In order to have fun at your wedding, you don't need all the bells and whistles. Creating an environment suited to your personalities and vibe as a couple is the best way to go about it! And when Gina + Paul decided to create a laid-back family reunion style wedding in their relative's backyard, it was the perfect occasion for both old and young! The outdoor tented wedding took place on a beautiful May day along Old Hickory Lake where family + friends gathered for a Nashville meets New Orleans soireè. Want to see my favorite element of their wedding? You'll have to scroll all the way to the bottom of this post to see it! (Hint, it will make you leap out of your seat!). 😉
Gina + Paul
Private Residence on Old Hickory Lake
5.14.17
Wedding Team:
Photographer | Watson Studios
Florist | Groom’s sister, Kimberley
Cake Artist | Wolfe Gourmet Cakes
Band | Spirit of New Orleans Productions
Makeup and Hair Artist | Ashley Stevens
Groom's Suit | Harrysuits.com
Rentals | Chief Rentals
Catering | Actual Food Nashville
From the groom, Paul: We met 5 years ago when Gina's mother (a singer) dragged her along to one of my performances in New Orleans. There was an immediate attraction – we flirted clumsily. But, ALAS, I was already involved and by the next time we'd meet, Gina would be as well.
Although, the timing was obviously wrong, we did bump into each other occasionally. Gina would happen upon one of my regular gigs, or we'd be shopping at the same store, and we'd cross paths at the studio of a voice teacher with whom we were both studying (this voice teacher now claims she felt the “vibes” and our finally getting together was not a surprise to her at all!).
The tipping point, however, came 4 years later when my cousin Jill, a realtor, was handling the sale of Gina's parents house. (Coincidence?! We like to think of it as destiny!) She mentioned to me that she had a client who was also a performer – a singer, Louise, who lived very nearby. When she mentioned the name, I knew exactly who she was referring to – and made some comment about how good-looking her daughter was!
Thankfully, Jill LOVES to gossip. “Well, I told Louise you were my cousin and she adores you. She asked me NOT to mention this, BUT Gina is recently single…” I don't know that I heard anything else she said after that. I was already formulating my next move! I sent a special invitation to Louise asking that she attend my next performance. I didn't mention Gina. But I suspected that Louise would again drag her daughter along. And I was right. They walked in together and on our first break I sat down and told Gina that I wanted to see her again.
“How about lunch?”, I asked.
“I like lunch,” she replied.
The rest is history…
About the wedding from Gina + Paul: This was supposed to be so simple. – a small gathering of our closest relatives at my home. Then the families found out and decided we needed to throw a big party! What is MOST IMPORTANT to us, is that we get to hang out together. As long as we share the day, we'll be happy. We decided on an all-day, outdoor, Family Union/Reunion vibe. Hopefully, we've minimized the formality and stress. Hopefully, we've maximized fun and relaxation. We want the event to be equally enjoyable for our 80-year old antebellum Auntie and 2 year-old hell-on-wheels nephew. “Lakeside Elegance” was a theme suggested to us – and we liked it enough to let it guide the vision.
I mean come on! These bounce house photos are the cutest ever! Thank you so much for sharing this fun wedding with us, Dan! You can check out more of Watson Studios' work here on their website and also here on Instagram!
