Jenna Frawley models a stunning Kelly Faetanini gown, from The White Magnolia Nashville, in front of the iconic Hermitage Hotel. PHOTOGRAPHY BY: ALLI CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHY
Working with Legend Homes was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made! The decision to build from the ground up can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time and during a pandemic. The Legend team never missed a beat; they made the process so easy and fun with no delays. They are trustworthy, collaborative and their weekly communication updates through the app and throughout the process were superb. They were always available to answer questions and provide great advice even after we closed. We are so grateful for their team and our dream home. We would highly recommend Legend Homes to anyone considering building a new home in Middle TN.
Amanda & Kevin
For
There is just something about a wedding. As I come to a place in life where many of my friends’ children are getting married… mine are still in diapers…but alas… I am now attending the weddings of children I knew when THEY were in diapers and the sight of that transformation, from a child to an adult doing one of the single most important things they will do in life, and sharing in the joy that surrounds that moment, is a profoundly moving thing. When my best friend’s son got married this last fall, I had that mix of emotions where I wanted to be sure she was handling it all ok; being so very proud of the young man she had raised and so very happy to see him marry his true love; and of course, feeling…well old. Not old exactly…but sentimental. Weddings do that too. They make you remember all the things… your own love story, your own journey to the altar and your own marriage vows.
As we share with you our latest edition of
Distinctively Southern Wedding, everyone in our office has enjoyed having a little bit of romance and roses in our midst for the last few weeks. Combining all the beauty and heartfelt sentiment of our many real wedding profiles, we also got to showcase our version of the Dating Game – for dogs and cats of the WCAC – and offer up your potential four-legged Valentine for this year. Who doesn’t love slobbery kisses and furry hugs?
This issue affords us so much to cover its oddly incredible since we usually think of the winter months, post-holiday, as quiet and dark and calm. But not in Williamson County! There are events galore and plenty of holidays to celebrate as well. Do not forget to see which prediction Mr. Phil goes with this year!
It’s a new year, Williamson County! Get ready and get set – because it’s going to be epic!
Cheers!
At press time, their wedding photos were not available to include a profile, but we couldn’t leave dear family friends out of this special wedding issue. Congratulations to Alessandra and Ryan Lankford married on October 29, 2022
Robertson Birdsong Owner | Publisher | Editor in Chief shelly@robertsonmediagroup.com
“Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.”Shelly
INTERIOR THINKING Brooke and her husband, Steve, are the duo behind Patina Home & Garden, a new store in Leiper’s Fork. For thirty years, they’ve designed homes together for their clients with the tenets of community, nature and history. Follow her blog, Velvet & Linen.
READ BETWEEN THE LINES
Emily lives in Franklin with her husband and their three children. In addition to reading, she loves monogramming, baking, spending time with her family and teaching at The Little School. Follow her on Instagram, @letsreadtherainbow.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
Free Flow Yoga + Bounce is a yoga studio for everybody and every body. They offer a wide range of classes, from traditional practice to fun fusion to cardio, that’ll keep your heart pumping. For more information, visit freeflowyoga.com.
MARRY ME
Hugh is the premier event designer and lifestyle expert. He has worked with numerous A-list celebrities and has been featured across the country on CBS, CMT, ABC TV, PEOPLE, InStyle, USA TODAY, VOGUE, Harper’s BAZAAR and BRIDES. Follow him @HughHowser on Instagram.
A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN IS… Johnny, Publisher at YOUR Williamson, is a Kentucky native and Williamson County convert but, above all, a Southern Gentleman. This column features Johnny’s timehonored advice in the area of manners, hospitality and what being a gentleman is.
Franklin Transit is the easy way to get around Franklin and Cool Springs. We have friendly service, $1 one-way tickets, and more stops available every 30 minutes to get you where you need to go. From restaurants to shopping to historical sites. DOWNTOWN
DAYS GONE BY Katie, local author of novel Finding Franklin, has found her home here in our community. See her interesting and history filled blog posts all about Franklin and Williamson County on social media daily. Follow her on social media @katieshandsauthor.
WE’RE IN THE MONEY Lineage Bank is a multi-branch community bank based in Williamson County. Father and son veteran bankers Richard and Kevin Herrington opened the first Lineage Bank branch in Franklin in 2020.
YOUR REAL ESTATE
The Williamson County Association of REALTORS®, established in 1962, is a trade association that represents the interests of real estate professionals and those who own or desire to own real property. To learn more, visit wcartn.org.
YOUR HEALTH & WELLNESS
Williamson Health has been a healthcare pillar in our community for over sixty years. With an impressive tradition and commitment to providing exceptional healthcare service to thousands of patients, they are YOUR community hospital. For more information, visit williamsonmhealth.org.
Tony’s Eat & Drink myfriendshousetn.org
Come cast your vote for your favorite court couple for the 2023 Mardi Gras Ball, benefiting My Friend’s House. Guests can also “play” the wine pull and visit silent auction tables. All ages welcome and food and drink available for purchase.
Leiper’s Fork Distillery leipersforkdistillery.com
The Freedom & Whiskey Foundation will host its Inaugural Event with a goal to fund an educational scholarship account benefiting qualified members of The Special Operations Forces (SOF) community. The evening will also include heavy hors d’ oeuvres, complimentary cocktails and tasting stations featuring select expressions of Leiper’s Fork whiskeys.
ANTIQUES & GARDEN SHOW NASHVILLE
Music City Center antiquesandgardenshow.com
Reserve your tickets to experience the longest-running, largest and most respected event of its kind in the country. Held at the award-winning Music City Center, the Antiques & Garden Show will once again breathe its warmth, life and style into the heart of winter with over 150 antiques, art and horticultural exhibitors and more to benefit Cheekwood and ECON Charities.
STUDIO TENN: “NEW WORKS SERIES” Mockingbird Theater studiotenn.org
Franklin’s professional theatre company, Studio Tenn, has announced the latest in its “New Works Series,” a diverse collection of plays written, produced and performed by Southerners in an effort to cultivate and nurture the talent of the next generation of Southern playwrights, composers and lyricists.
Robertson Media Group yourwilliamson.com
Join the staff of Robertson Media Group and YOUR Williamson for a pop up show with Dena Nance Jewelry! Dena Nance will bring her collection of handmade Valentine’s and Mardi Gras jewelry for a fun day of shopping, with a portion of proceeds benefiting My Friend’s House. Check our website and social pages for details!
Embassy Suites Cool Springs myfriendshousetn.org Join the fun and festive celebration at My Friend’s House 2023 Mardi Gras Ball!
It’s a night full of dancing, dinner and music to learn and support the work being done at My Friend’s House. Wear your beads and masks and get ready to enjoy My Friend’s House largest fundraiser of the year.
The Factory at Franklin autismcareertraining.org The Songs for the Spectrum benefit concert will treat guests to a nine-piece band, food and drinks, and an auction. The event benefits the Autism Career Training (ACT), a nonprofit organization that provides center-based vocational and prevocational training for young adults on the Spectrum.
Your life is built on thousands of small moments. We believe your financial success is too. With bankers who know your goals and services that’ll make daily life a little easier, we’re committed to supporting you through all of it—big and small.
WHO: Franklin Kiwanis Club franklintnkiwanischristmasparade.org
WHAT: Franklin Kiwanis Christmas Parade WHERE: Downtown Franklin WHY: The Franklin Kiwanis Club presented a day of holiday fun to welcome Santa Claus to Franklin with the help of local businesses, clubs and schools.
A new year is a fresh start—many of us have the resolutions to prove it. If you have resolved to build healthier habits in the new year, Williamson Health’s Jacqueline Gentry, M.D., offers a few healthy habits tips to help make that resolution a reality.
“Having community in our lives — a group of people who have things in common and care about each other — increases our quality and quantity of life,” Dr. Gentry says. Gentry advises her patients to find groups that share similar interests, which could include running groups, church, book clubs and more. “But remember, social ties don’t happen overnight,” Dr. Gentry cautions. She says it generally takes between fifty to ninety hours together to build deep, lasting relationships with others.
“We often go to social media for a dopamine hit,” Dr. Gentry says. “Shares and likes affect the reward center of the brain, but data shows in the long-term, social media is increasing rates of depression and anxiety.” She recommends setting limits on app use, but also scheduling purposeful time away from screens, including phones, laptops and televisions. “Build rituals around healthier activities, such as going on a walk, playing with your pet, talking with a friend or reading a book,” she says.
“I highly recommend being more aware of what ingredients are in your toiletries and cleaning products,” Dr. Gentry says. “Just
because something isn’t 100% natural isn’t necessarily good or bad, but it’s important to be aware of the long-term effects of the ingredients.” Dr. Gentry advises consulting EWG.org, which can be a helpful tool in determining how household products affect personal health or impact the environment.
“Our bodies were designed to have routine,” Dr. Gentry remarks. “Having a set wake and sleep time sets us up for success.” Want to build some healthier sleep habits this year? Dr. Gentry recommends avoiding blue light before bed (so turn off that TV or iPad), optimizing your bedroom for peaceful sleep and avoiding vigorous exercise too close to bedtime. To see how your sleep hygiene measures up, she suggests visiting sleepfoundation.org/ sleep-hygiene.
February is Hearth Health Month, so now’s the perfect time to refocus on practical steps to keep your heart healthy. Schedule time for regular exercise, but also think about ways to add short bursts of vigorous activity, like taking the stairs or chasing your kids. Aim for 150 minutes of exercise a week. Dr. Gentry also recommends a Mediterranean diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats and limits processed
foods. Dr. Gentry notes that poor sleep has been linked to heart issues — even more reason to clean up your sleep routine!
#6:
“We often over complicate healthy choices,” keep it simple — eat plenty of vegetables, get in regular exercise and build strong relationships. All of these help us to live longer and happier lives. Rather than cutting out what you can’t eat, consider healthier additions to your diet,” Dr. Gentry advises. “Sometimes it’s easier to set new goals of what to add in, such as eating five different types of vegetables each day, rather than cutting foods out of our diets,” she says.
Dr. Gentry and the physicians at Williamson Health are here to help you meet your goal of living a happier, healthier life. To learn more or find a trusted medical provider close to home, visit williamsonhealth.org.
Dr. Jacqueline Gentry is a new primary care physician at Williamson Health’s clinic in Nolensville. Originally from Memphis, she focuses on integrative and preventative medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling and volunteering with the Friends of Adziwa Foundation. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gentry, call 615.791.2300.
BY SUZANNE BANKER
hen you were a kid, you thought nothing of hopping on your bike, jumping on the trampoline, shooting some hoops or running relay races with friends. Movement was just part of your day… it was fun. When did we grow up and take ourselves so seriously? The evolution of the fitness industry has brought us some truly amazing tools and modalities but also brought a lot of competition, injury, expectation and dread. What if – just what if – we could come back to moving in a way that was enjoyable, challenging, energetic, safe and, dare we say, fun again!?
What research has shown us over and over is that you are way more likely to do what you enjoy and truly connect with when it comes to exercise. If you want success and consistency in any area, you must find a way to derive meaning and fulfillment from it.
My name is Suzanne Banker, and I am the owner of Free Flow Yoga + Bounce. After being a fitness trainer for almost a decade, I have seen a lot of trends come and go. There are only a few things I have seen consistently work no matter what movement your jam is. I am going to share a few things with you in hopes that at the start of this new year you can cultivate consistent habits that result in a stronger future!
I have heard too many times people jumping into a program for a wedding in the spring, a vacation in the fall or a number on a scale. Here is the thing, work first on your relationship with your body image and the deeper issues within, so you can come to a place where you move just to feel better. The world needs who you were created to be, and you need good health to carry out your life’s mission!
There are very few people driven and motivated enough on their own without the need for connection and accountability. Knowing someone will say, “I missed you in class yesterday!” or “Hey, join me for a walk after dinner!” can be what you truly need to stay inspired. This magic sauce is what I call collective energy. There is nothing like a big room of excitement at the end of a class when you want to give up, but everyone is smiling and high-fiving, and it feels so good to overcome together!
Maybe you love yoga or cycling or barre or long walks. Awesome! Do more of those things. You are more likely to do what you are excited about, and any movement is better than no movement. Also, make sure you are cross-training and incorporating workouts in different planes, levels of intensity, duration and focus. If you move the body in the same way all the time, you will stagnate and fail to work neighboring muscle groups that are needed for longterm function.
I do not care who you are or what your age is, just find more ways to incorporate strength training. As we age, we lose muscle mass, decreasing approximately three to eight percent per decade after age thirty and even higher after age sixty. At some point, you will not care if you looked good in a bikini at twenty, but you will care that you are able to run around with your grandkids and get up off the floor easily in your later years.
JANUARY SPECIAL $99 for your first month!
Join us in the new year as we move towards strength, confidence, and community! We offer a wide variety of classes from traditional yoga flows to barre, HIIT, strength, restorative, and bounce so that you can move in a way that you're actually excited about.
FREEFLOWYOGA.COM
So, let’s get back to the fun of fitness this year because being able to move truly is a gift! Learn more about Free Flow Yoga + Bounce at freeflowyoga.com.
Herban Market opened its doors in 2015 and has since become a staple in healthy eating for the community.
Herban Market is owned by Ashlea and Matt Hogancamp and commits to offering easier access to quality products and a trusted source for individuals and families wanting an option for clean eating. “We wanted an organic market and health food store packed with fullyvetted, quality products and foods making
it more convenient to access,” says Ashlea. “It’s all organically-grown foods, pastureraised meats, 100% grass-fed beef and bison, sustainably-sourced wild-caught seafood, and hand-selected items that are the cleanest and highest quality available in the world.”
Herban Market’s vast menu is all made from scratch and offers everything from an organic coffee bar to smoothies and frozen kombucha,
to biodynamic wines and craft beers, to tacos and salads and burgers. “The restaurant doesn’t contain soy, canola oil, MSG, preservatives, artificial dyes or colors, artificial sweeteners or additives,” says Ashlea. “We’re always listening to what our community wants from Herban Market – and the volume of guests visiting each day continues to exceed our expectations. So, we’re working REALLY hard to navigate and serve everyone the best we can! With a crazy,
talented new Executive Chef Bobby Benjamin, Pastry Chef Nate and Chef de Cuisine Erick, we’ve been hard at work to expand the pastry program, menu availability and new creations, and begin to provide even more options.”
I recently met with Ashlea and Matt, as well as Bobby, to learn more about his background and see what’s new on the menu. Bobby has brought his experience and creativity to the menu, making tweaks and additions. Chatting with him, I learned about where the roots for his passion for cuisine started – working at a restaurant in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, with women who raised him in the kitchen and taught him about cooking. Over the years, he has worked in many eateries, opened a restaurant, and has gathered a seasoned background of knowledge to bring to his current team and patrons. He also gathers inspiration from his team and their different cultures and walks of life. He appreciates the value of what they contribute to the overall desire to provide the best food possible. “Anytime I’m thinking of a new dish, first and foremost, I always want to respect culture and use the best cooking technique and ingredients,” explains Bobby. “As far as my style of cooking, I would describe it as going on an adventure with my ingredients to bring an elevated level of excitement and intrigue to the table.”
When I met with Bobby at Herban Market, I asked him what he enjoyed most about being a part
of the team, and he said simply: “It’s different here. The love, care and attention I put into my dishes, is due to the gift of those things being given to me by personally working here. I am able to authentically share those gifts with the world and to love on people through elevated ingredients and teach others to have a relationship with what they eat.”
During my visit, I tried several items from the menu, including from the coffee bar, bakery and menu. First up was the Golden Milk Latte, made with golden milk mix, whole milk, honey and cinnamon, as well as the Matcha Latte, made with organic DoMatcha Summer Harvest matcha green tea, whole milk, honey and cinnamon. Both were delicious and will hit the spot depending on if you are a coffee drinker or a tea drinker. The new coffee bar also offers several options of beautiful pickme-up drinks (or non-caffeinated if preferred).
From the bakery, I tried the Blueberry Scone with Lemon Curd and the White Chocolate Cranberry Bar. I have since craved both delectable treats. The scone is gluten-free and probably the best I have ever had, and paired with the lemon curd to dip in…pure heaven. The White Chocolate Cranberry Bar, which is also gluten-free, is topped with white chocolate morsels and cranberries.
A new menu item I tried was the Farmhouse Kale with shaved kale, pasturized shaved chicken, black currants, toasted walnuts, mint, pecorino Romano and a housemade citrus buttermilk dressing. It was fresh and light, as well as earthy and filling.
Next up was my favorite from the tasting… The Arugula Sausage Pizza. This individualsized pizza has ricotta whip, fennel sausage from pastured pork, caramelized fennel, house-made pickled onions, and is topped with arugula, lemon juice, maldon salt and olive oil on the house-made wheat crust. So delicious and would please not only pizza lovers but those with palates that want a little adventure in their regular pizza pie.
After that, I tried the Carne Asada Tacos with house-made heirloom corn tortillas, grassfed Wagyu flat iron steak, roasted onions, raw onion, cilantro, avocado and housemade roasted tomatillo salsa. That tomatillo sauce… WOW! Incredible authentic flavor
White Chocolate Cranberry Bar
Matcha Latte & Golden Milk Latte
with a kick and perfectly paired together is the best way to describe this dish.
Lastly, I tasted the Salmon Burger. This filling burger is created with wild-caught Alaskan salmon, house-made remoulade sauce, house-made pickled onions, arugula, spiralized cucumber, avocado and a house-made bun. It was served with a side of apple kale slaw, giving it savory and sweet, satisfying flavors. I love burgers, especially those outside the bun – pun intended. So, a salmon burger that has a medley of flavors and is served as a huge portion checks all the boxes.
Herban Market is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. I highly recommend dining at Herban Market, shopping at Herban Market, visiting the staff at Herban Market… Just go there as soon as you can to check it out! They have expanded their space to include The Pantry at Herban Market with more offerings such as breads, pastries, desserts, grab and gos, take and bakes, family meals and catering. Ashlea says their mission is simple: To serve people really good food, products and experience. “The world is quite toxic – our air, our water, our soil, our food and even our social fabric and communities. We want to help heal in every way possible through food and hospitality.”
Carne Asada Tacos
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Say goodbye to the stress of a mess! Here are my tips for starting your New Year on a fresh note.
1. There is never a bad time to declutter, but the new year is a great motivator to eliminate the stuff that is no longer serving you. You can declutter various things for a fresh start to the new year. Start by decluttering a neglected linen closet, organizing your pantry or going through your fridge.
Iam the proud owner and CEO of Southern Domestic Diva, a multi-service cleaning company operating out of Southwest Mississippi and Nashville. It all started with my love for cleaning, which I learned from my grandmother Hattie who embodied whimsy, class and southern sass. I am a true Mississippi girl who grew up watching my grandma smoke cigarettes and clean her house with a bottle of Pine-Sol while fresh pecan pies were baking in the oven. While I loved previous roles in the corporate world, I still wanted to make a real impact and knew I was meant for bigger things. With my strong southern roots, passion for cleaning and cooking, I created a luxury cleaning company that empowers and employs women.
Everyone has this preconceived notion about the cleaning industry, which is why I wanted to shift the mindset to luxurious residential services. We do anything from commercial or rental cleaning to move-in and move-out cleaning. Whether it is our exceptional booking service or our gifting of homemade pecan pies, we prioritize the tiny details being cared for because we want to spoil our clients so that they love the lifestyle of being a Diva client.
2. Reflect on the progress you made over the last year – and the goals you didn’t achieve. Looking back on all you have accomplished –and what you did not – is a great first step when giving yourself a fresh start.
3. Start writing down everything you hope to achieve. These goals might be specific, with clear actions you can take to achieve them, or they may be bigger and require baby steps.
4. Defining your goals and setting a plan is a great way to get a fresh start in the new year. Make it realistic and personal to your own needs.
5. Give yourself some grace. Changing old habits and routines is easier said than done. It is important to recognize that it is hard to change everything overnight. Start with a morning routine that you love, cleaning one room at a time, lighting your favorite candle while you clean, or treating yourself to a primary room makeover so you have a calm space to decompress at the end of each day.
Nashville Office
2514 Eugenia Ave | Nashville 629.800.5134
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With over ten years of cleaning experience, Southern Domestic Diva has the tools and resources to provide unmatched cleaning
The Southern Diva Cookbook, which honors all the women and traditions in my life, is arriving the first of February. To book a cleaning service or get a quote, visit southerndomesticdiva.com or call 629. 800.5134.
BAD HABIT: Playing hide and seek. I hide, you seek.
BEST QUALITY: I’ll sit on you for prolonged periods.
LOOKING FOR: Parents. I didn’t learn much in my first home. I need someone patient to teach me manners and help build my confidence.
BEST QUALITY: I can jump seven times my height, therefore, any spiders on top shelves and top of cupboards cannot hide.
BEST QUALITY: I’d spend all nine of my lives with you and my nickname is PspPspPsp.
BEST QUALITY: You wouldn’t have to worry about me cheating. Even if I wanted to, it would be nearly impossible because I can’t open doorknobs.
BEST QUALITY: I’m sweet and do fine with other dogs. I would love a home with lots of love and affection because I am eager to please.
BY KATIE SHANDS
y 1925, Franklin had hosted its fair share of parades, but this procession was unlike any the town had ever seen. Instead of batons and brass instruments, participants carried old windows and a door. Others pushed wheelbarrows of used bricks. Despite the heavy loads, everyone’s mood was light and celebratory.
The congregation of Shorter Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church surely drew an audience as they hauled their dismantled
sanctuary from Cameron Street (now Second Avenue), to Natchez Street, where they planned to rebuild. However, this was much more than a parade. Each step with those bricks — handmade by the congregants’ enslaved ancestors — was a poignant reminder of how far they’d come. Each step was a small victory. Each step brought them closer to a future that had once seemed impossible. No, this wasn’t just another parade. This was the dawn of a new chapter for Shorter Chapel.
To truly understand the journey of this Franklin
congregation, we must rewind to the birth of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church as a whole. During the late eighteenth century in Philadelphia, trailblazing pastor and freedman Richard Allen became an assistant minister at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church. Blacks and whites worshiped there, but as black attendance increased, so did racial hostilities. The final straw came when white members pulled black worshipers off their knees during prayer. In response, Allen left St. George’s as part of a mass walkout and found the A.M.E. Church in 1816.
The denomination spread throughout the Northeast and Midwest, but it really took off after the Civil War when A.M.E. congregations began to form all over the South. In 1868, a group of formerly enslaved people in this area founded Shorter Chapel A.M.E. Church, named in honor of Bishop James Alexander Shorter, the ninth elected and consecrated A.M.E. bishop. It is unknown where this band of believers worshiped in those early days, but within four years of the church’s founding, they purchased the former sanctuary of the Franklin First United Methodist Church for $1,500. The circa-1830 building, which stood on the present-day site of The Brownstones, had been badly damaged during the war, but it was ready to be dedicated by the following spring.
Consider what a milestone this was. Before the Civil War, the more than 12,000 enslaved people in Williamson County had limited options for religious practice. Often, they were banned from white churches or forced to attend their masters’ services where they were relegated to the back pews or galleries. Many were prohibited from worshiping at all
and conducted secret religious ceremonies in the thickets and hollers around their cabins. And now, only a few years after emancipation, not only did this group have a church home, they owned it outright.
The congregation flourished in this location and eventually outgrew the space. In 1924, Shorter Chapel trustees purchased the Natchez Street site and built a new church the next year, incorporating pieces of the former sanctuary. Those elements still remain a part of the architecture.
Shorter Chapel became a vital part of the Natchez Street community, serving as a place of refuge and spiritual renewal throughout Jim Crow and the Civil Rights movement. Today, the church remains home to an active congregation that continues to prove itself resolute and hardworking. In December, members celebrated the completion of a fundraiser that garnered more than $160,000 to repair their century-old bell tower. Work is expected to be completed in February, but the historic bell is already back in place, waiting to herald in yet another new chapter for Shorter Chapel.
Above: The bell placed in the tower of the Shorter Chapel on January 4th, 2023.
Top Right: Shorter Chapel A.M.E. Church with parsonage on left. This is the original location on Second Avenue and Church Street (courtesy of Thelma Battle)
Shorter Chapel A.M.E. Church Sunday School class, late 1800s to early 1900s, original location on Second Avenue and Church Street (courtesy of Thelma Battle)
Shorter Chapel A.M.E. Church on Natchez Street. This is the churches second and present-day location (courtesy of Rick Warwick)
BY KATIE MURPHY
Every year around Christmas time, my family gathers to take a trip. Because of all the uncertainty that has loomed over these past few years, we haven’t been able to leave the country for awhile. We decided that it was finally time to cross the pond and explore Paris and London during the most magical time of the year. I was excited to document my trip for the magazine and include our daily highlights and adventures as we experienced this once in a lifetime family memory! I hope you get to plan your trip soon and enjoy some of our fabulous recommendations!
We arrived in Paris around noon, but it was about six in the morning back home in Franklin. Luckily many of us were able to sleep on the plane but, nonetheless, we were giddy with jet lag. Our family of six carried that giddiness into a driving tour of the most popular spots in the area. The highlights included Place Vendôme, Eiffel Tower, Luxembourg Garden, Notre
On our first morning in Paris, we toured the home of some of the best-known works of art, the Louvre Museum. Our tour guide informed us that the Louvre has approximately nine miles of corridors, which is believable when we learned that there are 480,000 pieces of artwork in the museum. We saw many famous pieces, including Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace (Nike), and Napoleon III’s Apartment. But the most exciting piece was a glimpse of the Mona Lisa. It was situated at the end of a crowded room, where people from all over the world stopped to see the magnum opus in person. That night, we stumbled upon a Parisian café. L’Envue was situated along a quiet road, and it was warm enough to take in the sights at an outside table.
The next morning, we waited in line at Angelina. Luckily, it was minutes away from our hotel. Angelina is famous for its creamy hot chocolate and historic tearoom. The wait did not disappoint as we sipped the rich hot chocolate and ate delicious savory treats. Then, we explored the shopping scene in Paris. The streets are lined with designer stores and boutique shops, which is an experience like no other. The streets were packed with both tourists and locals, all searching to find the perfect Christmas gift. That night, we had dinner at Le Jules Verne, located in the Eiffel Tower. A private elevator with glass windows brought us up the foundation
On our third day in Paris, we woke up to a beautiful sunrise from our hotel room. It was the perfect way to say “au revoir” to Paris. We then headed to the train station to take the Eurostar to London. The Chunnel from Paris to London was fascinating, considering you are underwater for twenty miles. It is also the world’s longest underground tunnel! When we arrived at our hotel, the Langham, we found that it was something out of a winter fairytale. The historic hotel was filled with sparkling Christmas decorations and included a hot chocolate station in the reception area. We dropped our bags at the hotel and immediately made our way to the London Eye. Serendipitously, we had a pod all to ourselves. The clear day meant we could see the city from an unobstructed view. But a warning to those wanting to visit the Eye – not the best idea for those afraid of heights!
First thing in the morning was touring the astounding Westminster Abbey. It has been the site for every coronation since 1066 and has held numerous other royal occasions, including sixteen royal weddings! You can practically feel the history as you enter its massive, breathtaking space. Over 3,000 people have been commemorated or buried at Westminster Abbey, including Charles Dickens and Sir Isaac Newton. Afterward, we had tea at the Rosebery in the impressive Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hyde Park. The afternoon tea experience included six different sandwiches and seven different pastries and scones. We sipped on champagne and tea and enjoyed delicious holiday-themed treats! For dinner, we ate at Jamavar. Their elevated Indian menu excited our tastebuds and left us feeling stuffed but satisfied, then we were off to bed!
Despite being rainy on the last day of the trip, my family toured the Tower of London. Our tour guide told us gruesome stories of the horrors that occurred in the Tower of London. The weather made the ghost stories and hauntings seem even more real. After our tour was over, the rain broke and revealed a beautiful blue sky. For lunch, we stopped by Southbank Market – the second day in a row. With an eclectic array of food and craft stalls worldwide, we ate everything from Polish sausages to lobster rolls to truffle burgers. After a quick bite, we went shopping at Harrod’s. I bought my first designer bracelet, and we ended the night eating tapas at Pascor.
Christmas Eve was the last day of the trip and we awoke feeling sad to leave these beautiful sites, but we were grateful to return home. At Heathrow – the airport in London –, we were met with duty-free shopping heaven and Christmas carolers. We were not prepared for the string of cancellations and delays that would plague the airlines. Many hours later, when we arrived home one hour before Christmas Day, we were greeted with a white Christmas in Tennessee.
BY EMILY EVANS
Author Vern McLellan wisely stated: “What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.”
Every year, millions of us kick off the New Year with the usual list of resolutions, hoping to create positive change in our daily lives. Among the most common goals we set are to exercise more, lose weight, get organized, learn a new skill or hobby, save more money–spend less money, travel more and spend more time with family and friends.
But let’s be realistic! We enthusiastically set these goals with the intention of conquering all of them successfully, while living our lives to the fullest and stopping to smell the roses along the way! Of course, we typically make our resolutions after a crazy busy month of December. All routine and usual schedules are basically non-existent at work and at home. We attend one holiday party after the other, eat endless plates of delicious hors d’oeuvres and sweets, indulge in delicious wines and festive cocktails at every party, order more takeout than usual for our kids, book babysitters for multiple dates, try to complete holiday shopping before school gets out and hide the presents in closets and secret places where they will not be discovered. I will admit, in more years than not, I have ordered duplicate gifts and have hidden things so well that even I could not find them until a frantic search on Christmas Eve!
The New Year symbolizes a new beginning, a fresh start, and what is most important are the steps we put in place to help us successfully achieve our goals. We are rested, ready to get back to our work, get our kids back to school, and we crave routine and structure. Many of us buy new workout attire and running shoes to help us achieve our new exercise and weight loss goals at the new fitness club we joined. We are excited for our new blender so that we can start making smoothies and shakes packed with protein and nutrients that will control all our cravings and let the pounds just melt away. We eat at home as a family again and are back to our nightly routine of watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy together. Holiday decorations are all put away, the house is clean and clutter-free again and it feels great. We are intentionally slowing down and reevaluating our daily habits and routine, and focusing on our resolutions.
One important New Year’s goal for those of us who are avid readers is our reading goal. I use the Goodreads App to set my reading goal for the year, record the books I have read and keep track of those I want to read. Goodreads encourages me to stay on track, offers book suggestions and reviews, and shares what my friends are reading. It also allows me to connect with friends all over the country, read interviews with authors and hear what other book clubs are reading and discussing.
Now is the time to dive into books that help support these New Year’s resolutions and enlighten us about our individual habits and personalities and how we can best achieve our goals. We reflect on our strengths and weaknesses and prioritize our goals. Goals as simple as making your bed every morning, committing to walking every day, reading a book a month or trying new recipes are all attainable if you commit to your goals. The following books are on my list to read in 2023 as I am intentionally working to reach new goals in my personal and professional lives. Whatever resolutions you have set for yourself in 2023, I hope you find success. Happy New Year! Happy Reading!
It is finally the New Year, and many of us were glad to close the door on 2022 as it sneaked in quite a few surprises.
Williamson County saw home prices continue to increase in 2022. Still, in June, when interest rates suddenly spiked, the market responded quickly and profoundly as home buyers were reluctant or unable to move forward with purchases. Sellers responded by postponing their planned moves as well.
So, with that news, what is up for 2023? Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist of the National Association of REALTORS®, has predicted that mortgage rates have peaked, and there will be a few more Fed increases, but those are already built into rates, so we should see a downward trend. With interest rates ending over seven percent in 2022, he expects the thirty-year fixed mortgage rate to settle at five point seven percent as the Fed slows the pace of rate hikes to control inflation. In terms of the economic fundamentals, remember, there are virtually no sub-prime mortgages today compared with years ago. Mortgage delinquencies are low, and Dr. Yun predicts foreclosure rates will remain at historically low levels in 2023, comprising less than one percent of all mortgages.
So, where do we go from here? In our region, where there is strong growth in the jobs sector with new national companies relocating to our area, there is hope. Pay less attention to the news in the year’s first quarter as the news cycle will pick up year-over-year comparisons, which may be grim. But remember – that was then – this is now.
So, my advice? Take a look at your current home, thinking about how you can make small, gradual improvements to increase the value. Follow the latest trends in interior paint colors, flooring choices, lighting and appliances.
As for buyers, buy when it’s the right time for you. Look at your lease. Could you make a house payment with what you are paying in rent? Investing in a home may be a very smart move for you. With home appreciation at an all-time high, it might be time for a discussion with your trusted advisors.
There are thousands of dedicated REALTORS® in this market who will be by your side, equipped with the latest tools, knowledge and expertise to make home buying or selling a successful experience. Best wishes for a great year!
For more insights, visit wcartn.org.
WHO: Parks Realty Franklin | parksathome.com WHAT: Parks Christmas Party WHERE: The Factory at Franklin WHY: Parks Realty Franklin held its annual Christmas Party at The Factory at Franklin. Clients, agents and friends in the community gathered to celebrate Parks and hear from managing broker, Matt Ligon, about Parks’ success in 2022.
Parks delivers extraordinary real estate services with unparalleled local knowledge. Whether you want to be in the heart of it all or escape from it all, trust the market leader to lead you home.
BY BROOKE GIANNETTI
s we collectively ring in a new year, it’s a great time to look ahead to what 2023 might bring into your personal and professional lives – all while trying to reinvigorate the spaces around you. Steve and I love to spruce up our home each year as we take down Christmas decorations and see somewhat of a blank canvas before us that is open to new inspiration.
We like to use this opportunity to re-imagine certain spaces, breathe new life into others and help our surroundings feel as new as the coming year. If you’ve lived in your home for a while, I highly recommend rethinking how you live in your home. Could a few simple moves bring more ease to your everyday life? We think so!
While it’s always fun to add a special new find to the mix here and there, we love to create newness with things that are old. So instead of a store-bought piece of furniture with minimal character and certainly no storied past, we opt to find beautiful antiques to add to our home.
Renewing yourself for 2023 can be done in a variety of ways. Yes, diet, exercise and self-reflection are popular this time of year, but there is something to be said about re-imagining your living spaces. We are so inspired by our surroundings that invigorating spaces in our home can actually help us renew ourselves.
Steve and I love antiques because they can transcend design styles and are almost always conversation pieces. The same antique can work in a beach house, or a log cabin, and they still look great.
Why is that? Well, the color palette, the detailing and the history of most antiques contribute to a space without competing with it. Using antiques throughout our homes and the homes we design is our way of recycling. Antiques enable us to change spaces as our life changes. Even with our cross country move, we have many antiques that have worked well in completely different spaces.
Antiques can be as functional as they are beautiful. We love to find pieces that can double as storage spaces. Rather than buying storage at Ikea, find a chest or bench that will be a beautiful accent piece that hides everything from extra bedding to sweaters.
The beauty of antiques is that they become part of your story. We have several antique pieces that have moved with us across the country, have lived through our children being little and now show how well furniture was made long ago because they still look as beautiful, if not more so, with a little bit of weathering.
Maybe this New Year, 2023, is a time for you to begin to incorporate some antique pieces into your home or if you are not new to antiques, think of a new way to incorporate them into your space. It does not have to be a massive piece of furniture, but like our folding screen, it can be just a touch of personality added to one room in your home, from which additional décor can take design inspiration.
For example, take this Gustavian Buffet from the 19th century available in our online shop. It is the perfect way to add extra storage & beauty to any room in your home. As I said, I am currently residing in an 1850s log house, and while I love the smaller scale of the space, it meant that I had to get creative with storage. Adding this piece to our bedroom was the perfect solution to our small closet problem!
A great example of this and a favorite among our antiques is a small, flea market find Steve and I bought years ago. It is a simple folding screen, yet we have found so many great places for it to live here in Tennessee and California. We love this piece so much that it even ended up on the cover of our book, Patina Style.
We have used the piece in our entryway, dining room and above our fireplace mantel. It just continues to find new life while preserving so many family memories it carries with it. We love how it functions almost as an art piece that we pull colors from and let it be the inspiration for other décor.
It is interesting to see how effortlessly our cherished objects from our Santa Monica shingle beach house and our European-inspired Ojai farmhouse find their perfect place in an 1850s Tennessee log house. There are common threads they all share. A rustic beauty, hints of a craftsman’s touch, natural materials aging gracefully over time – patina. All those characteristics are timeless.
Visit us at Patina Home & Garden in the heart of the village of Leiper’s Fork and tell us how you love to recycle antiques. Until then, Happy New Year!
BY AMELIA ROSE SMITH
t is that time of year again! Time to pull out those masks, ball gowns, tuxedos and beads! It is time to celebrate and socialize, but, most importantly, support a wonderful cause in our community – My Friend’s House. My Friend’s House’s mission is to serve neglected, abused or at-risk boys, ages twelve to eighteen, in state custody by offering a home-like environment with a balance of safety, structure, encouragement, care and expectations. Their mission continues to advocate for each resident to be able to recover from the adverse situation and become successful young adults.
The Mardi Gras Ball Royal Court Couples are the heartbeat of the ball. Each year couples compete to be crowned the King and Queen of the Mardi Gras Ball. This honor is bestowed upon the couple who raises the most money, and the announcement is the highlight of the evening.
As Williamson County residents, what does My Friend’s House mean to you?
S: It shows me that the people in Williamson County saw a need and band together to fill it. In high school, I was part of a mentoring program for freshmen, and part of my children were in the system. So, I experienced firsthand foster children dealing with the stigma of being in the system, and I can commend My Friend’s House for offering a service to these children.
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s ball?
S: I can not wait for the fantastic New Orleans-style food they will serve.
T: The competitive side of me wants to say seeing if myself and Sydney raised the most money, and the more laid back side is excited to see everyone having a good time, eating good food and celebrating.
What do you love most about Williamson County?
T: Williamson County is really the tight-knit community of a small town, but it’s just bigger. Everyone here cares.
When you were approached about being a Royal Court member, what prompted you to say “yes”?
K: We have been to the ball for several years, and the mission of My Friend’s House really touched us, so we wanted to help raise awareness and funds for them to continue helping the boys they serve.
B: The community has been good to us, and we feel like this is a good way to give back.
As Williamson County residents, what does My Friend’s House mean to you?
K: I think sometimes living in Williamson County can make it easy for us to put on blinders and rose-colored glasses, but people in our community need our help. These boys have been dealt a hand they didn’t deserve, and we are thankful to My Friends House that they work so hard to give them a fighting chance for a brighter future.
B: My Friends House is a reminder that we all need a helping hand from time to time and it’s important to extend yours to lend help when you can.
What do you love most about Williamson County?
K: I was born and raised here. Williamson county is my home, and I couldn’t imagine raising my son anywhere else.
B: Williamson County understands that it’s our responsibility to be there for each other, and that is part of what makes it so special.
When you were approached about being a Royal Court member, what prompted you to say “yes”?
B: I was approached by Taylor to be his side kick on this journey to raise awareness and funds for My Friend’s House. I immediately jumped at the opportunity to be the Robin to his Batman. Especially since I went to the ball and was a sponsor last year because of Courtney Hunter.
As WC residents, what does My Friend’s House mean to you?
B: I grew up poor in an unstable home environment. My parents did the best they could with the resources they had. I was fortunate to live in a community that supported and believed in me. This is my opportunity to do the same for others, such as My Friend’s House. I love what this organization represents and its impact on youth.
T: I grew up very modestly and knew some kids that could have used an organization like this in Fort Worth. I think this community has much pride, and change can be made locally with the right support. Knowing this organization is directly benefiting the kids in our neighborhoods is a great feeling. What are you most looking forward to at this year’s Ball?
B: The party, getting dressed up and winning the crown.
T: The party is great! I also really look forward to winning that crown!
• The name changed in 2008. The switch to My Friend’s House was done in large part to help ease the stigma the boys experienced referring to their stay in a group home. Being able to say they were staying at “My friend’s house” didn’t raise as many questions or eyebrows from their peers.
• In November 2019, the new 5,000+ square foot home was built behind the original house
January 26th, 6pm – 8pm
Tony’s Eat & Drink Tickets: $20 online/at the door One ticket = One vote All ages are welcome! Food and drink are available for purchase as well. February 18th, 5:30pm
Embassy Suites in Cool Springs Tickets: $250
The evening includes a cocktail hour, dinner, live music and dancing. The evening culminates with the crowning of the 2023 Mardi Gras Ball King and Queen!
For more information on My Friends’ House visit, myfriendshousetn.org. See you at the Ball!
Embassy Suites Cool Springs 820 Cresent Centre Drive, Franklin Cocktail Hour @ 5:30pm | Ballroom Doors Open @ 7:00pm
To learn more about our Mardi Gras Ball as well as purchase tickets, sponsorships, and digital ads, please scan the QR code or visit www.MyFriendsHouseTN.org.
feeling of satisfaction than taking the metaphorical eye for an eye.
A man can be counted on to complete the mission, whatever it may be. James Bond shows us that determination isn’t an optional part of manhood. It’s required. Think of the men in your life you look up to. Chances are they are people you can trust to do what they say. These are the people we follow, model and celebrate. When things get hard and go wrong, it doesn’t cause them to throw in the towel; it only pushes them harder. In the same way, Bond is a closer, something for which all men should strive.
Bond is never too proud to ask for help if he thinks he can use someone else’s skills or knowledge to achieve his goal. And if it’s good enough for him, it should be good enough for us – there is no shame in stopping and asking for directions when hopelessly lost.
Your day job may not involve running down criminals. Being fitter and healthier is something we could all benefit from. Start a new plan with goals on physical fitness.
Happy New Year! As we start a new year, it always seems people set resolutions to improve themselves. I believe, as a Southern Gentleman, I should always try to be the best version of myself I can be. And there is always plenty of room for improvement. Let’s talk about New Year, New You.
There is no one who embodies as many qualities that are admired by other gentlemen, than “Bond, James Bond.” He epitomizes confidence, self-control and charm. He is not perfect; in fact, he has many flaws, but that’s part of his charm.
So, I have come up with ten qualities we can learn from 007 to help us be our best in 2023 and beyond. After all, today is the first day of the rest of our life. We can Die Another Day.
I have lost count of the number of times Bond has been double-crossed – usually by a beautiful Bond girl – but then decided against taking his revenge when he had the chance. Taking the high road and being the bigger man gives you a much greater
Remember that one segment in the last 007 movie where Bond cracked under the intense pressure of his mission? Me neither. Bond shows us that being a man means staying cool under pressure. Life is tough for everyone. Great men have the inner fortitude to handle themselves with confidence and self-control even when the world around them is falling apart.
For centuries, part of being a gentleman meant dressing well for every occasion. Suits, ties, collared shirts and well-fitting trousers were a necessary part of living well. Somewhere along the line, it became acceptable for a man to leave the house in baggy sweatpants, a t-shirt and a baseball cap. It also seems that since the COVID craziness hit, I hear men say, “I really don’t dress up anymore.” To that, kind sir, I say, “Yes, I can see that,” just as my well dressed friend Critt Rawlings did. How a man dresses says something about him. Men who dress well exude and inspire confidence. So, ditch your old, ill-fitting rags and invest in a new, quality wardrobe.
Have you ever seen Bond unsure over making an
important decision, or any decision? No, because he always has the courage of his convictions, and so should you if you want to be respected.
When it all goes wrong – as it often does if you are an international man of mystery constantly putting yourself on the line – it is important always to have a plan B. And it is just the same in normal life, as you can’t always rely on things going how you’d originally expected.
Bond doesn’t rest until the mission has been accomplished. But, once it is all over, you can bet that he is going to be disappearing off the map for some well-earned relaxation time. We all need to reward ourselves, recharge and get away.
Nobody could accuse Bond of not being romantic. And that’s a trait we all should improve on... It is almost Valentine’s Day, and what’s life without love?
I hope 2023 is the best year ever, with so many opportunities. Let’s get started, after all, You Only Live Twice
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Welcome to the 2023 Distinctively Southern Wedding Special Edition, where tying the wedding knot is celebrated. For eleven years, we have provided our annual comprehensive guide to wedding planning for the middle Tennessee bride, filled with inspiration, ideas, and everything bridal, from the ring to the honeymoon! Distinctively Southern Wedding features true local, community content with an emphasis on planning in a distinctively southern way. Whether you are engaged, newlywed, a wedding party member or a guest; we are honored to offer a hand in the journey to YOUR Happily Ever After!
66 Franklin’s Newest Neighbor The White Magnolia Nashville
84 More than a Dress with Melanie Brown of Bella Bridesmaids
88 A Shopping Experience Made for YOU with Ila Bridal 89 On Trend with Southern Events Party Rental Company
92 How to Make the Most of Your Wedding Planner’s Services with Hugh Howser
96 Bouquet of Buttercream with Blooming Kupcakes
ISN’T SHE LOVELY 62 2023 Bridal Trends with Jennie Dickens of Adorn Bridal Shop
70 Glide Down the Aisle Trending Heels
71 Let’s Hear it for the Dress 2023 Bridal Fashion Look Book with Adorn Bridal Shop & The White Magnolia Nashville
80 Inspired by Accessories Alice & Mae Bridal’s 2023 Collection
HAPPILY EVER AFTER 102 Honeymoon in Paradise with The Shore Club Turks & Caicos
I DO 60 Grace Penix & Blake Christian Smith 64 Samantha Lynn Wyman & Charles William McDowell IV 68 Katherine Anne Turnbull & Peyton Lee Willeman 82 Cassetty Elizabeth Parrish & Dakota Ray Mannino 86 Jessica Maclaire Kennedy & Kyle Phillip Blevens
90 Alyssa Kristine Arnold & Chandler Dean Causey 94 Bailey Beaird & Jacob Neal Anderson
98 Emma Caroline Williams & Elisha Alexander Loy
FOR
Family & Senior Portraits Wedding & Engagement Editorial & Branding
allicampbellphotography.com | info@allicampbellphotography.com
Over the past century, The Hermitage Hotel has hosted countless wedding celebrations, becoming a rite of passage for generations of Nashvillians. With glamorous surroundings, meticulous attention to the finer details, and an award-winning culinary team led by world-renowned Chef Jean-Georges, our hotel is eager to help you author the next chapter of your love story.
Ceremony: Whitman Chapel at Scarritt Bennett
Reception: The Noelle Hotel
Photography: Evan Davies
Planning: Self
Catering: The Noelle Hotel
Cake & Desserts: Dessert Designs
Ceremony Music: Samuel Cartin & Matt Mitchell
Reception Music: Daniel Jones
Rentals: The Noelle Hotel
Invitations: Minted
Florals: Faire Flower Ranch
Bride’s Gown: Sarah Seven
Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN
“Our engagement was quite the story. Blake had a fake photoshoot to clear my schedule. It was ‘canceled.’ Blake then surprised me with a day trip to Charleston where he proposed in the bell tower of the oldest church in the city!”
While soft, sweetheart necklines will always be a bridal staple; designers are taking a sharp turn this season with more angular, pointed bodices. Often strapless, we tell our brides not to fear!
Packed with support, these necklines offer a modern twist to show off the collarbone.
BY JENNIE DICKENS, ADORN BRIDALAt Adorn Nashville, we love to keep our brides up to date with the hottest, most beautiful bridal trends of the new year, fresh from the runway. Working closely with our designers at bridal markets across the globe, our team hand-selects a collection of wedding gowns curated specially for the Adorn Bride. From elaborate ballgowns to sleek and structured, minimal dresses, we have got the inside scoop on our top four trends, fresh for the stylish Tennessee bride!
The drama of the 80s is back in a very modern way. This season, our designers and brides are loving exaggerated sleeves to bring a bit extra drama,and coverage, to their bridal looks. Designers have finally taken the hint and made most sleeves detachable for extra mobility to dance the night away.
Want to feel like a royal on your wedding day? This season of ballgowns has you covered! From larger-than-life floral appliques to exquisitely textured fabrics, our designers are the epitome of indulgence. Fit to make you feel like a queen; these gowns make a statement.
At Adorn Nashville, we help over 1,000 brides on their journey to finding their dream dress every year. And while we are passionate about adorning our brides in the latest trends, what truly matters is how you feel in the dress. This is your day! We want you to feel comfortable, confident, and truly authentic. Empowered brides are the best brides.
Subtly sultry, slitted wedding dresses are our top request for 2023! Not only do you have a little extra room for boogying down at the reception, but it might be the one opportunity for you to show off your shoes during your big day.
To request an appointment or learn more about our designers, visit our website at adornnashville.com. Brides can also find information about upcoming events, such as designer trunk shows, where you get an exclusive opportunity to see the latest releases from our renowned designers, like Berta and Rita Vinieris. We would love to help you find your dream dress at Adorn Nashville!
O wned by Jennie Dickens, a longtime resident of Franklin, Tennessee. (615) 727-7223 AdornNashville AdornNashville.com
Venue: The Walled Garden at Biltmore Estate
Photography: Kathy Thomas
Planning: DeDe Scheibe
Catering: Biltmore Estate Catering Cake & Desserts: Biltmore Estate
Music: La Vie Quartet
Rentals: Biltmore and Reliable Rentals
Invitations: You’re Invited Nashville
Florals: The Bloom House TN
Bride’s Gown: Vera Wang Couture Grooms Attire: Indochino
“Exactly two years prior to our wedding, we got engaged at Biltmore Estate –the same place we travel to every year! I walked her up to one of our favorite spots looking over the Estate and the forest, and asked her to marry me.”
oversees each store’s design and overall aesthetic, aiming to make each store unique to its market. The Atlanta store, for example, sits in a cozy 1930s cottage home, while The White Magnolia Palm Beach embraces an industrial vibe with sixteen-foot ceilings and exposed wooden rafters. Inventory is similar between stores, but not identical, as Kerrie and Mallory adjust gowns and designers based on exclusivity and market research. In October 2021, the seventh White Magnolia boutique opened in Nashville.
The year is 2010. Kerrie Hileman, a newly engaged accountant, has found herself frustrated with the wedding gown offerings in her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. Lack of privacy and no personal touches made wedding dress shopping feel more like a chore than the special experience she hoped for. And in that moment, an idea was born. After pushing numbers around a spreadsheet paired with the dissatisfied feeling of her current career, Kerrie decided to start her own bridal boutique.
Several months later, The White Magnolia opened its doors for the first time in Jacksonville. Within a few years, the store experienced tremendous growth and opened its second Florida location in Tampa. During a girls’ getaway in 2014, Kerrie met fellow accountant Mallory Thorburn through mutual friends. After detailing her disappointing experiences shopping for a wedding dress, the two decided to join forces. Mallory and Kerrie became official co-owners of the business and, in the same year, opened The White Magnolia in Atlanta.
With Mallory by her side and a third store in the fold, Kerrie felt ready to grow The White Magnolia even more – confident she had the formula, tools and experience to branch out into additional markets. The Greenville, South Carolina, store opened in 2016, followed by Palm Beach and Savannah in 2019. Though each store has a similar overall feel, they are not simply duplicates of each other. Mallory
Located in historic downtown, The White Magnolia is one of Franklin’s newest neighbors. A cozy cottage feel with bright, open windows invites you to experience a warm and sentimental moment with loved ones. The sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere allows brides to feel at home in a private suite, just for them. A unique element to each
store, including Nashville, is the ninety-minute bridal appointment – a personal one-on-one shopping experience with a dedicated bridal stylist. The light and airy gown room is where all bridal dreams come true, housing top designer names like Made With Love, Martina Liana, Kelly Faetanini, Zavana Bridal, Mikaella, Paloma Blanca, Watters and so many more. In January, Kerrie and Mallory launched The First Look Collection, an exclusive line of wedding gowns only available at White Magnolia boutiques. When a bride chooses The White Magnolia, they can not only expect a curated gown collection of unique silhouettes and styles, but an experience not found anywhere else.
To schedule your appointment, visit whitemagnoliabridal.com/nashville. To see offerings and find inspiration, visit their Instagram and TikTok, @whitemagnoliabridal.
Elegant. Chic. Sophisticated.
The White Magnolia is a bridal boutique featuring a thoughtfully curated collection of designer wedding gowns. With seven locations across the United States, The White Magnolia offers a o neon-one gown shopping experience tailored to fit each individual bride. Raise a glass of champagne and toast to what will be one of the most memorable days of your life.
Named ‘Best Bridal Shop’ by The Knot, Southern Living Brides Magazine, and WeddingWire. 246 2nd Avenue South Franklin, TN 37064 615.364.9592 | whitemagnoliabridal.com | nashville@whitemagnoliabridal.com
Ceremony: St. Phillips Catholic Church
Reception: Richland Country Club
Photography: Lisa Rowland
Catering: Richland Country Club
Cake & Desserts: Rach Cakes Nashville
Music: DJ Dan Buckley
Invitations: Prints of Love
Florals: Westerhouse Weddings
Bride’s Gown: Vow’d
Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie
Grooms Attire: Street Tuxedo
“After the kiss, the ‘Hymn of Joy,’ also known as ‘Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee’ played. The same was played at my parent’s wedding in 1988.”
When it comes to wedding shoes, the options are endless! Some opt for comfort, some opt for style, some opt for simplicity, and many opt for the mindset that “beauty is pain.” Whichever it may be, here are trending top picks for every bride-to-be in 2023!
Cool Springs 216 Seaboard Lane Franklin, TN 37067 615 771 0948
Murfreesboro 536 North Thompson Lane Murfreesboro, TN 37129 615.890.0955
Berry Hill 2532 Bransford Avenue Nashville, TN 37204 615.750.5324
Pleated tulle ballgown, draped crepe strapless bodice and tiered ruffle skirt with Beatrice Couture Satin Headband
2023 BRIDAL FASHION LOOK BOOK
BY AMELIA ROSE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALLI CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHY
Our 2023’s Bridal Fashion is nothing short of breathtaking. From intricate beadwork and lace to shaped silhouettes and necklines, there is something for every bride-to-be. Distinctively Southern Wedding had the pleasure of partnering with Adorn Bridal and The White Magnolia to present exquisite, elegant and opulent gowns, while Nashville’s timeless icon, The Hermitage Hotel, served as the backdrop… And what a stunning back drop it was!
Jeff Gloeb, Director of Sales and Catering, says, “Over a century, The Hermitage Hotel’s legendary service has set the stage for spectacular weddings and milestone celebrations. Whether hosting a black-tie gala in the timeless ballroom or reciting your vows in the Veranda, our venues are designed to inspire."
So, we cordially invite you to delve into our Bridal Look Book and not only notice the notable scenes of The Hermitage Hotel – the Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Restrooms, Veranda and Lobby –but also the gorgeous gowns and accessories curated by the stylists of Adorn Bridal Shop and The White Magnolia Nashville.
Cameron by Made with Love Classic, deep plunging neckline, signature figure-hugging skirt and detachable long tulle bows with Beatrice Couture
“Over a century, The Hermitage Hotel’s legendary service has set the stage for spectacular weddings and celebrations.”milestoneTHE WHITE MAGNOLIA
Martina Liana 1566
Draped, off-the-shoulder straps with pleated detailing, swooping cowl neckline and structured bodice
Alexandra Rae and Sara Steadman with Tribe Talent Management tribetalentmanagement.com
Amelia Rose Smith, Hannah Boucher and Jenna Frawley
Always in Bloom, Inc. | alwaysinbloominc.com
Adorn Bridal Shop | adornbridal.com
The White Magnolia Nashville | whitemagnoliabridal.com
Alli Campbell Photography | allicampbellphotography.com
Adorn Bridal Shop, located in the heart of Nashville, specializes in couture customizations. Dedicated to quality, expert craftsmanship and authentic designs, Adorn works intimately with their designers and seamstresses.
The White Magnolia Nashville carries a curated collection of bridal gowns. Their team thoughtfully chooses each gown and accessory carried in the shop to make sure they have the best of the best, along with a variety of sizes and silhouettes to compliment your unique style.
THE WHITE MAGNOLIA
Martina Liana 1367
Classic sweetheart neckline, curve-hugging bustier, off-theshoulder detachable sleeves and floral lace detail
Delanie by Rita Vinieris
Sweetheart ballgown in 3D laser cut beaded floral lace with Delanie Veil
Regina by Rita Vinieris
Strapless satin ballgown, draped banded neckline and illusion tulle cut-outs, finished with buttons down back and a grand bow
Turner by Pronovias
Timeless crepe gown with evocative row button detailing on the fitted cuffs and entire rear silhouette with Untamed Petals Fallon Headband
ADORN
Amelia by Rita Vinieris
Strapless sweetheart flared crepe sheath with draped bust detail and illusion tulle back with Day Dream Veil
An A-line skirt gown featuring a daring split, structured bodice and glamorous train with Beatrice Couture Satin Gloves
THE WHITE MAGNOLIA
Martina Liana 1510
3D floral embellishments, elegant beading and a demure scooped neckline
Crepe and tulle strapless fit to flare gown, draped elongated bodice and textured ombre skirt
by Rita Vinieris
Bella Bridesmaids loves a wedding! With hundreds of dresses to choose from, your personal Bella stylist is ready for anything. You’ll have a personal shopping experience, combined with online convenience. If you’re girls live within 5 miles or are scattered across 5 states, there are 60 Bella locations to provide complementary fittings. We’ll guide you through the fabrics, colors and styles to find the perfect looks for your dream day.
Thoughtfully named after Alyssa’s grandmother, who inspired her career path in design, Alice & Mae Bridal launched in early 2015. Alice & Mae offers handmade and bespoke bridal veils, hair adornments, sashes, wedding dress cover-ups and other custom pieces. Incorporating the finest materials such as French laces, silk ribbons, freshwater pearls, fine crystals and the softest tulles, every piece is meticulously curated and handmade upon order to each bride’s specifications in their Nashville design studio. Alice & Mae’s pieces are of heirloom quality and may be passed down and worn by generations to come.
Here is a glimpse of Alice & Mae Bridal’s 2023 Collection! To see all styles available, visit aliceandmaebridal.com.
GEMMA STYLE 161
Not your typical glitter tulle veil, Gemma gives the most. For the bride who is not afraid to push the envelope, is girly and fun, and is unapologetically herself. This veil is encrusted in a luxe glitter embellishment and shimmers with every movement.
Colors: Light Ivory and Nude
GEORGIE STYLE 164
Italian-made, 3D organza + silk florals cascade effortlessly down our standard tulle veil. With a straight cut and slight gather at the comb, Georgie offers playful + flirty reverie for any bride’s dream vision.
Color: Light Ivory
GRAYSON STYLE 530
Removable English tulle bridal sleeves. Sleeves are made using a double layer of English tulle and are ruched at the bicep for added texture and dimension. Style them loose and draped or as a fitted fingerless glove.
Colors: White, Light Ivory and Ivory
GEORGIA STYLE 366
Dimensional and textural floral hair comb made up of a mix of clay flowers and metal flowers and leaves. The flowers are accented with beaded cluster centers and textural stamens. Slight variations will occur in each individual adornment due to the organic elements and the nature of a handmade piece.
Colors: Gold and Silver
GENEVIEVE STYLE 157
Standard tulle veil with slight gather at the comb. Soft, floral lace frames the edge starting at the elbow and gives this piece an air of femininity.
Color: Light Ivory
GENEVA STYLE 370
Textural hair comb comprised of freshwater pearl clusters and accented with small, gold metal flower buds. Slight variations will occur in each individual adornment due to the organic elements and the nature of a handmade piece.
Colors: Gold and Silver
Venue: The Venue at Birchwood
Photography: The Hardcastle’s Planning: Sutlan + Co.
Catering: Dream Catering | With Love and Brie
Cake & Desserts: The Puffy Muffin
Ceremony Music: Viva La Strings
Reception Music: DJ Connection
Rentals: Please Be Seated
Invitations: DIY
Florals: Petal and Fields
Bride’s Gown: Made With Love from The White Magnolia
Bridesmaid Dresses: Revelry
Groom Attire: Indochino
Groomsmen Attire: The Suit Shop
“Not doing a first look was something I wouldn’t change as it made walking down the aisle to my favorite person 100x more special. Dakota’s reaction to seeing me walk down the aisle was priceless and one I will never forget!”
What would your wedding day be like without your squad surrounding you? Each of your bridesmaids have a special place in your life and their dresses should be no different. Their attire truly is a huge part of completing the vision for your wedding and you surely would not want a remake of 27 Dresses. We have all worn dresses that might have matched the bride’s vision but didn’t exactly make our dreams come true. But, what if you could do both?
With the busy wedding season upon us, I have curated three collections that go deeper than just matching styles and colors. Each collection shows examples of beautiful dresses that are on point with current wedding trends, and offer unique options for each bridesmaids personal style and shape.
Dresses: Lazaro styles in cashmere crepe de chine, Jenny Yoo Aubrey in black knit crepe, Christina Wu Celebrations 22140 in black slipper satin, Watters Bianca in prosecco lucios charmeuse
Black tie weddings are resurging, and we are here for it! After wearing our pajamas on Zoom calls, it feels glamorous to dress to the nines! For black tie weddings, the cohesion of styles is essential. Maybe all your ladies will wear the same dress. Or maybe you will let them choose a style while keeping everyone in the same color and fabric. Champagne or black are often chosen colors, although the color options are abundant! Structured fabrics such as satin, faille and crepe are perfect for these polished and sophisticated looks.
Dresses: Jenny Yoo Eloise in whisper blue satin, Lulakate
Jacqueline in Lily of the Valley print, Alfred Sung D826FP in Cottage Rose Larkspur, Watters Lina in Smokey Blue stretch crepe
Maybe it is Bridgerton…maybe it is the hope of spring, but whatever the motivation, blue florals are everywhere! That mix-and-match look can be achieved by combining multiple prints, sprinkled in with a few solids. Coordinating color undertones, and balancing the fabrics chosen, are important factors to consider when putting together this look.
Dresses: After Six 1551 in sage lux velvet, Jenny Yoo Clare in embroidered tulle, Jenny Yoo Maxine in moss burnout satin, Jenny Yoo Aeryn in eucalyptus tulle
Venue: Mint Springs Farm
Photography: Kendall Parsons
Planning: Mint Springs Farm Catering: G Catering
Cake & Desserts: Dessert Designs
Ceremony Music: College Grove Strings
Reception: Music: Snyder Entertainment Rentals: Mint Springs Farm
Invitations: White Ink Calligraphy
Florals: Mint Springs Farm
Bride's Gown: Essence of Australia from The White Room Lebanon
Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie Grooms Attire: Street Tuxedo
“We did a last dance with just the two of us while our guests lined up outside for the send-off – a great way to connect after the chaos. We had a lot of University of Tennessee Cheer and Dance alumni as guests, and it is tradition to do cheers to ‘Rocky Top’ during the wedding reception!”
Maybe it is because I was born on Valentine’s Day that I truly do love, love! Femininity, romance and beauty have always held a special place in my heart. As a young girl, I watched in awe as my grandmother intricately sewed dresses for my two sisters and me. The skill and pride she had for her talent inspired my love of fashion and fabrics. It is the women in my life who have helped the most in shaping who I am today. From my grandma’s care in her craft of making dresses; to my mom’s constant love and support; to my twin sister and my older sister always being right there by my side; and the many other aunts, cousins, friends and mentors along the way – I am inspired daily to be there for other women, the same way the women in my life have been for me.
With almost twenty years of experience in the fashion and textile industry, my expertise and passion unite to serve brides. After a few years working in the bridal industry for other companies, I wanted to create something for brides that did not exist and simplify the wedding gown shopping experience. My goal was to bring a more organic, authentic experience to women and steer clear of mass-produced, mainstream bridal.
Your wedding dress shopping experience should be uniquely tailored to YOU...because you are anything but cookie-cutter!
Our Nashville bridal shop carries only ethical, sustainable wedding dresses that are hand-picked for their quality, style and originality.
As soon as you walk through our doors for your seventy-five-minute private wedding dress shopping experience, you can expect your stylist to listen and work with you to find the dress of your dreams.
The cherry on top? Once you find the dress made for you, it is yours. Our streamlined process allows you to walk out of the store that day with your ready-to-wear dress and all the resources needed for your next steps. Ila Bridal believes in an elevated bridal experience. And that means high standards, intentionality, simplicity and a little magic.
Since our doors opened in November 2018, Ila Bridal has been committed to providing original, high-fashion wedding gowns from some of the world’s most talented and sought-after designers. We work directly with many of them to offer a one-of-a-kind style. We partner with independent designers because of their craftsmanship, quality and ethical practices. All materials and labor are ethically sourced with love and care.
We are proud to offer off-the-rack wedding gowns available for immediate purchase. “Off-the-rack gowns” does not mean sacrificing quality. It means you fall in love with an intentionally sourced, thoughtfully selected, brand-new, ready-to-wear wedding dress you can purchase and take home that same day.
Our gowns range from size two to twenty-four, and prices range from $1,500 to $7,500, with most dresses falling between $2,500 to $4,000. Your budget matters to us, so we only show dresses within the range you give us.
From the sourcing of the dress to the bride who wears it down the aisle, Ila Bridal cares. And you can trust that we maintain only the highest standards every step of the way because a wedding gown should reflect not just a bride’s style but a celebration of who they are from the inside out.
438 Houston Street, Suite 252 | Nashville, TN 37203 615.469.6280 | hello@ilabridalstudio.com | ilabridalstudio.com
Acrylic is making its way into modern event design. The most popular use, however, is in chairs! Typically referred to as “ghost chairs,” this style is a fun, modern twist that can be pulled off yearround. So, keep reading to learn how to feature these pieces at your upcoming event!
Acrylic seating is a simple way to elevate your event, regardless of style or theme. Our most popular chairs for wedding ceremonies are the Acrylic Ghost Arm Chair and Acrylic Ghost Armless Chair
The oval shape of the back of these chairs will lend a sophisticated look that will complement any venue, modern, urban or outdoor.
Our favorite way to feature acrylic chairs is at receptions. Whether a wedding, corporate event or personal gathering, this style of chair will complement any table.
Tip: Planning to have designated tables for children? Be sure to grab a handful of our Acrylic Chiavari Children’s Chairs
Big or small, a memorable cocktail hour calls for stylish and comfortable seating, with ample space for guests to sit and mingle. If you are planning to feature a lounge, any of our acrylic chairs make for beautiful add-ons. For a lounge, we recommend seating with arms. Whereas at cocktail tables or bar tables, arms aren’t necessary. These areas will work well with our armless or backless styles, such as the Acrylic Ghost Barstool, Acrylic Casper Oval Back Barstool or Acrylic Casper Square Back Barstool
To feature any of these pieces at an upcoming event, email us at info@southerneventsonline. com. For more event design inspiration, check out our blog on southerneventsonline.com.
Ila Bridal believes in an elevated bridal experience. That means high standards, intentionality, simplicity, and a little bit of magic.
We are here for the bride who values originality, high style, sustainability, and intentionality. Our Nashville wedding boutique ditched the stress of typical wedding dress shopping. Instead, we focus on a simplified approach to wedding dress shopping without compromising on fashion or comfort. Our expertise and experience help every bride find the dress that makes her look and feel like her truly captivating self.
Venue: Ravenswood Mansion
Photography: Hopkins Co.
Planning: Dana Carroll Co.
Catering: Crave Catering
Cake & Desserts: Sugar Mama
Music: Cavo Entertainment
Rentals: EventWorks Nashville
Lighting: Nashville Lighting & Production
Florals: Phyllis Mayfield
Bride’s Gown: Pronovias from Fabulous Frocks
time to be silly with each other. Life is too short to be serious all the time! Cherish the moments of laughter and playfulness –everything else serious in life will fall into place.”
BY HUGH HOWSER
can’t remember a day that goes by when someone doesn’t ask me a wedding question. Whether they are a friend, client or a dental assistant. They ask me everything from “Do I need flowers at the church?” or “Can I just pay for the band or the bar and not tell anyone?” to “Would you just marry my daughter, and come live with us, and help me pick out pillows for my sunroom?” I have heard it all, and I look forward to hearing a lot more! Here are my takes on a few categories surrounding wedding planning, beginning with communication.
I have always said event planners were created because a caterer said they
would handle the party, and you can imagine what happened. Much like a subcontractor, our role was established – to confirm, finalize, execute and strike. Let’s begin with communication! Communicating with your planner is so basic, but it really is the only key to success! From the minute you begin, establish your budget, and then determine your roles. Think of your wedding planner as a favorite camp counselor, who will take you under their wing and guide you for the next few months.
Trust is a huge factor in wedding planning, it is a huge investment and should be turned over to a professional to execute. Both planner and client must feel comfortable with each other, and you will know from the start if it is the right fit!
This goes for the client as well. Years ago, I identified the “Sneaky Mom” persona – a client who commits the worst crime, going behind a planner’s back and contacting a vendor without anyone knowing. These are moms who commit the ultimate NO NO…. Contacting a vendor without telling you.
1. Setting up a meeting without telling you – some sneaky moms will try and arrive early for an appointment to talk to the vendor before the planner arrives! I always arrive early when I’ve got a sneaky one…it just about does them in.
2. Creating their own timeline without telling you.
3. Throwing curve balls at you on the wedding day! “We forgot to tell you about a family heirloom, Uncle Carl can’t eat carrots, Aunt Bernice cannot be outside, and they require a back pillow for their dinner chair, the list goes on.
I make them laugh and keep them distracted the whole time with vodka. Or wad up extra linen and create a bolster pillow.
I have none, but I really should get them. I drag fabric samples to clients’ offices, homes, etc., and take calls and emails all day and night. I never thought about it because I love to talk about design, so it’s always been a joy. However, you should probably understand office hours in the wild – ZOOM meetings – world we live in. We should set certain times to meet with each other!
This is just a sampling of issues that planners experience, and magically the client never knows, as we handle everything behind the scenes, the event day arrives, and no one has any idea that moments before, we almost ate in a horse stable that I pressure washed.
Xoxo
hthreeevents.com
Hugh@hthreeevents.com | Instagram: @hthreeevents
Temple Ceremony: Nashville Tennessee Temple
Ring Ceremony: The Bell Carillon at Bicentennial Mall
Reception: Tennessee State Museum
Photography: Shannon Elizabeth
Planning: Jordan Beaird and Angela Wilkes
Catering: The Daily Dish
Cake & Desserts: Frothy Monkey Bakery Ceremony Music: Harpist (bride’s sister)
Reception Music: Burning Las Vegas
Rentals: Liberty Party Rentals
Invitations: Midtown Printing Signage: Father of the Groom
Florals: Gramercy Grace
Bride’s Gown: Custom made in Ukraine Grooms Attire: Men’s Warehouse
dance party was one for the ages! Jake lifted me in the iconic dirty dancing lift. There was a Congo line, a tunnel to run through, dance battles, crowd surfing and people were getting tossed ten feet in the air! It was incredibly fun!”
“The
bouquet of buttercream? I say yes. Katherine Halbeck, Founder & CEO of Blooming Kupcakes, has been creating cupcakes that are too pretty to eat since its opening in 2020. What started as a an activity to pass time during the pandemic, soon turned into a full-time business. In less than two years of opening, Katherine designed cupcakes for celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon, Dolly Parton, Barbara Eden and Miranda Lambert. Keep reading to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Katherine and Blooming Kupcakes!
I love utilizing my flower nail, which allows me more creativity and movement in handcrafting my floral designs. One of my favorite hacks to share is – what to do when your piping bag bursts. After months of struggling with this myself, I have found that if you are going to pipe a lot or use stiff buttercream, it is best to use scotch tape around your piping tip to adhere to the piping bag.
Each floral design is different. Rosettes can take up to a minute, but some of my more complex multiflowered cupcakes can take several minutes. I need to consider the additional time required in switching out piping tips or creating a new color palette, color mixing and any other additions to the cupcake like making wafer eucalyptus leaves.
When we went to a local big box store bakery and saw all the ingredients listed on their cupcake products – some of which you cannot pronounce – I vowed only to make cupcakes with the finest ingredients available to us. So, we import our flour from Europe to provide a very finely milled, softer and slightly sweeter flour for all to enjoy. We also offer gluten-free cupcakes. My daughter and I are both gluten intolerant. For years, we have struggled to find delicious gluten-free desserts. Identifying the right flour combination has been key to the success of our delicious cupcakes, both regular and gluten-free.
Anyone who wants to start decorating cupcakes should purchase a set of basic piping tips and the Americolor Soft Gel Paste Beginner Kit. Wilton sells a beginner’s nine-piece or twenty-two-piece Starter Decorating Piping Tip Set. There are free tutorials on YouTube that teach how to make buttercream, and pipe some basic flowers. Most importantly, have fun baking and being creative.
To sign up for a cupcake decorating workshop or schedule an order, visit bloomingkupcakes.com.
Ceremony: Saint Peters Episcopal Church
Reception: Memorial Building
Photography: AbbyBekah
Planning: Golden Weddings and Events
Catering: Dotted Line
Cake & Desserts: Dotted Lime
Music: Number One Party Band
Rentals: Liberty Rentals Nashville
Invitations: Wildflower Paper co.
Signage: Artisan Abode | Rowan
Sylvester
Florals: Bloomstall Flowers
Bride’s Gown: Allure from Britt’s Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Birdy Grey Grooms Attire: Jos. A. Banks
“We made the decision that nothing was more important than us getting married and having fun together. A wedding does not make a marriage, and we are glad we focused on the love from our friends and family over little things that could’ve gone wrong.”
efined by a spirit of relaxation and adventure, The Shore Club resort brings an exclusive Turks and Caicos resort experience to the most sought-after stretch of Providenciales: Long Bay Beach, a stunning, secluded beach minutes away from Provo’s town center. As the only development on Long Bay Beach, The Shore Club will make honeymooners feel like they’re vacationing on their own private island. Guests can expect large suites with sweeping ocean views, four expansive pool areas, the naturally-inspired Dune Spa and globally-inspired dining venues – all wrapped up in sea grape to create a feeling of exclusivity. Perfect for any type of couple, The Shore Club will promise a honeymoon filled with personalized touches, unforgettable culinary experiences, breathtaking waterfront surroundings and endless opportunities for romance.
The Dune Spa embraces a holistic approach that draws from the environment of Long Bay Beach. Centered on the elements of sand, sea, breeze and sun, the Dune Spa’s techniques, treatments and products are designed to restore, inspire insight, stimulate and ignite. In addition, the property converted two shipping containers into a Wellness Center, offering yet another hideaway for guests to be pampered or enjoy quiet time in private.
The Shore Club boasts three dining concepts, including a fine dining restaurant, SuiRen, offering Peruvian Japanese cuisine. Sui-Ren means “sleeping lotus” in Japanese
® Sandestin. com/ we ddings | 844. 416. 1660
your awaits.
The memories you make here will last a lifetime. With a wide array of gorgeous venues, from elegant ballrooms, terraces with jaw-dropping views, pool decks, lush lawns, golf greens, and of course, the beach, Sandestin® has the wedding venue of your dreams. A celebration of the love you share and the beginning of your new life together awaits. Make the most of it by booking your wedding at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort®.
Sandestin.com/weddings | 844.416.1660
Intimate or grand, choose indoor spaces that are bright, light, and airy or outdoor venues that leave you breathless It’s as though Hotel Effie Sandestin® was made for romance You'll find the perfect place for all festivities, from the engagement to the ceremony and every celebration in-between HotelEffie com | 844-848-0296
Ho telEffi e. com | 844- 848- 0296
and is named for the Chinese God of Cooking. Additional culinary venues include Sea Grapes and Colonnade, and poolside cocktails can be enjoyed at The Rope Bar or the Courtyard Bar. Brand new, the property unveiled a new culinary venue in January 2021, The Almond Tree, offering a Southern-style menu with the known island twist.
Pamper yourself in an opulent suite or reserve a spacious Junior Suite for a romantic couples getaway. The Shore Club’s thoughtfully designed thirty-eight suites and 110 rooms boast hand-selected natural materials and furnishings inspired by their island environment. As stunning as its setting, The Shore Club invites you to an escape that is truly your own.
The Estate Villas offer unparalleled views of Long Bay’s vibrant turquoise waters and endless horizons. Located on 850 feet of beachfront on Long Bay Beach, each of the 8,800 square foot villas offer a completely private oceanfront setting framed by a secluded, white-sand beach with all the amenities of an exclusive luxury resort. With six bedrooms, five in the main house and one detached, each villa boasts a heated pool, private courtyard, expansive terraces, spacious guest rooms with large baths and a master suite with the most enchanting ocean views imaginable.
Book your dream honeymoon today by visiting theshoreclubtc.com or calling 649.339.8000.
BY AMELIA ROSE SMITH
Margie Church Dobler is the owner of Always In Bloom, Inc., located on Franklin Road across from The Factory at Franklin. Margie opened her doors twenty-eight years ago and is ALWAYS known to go the extra mile for her customers; whether it be flowers for a wedding, birthday or passing of a loved one, Margie is there to give you real, local service.
How long have you lived in Williamson County?
I have lived in Williamson County all my life – seventy-two years. I love Williamson County and Franklin. The people here have always been so kind and loyal to the small mom-and-pop businesses. My mother had a hair salon on Main Street, and my stepfather owned the infamous Auction Barn in downtown Franklin. My father’s family goes back at least five generations, as he was born in the Cool Springs house.
What led you to choose your profession?
I am a professional Floral Artist and Designer. I love the beauty of flowers and how special they make people feel.
Three words that best describe you. Thoughtful, caring and stubborn.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
One of my favorite things about growing up in Williamson County is staying in touch with my friends that also grew up here. We try to go to lunch or dinner at least once a month, and our conversations always revert to how grateful we feel to have grown up in Franklin.
Where is your favorite place to go in Williamson County?
One of my favorite places to go is The Franklin Theatre. I have seen it go from sticky, bubble gum-covered floors to the fabulous theater it is today. My Franklin High School class of 1968 purchased one of the seats.
What keeps you motivated and inspired?
The smiles my profession puts on people’s faces when they receive their flowers make me want to continue my education and inspire my son Michael to continue to be a part of the changes in floristry.
What organizations are you involved with?
I am the President of Central Tennessee Professional Florists’ Association. Also, I am a Past President of the Tennessee State Florists’ Association.
What is the one thing you do not go a day without?
I try not to go a day without thanking the Lord for the angel that rides on my shoulder.
Finish this statement. I AM Williamson County because: Dynamite could not blast me away from here – something my late husband used to tell me. He was probably correct. My shop has been through two fires and a flood, but those were nothing like the current road construction the last three years! But, that is progress. I love talking to people about how special it was growing up in a wonderful county and town. My son and I are proud to call ourselves Williamson Countians.
Always In Bloom | 227 Franklin Road | Franklin, TN 37064 615.591.7990 | alwaysinbloominc.com
We are proud to serve our wonderful community here in Williamson County and the surrounding areas, and we are grateful for the support we have received in return. Whether you are a long-time customer or a new member of our community here in Middle Tennessee, we appreciate your business and the opportunity to serve you.
One of our most significant accomplishments last year was the grand opening of our second location. We officially opened our Cool Springs Branch, bringing together our friends, colleagues, families and community leaders from all over Tennessee. If you still need to, please visit us at the new location!
The most notable accomplishment for our team was that in July of 2022, we surpassed $100 million in loans, but we have also seen extreme growth in other areas since that time. Our assets have grown to $243 million, deposits to $218 million and loans to $135 million. Compared to year-end 2021, this represents an increase of 156%, 207% and 170%, respectively. The fourth quarter in 2022 was also our first profitable quarter, an accomplishment we are incredibly proud of reaching in such a short time.
Another significant accomplishment was the unveiling of our mortgage loan services. We have spent considerable time building this team that consists of experienced, local lenders, and we look forward to helping deliver the keys to your next home.
We have also expanded our digital services to make banking more convenient. Some of our updates include introducing new debit card controls and launching a new online banking platform.
And last but certainly not least, we were proud to support various charitable causes and organizations in our community. From our individual staff members supporting causes near and dear to them to our bank participating in fundraisers and charity events, we are grateful for the opportunity to give back to this community that has given so much to us.
We hope to see some new faces come through our doors in 2023! Visit our website at lineagebank.com for more information.
Serving Franklin. Serving You.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RACHEL CUNNINGHAM
The primary purpose of education is to provide the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that will allow children to develop their full potential and become successful members of society. Education is more than just a mere word; it finds its strength in our daily lives as a proper necessity.
New Hope Academy offers an education rooted in the Christian classical tradition that seeks to establish a biblical worldview and cultivate wisdom by nourishing the soul with truth, beauty and goodness. Our equitable approach to education instills vision and confirms hope for all children. We seek to be a catalyst for change in the cycle of poverty by providing an education to the under-served in our community through our commitment to removing financial and social barriers. Additionally, we reserve forty percent of enrollment for children below or near the poverty line.
Our educational program invites children to engage with a feast of living ideas through an integrated and challenging curriculum. We blend many curricular distinctives to produce an educational environment that is Christ-focused, hands-on and conscious of the needs of the learner.
We fully recognize the importance of educating children, and offering these opportunities to learn opens the door to developing selfknowledge and life and social skills that optimize life chances and economic well-being. This form of education must be authentic and promote an environment of relationships that strengthen
academic excellence and nurture a community of cultural, racial and economic diversity.
The value in cultivating this type of education must be present in the life of a child as well as the adults who supervise this child. That gives us a visual triangle of academic excellence that gains usage of prefixes and suffixes. The pinnacle must be the child that rests on the foundation of a partnership between the schools and the parents. There must be respect for each person that benefits the child and recognizes that this child needs to grow in dignity and admiration and is capable of learning wherever they are placed. Finally, we must recognize that education is accessible to all, and it must offer hope for the future.
The profession of education requires all stakeholders to be diligent in their efforts and work toward their best. It is not the amount of knowledge you hold presently, but the more you will acquire. It resolves all to be truthful and grants others the opportunity to be honest as you model this behavior of learning. Become educated together. Loyalty is an attribute that offers internal strength. It allows the family unit to enter the halls of academia and support the faculty and staff in their commitment to teaching children. It will boost the self-esteem of adults, while also teaching youth the importance of togetherness. We are better together, and taking care of each other proves to be a requirement that must be done to foster the respect needed to educate and be educated. 1820 Downs Boulevard | Franklin, TN 37064
In the summers, BGA is home to a robust camp program for children ages four and up. With half- and full-day options available, our on-campus programming includes more than 40 camps, ranging from art and cheerleading to coding, soccer, and Cannon Ball, our all-around camp experience.
Sponsored by Bethni and Trent Hemphill
Book by Connie Ray; Conceived by Alan Bailey; Musical arrangements by Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick
SCAN FOR MORE EVENT PHOTOS
WHO: Studio Tenn | studiotenn.org WHAT: A New Year’s Eve Celebration WHERE: The Harpeth Hotel WHY: On December 31st, Studio Tenn hosted a New Year’s Eve celebration with special guest John Mark-McGaha. Guest ended the one-night holiday extravaganza with champagne to toast the New Year!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRIS RAE
Candie Westbrook, Catherine Birdsong & Laura Westbrook
Kathy & Jason Calvert, Cathy & Jeremy Calvert
Danny Anderson, Calvin & Marilyn Lehew, Lynne & Tony McAllister
David Lamar & Sharon Grace Kristi & Todd Alexander
Jim & Andrea Quick
Jayaon, Chloe & Christy Campbell
Gus Falgien & Karrie Greene
Ron & Karen Gaston, Auna & Brad Roseberry
Kimberly Skerritt & Marybeth Floyd
Lynn McCallister, Marilyn Lehew & Theresa Anderson
Justin Foster & Richard Iannone
WHO: City of Franklin WHAT: Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting WHERE: Downtown Franklin Square WHY: On December 2nd, The City of Franklin held its annual Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square. The event included Matthew West as the headliner, as well as the Freedom Intermediate School choir and rising country music artist Jordana Bryant and, of course, the big countdown and light up of the square's Christmas tree.
1. The Monday before Mardi Gras is called ______ Gras. 2. _______, Gold and Green are the official colors of Mardi Gras.
3. What city became a Mardi Gras hotspot in 1857 when floats were introduced to the city's parade for the first time?
4. _______ throwing was popularized in Mardi Gras celebrations in the 1880s.
5. The earliest known carnival celebrations have been traced to 1294 in what Country?
6. The 1872 ______ of Rex is credited with introducing the official Mardi Gras colors.
7. New Orleans parade krewes are usually named after Greek or Roman _______ figures.
5.The earliest known carnival celebrations have been traced to 1294 in what
7. By law, everyone on a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade float must wear what?
8. “________ les bon temps rouler” means “let the good times roll” in Cajun French.
10. One of the most desired Mardi Gras trinkets from New Orleans celebrations is the Golden _______, tossed out in the Zulu parade.
8 9 10 11 12 Across: 1.The Monday before Mardi Gras is called 2._______, Gold and Green are the official colors of Mardi Gras. 3.What city became a Mardi Gras hotspot in oats were introduced to the city's parade for the first time. 4._______ throwing was popularized in Mardi Gras celebrations in the 1880s.
9. “Mardi Gras” translates directly to “Fat _________.”
10. King cake is circular or braided to resemble what?
11. Mardi Gras is the final day of carnival celebrations before Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of what?
12. What type of cake is the most famous Mardi Gras Dessert?
6.The 1872 ______ of Rex is credited with introducing the official Mardi Gras colors. 7.New Orleans parade krewes are usually named after Greek or Roman _______ figures.
9."Mardi Gras" translates directly to "Fat _________."
