are committing to and doing that in a way that is really enjoyable and meaningful to you.

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Posted by Holly Nashville Newlywed | Filed under: Real Nashville Weddings, Wedding Style - Garden, Outdoor, 0 comments »

Soft Colors, Breathtaking Florals, & Candles Set the Tone for Brianna + Chris’ Brillant Wedding Day

Friday, May 8, 2015

With over 200 guests, Brianna and Christopher were able to create an intimate celebration of their love for each other.  The couple worked with different Nashville vendors to help create a day of love and fun. Their vision of “vintagely romantic” came together with aspects of flowers, décor, calligraphy, dancing, and, of course, a bar full of beverages!  

Even through the struggles and the stress of wedding planning, they became husband and wife and celebrated their big day with their closest family and friends, which is all that really mattered.

Brianna + Christopher 
Wedding Date | September 6, 2014
Ceremony + Reception Venue | aVenue
Guests | 205
Budget | Luxury

Wedding Team

Venue | aVenue
Planner | Sarah Ann Miller with Randi Events
Photography+ Videography | SheHeWe
Gown | Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta. Dress is BHLDN
Gown Alterations | Gizzelle James of Gizzelle James Couturiere in Atlanta
Bride’s Accessories | J. Crew earrings, Chanel shoes, groom’s grandmother’s hanky, bride’s mother’s dress for garter
Men’s Attire | J Crew suiting and The Tie Bar tie and pocket square
Bridesmaids’ Attire | Jenny Yoo dresses from Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta and J. Crew earrings
Hair | Candie Nightingale at Shine Salon and Rose Reynols at T Wesley Salon
Makeup | LeeAnne Blairs
Calligraphy | Lisa Webb with The Lyrical Pen
Caterer | A Dream Come True
Cake Artist | Dulce Desserts
Floral Designer | The Enchanted Florist
Ceremony Musicians | Jet Set String Quartet
Reception Musicians | The Downtown Band
Rentals + Lighting | Designed by Randi Events
Transportation | Hello Trolley
Rehearsal Dinner Entertainment | The Original Buttsketcher from Dallas, TX
Bridal Physical Preparation | Pure Barre Nashville

Wedding Details

How would you describe your style as a couple?

As a couple I would say we are classy but fun.

How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?

Our wedding words were “vintagely romantic.”  We wanted soft colors throughout with lace and unique flower placement.  Our goal was for people leaving our wedding to say, “The party was so fun and the room was so romantic.”  Lots of candles!

What was your (or your guests’) favorite aspect of your wedding?

The reception; we danced from start to finish!  But, I would also say the ceremony.  It was such a special moment and although we had over 200 people there the space felt intimate.

Where did you splurge?  Where did you save/DIY?

Not sure we would call it a splurge, but there were things, regardless of cost, that we weren’t going to change.  Those were the food, alcohol, photographer/videographer, and the calligrapher.  It was extremely important to the bride to have continuity on all paper/signage/mailings.  The calligraphy was designed by her and the calligrapher and was the same on everything from the Save the Dates to the seating chart to the hand towels in the restroom; it was everywhere!  We wouldn’t say we did many things on our own, but we did provide the majority of the flower holders and table décor.  These were vintage candle sticks we found at thrift stores or that we just had, but the best part and probably some of the most beautiful arrangements were on/in the mother of the bride’s silver pieces (pitchers, saucers, trays, etc.).  We also used doilies from our mothers and grandmothers.

Did any of your other vendors stand out as exceptional?  If so, please tell us who and why?

SheHeWe were very helpful through the entire process and made us feel at ease at our engagement pictures which then helped the day of to run smoothly.

The Lyrical Pen saw me through everything! The good, the bad, and yes the ugly. But she stuck with me and we created our script that we used on everything. From the napkins to the invite to the thank you note. She was a rockstar.

We also would have to say A Dream Come True catering. They were so professional yet personable. They came to our house for the tasting a we had a dinner party out with a couple and really enjoyed the experience. They also got to know us and when it came time to pick last minute serveware to use they stuck with the theme of the wedding down to the coffee creamer.

A wedding to me is about the details and all of our vendors helped with that but these three really stick out.

Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?

Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything.  I think if anything could have been done differently I wish I would have kept everything in a notebook or at least written in a journal about what we were doing/going through.  All of our details and decisions were made on email or over the phone so we do not really have a good wholesome recording of it all.

In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?

When the tough moments come just remember you will be married at the end of it and everyone you love will be in one room to help you celebrate!

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Posted by Holly Nashville Newlywed | Filed under: Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds, Real Nashville Weddings, 1 comment »

Antiques And Elegance Are In Abundance At Ross And Jennifer’s Traditional Wedding In Shelbyville, TN

Friday, May 1, 2015

Jennifer & Ross married in front of 270 guests at The First Presbyterian Church in Shelbyville, TN.  As one of the oldest in their town, the church served as the perfect backdrop for the bride and groom's ceremony. 

The couple turned to Regalo Design to help orchestrate their vintage-themed day.  With heirloom china, a designer gown, and loads of personalized DIY details throughout, their magnificent day allowed the couple to share their favorite things with their family and friends. 

Take a peek into their wedding via our interview with Jennifer. 

Jennifer & Ross
Wedding Date: August 9, 2014
Ceremony Venue: First Presbyterian Church, Shelbyville, TN
Reception Venue: The Fly Arts Center, Shelbyville, TN
Guests: 270
Budget: $30,000-40,000

Wedding Team

Planner, Floral Design, & Lighting | Regalo Design
Photographer | Katherine Birkbeck
Videographer | Dallas Wilson Video Productions
Gown | Lazaro/Bridals by Lori (Atlanta)
Bride’s Accessories | The White Room (Murfreesboro, TN)
Men’s Attire | Men’s Warehouse
Bridesmaids’ Attire | LulaKate
Hair | Tracy Layne of Tracy’s Trends
Makeup | Brides by Lisa
Stationery | Save-the-dates/programs by Regalo Design; invitations by Sofia Invitations (Etsy)
Caterer | Southern Connections Catering
Cake Artist | Southern Connections Catering
Ceremony Musicians | Personal friends
Reception Musicians | JD Music
Rentals | Southern Events
 

Wedding Details

How would you describe your style as a couple?
I would describe us as old-fashioned.  We have always said we were born in the wrong decade.  We also share a love for books.

How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
The theme of the wedding was vintage.  From the mismatched heirloom plates to being married in one of the oldest churches in our town, we tried to bring an elegant antique feel to the wedding.  We incorporated our love for books by using distressed, old books as décor pieces for both the ceremony and reception.

What was your (or your guests’) favorite aspect of your wedding?
The décor, food, and cake!  There were just too many great things to pick one!
 

Where did you splurge? 
Rentals: We could have gone with less expensive simple white plates for the reception, but the heirloom china plates truly captured the vintage theme we wanted.

Videography: This was not originally in the budget, but the importance of having a professional capture your special day became apparent throughout the planning process.  Looking back, we are extremely happy with our decision to hire a videographer.

Photographer: From the beginning we knew we wanted to splurge on photography.  There is only one chance to capture our special day and we wanted someone we could trust to provide great quality.  After weeks of research, I found Katherine Birkbeck via the Wedding Photojournalist Association.  Katherine did not disappoint!

Where did you save/DIY?

Wedding favors: My mom saw the bride and groom pretzels on Pinterest and decided to try making them herself.  They turned out beautifully and saved us a great deal on wedding favors!

Books: We acquired the books for the ceremony and reception décor from multiple sources.  First, we bought old books from Goodwill (everything is 50% off on the first Saturday of every month) and our local library (sold the books for $1/each).  We then spray painted the books different vintage pastel colors and distressed them with sandpaper and coffee.  We also borrowed old books from friends.

Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
Honestly, no!  Looking back only justifies our decision to hire Regalo Design as our wedding planner!  They truly made the planning experience a joy for everyone involved!

In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Remember that at the end of the day you will be married to the love of your life, which is truly what matters the most!

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Posted by Jenn Dobbins | Filed under: DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Real Nashville Weddings, Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Style - Rustic, Farm , 0 comments »