It’s no wonder that the film Father of the Bride is an American classic. It has all the elements of what we adore in movies: humor, sentimentality and familial happenings. But what the movie portrays so eloquently is why a wedding reception at the family home is so special. An at-home fête is sentimental because after all, there is no place like home — or in this case, the home of your grandmother.
After exchanging vows at Christ Church Cathedral, Florence Page and Cooper Brown celebrated their nuptials at her grandmother’s home.
Florence Page and Cooper Brown knew from their first date that they were meant for each other. As so many young couples do, they met online. Florence says, “I didn’t know anyone in Roanoke and the thought of going to bars to find friends didn’t appeal to me.” Quickly, Florence and Cooper saw how much they have in common: both love the outdoors and were raised by parents who value family traditions. One year to the date of meeting Florence, Cooper proposed.
Florence and Cooper were blessed to have both of their grandmothers present at the wedding, and for Florence, it was only fitting to have the reception at the home of her grandmother, Margaret Ann Robinson. For the wedding, Christ Church Cathedral was selected, which is one of Nashville’s oldest Episcopal churches and where Florence was baptized. As Florence says, “I loved that my wedding was at the Cathedral and the reception at my grandmother’s home in Nashville. I have so many wonderful memories at both places.”
Margaret Ann has hosted many a party at her lovely home in Belle Meade, but this party for her beloved granddaughter was so special.
Did we mention that Florence’s mom, Libby Page, is one of Nashville’s premier event planners? Libby, along with her business partner, Dana Windrow, set forth to create a wedding reception to honor the bride and groom’s wishes. The color blue, a favorite of Florence’s, was present in every element of the wedding. Both Florence and Cooper are drawn to water and the serenity it provides with its varied hues of blue.
As you can see throughout the photos, the color blue serves as a lovely contrast to the greens of the foliage and the gradations of pink used in the flowers. Libby and Dana masterfully built on the theme of each family’s heritage with the save the day card, wedding invitations and other memorabilia. An ingenious idea was to have a custom watercolor of the bride and groom’s homes incorporated into the invitations.
The special touches are everywhere, from cocktails in the foyer of the home and the garden to a spectacular light walls in the main tent. When talking with Libby and Dana, they continually mention the phrase “shared vision.” Together, they were able to create so many dramatic elements due to the collaboration of the the wedding vendors.
An example of collaboration to accomplish Libby and Dana’s vision is the light walls. It was important to them that the reception felt open and not too formal, so they decided against flooring and draping in the tent. Instead, they created the spectacular light walls, which created a subtle yet sophisticated aura to the space.
The reception was welcoming and inviting. Guests were greeted by the family in the foyer of Margaret Ann Robinson’s stately home. Then, the guests mingled in the gardens designed by the bride’s father, Ben Page. Lights twinkled in the trees creating the perfect backdrop. Coupled with the lovely October evening, the effect was simply gorgeous.
As Mr. & Mrs. Brown begin their life together, they will hike and enjoy the beautiful scenic places in Virginia with Cooper’s lab Margo by their side. Cooper is an assistant Commonwealth attorney, while Florence works at Franklin County Aging Services with a plan to pursue her teaching degree. We wish them health and happiness as they continue to build their lives together!
A gracious thank you to Mary Rosenbaum photography for providing all the photography you see throughout this article.
RESOURCES
Event planners: Page and Windrow Event Planners
Wedding dress: Ladies of Lineage
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Bella Bridesmaids
Mother of the Bride’s dress: Gus Mayer
Wedding Itineraries: The Paper Place
Invitation designs: Tenn Hens Design
Catering: Sargent’s Fine Catering
Wedding cakes: Leland Riggans of Dessert Designs and Billie Mochows
Late-night dessert: Ellie’s Doughnut Truck
Flowers: Tulip Tree
Ceremony music: Sam Levine
Cocktail and dinner music: Craig Duncan
Tents: Nashville Tent and Awning
Tables, china, flatware, glasses, custom stage and bookshelves: Music City Tents and Events
Dining chairs, side chairs, side tables and custom bars: Please Be Seated
Sofas, side chairs and side tables: 12th Table
Lighting: Bradfield Stage Lighting
Light walls and decorative lighting: Bright Events
Bathroom trailers: PoshPrivy
Heat: Holston Gases (Formerly Welder’s Supply)
Draping for Florals: Events Plus
Arbor and lattice construction: John and Doyle Watson
Videography: Half Shell Films
Custom tablecloths: Lendable Linens
Tablecloths: La Tavola
Custom ramping: E.L. Construction
Dinner waitstaff: Regal concierge
Shuttle buses: Gray Line Transportation
Family transportation and get-away car: Matchless Transportation
Sound: Brantley Sound
Band: Sol Fusion
Hair: Michelle Clark
Makeup: Valorie Ward Cole
Trolley: Hello Trolley
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