With their big day falling in a season of cooler weather, Rachel and Cole knew they wanted a romantic, moody winter wedding. With the help of Ashley of Posh Occasions, their grand ideas were made real; allowing for a day that was one part elegant and the other simply fun! From their attire to even the smallest of details, the cohesive styled carried throughout the day and we can’t help but fall in love in these photos and video from Cannon Weddings. Trust us when we say you’re going to want to see what’s in store below!
Rachel + Cole
The Cordelle
Guests ~ 150
Budget ~ $50,000 – 60,000
How did you guys meet?
Rachel: We met in college! I actually called dibs on him to my friends the second week of freshman year. I played hard to get for a little bit but he was very persistent. We had a lot of the same friends so it was hard to stay away from each other and eventually I said yes and we’ve been together ever since!
Tell us about your engagement!
Rachel: We moved to Nashville right out of college for Cole’s job. We spent our first summer here exploring all the things to do, so almost every weekend was something new. We planned a night to go to Arrington Vineyards (big wine fans) and I truly thought it was just a a normal date. After about a whole bottle of wine, he got down on his knee on the hill and asked me to marry him! We celebrated at the vineyard just us two then drove back into town for dinner where a whole group of friends and family surprised me at Saint Anejo! Still cry thinking about it.
What was the vision for your wedding?
Rachel: I had always wanted a winter wedding because I really love dark colors and cold weather. I came in open-minded and let Ashley guide my thoughts into tangible things! My main goal was to just have the best party ever. I wanted it to be fun, non-traditional, and everyone leave saying they had they time of their life.
What was your theme and what inspired it?
Rachel: Our theme was dark and greenery with gold. So a lot of black and gold with greenery everywhere and touches of burgundy for color. Ashley and I would always joke saying my vibe was very “moody” but honestly that described it perfectly! A moody, romantic, dark and cozy setting.
What details were used to create your theme?
Rachel: We used a lot of black where we could (chairs, drape, plates, etc) and gold to make it feel romantic. Our florals were mostly greens with pops of burgundy and black. My favorite pieces were the floral arrangements hanging from the ceilings with candles. It set the dinner mood so well.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
Rachel: Our main focus was to have the best party ever. So we definitely splurged on our cocktail hour and dinner, and also the drinks. We wanted a full open bar, but to make it a little more unique we had a full table of champagne for guests to grab on their way into the ceremony. I had never seen anyone do pre-ceremony champagne and I feel like it kicked off the party perfectly.
What was it like working with Ashley of Posh Occasions?
Rachel: I truly cannot say enough good things about Ashley. I knew from our first meeting that she was going to make this process fun and seamless and she did just that! I really never worried about anything. She took care of any issues before I even knew about them. Ashley knew I was a pretty hands-off bride, so she took care of EVERYTHING that wasn’t necessary for me to do. On the day of I felt so relaxed and barely lifted a finger because she had everything in place. The coordinating couldn’t have gone smoother. She really is the main reason why I look back and feel like I had such an easy experience. On top of that, we became such good friends over the year we spent planning together and still talk all the time! I love her. I got so lucky!
What words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Rachel: Find someone you trust to handle the little stuff and don’t stress. The little things really aren’t a big deal, most guests don’t even notice! Focus on what’s important to you two and HAVE FUN.
Can you share any special moments or highlights from your wedding day?
Rachel: I have one favorite moment that always sticks out. After our first look and pictures, the whole wedding party went up into the bridal suite to hang out before the ceremony. We did some toasts, drank some champagne and got hyped up together. It was so nice to have a moment with all of our favorite people to celebrate what was about to happen before any guests arrived. Definitely suggest finding a way to make that happen!
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your wedding?
Rachel: We wanted our wedding to be personal and non-traditional. At the end of the day, this was OUR wedding. We had a friend marry us and it was the best decision ever. Anytime people talk about our wedding, they say how amazing and personal our ceremony was. We also took away those traditional things that didn’t feel necessary to us. No bouquet toss, no garter toss. Once the party started, we didn’t want to stop it for anything!
So dreamy!! Huge thanks to Rachel and Cole along with Ashley of Posh Occasions for sharing this gorgeous moody winter wedding with us!
