Way back when Tinder first launched, Hunter Claire Rogers and Adam Woodhall were among the first to swipe right in Nashville. “And here we are today,” Hunter Claire says of their enduring, decade-plus-long romance. Before we catapult you across the pond and into their dreamy Edinburgh wedding, let’s retrace how they got there.
Adam proposed to Hunter Claire on a Thanksgiving trip to Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic. “He had a nontraditional ring designed by Lindsay Walker of Walker Jewelry, with a beautiful conflict-free Australian Sapphire flanked by baguette diamonds,” says Hunter Claire.
Adam was born in Spicer, Minnesota, but has lived in Nashville for 18 years. Hunter Claire is a Nashville native who’s made an indelible mark on the city since her return after some impressive forays around the globe, one of which was a four-year stint at the University of Edinburgh. She’s had an enduring love affair with the city, and Adam suggested a destination wedding would make for a more intimate event.
Once the destination was set, Hunter Claire and a close friend embarked on an exploratory trip to Scotland to check out venues. During the trip, they indulged in a celebratory meal at Timberyard between venue tours. “I loved it so much and knew Adam would, too, so we took another trip to finalize details and found our Groom’s Dinner location, Lucky Yu.”
Never one to shy away from bold colors, Hunter Claire picked hues she loved as design throughlines — acid green, Treasure Island blue, lavender, and clementine orange. These signature colors appeared everywhere from the invitation suite to the event florals on the big day.
The bright blooms provided a stunning contrast in the industrial-chic layout at Timberyard and the characteristically gray and rainy backdrop of Edinburgh’s city streets.
When it came to finding a dress, Hunter Claire wasn’t having any luck in Nashville. She finally flew up to see Cha Cha Linda in Brooklyn. “I thought for sure I would go with a vintage taffeta silk dress peppered with diamonds, but I could not stop thinking about a vintage runway Thierry Mugler lavender suit she had me try on,” Hunter Claire recalls.
Funnily enough, the couple didn’t do a first look, but they locked eyes when Hunter Claire entered the venue while everyone was trying to block her from Adam’s view before the ceremony.
“Adam said he figured I would be in a suit, so it was meant to be,” she adds.
Rewind to that morning. Hunter Claire got her makeup done before getting ready with her mom in their cozy rented flat by St. Giles Cathedral. Adam got ready with his best friend in her rented flat nearby.
In lieu of traditional vows, Hunter Claire and Adam leaned on their wedding planner’s recommendation to tap a fantastic celebrant from Glasgow — TJ Thomson. “At the end of the ceremony, my friends were asking if TJ would travel to the US for their future weddings … she was that good,” Hunter Claire adds.
A lively cocktail hour in the restaurant began directly following the ceremony, setting a cozy and convivial — if not boozy — tone for the night.
Hunter Claire’s signature cocktail for the evening was a special “breakfast martini” with rhubarb, preserved lemon, and vodka. Adam’s, a whisky highball with raspberry shrub and soda. Trays of champagne in mismatched glasses and delectable canapés circled the room as the Dougie Urquhart stringed trio played singable standards.
The seated meal was “one of the best of my life,” Hunter Claire says. It started with house-made bread and seaweed butter, followed by oysters with pickled native Scottish vegetables. Then, a hen egg and barley soup to start, and whitefish with sea vegetables and smoked butter for the main course.
Finally, the pre-cake dessert of summer fruits and grilled vanilla ice cream “might have had guests licking their plates.”
Full of food and newlywed bliss, Hunter Claire and Adam walked in the rain down the street to Dragonfly, the rented-out afterparty cocktail bar. You see, many venues in Edinburgh don’t allow traditional wedding dance floors, because the structures are so old — but Dragonfly fit the bill for a bit of late-night revelry.
As far as any unplanned follies went, Hunter Claire left their flat keys at the restaurant. “Adam and Dragonfly’s owner ran around to various pubs looking for someone to let us into the restaurant,” she laughs. “We ended up booking a one-night stay at a hotel. Make sure you are not responsible for small but important details like that on your wedding day!” she adds.
After the wedding, Hunter Claire and Adam honeymooned in Greece, starting at Soho Roc House in Mykonos. They then had a wonderful stay at the Andronis Minois in Paros before hopping around even further.
For anyone considering overseas nuptials: “Just do it, and trust your gut to keep that list small,” Hunter Claire says. “We had a week full of fun and events surrounded by some of the most important people in our lives.”
Thank you for reminiscing with us, Hunter Claire!
RESOURCES
Groom’s Dinner: Lucky Yu
Ceremony and Reception: Timberyard
After Party: Dragonfly Cocktail Bar
Planner and Day-of Coordinator: Lyndsay MacKenzie of Clementine Weddings and Events
Photographer: Charlotte Kinsella
Flowers: Fruit Salad Flowers
Stationery Design: Baby Talk Paper featuring watercolors by the bride’s mother
Risograph Paper Printing: Risology Club
Makeup: Jasmin French
Haircut: Jessica Arnholt of Hair By Jess in Nashville
Bride’s Attire: Vintage Thierry Mugler suit found at Cha Cha Linda
Tailoring: Sarah Jamison of Rudy Lou
Shoes: Alexandre Birman found at UAL
Groom’s Suit: Eric Adler Clothing
Rings: Walker Jewelry
Catering: Lucky Yu (Grooms Dinner) and Timberyard (Wedding)
Cakes: Liggy’s Cakes
Cocktail Hour Entertainment: The Dougie Urquhart Trio
Wedding and Dinner Music: Custom playlists from Nashville DJs BLKCIR
Afterparty DJ: John Stamps
Glassware and Linens: Timberyard
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