A Savannah Wedding with Timeless Charm and a Bold Bridal Look

Just minutes from Downtown Savannah, GA, lies a small, charming chapel steeped in history. Nestled on the grounds of Bethesda Academy — the oldest continuously operating child-caring institution in the country — Whitefield Chapel has hosted its share of celebrity weddings, including those of Paula Deen and Mandy Moore.

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On April 12, 2025, Nashville couple Macy Thompson and Charlie Gray tied the knot in this historic chapel. The event was full of thoughtful details — from colorful florals to live musical performances by a few of the couple’s talented friends — but it was the bride’s gown that truly stole the show (more on that later!).

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“My [now] husband is from Northern California, and I’m from Savannah, GA,” says Macy of how she picked her venue and location. “We thought about doing a California wedding, but something called us to the mossy, charming city on the coast of Georgia. It’s where my parents live, but I had also always dreamed of getting married in a small chapel with moss hanging down and the arches of the oak trees guiding me to my exit, so the Bethesda Whitefield Chapel was the best choice.”

The best choice, indeed. The chapel’s interior was quaint and full of charm, and Macy added subtle pops of color with floral accents. She then admits that her original color scheme was quickly forgotten when she found her dress.

“I had that classic wedding moment where everything I had pictured went straight out the window, including the bridesmaids’ dress color. I needed to make sure everything tied back to my dress as much as possible without being a bridezilla,” Macy laughs. “Thankfully, our wedding planning team at Elegant Savannah Weddings helped link us up with Hey Jude Florals.”

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With bold, non-traditional florals setting the tone, it was only fitting that Macy’s wedding dress made an equally unforgettable statement. Straying away from her “Pinterest dreams,” Macy opted for the ‘Esther’ dress from Calla Blanche — a bold but perfect choice.

“I originally went shopping for a blush pink dress with feathers (I know it sounds ridiculous), but you know how it is when you find that one Pinterest wedding dress you dreamt about in middle school,” Macy recalls. “I was ready to try on a ton of different dresses until I saw this beautiful, colorful dress. It reminded me of Scarlett O’Hara with the right amount of poof and color. It had a perfect sweetheart neckline, it was strapless (but with sleeves to add at the reception!), and it had a long train.”

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For the reception, guests were welcomed to The Marshall House with fresh oysters, hors d’oeuvres, and signature cocktails. One of the most memorable moments of the night happened when two of the couple’s talented Nashville friends took the stage. Their surprise performances were a nod to Macy and Charlie’s love story and the musical roots they share with many of their closest friends.

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When it comes to advice for future brides, Macy says to go for the grand exit. “You won’t regret it,” she says. “There are plenty of times to go out with your friends and hang out, but the whimsical feeling of setting sail into the night with your person is a moment you’ll never want to miss.”

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When asked about the most memorable moment from her wedding day, Macy says nothing beats the quiet moments she spent with her groom. “There were tiny moments, like right before we were announced at the reception, where it was just me and my husband,” she explains. “We got to geek out a little together in the midst of everything. It helped slow down the evening a bit and recognize why we and everyone else were there to celebrate.”

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RESOURCES

Ceremony Venue: Whitefield Chapel at Bethesda Academy
Reception Venue: The Marshall House
Photographer: Christine Hall Photography
Videographer: Brian Taylor
Bride’s Gown: Calla Blanche from Brides By Glitz Nashville
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Azazie
Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: J. Parker LTD
Flowers: Hey Jude Florals 
Entertainment: Rider
Cake: Linda Fisher of Sugar Whisk Co.

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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