Rain Kissed Cheekwood Estate & Garden Wedding

Rain-Kissed Wedding at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens

Nestled in the enchanting gardens of Cheekwood Estate, Haylee and Matt’s wedding day reflected their shared passions, from their love of travel to their appreciation for minimalist beauty. Haylee, a bride with an artistic flair, took on the role of planner and designer, crafting a wedding day that was as thoughtful as it was stunning. The event featured a warm palette of florals, elegant pinstriped linens, and curated details that created an intimate atmosphere. Even Hurricane Helene couldn’t dampen the magic. In fact, the rain added an unforgettable charm to the day, culminating in Haylee and Matt sharing their first kiss as newlyweds in the rain—a picture-perfect moment straight out of a romance movie. The festivities transitioned to a beautifully draped tent adorned with a sparkling chandelier, where guests were treated to an atmosphere of cozy elegance enhanced by the soft patter of rain. Every detail of the reception was infused with the couple’s personality. From custom matchbook favors and a monogrammed dance floor to an energetic playlist that kept the dance floor packed, the evening was a celebration of love and joy. Laughter and music filled the air as guests danced beneath twinkling lights, making memories to last a lifetime. The night ended with a magical bubble-filled send-off, as Haylee and Matt walked hand-in-hand to their getaway car. Through the eyes of Eden Ingle, enjoy these highlights of their rain-kissed wedding below!

Haylee + Matt

9.28.2024

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Guests ~ 70

How did you meet?

Haylee and Matt’s love story began at the tech startup Olive, where they initially met as colleagues. When Haylee moved on from the company, fate stepped in through a Bumble match. Haylee made the first move with a playful, “Well, well, well, we meet again…” From their first date in Columbus, Ohio, it was clear that they had found something special.

Tell us about your engagement!  

Matt’s proposal was equally sweet and simple—over coffee in their kitchen in Austin, just before a planned trip to La Jolla, California. After Haylee said yes, they spent the weekend celebrating with friends and champagne at the iconic La Valencia Hotel.

What was the vision & theme for your wedding? What details were used to create this vision?

We envisioned a very intimate setting and ultimately chose Nashville, TN, when we discovered Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. Its stunning grounds provided the perfect backdrop for our modern celebration, blending feminine and masculine design elements to create a warm, cozy atmosphere for our 70 closest friends and family.Nashville felt like the perfect middle ground—a destination bridging our past life in Austin, Texas, with our roots in Cleveland, Ohio. Our love of travel inspired the choice, offering our guests an opportunity to escape into a lush, romantic setting as they joined us in celebrating this new chapter of our lives.

Where did you splurge? Where did you save?  

We splurged on rentals, including beautiful linens from BBJ, and thoughtfully curated every detail brought into Cheekwood through Please Be Seated to create the look and feel we envisioned, including a custom dancefloor featuring our monogram. While we saved on a rain plan tent, we chose to dress it up with elegant drapery for our reception space, complete with a stunning chandelier. We also saved by forgoing a wedding planner, as Haylee is a wedding planner and designer herself in Cleveland, OH, through Noma Florals and Events.

What is your best piece of advice for others planning their wedding?  

My advice is to leave room for flexibility! We never could have imagined our wedding day being impacted by the rains of Hurricane Helene. We kept a close eye on the weather leading up to the big day, had an honest conversation with our venue, and ultimately decided to have a tented reception while moving our ceremony indoors. While it wasn’t what we had originally envisioned, we embraced every change as it came. Our friends and family truly showed up for us—my best friend and Maid of Honor, Meghan, stood behind Matt and me to hold up an umbrella during our first look in the rain. It’s all about how you react when the unplanned happens. And if it does, just have fun!

What was your first dance song?  

Grow as We Go by Ben Platt

Can you share your favorite memory or any special moments from the day?  

As I was getting ready, my 2-year-old niece, Willow, was in the room, watching me as I got dressed, put on my earrings, and slipped into my shoes. I looked over and noticed she was in awe, copying my every move. It made me feel so special, like I was a princess in her eyes, and it was incredibly sweet to see her mimic me. I also loved having a first look—it wasn’t something we had initially planned, but when the rain came, I just wanted the calm of seeing Matt. From that point on, we were able to relax and enjoy every moment.Our friends and my mom gave the most touching speeches, and everything felt so personal and genuine. It was incredibly meaningful.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?  

We opted to exchange vows directly with one another over room service breakfast in our room at the Dream Hotel downtown. It was the perfect way to start the morning and I would recommend this to anyone!

Special thank you to Haylee, Matt, and Eden Ingle for sharing this incredible celebration with us!

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Credits

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Wedding PhotographerEden Ingle
Cakes & DessertsFrothy Monkey
StationeryOnPaper.Art
Floral DesignNew Mood Floral
Gifts & FavorsFor Your Party
Guest AccommodationsDream Hotel Nashville
Rentals & DecorPlease Be Seated
Rentals & DecorBBJ La Tavola
Transportation3 Guys in Bow Ties
Wedding Accessories & JewelryFaris
Wedding Accessories & JewelryLoeffler Randall
Wedding Dress DesignerRebecca Shoneveld
Wedding Planning & DesignNoma Florals & Design