Garden-Inspired Wedding

By Jennifer Bonds
Photo: A Bryan Photo
Caroline and Clark wanted their wedding in Nashville, Tennessee to feel more like a garden party than a wedding.
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Their Story

A Bryan Photo

The old adage "absence makes the heart grow fonder" has proven true once again. Though Caroline Estopinal and Clark Brewer dated for six years, they didn't talk much about getting married. But while she studied in Italy and he worked in New Zealand, everything changed. The pair met up on the Amalfi Coast, where Clark had a surprise—a hand-forged ring and a proposal. They later married in a European-style chapel and celebrated with guests in the backyard of Caroline's parents' home. "We wanted it to feel more like a summer garden party than a wedding," says Caroline. "And we were inspired by the farm-to-table look to keep it warm, relaxed, and intimate."

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The Wedding Venue

Photo: A Bryan Photo

Built in 1928, the Wightman Chapel in Nashville is on the National Historic Register.

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Ceremony Venue: Wightman Chapel, Scarritt-Bennett Center; 615/340-7500

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Caroline's Bridesmaids

Photo: A Bryan Photo

The bridesmaids all wore the same dress by Bari Jay.

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The Ceremony

Photo: A Bryan Photo

The couple chose the Wightman Chapel for its Gothic architecture, which reminded them of their European engagement.

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Ceremony Venue: Wightman Chapel, Scarritt-Bennett Center; 615/340-7500

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Garden Rose Bouquet

Photo: A Bryan Photo

Garden roses in various shades of pink give the bouquet dimension.

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Bride's bouquet: Julie Brown Interiors; 615/300-5795, and Garden Delights; 615/599-9950

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Family Traditions

Photo: A Bryan Photo

Caroline carried the same Bible down the aisle as her mother and grandmother and also wore the same earrings.

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Transportation

Photo: A Bryan Photo

A trolley took the wedding party from the ceremony to the backyard reception.

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The Reception

Photo: A Bryan Photo

The backyard reception was inspired by the movie Father of the Bride. Long tables accomodated 275 guests.

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Vintage China

Photo: A Bryan Photo

Inspired by her grandmother's love of china, Caroline decided to serve dinner on mixed china patterns. Instead of renting so many different sets, she and her mom scoured thrift shops, flea markets, and antiques stores to collect enough to serve all 275 guests.

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Five-Tier Wedding Cake

Photo: A Bryan Photo

"I wanted the frosting to look unpretentious— like my grandmother had iced it," Caroline says of her towering, five-tier cake.

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Wedding cake: Jackie Brown of Gracious Goodness Cake Co.; 706/534-1374

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Groom's Cake

Photo: A Bryan Photo

Clark's groom's cake took the realistic form of a pair of hiking boots—reminiscent of his time in New Zealand.

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Groom's cake: The French Confection; 615/244-3967

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The Reception

Photo: A Bryan Photo

The patio offered a casual space for guests to relax.

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Flowers: Julie Brown Interiors; 615/300-5795, and Garden Delights; 615/599-9950

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Wedding Drinks

Photo: A Bryan Photo

Servers passed drinks during cocktail hour.

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Catering: Martha Stamps Catering; 615/983-8850

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Celebrate!

Photo: A Bryan Photo

Clark and his pals celebrated with a game of touch football.

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Groom's/groomsmen's tuxes: Street Tuxedo; 615/771-0948

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Their First Dance

Photo: A Bryan Photo

Caroline and Clark have their first dance on the dance floor illuminated by simple, inexpensive white lights hung from the trees.

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Lighting: Nashville Event Lighting; 615/414-6724

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Wedding Favors

Photo: A Bryan Photo

Erin Duffy, a friend of Caroline's, decorated mason jars for kids to catch fireflies.

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