RECENT WORK FROM ERIN LEE ALLENDER PHOTOGRAPHY.
Sneak Peek Elegant Cedarwood Garden Wedding - Sara & Connor
Photographs from an elegant garden destination wedding at Cedarwood in Nashville, Tennessee.
I just love these two! Sara’s smile lights up everything around her including a cloudy, raining wedding ceremony. Connor is just the absolute best = they are perfect together. Sara and Connor met while they were both with separate friend groups sitting at different tables at Patterson House. Connor was stationed in Clarksville and Sara was on vacation. Crazily, Sara and one of her bridesmaids both met their husbands that night!
Sara and Connor looked incredible on their wedding day and Historic Cedarwood looked stunning as always. The entire day was overcast and we were hoping that the rain would hold off until the reception but instead it decided to start raining right before Sara walked down the aisle. Sara and Connor were troopers and had their whole ceremony in the rain. They never complained once and STILL looked amazing afterwards. The rain ended almost as soon as we started their portraits leaving us with some really fun light to play with. By far my favorite moment was when Sara was walking down the aisle to Connor on her dad's arm. She started crying and then started apologizing to all her guests for it! It was adorable. Please enjoy this sneak peek of Sara and Connor's Elegant Cedarwood Garden Wedding!
Special Thanks To:
Venue- Cedarwood Weddings
Florals- Cedarwood Weddings
Catering- Dream Events and Catering
Hair & Makeup- One10Beauty
Wedding Gown- BHLDN
Rentals- Liberty Party Rental
Cake- Patty Cakes
Paper Goods - Designs in Paper
DJ- Premier
Sneak Peek Jewel-Toned Fall Ruby Wedding - Kelly & Neil
Photographs from a Fall Jewel-Toned Wedding at Ruby in Nashville.
Kelly & Neil's wedding at Ruby in Nashville this past weekend was just beautiful. When you have such a happy and smiling bride and groom it makes everything that much easier. They had their engagement session with me (and the adorable Major) earlier this year so it felt natural for me to be up in their faces all day at their wedding which made for even more authentic portraits. Add in Kelly's choice in wedding colors that popped in the softer fall light, and my heart was happy. Their reception was non stop and everyone there obviously loved to party. I even got to photograph my first Armenian wedding dance! Not only did I have all of the elements that makes for gorgeous photos, they both made me feel extremely welcome. At one point one of the guests pulled me on the dance floor. I escaped and Neil dragged me back in proclaiming that I was "the best photographer ever" so to say that I felt appreciated is an understatement. It was such a gorgeous day with a lovely couple. I am so happy that a year ago Kelly contacted me and that I got to be the one to photograph their Jewel-Toned Fall Ruby Wedding. Please check out their sneak peek below!
Thanks to their vendors:
Venue: Ruby
Florals: A Village of Flowers
Desserts: Dulce Desserts
Hair & Makeup: Kati Edge
Wedding Gown: LVD Bridal
Rentals: Liberty Party Rental
Catering: Bacon & Caviar
Band: Emerald Empire Band
Percy Warner Summer Engagement Session - Sarah & Mitchell
A summer engagement session at Percy Warner Park in Nashville Tennessee photographed by Wedding Photographer Erin Lee Allender.
Sarah and Mitchell met through mutual friends while on vacation. Sarah was on a girls trip with some of her friends and Mitchell was on a guys trip. One night, the girls met up with the guys and after hanging out with Sarah for a bit, Mitchell was smitten. He pursued Sarah from a distance for a year before he moved to Nashville and a few weeks ago he proposed!
Last week we went to Percy Warner Park in Nashville to photograph their engagement session. Despite it being a humid and hot July day, they were both troopers! I can't wait to photograph your wedding next year, guys!
Sneak Peek Intimate Clarksville Backyard Reception - Erika & Joseph
A intimate wedding reception in the couple's backyard on the Cumberland River in Clarksville, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender of Nashville, TN.
Every once in awhile you are contacted for a wedding three weeks before a wedding date and sometimes they are in a couple's beautiful backyard on the Cumberland River. Usually not, but sometimes. Erika & Joseph met at work and knew right away that they had something special. Last Friday with Erika's children as the biggest part of their wedding party, they were married at Grace Community Church in Clarksville. It is the summer of tiny weddings for me (I love it) and at Erika and Joseph's ceremony they only had 20 people present. After I photographed their ceremony and portraits we traveled to their home where they met more guests. With the help of Lauren from Randi Events, they transformed their backyard into a romantic reception venue. Please enjoy this sneak peek of Erika and Joseph's Intimate Clarksville Backyard Reception!
Special thanks to all their vendors:
Planning & Design: Lauren from Randi Events
Florals: Branching Out Event Florist
Seating: Please Be Seated
Rentals: Music City Tents
Catering: G Catering
Video: SheHeWe
Sneak Peek Intimate LDS Wedding - Katie & Craig
An Intimate LDS Destination Wedding photographed in Franklin by Erin Lee Allender of Nashville Tennessee.
Katie calls Craig her unicorn- her magical mystical creature that she didn't think existed. They met 10+ years ago in a completely different state and realized that they lived a few counties apart. Years and years past when Katie reached out to Craig on Instagram. Once Craig realized that it was the cute bubbly girl that he met so many years ago, they started talking and by Christmas they were engaged.
I got to photograph this lovely couple this past weekend. Because they were married in private ceremony at the LDS Nashville Temple, I did not photograph their ceremony. But I did get to photograph Katie getting ready, their portraits, and their reception at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. I hope you can feel the excitement of these two in these photos. I thought Katie was going to burst because she was so happy. Craig couldn't stop taking iPhone photos of his beautiful bride. It was incredibly sweet and I'm so glad that I got work with these two.
Hair and Makeup By Amy Lynn Larwig.
Sneak Peek Classic Spring Wedding - Channing & Taylor
A classic spring wedding at Covenant Presbyterian Church and University Club Nashville photographed by Erin Lee Allender in Tennessee.
I met Channing and her mom in Frothy Monkey last fall. My house had just flooded and we were living in an Airbnb without the pups. All I wanted to do was sit in front of the TV with ice cream and eat my miseries away. The last thing I wanted to do was have to promote myself to new people but then walked in two of the loveliest people ever, Channing and her mom Heidi. I instantly wanted to photograph this wedding.
This past weekend I finally got to meet the groom, Taylor and the rest of the bride and groom's families. When I say I have the best couples and the best families, I really mean it. These two and their families despite the ridiculous heat were gracious and fun the whole entire day. The size of this wedding party beat out the count of any other wedding party that I have photographed in my career and there wasn't a difficult one in the bunch. They were all amazing!!! Most importantly you could tangibly see how much joy Channing and Taylor had in each other's presence. Please enjoy their sneak peek!
Special Thanks to Their Vendors:
Church: Covenant Presbyterian Church
Reception: University Club of Nashville
Wedding Coordinator: Marcia Husband
Hair: Mark Massa at Style Kitchen
Makeup: Caroline Myers
Dress: Sarah Seven from LVD
Bridesmaids Dresses: BHLDN
Tuxedos: Jos A Bank
Florist: Elder Floral Design
Cake: Triple Crown Bakery
Doughnut Bar: Fox's Donut Den
Caterer: Chef Nick Govrik at the University Club of Nashville
Draping and Lighting: Events Plus
Rentals: Liberty Party Rental
Band: Number One Party Band
Paper goods: Audrey Hurst Weddings
Signage: Kristi Anne Design
Vintage Car and Trolley: Fadd's Entertainment
Sneak Peek Riverwood Garden Wedding - Ashley & Mike
Families that have known each other forever are joined together when their children get married at Riverwood Mansion in Nashville, Tennessee. Photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Ashley & Mike's families knew each other long before Ashley and Mike met. When they were in elementary school, their dads shared the same room for an office in the Pentagon, but Ashely & Mike didn't meet until high school. Mike eventually won Ashley's favor (which took some time) and they dated through high school and college, but life took them in different directions. Several years later they reconnected and started dating again. If you ever see Mike, ask him about it. He has a rather humorous and slightly embellished version of their rekindled relationship.
I loved these two as soon as I met them and their wedding day couldn't have been any more beautiful! It was amazing to see their relationship with their families and the friends that had become their family in all the different places they have lived. It was a gorgeous day and I am so happy that I got to be a part of it. Please enjoy this sneak peek of their Riverwood Garden Wedding.
Special thanks to their vendors:
Venue & Planning: Larissa from Riverwood
Florist: Enchanted Florist
Caterer: 8 Lavender Lane Catering
Cake: 8 Lavender Lane Catering
DJ: DJ Chris
Ceremony Music: Wedding Musicians Company
Officiant: Ralph Griggs
Transportation: FADDS
Videographer: SheHeWe
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
8 Practical Pro Tips To Save Money on Your Wedding
Enter your email address and receive your free guide. I asked some of my favorite wedding professionals to give me one practical tip each on how to save money. They didn't disappoint.
You’re engaged or you know it is coming and you’re starting to venture into the world of planning your wedding and it's overwhelming. You’re learning that the wedding that you’ve planned on Pinterest is going to require you to sell a kidney (or two). I've been there. I get it. And because of this, I asked some of my favorite wedding professionals to give me one practical tip each on how to save money. They didn't disappoint. Sign up in the form above to receive your free guide "8 PRACTICAL PRO TIPS ON SAVING MONEY ON YOUR WEDDING". Hint: it doesn't have to involve a glue gun.
Special Thanks to the vendors that sent me their tips-
Dream Events & Catering
Music City Events
Music City Tents and Events
Lauren Marie Atkinson Designs
Enchanted Florist
Locklane Weddings & Events
Elizabeth A. Wright Events
Sneak Peek Christmas Eve Elopement At Prima- Cara & Scott
A Christmas Eve Elopement at Prima Restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Surprise! Cara and Scott are married! Here's a little sneak peek of Cara & Scott's Christmas Eve elopement at Prima in Nashville. Cara and Scott decided that they wanted to "elope" and although an elopement normally means no one knows about it, Cara and Scott wanted to let their immediate family in on the news and have them present at their wedding. Everyone travelled to Cara and Scott's new hometown of Nashville where Cara's brother officiated the ceremony. Cara got ready at Union Station and the couple were married on the vista overlooking Prima's dining room before it opened. Their reception was dinner in a private room in the restaurant. This extremely fun couple and their families spent Christmas Eve celebrating Cara and Scott's marriage, talking about As Seen on TV items, and eating a delicious meal. Please enjoy their sneak peek!
Bridal Gown- The Dress Theory
Florals- Geny's Flowers and Bridal
Citrus Summer Wedding Inspiration at Cedarwood
A summer citrus wedding inspiration shoot with Cedarwood Weddings in Nashville, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Winter is not my time of year so I'm going to protest winter by posting this Citrus Summer Wedding Inspiration Shoot that I collaborated with Cedarwood on this past summer. I fell in love with their design and decor for this shoot! The colors, the floral and fruit hanging chandelier, the liquor-infused whole fruit cocktails, and the wood menus and invitations were all stunning. Thank you to all the wonderful vendors that were involved and I'm wishing you all a sunny and warm Florida-like Christmas and an equally as warm New Years.
Venue- Historic Cedarwood
Planning, Floral & Design- Cedarwood Weddings
Paper Goods- Designs in Paper
Cake- Patty Cakes
Bridal Store- LVD Bridal
Gown Designer- Christos Bridal
Jewelry Store: Shane & Co
Rentals- Liberty Party Rental
Colorful Intimate Destination Wedding - Blaine & Steve
A colorful, intimate destination wedding at Cheekwood and Husk Nashville photographed by Erin Lee Allender of Nashville, Tennessee.
Intimate weddings are definitely one of my favorite things to photograph and this couple and their family were some of my favorite people to work with. Blaine and Steve met in Nashville years ago but haven't lived here for sometime. They decided that for their wedding they wanted to bring their friends and family back to the place where they first met and fell in love.
They had a colorful, intimate destination ceremony at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, TN and a private dinner in Husk's carriage house. The bride wore a stunning Anne Barge wedding gown, the florals were filled with bright pink peonies, and the guests each got to choose their own entrees that were cooked for them by a private chef designated to the wedding group. It was lovely, relaxed and elegant. Please enjoy some of my favorites from their day and special thanks to their vendors-
Ceremony - Cheekwood
Reception Location and Food - Husk Nashville
Florist - Enchanted Florist
Wedding Cake - Dulce Desserts
Hair & Makeup - Katie Russo Beauty
Wedding Gown - Anne Barge
Groomsmen - Men's Warehouse
Bridesmaids - Jenny Yoo
Happy Thanksgiving! - Bright Event Productions Promotional Shoot
A Thanksgiving themed product and corporate photography session of Bright Event Productions photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
My favorite lighting company, Bright Event Productions, hired me to photograph their annual holiday card. This year they decided to send out a Thanksgiving card so they had a family feast on Abi's front lawn. I hope you all have a wonderful day with your loved ones tomorrow! Rentals from 12th Table.
Happy Thanksgiving 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.
Glam & Jewel Tones Winter Wedding at aVenue- Sasha & Darian
A warm, glamorous jewel tones winter wedding with family elements at aVenue in Nashville, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
I met Sasha when I photographed Erin & Victor's wedding. At every wedding there is one person other than the bride and groom that you find yourself photographing a lot because they just have that something and they photograph beautifully. You end up photographing them so much that you have stop yourself from taking too many of them...which tends to make look like a stalker. Sasha was that person that day. So when she and Darian contacted me to photograph their wedding, I was thrilled. Sasha and Darian quickly became some of my favorite people. I could talk to them for hours. They are so much fun and have such wonderful hearts (Sasha is a hospice/palliative care physician) that you can't help but love them.
Sasha and Darian's wedding was my first wedding of 2016 and it was gorgeous. It was a surprisingly warm February day in Nashville and we took full advantage of it. Their decor for their winter wedding had rich jewel tones mixed with gold sequins, chandeliers and candelabras. Family is very important to them and they added touches of family heirlooms and memories throughout their venue, aVenue, by using things like family furniture and serving lemonade at dinner from an aunt's special recipe. Darian's mother passed away several years ago and they included her in the ceremony and reception by having a chair reserved for her and placing a framed photograph of her in the chair. They had the band play a special song in memory of her and even I started crying. Please enjoy some of my favorites from the day! Special thanks to Sarah Miller with Randi Events, aVenue, Enchanted Florist, Visual Elements, Music City Tents & Events, G Catering & Events, Southern Events, and Bright Event Productions.
Sneak Peek Autumn Glow Cedarwood Wedding- Jessica & Justen
A sneak peek of a gorgeous fall Jewish wedding at Cedarwood in Nashville, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
I met Jessica and Justen at Cedarwood's Style Show and instantly loved them. When they walked away from my booth I remember telling my husband how much I hoped they would book me. Well they did and on Friday I finally got to photograph their wedding. Here is a sneak peek of their gorgeous "Autumn Glow" wedding! They had a ceremony with some Jewish wedding traditions (wait until you see the chuppah!) and a stunning fall inspired reception that included the always fun (and always a little scary) Horah. Special thanks to Cedarwood, Designs in Paper, Liberty Party Rental, Patty Cakes, and Chef Christopher.
Sneak Peek Fall Sewanee Wedding - Ruth & Robbie
A sneak peek of a wedding at All Saints' Chapel at the University of The South and reception at The Sewanee Inn photographed by Erin Lee Allender of Nashville, Tennessee.
This past Saturday we drove up from Nashville to Sewanee, Tennessee to photograph the adorable Ruth and Robbie's fall wedding at All Saints' Chapel on the campus of University of the South and their reception at The Sewanee Inn. It was a gorgeous fall day with the most incredibly sweet couple. Please enjoy their sneak peek!
Magnolias & Pumpkins a Fall Wedding at Ruby – Meredith & Dave
Magnolias and pumpkins were the decor for this fall wedding at Ruby in Nashville, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
I ran into Meredith at a birthday and she gave me permission to write a short blog. I told her that I know most people only look at the photos in my blogs and that I write what I do knowing that only the bride and groom are going to read it. Well Meredith and Dave, you were incredible to work with. My second shooter and I kept commenting on how relaxed and sweet you both were. Your families were lovely and your bridesmaids were absolutely hilarious. I love that two incredibly caring people that want to make a difference in the world found each other and that I got to capture the day that they became a family. Congratulations!
Meredith and Dave were married in Nashville, TN at Church of The Redeemer and their reception followed at Ruby. Their florist, Rosebud East, did an incredible job mixing magnolia leaves and white pumpkins together to give an elegant fall look to their reception. Rentals by Liberty Party Rental! Please enjoy their photos!
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!
DIY Backyard & BBQ Wedding - Linda & Shane
A couple has their DIY wedding and reception at the groom's childhood home outside of Nashville, Tennessee photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Linda and Shane are adorable. Their wedding last April took place at Shane's family home outside of Nashville, Tennessee where he grew up. The couple with the help of friends and family, did almost everything themselves. Shane's father, a minister, even married them. When rain on their wedding day looked inevitable they decided to set up the reception inside the house. Guests were seated in the family room and dinning room, Whitt's BBQ set up in the driveway, the cake cutting took place in the kitchen, and dancing took place in the living room. Everything was personal and uniquely Linda and Shane and because of this, it was one of my favorite weddings last year. You may want to contact Linda if rain is threatening your day. Her "rain go away" dance (see photo below) held the rain off so that we could have their ceremony outside. Please enjoy these two and and their DIY Backyard & BBQ Wedding.
