RECENT WORK FROM ERIN LEE ALLENDER PHOTOGRAPHY.
Marathon Music Works Wedding - Regan and Sam
Regan and Sam’s winter wedding photographed at Christ Church Cathedral and Marathon Music Works in Nashville, TN.
When you find the one, you can find your way back. That is what Regan and Sam did. They met in 5th grade but didn’t start dating until their senior year of high school. They broke up when they both went off to college, but found their way back to each other. Together for almost 9 years, they were ready to make it official and celebrate with their family and friends. They had a very sweet ceremony at Christ Church Cathedral, but the reception was the highlight of the day with a live band, special seating areas, and plenty of great food and drink. They wanted to show their guests a great time and they did just that. It was a frigid and gusty day, but Regan and Sam powered through and we got some of the best photographs. This couple was adorable, sweet, and a pleasure to be around. Their planner Grey, with House of Grey Events, transformed Marathon Music Works into a masterpiece. Please enjoy some of my favorite photographs from Regan and Sam’s Marathon Music Works Wedding.
A Family Style Intimate Wedding - Melanie & Bob
An intimate winter wedding photographed at Brentwood United Methodist Church followed by a Family Style Dinner at Maggiano's in Nashville, TN.
When I got the email from Melanie saying that she was engaged and she knew that she wanted me to be the one to photograph her wedding, I was thrilled. Almost two years ago, Melanie was a bridesmaid in my past bride Tiffany's wedding. I instantly remembered her beautiful bright blue eyes, her wit and her fun goofiness. When she told me that her reception was at Maggiano's, I cried happy tears. I have an unhealthy love for Maggiano's Rigatoni D. So with Rigatoni D, two of the loveliest people I have ever met (seriously), and a bridal party that contained a past bride and fellow photographer/friend, I knew that we would have a fantastic day.
Their wedding day came and so did the 100% rain forecast but it didn't matter. Melanie and Bob were just so excited (see Bob's first look reaction). After their wedding we headed over to Maggiano's in Nashville where they had a family style dinner waiting for their guests. There was something special about all their family and friends sitting together chatting and passing food around the table. It created a beautiful, homey and communal atmosphere. And then everyone got to take home leftovers! Best. Favors. Ever. Please enjoy their Family Style Intimate Wedding sneak peek! Look out for the photo of the ring bearer who was a "lion" and then a "dinosaur". I tried to get him to "pretend to be a little boy" which created the face in the full bridal party photograph.
Special thanks to their vendors-
Cermony: Brentwood United Methodist Church
Reception: Maggiano's Little Italy Nashville
Hair: Alissa Titi for Katie-Laine Thornton
Makeup: Whitney Wideman for Katie-Lane Thornton
Florals: Accent Flowers
Wedding Gown: Oleg Cassini for David's Bridal
Cake: Ivey Cake
Tuxes: Men's Warehouse
Attendants Dresses: Rent The Runway
Sneak Peek Glamorous Winter Wedding at The Schmerhorn - Katie & Jose
A glamorous red and black winter wedding at The Schmerhorn Symphony Center and Wightman Chapel Scarritt Bennett in Nashville, Tennessee with Angela Proffitt photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
Katie and Jose are married finally! Everyone has been waiting for this day and these two sweet people finally tied the knot this Sunday at Wightman Chapel and The Schmerhorn Symphony Center. This extremely glamorous winter wedding had it all and thanks to the always wonderful Angela Proffitt and team, it was a sight to behold. Katie and Jose had an orchestra play for their ceremony, Katie sang a song to Jose that she wrote the words for, they tangoed in "snow" and fog, and their grand exit had sparklers and pyrotechnics. It was incredible! I have been working with these two and their families for almost a year and I am so happy that they got to be my first official wedding of 2017. Congrats Katie & Jose!
Special thanks to their incredible vendors:
Planner - Angela Proffitt
Reception Location - Schmerhorn Symphony Center
Ceremony Location - Wightman Chapel Scarritt Bennett
Florals - LMA Designs
Linens - Nuage Designs
Linens - BBJ Linen
Alterations - Karen Hendrix Couture
Rentals - Music City Tents and Events
Lighting- Nashville Event Lighting
Videography - Zane Karl Studios
Lines - Connie Duglin
Paper Goods - Dear Addie
Cake - A Frosted Affair by Jay Qualls
Hair and Make Up - Katie Russo Beauty
Catering - Chef's Market
Music - Craig Duncan Music
Rentals - Please Be Seated
Drape - Visual Elements
Transportation - Matchless
Custom Coffee Station - Noteable Blends
Wedding Gown - Kleinfelds
Sneak Peek Greek Wedding at Noah Liff - Maria & Matt
A magical wedding at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and Noah Liff Opera Center photographed by Erin Lee Allender in Nashville, Tennessee.
Maria and Matt (aka M & M) were married yesterday and I don't think that I'm over exaggerating by saying that it was absolutely magical. From their Greek Orthodox ceremony at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to their lively reception at Noah Liff Opera Center, their day was perfect and a photographer's dream. I had a beyond wonderful couple, a bride whose smile lights up any room, great families, and a dance floor that never quit. Add in Maria surprising Matt by singing "The Story" by Brandi Carlile and making everyone cry, including me, and some plate smashing Greek dancing and you get the longest sneak peek I have ever posted. Congratulations Maria & Matt! I am so happy that you hired me to be your photographer. Special thanks to all their fantastic vendors -
Wedding Design & Planning - Music City Events
Florals- Enchanted Florist
Makeup- One10 Beauty
Hair- Eric Wiuff
Reception Music - Music City Rhythm Revue
DJ - Sensational Sounds
Drape - Quest Drape
Lighting - Nashville Event Lighting
Bakery - Dulce Desserts
Rentals - Music City Tents and Events
Transportation - Anchor Transportation
Catering - Dream Events
Bartending - Hamilton Bar Service
A Family Winter Wedding - Alena & Bryan
A winter wedding that took place in Nashville at W.O. Smith Music School photographed by Erin Lee Allender.
I first met Alena 6 years ago when I photographed her sister Kathleen's wedding. When Alena contacted me to photograph her and Bryan's wedding, I was so excited to work with her and her family again. Alena is one of three sisters so I knew there would be lots of sister banter and if Kathleen's wedding was any indication of what the reception would be like, I knew that I would be photographing her dad getting down on the dance floor. When I met Bryan, my excitement became even greater because as you'll see in the photos, he's such a good natured and fun guy.
If you've known me for a little while, you have heard me talk about this family a lot. They have been through so much together. Alena's sister Kathleen (my previous bride) had cancer and as soon as she was pronounced in remission, Kathleen's husband Nathan (my previous groom) was diagnosed with ALS. This family is a tight knit unit so when Alena's wedding day came, this family was there together to welcome Bryan into their tribe. Nathan, despite being bed-bound, not able to talk, and not able to move endured a very painful ambulance ride so that he could be there at Alena's wedding. Alena and Bryan's wedding had a lot of tears but so much laughter and joy because everyone was thrilled that Alena and Bryan had found each other and that they were joining their lives together.
Special thanks to:
W.O. Smith Music School
A Village of Flowers
Homestyle Bakery
Tazikis Mediterranean Cafe
J. Clark w/ Snyder Entertainment
Yazoo Brewing Company.
ALS is an underfunded disease and because of that, there is currently not a cure. If you would like to donate towards research to give Nathan and people like him more home, please visit here.
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.
