A Romantic Neutral Summer Garden Wedding | September 9
Shannon & Peter’s Romantic Destination Wedding Reception
“There wasn’t anything I didn’t enjoy about wedding planning process because CJ’s Off the Square took care of pretty much everything.” —Shannon
A September Wedding In White, Ivory, Sand, and Champagne
Shannon and Peter met through mutual friends in Calgary, Canada and opted to host their wedding in Franklin, Tennessee, close to Peter’s sister.
Shannon works for a non-profit organization and Peter is in finance. The couple worked with CJ’s Off the Square planners Allison Adams & Brette Craig to craft a romantic late summer garden wedding for about 100 guests. Most of their guests were from Peter’s side of the family, located in New York, Canada, and Tennessee since much of Shannon’s family lives in Scotland.
The couple traveled to Europe together, where Shannon was sure Peter would propose. He kept her on her toes, proposing two weeks after they returned.
“I knew Peter was the one after a few months of dating when I realized how often he made me laugh and how easy our relationship was. He got down on one knee while I was cutting chicken and getting ready for a family BBQ. It definitely turned out to be a surprise.”
Shannon says she chose CJ’s without even seeing the venue in person, mostly because of CJ herself.
“I loved the intimate garden, uniqueness of the house and I also liked that it was located in Franklin, but the deciding factor was CJ herself. I had several calls with her while we were trying to choose a venue and she stood out to me. She was warm, friendly and was already making me feel important. With everything we went through during our planning process and having to postpone so many times, I would often think back to those days when we were choosing a venue and be so thankful we made the right decision.”
Since the couple was planning the wedding from Canada, during a pandemic, Shannon didn’t see the venue in person for nearly three years.
“My favorite part of our wedding planning process would have to be the day I got to finally see the venue in person. It was everything and more than I imagined, and just picturing my wedding taking place there made me so happy.”
Getting Ready
The late afternoon wedding was outside and adorned with classic white and blush roses with pops of greenery and thistle. Their bridal party was complete with two bridesmaids, a best man, and a handful of nieces and nephews to serve as flower girls and ring bearers. But Shannon’s favorite part of getting ready involved their daughter.
“My favorite moment was when my daughter joined me in the bridal suite and we got her into her dress.”
The First Look And Ceremony
Peter and Shannon shared an intimate first look in the gardens before their ceremony. Peter waited anxiously for his bride, dressed in his black and white Canali suit and tie. Shannon wore a timeless A-line gown with a scoop neckline and back, spaghetti straps, and buttons down the back. The Essence of Australia gown features a high slit, wide-set straps that offered old Hollywood glamour.
The Neutral Outdoor Wedding Reception
The couple wanted a timeless color palette for their big day. Together with their planning team, they selected gold Chiavari chairs, white drapery, and other neutral design accents in white, ivory, champagne and pops of blush.
The mix of round and rectangular tables invited guests to the reception under the pavilion. The tables were decorated with crisp white linens, gold and glass accents, blush napkins, romantic candles and classic floral centerpieces from The Enchanted Florist. Shannon and Peter opted to include a champagne wall for their guests to toast the evening.
As per Canadian tradition, one of their friends MC’ed the evening along with a DJ who kept the party going all night.
Looking back at their planning experience, Shannon said she wouldn’t change a thing.
“There wasn’t anything I didn’t enjoy about the wedding planning process because CJ’s really took care of pretty much everything. I was never stressed about anything to do with the planning process.”
The Neutral Summer Wedding Dream Team
Photography: John Myers Photography
Venue, Planning, & Design: Allison Adams & Brette Craig for CJ’s Off the Square
Flowers: The Enchanted Florist
Catering: Dream Events & Catering
Rentals: Southern Events Party and Event Rental
Lighting: Nashville Event Lighting
Draping: Blue Nova Designs
Entertainment: Premier the Entertainment Company
Wedding Cake: Baked In Nashville
Officiant: Wes Howard Weddings
Make Up Artist: Rebekah Alonzo (Hunter Paige by Parlour 3)
Hair Stylist: Hannah Grace Shudde (Hunter Paige by Parlour 3)
See more real garden weddings at our Nashville wedding venue
Or learn more about our venue and all-inclusive wedding packages:
Did you like this post? Is this the kind of wedding day experience you would love to have? Let’s chat! Call or click to learn more about hosting your wedding at CJ’s Off the Square.
(615) 216-7576
