Today’s real wedding feature is a little more special to us, because the bride is one of our own! Sarah is one of our Account Executives, and we were so excited when she got married last summer. With plans for a grand, enchanting garden party in the works, Sarah enlisted the help of a few wonderful Once Wed Premium Vendors and created a beautiful, peaceful garden wedding at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville.
Read on for more from the bride!
“Patrick and I were engaged in winter under Christmas lights and wanted our wedding to be strikingly opposite, so as to have wonderful milestone to remember year round. That meant a summer wedding, and visions of a grand, enchanting garden party came to mind.
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens was an easy pick for a venue, as lush greenery consumes the grounds, and the colossal mansion holds a delightful escape from summer heat. The mansion houses an art museum which fits perfectly with the my artistic tendencies and lineage (my mom is a longtime artist/art teacher, and there are many other creatives in my family). The beauty of the grounds, the architecture, and the sculptures of the Jaume Plensa exhibit became just some of the artistic elements important to making our wedding unique and memorable.
Our creative vendors really brought our theme to life. My mom set the tone with water-colored save the dates of the mansion. My enormously talented cousin, Mary Deaton Heldman, hand drew the invitations, programs, and monogrammed cocktail napkins in airy grey and regal gold. Sarah Joelle was an easy choice for photographer, not just because of her elegant, timeless style but also for her laid back, sweet personality. The bouquets, boutonnieres, and arrangements from Rosemary & Finch were a standout element, yet looked effortlessly foraged from the gardens themselves. Rachel from B. Hughes was patient and integral in helping me find my dream dress: a light, ethereal Reem Acra with weightless Vera Wang veil. The bridesmaids wore feather grey Amsale gowns with tulle skirts that matched my dress but with varying lace tops for added interest. Amanda Dang and the team at Lunatic Fringe tied the looks together with their talented hair and makeup artistry.
Both Patrick and I have large families, with eight brothers and sisters in our wedding party alone. Our favorite part of our wedding was getting our families, who live in various locations, in one place and having fun with them. That made the food and entertainment equally as important as the artistic elements. The food from Clean Plate Club was impeccable, a mixture of light and savory southern fare. Our almond cake with chocolate and salted caramel filling from Dulce Desserts was the talk of the night. Bushwackers, or alcoholic milkshakes, were served…a staple for beating the heat and a favorite local drink of the bride and groom’s. Momentum Party Band left no room on the dance floor and played all night. No one wanted the evening to end, and it really never has to thanks to With this Ring Films and their detailed cinematography.
We can’t thank our vendors and family enough for making this the best day! What a perfect tone it set for the rest of our lives together.”
