When it comes to wedding stories, Harley and John’s big day is one for the books—complete with timeless elegance, an unexpected tornado, and a first dance that wowed the crowd. Set against a neutral palette of whites and champagnes, their Nashville wedding beautifully blended sophistication with fun. One of the most unforgettable highlights? Their choreographed first dance, perfected through wedding dance lessons with Curtsy Ballroom. Not only did their dance bring energy and joy to the reception, but the experience of preparing together added an extra layer of excitement to the planning process. From sheltering in a bathroom stall with their guests to twirling under the spotlight, Harley and John’s wedding photographed by Laura K. Allen Photography proves that unforgettable memories often come from the unexpected.
Harley + John
4.5.2025
The Sloane
Guests ~ 100
How did you guys meet?
Harley: Our love story began in 2016 at Singapore American School (SAS), where our paths first crossed in the beautiful city of Singapore. Little did we know that this meeting would spark a lifelong adventure!
In 2019, our story took a new turn when we reconnected in Tokyo, Japan. The city’s neon-lit streets and sumo wrestling stables set the stage for our reunion.
During college, John made the long drive nearly 12 hours every weekend to visit Harley. We often spent the time studying in various spots around Princeton or exploring New York City together.
Our bond deepened during the challenging times of COVID. With John’s family overseas, we embraced the opportunity to spend quality time in the serene setting of Draper, Virginia. Those months were filled with John’s newfound bartending skills, Sandy’s delicious cooking, Serg’s green screen, many Facebook messenger calls with John’s family, and a rediscovery of what truly matters.
In 2021, Harley graduated and moved to the bustling city of New York, while John completed his studies at the Virginia Military Institute. He graduated in 2022 and was commissioned as a US Army officer. In 2023, we settled in the vibrant city of Nashville, which has quickly become one of our favorite cities in the US. We are so excited to celebrate our wedding in Germantown, the neighborhood we call home and absolutely love, here in Nashville.
Tell us about your engagement!
Harley: We got engaged in Seaside, Florida. John organized a beautiful beach setup during sunset. He had a surprise photographer. We then had the whole weekend to celebrate on the beach! This was also the weekend of our five year anniversary.
What was the vision for your wedding?
Harley: Elegant, timeless, but still lots of fun!
What details were used to create your theme?
Harley: We kept the color palette very neutral, focusing on whites and champagnes throughout the wedding. These tones complemented the venue beautifully and helped tie everything together with our overall theme.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
Harley: We splurged on the band and the venue—two elements that were really important to us and made a big impact on the day. To save, we kept the tableware simple, which worked perfectly with our neutral, classic theme. We were also strategic with our floral choices, opting for arrangements that made a statement without going over the top. Plus, we repurposed flowers from the ceremony for the reception to maximize their use.
What words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Harley: Everything will work out in the end—or at the very least, you’ll have a memorable story to tell for years to come! The most special part is having all your favorite people in one place, celebrating your love. Don’t lose sight of that amid the planning!
Can you share any special moments or highlights from your wedding day?
Harley: One unforgettable moment was when a tornado touched down in Nashville—we had to shelter in the bathroom for 30 minutes right before the ceremony! It turned into an impromptu bathroom party with the wedding party, guests, and vendors. We captured an amazing portrait in a bathroom stall! They say bad weather on your wedding day is good luck, so we’re hoping this tornado is a sign of great things to come! Another big highlight was our first dance. Taking dance lessons together was one of our favorite parts of planning, and we had an absolute blast during the actual performance. The energy was amazing, and our guests were really into it—it made the moment even more special.
Huge thank you to Harley and John for sharing their Nashville wedding with us and their incredible experience with Curtsy Ballroom. Want to see a video of their first dance? Click here!
