Blue moon / You knew just what I was there for / You heard me saying a prayer for / Someone I really could care for.
– “Blue Moon” by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart
When Blue Smith had an ’80s-themed fundraiser to attend, but no one to go with, he turned to Kayla, his sister’s best friend of 12 years. He asked Kayla if she had any cute, single friends who would like to go with him. Kayla had worked with Chelsea Sutton for a couple of years and showed Blue her picture, to which he responded, “I want that one!” A few Facebook messages later, the two virtually hit it off and the rest is history.
There’s something magical about a blue moon, which plays a significant role in this couple’s love story. Three years after their first date, Chelsea and Blue were headed to have dinner with friends, but Blue had something bigger than a dinner date brewing underneath July’s blue moon. Blue had asked Chelsea to be his girlfriend underneath a blue moon, and when he asked Chelsea to marry him, he waited until the time was right and there was another blue moon in the sky. While Chelsea was getting ready, he went outside to outline the couple’s entire patio with tealights. Once all the lights were lit, he called Chelsea outside. She walked outside to the tune of “Look After You” by The Fray, the song that was being performed live when the ball dropped on New Year’s Day in Nashville the first time Blue told her he loved her. As she walked out, the song was crooning through the stereo and Blue was on bended knee. Chelsea couldn’t stop smiling after she said yes, and they danced to the music on their patio underneath the stars and the blue moon. When the song ended, the couple walked into their front yard, where a group of their friends and family were walking toward the newly engaged couple.
“It was wonderful because we had that intimate moment with just he and I … it was so personal and romantic,” Chelsea says. “I was so excited that so many loved ones were there to celebrate with us afterward too! My best friend, who lives in Tennessee, even came up to surprise me!”
Chelsea knew exactly what her perfect wedding dress would look like without actually seeing it anywhere. She took parts of dresses she had seen in bridal shops and on Pinterest and molded them together in her mind to create her perfect dress. Chelsea set off on a mission to find a lace trumpet-style dress (the mermaid dress was not an option for this bride because they are too hard to dance your butt off in), with a sweetheart neckline, some sparkle and a little vintage flare. After trying on about 20 dresses, Chelsea began to think she wasn’t going to find the exact dress she wanted. Chelsea’s sister, who was also her maid of honor, planned a trip for her, Chelsea and their mom to spend a day of dress shopping in Cincinnati’s bridal district. The first place they had an appointment was Donna Salyers’ Fabulous-Bridal in Covington, KY. After trying on several dresses, the consultant helping them suggested trying on one dress in particular that she had picked out.
“As soon as I saw it on the hanger, I fell in love with it,” Chelsea says. “It literally had everything I wanted on my wishlist, and nothing that I didn’t want. When I tried it on, there was no doubt in my mind that this was my dress!”
And then there suddenly appeared before me / The only one my arms will hold / I heard somebody whisper ‘Please adore me’ / And when I looked to the moon it turned to gold.
— “Blue Moon” by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart
Both Chelsea and Blue wanted an eclectic feel with happy pastel colors to be the features of their wedding. Chelsea knew she wanted peach, but she couldn’t decide between mint and teal as the accent color. Blue helped the decision along when he told her he wanted to incorporate the color blue into the color scheme as well. The couple discussed their options and came up with the idea to do multiple colors for the bridesmaids’ dresses that included all of the blues and greens they wanted. Thus, mint, teal and powder blue bridesmaids’ dresses. The flowers had ivory and green with pops of peach, working perfectly with the greenery of the outdoor venue.
Nancy Rankin with Essential Details suggested to Chelsea and her mother using Old Blue Ribbon Farm as their wedding venue. Chelsea had looked at quite a few places online, and Old Blue Ribbon Farm really struck a chord with her. When they went to look at it, Blue and Chelsea both instantly fell in love with it.
“Everything about it was breathtaking,” Chelsea said. “The land, the barn, the pond, the house … oh my goodness, the house! I felt an amazing sense of both excitement and peace there.”
Devanny Boisevert, wedding coordinator with Essential Details, helped the couple tremendously throughout the entire wedding planning process. Chelsea and Blue picked out the details and everything they liked, and Devanny brought it all to life.
“She was there with us every step of the way and took so much stress out of the process,” Chelsea says. “She is a God-send!”
“I was nervous for a while before the ceremony, but as soon as I stepped onto the porch and looked at this man I was about to marry, all my nervousness instantly dissolved,” Chelsea says. “Listening to the sermon, looking at Blue and feeling God’s presence amongst everything will forever be in my memory.”
Immediately following the ceremony, the couple, wedding party and immediate family took their photos. At that time, the 250 guests in attendance made their way from the front porch to the backyard of Old Blue Ribbon Farm. There were no cocktails served during the “cocktail hour.” Instead, there was a lemonade table, bourbon barrel “bar tables” and a photo guest book, featuring the couple’s engagement photographs, for everyone to sign.
Chelsea and Blue went on a “minimoon” to Chelsea’s family’s cabin on Dale Hollow Lake right after the wedding. They couldn’t go too far because Chelsea was a bridesmaid in three weddings the following three consecutive weekends after they tied the knot! About a month after their wedding, the couple cruised off on their official honeymoon to Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas; St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; San Juan in Puerto Rico and Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos.
“Blue moon / Now I’m no longer alone / Without a dream in my heart / Without a love of my own”
– “Blue Moon” by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart
Cheers to the happy couple!
Resources
Venue: Old Blue Ribbon Farm
Photography: Morgan Berry Gould of BG Photography & Design
Bride’s gown: Donna Salyers’ Fabulous-Bridal (designer: Essence of Australia)
Bridesmaids’ dresses: David’s Bridal
Hair: Ashley Wise (bride’s hair), Dawn Moore and Que Workman (bridesmaids’ hair).
Makeup: Brooke Duvall
Groom’s & groomsmen’s formalwear: Tuxes, ties and shoes — Macy’s. Shirts — Walmart (clearance rack for $9!!)
Invitations, programs & menu cards: No programs or menu cards. Invitations– Wedding Paper Divas
Flowers: Blooms by Essential Details
Catering: Zack Damon (friend of the couple)
Music: Complete Music
Cake: Dara Kidd (A friend/bridesmaid)
**********
Read about even more inspiring love stories in our “Weddings” section. Click here!
