An Elegant White & Gold Garden Wedding In Late Summer | August 6
Abby & Hunter’s Elegant Summer Garden Wedding
“Take in the day fully it goes by so quickly! At the end of the day, you will be married to the person you love the most, and every heart ache of wedding planning will be worth it!” — Abby
An Outdoor August Wedding Featuring Elegant Neutrals Like White & Gold
Abby and Hunter are high-school sweethearts from Middle Tennessee. They were drawn to CJ’s Off The Square because of its elegance and all-inclusive options.
Hunter first laid eyes on his future wife in the parking lot of their Murfreesboro high school. He said to a friend, “I have to know more about this girl.” He admits he remembers even the tiniest details of that day, even down to what she was wearing. Abby’s feelings weren’t far behind as she recalls telling a high school friend that one day she would marry Hunter.
That day came on August 6, 2022, surrounded by their family and friends in Franklin, TN. The venue stole their hearts immediately when touring it. Learning that they could hand the exhausting labor of planning a wedding off to a professional, sealed the deal.
“The full-service was the deciding factor. I loved the backyard garden feel as well. It just fits my personality so well. Hunter actually had never seen the venue until the day before and his first words when he saw it was, ‘This is so Abby.’”
Getting Ready
The couple worked with CJ’s Off the Square planner Brette Craig to plan a neutral garden wedding with classic details that they’d look back on and love forever. Abby says she was thrilled to have an expert helping her with the finer details, especially since she was finishing her undergraduate degree and beginning her graduate physician assistant program, while Hunter worked full-time.
“I enjoyed going to all my planning meetings and getting to pick out all the aspects of my wedding. It made everything so easy with having it laid out clearly for me.”
The entire wedding was a mix of lovely neutral tones including ivory, gold, and soft sage green. The live greenery, candles, and lights created a romantic and effortlessly classic setting for their southern nuptials.
Abby, her bridesmaids, and her mom all got ready for the big day in the bridal suite. Each of her maids wrote her a letter citing some of their favorite memories together — something Abby says will always be special to her.
The First Look
Ahead of their outdoor wedding ceremony, Abby and Hunter had their first look in the gardens. Hunter waited for his bride, who floored him in an Olia Zavozina fit-and-flare gown. The satin gown features an illusion sweetheart neckline, spaghetti straps, and a plunging open back that’s accented by cascading buttons and a long train. She wore her hair up with a classic cathedral veil to compliment her timeless bouquet of white roses and greenery, from The Enchanted Florist.
The Romantic Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
Of all the special moments on this day, Abby says walking down the aisle to Hunter was her favorite. She holds onto the memory and says it’s what prompted her advice to other brides:
“Don’t sweat the little things – everyone wants to celebrate you and doesn’t care if the napkin is folded in a specific way. Take in the day fully it goes by so quickly! Also at the end of the day you are married to the person you love the most and every heart ache of wedding planning will be worth it!”
Even though the couple was having a hometown wedding, it was important to them that they didn’t lose the intimacy of spending quality time with their guests. Ultimately, they chose to invite 125 guests.
“We had a smaller wedding than most of the weddings we had been to, and I think that was the best thing we have ever done. It was so meaningful to have our closest family and friends there because they have had such a huge impact in our lives.”
Among those closest to them were their five bridesmaids and five groomsmen. The groom and his men wore classic black tuxedos, while the girls wore shiny, sage green gowns from Show Me Your Mumu.
The Elegant White & Gold Summer Garden Wedding Reception
Our planner Brette brought their dream of a simple, southern, outdoor wedding to life. The pavilion was adorned with a mix of round and rectangular tables covered in luxurious champagne linens with by traditional gold chiavari chairs. The simple décor at the tables, such as crystal candle holders, gold silverware, and gold-rimmed plates, allowed the larger-than-life florals to steal the show. Each table’s dramatic centerpiece featured classic white blooms and dramatic greenery, placed in a gold vase of varying heights and designs. Additional drapery from Blue Nova Designs was added to the ceiling to create an intimate feel and highlight the chandelier and greenery.
The final result was all thanks to what Abby calls a “must” when planning a wedding: an all-inclusive venue.
“I LOVED my experience at CJ’s Off the Square! I would not have traded it for the world. With finishing undergrad and starting grad school, the full-service venue was a MUST. I know my family and I were so thankful for that because it lifted a lot of weight from our shoulders and let us enjoy that season of life!”
The couple spent their wedding ceremony cutting into their classic all-white wedding cake from Baked in Nashville, toasting champagne with their guests, and dancing the night away.
The Classic Summer Wedding Dream Team
Planning & Coordination: Brette Craig for CJ’s Off the Square
Photography: Whitney Woodall Photography
Flowers: The Enchanted Florist
Catering: Dream Events & Catering
Cake: Baked in Nashville
Rentals: Southern Events Party and Event Rental
Entertainment: Premier the Entertainment Company
Venue: CJ’s Off the Square
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(615) 216-7576
