An Elegant Memphis Wedding at The Historic James Lee House
See how this Memphis couple turned a pandemic match into a timelessly elegant celebration at The James Lee House — complete with stunning florals, a private vow exchange, and an Elvis first dance. Image: Brynn VB Photography
Music has always been the way to Kate Berryman’s heart, so when Stan Dettelbach’s first message to her on Hinge was about her New Music Friday playlist, she knew the connection was going to be something special. As Kate puts it, “That conversation started on May 8, 2020, and just never ended.”
Since their dating app match-up happened at the start of the pandemic, Kate and Stan’s first date was pizza and music at Kate’s apartment. “From there, he quickly became my best friend and partner,” she tells us. Fast-forward to 2024 — the couple went to Knoxville to visit Kate’s family before heading on to Chattanooga, where Kate suspected Stan might propose.
First, Stan took her to Clinch River Brewery in Norris (one of the first places they had gone on a date outside their homes during the pandemic) and popped the question. The Chattanooga trip that followed became a celebratory getaway to kick off the couple’s engagement.
Kate enlisted the help of Kaymen Herrera from Wrecking Ball Events to plan the big day. “Unfortunately for her,” Kate says, “I’m a Type-A project manager at heart, so my hands were in every decision. Shoutout to her patience with me!” she jokes. Kaymen fostered a collaborative relationship with Kate that felt like a true team effort, making the wedding planning experience all the more enjoyable.
One of the first (and easiest) decisions Kate made was the dress. She saw the gown on an Instagram post from Maggie Louise Bridal, and it was love at first sight. The high neck and low back were exactly what she was looking for. “One of my best friends and bridesmaids told me it looks like an ‘Elizabeth James original’ (a reference to the movie, The Parent Trap), and that was one of the best compliments I could have gotten!” Kate says.
The venue presented more of a challenge. Initially, the couple intended to get married at an Airbnb in East Tennessee, but the plan fell through. They decided to simplify things and stay in Memphis, but they wanted to keep their original November wedding date, which they had already booked with the photographer they wanted — Brynn VB Photography. Kate says the James Lee House worked out better than they could have ever hoped. “It is such a beautiful home that suited our style and what we envisioned for our day,” she describes.
The James Lee House proved to be a stunning backdrop to the timeless style and color scheme Kate chose, gravitating toward greens and whites. She says her floral designer, Ethan Thomas Events, far exceeded her expectations by beautifully accenting the day with his artful arrangements.
The ceremony was held outside on the James Lee House lawn, where the couple exchanged traditional vows before 70 of their nearest and dearest. They also shared private vows earlier in the day during a sweet, intimate “first look” moment that Kate says will forever make her smile.
Their cocktail hour was more of a cocktail “minute” on the front lawn of The James Lee House, but the couple still wanted to set the vibe by curating a special playlist of songs they both love. They served Kate’s favorite red and white — Meiomi Pinot Noir and Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, respectively — and Tiny Bomb Pilsners, a Memphis must!
Kate deferred their first dance song selection to Stan, who chose “The Wonder of You” by Elvis (and only the live version would do). Kate and her father danced to an acoustic cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns & Roses, and Stan and his mother danced to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.
Kate credits their DJ, Ryan Haskett, with perfectly setting the tone all day long, from the ceremony to the reception. “He selected the most fun songs for the dancing portion of the night, making it all such a fun experience,” Kate tells us. “He does gigs at Raiford’s in Memphis and was a pro at setting the vibes!”
As the night wound down, Kate and Stan enjoyed an unofficial last dance of the night to another Elvis classic, “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” The sweet moment was caught on video, and Kate says it’s one of her most cherished moments of the night. Since the couple stayed overnight at the venue, they took a group photo instead of doing a traditional send-off, and ended the day with a nightcap at The Peabody with their closest friends.
“Because we stuck close to what mattered most to us, the day itself was laid-back and relaxed. We all had such a great time,” Kate says. “At the end of the day, I wanted to be married to Stan in my dream dress, surrounded by my favorite people.” Thanks to her wedding planner and the team of vendors who went above and beyond, everything was exactly as she hoped.
RESOURCES
Venue: The James Lee House
Photographer: Brynn VB Photography
Bride’s gown: Made with Love from Maggie Louise
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Jenny Yoo from Bella Bridesmaids
Makeup: Made Up & Cuttin’ Up
Groom’s formalwear: The Black Tux
Stationery: Minted
Flowers: Ethan Thomas Events
Catering: A Moveable Feast
DJ: Ryan Haskett
Cake: Kimberley Harris
Wedding Planner: Wrecking Ball Events
Linens: Elegant Chair Solutions
Spray Tans: Honey Skin & Body Bar
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Katie Leigh Matthews
A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.