RECENT WORK FROM ERIN LEE ALLENDER PHOTOGRAPHY.
Airy Classic Cordelle Wedding - Katie & Chester
A classic but airy wedding photographed by Erin Lee Allender at West End United Methodist Church and The Cordelle in Nashville, TN.
"We met through friends at a party in Chester's backyard. No special story behind the actual meeting, but the night we met, Chester sang karaoke, Katie wore a bachelorette tiara out at the bar, and we went to South (a dance club) and danced together most of the night. Also, Chester thought Katie's name was Kathy for the first few days they knew each other, because the friend that introduced them had given Katie that nickname."
I feel like that statement from Katie and Chester's questionnaire describes them perfectly. Oh Katie and Chester, how I loved working with you guys and your quirky fun personalities.
Katie and chester had a classic yet airy spring reception at The Cordelle this past May. Their wedding took place at West End United Methodist Church and everything was planned by Kristin Kaplan of Stunning Events and Designed by Hillary Yeager. Everything from the light green bridesmaids dresses to the pale flowers and eucalyptus table runners was perfect (wait until you see Katie's dress!). Delicate china on gold chargers with set salads welcomed the guests into the tent where dinner was served. When that was over they danced the night away to the music of The ErikBlueBand.
Special thanks to: Kristin Kaplan of Stunning Events, The Cordelle, West End United Methodist Church, Hillary Yeager, LMA designs, Dulce Desserts, Nashville Event Lighting, Nashville Audio Visual, inc., Music City Tents, Flavor Catering & Special Occasions, One10 Beauty, and Prime Source Entertainment Group.
Neutral Tones Summer Wedding – Kristen & Adam
A neutral tone elegant wedding at St. George's Episcopal Church and aVenue in Nashville, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender
This is Kristen & Adam and this is their gorgeous wedding ceremony at St. George’s Episcopal Church and their reception at aVenue in Nashville, TN. One from the North and one from the South, these two Nashville transplants met each other here in Music City and decided to have their wedding here. With the help of Grey from Randi Events, they threw a gorgeous neutral tone, romantic event. This wedding had a bride and groom that spoke in fake, but impressive, Cockney accents to each other during their portraits, always ending in the bride in hysterics and not the Downton Abbey area kind. A groom that insisted on taking serious photos like it was the 1860s…ending with the bride in hysterics. I even made a whole separate folder of photo outtakes for Adam’s amusement. They used one on their Christmas cards. There was a rogue 2 year old flower girl that kept stealing the photo show (Oh Megs). I also caught one of the other flower girls mooning the cars behind her. It was a fun crew. Please enjoy! Special thanks to Grey with Randi Events, St. George’s Episcopal Church, aVenue, Florals by a good friend of the bride (she’s a professional so don’t even think about trying this yourself), Dulce Desserts, Music City Tents and Events, Visual Elements, Nashville Audio Visual, One 10 Makeup, 12th Table, Grand Avenue, Chef’s Market and Bueller Band.
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!
Fall Hermitage Hotel Wedding – Emily & Stephen
A classic fall wedding at The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
This is Emily & Stephen and this is their fall Hermitage Hotel wedding. Emily & Stephen grew up together outside of Nashville, TN. They went from grade school to high school together but didn’t start dating until they became reacquainted through mutual friends as adults. Stephen proposed at the viewing deck on the Eiffel Tower. What Emily thought was going to just be a photo taken by a fellow tourist, became Stephen on one knee proposing.
Emily and Stephen and their families were amazing to work with. I sincerely loved every minute of it. It was definitely a friends and family affair. Emily’s mom made the cake, A family friend did the floral arrangements, all the siblings and nieces and nephews were included in the wedding party. One of my favorite parts? The little flower girl HAD to have heels. Adorable. There were nods to Stephen’s alma mater UT in some of the colors of the flowers and the groom’s suspenders. As you can see in the photos there was so much joy and laughter all day long. AND they had a Garrett Popcorn bar which, although I'm a bit biased, is the best popcorn ever. Please enjoy the photos!
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.
A Bell Tower Wedding – Chelsey & Andrew
A romantic and homey wedding at the Vine Street Church and reception at The Bell Tower in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Chelsey and Andrew were married at Vine Street Christian Church and their reception followed at The Bell Tower. It was very obvious to me while photographing their wedding that these two just love being with each other. Notice how Chelsey is looking at Andrew in the shot above and notice Andrew’s face in the ceremony photograph. These two are sweet and laid back and everything about what they planned for their day showed it. Their reception was homey, warm and very romantic. They had several different food stations ranging from Chicken and Waffles, BBQ, A Grilled Cheese Station, and more so that guests could enjoy different things to eat. Beautiful low lighting with different color and design elements set a glow over the whole space. They also had some of the cutest kids in the wedding party that I have ever had (I know I say that all the time, but it’s true). I do not think there was every an empty dance floor all night and at one point all of the bride and groom’s college friends stared up a game of Thunderstruck which was a new to me but extremely entertaining. Please enjoy their photos and special thanks to their fantastic vendors- Vine Street Church, The Bell Tower, Infinity Events and Catering, Enchanted Florist, Kleinfeld Bridal, The Cupcake Collection, and DJ Rich.
