This lovely all-inclusive wedding was held at an estate an hour south of Nashville. The bride was inspired by a steel blue color swatch for the color palette. The celebration was a destination wedding with guests from Nashville and around the country gathering in Lewisburg, TN.

When a rainstorm cancelled the outdoor ceremony, we moved everything to the foyer. The bridal party walked down the grand staircase to the wedding ceremony.

Guests moved outside to the tent and covered patio by the pool. After charcuterie for cocktail hour, food stations offered numerous food options.

Photographer: Adam Wallace Photos
Venue: Jubilee Hills Estate
Catering: Dannie Holmes Catering
Planning & Florals: Events by Elaine
Rentals: Southern Events
Coffee Bar: Brandon’s Bro’rista
Cake: Alanna Tyler
Bartending: Gina Jones

Every bride has a different vision of what her wedding will look like.  Your flowers play a big part in creating that vision.  For some brides that vision includes natural florals that looked like they were picked in a field.  These stems will add a wildflower feel to your flower design.

Queen Anne’s Lace:

This flower can be found growing along fence lines and by fields around the area. Other similar looking flowers are Orlaya, Dara, or Yarrow.

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Goldenrod (Solidago):

Blamed for everyone’s fall allergies, this “weed” is truly a beautiful filler flower. It adds eye-catching yellow color. Similar flowers are Astilbe and Estelle.

(Emily Rose Photography)

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Bee Balm:

This wildflower ranges from pink, purple, white, and red. It is a favorite of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Similar flowers would be asters or poms.

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Foxglove:

These tall spiky looking stems have bell shaped flowers ranging from purple to pink to peach. They add visual interest.

Sweet William:

These clusters of little flowers have graced flower beds for years. They are frequently found in purple, white, pink and bicolor.

Scabiosa (Pincushion):

These unique flowers have wavy stems and flowers ranging from blue-purple to almost black. They add a wild character to centerpieces.

Columbine:

Dainty flowers on tall stems, these florals add wild appeal. They are found in yellow, pink, blue, and purples.

When I met Whitney, I knew her wedding was going to be wonderful. She was the sweetest bride with a laid-back approach to planning. Together we brought her simply stunning concept to life. From greenery on the tables to rectangular plates with slate blue napkins, everything was clean and minimal, yet romantic. Did you see that amazing greenery wall? Working with the bride and her mom was truly a joy!

(Be prepared for photo overload. I couldn’t choose which ones I liked most and there were so many beautiful ones..)

The bride was breathtaking in her lace dress and with her wild, lush bouquet.

We added draping to part of the Cordelle to create an intimate feeling space for the ceremony.

After the ceremony, guests relaxed on the porch while we setup a beautiful reception with long wooden farm tables. Every guest had their name and a note at their place setting.

In addition to cake, there were cookies, brownies, and other desserts.

The bride’s mom made homemade jam as favors for the guests.

Vendors:

Venue: Cordelle
Photographer: Madi Flourney
Catering: Actual Foods
Beauty: Amanda Gros
Dress Shop: The Dress Theory
Bridal Designer: Rue de Seine
Flowers: Elder Floral
Draping: Nashville Audio Visual
Rentals: Liberty Party Rental

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Pantone has released their 12 color predictions for 2019. These colors are fun, joyful, uplifting and vibrant with lots of warm colors in reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks. The color of the year is always one of the group. This year the color of the year is:

Living Coral - a soft, warm color that feels like a delicious drink or a welcoming hug. Joyful and vivacious there is a lot of optimism in this hue.

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The full palette of 12 colors is warm and playful.

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Let’s take a look at the other colors.

Aspen Gold - This color feels like a warm, autumn sun shining down.

Pepper Stem - This color reminds me of a bountiful garden

Fiesta - There is so much excitement and boldness in this color

Jester Red - This deep shade is both elegant and bohemian

Tumeric - Just like the spice, this color adds flavor and intensity

Princess Blue - As the only blue, this color is bold and majestic

Pink Peacock - For those who love intensity, warmth, and lots of fun.

Toffee - Like a perfect piece of chocolate, satisfying and tasty.

Sweet Lilac - This pinky-purple is soft and gentle

Mango Mojito - This golden shade is uplifting and pleasurable.

Terrarium Moss - Inspired by nature and a walk in the wood.

I had the pleasure of working with Kelsey and Jeremy for their small holiday wedding. This intimate celebration had 30 guests and was perfection!

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With red and white colors for their flowers and lots of greenery, the setting was perfect for a holiday themed celebration. Their cakes came from New York to Nashville and were amazing. Guests enjoyed chocolate chip cake and confetti cake truffles. Look at those cute pinecone cake toppers!

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For favors, guests were given tiny pine trees in burlap bags that they could plant.

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Vendors

Venue: Atmology
Photography: B & B Portraits
Catering: Copper Kettle
Flowers: Village of Flowers
Cake: Milk Bar Store

Many couples are embracing small weddings and elopements. The simplicity of these gatherings is celebrating with friends in a relaxed setting while being less stressful and less expensive.

What is a small, intimate wedding?
An intimate wedding is one where there are 75 or fewer guests. An evening with 50 of your closest friends and family is perfect for celebrating.

What is a modern day elopement?
Unlike the courthouse weddings of a generation ago, many couples are having elopement style weddings. These weddings are typically only a few hours and include a ceremony and dinner with just closest family or friends.

Tips for an intimate wedding:

• You can get your Pinterest dreams. Having a smaller event means that you can incorporate some of those larger or more expensive design ideas. Instead of needing 20 tables, you only need 6 or 8. It is much easier to create your dream wedding when you aren’t obsessing over details for 125 guests.

• Your guests get to know each other. When there are only 35 people for dinner, it is much easier for everyone to chat and meet each other. Everyone can be involved whether it is a group reading at the ceremony or group karaoke at the reception.

• It is easier on your budget. Instead of throwing a large party for 150, an intimate, down to earth gathering can save you money. (Every guest you add to the list costs you more). An afternoon elopement with a casual dinner won’t require dipping into your retirement savings. Or you can create a lavish party for your 35 closest and best.

• Less Stress. It is so much easier to manage the guest list when it only includes 40 people. Smaller affairs mean fewer details, but still high on style.

• Skip the Fluff. With weddings, it is so easy to get caught up into needless things and details. When your wedding is smaller, you can skip the fluff that doesn’t add any value to your wedding. Instead you can do things that wouldn’t work at larger affairs.

• Customize everything. It is much easier to have custom place cards, a personalized menu, or one of a kind decor when you only need it for a small number of guests. Instead of traditional invitation, you can create a handwritten note to each guest inviting them to your day.

Connect with me to talk about your small, intimate wedding.

Giorgio and Andreas destination wedding in Nashville was classic and stunning.   A sunny and beautiful day greeted their guests for an elegant ceremony at Scarritt Bennett.

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The bride's dress was spectacular!

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After the ceremony, guests went to the Parthenon for a fun reception. 

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Vendors

Photography: Hannah Elaine
Ceremony: Scarritt Bennett
Reception: Parthenon
Catering: Ribbons of Chocolate
Flowers: Belles Fleurs
Cake: Dulce Desserts
Videography: Needle and Thread
Ceremony Musicians: Wedding Musicians Company
Band: Emerald Empire
Bartending: VIP Bartending
Rentals: Liberty Party Rentals
Lighting: Bright Events

Kaitlin and Mick's spring wedding was a beautiful affair for all of their guests who gathered in Nashville from around the world.   The day started with the bride, her bridesmaids and mom getting ready in the bridal suite. 

The ceremony was held at historic Wightman Chapel.  The wreaths and altar continued the wild and loose feel of the florals. 

Guests then headed to an amazing reception at the Cordelle.  The relaxed, elegant feel of the reception was designed by Kaitlin and her mom who wanted an understated feeling and a relaxed space for their guests.  

Guests were greeted with a shrimp and oyster bar.  

The reception tent featured gorgeous chandeliers with greenery and lovely wild flowers with lush blooms. 

The bride and groom left the reception to a Second Line.

Vendors: 

Photographer: Justin Wright Photography  
Rentals: 12th Table
Dress Designer: BHLDN
Lighting: Bright Event Productions 
Cake Designer: Dessert Designs 
Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Joseph A Banks
Makeup Artist: Katie Russo Beauty 
Caterer: Kristen Winston Catering 
Dress Store: Modern Trousseau Nashville
Equipment Rentals: Music City Tents and Events
Ceremony Location: Scarritt Bennett Center
Band: Scat Springs Band 
Ceremony Musicians: Silver Strings
Calligrapher: The Dotted Line 
Floral Designer: Basil and Bergomot Flower Farm
Event Planner: Events by Elaine 
Reception Venue: The Cordelle

I was invited to participate in a styled shoot with some of the planners from the Nashville Wedding Planners Group. It can be challenging for 8 planners to come together and agree on a design, but the results where beautiful. We were inspired by the concept of a Nordic or European winter wedding - lots of furs and warm seating and a fireplace. Enjoy the results.

Planners Involved:

Megan Scurlock of Locklane Events
Emily Kennedy of Kennedy Occasions
Elaine Roberts of Events by Elaine
Ashley Porter of Posh Occasions
Margaret Tolbert of Details by Margaret
Toni Smith-Carroll of Celebrations by Toni
Naomi Goodman of At First Blush and Co
Parthenia Fayne of Epiphany Events 

Vendors:

Photographer Ryan Tolbert Photography
Venue & Catering Hutton Hotel
Florist Kennedy Occasions
Hot Chocolate Bar Bar Magnolia
Suit Street Tuxedo
Bride Attire Willow Bride
Makeup Artist Primp This
Hair Stylist Beautifully by Belen
Rentals White Door Events
Paper Goods Brinkley Studio
DJ Entertain! TN
Cocktail Band Mockingbird Musicians
Dessert Bar – Popcorn Kernels Nashville
Dessert Bar – Cupcakes Locklayer’d Cakes
Dessert Bar – Cheesecake Momma Nik’s Cheesecakes
Dessert Bar – Cookies & Brownies Christie Cookie Co.
Favors – Cookies Sweet Sifter
Favors – Cupcakes Divine Sweets
Door Prize Ekko Candle Company

Photo: Justin Wright

Weddings always include classic details and traditions; however, these trends can add a modern, fresh feel to your wedding.  

Large floral installation: 

Large impact making florals are going to continue into 2018.  These showcase pieces will always make a statement whether on a wall or hanging from a ceiling. 

Photo: Madi Flourney

Wedding cakes:

Wedding cake is getting some personality.  Drip cakes and multi colored cakes are showing up everywhere.   Watercolor and floral patterns are also exceedingly popular.  

Dessert Table: 

The dessert table is more popular than ever.  Couples are offering their guests a large selection of tasty treats in a beautiful display. 

Photo: Freestone Photography

Dark, Moody Feel: 

Black accents and a dark, moody feel is making its way into weddings.  It creates a dramatic feel.  You can include these shades in your flowers with deeper, richer shades.  Your reception can include these feel with charcoal or black lines and matching candles.  Dark purples, blacks, grays and muddy colors will replace blush flowers. 

Smaller, Intimate Weddings:

Couples are choosing to limit the guest list to a small, intimate collection of friends and family, usually less than 75.  These weddings allow couples to spend more money on food, decor, or accents that they want. 

Photo: Celladora Photography

Bold Colors: 

The past few years blush and neutrals have ruled wedding.  Well, 2018 is bringing back color.  Rich reds and burgundy, navy and teal, forest green and gold - dramatic, beautiful colors are stealing the show. 

Photo: Celladora Photography

Copper: 

Taking over for gold, copper is the metallic of choice.  From cups to votive holders to lanterns, copper is shining.  

Photo: Ryan Tolbert

The Wreath:

No longer just for Christmas, the wreath is a beautiful accent.  From wild and green to a mass of flowers, there is no wrong way to incorporate they beautiful 

Photo: Justin Wright