A Secret Speakeasy and Late-Night Taco Bell?! This Nashville Wedding Had Serious Surprises
A secret speakeasy (password required!), a visit from Auburn’s beloved mascot, and a Taco Bell snack? Caroline and Crawford’s Nashville wedding was anything but ordinary. Image: Demi Mabry
Caroline Buffkin and Crawford Rummel’s Nashville wedding was a celebration of love, family, and Southern style — with a few delightfully unexpected twists thrown in for good measure. From a spring garden-inspired floral palette (with tons of hydrangeas!) to a hidden speakeasy, a surprise appearance by Auburn University’s beloved mascot, and a late-night Taco Bell snack, the day was bursting with charm and personality.
Caroline and Crawford first met at Porch Fest in Atlanta, where Caroline was spending the day with her freshman-year college roommate. In a romantic twist, her roommate knew Crawford from high school and made the introduction that would change her friends’ lives. Two years later, Crawford proposed in one of the couple’s favorite Atlanta spots: the duck pond where he had asked Caroline to be his girlfriend.
Caroline thought they were just taking the scenic route to dinner. Instead, she spotted a photographer and champagne waiting by the pond. After she said yes, the lovely surprises continued with a private dinner for both their families at a favorite local restaurant.
For their wedding, the Atlanta-based couple returned to Caroline’s hometown of Nashville, where two places already held special meaning.
“I always knew I wanted to get married at First Presbyterian,” Caroline says. “I grew up in the church and went to the attached elementary school. My childhood home is in the neighborhood. It is such a special place for my family and me.”
Belle Meade Country Club was also a “no-brainer” for her. Caroline’s family has belonged to the club for years, and after working in the event industry herself, she was thrilled to have a venue that could accommodate their 350 guests without adding any logistical complications.
Caroline was prepared with plenty of ideas besides the venues: she and her mom had been tucking inspiration into a “wedding ideas” folder for years! To execute her vision, the bride-to-be enlisted wedding planner Maren White at Toast Events.
The color scheme was inspired by a spring garden party, and florist Knestrick by Design translated that concept into lush, romantic florals, while a custom piece of art by Atlanta artist Carolyn Propst added an especially personal touch.
Propst’s Southern landscape was filled with details from both families and was used on everything from the liner on the invitations to the backdrop for the band at the reception. It was even printed on silk scarves given as gifts to all the girls in the family.
When it came time to find the dress, Caroline didn’t go shopping with a particular silhouette in mind. After trying several styles at Anne Barge, she found her gown in an unexpected way. Her mother and mother-in-law actually selected it while Caroline was still in the dressing room!
“My dress was not featured on the website or social media, as it was a discontinued style,” Caroline says. “Once I tried it on, I knew it was perfect.”
And the shopping didn’t stop with Caroline’s bridal gown — her mother-in-law found her dress at Anne Barge as well.
Before the Nashville celebration, Caroline and Crawford had already shared another wedding day. Because Crawford is Catholic and Caroline converted the year before, the couple held an intimate Catholic ceremony at their home parish in Atlanta on May 22, surrounded by their immediate families. The smaller ceremony was meaningful and special — and helped settle some of the nerves before their larger Nashville celebration just over a week later.
So, on May 30, when Caroline walked down the aisle at First Presbyterian Church for the couple’s traditional wedding ceremony, she was ready! After saying “I do,” the bride, groom, and guests headed to Belle Meade Country Club, where cocktails and dinner awaited.
For the cocktail hour, guests enjoyed ahi tuna tacos, mini beef wellingtons, and pimento cheese toast along with an open bar. The dinner menu leaned into the couple’s love of Southern comfort food, with grilled peach salad, braised beef short ribs, Parmesan chicken, green beans, macaroni and cheese, sour cream mashed potatoes, and fried okra. Even the youngest guests were considered, with chicken fingers and fries served especially for the kids.
The late-night snack had universal appeal: mini-crunchwraps from Taco Bell. “Crawford and I both love Taco Bell, so we knew this was what we wanted,” Caroline says. “We also had Ed’s Specials, which is a Belle Meade favorite, similar to a Bushwacker. Everyone loved them!”
And last but not least, the wedding cake was a stunner. Dessert Designs by Leland created a five-tiered masterpiece, alternating white cake and Hallelujah cake with caramel filling, a nostalgic choice for Caroline and her family, who have celebrated birthdays with Dessert Designs cakes for years.
Then came the fun.
The couple had a hidden speakeasy tucked along the side of the reception tent, complete with a password that Crawford distributed to guests on cards. In contrast to the elegant garden-party atmosphere, the secret space had a cozy, masculine vibe and became a favorite gathering spot for guests throughout the evening.
And because Caroline attended Alabama while Crawford attended Auburn, a little SEC rivalry was inevitable. The dance floor became its own game-day celebration, complete with shakers, custom cups, stickers, and inflatable footballs. Caroline’s parents even surprised the couple with a visit from Aubie, Auburn’s beloved mascot — a moment that left Crawford and many of the Auburn-loving guests completely stunned!
Music kept the celebration going throughout the night. Caroline and Crawford chose Dan + Shay’s “You” for their first dance, while Caroline danced with her father to Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely.”
Crawford and his mother chose “Blue Sky” by The Allman Brothers Band as a nod to his mother’s hometown (and Crawford’s birthplace) of Macon, GA. The evening ended with one of Caroline’s favorite memories as both families joined the band onstage for “Sweet Caroline” and “Shout.”
When it was finally time to leave, the couple made their getaway in true Belle Meade fashion by hopping into a golf cart and driving off in a shower of flower petals.
Caroline and Crawford honeymooned in Bali, choosing a destination that felt like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Congratulations to Caroline and Crawford!
RESOURCES
Wedding Planner: Maren White of Toast Events
Photographer: Demi Mabry
Venue: Belle Meade Country Club
Stationery: With Blythe Holiday
Flowers: Knestrick by Design
Catering: Belle Meade Country Club
Cake: Dessert Designs by Leland
Videographer: Megan Pettus Films
Bride’s gown: Anne Barge
Bride’s Earrings: SJ Bailey Co.
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Lula Kate
Hair & Makeup: Brittany B. Massey and Nashville Luxury Bridal
Groom’s formalwear: Custom dinner jacket and tux from H.G. Stockton
Groomsmen’s formal wear: The Black Tux
Entertainment: Strings: Craig Duncan Music; AV: Bright Event Productions; Band: Affirmative Groove
Linens: Theoni Collection
Draping: Quest Events
Lighting: Beachview Events
Rentals: Curated Events Nashville
STYLEBLUEPRINT RESOURCES:
Planning a wedding? Check out StyleBlueprint’s two Wedding Resource Guides. (More to come!):
- StyleBlueprint Nashville’s Wedding Resource Guide
- StyleBlueprint Birmingham’s Wedding Resource Guide
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Discover more fabulous wedding inspiration HERE!
Gaye Swan
As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about life in Memphis, she grew up in Meridian and is still a Mississippi girl at heart.
