Location: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA
Setting: Estate
Season: Fall
How long did the couple plan the event: 13 months
The number of guests: 130
Wedding theme/style: Timeless, romantic, modern.
Anna and Cooper met back in 2019 on a blind date at a small dive bar in Nashville. It was unbelievable to match with someone on a dating app so perfectly. Both of them felt a spark immediately and knew this would be something special. They dated for three years, it was three years of marvelous adventure and laughter.
A few years later, in the summer of 2022, Cooper took Anna to a local winery for a wine-tasting and another little Saturday date, just for the two of them. It was the same winery where he had taken her on a date night shortly after their first meeting.
Cooper proposed to Anna in the intimate setting of a place that holds special meaning in their love story. After this thrilled moment, he gently led her to a table beautifully adorned with roses, framed photos, champagne, and a lovingly arranged cheese board. Surrounding this sweet moment were their friends and family! “Little did I know, he had been orchestrating a proposal for months and had organized our closest friends and family to fly in from all across the country to surprise me. It was the most thoughtful surprise and a moment I’ll relive forever,” says Anna.
Their wedding was beautifully captured by photographer Haley Birdsey, who made all wishes come true with a personal charm touch. She is talented in catching elusive moments of happiness, bringing them together, and making occasions everlasting art.
When the couple was choosing a venue, Anna already knew what she was looking for. So, just after the first glance, her feelings confirmed the right choice. This place, surrounded by oak trees outside of Nashville, was exactly what they had dreamed about for their wedding. The Estate at Cherokee Dock feels especially magical for the couple and guests in the fall. Friends and family had plenty of space to move around freely and enjoy the beauty of Tennessee.
In the warm hands of her loving mother, Anna experienced this special bridal morning. Her wedding dress was designed by Dany Tabet, a Beirut-based bridal atelier known worldwide. Anna wanted to maintain the sleek, simple, and timeless vibe of the gown, so she chose natural shades for her makeup and opted for a minimalistic, classic hairstyle. Her long dangling earrings, adorned with pearls, added elegance to the look.
Choosing the perfect perfume for such a special day holds great significance. Each time spraying it, the bride can return to those cherished moments and relive them again. Anna selected two enchanting scents from the legendary brand Jo Malone: the sweet allure of Scarlet Poppy and the earthy, mineral notes of Wood Sage and Sea Salt, each chosen to evoke different moods.
Anna’s first look with her bridesmaids was filled with excitement, leading to tears of happiness. This beautiful tradition always gives candid photos. To kick off the celebration, they opened a bottle of champagne, adding a sparkling touch to the occasion.
At the same time, Cooper was preparing for his wedding day surrounded by his closest ones—his father and friends. The groom chose a black suit with a bow tie for his wedding attire. His patent leather shoes gave him a slight feeling of Italian rebellion.
The first look between the bride and groom is one of the most touching and pure moments. Anna and Cooper were overwhelmed with emotions as they stood surrounded by the quiet forest, with only the birds as witnesses to their vow exchange. This intimate moment will remain an untarnished memory.
The wedding ceremony unfolded beneath the open sky among autumn trees, with an arch decorated with simple, natural flowers as the main point. Live music added to the ambiance, making this moment feel fundamental and authentic.
The couple took a moment alone before the reception, enjoying themselves and nature around, trying to save every moment of this special day in their hearts.
Friends and family gathered together to continue celebrating a wedding. Anna and Cooper treated their guests with cocktails and fine dining. The couple created a comfortable space where guests could have fun and be part of this big day.
“It was really important to us to add little touches to our reception to enhance the guest experience, such as a photo booth, late-night pizza, bathroom baskets, glow sticks for dancing, and an interactive Polaroids guestbook,” the bride recalls.
With love and thankfulness, they were giving their toasts, making the evening full of laughter and tears of happiness.
The newlyweds cut the cake together and shared it with their guests. The celebration continued with guests of all ages dancing with glow sticks. Family, friends, and Anna and Cooper will remember this perfect day forever.
Advice from the couple:
• Savor each and every moment. It truly is the best day of your life, and it’s so important to keep checking in with yourself to make sure that you’re taking a moment to soak it all in and taking mental screenshots to relive.
• My husband and I decided to walk around to each table during dinner to individually say hello and thank everyone for being there. It was one of our highlights and we ended the night feeling like we truly had a chance to get to talk to everyone who came a long way to help us celebrate!
PHOTOGRAPHER Haley Birdsey | PLANNING & DESIGN Infinity Hospitality | VENUE The Estate at Cherokee Dock | CATERING Infinity Hospitality | FLORIST LMA Designs | DJ Entertain | MAKEUP Shawna Vassallo | HAIR Hunter Paige by Parlour 3 | GROOM & GROOMSMEN TUXES Vera Wang | GROOM & GROOMSMEN SHOP Jos. A. Bank | BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES Revelry | BRIDAL GOWN Dany Tabet | BRIDAL BOUTIQUE Dress Theory | LIVE MUSIC East Coast Entertainment (Jet Set Strings) | PLATE SETTING Please Be Seated, EventWorks | CHAIRS & LINENS EventWorks
