Lexie and Russ’s wedding at Magnolia Farm was the perfect blend of classic elegance and modern country charm. Surrounded by rolling hills, rustic barns, and the breathtaking beauty of Tennessee in the fall, the couple’s big day felt like a scene straight out of a storybook. With 90 of their closest friends and family, their wedding was an intimate, heartfelt celebration that honored their love story—from their first meeting at Florida State University to their engagement at Arrington Vineyards. Every detail, from the glowing candlelight to the soft florals and the live country band, created a warm, inviting atmosphere that made guests feel right at home. And it was all beautifully captured by Rebecca Musayev.
Lexie + Russ
11.9.2024
Magnolia Farm
Guests ~ 90
Budget ~ $40,000 – 50,000
How did you guys meet?
Lexie: It was my first day of college at FSU, and like most freshmen, I ended up at Potbelly’s, the go-to campus bar. That’s where we crossed paths—Russ, a junior, and myself, a freshman just trying to take it all in. We hit it off right away, and from that night on, we just never stopped hanging out. What started as a random first-night-out encounter turned into something bigger, and we’ve been together ever since. Russ and I dated throughout college, and after he graduated, he accepted his first job in Nashville, Tennessee. Neither of us had ever been there before, but once Russ moved, we quickly realized how much we loved the city and the surrounding areas. Russ lived in Nashville for two years, and during that time, we did long distance while I was still in college at FSU. After I graduated and got accepted into dental school in Florida, we made the move to Fort Lauderdale. Now, Russ works in finance, and I’m a dentist here, but we both dream of moving back to Nashville one day in the near future. We love the city and can’t wait for the day we can call it home again!
Tell us about your engagement!
Lexie: Nashville has always been a special place for us, ever since Russ lived there and we spent countless weekends exploring the city. One of our favorite spots was always Arrington Vineyards—our absolute favorite place for a date. So when Russ suggested a trip there on a cold winter day, I didn’t think anything of it. We bundled up, grabbed a glass of wine, and took in the beautiful view like we had so many times before. But this time was different. Out of nowhere, Russ got down on one knee and completely surprised me with the sweetest proposal.
What was the vision for your wedding?
Lexie: Our vision for the wedding was a classic modern country celebration—timeless, elegant, and filled with warmth. We fell in love with the venue’s stunning scenery, especially during the fall when the leaves were changing and the air had that crisp, cozy feel. From the vast countryside and white fences to the charming wooden barns and stables, the venue offered the perfect backdrop for our day. The blend of rustic elegance and Southern charm gave it an intimate, breathtaking atmosphere. We wanted soft colors, glowing candlelight, and an overall cozy vibe that would make our guests feel right at home. Every detail, from the natural beauty of the farm to the fall colors and timeless décor, came together to create a setting that we knew would remain just as stunning for years to come.
What was your theme and what inspired it?
Lexie: The farm theme was especially meaningful to us because Nashville has always held a special place in our hearts. We’ve always dreamed of moving back there one day (we currently live in Florida) and living on a farm much like Magnolia Farms—peaceful, scenic, and full of charm. The venue felt like a glimpse into that dream, with its rolling hills, white fences, and rustic wooden barns creating the perfect mix of comfort and beauty. I’ve always loved being outdoors and surrounded by nature, and this setting felt calm, simple, yet absolutely breathtaking. My goal was to blend the relaxed countryside feel with elegance and sophistication, creating a wedding that was both refined and deeply personal, all while embracing the stunning natural views around us.
What details were used to create your theme?
Lexie: To bring our wedding vision to life, we focused on simple yet thoughtful details that created a warm, elegant atmosphere, making the most of the beautiful fall backdrop in Nashville. We asked our guests to wear muted, dark fall colors to blend with the changing leaves and enhance the natural beauty around us. We filled the space with candles to add a cozy, romantic glow and kept the florals soft and timeless, using baby’s breath and white roses to pull the centerpieces together. Our approach was always “less is more”—we didn’t overdo it with décor but let the venue’s natural beauty take center stage. The rolling hills, rustic barns, and open countryside were already breathtaking, so we complemented them with a neutral color palette of whites, blacks, browns, and creams. We added personal touches with customized signs and simple draping, which gave the venue an intimate feel while still maintaining an air of sophistication. Every detail felt effortless yet intentional, making the day feel both refined and deeply personal.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
Lexie: When it came to making our wedding day unforgettable, we splurged on a few key things—and they were absolutely worth every penny. We invested in a photographer who captured every moment perfectly, ensuring that the memories from our special day would last a lifetime. We also went all in on the entertainment, hiring a live Broadway/country band to bring the energy to the reception. A fun twist was that the leader of the band, Ginny, was actually a childhood friend of mine, Lexie, making it a full-circle moment that made the day even more special. One fun detail we splurged on was purchasing light-up cowboy hats for all our guests to wear during the reception. Once the dance floor got full, it was such a huge hit! Everyone was dancing and having a blast, and the hats added such a fun, lively energy to the party. It was a great way to keep the celebration going and made for some unforgettable moments on the dance floor. For décor, we kept things simple to save, minimizing the draping and letting the natural beauty of the venue shine. Instead of an elaborate cake, we opted for a dessert bar and kept a simple cake for Russ and I to cut. We also recycled the bridesmaid bouquets and used them as centerpieces for the tables, which not only saved money but added a personal touch to the décor. We turned to Etsy for unique signs and details, and we even made custom matchboxes as party favors at the bar. Our custom drink signs and welcome signs added thoughtful touches, and one of our favorite ideas was the DIY table seating numbers. Each one featured a picture of Russ and I as children, matching the corresponding table number. It was such a hit—we received so many compliments on how meaningful and creative it was. Every little detail came together beautifully, from the personal touches to the unforgettable moments, making the day even more memorable.
What words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Lexie: My advice for future brides is to keep things simple and not get caught up in all the little details. You only have to do what you want to do—not what you think you need to do or what’s popular. The more uncomplicated the wedding, the more everything will flow. Focus on enjoying the moment with your closest family and friends. If you plan everything the way you love it and trust your instincts, you’ll have the most magical day. For example, my wedding had a 100% chance of rain, especially during the outdoor ceremony, and I was asked if I wanted to move it inside. I trusted my gut and kept it outside, accepting that it might rain. It turned out to be the best decision—no rain at all! Even when it sprinkled during photos, I just went with it and enjoyed the day. Don’t let the stress get to you. Do what feels right, and everything will come together perfectly.
Can you share any special moments or highlights from your wedding day?
Lexie: One of the highlights of our wedding was definitely having the ceremony outdoors, despite the high chances of rain. Everything came together so perfectly, and it was truly the best day ever. The weather ended up being beautiful, and the ceremony went off without a hitch—just as we’d dreamed. The atmosphere was magical, and our guests loved the live music, which really brought the energy to the reception. The dance floor was packed all night, with everyone letting loose and dancing. It was such a joyful celebration, and seeing everyone have such a great time made the day even more special. One of the most special moments of the day was our first look. We decided to do it in private, just the two of us, which made it so meaningful. It was a quiet, intimate moment before everything got busy, and we shared personal vows and readings with each other. It was a beautiful way to connect and calm any nerves before the ceremony, and it truly set the tone for the rest of the day. That moment will always be one of my favorites because it was just us, focused on each other, without any distractions. Another incredible part of the weekend was being able to rent the entire venue at Magnolia Farm for the full weekend. There were two beautiful houses on site—one cabin for the guys and a cute little country house for the girls. It was so much fun having one last sleepover with all the girls in the house the night before the wedding and one last hangout with all the guys in their cabin. Waking up together, getting ready together in the bridal suite, and just soaking in the beauty of the venue for the entire weekend made everything feel even more special. It was the perfect setting for creating memories with our closest friends before the big day. One of the fun surprises of the day was when I gifted all of my girls permanent bracelets while we were getting ready in the Bridal suite. It was a special little touch that I wanted to do for my bridesmaids, and it was so fun to share that moment with them. We used a local company called Franklin Links, and everyone loved how unique and meaningful the bracelets were. It was such a sweet addition to our wedding day, and now we all have a little piece of the day with us!
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your wedding?
Lexie: One thing I’d love to share about my wedding is that we planned it from Florida and only made two or three trips to Tennessee throughout the entire process. Planning a wedding from afar really requires a lot of trust in the process, but it truly does all come together! Looking back, I’m so happy I decided to invest in an amazing photographer. The photos captured every special moment so beautifully, and going through them really allows me to relive the day over and over again. It’s something I’ll treasure for years to come. The venue was absolutely perfect, with everything in one beautiful location. Even though everything was on the same property, each location had its own unique vibe. It included a gorgeous bridal suite where I got ready with my bridesmaids. The ceremony outside had a peaceful, serene energy with the stunning views of the countryside as the backdrop. The cocktail hour in the refurbished horse stable brought a cozy, rustic vibe, and the reception in the carriage house had a lively, fun atmosphere as the energy picked up. Each space added something new and exciting, and it was amazing how each transition brought a fresh feeling to the day, making every moment feel unique and memorable.
Huge thank you for Lexie and Russ, as well as Rebecca Musayev for sharing this dreamy fall wedding at Magnolia Farm!
