RECENT WORK FROM ERIN LEE ALLENDER PHOTOGRAPHY.
Nashville Intimate Micro Home Wedding with Backyard Gender Reveal | Kalilah and Trey
Kalilah and Trey’s intimate Nashville wedding included a home ceremony, indoor toasts from family and friends, and a backyard gender reveal. See how personal touches and family moments made this micro wedding unforgettable.
My journey with Kalilah and Trey began with their romantic surprise proposal at The Hermitage Hotel, which you can read about here. From that unforgettable moment, they envisioned a wedding that was equally intimate and personal. Photographing their home ceremony allowed me to capture the same authentic joy and connection I saw on the day of their proposal. It gave me the chance to capture their personal moments, laughter, and the joy of celebrating with close family and friends. Their living room had been transformed for the ceremony: furniture cleared, chairs set up, and an octagon-shaped metal arch placed in front of the fireplace. It served as the backdrop for the vows and fit naturally into the space. The rest of the décor, including floral and personal touches, was arranged by the family.
Planning an Intimate Micro Home Wedding in Nashville
Intimate micro weddings at home allow couples to celebrate in a personal and comfortable space. Kalilah and Trey’s living room was cleared and thoughtfully arranged to make the ceremony feel meaningful. As a photographer, I loved capturing how the layout, décor, and personal touches shaped the space and set the tone for the day.
Capturing the Ceremony
Trey ran down the aisle, high-fiving guests, his excitement filling the room. When Kalilah came down the staircase in her modern one-shoulder dress with a puffed sleeve, his gaze never left her. Capturing the way he looked at her created some of the most genuine, in-the-moment images of the day.
During the vows, I moved quietly through the living room, photographing the couple’s expressions, laughter, and the small gestures that made the moment personal. I also stepped onto the second-story landing to take aerial shots, giving a view of the room filled with their closest family and friends, showing the intimacy of this micro home wedding.
Portraits, Family Moments, and Toasts
After the ceremony, I photographed the couple with their guests. I love capturing candid interactions, laughter, and moments that feel natural rather than posed. Group shots, scrunched-together family photos, and wider aerial views all contributed to telling the story of this small, intimate celebration. Later, we went back inside for toasts from family and friends. The laughter, heartfelt words, and warm reactions during these toasts created some of the day’s most memorable and authentic moments.
Backyard Gender Reveal
The celebration continued in the backyard for the gender reveal. Trey hit a golf ball that exploded into a cloud of pink powder. The soon-to-be big sister’s excitement was priceless. I focused on capturing her reaction along with the surrounding celebration — the hugs, laughter, and joy that filled the backyard. These spontaneous and heartfelt moments are exactly why I love photographing intimate micro home and backyard weddings.
Why Intimate Micro Home Weddings Work
Kalilah and Trey’s wedding reminded me how much personality and connection a smaller, personal space can hold. Intimate home and backyard weddings allow couples to be present, comfortable, and surrounded by those who matter most. From the ceremony in the living room, to indoor toasts, to the backyard gender reveal, I was able to capture moments that were personal, authentic, and full of life.
Documenting these celebrations is incredibly rewarding — every laugh, glance, and tiny detail tells a story that will last a lifetime.
If you’re planning an intimate, home, micro, or backyard wedding in Nashville, I’d love to help you capture every authentic moment. From heartfelt vows to laughter-filled toasts and joyful backyard celebrations, I’ll make sure your day is documented exactly as it feels. Reach out today to talk about your wedding and see how we can tell your story through photography.
Nashville Wedding Photography | Riley & Brennan at White Dove Barn
Riley & Brennan’s wedding at the White Dove Barn was full of emotion, love, and memorable moments. From their first look on the rolling hills to golden hour portraits and their sparkler exit, every detail was captured with care by Nashville wedding photographer Erin Allender.
Riley & Brennan’s Wedding at The White Dove Barn
Riley and Brennan’s wedding at The White Dove Barn in Beechgrove, Tennessee was a joy to photograph. From the soft overcast light during their first look to the warm glow of golden hour on the rolling hills, the day offered incredible opportunities to capture meaningful moments. As their photographer, I loved being part of a wedding that was intimate, joyful, and full of personal details—including their golden retriever Tyson, who proudly walked down the aisle in his tuxedo.
Getting Ready
Capturing the quiet moments before the ceremony is always one of my favorite parts of the day. Riley’s bridal suite was full of energy and smiles as her mom helped her into her gown and her bridesmaids cheered. Her smile was contagious, lighting up every corner of the room. Across the property, Brennan prepared with his groomsmen, calm and focused—a perfect contrast that highlighted his thoughtful, steady presence. These behind-the-scenes moments are some of the images couples treasure most in their wedding galleries.
First Look and Vows
For the first look, I chose the rolling hills behind the barn. The soft overcast light created even, flattering illumination, emphasizing every glance, smile, and tear. Riley and Brennan then read their vows privately, sharing quiet, emotional moments full of laughter and happy tears. Capturing this intimacy is always one of the most meaningful parts of my job—these photos show the connection between the couple before the ceremony even begins.
The Ceremony
The ceremony was full of emotion and personal details. Tyson, their golden retriever and ring bearer, led the way down the aisle. When Riley appeared on her father’s arm, his face lit up with a joyful “here we go” expression as they approached Brennan. Brennan, holding back his emotions, watched her with quiet intensity. Beneath the barn’s white cross, I focused on capturing the expressions, interactions, and small details that made the ceremony uniquely theirs.
Golden Hour Portraits
After the ceremony, I photographed Riley and Brennan on the rolling hills around the barn during golden hour. The warm light made it easy to capture their connection and natural interactions. I focused on candid moments—walking, holding hands, and laughing—using the landscape to frame them in a way that felt relaxed and genuine.
Reception and Celebration
At the reception, I focused on capturing both the emotion and energy of the evening. Heartfelt toasts, a champagne clink with Riley’s grandmother’s Irish Claddagh flutes, and the first dance on the black-and-white checkered floor beneath greenery-wrapped chandeliers were all key moments. From bridesmaids twirling in blush to groomsmen lifting Brennan, the night was full of laughter, movement, and joyful energy. My goal was to capture these moments authentically, showing the personalities of the couple and their loved ones.
Sparkler Exit
The day ended with a sparkler exit. I positioned myself to capture Riley and Brennan running hand-in-hand through glowing lights, the warmth of the sparklers highlighting their smiles and the excitement of the moment. It was a dynamic and memorable way to close a day that was full of intentional, heartfelt details.
If you’re planning your wedding in Nashville, Tennessee or the surrounding areas and want a photographer who captures authentic moments, I would love to work with you. From intimate first looks to golden hour portraits and heartfelt celebrations, I focus on creating images that tell the story of your day. Contact me today to book your Nashville wedding or event photography and ensure your memories are captured with care and creativity.
Same-Sex Wedding at Sycamore Farms in Nashville | Allison & Bryn Sneak Peek
A heartfelt sneak peek of Allison & Bryn’s same-sex wedding at Sycamore Farms in Arrington, TN. Emotional vows, a romantic first look, and a breathtaking chandelier-lit first dance captured from above.
Allison and Bryn’s wedding at The Barn at Sycamore Farms in Arrington, TN—just outside of Nashville—was nothing short of magical. This same-sex wedding celebration was filled with heartfelt emotion, powerful vows, and unforgettable moments.
Allison looked stunning in a lace bridal gown with puff sleeves, while Bryn, looking equally as gorgeous, wore an effortlessly chic all-white jumpsuit. Their first look was tender and emotional, setting the tone for the day.
When they read their private vows, all of us photographing them cried right along with their guests. They called each other “soulmates,” and it couldn’t have been more true. Their love is radiant, and their joy in finding one another is contagious.
One of my favorite moments was their first dance. I climbed up to the loft to capture the scene from above, and it took my breath away. With a crystal chandelier and soft white draping overhead, Allison and Bryn moved together while family and friends looked on with quiet admiration. From that vantage point, I could see the entire room wrapped in love and support—it was the kind of moment that reminds me why I do what I do.
Over the past year, I’ve had the joy of getting to know Allison and Bryn, and photographing their wedding day felt like celebrating two dear friends. I truly love this couple, and I’m so honored they trusted me to capture the beginning of their marriage.
This sneak peek is only the beginning—there’s so much more to come from Allison and Bryn’s LGBTQ+ wedding at Sycamore Farms.
