Real Nashville Weddings, Real Nashville Weddings, Reception

July 17, 2022

Lana & Omar – Union Station Hotel Nashville

Lana & Omar – Union Station Hotel Nashville

Black and white image of a bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress kissing the groom who is wearing a white shirt and black pants. They are kissing on the balcony of Union Station Hotel Nashville. There is a large crystal chandelier and a barrel vaulted ceiling with stained glass.
Black and white image of a bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress looking at the camera as the groom who is wearing a black suit looks at her. They are standing at the front entry of the Union Station Hotel Nashville. There is a mosaic floor with USH and a rough hewn stone wall with Union Station Hotel in an arch above their heads.
Black and white image of a bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress looking into the eyes of the groom who is wearing a black suit. They are standing on the balcony of the Union Station Hotel Nashville. There are two large crystal chandeliers and a barrel vaulted ceiling with stained glass.

Love was in the air at Lana and Omar’s wedding reception. Following a private and very intimate wedding ceremony at her parent’s Green Hills estate, friends and family joined Lana and Omar at Union Station Hotel Nashville for an elegant wedding celebration. Traveling in from all parts of the world to celebrate their love, the team at Weddings & Events by Raina made sure their guests felt pampered. Selecting only the very best Nashville wedding vendors, we designed a wedding they will remember forever.

The bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress embraces the groom who is wearing a black suit. They are standing at the covered entryway of The Union Station Hotel.
Black and white image of a bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress looking at the groom smiling as the groom who is wearing a black suit smiles back at her. The castle like Union Station Hotel stand behind them. There is a vertical sign that says Union Station Hotel in the background.
The bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress is lifted up by the groom who is wearing a black suit. He kisses her on the cheek. They are standing on the verandah of The Union Station Hotel.
The bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress looks up at the groom who is behind her wearing a black tuxedo. He kisses her on the cheek. They are standing on the balcony of The Union Station Hotel. There are two large crystal chandeliers behind them.

How They Met

Lana, a pediatric surgeon, met Omar, a banking consultant, through mutual friends at a party. As the story goes, their eyes met from across the room and sparks began to fly. The rest is, as they say, history. Choosing the stately Union Station Hotel Nashville as the backdrop for their wedding reception we quickly began to assemble a vendor team that could truly showcase this jaw dropping historic venue.

Black and white image of a bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress holding hands with the groom who is wearing a black suit walk down the streets of Nashville. The Union Station Hotel is to the left. They are walking away from the camera.
The bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress is dipped by the groom who is wearing a black tuxedo. He leans in to kiss her. They are standing in front of The Union Station Hotel. The rough stone of the building is to the left and the words Union Station are in gold above their heads.
Black and white image of a bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress holding hands with the groom who is wearing a black suit gaze into each other's eyes. The Union Station Hotel is to the left. They are facing away from the camera.
The bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress is dipped by the groom who is wearing a black tuxedo. They are both smiling at the camera. They are standing in front of The Union Station Hotel. The rough stone of the building is to the left and the words Union Station are in gold above their heads.
The bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress is being lifted up playfully by the groom who is wearing a black tuxedo. Her arm is wrapped around his neck and they are both smiling at the camera They are standing in front of The Union Station Hotel. The rough stone of the building is to the left.
The bride in a form fitting floor length one shoulder sheath dress is dipped by the groom who is wearing a black tuxedo as he kisses her. They are standing in front of The Union Station Hotel. The rough stone of the building is to the left and the words Union Station are in gold above their heads.

True Love

Omar and Lana clearly weren’t just in love. These two are also best friends. It was clear in how playful they were with each other that there wasn’t anyone else in the world for them. These two couldn’t stop smiling and giggling like little children. With hair and makeup expertly styled by One10 Beauty, Lana was truly a vision. The groom simply could not take his eyes off his bride!

A violinist with Viva La Strings Nashville plays her instrument with her eyes closed. She is wearing a black tank top and black pants. She is sitting outside with a large floral centerpiece behind her.
A violinist with Viva La Strings Nashville plays music at the Union Station Hotel. He is wearing a black shirt and black pants. He is sitting outside on a silver chiavari chair looking at his sheet music on an ipad. In the background party guests gather to listen to the music.
A viola player with Viva La Strings Nashville plays music at the Union Station Hotel. She is wearing a black jacket and black pants. She is sitting outside on a silver chiavari chair with a large floral centerpiece behind her. In the background party guests gather at cocktail tables to listen to the music.

The Romance of Live Music

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Nashville wedding without live music. With such an elegant venue as the Union Station Hotel Nashville we had to hire equally elegant musicians. Viva La Strings, with members who also play for the Nashville Philharmonic at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center certainly fit that bill. Their guests were in for a real treat. Viva La Strings played for them during cocktail hour on the verandah and then in the lobby during dinner. Guest were delighted by the modern pop songs and classic rock selections selected by the Lana & Omar for them to play. We even caught a few people singing along!

A string quartet called Viva La Strings Nashville plays music at the Union Station Hotel verandah. They are all dressed in black. They are sitting outside on a silver chiavari chairs as party guests dance to the music.
The bride, wearing a floor length one-shoulder sheath dress dances with the groom who is wearing a black tuxedo. String lights hang from the verandah ceiling above them. Guests wearing tuxedos watch them dance.
A string quartet called Viva La Strings Nashville plays music at the Union Station Hotel verandah. They are all dressed in black. They are sitting outside on a silver chiavari chairs as party guests dance to the music. A neon sign with Lana & Omar is lit up in pink behind the musicians. It hangs on a green boxwood wall.
The bride, wearing a floor length one-shoulder sheath dress and the groom who is wearing a black tuxedo dance to their first dance. String lights hang from the verandah ceiling above them. Guests crowd around to watch them.
The groom spins the bride as they dance. The bride is wearing a floor length one-shoulder sheath dress. The groom is wearing a black tuxedo. String lights hang from the verandah ceiling above them. Guests crowd around to watch them.
The groom leans in to kiss the bride as they dance. The bride, wearing a floor length one-shoulder sheath dress. The groom who is wearing a black tuxedo. String lights hang from the verandah ceiling above them. Guests crowd around to watch them.

The First Dance

It was during the first dance that we learned that these two have some real moves! They could easily moonlight as ballroom dancers if they chose to. Having a great time dancing, we found it difficult getting them to leave the dance floor at dinnertime. It’s a good thing Ivory Door Studio was there to take photos we know they will treasure. The happy couple certainly shared many special moments together on their wedding day.

A bartender at the Union Station Hotel Nashville mixes a cocktail in a silver shaker. There are cut up lemons, limes and oranges on the bar. The bartender is wearing a black uniform.
A fully stocked bar at Union Station Hotel nashville.
A bartender at the Union Station Hotel Nashville pours a cocktail from a silver shaker into a highball glass. There are cut up lemons and limes on the bar. The bartender is wearing a black uniform. A guest in a black jacket, white shirt and maroon tie waits for his drink.
Gray and brown arm chairs and soft khaki sofas with bronze and white accent pillows set up on the verandah of the Union Station Hotel Nashville. There is a low wooden coffee table at the center of the soft seating area and a bronze and black coffee table off to the side.
The verandah of the Union Station Hotel Nashville set up with rust colored arm chairs and soft khaki sofas accented by string lighting hanging from the ceiling. There is a bronze and black coffee table off to the side and a tall silver umbrella heater. Cocktail tables with white linens and white drapery line the right hand side.

Crafted Cocktails

While our happy newlyweds tore up the dance floor their guests enjoyed the expertly blended cocktails served by the Union Station Hotel Nashville. We artfully arranged soft seating to accommodate guests who wished to have a more casual experience. In addition, we scattered standing cocktail tables along the verandah for those who wished to mix and mingle.

The grand lobby of the Union Station Hotel Nashville has a barrel vaulted ceiling with stained glass and three large crystal chandeliers the balcony has iron work and arched entries to the rooms and bas relief sculpture at the center as well as a large black clock. The first floor has a grand stone fireplace with large doors on either side. The floor is tan marble. The space is filled with round tables set for a wedding. The tables have white table cloths with blush table runners and silver chiavari chairs. At the center of each table is a large floral centerpiece. towards the front of the room are two long tables on either side of the fire place facing in where the bride and grooms table is located.
The grand lobby of the Union Station Hotel Nashville has large crystal chandeliers and a balcony with iron work railings, bas relief sculpture at the center as well as a large black clock and two arches on either side. The first floor has a grand stone fireplace with large doors on either side. The space is filled with round tables set for a wedding. The tables have white table cloths with blush table runners, silver chiavari chairs and tall centerpieces as well as low ones on the smaller tables. At the center of each table is a large floral centerpiece. towards the front of the room are two long tables on either side of the fire place facing in where the bride and grooms table is located.
The grand lobby of the Union Station Hotel Nashville has a barrel vaulted ceiling with a large crystal chandelier. The balcony has iron work railings and and arched entries to the rooms. At the center there is a bas relief sculpture. Above it hangs a large black clock with gold hands. The first floor has tan tan marble flooring and several sets of doors outlined with dark wood molding. The space is filled with round tables set for a wedding. The tables have white table cloths with blush table runners and silver chiavari chairs.

The Historic Hotel

Being big fans of history, Lana and Omar loved our selection of the Union Station Hotel, Nashville for their reception. Nashville’s Union Station a former railroad terminal built in 1900 is an excellent example of late-Victorian Romanesque Revival architecture. The high towers and turrets are reminiscent of a castle. Inside this ‘castle’ visitors will find three massive crystal chandeliers, Italian marble floors, wrought iron accents, oak accented doors and three limestone fireplaces. The main feature that truly wows, however, is the 65 foot barrel vaulted, stained glass lobby ceiling. The walls feature bas-relief sculptures and remanents of the station’s original tile.

A long table with a white table cloth and clear glass chargers is set with white candles in glass cylinders and tall glass vases. Large floral arrangements of greenery, blush, pink and peach roses, tulips hydrangea, stock and ranunculus cascade down the sides.
A detail image of a large floral arrangement containing greenery, blush, pink and peach roses, tulips, and rice flower.
A clear glass beaded charger with a menu card decorated with blush flowers. Above the menu card is a small piece of chocolate wrapped in thick white paper with a peach pearl and rhinestone decorative topper attached with a peach satin ribbon. Sitting at the top of the charger are two seating cards with pink flowers printed on them and a white votive candle in a cut crystal holder with a gold metal top. The top looks like a gold branch with a large pink silk flower. At the center of the table is a gold footed bowl with a large floral arrangement of peach, blush, pink, white and ivory flowers as well as assorted greenery.
A detail image of a large floral arrangement containing greenery, blush, pink and peach roses, tulips hydrangea, rice flower, and ranunculus.
A round table with a white table cloth set for two guests with two silver chiavari chairs sits in front of a massive stone fireplace. On the table sits a low asymmetrical floral arrangement of greenery, blush, pink and peach roses, tulips hydrangea, stock and ranunculus.
Set on a long table with a white table cloth and clear glass chargers there are small arrangements in clear glass vases as well as white candles in tall glass cylinders. In between them there are tall glass vases topped with large floral arrangements of greenery, blush, pink and peach roses, tulips hydrangea, stock and ranunculus cascade down the sides.
A small tabletop floral arrangement for a cocktail table in a beaded glass jar sits on a white table cloth. The bouquet features peach roses, hydrangea, veronica, and white tea roses. There are string lights hanging from the ceiling in the background.
A detail image of a tabletop floral arrangement containing greenery, peach roses, hydrangea, veronica, and ranunculus.
A small tabletop floral arrangement for a cocktail table in a beaded glass jar sits on a white table cloth. The bouquet features white roses, hydrangea, veronica, and peach tea roses.
A small tabletop floral arrangement for a cocktail table in a glass cylinder sits on a white table cloth. The arrangement of flowers features pink roses, peach tulips, white hydrangea and veronica flowers.
Sitting on a white pillar with cocktail tables in the background is a large cascading floral arrangement of fern, eucalyptus, lemon leaves, and ruscus accented with peach tulips, white roses, white tulips, peach roses, white hydrangea, and white snapdragons.

Beautiful Blooms

Knowing that Lana loves flowers, we made sure that there wasn’t a single surface of the Union Station Hotel Nashville left unadorned. Each guest table had a unique centerpiece created by Flowers by Delfino. Delfino included the bride’s favorite spring and summer blooms in each centerpiece. Peach tulips, pink roses, ivory hydrangea, white stock, blush ranunculus and every single kind of fern and eucalyptus were bursting from their vases. Featuring tall cascading centerpieces. Low round centerpieces. Even large wide centerpieces spilling out onto the table, the vast space was filled with the most beautiful perfume. Surely, Lana and Omar will think of their wedding day whenever they smell flowers.

Detail of the upper half of a three tier wedding cake with ivory icing. The cake has peach, pink and blush sugar flowers cascading down the front.
Three tier wedding cake with ivory icing sits on a silver cake stand. The cake has peach, pink and blush sugar flowers cascading down the front.
Detail of the lower half of a three tier wedding cake with ivory icing. The cake has peach, pink and blush sugar flowers cascading down the front.

Let Them Eat Cake

As lovely as their flowers were, no one could forget the cake Jenifer’s Cakes created. Jenifer combined real roses and hand crafted sugar flowers for this creation. The blush, pink and peach blossoms delicately cascaded down the cake. It was quite a showstopper! And this cake was as delicious as it looked. Each layer was a different flavor combination. One tier was strawberry lemonade. One tier was French vanilla and snickerdoodle, which tastes like a cinnamon roll. The top tier was chocolate and red velvet at Omar’s personal request. Someone has a sweet tooth!

White votive candle in a cut crystal holder with a gold metal top. The top looks like a gold branch with a large pink silk flower. The words Lana & Omar are written on the front of the candle and are circled in gold with decorative leaves.
A place setting on a clear glass beaded charger. The plate holds a menu card decorated with blush flowers. Above the menu card is a small piece of chocolate wrapped in thick white paper with a peach pearl and rhinestone decorative topper attached with a peach satin ribbon. Sitting at the top of the charger are two seating cards with pink flowers printed on them and a white votive candle in a cut crystal holder with a gold metal top. The top looks like a gold branch with a large pink silk flower. The words Lana & Omar are written on the front of the candle. at the center of the table is a gold footed bowl with a large floral arrangement of peach, blush, pink, white and ivory flowers as well as assorted greenery.
A small piece of chocolate wrapped in thick white paper with a peach pearl and rhinestone decorative topper attached with a peach satin ribbon.

Fabulous Favors

Decorating each place setting were special favors for each guest. At the top of each place setting was a fragrant candle with their signature floral scent. Placed just above the menu card was a gift wrapped piece of chocolate decorated with rhinestones and pearls, affixed with a satin ribbon.

The bride, wearing a one shoulder dress and the groom wearing a black tuxedo dance with two little girls. They are at the Union Station Hotel Nashville on the verandah and there are string lights hanging from the ceiling. Other wedding guests watch the dancing in the background.
The groom, wearing a black tuxedo, dances with his mother. The mother of the groom is wearing a navy blue, short sleeved lace dress. Two little girls watch them dance in the background. They are at the Union Station Hotel Nashville on the verandah and there are string lights hanging from the ceiling and the stone arches are visible in the background.
The groom wearing a black tuxedo tossed al little girl into the air as they dance. They are at the Union Station Hotel Nashville on the verandah. The stone arches are in the background and there are string lights hanging from the ceiling. Other wedding guests watch the festivities in the background.

A Night To Remember

Following dinner we were treated to some truly heartfelt speeches. Then we invited guests back out to the verandah at the Union Station Hotel Nashville. With an amazing sound system set up by Figaro Audio and a playlist created by Lana and Omar the newlyweds and their loved ones danced late into the evening. We are quite sure this beautiful wedding will be one to remember!

Fleriza
Bride
“I would give Raina and her team 10 stars if I could.”
Jessica
Bride
“I am so grateful I was able to get Raina to plan my wedding.”
Stacy
Bride
“Raina van Setter was the best wedding planner imaginable!! Paid attention to every detail and made our day magical, we wouldn’t have had the amazing wedding without her and her fantastic team! ”
Molly
Bride
“Far exceeded our expectations!! She made wedding planning a breeze. We feel so blessed to have had her as our wedding planner!!!”
Sandy
Bride
“Our guests emphatically stated that our wedding was one of the best weddings they ever attended.”
Lisa
Mother of the Bride
“Our daughter’s wedding was PERFECTION! We have Raina to thank for that!”
Karen
Caterer
“Hands down one of the best wedding planners in the business.”
Kim
Bride
“She made me feel like Cinderella! Raina is, hands down, the best wedding coordinator. She took care of literally everything.”
Mercyette
Bride
“Every vendor she recommended was a dream. Even held my hand when I was nervous during the ceremony line up.”
Emelie
Bride
“Raina is PHENOMENAL! Five star plus, plus, plus ++++! Such a JOY! Raina is the BEST!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🤩”
  1. Lindsay says:
    July 23, 2022 at 2:17 pm

    I love the historical vibes of the venue!! And the florals are amazing!!!

    Reply
  2. M. Stern says:
    August 9, 2022 at 6:43 pm

    What a landmark venue to host an event!

    Reply
  3. Alysse says:
    August 10, 2022 at 5:50 am

    Wow!! This was really gorgeous! I absolutely loved those flowers. What a stunning location!

    Reply

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