Harrison and I got married on October 22, 2022, and it was truly the most perfect day (and weekend) that we could have dreamed. Soon after the wedding, I wrote an 11-page story detailing all the events, moments, and feelings of the weekend. I never want to forget a thing! In this post, I’m sharing an adapted version, and hope you enjoy reading about this most special time to us.
Bridesmaids Luncheon
It began on Friday the 21st with getting my hair done at The Blowout Co. Belle Meade, a very relaxing way to start the day, followed by a lovely bridesmaids luncheon hosted by my aunts at 11:30 that morning in the Fairway Room of Belle Meade Country Club. I wore a sweet and simple ivory dress (similar to this one or this one), my Everlane flats, pashmina, and these beautiful and affordable earrings, perfect for any wedding occasion. I grabbed my custom lace clutch (the interior labeled with 10.22.22 Blythe & Harrison) before heading out the door with my mom.
The day was balmy and sunny. It was wonderful for my family and friends to meet as they arrived. Sunlight spilled into the room, and the table was beautifully decorated. We hugged and chatted, sipping fun drinks – then sat and enjoyed strawberry salads as well as sorbet. This is when I gave my bridesmaids their gifts for the next day – personalized embroidered matching pajamas in sage green as well as pashminas in champagne, stored in these gift boxes, which were a little small for the items, but I made it work. I wrote notes to them on this personalized stationery (the exact set I used has since sold out). This was the best way to kick off the weekend.
Rehearsal
I enjoyed the next few hours leisurely on my parents’ screen porch with them. Soon, it was time to get dressed for our rehearsal at Cheekwood. My hair and makeup had lasted from the morning, so I just needed to change. I wore this white knitted dress, white boots, and twisted gold pearl drop earrings (similar here), and carried my clutch again.
We arrived at Cheekwood in the still-warm late afternoon light. The mums surrounded us in full bloom; the red ones in particular were so brilliant. We walked past the pumpkin houses to our ceremony location, the Wills Perennial Garden. The garden looked more spectacular than I could have imagined – the blue aster was in full bloom, and the sunflowers still stood tall. The light that seeped through the trees was dreamy and golden. There wasn’t a chill in the air. I was excited to see our wedding party all together for the first time, and all there for us – it felt so special. We walked through the ceremony with our planner Amos Gott and officiant Will McLeane (my cousin’s husband!), and meanwhile, I was savoring the perfect day, light, and setting.
Rehearsal Dinner
From there, we all headed to our rehearsal dinner at the Hilton Green Hills. Seeing all our guests arrive was so fun, and a bit of a whirlwind as Harrison and I greeted as many people as possible. The first thing most people commented on was the incredible weather! Our photographer Sara Bill arrived for this evening (I cannot wait to see the photos she took). After cocktail hour, we made our way into the Jackson Room for dinner, enjoying the slideshow that played, displaying photos of Harrison and me through the years, as we ate. Dessert was served, and soon after, toasts began. Father of the groom, father of the bride, best man, and maids of honor all gave heartwarming, funny, and meaningful toasts that I will never forget. I have never felt so much love all at once!
To conclude the evening, H and I had a surprise in store – at the front of the room were velvet covers hiding two pairs of beach chairs for our parents. H grabbed the mic and said a few sweet words, and then in true The Price is Right style, we unveiled the coverings to reveal the chairs! It elicited lots of laughter and joy – a successful gift that delighted everyone.
That night, my mind was still buzzing from the events of the evening, just replaying everything – the toasts and kind words, the happiness and excitement. It was perfect. Thankfully, I was eventually able to relax enough for a very decent night’s sleep to prepare for the best day of our lives.
Wedding Day
Getting Ready
I had spent the night at my parents’ and woke up feeling light and happy – It’s our wedding day! I thought as I hopped out of bed. I spent a slow, quiet morning over my pumpkin spice tea before the doorbell rang a few minutes to 9, and I opened the door to greet my hair stylist, Brittany. H’s mom came over to get her hair done first while I finished my breakfast. Then Brittany started on my mom’s hair, and I went to go shower with my hair covered (tip for brides!) – Brittany wanted me to leave the products from the previous day’s Blowout Co. appointment in my hair so that my style would hold all day (and it did, all day and night!). After, I changed into my soft white pajamas with the sage green B embroidered on the pocket (the inverse colors of my bridesmaids’). Meanwhile, all of my bridesmaids were getting their hair done at Blowout Co.
Thankfully, it was another warm day, so Brittany was able to be out on the screen porch to do our hair. When it was my turn, I put on Taylor Swift’s new Midnights album, just released the day before – the best wedding present! It was a lovely, chill way to begin the day – just Brittany and me (H’s mom had gone, and my mom was doing things around the house). She styled my hair in a half-up style, twisting my hair almost into a little bow in the middle. It looked beautiful, and I was amazed that it still looked the exact same by that night.
As Brittany finished up, our make-up artists, Val Cole and Crystal Brown, arrived and started setting up, as did Meagan of Pretty Lovely Teas, who was catering our wedding day lunch. She decorated my parents’ dining room table with sweet pink accents and tons of food – little tea sandwiches, scones, cookies, and more – all gluten-free, and she brewed some chamomile lemon tea. Soon, my bridesmaids started to arrive, all wearing their pajamas, with dresses and accessories in hand.
We were all on the screen porch, which felt so lucky – it was just the perfect weather and a bit windy which made things all the more dreamy. We took turns getting our makeup done and getting plates of delicious food as Meagan served us cups of tea and we chatted on the porch. I loved this time with my girls. As we were finishing up makeup and lunch, our photographer Sara arrived to take some getting ready and detail shots.
Sara and I broke away for a quiet moment outside where I could open H’s gift and letter, which he had secretly given to my dad the night before for me to open today. It had a gold H & B 10/22/22 seal! It was all so unbelievably sweet and immediately made me cry as I read the letter and opened my gift – a pair of gold star earrings. We then went back into the porch, and Sara took some photos of my bridesmaids and me in our matching pajamas – as well as the cute matching sunglasses that Ashley, one of my maids of honor, surprised us with (mine white, and theirs brown)! (I can’t wait to see that photo once we have the full gallery from Sara – these are all previews.)
It was then time to get dressed and ready. I started to get butterflies as I put on my Monique Lhuillier wedding dress from The Bride Room, gold pearl drop earrings from AshBlue, necklace from my mom, and comfiest shoes from Birdies (seriously – best bridal shoes ever). We took some photos of my mom zipping up my dress, and then I did a first look with my dad. As soon as I tapped him on the shoulder, and he turned around, we both teared up immediately! My dad and I have always had a special relationship, and the emotions of the day hit us at the same time. After, I did a first look with my bridesmaids as well, and their sweet, excited reactions meant so much.
Afternoon of Photos
It was time to get to Cheekwood for my first look with H. I grabbed my lace clutch and trusty HydroFlask water bottle (couldn’t leave that behind!). My dad drove me, and we followed Sara there. He dropped me in the parking lot with Sara – the day was so warm and breezy! The sun was out when we arrived, and it was just lovely. I was feeling very comfortable in my dress, which was light as a feather and effortless to wear, and slipper-like shoes. A golf cart arrived minutes later and drove Sara and me to the top of the hill where the mansion sits. On the way, people were staring and waving and giving their congratulations (this happened all afternoon!). I felt a bit like a Disney princess!
H and I did our first look in the same area where we got engaged just 10 months before, which was very special. Our dog sitter Chelsea brought our dog Cleo for a few photos as well! I am so grateful that we were able to do this – it was totally worth it. We retrieved my bouquet from the Mansion Rec Room (our holding spot prior to the ceremony) and took plenty of couples photos. As we did, the clouds took over the sky in the most stunning, sweeping way – the light was ideal, as was the temperature. We met up with our wedding party and took photos with them as well. The entire photo-taking process felt really easy and fun with Sara and her second shooter, Jamie. The weather made things especially pleasant, and everyone was in such good spirits!
To finish up our pre-ceremony photos, we went to the Wills Perennial Garden where our ceremony would be, and where they were putting the fresh gorgeous flowers on our arch. We took photos with our family, and then our videographers arrived – Hannah Kik and her second shooter Madelyn Shayne. They shot some portraits of us before it was time to hide away in the mansion.
Stopping and sitting, with nothing to do for the first time that day, made things very real. I had been feeling pretty carefree, just enjoying the day – but sitting gave me butterflies. I could not believe the ceremony was about to begin. Before I knew it, it was time for us all to walk down the hill to the garden. All afternoon, one of the new tracks on Midnights had been stuck in my head, and it continued to play now. It was the chorus to “Snow on the Beach,” and these lyrics repeated in my mind: it’s like snow at the beach / weird, but it was beautiful / flying in a dream / stars by the pocketful / tonight feels impossible. I think it was these lyrics because the whole day felt surreal, like the song – strange and beautiful and impossible all at once. But it was possible, and it was happening.
The Ceremony
We made our way down from the mansion and around the winding path behind the flowers to wait for our procession. This part felt truly surreal. I stood there waiting and watching as suddenly my mom was walking to the aisle to “Flower Duet,” and then my bridesmaids were walking down the aisle to “Canon in D.” It happened so quickly to me. The music was beautiful. I’m not sure if I was remembering to breathe! And then I was standing at the foot of the aisle, my arm through my dad’s, as the string quartet began to play Max Richter’s “Spring I.”
From the moment we began to walk down the aisle, I couldn’t stop smiling the rest of the evening. I could feel the biggest grin on my face; I felt so happy and unwavering. I savored every moment and made an effort to stay present and intentional. Our officiant Will was incredible – he has a great presence and a way with words. It was truly the ideal ceremony. I felt the wind gently rustling the trees and my veil as we stood there, listened, and said our vows. Then Will declared us married, and we exited to Vivaldi’s “Autumn,” the perfect recessional for us and the soft October afternoon.
As we waited around the corner for guests to exit – they were following a bagpiper, who started playing after the recessional, to Massey Hall for our reception – the sky opened up, gradually, in the west. Orange and pink began to emerge through the clouds, and then grow into a deeper and more vibrant sunset, before it finally overtook the sky – pink surrounded us, everywhere we looked, with the brightest golden pink to the west. It is the most breathtaking sunset I have ever seen. We took more couples photos and videos as well as extended family photos, the colors and brilliant sky glowing for us the entire time. The sunset felt like the most special thing, cosmic and significant. I will never forget it.
The Reception
Only when we were done with photos did the sky begin to fade, as it was time for us all to make our way to the reception. From the Wills Perennial Garden, we could see the string lights hanging above the cocktail hour and hear the jazz band playing outside of Massey Hall. Sara and Harrison both bustled my dress to prepare for dancing, and I put my faux fur wrap over my shoulders since it was getting a little cooler (but very comfortable, by no means cold). I was in a state of pure bliss as we walked to our reception. Outside the courtyard, I saw a welcome sign with our flower design that had been on our save the date and invitations – I loved that detail.
Harrison and I wanted to experience our reception with our guests, and I am so glad we did. It was wonderful getting to be at our cocktail hour – I managed to eat around 10 appetizers (!! Mini BLTs, Tiny Chicken Tacos with Avocado and Cilantro, and Warm Artichoke Parmesan Puffs – all superb) and talked with some of our guests, all of whom were very kind and complimentary of the ceremony. It made me happy that they thought it was as special as we did! I noticed many people sipping on one of our signature cocktails, the Apple Cider Mimosa (apple cider with Prosecco and cinnamon sugar on the rim) – they were delicious. After a bit of socializing and snacking, our planner’s assistant came to get Harrison and me so we could see inside the reception space before guests entered.
When we stepped into Massey Hall where dinner and dancing would be, I was immediately blown away and overcome with joy. It was perfect! The flowers were the most beautiful arrangements and exactly what I had envisioned – I loved the pink, all the green, the snowberries, dahlias, and white cosmos. The flower wall behind the head table was whimsical and so me. I loved the three chandeliers draped with greenery and complementary cozy lamps sitting on the bar’s counter. The gorgeous flower-lined cake sat on a pretty round table, surrounded by flower bouquets (the bridesmaids’ and mine), by the dance floor. And the dance floor itself had our B/H monogram on it from our invitation, with a border – the flower print we had used on our save the date and invitations (that also appeared on the welcome sign, and the bar signage). Amos said he always likes to throw in a little surprise, and this was it. I was absolutely floored!
H and I hid in the hallway while guests entered Massey, and once everyone was inside, the band announced our entrance. It was time for dinner! Everyone, and I mean everyone told me we wouldn’t have time to eat, but this wasn’t true for us at all. After 10 appetizers (for me), we successfully made ourselves full plates of food at the buffet and ate every bite, too. Kristen Winston did a phenomenal job with the food – we had Roasted Beef Tenderloin (the one thing I didn’t eat as I haven’t eaten beef in years, but I’m told it was great), Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon, Russet and Sweet Potato Leek Gratin, Roasted Vegetables, Mixed Baby Greens Salad, and Dinner Rolls. Once we were finished, H and I got up and started greeting people at their tables. As it turns out, we had time to eat, enjoy our reception, and visit with guests!
Soon, it was time to cut our cake – a four-tier from Dessert Designs by Leland (who also did my parents’ wedding cake!). The first and third tier were vanilla while the second and fourth were chocolate truffle (gluten-free), with caramel icing throughout and white icing on the outside of the cake. We fed each other bites of cake and had sips of champagne.
Immediately following the cake cutting was our first dance. We had taken choreography lessons and practiced quite a bit, so we were prepared. Our song was “Beyond” by Leon Bridges, and we had so much fun doing our dance! Thankfully, we nailed it. I couldn’t stop smiling. Then my dad and I danced to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra for our father-daughter dance. We had taken a few dance lessons as well, so we had the steps and spins down for this song! We found out from my aunt that this was one of my grandfather’s favorite songs (who passed away in December 2020), so it made our song choice all the more special. Harrison and his mom danced to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong before the band kicked off the party.
We danced the rest of the night away, and it was an absolute blast. Our band, The SoulSations, was simply phenomenal. Their flawless voices, big energy, and sparkly outfits made it the most fun night ever. We loved everything they played, mostly classic Motown with some more modern hits mixed in. Toward the latter half of the dancing, the witch hats (with gold stars and in different colors) and orange glow necklaces we had ordered were brought out, which I just loved, and I think everyone else did, too! They were very successful party favors. I wore a pink witch hat and a glow necklace. I never got tired or hot and sweaty; it was like I could have danced forever.
When it got close to 10:30, my friends helped me change into my party/getaway dress, a bit of a last-minute purchase decision thanks to my mom having the idea, and I am so glad I did. I went back into Massey, and everyone cheered, so I did a little spin! I was very comfortable in this dress, glad to be rid of my big wedding dress skirt. I danced hard the rest of the evening. At one point toward the end, I looked around, and to my left were my parents – both with huge smiles on their faces, having the time of their lives – and to the right was my husband, smiling at me. Harrison and I both turned around the room and kept looking at all these people together in one room who loved us and were there to celebrate us. So many people stayed on the dance floor with us all night long – friends, but family as well – my aunts and uncles and cousins. We felt so thankful.
I never wanted the evening to end, and I felt a tinge of sadness (but not much, I was still just so happy) when the band announced the last dance, which was “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole. It was the best. Everyone seemed to be on the dance floor for this, with their witch hats on, in the moment and soaking in this incredible night and band.
And then the band stopped, and Amos was telling people to go outside for our exit. Harrison and I headed out last and saw our friends and family lined up outside of Massey Hall with rose petals in hand. We walked through, stopping to kiss in the middle, and kept going. My friends were at the end, and beside them, nearest the car, were my parents. Seeing all my favorite people after the best day and night of my life made me feel so many emotions. We got into the white 1960s Jaguar – so cool! – and I looked back, waving and blowing kisses at all the people I love dearly. It was hard, driving away from them. I could not believe the night was over.
And then Harrison and I were driven into the cool, pleasant night air in the back of this car, the windows down, and everything was quiet. For the first time all day, we were truly alone (aside from the driver), and we soaked in the calm, hushed night, talking softly here and there about the evening, savoring the smooth ride downtown to the Conrad where we stayed the next two nights, relaxed, and essentially were floating on a cloud as we relived the weekend and enjoyed all the kind words and photos we were sent.
This night, this day, this weekend – Unforgettable. Magical. Perfect. Surreal, but beautiful. Flying in a dream, stars by the pocketful.
- Venue: Cheekwood
- Planner & Florist: Amos Events
- Photographer: Sara Bill Photography
- Videographers: Hannah Kik and Madelyn Shayne
- Hair: B. Nicole Salon
- Makeup: Val Cole
- Dress: The Bride Room
- Rentals: Please Be Seated
- Lights: Bright Event Productions
- Stationer: Ink Nashville
- Calligrapher: Valorie Cole
- Band: The Soulsations
- Catering: Kristen Winston
- Cake: Dessert Designs by Leland
