I don’t even know where to start when it comes to introducing y’all to sweet Catherine and Hunter’s big day–so many of my favorite wedding things are present here! Gorgeous couple with an adorable love story? Check. A super chic gown and lovely, memorable flowers? Y’all don’t get me started on those ruffles or persimmon-colored blooms! A moving church ceremony complete with family heirlooms? Catherine’s family Bible, which their ceremony readings were read from, dates back to 1824. A joyful community to share in the celebration? Catherine and Hunter’s family and friends look almost as excited as they do, and her most memorable moment made me tear up. Y’all please enjoy this look back at a very special day, captured beautifully by the talented Clark Brewer!
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! For my something borrowed, I was thrilled to be able to borrow one of my oldest and best friend’s veil. It had been worn by all three girls in her family, and it was such an honor to wear it! I loved the scalloped lace edge and the way it paired with my dress. Since I wasn’t able to wear my mom’s dress for the wedding, I wore an old dress of hers the night before at the rehearsal dinner. We also took a piece of my grandmother’s veil and wrapped it around my bouquet as my something old. I guess we forgot to do something blue!
I looked for a wedding dress at a few stores around Nashville, but hadn’t found anything that felt exactly right. While I was in my hometown, Birmingham, my maid of honor came to town all the way from Seattle to go with me to Ivory and White. We had the best time there with my mom. I tried on lots of dresses and finally found one that just felt perfect. I loved that it was so comfortable and didn’t weigh me down! It was exactly what I was hoping for: fun and unexpected, but still classic.
Describe your wedding flowers. Our florist, Melissa Broadwell, did a fantastic job bringing our vision for the flowers to life. We used bright coral and persimmon colored flowers mixed with fluffy white dahlias, juliet roses, hydrangea, white anemone, and touches of eucalyptus and greenery. I wanted the flowers to “pop” against the neutral color palette of dresses, and I think that’s exactly what happened! I also loved the trailing silk ribbons that she added to the bouquets.
We didn’t do a first look. We wanted to keep the tradition of not seeing each other until I was walking down the aisle with my dad, and it was perfect! We loved the moment of meeting at the front altar of the church for the first time. It felt like a way to honor the sacred covenant of marriage that we were entering into.
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? Our readings were read by two of our dearest friends. The Scripture readings were: Romans 12:1-2, 9-18, Galatians 2:20 and 1 John 4:7-19. We used my family’s Bible for the readings, which was published in 1824 and has our earliest family marriage recorded on May 25, 1792. It was a special way to honor where we come from.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? There are many! One that stands out is our entrance at the reception. It was very spontaneous and unplanned, but right before we walked in, the venue coordinator recommended we each come down opposite stairs and meet in the middle. It was so exciting to walk into a room full of all of our favorite people as husband and wife! It felt like being in a movie! Another one of my favorite memories of the wedding weekend happened at the rehearsal dinner the night before. Several years ago, I was sitting on my grandparents’ back porch, drinking iced tea and talking about life with Mimmie and Papa. This was long before Hunter came into the picture. I thought about how much I wanted the man I would one day marry to meet my grandfather because of what an incredible man, husband, and father he is. So, I asked Papa to write a letter to my future husband, just in case they didn’t have a chance to meet. Fast forward a couple years later, and Papa read that letter to Hunter for the first time during his toast at the rehearsal dinner. He shared about what he had learned from his marriage to my grandmother for over 60 years. It was truly a magical moment and a memory I will forever treasure.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The save the dates and dinner menus were both designed by our talented friend, Martha. Both pieces were exactly what I had hoped for and to this day, whenever I look at them, I can’t help but smile!
We knew we had to find indoor venues if we wanted any guests to come to a July wedding in the South! The ceremony site was First Presbyterian Church, which is where Hunter grew up going and where my parents were married! It was so special to be married there. The reception was at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Since many of the guests were coming from out of town, I wanted the venue to be a unique Nashville spot. The Schermerhorn is absolutely breathtaking and I felt like it was exactly what we were looking for: a balance of classic architecture with both charm and modern conveniences (like air conditioning!).
How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Hunter and I met through our mutual friend, Sally Ward. Sally Ward and I were roommates at the time, living in Nashville post-college in a house with five of our best friends. She had casually mentioned that Hunter and I should meet, but honestly, I really didn’t think much about it! The first time we met, though, I was immediately taken by him. Sally Ward talked me into joining a kickball team (which was an easy decision after I found out Hunter was on the team too!). Shortly after, he asked me on our first date to the Tennessee State Fair, and the rest is history.
Tell us all about the proposal! It was the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving and I had just finished a 12-hour day at work. Hunter and I were going to grab a quick dinner at one of our favorite weeknight spots, Fido. When we got to Fido, I noticed they were playing my favorite album over the speakers (something that had happened the first time we went there together), but I still didn’t think anything was up. We were sitting at the window looking out onto the sidewalk, just reminiscing about the past year, when all of a sudden, our good friends showed up on the sidewalk wearing our clothes from our first date! They were reenacting our date at the state fair! Immediately, I knew something was up and started giggling and laughing. Hunter grabbed my hand and said, “Come on!” We walked across the street to the Belcourt Theatre and stopped in front of the most incredible poster hanging in one of the marquee frames–Hunter designed and created to look like an ad for our story. It was the sweetest thing, and it even listed our friends and family as the “actors.” Next thing I knew, Hunter was down on one knee asking me to marry him! I said YES!
When did y’all get married? July 26, 2014
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. Our mothers and grandmothers were seated to “Holy, Holy, Holy.” I walked down the aisle to the hymn “All Creatures of our God and King.” Our friend Joseph Patton sang and played “Come Thou Fount” on the acoustic guitar. I loved mixing that in with the traditional organ music at the ceremony. Right after the benediction (which was given by my dad), the whole congregation sang the Doxology together a cappella, which was a perfect way end the service.
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? We used my uncle’s Jeep Wrangler, the beloved car I drove during college, as our getaway car! It was a fun, lighthearted contrast to the more formal details of the wedding. We hopped in the car and took it for a drive down Broadway on our way out!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? I would say don’t take everything too seriously. It’s important to stay organized and to plan in advance, but I think it’s also important to be flexible and let things go when you need to. I also recommend getting references for some of your more major vendors and talking to brides who have worked with them before. That way, you know what to expect once you sign a contract, and won’t end up disappointed if something doesn’t meet your expectations.
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? We are loving married life in Nashville! We moved into a 100+ year old home in East Nashville right after our wedding, and have enjoyed having our own space and doing some small house projects. We are looking forward to continuing to spend time with our family and friends and we are especially thankful to have several of our best friends right in our neighborhood. This fall, I’m excited about backyard bonfires, big pots of soup, and sharing cozy nights with friends!
Photographer: Clark Brewer / Videographer: Sebastian Rogers / Planner: Jessica Sloane / Ceremony Venue: First Presbyterian Church / Reception Venue: Schermerhorn Symphony Center / Florist: Melissa Broadwell / Wedding Cake: Billie Mochow / Caterer: Clean Plate Club / Rentals: Southern Events / Band: Scat Springs Band / Paper Products: Martha Ray / Envelope Calligraphy: Laura Daniel / Bride’s Gown: Style #4865 by Liancarlo / Bridal Salon: Ivory and White / Hair and Makeup: Jordan Byers / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Style G849C in Dove by Amsale / Menswear: Street Tuxedo
This wedding. Wow. The note from her grandfather?! I boohooed, so sweet and sentimental.
These two are clearly filled with so much joy! Love the way you captured them, Clark!