RECENT WORK FROM ERIN LEE ALLENDER PHOTOGRAPHY.
Intimate Gallatin Backyard Wedding - Shelby and Davis
Shelby and Davis’ intimate backyard wedding photographed at the creek where they went on dates and Davis’ parents backyard.
Calling a wedding simple should not be considered a bad thing. A modest wedding can be absolutely beautiful and very meaningful. Shelby and Davis had the most perfect intimate backyard wedding in Davis’ mom and stepmom’s backyard. Davis’ mom is my neighbor. I actually walked my “little” green wagon with my gear three houses down from my house to work. In one of the photos you can see my son’s beloved “Dinosaur Pumpkin Head” inflatable in the background. They were married in September of last year and, oh my gosh, I can’t believe we set up Halloween decorations so early. I apologize to the neighborhood.
Shelby and Davis are sweet and adorable and not ones to stand in front of a bunch of people. So together with 20 or so of their family members and their dog, they were married in Davis’ mom and stepdad’s backyard. We drove down the street and photographed their first look and wedding portraits at a creek near our house. I suggested that location not knowing that they used to go on dates there. Giving us one more reason that an at home wedding is a great option, your history as a couple is ever present. The day consisted of getting ready, portraits, the ceremony, dinner, and toasts. It was beautiful and perfect for Shelby and Davis. I hope you enjoy some of my favorites from their intimate Gallatin backyard wedding.
Here are some more intimate weddings for you to look at:
Ale and Kenny at Edwin Warner
Allison & Alex at First Presbyterian Church and parents’ home.
Mary Katherine & Kevin at Cathedral of the Incarnation & Lowes Vanderbilt Hotel
Rebekah & Tyler Airbnb Wedding
Catherine & Whit at Belle Meade Plantation
Sarah & Simon at Home in Boulder Colorado
Laralee & Adam at Immanuel Baptist Church
Hillwood Country Club Wedding - Kelly and Georges
Kelly and Georges wedding photographed at First Presbyterian Church and Hillwood Country Club.
I have another wedding that brought outside elements inside for their late fall wedding. I cannot believe I have never blogged this wedding because it was a favorite. Kelly and Georges were married at First Presbyterian Church in Nashville and their reception followed at Hillwood Country Club. Their wedding decor was brilliant. Modern Vintage Events did a fantastic job! Inside the ballroom at Hillwood Country Club, greenery was hung from the ceiling giving me Tuscan vibes. It completely transformed the room. Outside on the patio where the dancing took place, there was more greenery but also a disco ball and a large K & G marque.
Kelly and Georges were the best. They were so easy to work with and so many sweet unstaged moments happened throughout the day. Also they brought their dog, Louie to be in photos and you all know how excited I get about that. I hope you enjoy some of my favorites from their Hillwood Country Club Wedding. Vendors are listed below.
More Country Club Weddings-
Richland Country Club- Kaissling & Max
Brentwood Country Club - Anna & Josh
Brentwood Country Club - Sarah & Mitchell
Ceremony: First Presbyterian Church
Reception Venue: Hillwood Country Club
Lighting: Bright Event Productions
Rentals: Please Be Seated
Cake: Dessert Designs by Leland
Band: Evolution Party Band
Cocktail Hour Musicians: Justin & Kelly
Florist: Larson Floral Co.
Hair and Makeup: Morgan Ebright
Makeup: Leslie Moore Makeup
Photobooth: Nashville Smile Bar
Stationery: The Paper Place
Calligraphy: Val Cole
Draping: Quest Events
Trolley: Hello Trolley
Getaway Car: Matchless Transportation
Planning + Design: Modern Vintage Events
Dress: Alexandra Grecco
Shoes: Sarah Flint
Suits: JM Street Menswear
Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids, Bill Levkoff
Evening Spring Haven Wedding - Rhea and Beau
A wedding under the stars for Rhea and Beau at Spring Haven Mansion in Hendersonville, TN outside of Nashville.
This summer I photographed Rhea and Beau’s outdoor evening wedding at Spring Haven Mansion in Hendersonville outside of Nashville TN. Low light weddings can be extremely challenging but we figured out a way to make it work without distracting from their beautiful ceremony and I am very happy with how it turned out. Is there anything more romantic than getting married on a historic brick walkway under the stars?Rhea and Beau were stunning and the venue is a hidden gem that I can’t wait to photograph again. I hope you enjoy some images from their evening Spring Haven Wedding!
Special thanks to their vendors:
Venue: Spring Haven Mansion
Planner: Mary Gass
Bouquets: The Flower Chic
Florals: Clint James
Rentals: Grand Central Party Rental
Fall Crockett Park Engagement Photography - Dawn and David
Dawn & David’s fall Crockett Park engagement session with their dog, Olaf.
I’ve been trying to catch up on posting all of my engagement photography when I came across this adorable family. When we first photographed Dawn and David’s engagement session as you’ll see from the sign around Olaf’s neck, their wedding was supposed to be 5/20. They were one of the many couples that had to reschedule because of Covid and their wedding didn’t take place until the fall of 2021. It ended up taking on a different shape than what they had planned but all of the most important players were still there, including Olaf, and it was an incredible day. I hope you enjoy a few images from their engagement session at Crockett Park.
Nashville Engagement Session - Jacquelyn and Anthony
Jacquelyn and Anthony’s engagement photography session at Walton Ferry Arboretum with their golden doodle, Barkley.
My first wedding of the year is coming up and it’s a good one- Jacquelyn and Anthony. Here are some images from their engagement session! I knew that they loved being on the lake so we decided to photograph their session at Walton Ferry Arboretum in Hendersonville, TN. I love a location that offers a lot of variety and Walton Ferry does that. It’s always a huge bonus when a couple brings their dog with for their photographs and Barkley the golden doodle was pretty stinking adorable! Please enjoy some photographs from their engagement session!
Newfoundland Engagement Session - Sarah & Jason
Sarah & John’s Engagement Session photographed with their goofy Newfoundland puppy, Dakota.
This engagement session should be called - Dakota Steals the Show. Meet Sarah & Jason. I'm photographing their wedding in June. For their engagement session they brought along their puppy, a 100+ pound Newfoundland named Dakota. I'm in love. I laughed through the whole session and continued to laugh while editing the photographs. Hopefully these images will give you the giggles too!
Downtown Franklin Engagement Session - Meghan & Aaron
A couple and their puppy have their engagement session photographed in downtown Franklin.
Last week on one of the very few warm, sunny days, Meghan, Aaron, Piper and I met in downtown Franklin to photograph their (this includes Piper) engagement session. It was wonderful to finally get to meet Meghan and Aaron (and Piper) before their wedding in June and I cannot wait to photograph their big day!
Monsoon Wedding Weekend - Allison & Tim
A rainy wedding at Green Door Gourmet, and organic farm in Nashville Tennessee, photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Allison and Tim! The first time I met them, I instantly knew I wanted to work with them because I loved their attitudes. Despite the monsoon we had in Nashville this weekend, they still had the best attitudes. And because of Allison's willingness to tromp around in rain boots all day and their willingness to get a little wet, we still got great outdoor photographs. It took some umbrellas, some overhangs, and some grumpy faces from their adorable dog, Birch, but we got them.
I have to say that I love it when couples have bigger families. It can be a lot more work for me, but there is just something about the bonds that they have and the fact that there is always some wedding tradition that they have....it usually includes some sort of reception prop. In Allison and Tim's case, light up tambourines. From all the tears, the blow up dinosaur, the toast, the signing of Backstreet Boys by the whole dance floor, to the most rampant "Shout" dancing I have ever seen, this wedding was wonderful. I am so, so glad that I got to be a part of it. Please enjoy!
Special thanks to all the hardworking vendors:
Planning & Design: Locklane Weddings & Events
Venue: Green Door Gourmet
Hair & Makeup: K Miller Artistry
Bartending Services: Hamilton Bartending Services
Wedding Gown: The Dress Theory
Cake: Kay McConfections
Catering: Smoke Et Al
DJ: Choice DJs
Florist: The Farmers Florist
Rentals: Southern Events Party Rental
Tree Climbing, Lacrosse, and Puppies - Bar Mitzvah Portraits
A Bar Mitzvah boy's portraits in his neighborhood, home and backyard photographed by Erin Lee Allender of Nashville, Tennessee.
I absolutely loved working with this Bar Mitzvah Boy! Getting a 12 year old boy to feel comfortable in front of the camera is definitely a challenge, but as soon as you get a genuine smile out of them, it is one of the most rewarding sessions ever. Once L. felt comfortable enough to be goofy around me, we had a blast. He is one smart, funny kid. Check out some of the images from his session! Bonus for me, we got to do photos with his dog!
Sneak Peek Franklin Frenchie Family Session - Tia & Michael
For many of us our dogs are our kids. Check out this family session of Reggie the Frenchie with his parents in Franklin, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Meet Reggie the French Bulldog and his mom and dad, Tia and Michael. I photographed Tia and Michael's wedding in Nashville 3 years ago and when Michael contacted me about buying a family session for Tia for Christmas, I was excited! Tia had been pleading with Michael to do a session with me and she had no idea that Michael and I were already talking. Michael was concerned that Tia was going to get frustrated and contact me herself to book and I was under strict orders to tell her that I wasn't taking any more clients. Christmas came and Tia was so surprised! This past Sunday we photographed their family of three session. Here is their sneak peek from their session in Franklin!
Sneak Peek Urban Engagement Session - Kelly & Neil
A downtown Nashville engagement session with a couple and their Boykin Spaniel photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Kelly, Neil, Major and I ventured out on Sunday to photograph their engagement session! Well, Kelly and Neil's engagement session...Major was involved in the proposal though. Who are we kidding? This was Major's engagement session too! Please enjoy the sneak peek of Kelly & Neil's downtown Nashville engagement session!
Airbnb DIY Destination Wedding – Amanda & Brian
An Airbnb DIY Destination wedding that took place in East Nashville, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
I can’t remember how Amanda and Brian found me. They weren’t working with a planner, they aren’t from here, and they had their wedding at an Airbnb rental in East Nashville so the venue didn’t send them my way. I don’t know how they found me but I’m sure am glad that they did because this couple was amazing. They decided to have a destination wedding in Nashville and they found a rental house with a large amount of property to have their open air wedding and reception. Other than the food, bride’s bouquet, and DJ, this was a complete Do It Yourself wedding (even down to the bar and dance floor) and I was stunned with their final product. Because it was taking place at a vacation home rental that they were staying in for several days, they were able to take time over the weekend to set different items up. By doing it that way they saved themselves from a lot of stress and headaches. Amanda and Brian, their bridal party, and their friends and family were incredible to work with and any couple that is obsessed enough with their dogs to bring them with them to Nashville with them are my kind of people. Below are images from their DIY Airbnb Destination Wedding. Special thanks to Beyond Details!
Spring Wedding at Loveless Barn - Hollie & Dusten
An already married couple plans a dedication ceremony at The Loveless Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee. The party almost doesn't happen when the Canadian groom can't get back into the US. Photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Hollie and Dusten were both in pharmacy school at Belmont University but didn’t meet until they sat down next to each other at a pub in Nashville. With Dusten being from Canada and Hollie hailing from Georgia, their two upbringings couldn’t be anymore different, but they found a lot in common. In hopes of helping with Dusten’s work visa, The two married a year before they had their big “wedding” day. They had their party and marriage dedication ceremony at the iconic Loveless Barn in Nashville, TN. Loveless is known for their fantastic Southern cuisine and Hollie and Dusten wanted to show all their Canadian guests a true southern time.
This Nashville wedding should be titled “The Party That Almost Didn’t Happen”. A few days before the ceremony Hollie texted me saying that Dusten, a Canadian citizen, couldn’t get back into the U.S. and they might have to call their marriage dedication ceremony off. Thankfully at the last minute he made it when everything worked out, it became an even bigger celebration. I was so glad that I got to photograph this sweet couple and their celebration.
Special thanks to all the participating vendors – The Loveless Barn, Floral Expressions by Cindy and Pink Cadillac Band.
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!
Puppy Love at Cedarwood- Laine & Devin
A couple that loved their dogs so much that they incorporated them into their escort cards and table numbers. A bright and chic wedding at Cedarwood in Nashville, TN photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Laine and Devin spent a brief part of their courtship in Nashville while Laine was going to grad school. Devin proposed in Leipers Fork, TN and they decided to have a destination wedding here in Nashville for all of their friends and family in Nebraska to come to. Their wedding took place at the beautiful Cedarwood. My favorite part of their decor was the way they implemented the love of their two fur babies into the day. Their table numbers were dog silhouettes that coincided with their gold dog figurine escort “cards” that were painted by Laine. They also had a puppy chow bar as their favors. Other noteworthy details were- the pink sequined bridesmaid dresses, the wine box ceremony, the paper goods designed by the bride, and the poem sewn by Laine’s mom into the hem of her dress. Every step of the way I LOVED working with these two. As you can see from their photos there was so much laughing, smiling, and lots and lots of dancing.
Special Thanks to the always wonderful Cedarwood, Patty Cakes, Ralph Griggs, Events Plus, Designs in Paper, and Dream Events and Catering.
