A Golden Hour-Inspired Wedding Inside a Lush Greenhouse at Gallatin's Long Hollow Gardens
Elise and Jared matching up on Tinder was a bit of an unlikelihood. For starters, the two lived in separate states, with Elise in Tennessee and Jared in Indiana. “I thought it was a cruel joke to have met someone so kind and attentive, only to find out he was five hours away,” Elise says. They spent over a month texting, calling and FaceTiming before Jared made the journey to Nashville for a weekend at the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens for a seasonal Lego exhibit. And the rest, as they say, was history. After the two bought a house together in Indianapolis and filled it with four dogs, Jared invited Elise’s family over one weekend for a surprise backyard proposal, which was the perfect location since it's the couple's favorite place to be together.
Even though the Elise and Jared made roots in Indiana, hosting their wedding in Tennessee just felt right. Maybe it was because their story began in the state, or because they’d fallen in love with Long Hollow Gardens, a rustic, local vineyard. The greenhouse on the venue's property offered an abundance of natural sunlight and greenery for that organic feel that the couple was looking for. Plus, it was located in Gallatin, right outside of Nashville, making it an easy commute for their loved ones.
For the color scheme, golden hour sunsets were the inspiration. “I pulled from golds, oranges, pinks and neutrals. Our wedding planner, Alex McClard, suggested pops of plum for dimension, and it was perfect,” the bride adds. Roses played a major role in the decor, an array of fall colors to give their venue some warmth. Their vendors utilized every inch of the space, with lush greenery hanging from the tented ceiling to an overflow of plants beside the rustic, wooden bar.
Remember the couple's four dogs? Well, one of them got to be a pup-of-honor and stand beside them during the ceremony while wearing a flower collar made of natural greenery and small rosebuds to match the bride’s bouquet. But don’t worry, the other three fur babies made an appearance as watercolor paintings on the couple’s wedding details card. Samantha Sullentrap of Public House Co. brought these custom touches to the invites. Elise says: “I'm a very detail-oriented person and had way too much fun creating custom details for the wedding. I love to support small businesses and local artists.”
For the bride’s wedding day look, she said yes to the dress in Indianapolis, choosing a “timeless, elegant and classic white gown” with a modern, boxy sweetheart-style neckline, which she paired with a bowed veil. Jared was inspired by one of his favorite shows, Peaky Blinders, for his own look, opting for a three-piece suit in pebble brown and gray. He completed the look with a pocket watch and gave a monogrammed one to each groomsman as well. Seeing each other in their attire for the first time (along with their precious pup) was a big moment for the to-be-weds. Elise recalls: “My favorite memory is doing the first look with Jared. By this time, it was almost 1 p.m., and I honestly missed him. I couldn't wait to see him and get to the ceremony and party.” The nearlyweds took the alone time to take some photos together, live in the moment and soak up the happiness of the day.
To make their wedding feel like them, the couple made sure to incorporate lots of personal touches. “We also had custom matchbooks, stir sticks and cocktail napkins on the bar and a watercolor and calligraphy bar sign,” the bride tells us. Guests even took home small, potted succulents (which doubled as place cards) as a living keepsake of the day. Though their other three dogs couldn’t physically be there, another custom detail ensured their presence was felt at the wedding. A cake topper featured the couple and all four of their pups atop a simple, round cake to bring a touch of whimsy and personalization. Speaking of the cake, the bride’s VIPs participated in a fun activity during the cake-cutting ceremony. Elise explains the New Orleans tradition: “We each pulled a charm bracelet out of the cake. The charm you got determined what the future has in store for you.”
The live band played through the night, as the newlyweds danced with their loved ones. “The wedding was a lifetime of memories, and I would have our wedding every month if I could,” Elise says. The culmination of each meticulous detail being brought to life is what made the planning process truly enjoyable for both the couple. “I'm so jealous of people who still have the experience ahead of them because I had so much fun planning our wedding,” she adds.