I will always remember the flood of 2010.  One building that sustained serious damage was Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.  They were closed for months, a chain link fence surrounding the building, no music coming from it’s heart.

pumping water out of the building those first days after the flood

My friend, Elizabeth James, wedding planner guru called me a few months ago to see if I was interested in photographing the first wedding at the SSC after it’s grand re opening and the first one of 2011.  I said yes!   What a fabulous decision!

A few weeks ago I met the bride, Cathy and Elizabeth at the symphony to do Cathy’s bridal portrait session.   Here are a few of my favorites!

Saturday, January 1, 2011 Cathy married Ben!  Here are some preliminary images from the day.

The entrance foyer was transformed into an elegant ceremony space.

Cathy and Ben after their first dance.

Tulip Tree did a bang up job on creating a vintage winter wonderland.

tall vases full of orchids lined the aisle of the ceremony site

reception area

guests tables

Maples Wedding Cakes created a funky, elegant, organic cake with gray pearlized fondant.  It was just beautiful.  Reminding me not only of flower petals but also had a Chihuly feel to them.  The cake was really yummy too.  Wish I had a piece now.

More favorites from the day in no particular order.

Cathy and her little sister sharing a moment before the ceremony.

Emotions flowed during the vows.

Cathy waiting for her que.

I wish you could hear what this sounded like. Heavenly.

The wedding guests were lead out to the front of the Symphony by these guys playing "When the Saints Come Marching In".

The Groom

The Jimmy Church Band

Vintage Bentley from Matchless Limousine

It ended with blustery wind and really cold temps but everyone's heart was warm for Ben and Cathy.

Wedding celebrations are few and far between for me.  This just makes those few that I accept so much more special.  Months ago Anna’s sister, Wendy, wrote me and asked if I was interested in shooting Anna’s wedding in September.   You see three years ago I photographed Wendy and Will’s wedding and this year they have been blessed with an adorable child.   I really enjoy this family and their friends.  The majority of the guests were from across the pond.  Their closest friends camping in really nice RV’s on the family farm.  So many super cool details thanks to the work of Elizabeth James, Nashville’s premier wedding and event planner.

Anna and Eddie walking down the aisle at St. Paul's in Franklin, TN and then a sweet kiss in the courtyard.

A stunning dress and the bridal veil waiting for their big moments.

Anna arriving at the church and Eddie taking his place in the church.

Detail of Anna's dress and a fab image in the foyer mirror at their home just as we depart for the church.

Anna's going into the church and a lovely tabletop at home.

The day was gorgeous with loads of wonderful light!

So happy!!

Anna and Eddie making their way through the crowd to the getaway car.

On the way to the party!

Their Harley escort to the farm.

Bridesmaid's flowers.

beautiful September sky!

The bride's bouquet full of yummy smelling gardenias.

Anna and the girls.

Anna and her mom.

Eddie's family.

The dinner tent

Perhaps my favorite thing at the reception ....

tables in the dance tent and another view of the dinner tent

Pear and brie tarts, bacon stuffed tomatoes, espresso martinis

Future Harley owners??

beautiful, bright sunset

the cake

I love how all the natural elements fit in with this truly elegant celebration.

sweet Charlie, the youngest guest

the dinner bell

Eddie toasting his lovely bride!

chin chin

First dance to "Love Train". The dance floor was lucite over the pool.

sweetness!!

A hundred hot air lanterns released into the air at midnight.

This past Saturday among the threat of inclement weather, Lola and Sid celebrated their marriage with 250 friends and family at Aden Branch Farm in Fairview, Tennessee.   The day started out not bad weather wise.  I know that here in Old Hickory it was party cloudy skies and as I sat with my friends Seana and Michael at their home Saturday morning for the annual Historic Old Hickory Village home tour, I noticed folks walking in, sweating…. the only thing worse for me than rain is hot, muggy, damp weather!   This day also brought challenges of a sick dog and finally storms moving across the area.  On my way down to Fairview, about an hour from my house, I traveled through rain, thunder, crazy lightening!  But this was good because this was all that the wedding location and folks involved had to deal with.  There were other little hitches but in the end those things do not matter, everything works out and the bride and groom get married.   I just have to say that these two are so perfect together… both have lovely smiles and their faces just light up when they see each other.   

Aden Branch Farm is Lola’s family farm.  The hill where Lola and Sid tied the knot overlooks the barn, house, pastures, woods and 200 plus year old cabin.  Lola wrote in the wedding program, “At the end of a long day of riding, my mother and I would often ride our horses to this field and let them race up the hill.  The horses galloped to the corner where, out of running room, they stopped and turned, as if to survey the expanse of the farm below them.  Over the sound of their blowing, my mother would talk to me about our connection with each other and this land, our sanctuary.  That sense of spirituality in the outdoors is one that Sid and I share.”  

I present the sneak peek for the couple and their family and friends!  Also, the doggy is feeling much better!

Lola and Sid after their first kiss as Mr. and Mrs.-- such a great connection!

Lola's present to Sid, a sterling belt buckle. Sid was beside himself!!

The dress and bride's boots.

The ladies wore dress shoes for the ceremony and then changed into their boots. These are real cowgirl boots!

Amazingly simple floral arrangements by the Tulip Tree graced the tables. This is birch bark covering a clear glass vase and filled with not only blooming flowers but also rosemary and I think mint.

So cool!

The lush, green ceremony site. The couple was married by the Rev. Becca Stevens.

The bridal party, well part of the bridal party, on the side of the really old cabin. I say part of as Sid had his brothers and father stand with him but actually had 16 groomsmen sort of like honorary groomsmen.

The reception was in the riding arena. The ceiling and walls are draped with burlap to make the space more intimate.

From inside the barn looking out to the cocktail area.

Lola and Sid walking into their cocktail reception in front of the barn. Guests were greeted with bluegrass music. The flag that graces the barn was flown by Sid's brother, Greer during Operation Iraqi Freedom on Sid's birthday, December 5th of 2006. The flag had not flown until this day, May 15th, 2010 and will be retired and displayed in a case in Sid and Lola's home.

First dance.

The paper lanterns over the dance floor.

The cake by Lealand Riggan. Deep purple climatus, purple spanish lavendar, grape colored lilac, hyacinth, peonies and roses rested on the tables among candlelight on the tables.

Lola and Sid just after the ceremony.