Our Cities

Birmingham Louisville Memphis Nashville Southern Edition
Subscribe
Ad
Weddings

Emily + Sam: Happily Ever After

Sweethearts since they were teenagers, the wedding of Emily Coakley and Sam Tucker was a glorious day, full of joy and touching moments.

Β· By Elizabeth Fox
0
Add StyleBlueprint on Google
0054 tucker 1209221Pin

I don’t think I’ve ever attended a wedding that evoked such emotional joy. On September 22nd, Emily Coakley and Sam Tucker joined hands in marriage, deciding to spend the rest of their lives together. What is unusual about their relationship is that they’ve been a couple since they were teenagers, so in many ways, their commitment to spend the rest of their lives together wasn’t a hard decision. As Emily walked down the aisle, there wasn’t a dry eye in the church. Certainly, weddings are teary affairs, but this wedding was as joyful as it was poignant. Emily was the loveliest of brides; however she was walking down the aisle without her father, Bill Coakley. Bill Coakley, by all accounts, was one of those great guys who touched so many people in so many different ways. His time on earth was way too short, as he suffered a massive heart attack at age 48, leaving his devoted wife, Kim, and five children behind.

What made this wedding so special for me is that we share an unusual connection–my grandmother and Bill’s grandmother were sisters. Together, these two women were opinionated, passionate and so loved their families.
Not only was I privileged to be there, but a good ol’ Catholic wedding is rousing good fun!

The pictures tell the story of the wedding of Emily Coakley and Sam Tucker. If you believe in love at first sight, then you’ll enjoy our wedding post today.

0153 tucker 1209221Pin
Emily, her mother and sisters model their monogrammed shirts (worn to go get hair and makeup done) and custom Judith Bright drop pearl earrings that were given to each bridesmaid as a β€œthank you” for being in the wedding.

Β 

0172 tucker 120922Pin
Almost there–the future Mrs. Tucker smiles with her signature hanger.

Β 

0178 tucker 1209221Pin
Sisters are the best when it comes to the final fluff before the wedding.

Β 

0272 tucker 1209221Pin
The Coakley Family gathers before the ceremony begins.

Β 

0289 tucker 1209221Pin
The bride with her grandfather, Gerry Wolken, who proudly walked her down the aisle.

Β 

0424 tucker 1209221Pin
In keeping with the wedding theme, the wedding programs were embellished with gorgeous peachy silk bows and displayed on silver trays at the church.

Β 

0015 tucker 1209221Pin
Lovely hand-tied bouquets allow for a wonderful color palette. The bride’s bouquet holds a sentimental touch with the bride’s maternal great grandmother’s rosary adorning the bouquet.

Β 

0034 tucker 1209221Pin
Assumption Church is one of Nashville’s unknown treasures. Dedicated in 1859, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the second oldest standing Catholic Church in Nashville.

Β 

0041 tucker 1209221Pin
As Emily walks down the aisle, Sam looks on, seeing her for the first time on their wedding day. Emily’s brother, Joseph, captures the moment, too.

Β 

0325 tucker 1209221Pin
Boys just wanna’ have fun, even all dressed up in their wedding attire.

Β 

0588 tucker 1209221Pin
Having some fun, the wedding party celebrates the marriage of Emily and Sam.
0830 tucker 1209222Pin
Twine orbs and lanterns mark the entrance of the Carriage House at Belle Meade Plantation.

Β 

0816 tucker 1209221Pin
Guests were entertained during cocktails by the Smoky Mountain Band.

Β 

0066 tucker 1209221Pin
A stunning presentation, the fried oysters served during cocktails were a hit.

Β 

0825 tucker 1209221Pin
Mark O’Bryan of The Tulip Tree created beautiful table settings using lanterns, candlelight and flowers.

Β 

0693 tucker 1209221Pin
What a perfect day to be married! Dappled sunlight and flowers make a lovely combination.

Β 

0062 tucker 1209222Pin
The simplicity of the table is so appealing. With neutrals and subtle colors, the overall look is understated and sophisticated.

Β 

0075 tucker 1209221Pin
A cigar bar was set up as a tribute to the bride’s father, Bill Coakley.

Β 

0849 tucker 1209221Pin
Magnolias garnish the chandeliers, and guests enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner by Kristen Winston.
0940 tucker 1209221Pin
The bride and groom cut the cake. Of course, Nashville’s own Leland Riggan of Dessert Designs created this masterpiece.

Β 

0930 tucker 1209222Pin
A closer view of the wedding cake’s milk glass design, a look created in Venice in the 16th century. Mark O’Bryan reiterated this idea with the containers used for flowers throughout the reception.

Β 

1339 tucker 1209223Pin
The bride and groom at the photo booth, which was hand-lettered by local calligrapher Val Cole. The design was inspired by Dana Tanamachi, who is known for her hand lettering and graphic designs.

Β 

1157 tucker 1209221Pin
The send off: As a nod to the bride’s paternal grandfather, Joseph Coakley, red bandanas were used to say good-bye. He always had one in his back pocket and waved it as his family left.

Β 

0098 tucker 1209222Pin
The bride and groom make an escape in a 1972 MG, which belonged to the bride’s father.

Β 

1179 tucker 1209221Pin
As guests were gathering their things to leave, the Grilled Cheeserie showed up. Each sandwich was named after the bride and groom’s pets.

Β 

0094 tucker 1209221Pin
After dancing all night long, a warm grilled cheese and tater tots hit the spot.

Β 

0054_tucker_120922Pin
Happily ever after…

Β 

Sources:

Β 

Thank you, Emily and Sam, for sharing your special day with us!

And thanks also to Elizabeth James, the event planner responsible for this magnificent event, for helping us coordinate the details of our post today!

Β 

Be sure to check out our other wedding stories on StyleBlueprint today:

styleblueprint_bigolesouthern_featurePinA Big Ol’ Southern Church Wedding:Β click here

Β 

Β 

Β 

Β 

Β 

Β 

styleblueprint_southernstylewedding_featurePinA Southern Style Wedding with a Nod to Ole Miss: click here

Β 

Β 

Β 

Β 

Β 

styleblueprint_flymetothemoon_featurePinFly Me To The Moon: click here

Β 

Β 

Β 

Β 

Β 

Β 

styleblueprint_heartsuniteheartwoodhall_featurePinHearts Unite at Heartwood Hall: click here

Β 

Β 

Β 

Β 

Β 

Β 

Elizabeth Fox

Elizabeth Fox

See all articles by Elizabeth Fox
Add StyleBlueprint on Google

Leave a Comment

Our unofficial motto at StyleBlueprint is "Be kind. Do good." We encourage this to be the basis for all comments on our articles. Provide feedback that adds to the story. Some controversy or disagreements are part of any good dialogue between friends, but anything that tears down or belittles others is subject to disapproval or removal. Thank you for being a member of the StyleBlueprint community! View our Community Guidelines.

StyleBlueprint Daily

Join over 200,000 others who have signed up for StyleBlueprint, a life of style & substance, delivered daily. Create an account