RECENT WORK FROM ERIN LEE ALLENDER PHOTOGRAPHY.
A Vivid & Chic Symphony Center Wedding – Laura & Ben
Lots of bold color and gorgeous lighting at this Schermerhorn Symphony Center Wedding in Nashville, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Laura and Ben were married in July on the hottest day of 2015. Fortunately their wedding took place at The Schermerhorn Symphony Center which has a never ending list of places inside to photograph. We snapped a few photos out in the courtyard but for the most part we stayed in the building and I still didn’t get to photograph half the places that I wanted to. Sarah Willard of Music City Events and Laura came up with a gorgeous design for their day. There were vivid purples, orchids, grand vases, and a purple wash with a subtle floral design over the concert hall. All of this was under the amber glow of the Symphony’s chandeliers. It was magical. Laura and Ben looked stunning and there was so much laughter and love that day that it made it really hard for me to pick my favorites! Just take a look at Laura’s face after the cake cutting or the photo of everyone singing along to Journey. It really was a fabulous day and I hope that you can see that in these photos. Special thanks to all the vendors – Music CityEvents, Nashville Symphony Center, Music City Tents and Events, The Frosted Affair, Knestrick by Design, Bacon & Caviar, Top Tier Band, Nashville Silver Stings, and Amy Lynn Larwigg.
Second Line at One Cannery Row- Nicole & Cal
A bright New Orleans themed wedding at One Cannery Row with a couple that's life dramatically changed right before their wedding. Photographed by Erin Lee Allender in Nashville, Tennessee.
This is Nicole and Cal’s wedding at One Cannery Row. There is so much that I want to say about this couple but I don’t even know how to put it into words. Shortly after I photographed their engagement session Nicole started experiencing neurological issues. She went from an extremely independent flight attendant to struggling with tremors so bad that she now has a very difficult time walking. She and Cal did not let this change their wedding day. You will see so much laughter and joy in these photos. The day of a wedding we worry about rain and things not going as planned, but Nicole, who was joking about how she was going shake down the aisle, worried about nothing. All she cared about was marrying Cal and all Cal cared about was marrying Nicole. It was extremely beautiful. Even to this day they are the most positive people that you will meet. Even though it can sometimes be impossible to find places that are easily accessible for Nicole's scooter, they still go on trips. They don't dwell and they do what they can to have a normal life. They are truly inspirational.
Some fun things to mention about their wedding- They both grew up in New Orleans so they wanted to incorporate that into their day. They had delicious New Orleans’ inspired food, started the reception off with a Second Line, and did the traditional Cake Pull.
So much thanks to everyone that made this happen: Allison Jones of One Cannery Row, Frosted Affair by Jay Qualls, Lauren Marie Atkinson Designs, Music City Tents and Events, Dream Events and Catering, The Respectables, Phyllis Sparks, harpist, Tara Keely gown from Finery Bridal Boutique, and Hair/Makeup Sarah Terry
Coral & Poppy Houston Station Wedding - Ashton & Ruddy
This coral and poppy wedding at West End United Methodist Church and Houston Station in Nashville Tennessee was so colorful and cheerful. Photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
I'll say it again, I loved working with Ashton and Ruddy! Ashton is a vet (so of course I liked her) and Ruddy is an engineer so they are obviously super smart. They are also incredibly sweet. Their wedding day rolled around and they looked stunning, their venues were stunning, their florals were stunning, and there was an adorable dog (should I say stunning dog? Or have I used enough adjectives already). It was the perfect storm for me. Ashton and Ruddy were married and the West End United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN. Their reception followed at Houston Station. I was fortunate enough to get to work with some of my favorite people – Stunning Events (Planning and Design), Brocade Designs (Florals and Design), Bright Event Productions (Lighting), Dulce Desserts (Cake), Southern Events Party Rental, Visual Elements (Drape), Studio BBC Salon (Hair and Makeup) and Flavor (Catering). Please enjoy this bright and beautiful wedding!
Modern Pinnacle Building Wedding - Jenna & Tim
A colorful rooftop wedding at The Pinnacle Building in Nashville gets rained out and is moved inside to the building's cafeteria. Photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Sometimes on wedding days it rains all day long. And sometimes your open air rooftop ceremony and reception has to be moved inside. And that is okay. Weddings have definitely taught me to roll with the punches. There is always something that doesn’t work out as planned and you have to adapt. And even though their day drastically changed, Jenna and Tim did just that. Their rooftop reception was moved into what was essentially the cafeteria for The Pinnacle Building, but because they hired a great team it did not look like a cafeteria at all. Stunning Events did a fantastic job of making the new space not look like a back up plan.
This was probably my favorite ceremony of the year. Jenna and Tim wrote their own vows that contained so much sentimentality and humor. Their guests and family went from crying to laughing and back to crying again. I was even crying. There is also something wonderful about weddings where the whole bridal party is made up of only family. There is no one that knows you as well as family does and Jenna’s three sisters had everyone cracking up during toasts with their stories of Jenna during her middle school years. I hope you enjoy this rainy day wedding in The Pinnacle Building. Special Thanks to – Stunning Events, Dessert Designs by Leland, Accent Flowers, Nashville Event Lighting, Visual Elements, and Flavor Catering.
From Bonnaroo Proposal to Ruby Wedding - Ginger & Daniel
The fun and colorful wedding at Ruby of a couple that had their first date and later proposal at Bonnaroo Music Festival. Photographed by Erin Lee Allender in Nashville, Tennessee.
Ginger and Daniel were married at Ruby in Nashville, TN. I have to say, I liked these two and their story instantly. They had their first date at Bonnaroo Music Festival. Anyone that is willing to get to know someone for the first time at a dirty, hot music festival is alright in my book. Years later Daniel proposed there as well. They are the sort of people that could connect with anyone they met and you could tell that they have a strong bond with their family and friends. The day was full of sweet and fun moments. Ginger balled when she received a homemade card from Daniel. She clutched it to her chest and cried for a good 5 minutes. The bridesmaids were a riot and the night was complete when all the girls sported knee high fluorescent socks with their Converse and the glow sticks were brought out. It was so very obvious that everyone at the wedding had an extremely good time.
Special Thanks to Ruby, Liberty Party Rental, and The Clean Plate Club.
Hops & Pinwheels at Front Porch Farms - Vannessa & Brent
A couple that owns a brewery has a wedding with nods to their occupation. Photographed by Erin Lee Allender at Front Porch Farms in Nashville, TN.
Vannessa and Brent are fantastic people. I fell in love with them during their engagement session and could not wait to photograph their wedding. They are just so much fun and personable and they did a beautiful job incorporating that into their destination wedding at Front Porch Farms. Vannessa picked bright colors, ribbons and pinwheels for their ceremony. At their reception they had a popcorn bar and “mad libs” for their guests to play. Because Brent owns a brewery, the groom’s and groomsmen’s boutonnieres where made up of hops. They also brought beer from the brewery to serve and the reception really got going when Brent jumped into the pool in his boxers. It was such a great day and I was so very fortunate to be a part of it.
Special thanks to- Front Porch Farms, Brenda Osborne- Florals, Bacon and Caviar, and Dulce Desserts
