Jesse & Cody {Nashville Elopement Photographer}

There are so many reasons why I love elopements, especially ones like Jesse and Cody's recent elopement at the Riverwood Mansion! These two lovebirds came from Springfield, MO with a few of their closest friends and family to celebrate their marriage.

The Riverwood Mansion is a beautiful place to say your vows, and Sue with Elope in Nashville created a lovely elopement ceremony inside the mansion for Jesse and Cody.

After taking photos there, we headed into downtown, which was their first time in downtown Nashville! Although they don't have any pups yet, they were certainly checking out every dog we passed in town -- so I won't be surprised if one joins their family in the future! 

They also had a fun Friday the 13th invite and wedding ring case, so it's even more fitting to share it on Halloween! And just wait until you see her gorgeous hair which Cody did herself with the help of a friend!

Thank you, Jesse and Cody, for giving me the opportunity to capture such a special day for you.

~ Mandy

Vendors: 

Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal 

Veil: BlancaVeils

Bouquet and Boutonnière: The Blooming Corner

Her Wedding Rings: DesignByAndre

His Wedding Ring: HawkinsHandicrafts

Suit: John's Suit Shop in Springfield, MO

Invitations: HydraulicGraphix 

Hair and Makeup: Hair by Haille

---

Getting Married in Nashville? Contact Mandy!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!

Riverwood Mansion Vendor Spotlight - Meet Megan Sanders! (Nashville Dog Photographer)

Today we have an interview with the fabulous, Megan Sanders, who works as a planner and coordinator with Riverwood Mansion. Megan not only helped us plan our Riverwood Mansion styled shoot, but she, her family, and her pup, Oreo, modeled for us! I hope you enjoy this interview with Megan, and some pictures of her and her pup from our styled shoot! And make sure to check out Riverwood Mansion if you're looking for a wedding venue. It is such an amazing location!

~ Mandy

Where is your favorite place to go with your pup & family? 

We love to hike and visit the hills of East Tennessee, where I'm from, there's plenty of room to run around and be silly there.

What breed/age is your pup and where did you get him? 

Oreo is a mixed breed, from best we can tell, but most people think he's a new designer pup cause he's so handsome. He found us a couple of years ago at the Nashville Humane Association and wasted no time letting us know we're his family and he was ready to go home.

How did you get started  working with weddings, and why do you love it? 

Well, growing up I never imagined I would have a career as a wedding planner. I don't like to plan and had never thought about getting married. I graduated from MTSU with a degree in Radio/TV Business and promptly went to work for the Nashville Scene in advertising, and that's where I met my husband Casey. We moved to Inglewood in 2006 and that's when I first visited Riverwood Mansion at an open house. I was awe struck by it's grandeur and hospitality that poured out of it's 200 year old front doors. Just so happened, they were looking for some help coordinating weddings on the weekend, so I took the part-time position and never left. Now, hundreds of gorgeous couples, planning meetings, and amazing weddings later, I consider myself blessed to be a part of each couples most special day and Riverwood's legacy. 

What would be your #1 piece of advice to give brides? 

Be yourself. In the age of staggering pinterest trends, meaningful traditions and unique characteristics that express who you are as a couple are what stands apart.

What is your favorite part of the wedding day? 

The farewell. No, all jokes aside, wedding planning is a journey you take with a couple from beginning to end, with the end goal being the best night of both of their lives. It's a lot of pressure and the reward is the big smiles and hugs you receive when seeing them off to their new lives together.

Contact a Wedding Photographer in Nashville, TN!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!

Elope in Nashville Vendor Spotlight {Nashville Dog Photographer}

I am excited to present a vendor spotlight on one of my favorite Nashville vendors, Sue from Elope in Nashville. In addition to her own business, Sue is also the Elopement Specialist at Riverwood Mansion.

We did a little interview about her business and her sweet pup, Izzi.  Some of these photos are from my Riverwood Mansion Styled Shoot, where Sue was our officiant! There are also photos below of Sue and Izzi having fun together.

Enjoy this interview with one of Nashville's best wedding officiants!  

~Mandy

How did you get started officiating weddings? Why do you love it?

I started officiating weddings when I started working at Top O'Woodland in East Nashville in 2009. At first I was reluctant but after the first few weddings, I realized not only did I love it, but I knew it was my calling!

My grandfather, who lived with my family growing up as a child, was a Presbyterian Minister. He was born in England and had a wonderful dry sense of humor. I remember that his sermons were always filled with light and made me laugh. Now I feel him with me whenever I perform a ceremony.

What is your favorite part of the ceremony?

I love personalizing each ceremony to suit the couple and give them a chance to say what they would like to each other. Each story is so personal and special. I consider this sacred and I am humbled to be a part of such a happy occasion. I also am a florist so I love creating the bridal bouquets for the bride!

What would be your #1 piece of advice to give brides?

I have run the gamut in weddings I have officiated--everything from 300 guests to elopements. My preference is elopements because when all is said and done, a wedding is about the bride and groom's new commitment to each other and their families. This is what remains primary in a small wedding. Everything else is secondary. If a wedding is too big and elaborate the perspective can be lost of what is important in life. 

How do you help couples on their wedding days?

I always create a time line for the couple from arrival to departure. My goal is to change their stress about the planning to excitement!

I would love to know more about your pup!

I was separated from my husband for about 9 months and decided I wanted a Mini Aussie more than anything. Jay, my husband, offered to buy her for me. So we took a trip down to Cottonwood, TN and I fell head over heels in love with Izzi. Izzi's sire and dame were award winning champions from England. Izzi was there for me when there was no one else. We have a very special relationship. 

Where is your favorite place to go with your pup?

Since I live in Madison, we love to take walks at the nature walk by Old Hickory dam. There is hardly anyone there and gives the dogs a chance to explore.

Contact an Elopement Photographer in Nashville, TN!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!