Courtney, the Owner of Just Us Weddings, got married in October of 2019 to her dream-man, Tim! Their relationship had been through it all, so it only seemed appropriate to have the wedding stocked-full of memorabilia – such as a paper napkin from their first vacation together, donuts from their first date, custom bier steins, and a bagpiper to celebrate Tim’s Scottish & German heritage! Here is the story of how a wedding planner and a marine officer fell in love, and celebrated their big day!
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As a wedding planner, my mission is to stay the farthest away from being the center of attention as I possibly can. But when the stand in the back planner became the bride…well, that all went out the window.
With that, here is the story of how a marine officer and a wedding planner fell in love…
Courtney and Tim met quite a long time ago, in particular the day of Courtney’s high school senior prom. Over the next couple of weeks, their relationship quickly grew; however, after a few short months of dating, Courtney and Tim parted ways.
After rekindling their friendship over the next several years, and one magical weekend spent in Washington DC together, Courtney and Tim got back together – this time for good. As their engagement came only 14 months later, with their elopement only 2 days after that.
Although Courtney and Tim decided to elope, this wedding planner absolutely had to have her big wedding day, celebrating with all of their friends and family, the first dance, the dress – she wanted it all, and with her man.
Courtney’s parents lived in Nashville, in which Tim instantly fell in love with, so they quickly realized it would be the perfect city for their wedding. For the majority of the guests, this would be a destination wedding, so Courtney & Tim wanted to make an entire weekend full of activities to enjoy. They planned everything from bachelor/ bachelorette parties, brewery crawls, moonshine tastings, cycle & pole dancing classes, group spray tans, axe throwing, golf, and even a welcome bonfire & bbq the night before the wedding!
Courtney & Tim’s goal was for the Bonfire & BBQ to double as the rehearsal dinner (and almost a second reception) as every guest was invited. The event was held on Courtney’s parent’s property, a log cabin sitting on several acres of land just outside of downtown city limits. Her parents (and a few wonderful family friends) made all of the food, along with a roaring-bonfire, lots of beer, s’mores, and buffalo-plaid blankets to make the evening that much more cozy.
And then came the big day…
The morning began with Courtney and her bridesmaids getting ready at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel with the help of the Blush + Honey team (hair and makeup). Tim and the guys however, frequented the 5 Points Taco truck and “practiced” opening champagne bottles with Tim’s Marine Corps sword at the Upscale Craftsman’s Home in East Nashville (rental VRBO).
The wedding party then made their way to the Riverwood Mansion (ceremony & reception venue), and upon arrival, Courtney went rogue. She snuck off to see everything she had planned come to life. The best part was that while Courtney went on her own little adventure, Tim was hidden in the bathroom so that he didn’t see Courtney when she arrived. During her mission, Courtney was blown away with Enchanted Florists and their ceremony arch design, as they couldn’t have executed her vision more flawlessly.
While the wedding party held their ceremony rehearsal, and with the help of her mom. Courtney got dressed. She wore a strapless 2020 design by Pronovias, along with custom designed Kendra Scott jewelry, and her grandmother’s engagement ring (a whooping 3 carrot beauty).
Bailey with Bailey Allison Photography captured the day along with the help of Leah Ledford with Fortitude Films (videography).
Courtney & Tim held their ceremony in the mansion’s courtyard. With the help of DJ Chris, the parents and wedding party walked down the aisle to Stand by me by Florence and the Machine (originally by Ben E King), in which was also Courtney’s parents first dance song at their wedding 31 years prior.
The ceremony was performed by Dr. Jordy Yarnell, a good friend of the groom from college – and let me tell you, there wasn’t a dry eye in sight.
After the ceremony, guests made their way to the front lawn of the mansion for cocktail hour, along with the viewing of the ceremonial Marine Corps Saber Arch – a ceremony where the civilian is welcomed into the marine corps family.
Soon after, guests transitioned into the mansions pavilion for dinner and dancing. After their first dance, a brief welcome and blessing, 7 Lavender Lane served up a Thanksgiving-themed dinner (not only was this Courtney & Tim’s favorite Holiday, but also one of their favorite days to entertain) with foods such as cornbread stuffed- turkey and a lavish mashed potato bar. The couple then cut their blackberry-drizzle-covered cake with Tim’s sword, along with the unveiling of their Krispy Kreme doughnut bar (as Krispy Kreme was the location of the couples first date).
The couple and their guests soon danced the night away with the help of DJ Chris, and ended the night with a sparkler exit down the mansion’s driveway.
Courtney cannot thank Megan, Jacey & Judy with the Riverwood Mansion enough for handling all of the details the day of the wedding, so that she could not only relax, but truly enjoy her day as a bride, and not a planner.