There’s something magical about a wedding that feels simultaneously effortless and editorial—and this dreamy celebration at The Chapel at Three Oaks delivered exactly that. With a guest list of 120, a thoughtful budget, and a vision rooted in simplicity, elegance, and European countryside charm, this couple created a day that felt intimate, meaningful, and beautifully them. From matcha-green accents to heartfelt handwritten vows rooted in scripture, every detail with assistance from Nashville Dream Events told a story. Consider these highlights captured by June Lawson Photography your front-row seat to a celebration filled with love, creativity, and a whole lot of joy.
Ellis + Eden
The Chapel at Three Oaks
Guests ~ 120
Budget ~ $10,000 – $20,000
How did you guys meet?
Eden: My husband and I actually met at church. I moved to the Nashville area for college and began attending the church he had grown up in—his mom even ended up being my Bible study leader. Later in college, we both worked in the church’s community outreach internship, serving ice cream as a fun, simple way to share the gospel with our neighborhood. Even with all that overlap, we didn’t start dating until our senior year of college!
Tell us about your engagement!
Eden: My husband did an amazing job planning the whole proposal. A few months earlier, one of my best friends and I had visited a nearby state park, and I couldn’t stop raving to him about the beautiful trails and the gorgeous trees. By the time fall arrived, we hadn’t talked much about going back, and I assumed the moment had passed.
Around then, he got really into photography after inheriting his grandfather’s old camera. Conveniently, it was also close to my sister-in-law’s birthday. So he told me he wanted to try out his new camera somewhere scenic and suggested we go back to the state park “since I’d been asking to go.” I was thrilled—we’d visit the park and then head to my sister-in-law’s birthday party. What I didn’t know was that the birthday party was completely made up, just to keep me from getting suspicious. It worked perfectly.
As we hiked toward the spot he’d picked out, he kept asking me to turn around so he could take photos, which was clever because it kept me completely unaware of what was coming. When we reached the perfect overlook, he asked me to turn around one more time. As I faced away, he pulled the ring from his camera bag and called my name. When I turned back around, he was on one knee. I was completely in awe.
What was the vision for your wedding?
Eden: My vision for the wedding was simple, elegant, and timeless. I wanted to be able to look back on our photos years from now and still feel that everything looked classic. I’ve always loved neutrals and the beauty of simplicity, and I’m endlessly inspired by French and broader European culture. I hoped to capture the magic of a European garden party or a moment in the French countryside—where nature and the surrounding environment are the real focal points.
Because of that, we chose green as our accent color (it also happens to be my favorite). The bridesmaid dresses, my husband’s tie, and even the head-table napkins were all a soft matcha green—which felt especially fitting since matcha is also our favorite drink.
My dress was inspired by the iconic essence of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s wedding gown. While hers was silk and mine was not, her dress has remained unforgettable because of its timelessness, elegance, and effortless simplicity. I chose a gown with no lace or embellishment other than a subtle belt for shape, allowing the silhouette to speak for itself. The clean V-shaped neckline, back, and sides were exactly what brought my vision to life and made the dress feel like “the one.”
What was your theme and what inspired it?
Eden: The theme was inspired by European garden party.
What details were used to create your theme?
Eden: There were a few key elements that really brought our neutral, classic theme to life.
The first was contrast. Because our color palette was mostly neutral—with green as the only accent—we relied on contrast within the venue and décor to create visual interest. Our venue had a clean white interior paired with dark wood tables, which immediately gave the space depth. Instead of full tablecloths, we chose light nude table runners that allowed the dark wood to show through and emphasized that beautiful contrast.
The second element was silhouettes. We intentionally introduced height and structure, especially in our ceremony setup. We used a non-traditional three-pillar altar, each holding a different pot arranged with flowers. Each vessel had its own unique silhouette, shape, and texture, which added dimension within such a neutral palette. After the ceremony, we moved the pillars into the reception space to frame the head table.
The third was floral selection. I chose all-white florals to maintain a sense of simplicity, so it was important to incorporate blooms with interesting shapes. Lilies and hydrangeas were two of my favorites. While not uncommon, their silhouettes helped break up the typical rose-and-baby’s-breath look (though those are beautiful as well).
Finally, we added a few thoughtful statement details, which truly completed the theme and tied everything together. Those details included the style of the disposable plates we choose (a scalloped edge) as well as the intricate designs on the bud vases and mix matched glass candle sticks on every table. One of most favorite details, however, was the table numbers as they were photos of my husband and I at the age of the table number. This was so fun to put together and have displayed!
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
Eden: Our biggest investment was definitely our photographer and videographer. That’s pretty standard, but it also felt important to us—your photos and video are the souvenirs you get to keep from such a meaningful day. We felt it was worth spending on quality, and it is possible to find talented people at reasonable prices. Truly, it’s all about who you know.
Our next largest expense—honestly, maybe even the biggest—was the food. We specifically wanted Taziki’s because we knew everyone would be excited about it, and we were right. Our guests couldn’t stop raving.
Most everything else was DIY. We reused glassware, candles, floral tools, and other décor from a family member’s wedding, which helped us save a ton. People genuinely love contributing to your celebration, and so many loved ones have resources they’re happy to share.
We also made sure our dinnerware was pretty but disposable. Renting china can get very pricey, and even buying thrifted sets adds up quickly. Ordering elegant disposable dinnerware in bulk ended up being the most cost-effective option by far.
What words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Eden: Lean on your network of people around you. You never know who knows someone else that would be able to help you to get what you need for the right price. You don’t have to sacrifice your vision because there are likely countless people in your community who have resources that they want to give. Service to others is the best things you can do.
Can you share any special moments or highlights from your wedding day?
Eden: By far the most special moment was focusing on the covenant that we made with God that day. We decided to write our vows to one another, but specifically find in scripture where each of the elements of traditional vows are supported. This was amazing as studying through these elements truly helped to think deeply about the meaning of this covenant, the beauty of it, and how God is the one who upholds it through our reliance on Him. Writing those vows made me fall more in love with my husband and getting to read them did as well. Also, seeing his reaction when I walked down the isle was a highlight as I didnt expect the level of emotional response he had. Seeing that gave me an overflow of love and joy!
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your wedding?
Eden: It was truly the most perfect day and everything went so smoothly! We were able to set up the night before, which was the key for a smooth day! We also had an actual rehearsal, which was amazing! Our month of coordinator Miranda made all the difference– she was fantastic and it would not have been the same without her! We also did this really cool little game with all our guests where we sat in the middle of the dance floor in two chairs and had the DJ randomly call up each table to come take a picture with us! This was a great way for us to see everyone who had come and say hello and thank you for coming in a unique, fun, engaging way! And since it was quick, it was not overwhelming for us both!
Ready for your own dreamy, editorial-worthy celebration? Take notes—this one’s a masterclass. See even more real wedding ideas here!
