A Nashville wedding and good music go together like tea and biscuits. But this minimalist 14TENN wedding with epic music takes the cake! Grace and Maddie’s celebration was the perfect blend of modernity, simplicity, and a FUN time! We instantly knew their chemistry was one for the books after seeing their first look photos. The moments documented by Meghan Melia Photography shined bright with the details leaving their own spark too! The clean color palette against the industrial aesthetic of the venue is as romantic as you can imagine in addition to having the perfect area for dancing the night away. Sam McCray and The Mix turned music into memories with Grace surprising Maddie with an acoustic serenade to their favorite song before making their grand exit. This one is chockfull of inspiration!
Grace + Maddie
14TENN
Guests ~ 160
Budget ~ 20,000 – 30,000
How did you meet?
We met on Bumble in July of 2019 the same week that Maddie moved to Nashville from Cleveland, OH. We already knew we were in trouble just from texting, but our first East Nashville date at Mickey’s and Dino’s really sealed the deal. We planned a second date the next night and have loved each other every day since.
Tell us about your engagement!
In March of 2021, Maddie planned a trip to Knoxville so that Grace could show her around her college town. After a day of exploring, Maddie pretended to get lost on the highway and surprised Grace with an “impromptu” Asheville trip–which didn’t tip her off at all since Maddie is spontaneous and adventurous at heart. Maddie and Grace spent the day at breweries and record stores before “happening upon” the Battery Park Book Exchange champagne bar, where a private table was set up with champagne, charcuterie, and a book titled “Letters to Mrs. Finn” full of letters from Grace’s friends and family. Maddie was halfway through reading her a letter before Grace caught on that she was proposing, and the yes was instantaneous. The next month, we “happened” to visit the bar where we first met, Mickey’s, on a Saturday afternoon. We made our way to the back patio where Grace had set up white letters spelling out Will You Marry Me on the table where we had our first date, and Grace proposed back to Maddie with her great-grandmother’s ring. The yes was also instantaneous.
What was the vision for your wedding?
We wanted something unique, authentic, and simple that spoke to both of our personalities and shared values. Aesthetically, we wanted our wedding to have a minimal, intimate feel with lots of greenery. In terms of atmosphere, we wanted our spiritualities, love of music, and people we love to be the focal point. Our photographer Meghan was our first vendor, and her documentarian style and warmhearted approach helped us paint that picture from the beginning.
What was your theme and what inspired it?
Our theme was modern, minimal, and green.
What details were used to create your theme?
14TENN’s all-white, industrial openness with so much natural light was the perfect backdrop for all of the hanging greenery. We both wore white and dressed our bridal parties in black, and the rest of the color scheme matched along with sage and copper accents. We also incorporated some fun elements like a guitar case for cards, a Firebird convertible getaway car, American Traditional tattoo portraits of our pets on the bar signs, and acrylic arched table numbers created by Grace’s sister Katie Plunkett.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
We splurged on our venue and our food (queso, guac, and tacos were a must) and DIY-ed our signage (with the help of Grace’s wildly talented sister Katie). We also saved on our cake from Publix and Grace’s dress from Vow’d in Edgehill, which had an amazing staff and budget-friendly options for gorgeous yet simple dresses. Our day also could not have been a reality without the thoughtfulness of so many of our vendors who offered us discounts specifically created for LGBTQ couples to show their support for marriage equality in a process that can feel vulnerable as a queer folks in the south.
Can you share any special moments or highlights from your wedding day?
Our officiants were such a sweet part of the day–Maddie’s meditation teacher Rev. Mikey Noechel and Grace’s Bible study leader Natalie Beyer created a beautiful ceremony that reflected the spiritual joy and mindfulness that are so important to us. We accidentally mixed up our rings during the ceremony and were wearing each others’, so we got to actually exchange rings outside after the ceremony in a more intimate and silly moment. Maddie’s top was the bodice of her aunt’s 80s wedding dress who passed away the year she was born, which Maddie’s grandmother tailored into a top herself. Our coordinator Lindsey Willette was a rockstar–She ran across the street during the reception and got enough tequila to keep the margaritas going all night. The strap on Grace’s dress snapped on the dance floor dancing to the magic that is Sam McCrary and the Mix–only to snap a second time during “Tempo” by Lizzo. Maddie’s grandmother saved the day by stitching the strap back together, which made for a really sweet moment. We had coordinated a “last dance” moment with the band while everyone gathered outside for the exit, but Maddie surprised Grace with a private acoustic performance of one of our favorite songs since the beginning of our relationship–“Elise” by the Greeting Committee.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your wedding?
We wouldn’t have changed a thing about the day and felt more celebrated by our loved ones than we could have ever imagined. We are so grateful for all of the vendors who went into creating the best day of our lives!
What words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Whether you are in a marginalized community or an ally, look for inclusive vendors. Nashville has so many! Look for representation of all kinds of couples on their websites, in their words, or asking them directly when you inquire. Start with your priorities and work your way down–You’re going to have to let something go, and no one is going to notice a low-priority detail that you would’ve stressed about. Always put each other first, because it gets stressful–You can get so caught up in the planning that you can forget to consider each other, and even though you hopefully feel safe to share your feelings openly with your partner, remember to be kind and not say the first thing that comes to mind when stressed. If you can, plan your honeymoon for two days after your wedding–Having a day in between to rest and reflect on the wedding made the honeymoon much more mindful.
Congratulations Grace and Maddie! Your minimalist 14TENN wedding is one we won’t soon forget!
