Lauren & Robert’s Mansion Wedding

Lauren and Robert’s summer wedding at Ravenswood Mansion was truly something to behold. Every last detail was meticulously selected by the bride to create a beautiful and romantic backdrop for their wedding day.

Bridal Primping

The day began with the expert stylists from Canaan James Professional Hair & Makeup Artistry primping and pampering Lauren and her sister Ashton, her matron of honor as they shared mimosas with their mother in the beautifully appointed bridal suite of Ravenswood Mansion.

Groom’s Details

While Lauren primped and got even prettier with her mother and sister by her side, Robert was busy getting ready with his gang of guys by his side. Donning his custom made suit by 1905 in cobalt blue accented with a red tie he brought in the wedding colors in quite a dapper manner. He topped off his look with engraved cufflinks. A beautiful gift from his soon to be bride.

The Newlyweds

Let’s just take a moment to admire how beautiful this couple is!! Lauren and Robert first met as fairly annoying high schoolers 18 years ago. (Their words!) Their first date, five years ago, was at a Mountain Goats concert at the Cannery Ballroom. Since then they have been to 8 Mountain Goats concerts together. After moving all around the US (1,734 miles together) and raising two sweet pups together, Robert proposed under a giant oak tree at Maymont in Richmond, Virginia. Since then, Lauren and Robert begrudgingly agreed to start cheering for each other’s SEC alma maters. We have a feeling that this will be a struggle for both of them. Ha!! Ha!!

The Floral Decor

The gorgeous crimson flowers from Melissa Marie Floral Designs accented with hints of greenery created a glorious splash of color on this glorious summer day. They certainly popped against the creamy white entryway of Ravenswood Mansion and under the white tent with the crisp white linens and white garden chairs.

Personalized Ceremony Decor

Set up on either side of the entry to the aisle were two bookcases. This was perfect for the literary/library theme of Robert and Lauren’s wedding. Guests were delighted by this as they each held their most special momentos. It gave guest a moment to get to know them on a deeper level.

The Seating Cards & Wedding Stationery

Using a vintage card catalog, each guest had to find their card in order to locate their seating assignment at the reception. Aren’t these clever and cute? We certainly loved them. We know their guests got a kick out of them, too! And how fabulous are those Save The Date cards?!

The Guest Book

Sharing their love of word and literature with those that they love most, they asked their guests to choose a word that reminds them of them. Thank goodness there are so many words in Webster’s Dictionary because we could think of quite a few lovely ones to describe them ourselves!

The Wedding Ceremony

The long awaited wedding ceremony at Ravenswood Mansion. They were originally going to get married in 2020, but with COVID closing their original venue they postponed until 2022. Finally the day had come! Officiated by Stan Webb, a dear family friend who had married both Lauren’s sister and parents performed a beautifully written ceremony for their wedding. It was personalized to include such details as the fact that Lauren and Robert have known each other since high school. 18 years, to be exact! They dated for 5 years and raised two dogs together while moving all over the US together. They even begrudgingly agreed to start cheering for each other’s SEC alma maters, so we know these two will last.

Reception Decor

Each place setting was decorated with a white doily with each guests name written in navy calligraphy placed underneath a glass beaded charger. A navy napkin folded to look like a rose was placed in the right corner. At the center of each table, in keeping with the literary/library theme, were a stack of books. Accented with a candlelit lantern, a strand of pearls and a paper rose made from recycled book pages these centerpieces were beautifully elegant. Each table was labeled with quotes from their favorite authors rather than table numbers.

The Fairy Table

The sweet little flower girls who absolutely adore their Aunt Lauren were her little “fairy princesses.” They even had their very own princess table where they were able to sit and enjoy dinner but also a secondary table set for tea for when they were feeling like fairies. So sweet!! We think this definitely needs to become a new wedding trend. Don’t you?

Food and Drinks

The Drinking Well served up a wide selection of local wines and local beers to keep guests in a partying mood. Meanwhile, they were then treated to a sumptuous dinner from the skilled chefs at Chef Penelope’s Catering.

The Wedding Cakes

The beautiful wedding cake was strawberry lemonade in one tier and cinnamon roll in another. Talk about a treat!! Created by Jenifer’s Cakes and decked out with blush and red roses it was photographed nearly as often as the beautiful bride! As a special treat for the groom, Lauren made sure that she had his favorite dessert on hand. Mini pies from Papa C’s Pies.

The Toasts

Toasting their love with personalized flutes gifted to them by their Weddings & Events by Raina wedding planner, the matron of honor had everyone in happy tears. Thankfully, the best man followed that up with his speech. He spilled the beans on his adventures with the loving couple. He certainly had everyone rolling with laughter as he recounted their antics!

Dancing The Night Away

And then finally the dance floor was open to all couples who had an absolute blast with all the great tunes played by Music Tree Entertainment. Not a single person was in their seats as they danced the night away. This was definitely a night to remember!!

A Bubbly Send Off!

And then they were off to start the next chapter in their choose your own adventure story!!

SPOILER ALERT!! They lived happily ever after!

LAUREN & ROBERT’S VENDORS

Planning & Design – Weddings & Events by Raina

Venue – Ravenswood Mansion

Photography – Glenai Gilbert Photography

Videography – LaDage Films

Florist – Melissa Marie Floral Designs

Catering – Chef Penelope’s Catering

Cake – Jenifer’s Cakes

Groom’s Pies – Papa C’s Pies

Bartending – The Drinking Well

DJ – Music Tree Entertainment

Hair & Makeup – Canaan James Professional Hair & Makeup Artistry

Wedding Dress – Glitz Nashville

Bridesmaids Attire – Revelry

Groom/Groomsmen Attire – 1905