Three cheers for plenty of beers! Stephanie and Doug had the coolest celebration at The Barn at Cranford Hollow. As enthusiasts for taste of delicious hops, it only made sense that Tap Truck Nashville was a part of their reception. Several unique beer pairings (like peanut butter and jelly) were served from a vintage car which was such a fun experience for everyone. In addition to the fun flavorful drinks, their outdoor ceremony and beautifully decorated reception space were all surrounded by soft earth toned elements, complementing the timeless vibe so well. They truly wanted their guests to have the best time and feel appreciated, which they achieved with ease. Plus, the anniversary Dance for Stephanie’s grandparents 70th anniversary is a true sight to behold. Hannah Diane Photography outdid herself with this one — you’re definitely going to enjoy it!
Stephanie + Doug
The Barn at Cranford Hollow
Guests ~ 130
From the photographer:
Stephanie and Doug tied the knot at The Barn at Cranford Hollow in September 2022. The bride is a beer aficionado whose whole career revolves around beer tastings. Stephanie wanted her guests to have a unique experience that not every wedding would have. When she told me her plan for the reception, I could not wait to photograph this special moment for their guests. For cocktail hour, Tap Truck South Nash came out and served beer on tap out of a vintage car. With several different pairings of hoppy ales and IPA’s, this could not have been a better surprise.
What stood out the most to me about this wedding was that family was so important to both the bride and the groom. At one point during the wedding, Stephanie told me that she was overjoyed that her grandparents could make it to the wedding. She had planned a special anniversary dance to celebrate their love and marriage. Being 90 and 91 years old, they were celebrating 70 years of marriage that month. As they took to the dance floor, there was not a dry eye in the room.
Throughout all of the portraits, you can just feel the emotion from both Stephanie and Doug. They both just radiated so much love for each other.
Tell us about your engagement!
Stephanie: Our engagement was simple and perfect. Doug had told me to get ready for a date night and just as I had decided on an outfit he called me out to the living room. He had one of our favorite songs playing and was down on one knee.
What was the vision for your wedding?
Stephanie: I had always envisioned a more rustic, countryside wedding. Having a landscape and a space that required minimal additions to make it beautiful was what I strived to find. The Barn at Cranford Hollow gave me just that!
What was your theme and what inspired it?
Stephanie: I used a concept of timeless elegance paired with natural elements. As I was deciding on a color palette, one of my good friends brought up an amazing point. She told me to think about what I would want framed in my house and it was then I knew my desire to go with all earth tones was the right call.
Can you share any special moments or highlights from your wedding day?
Stephanie: As a craft beer enthusiast, the Tap Truck was certainly a highlight for me. We were lucky enough to have friends bring a keg all the way from Buffalo, NY and another all the way from Yorktown, VA so we could each have our hometowns represented. In addition, I worked with some of the local breweries to get really unique options on our menu. A Strawberry Peanut Butter & Jelly sour from Southern Grist turned out to be a big hit!
What are some tips you can share with other brides planning their weddings?
Stephanie: I didn’t hire a videographer and I absolutely wish that I had. As budget is always top of mind, this seemed to be an easy expense to cut. That said, I really wish I had asked a friend or a family member to film the ceremony and speeches with their phone. I would have loved to have raw footage to cherish.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your wedding?
Stephanie: I would like to say that hiring Hannah as my photographer is the best decision I made for the entire wedding, except for marrying Doug of course. She made everyone feel so comfortable and she did more than capture beautiful photos. She has a warmth to her personality, provided a great sense of calm and a helping hand anywhere she could. The memories she captured are ones I will cherish for a lifetime.
Would you want to share your Instagram handle so we can tag you once we publish your wedding?I would love that! I have two actually… @smwardvt & @thebeergal
