Photos by Ace Photography
There are some weddings that are full of happy people, festivity and merriment from start to finish, and Candace Hume and Ross Nichols’ August 8 Cedarwood wedding falls into this category. Candace and Ross live in Des Moines, Iowa (you’ll love the groom’s cake tribute to his home state!) and their Nashville wedding was a reunion of sorts for this Tennessee bride, her extended family and friends.
Candace looks ravishing in her A-line scalloped dress and simple feather hair accent – we love this streamlined-yet elegantly alluring look for outdoor summer weddings! Also love, love, love the sassy ‘something blue’ shoes! When it’s time to get down, Candace opts for a chic cotton and crochet lace short dress and bare feet! (top photo) Ross offers a little foot R&R on the dance floor!
Black and white attire and reception decor comes to life with vibrant flowers in hot summer colors. Every time I look at these photos by the fantastic Ace Photography, I think happy. Hope you will too!
These ceremony photos are among our all-time faves. Stunning summer scenery at Cedarwood!!
(Below) We told you it was cute! Ross is all “Iowa home-grown” just like the fresh picked corn and groom’s cake!
The life-loving group of friends celebrating with Candace and Ross know how to get down. Even the flower girl lets loose. Late night pillow fight on the front porch… girls just want to have fun!
Thanks Ace Photography for sharing these images. Just what we needed to warm up the day! Congrats again Candace and Ross.
Linda & the Cedarwood Event Team
What if the last open Saturday in October at the wedding venue you love happens to be Halloween? We would say it’s a perfect day for a lovely fall wedding and a cabaret-style celebration! Heather Payne and Thomas Smith are style makers extraordinaire with their elegantly translated October 31 Cedarwood wedding.
AndyCam Productions collaborated with Ace Photography to merge video and photography and we love the results of the merger! Andy Morris of AndyCam Weddings sent us these collages and a link to the Magnificent rockin’ video for Heather and Tommy’s wedding. Click here to enjoy!
Andy Morris of AndyCam says in his blog, “Since this was my first “Halloween wedding,” I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was very impressed by the planning and design done by the team at Cedarwood. From the creatively carved pumpkins, table settings and floral arrangements (by Cedarwood’s Karen Wright) to the masquerade masks and china balls, this wedding was really fun to shoot…especially in High Definition!”
This fantastic wedding was featured in the winter/spring 2010 issue of Enchanted Brides Magazine with photos by Ace Photography. And as you might guess from these spirited still shots by AndyCam Weddings, Heather and Tommy are always the life of the party. There are many details and images still to share, so look for a future Cedarwood post of Heather and Tommy’s jubilant wedding day.
Congratulations Heather and Tommy, and also congrats to AndyCam Weddings for a world-class production! We haven’t seen better.
Linda & the Cedarwood Event Team
Photos by Amber Beckham Photography
Leslie Wood and Adam Marrale met through a mutual friend seven years ago and grew into a a serious couple despite their long distance romance. Eventually both left Tennessee for the big city lights of Atlanta, but when it came time to tie the knot on June 20, Leslie and Adam wanted to be in their home state.
After Leslie and Adam’s ceremony at The Church of the Assumption in downtown Nashville, they celebrated with a southern-style country chic reception at Cedarwood. Kids pushing each other on the rope swing and catching frogs in the pond, old fashioned lawn games admid farmyard flowers, hay bale seating and a lemonade bar put guests into the carefree spirit of southern summertime.
Guests gathered on the shady front lawn to toast Leslie and Adam’s arrival with a Tennessee favorite: Jack Daniels Lynchburg Lemonade served in Mason Jars. Sunset ushered in cooler temps just in time for dinner and dancing!
Achieving a balance between classic and casual, Leslie’s reception decor was a blend of turquoise, teal and green with wildflower centerpieces in patina tin pails and antique blue mason jars. Burlap favor bags of wildflower seeds were a charming tribute to the natural beauty surrounding the celebration. And, of course, what’s a country wedding without a ‘taste of the south’ barbecue buffet? Distinctive regional cuisine helps carry out a wedding style and is always a treat for out of town guests.
Amber Beckham Photography sent us her fave photos from the reception, and we really love the fresh and airy feel of these images. All head-to-toe southern farm charm!
Leslie and Adam, you are pure delight and so was your wedding celebration at Cedarwood!
Linda & the Cedarwood Event Team
Photos by Ace Photography
Cate Cunningham and John Dugan are a power couple - she an attorney and he an engineer - with successful careers. They know how to work hard and they know how to celebrate, especially the monumental event of their wedding.
Their August 22 wedding reception at Cedarwood was a one-of-a-kind celebration that lavished guests with an elegant garden gala that flowed through several areas of our property.
The setting for the arrival of guests was a magical contrast of urban and countryside. Imagine leaving the opulent architecture of The Church of the Assumption and arriving at Cedarwood’s country setting. You breathe in fresh air as you make your way to the canopy of twinkling trees. Mason jar lanterns, strumming of live guitar, sounds of drinks being mixed and festive outdoor tables draw you into the front lawn cocktail reception.
As you wait for Cate and John to arrive, you sample canapes as silver trays circulate with smoked salmon on pumpernickel with dill cream cheese and capers, cucumber medallions with boursin and red pepper jelly, goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes in belgian endive boats, roasted red pepper and mandarin chicken salad cups. Fantastic food+drinks+atmosphere = great welcome! The party is just getting started!
After Cate and John arrive, the celebration kicks into high gear as guests gather for a champagne toast on the lawn. Dinner by A Dream Come True Catering is as delicious as anticipated and enjoyed on seriously beautiful reception tables in the Pavilion, styled by the Cedarwood Design Team. Cate’s color palette and custom paisley fabric runners are perfectly complimented with green orchid adorned branches, fresh pears and hanging candles. Paper lanterns over the dance floor pile on style. Stunning!
We love this simple but sophisticated cake design by Patty Cakes, adorned with green hydrangea flowers. The whimsical napkin motif states the obvious: Cate and John are a “perfect pair.”
The August summer night air was fresh and mild. Cate and John made sure their guests were comfortable and even brought flip flops to replace those high heels so there would be no excuses for not dancing all night! The legendary deejay, “Mad Dog” kept energy high and a fireworks farewell ended the evening with an enthusiastic farewell.
Great photos by Ace Photography!
Cate and John, thanks for making Cedarwood part of your celebration. We are honored!
Linda & the Cedarwood Event Team
Photos by Ace Photography
Cate Cunningham and John Dugan knew they would spend their lives together. They knew they would be married in a traditional Catholic church ceremony. And they knew nature would play a role in their wedding celebration.
With the assistance of Nita Baggott of Nashville Event Planning, the best of both worlds for Cate and John came together with a ceremony at The Church of the Assumption on August 22 followed by an elegant ‘garden glam’ reception at Historic Cedarwood.
Cedarwood’s all-inclusive wedding packages can be customized for reception only by deducting certain ceremony elements, however access to the property remains eight hours. To take full advantage of the venue time included in their package, Cate, John and their wedding party arrived at Cedarwood at 3:30 Pm to dress and take photos before going to the church.
Scheduling pre-ceremony photos at Cedarwood allowed Cate and John to have a private ‘first meeting’ in a beautiful outdoor setting, enjoy camaraderie with friends standing up with them, and take advantage of the property photo ops Cedarwood offers. Surrounded by nature, the mood was relaxed and romantic - perfect for making wedding day memories!
Cate and John also had the pleasure of previewing reception set-up and decor before their guests arrived at Cedarwood (guests are always the first to arrive from the church!) And what a grand reception it was! The beautiful bouquets and marine blue and green colors worn by the wedding party are a preview of the luscious floral and decor to be featured in “Celebrate: Cate and John Part 2″.
Ace Photography never fails to capture stunning images when they are at Cedarwood!! Cate and John, your glamorous garden gala is as wonderful in photos as we remember it!
Linda & the Cedarwood Event Team
How could any girl resist a proposal from the man she loves (who happens to be a professional drummer) during a concert ‘on stage?’ We can feel the rush – Boone Daughdrill, member of the band “DecembeRadio” calls out to the love of his heart, Loren Denton, and presents her with the night’s performance drumsticks. Only these drumsticks repeat a very special question, “Will you marry me?” Swoon………
After “I will” Loren began planning their “I do” at Cedarwood on October 17. It all revolved around her wedding dress sash, a gorgeous vintage shade of mauve called Raisin. The goal for Loren and Boone’s wedding was an intimate modern-vintage wedding style with romantic-muted, yet rich color and the simplicity of minimal adornments.
We knew immediately that the perfect flower for Loren was a Cedarwood favorite rose called “Amnesia.” The color is a dusty soft mauve with champagne edges that has a timeless romantic look. The simplicity of using just one flower in Loren’s bouquet also adds a vintage vibe. Dress + bouquet = style perfection in this (above) photo!
After a touching candlelight ceremony inside Cedarwood’s historic Yarbrough House (complete with performance by fellow “DecembeRadio” band members), guests feasted on a scrumptious champagne brunch by Chef Christopher’s Catering of Petite Fillet Mignon, quiche casserole, oven roasted potatoes, buttermilk biscuits with butter and preserves and fresh strawberries and cream. Yum! Receptions tables were just as yummy with shimmering linens, vintage mercury glass and rose nosegay centerpieces.
Patty Cakes designed a simple and elegant cake for Loren and Boone’s wedding — ivory with “raisin” tinted embellishment. Boone’s groom’s cake had to be a drum with those oh so important drum sticks displayed along side. We love grooms’ cakes that are personal tributes to a couple’s love story!
Rachel Williamson Photography did a great job shooting this wedding! Thanks for sharing, Rachel!
Loren and Boone, your inner beauty and love for each other inspires us. May butterflies take up permanent residence in your hearts!
Linda & the Cedarwood Event Team
Back by popular demand – our Annual Fave Photos from 2009 Cedarwood weddings! And there are some incredible images to share! Naturally the floral, decor and wedding design featured in these photos are creations of the Cedarwood Design Team!
Disclaimers: Winners are chosen by the Cedarwood staff in the spirit of fun AND because we are blown away by beautiful photography. We are not professional photographers or judges, but we do see a lot of beauty AND a lot of photographs. It’s always exciting to see images that we feel completely capture the beauty of the subject and setting. Some photos can be categorized in more than one place and some categories feature co-winning images because we found it too hard to pick just one. And most important: we have yet to receive photos from several of our favorite weddings which we KNOW will include contenders . . . alas, we must work with what we have!
Congratulations to this year’s winning photographers. Along with several consistently superior studios featured in our 2008 Faves list, there are some talented first-timers with multiple winning images this year (special shout out to Kate Crafton of The Studio Five and McCoy Made!) And here we go. The 2009 Cedarwood Fave Photo winners are…
ANTEBELLUM ATTITUDE
Old growth trees, a rope swing and romantic front porch are Antebellum essentials and popular settings for Cedarwood wedding photographs. A multitude of photo combinations in this area of our historic property make this a big category! The photo (below) by Paul Wharton Photography is especially stunning because it was taken in the rain, and the second shot by Shaun Ring Photography is one of our all time favorite front porch photos.
Glowing candles in Mason Jars hanging from Cedarwood trees reminds us of catching fireflies in days gone by. Krista Lee Photography’s photo (below) has an old time vibe that does too.
MOST ROMANTIC
A challenging category because most wedding photos are romantic; hence we picked three favorites. First and second: the steamy photo (below) by Jeter Photography and the second surreal shot against a full moon (no photo shop, folks!) also by Jeter Photography. Amazing!
The photo below by Krista Lee Photography could equally be a winner in the Barn category. It is fantastic and shows off the rustic- romantic interior space of the Cedarwood barn.
FEEL GOOD
Part of great photography is snapping a shot at just the right moment to capture pure emotion. Even though it rained on their wedding day, both couples created our fave feel good moments. First photo by Brooke Kelly Photography and second by Ann Wade Parrish Photography.
ESTATE GROUNDS
Two amazing shots in less photographed areas of the Cedarwood grounds. Photo (below) by Jen Kroll Photography. Second photo by Dove Wedding Photography.
CEDARWOOD BARN
Our vintage red barn is a Cedarwood icon, so we were hard pressed to select just two photos! The shot (below) by Ace Photography uses the barn’s rich color as a perfect partner for the American flag, and the second photo by Dove Wedding Photography is just sooo sexy!
FIRST MEETING
What a magical moment! Krystal Mann of Mint and Sage Photographic Artists shot this organic, romantic scene in Cedarwood’s rock lined creek bed.
Co-winner is this light-hearted and delightful photo by Jen Kroll Photography. She shot a succession of emotion-packed expressions during this first meeting on the Cedarwood porch and it was really hard to choose just one.
THE DRESS
Okay, both are designer gowns, but it’s the light and movement we love most! Photos by Ace Photography (below) and Krista Lee Photography (second).
BOUQUETS
You know we’re all about amazing flowers at Cedarwood, so of course there’s three in this category! This bouquet (below) is floral perfection all by itself but we love the personal Rosary adornment. Photo by Tec Petaja … and yes, we also love a bride’s bouquet being held by the groom! A real man never hesitates to hold his lady’s flowers!
(Below) The photo of bouquets by Paul Wharton Photography is simple, classic and so appealing. We love the soft hues against black and white.
Jeter Photography’s photo (below) is our third fave because the focus is where is should be – square on the color and texture of these exotic flowers – then fading into the lace dress. Great bouquet and great photo!
BOUTONNIERES
So often boutonniere photos are overlooked but they can be design art. The one in the photo (below) by Kate Crafton of The Studio Five is wrapped in heirloom lace to compliment the bride’s bouquet. Like a spring bird’s nest (second photo), a creatively unusual boutonniere was photographed by Jeter Photography.
RINGS
Stunning photo (below) by McCoy Made. Need we say more?
We look forward to wildly creative wedding ring photos. Jennifer Dunaway Photography shot these rings (photo below) on a Lily Pad floating in our front lawn pond for a Cinderella Bride and her Frog Prince. Brilliant!
HAIR
We adore floral hair pieces for brides and halos for flower girls. This photo (below) by Krista Lee Photography shows a labor of love in progress … and how about these fabulous colors!
FAMILY PORTRAIT
We think the best family portraits are anything but ‘formal’ – - - relaxed and fun with a good mix of family chemistry. Can’t you just see dad nudging his ‘little girl’ just as he has done since she was wee? Wonderful photo (below) by Mint and Sage Photographic Artists.
GROOMSMEN
Give the guys a little love! Ace Photography shot this dramatic photo (below). The second photo by Andi, Inc. Photography shouts attitude, but these guys are real gentlemen.
BRIDESMAIDS
The bride and her maids are always the center of attention and attract dramatic photos. Ace Photography (below) and Andi, Inc. Photography (second) capture this category with “matching halves” from the above weddings!
WEDDING DAY RAIN
2009 was deemed ‘the year of rain’ in middle Tennessee and we had many opportunities to capture a little liquid love. Titus Bartos of Made in Murfreesboro Photography shot this downpour (below photo) but the day dried up in time for a beautiful outdoor ceremony!
Co-winner is Mint and Sage Photographic Artists’ photo (below) of a romantic rain kiss.
CEREMONY
Cedarwood offers several possible sites for wedding ceremonies and we used them all in 2009! The ceremony photo (below) by Cedarwood staffer Ellen Manson is set in our magnificent meadow creating an ‘outdoor cathedral’ with our vintage Gothic church windows and pews. (Note: official wedding photographer Tec Petaja has not yet released photos from this wedding, but you can see him at work in this shot!)
The second photo by McCoy Made is a winner for the challenging-to-take, but stellar shot they set up of a tented ceremony in the round.
WEDDING PARTY
Can you say fun country wedding any better than this shot (below) by Krystal Mann of Mint and Sage Photographic Artists? And of course, the casual freshness of the second photo by Brooke Kelly Photography is what Cedarwood is all about!
We had to have an action shot! Love this one by Ace Photography.
WHIMSY
Bet these two photos make you smile! (Below) The Studio Five finds a way to take a pre-ceremony shot without the groom seeing his bride before the altar. The second photo is a great attitude shot by Krista Lee Photography. Love the bride’s kickers!
PAGENTRY
Cedarwood is proud to honor those who serve our country in the armed forces by offering a military discount for Cedarwood weddings. This year’s fave pagentry photos, however, come not from a wedding but a farewell. My beloved father-in-law, a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy for 31 years, was laid to rest in a touching graveside service with full military honors. Photos by Amy Callahan Photography.
TABLE TOP
We know everything tastes better on a pretty table but how about a dazzling table? McCoy Made rocks this table top style (below).
Co-winning is a Jen Kroll Photography shot (below) of a tablescape capturing the earthy essence of a “garden shed inspired” wedding style and Ace Photography’s photo (second) of a classic and elegant tone-on-tone reception table.
KIDS
We love this priceless photo (below) of kiddos doing what comes naturally – by Made in Murfreesboro Photography.
Fairy tale innocence, beauty and nature combine to make this co-winning photo sheer magic. The flower bearer garlands we designed are just as magical. Photo taken by Cedarwood staffer Ellen Manson.
CAKE
The cake by Patty Cakes is artistic and amazing and the photo (below) by McCoy Made just as enticing! Second is a Mint and Sage masterpiece showing off a superb cake cutting set up in the Double Parlor of Cedarwood’s historic house.
GROOM’S CAKE
The groom’s Darth Vader cake is intriguing but the light captured in this photo (bel0w) by Hannah Elaine Photography steals the show. The second photo by The Studio Five shows off Patty Cakes’ talent (just look at the detail on this cake – down to the ‘just married’ license plate!)
FOOD
Unlike wedding cakes displayed for much of an event, food is much harder to photograph. It often passes by in a flash, but when captured just right, photos can make our mouths water! Photo by Hannah Elaine Photography.
SHOES
Beautiful shoes are every bride’s finishing touch. What an amazing photo by Ace Photography.
FIRST DANCE
This dreamy, romantic, vintage black and white (below) by Tec Petaja won our hearts and the second photo by Rachel Williamson Photography melted our hearts!
VICTORIAN SOFA
Our signature sofa has traversed the Cedarwood grounds and we love the shot (below) in a field of white clover. Dove Wedding Photography takes a fave spot in the sofa category again in 2009. The Studio Five is co-winner with the second beautifully lit photo in the front lawn.
1950 CHEVY TRUCK
Our 1950 Chevy makes a statement! It’s the most photographed prop at Cedarwood so we are always challenged to choose from so many great contenders. Ace Photography’s sunset shot (below) is stunning and the second photo by The Studio Five is co-winner for its romantic charm. And in case you’re wondering – yes, it does still run!
DETAILS
All photographers who shoot at Cedarwood know we are crazy about detail shots! McCoy Made had lots to capture at this wedding and they were obviously up to the challenge!
Co-winners are Paul Wharton Photography for his great shot (below) of the most unusual wedding detail from 2009 ( a custom neon monogram for the bride and groom installed in the Cedarwood Pavilion) and Jen Kroll Photography for a whimsical detail. Great colors!
PUPPY LOVE
No family is complete without their four-legged family member. Our pet-friendly policy allows couples to include their cherished companion in a Cedarwood wedding, but sometimes it’s just best to bring them to an ‘after session’ with room to roam! Love this shot by Dove Wedding Photography.
GRAND FAREWELL
Another photo of pure joy perfectly captured in a vintage tinted photo by Ann Wade Parrish Photography.
LIMO
Yes, cars can be sexy! This photo (below) by McCoy Made is proof. The second photo by The Studio Five poignantly says “perfect ending.”
Thanks again to all our photographer friends who share your work with us!
Our recommendation to all of you planning a wedding this year: Don’t book your photographer before checking out these award-winners! Links to photographers featured in our 2009 Cedarwood Fave Photos are listed below. And of course, check out ongoing new photos as we get them on the Cedarwood blog and on Twitter @ cedarwoodwed.
Happy New Year Everyone! Here’s to more amazing photos in 2010.
Linda and the Cedarwood Event Team
LINKS
Ace Photography www.acephotographs.com
Amy Callahan Photography www.amycallahan.com
Andi, Inc. Photography www.andiincphotography.com
Ann Wade Parrish Photography www.awweddings.com
Brooke Kelly Photography www.brookekelleyphotography.com
Dove Wedding Photography www.doveweddingphotography.com
Hannah Elaine Photography www.hannahelainephotography.com
Jennifer Dunaway Photography www.jenniferdunawayphotography.com
Jeter Photography www.Jeterphotography.com
Krista Lee Photography www.kristaleephotography.com
Made in Murfreesboro Photography www.madeinmurfreesboro.com
McCoy Made www.mccoymade.com
Mint and Sage Photographic Artists www.mintandsage.com
Paul Wharton Photography www.paulwharton.com
Rachel Williamson Photography www.rachelwilliamsonphotography.com
Shaun Ring Photography www.shaunringphotography.com
Tec Petaja Wedding Photography www.tecpetajaphoto.com
The Studio Five www.thestudiofive.com
2010 is going to be a good, good year. Why? Because we will make it a good year! An Associated Press public opinion poll confirmed that “Some 72 percent of Americans said they’re optimistic about what 2010 will bring.”
Of course it’s up to each of us to harness our positive thinking and bring about the outcomes we want. Fantastically cool yet simple tools to help us do just that have just been launched by Plus Thinking (or T+for short), and we LOVE them!
So here’s the thing: why not give a gift of positive thinking to the people you care about enough to invite to your wedding? Wedding favors are simply a way to acknowledge your appreciation for guests sharing your special day, and we all know “it’s the thought that counts.” T+ offers a variety of products that keep on giving by promoting positive thinking! Favors from $1.50 won’t break your wedding budget either!
One other thing we love about Plus Thinking is the FREE gift they offer everyone visiting their site (www.plusthinking.com). You can sign up for a weekly positive thinking inspirational reminder from some of the world’s greatest thinkers and sources. Great attitude boosters for us all and especially for busy brides-to-be!
All of us at Cedarwood wish all of you a joyous, healthy and prosperous year. Think positive and make it happen!
Linda & the Cedarwood Event Team
Hearts, Wine and Roses
Photos by Ace Photography
Think hearts, wine and roses and what color do you see? Red, of course! Specifically a beautiful, rich Claret red that shouts romance and love. And it happens to be the perfect color to represent Ashley Hart and Chad Grant’s love for each other and their sparkling silver, diamond and ruby wedding at Cedarwood on September 19.
Ashley is one of those people who naturally sparkles – she is happy and bubbles with excitement, especially when it comes to her two main loves: Chad and her music! We knew right away this was a delightful match when Chad emailed us a copy of the personal motif he created to represent their relationship – male and female ‘stick people’ dancing around a red heart. Totally upbeat and soooo cute!
The most striking thing about this wedding design was the bridal attire starting with Ashley’s strapless ivory dress and long train with Claret red trim. Matching dresses worn by the flower girls make such a style statement! Ashley added a touch of yellow to the ceremony altar flowers for a bit of golden glow. Red roses with her favorite flower, Million Stars (Baby’s Breath) is the classic combination Ashley picked for bouquets.
A touching aspect of the wedding is the tribute to Ashley’s brother, Justin Hart, who died in an accident a couple of years ago. Ashley kept her brother near with a photo locket tied to her bouquet. Listed as an honorary groomsman, Justin was remembered with an altar-side memorial table laden with flowers from family.
Knowing the emotion the day would evoke, Ashley presented her mom, Connie Hart, with a embroidered handkerchief for the ceremony as Ashley walked down the aisle on the arm of her dad. It was a bittersweet day for the family, but a beautiful testament to love that transcends adversity and lives on in our hearts, and most important, to the strength, renewal and joy a new union brings forth.
Ashley and Chad met because of her music career – initially to design her first CD cover and then to build a band to back Ashley’s vocal talent. Entertaining guests at their wedding was a natural priority, starting with a sentimental slide show kicking off a dance party with everything from Elvis rock and roll to Country.
Chad, the self-titled “bassist mediocre” (love his sense of humor!) was delighted with his groom’s cake – a life size replica of his guitar. Their Patty Cakes wedding cake was a delicious (and red) blend of strawberry cake and chocolate dipped strawberries adorned with roses and their crystal heart topper. Hearts were also engraved into their toasting glasses and adorned favors and other celebration elements — a double meaning since Ashley’s last name is Hart!
Ace Photography documented this Cinderella celebration and we especially love the table top photos. Red roses, gems and candlelight cast the most romantic and elegant glow over the Cedarwood Pavilion. And check out the cute Ace Photography photo bookmarks incorporated into the tablescapes. Ace provides these bookmarks as part of their wedding photography packages and they make great wedding favors!
Ashley and Chad, your wedding is one we will forever remember. We dodged the rain and made many memories. Thanks for choosing Cedarwood as your venue!
Linda & the Cedarwood Event Team