It’s hard to believe it’s February. This month ushers in a popular StyleBlueprint feature — beautiful weddings each Wednesday, all month long. And it is appropriate that venerable wedding planner and Nashvillian, Libby Page, begins the series. With Libby’s competent guidance and methodical planning, engaged couples and their families are able to create the weddings of their dreams, which is where the tale of the romance between Margaret Lipman and Stevie Orthwein begins.
It’s no surprise that the couple found each other — they’ve known each other since they were in diapers after all!
In early December, Stevie asked Margaret to marry him at Robert’s Western World. Not only is it their favorite honky-tonk in Nashville, but a stiff drink of Jack Daniels made popping the big question just a tad easier. Her answer was an immediate, redeeming yes! After a quick spin on the dance floor, they headed to Paradise Park for burgers and tater tots. The evening was perfect — one of the best nights of their lives, they say.
Now for the wedding. Close your eyes and imagine the rolling hills of Tennessee, a gorgeous family farm and a perfect fall day with dappled sunshine filtering through the trees.
SB Note: Photography courtesy of Mary Rosenbaum
A 1841 cabin on the farm creates a beautiful backdrop for the bride’s portrait.
Margaret’s veil, made of Rosepoint lace, was first worn in 1915 by Clara Busch Orthwein, Stevie’s great grandmother. Margaret is the fifth bride to wear this family heirloom.
The wedding invitation was created by Tenn Hen Designs, the creative duo of a Currier Stevens and Bonnie Cross. The article given with the wedding program was in a 1971 book, “The History of Williamson County.”
The happy spring green and umber theme for the wedding is carried out in the programs, place cards and gift bags.
Graymar Farm, the home of the bride’s family, and the adjacent Blue Springs Farm provided the setting for the wedding. A weekend of festivities included a rehearsal dinner on Thursday evening and a rousing polo match between the “brides” and the “grooms” on Friday. At the end of the match, we’re sure the “brides” won, but it seemed that the final score didn’t matter much.
The setting: Graymar Farm The date: September 28th. The time: Sunset.
Sometimes words can’t express the emotion a groom feels when he sees his bride for the first time. The smile on Stevie’s face says it all.
If you think a shot gun wedding was in order, such was not the case. Both the groom and father of the bride, Robert Lipman, share a passion for hunting.
The bride’s parents escort her down the aisle with friends and family cheering them on.
The bridesmaid’s bouquets provide a gorgeous burst of color against the neutral palette of dresses. The bouquets, created by the Tulip Tree, are made of roses, hydrangeas, dahlias, and hypericum berries. And what a wonderful idea to have the maid of honor, the bride’s sister, wear a gown that complemented the wedding dress.
Steve and his groomsmen, most of them polo players, having some fun before the weddings begins.
A gorgeous evening and the open-air tent provide a welcome atmosphere for the wedding reception. In the lower right of the photo is the original homestead, Blue Spring Farm’s family cemetery where Captain William Robinson and his family are laid to rest. (He was a captain in the 10th Tennessee cavalry in the Civil War.)
Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Stevie Orthwein, Jr.
Guests arrived to the tent for a fun-filled night. The Tenn Hen girls created the sign to announce the festivities for the night.
Margaret, a passionate world traveler, thought it might be fun to direct guests to their tables with their own personal compass.
The specialty drink, The Graymar Love Potion (vodka, ginger beer and lime), was the hit of the night.
A passed tray with fried green tomato BLT’s speaks to the Southern theme of the wedding. A sumptuous buffet by Kristen Winston Catering followed the cocktail reception.
Long wooden tables with elegant china and lace runners create a refined look.
It was hard to select which cake to try, so many guests sampled them all. The main cake was lemon cake with a fern pattern, the others (from left to right) were a devil’s food with fluffy peppermint icing, vanilla bean with lattice pattern, carrot with fondant ruffles edged in burnt orange and a strawberry tiered cake. Dessert Designs created this beautiful display of cakes.
Fresh cherries, hydrangeas and roses create a luscious cake topper.
The bride and groom cut the cake. Believe it or not, there wasn’t a slice left in the house.
Mirroring the fern pattern on the wedding invitation, a cake topper pays homage to the bride and grooms passion for polo.
With many happy years ahead of them, the bride and groom have their portrait taken before the reception.
Off to the honeymoon, the bride and groom run through an arch of polo mallets as guests bid them adieu.
Resources:
- Event planning: Libby Page
- Photography: Mary Rosenbaum
- Videography: Geoff Boothby
- Invitations: Tenn Hens Design
- Floral Design: The Tulip Tree
- Rental Companies: Liberty Party Rental, Music City Tents and Events, Southern Events, Visual Elements, Nashville Tent and Awning,
- Lighting: The Bradfield Company
- Sound: Brantley Sound
- Catering: Kristen Winston Catering
- Cakes: Dessert Designs
- Cake Stands: John Watson
- Bride’s Dress: www.bhughesbridalformal.com
- Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid Nashville
- Transportation: GrayLine of Tennessee
