An Intimate Wedding in TN at Mable & Jack Farmstead
To understand why Callie and Chris would take on planning a weekend wedding without a wedding planner, you need to understand a few things about Callie first. This is what Callie had to say:
“I have an insatiable appetite for being creative. For as long as I can remember, I've been creating. Houses made from cardboard boxes lying around, theatre in school, teaching myself how to cook, cake decorating lessons that turned into a side hustle, endless amounts of Food Network and HGTV, and trying nearly every craft imaginable. Creativity is my favorite gift and I'm not sure exactly when my love of hosting began, but it started young and has yet to leave.”
After capturing Callie and Chris’ wedding, I can tell you that it was impeccable. Every single detail was intentional and beautifully planned. And what was even better was that it was on Callie and Chris’ private farm - Mable and Jack Farmstead.
Callie & Chris’ garden party Welcome Picnic For Their Wedding in TN
Callie and Chris had the most beautiful welcome picnic for their guests. Callie and Chris’ goal for their garden party was “a relaxed day in the sun with our friends”. They wanted a full Italian spread to pay homage to Chris’ heritage. Chris’ mom is from Parma and his dad from Sicily. They brought up a leg of prosciutto which his dad sliced fresh and a whole of parm along with helping them execute the most amazing spread. From paninis to Chris’ mom’s homemade Italian cookies. It was an incredible brunch. They had local beer and a spritz bar. The garden was decked out in beer garden tables, blankets and bistro chairs. When guests arrived, they took them on a farm tour and then spent the afternoon basking in the sun.
Getting Ready With Callie Before The Ceremony
Callie got ready for the day and she had the most beautiful blue floral dress for their wedding in TN. Chris had encouraged Callie to look for evening gowns that may better suit her style instead of a traditional white wedding dress. Late one night Callie seen an Instagram ad for this blue floral dress, and she knew from the moment she saw it that it was the one!
As far as accesories, Callie has always been drawn to vintage so she knew she wanted her accessories to be a combination of heirlooms and vintage. You can read more about her heirloom engagement ring here. For the garden party, she found vintage Givenchy clip-on earrings at an antique store in Nashville and wore a bracelet made by her dear friend.
For the wedding day, in addition to her heirloom engagement ring, Callie wore her mother in law’s diamond earrings, tennis bracelet, and a pearl Tiffany & Co. necklace gifted to her from her mother in law, now her very own heirloom to always remember that beautiful day. She also found a beaded clutch at an antique store in Nashville to carry throughout the evening. These pieces are so precious and now a part of this new chapter in her and Chris’ story.
Callie and Chris’ Outdoor Portraits at the tenessee airbnb
Callie and Chris had the most beautiful portraits done before the ceremony. The weather in Tennessee was perfect and the sun was shining. When Callie first found this Airbnb, she was IN LOVE. Like head over heels, she wanted to live there in love. She knew she wanted her and Chris’ portraits there and that it would be the best place as their home base for the wedding weekend. Chris’ parents reserved this for the week before their wedding and it was the most calming place for Callie and Chris to come back to each night. The gardens were unreal and feel like you’ve stepped into a Jane Austen film. I’m certain that Callie’s dress was made just for her. She looked stunning in this dress. Chris and Callie snuck away in-between courses which is why Chris is wearing different jacket’s in-between photos. Chris wore a bonobos velvet dinner jacket and Callie was obsessed with his entire look.
Chris & Callie’s Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at Mable & Jack’s Farmstead
Chris and Callie’s wedding ceremony was perfect. One of Callie’s oldest and best friends officiated their ceremony. Callie and Chris met at the edge of the ceremony space, then they walked down together. They also wrote their ceremony together. They chose to trade off sections based on themes from their life and then each would say a shared vow. It was deeply meaningful to them and after the wedding they even framed their vows with pressed flowers from Callie’s bouquet. They used the most beautiful Holtz Leather Journals with their monograms to hold their vows in and now use them to do their journaling. The song that played when they kissed and recessed was Good Plates by Michael Bernard Fitzgerald. Callie had found this song when her and Chris first began wedding planning and felt it so poignantly represented what they wanted for their wedding and life together.
After the ceremony, everyone followed up back up to the aisle where they arrived at the Champagne Room which then led to the Social Hour Lounge then to dinner and finally to our after-dinner speakeasy, Chez M&J (for Mable and Jack). They had live painting done during their dinner by Callie’s good friend Meredith Bogardus. Napkins were one of the first wedding items that Callie had purchased. She wanted something they could use again and that would hold up over time. One of Callie and Chris’ primary goals with for their wedding was to use as little waste as possible. When it came to their place cards, Callie wanted something everyone could take home. Chris and her are both big readers and so she created bookmarks. She harvested and pressed wildflowers from their farm, sourced a non-toxic hemp based resin, and connected with a local artist to do calligraphy! How amazing is that?
As far as dinner, Callie and Chris are very particular about food. They had Chef Rambler craft them a beautiful menu that was unbelievably delicious. He also took care to create separate dishes for Callie and Chris’ guests who were vegan and vegetarian not only for dinner, but for social hour too. The service, menu and flow of the meal was like that of a fine dining restaurant. Callie and Chris are also big wine drinkers and knew locally sourced wine was a top priority. The champagne from social hour was their favorite. The wines for their dinner were sourced from our local wine shop, Domaine South. They’ve become friends with the staff there and are grateful they could spotlight their amazing selection at their dinner.
The tunnel on their farm was the rain plan, but it was also intended to be their after dinner bar. Chris built the navy bar with a reclaimed wood top, and their mixologist Shannon crafted 4 custom cocktails for their guests using locally sourced items and herbs from the farm. They even had fire pits out front with benches and a rug sat in the middle of the room for impromptu dancing and we had a simple playlist going in the background.
Chris and Callie dreamed of something lowkey and low pressure. Everyone crowded around the fire pits with cocktails or on the furniture inside sharing stories, laughing and giving toasts. And last but not least, Callie and Chris’ first dance was spur of the moment followed by Chris and his mom dancing and her inviting everyone onto the dance floor. Chris and Callie’s wedding in TN couldn’t have been any more perfect.
Planning Your Own Wedding in TN or beyond? Let’s Start Talking The Details Together
If you’re planning your own wedding in TN or beyond, then I would love to work with you. While I’m based in Texas, I travel all over when it comes to capturing your story. You can learn more about me here. If I sound like the perfect destination wedding photographer for you, then inquire with me here and let’s start talking about what you envision for your wedding day. Until then, make sure to check out other weddings on the blog for inspiration. And if you’re looking for recipes or just a peek into the life of Callie, Chris, and Mable and Jack Farmstead, check out their blog here!
Kind Words From Callie & Chris:
“Natalie!!!!!!!!!! They are UNREAL. You captured everyone’s essence perfectly. It’s like we were transported back instantly. The way you perfectly captured everything…just so beautiful!!! I don’t know how we’re ever going to narrow them down. I can’t believe how beautifully it all comes across on a screen. THANK YOU x 1,000,000”
Wedding Vendors:
Photography: @natalienicolephoto | Florals: @thefarmersflorist | Chef: @rambler_events | Bar: @variousbarservices | Wine: Domaine South | Champagne: Moore Brothers | Live Painting: @palmers_designs | Rentals: @begathered_rentals | Coordination and Right-Hand Gal: @elizabeth_a_mason | Consulting: @wovenbywhit | Charter: @capitaltrailways | Guest Accommodations: 106 Jefferson Hotel | Other Accommodations: Cochran-Jackson House | Restrooms: @mobilethrones | Wedding dress: @milla | White gown: @rudy_lou | Hair: @mandie_murphree | Tux: @indochino | Venue: @mableandjackfarm