I love the subtle sophistication of Katherine and Kevin’s Nashville wedding. Her delicate and elegant gown, the lovely DIY touches, and a good dose of Southern sensibility made this wedding a stand out. Read more below to discover how Katherine and Kevin personalized their wedding by designing their own ceremony and sharing Katherine’s favorite quotes on love and life.
Katherine + Kevin | September 5, 2010 | Nashville, Tennessee
The ceremony
We were married in a historic stone church in East Nashville that is shared by Presbyterian and African-American congregations. The space was intimate, warm, light-infused through stain-glass windows. Like the church, our ceremony was a lovely mix of traditions. We asked two celebrants to share the rites of our marriage, and three of my friends read a secular poem called “Pray for Peace.” A string quartet played the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” after we were pronounced husband and wife and a cherry-red trolley ferried our guests to the reception just across the river.
The reception
Kevin and I are both born-and-raised Nashville folk, and so we wanted to introduce our guests, who flew in from California to New York City, to the personality and flavors of Music City. We decided to bring the country downtown, and held our reception at aVenue, an old brick warehouse with hardwood floors, located near all the old honky-tonks. We strung market lights and lanterns from the 20-foot ceilings, and decorated the tables with white linens, pale yellow napkins, white votives, and wildflowers in mason jars. I printed my favorite author’s quotations about love on cards and placed them on antique books as centerpieces and table markers.
How Katherine felt in her wedding dress
In my wedding dress I felt ethereal, beautiful, and fully myself.
Why Katherine decided to sell her wedding dress
First comes love, then comes marriage. Now we’re saving up for that baby carriage. As much as I adore my dress, I’d rather share the joy with another bride, and pad my savings account in the process!
Katherine’s dress: Watters, Lasara
Photography: Martin O’Conner
