Dancing the Night Away at Musicians Hall of Fame

Happy first anniversary to one of the happiest couples that I have had the pleasure of seeing married. I hope you always dance and laugh through life, even when it’s hard!

Last year I got a call that this friend of a friend (of a friend?) needed a last minute coordinator for their wedding and I am so glad that I had the weekend available. I ended up going on maternity leave for a full year and this is the only wedding that I did within that time. It. Was. Worth. It.

Betsy and Aaron are kind and fun. Their wedding was enveloped in personal details that represented them so well. I truly believe that every single guest enjoyed the night. From the beautiful ceremony at Scarritt-Bennett to the choreographed first dance, guests were awed and entertained. There was laughter from beginning to end!

I often have a hard time choosing photos to post, not wanting to overwhelm you with the 2,000 that I receive after a wedding… But this time it was a whole new level of hard! Not only are Betsy and Aaron gorgeous, but they chose iconic Nashville spots for their venues and their photos. To top it off, they had a stellar photographer! Enjoy the beauty from Maddie Ray Photography.

As it turns out, Betsy’s sister, Sarah Kate (maid of honor to Betsy’s left), and I worked together seven years ago for the same planning company where I got my start. Plus, Aaron and I both attended Baylor University (just a few… years apart. Ha!). My business is built around couples with deeply personal weddings, but not often do they have a personal connection to me; this time I just got lucky!

Everyone was surprised and delighted when Betsy jumped into Aaron’s arms (there was quite a bit of giggling!). And their dance moves continued to impress as they moved right into the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances. It was a really great way to kick off the reception! Dinner and toasts were to follow before more dancing!

The bride and groom were able to sneak into the museum for really fun photos while guests were getting their dinner.

Guest Count: 160
Wedding Planner: Locklane Weddings & Events
Photographer: Maddie Ray Photography
Ceremony Venue: Scarritt-Bennett Wightman Chapel
Ceremony Music - Quartet: Viva La Strings
Officiate: Sam Barnhart, Journey
Florals: Petal Mesa
Reception Venue: Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
Catering: Beyond Details
Cake: Dessert Designs by Leland
Draping & Lighting: Southern Sky Event Lighting & Draping
Rentals: Southern Events Party Rental
Band: RJ Bracchitta & Band
Photobooth: Snyder Entertainment
Bridal Party Transport: FADDS Party Bus
HMUA: Sharla Pruitt-Higgins & Teresa Glasser
Videographer: Big Time Productions

What do I do now? The Looming Pandemic Question for Engaged Couples

When I planned this wedding shoot, I had no real concept of a pandemic or any imaginings that the world would be able to shut down for months at a time. (My sister would say I should read more books…). But it’s here, we’re living history out, and we have some not so fun wedding topics to cover. So I thought, even if the topic isn’t beautiful, the image overall should be! Because, at the end of the day, marriage, the commitment of two people to one another, LOVE - that is beautiful.

So let’s get down to it.

You’re engaged, you’ve started planning,  you’re mid-planning, you’re about to postpone, you just postponed, your wedding is later this year… Whatever stage you are at, I know you are feeling uncertainty. While I cannot calm all of your fears, or give you absolutes, I will provide the best advice I can.

1. Plan Your Wedding

You have likely dreamt of your wedding day from the moment you were born or the moment you said “yes!.” Either way, the planning process is wrapped up in the excitement of your wedding day. So, keep planning or start planning your wedding.

Even if the process has changed, there is still plenty to do! You can do a “cake tasting to-go” or spend some of your online hours searching for the perfect invitations. Hopefully, you have a planner and the two of you can find creative ways to continue.

2. Get Married

Even if you had to postpone your ceremony and/or reception. Even if it’s just the two of you, go ahead and get married - if you’re ready and you’re able to do so in your county!

While a marriage starts with love and companionship, there is also a lot of practical things tied to your commitment that you do not need to put off just because you’re delaying a large gathering of family and friends. Maybe you’re purchasing a home, moving in to an apartment together, ready to change your name, or want to join financial accounts or insurance - practicality is important and part of doing life together.

Your commitment might only be witnessed by the officials present, but your marriage is rooted in just the two of you, no matter what your ceremony consists of. A pandemic definitely falls into the “in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer” category. 

3. Be Prepared

If your wedding is scheduled to occur anywhere from June 2020 to spring 2021, be prepared. The “current” predictions will not be current when this is posted because they are ever changing and really, no one is sure what will happen. Most are assuming Covid-19 will return in the fall and into the 2020-2021 flu season. And until a vaccine is fully established, there may be more periods of social distancing and isolation.

Part of being a planner is preparing for the worst, so that is my advice: prepare for the worst. How? For starters, instead of having a “b list” of guests to invite if your “a list” is unable to attend, have a “c list” of 50 or 25 people who you would invite if small gathering measures are put into place. Again, this may not happen. But it is better to be prepared now by knowing how you would cut your list down, than to be surprised and have to scramble to reduce your guest list.

4. Stay Connected & Keep Celebrating

Just as everyone is recommending, it is good for your mental health to find way to stay connected to your friends and family. Even if you have never been into video chatting, give it a try. Have a virtual happy hour with your friends! Celebrate and find a way to embrace that your wedding will forever be remembered as occurring during a pandemic! I know it’s not fun... but it’s unique!

5. Pray & Know Your Feelings are Valid

We can all use some prayer. Pray this pandemic passes, a vaccine is found, and that we can have the biggest blowout party to celebrate! Pray for peace and patience. It’s just a season, but a hard one.

Lastly, it’s ok to be sad, disappointed, frustrated, scared. We’re all feeling it, but you have the weight of planning a joyous occasion in the midst of it. I’m here for you, my team is here for you.

Thank you to my lovely vendors who never imagined I would use this gorgeous shoot for an informative blog about a pandemic (neither did I)!

Event Planner: Locklane Weddings & Events
Venue: Wilburn Street Studio
Photographer: Alyssa Joy Photography
Rentals, Design, Florals: Mayker
Linens, Tableware: Music City Tents & Events
Paper Goods, Calligraphy: Clover Paper Co.
Models: AMAX Talent & Creative Agency
Makeup: Morgan Jae Beauty
Hair: The Label Closet
Ladies Attire: The Bride Room
Guys Attire: Street Tuxedo