Roxy & Jesse's Franklin, TN Elopement {Nashville Elopement Photographer}

This week I am sharing photos from Roxy and Jesse’s elopement a few weeks ago. I love that they included their pup in the wedding as well as their parents’ pup, Fred. Clover (Roxy and Jesse’s Chihuahua mix) was front and center the entire ceremony, and the beautiful backdrop shows the timely snow we got in February!

Roxy and Jesse were both studying abroad and met in Germany at a palace party. At the time Roxy was going to a university in England and Jesse was a college student in the United States. They ended up living together in China for a year after graduation and then lived in California for the past two to three years while Roxy attended grad school. However, when California went to shelter-in-place for the pandemic, they came to Franklin, TN to stay with Jesse’s parents. The couple is pretty laid back in their downtime, enjoy good food, traveling, and spending time with Clover.

Just how did Clover enter the scene with two traveling parents? The couple rescued her right when COVID was beginning and before the shelter-in-place in California was put in place. The Animal Friends Rescue Project, the organization they adopted Clover from, named this sweet chihuahua. Roxy and Jesse believe it is because she was very lucky to have survived before finding her forever home. Clover was found wandering in the street in Salinas, California; at the time she was pregnant and had some injuries. She was brought to the rescue where they provided medical care. Sweet Clover persevered and gave birth to four little puppies while she was recovering.

Clover is believed to be about 2-3 years old and based on a DNA test Roxy got for her, they found out she is not only chihuahua, but surprised to find out she was also part cocker spaniel.  Roxy and Jesse fell in love with her immediately, stating she was so sweet and she had a smile on her face when she was picked up. They see this smile when she finds a good position to nap in and if she is being held in a position she favors.

 Clover loves Greenies dental chews, edamame, yogurt and peanut butter. She also loves snuggles and putting her face inside a blanket when she sleeps. She loves to give kisses. That’s the way that she expresses love. Clover is so intuitive that she is up and ready to comfort Roxy with those kisses as she wakes from a bad dream. Her caring and compassion reminds the couple of a babushka sometimes.

The vacuum cleaner is something Clover does not like, and she is suspicious of the rustling sound from shaking open a new garbage bag. She doesn’t like dogs that are much bigger than her or anything that moves outside the window. 

Roxy and Jesse gave Clover the nickname “Gooby”. They love how playful she has gotten ever since they have had her and how she lifts one paw when she is begging for something. “We love how fun-sized she is and her ears!”

The other sweet pup shown in some of the pics below is Jesse’s parents’ miniature Schnauzer, Fred. He is a rescue so his age is unknown, but they think he is between 10 and 13 years old. How cool is it that he got to attend this momentous occasion?! 

Fred has been a great dog. He is a kind, gallant and loving companion.  Because of some bad effects from a medication and his advancing age, he has some physical problems, so Kurt and Robin do not like to leave him by himself. The pandemic lifestyle suits his needs.

Enjoy some of my favorite pics from Roxy and Jesse’s elopement.

~Mandy

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Nashville Elopement Photographer
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Nashville Pet Photographer
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Vendors:

Makeup: Kris Miller

Catering & Cake: The Wild Cow

Dress: BHLDN

Wedding Bands: Valerie Madison

Pastries: Little Gourmand

Venue: Dark Horse Recording Studio


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!

Emily & Christopher {Nashville Elopement Photographer}

Hey, did you know I photograph weddings and elopements, as well? I had the privilege of photographing Emily and Christopher’s elopement at the Top of Woodland Weddings. While they couldn’t bring their fur babies this wedding venue IS dog friendly. I look forward to doing many more elopements with pups and their people there!

I first met Emily and Christopher with their pups during a mini session at The Farm at Natchez Trace in fall of 2019. Since I am a Pets and Their People Photographer, and their pets couldn’t make the elopement…I snuck a few pics from this session below so you could meet Oti and Mandy also!

Oti, a 12 year old pug, has been a part of Emily’s life since she graduated college. He absolutely hates skateboards, but he loves to eat dirt, snore, and is the bravest little thing. Oti really has no idea how small he actually is! Oti comes from Shakespear’s Othello, but that was quite a mouthful, so it was shortened.

Mandy is a two year old Blackmouth Cur/Hound Mix. She was an unplanned rescue from PetSmart. She is the sweetest, most sensitive hound pup. Because of her intuitiveness and understanding of human emotion, she has been a huge emotional support for Emily, especially during COVID. Being a big snuggler probably helped, too! Mandy loves to run super fast and chase the tennis ball, but the things she hates the most are fire alarms and oranges. Mandy is shortened from her original name “Mandalay”. The rescue organization named all the pups in her litter after casinos. So happy Mandy won the jackpot in finding Emily, Christopher, and Oti!

Enjoy some of my favorite pics from their elopement and mini session!

~Mandy

Nashville Elopement Photographer
Nashville Elopement Photographer
Nashville Elopement Photographer
Nashville Elopement Photographer
Nashville Elopement Photographer
Nashville Elopement Photographer

Vendors:

Wedding Dress: Anthropology presents BHLDN

Engagement Ring and Her Necklace: Pippin Vintage

His Wedding Band and Pocket Watch: Pippin Vintage

Her Wedding Band: Walton’s Antique and Estate Jewelry

Flowers: The Merry Stem in Franklin


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!


4 Ways to Include Your Pet on Your Wedding Day {Nashville Wedding Photographer}

*This article was also featured on the CJ's Off the Square blog.

I love it when my couples include pets in their wedding day. After all, they are family too! Here are a few tips on how to include them in a stress free way.

Pet-Friendly Wedding

1. Find a Pet-Friendly Wedding Venue

Not all venues are pet friendly so make sure you ask before you book if you want to include your furry friend. Even if the venue is pet friendly, make sure they are pet friendly to the extent you need them to be. If you want your little pup with you while you are getting ready, but the venue only allows him to be outside, it might not be the right fit for you.

Pet-Friendly Wedding Venue Nashville

2. Designate Someone to Be a Pet Handler

The best advice I can give is to find a pet handler for your wedding day, since it really helps takes the stress off you! This can certainly be a guest, but it must be someone who won’t be in any of the formal photos so they can handle your pup without worrying about getting dirty, and they will be able to take them home at the appropriate time.

Pet Wedding Decor

3. Include Pet Decor

You can add an additional touch of pet love by adding pet decor in your wedding. You could have a pet related theme on your invitations. At the wedding you can add a take-home treat table, or you could even have a 'dog park' set up for your pup and any of the guest's dogs that attend your celebration! Consider including your pup in your engagement photos and display them at the wedding location as well.

4. Know Your Pet

Not every dog is up for a wedding celebration. Some pups get nervous in crowds and just aren’t going to be a good at walking those rings down the aisle. Please don’t try to force your pup to participate when you know they won't enjoy it. If I’m talking about your pup (and don’t worry, I have one of those as well) and you’d really like to include him/her, consider having that friend we talked about bring them in for a few photos with just the two of you!

Nashville Wedding Photographer

Hire a Premier Photographer for Your Pet-Friendly Wedding!

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!