Jesse & Daniel’s Havana Night Club Wedding

Daniel & Jesse’s sizzling summer wedding on fourth of July weekend was absolutely stunning. When they approached Weddings & Events by Raina for planning and design, they told us that their theme was 1950’s Havana night club. Think Hunter S. Thompson. Immediately we were 100% on board with their unique vision! We were so glad that Clark Brewer Photography was there to artfully capture all the beautiful details. This was a wedding to remember!

Daniel met Jesse at a fall bonfire party shortly after she moved to Nashville. They bonded over their shared love of cycling and brunching with friends, watching La La Land together and often singing along. On Saturdays Jesse can be found rooting for Ohio State, especially when they are beating Alabama and every other day of the week she joins the Daniel in cheering on the Nashville Predators. It seems the only thing that these two cannot agree on is corn vs flour tortillas!! Well, that and their preferred choice of beverage. Jesse can always be found with a coffee in hand whereas Daniel prefers any color of gatorade he can get his hands on as he does his best to keep Jesse from stealing his snacks. (Her favorite pastime!) Thankfully he most often snacks on something healthy like green grapes.

The day began with the expert stylists at the Indigo Beauty Collective primping and pampering the bride and her dream team. Everything from hair to expertly applied makeup. They certainly looked amazing!

Jesse Dons The Dress

While Jesse and Daniel opted not to have a traditional bridal party they still wanted to have their siblings and closest friends there with them to help get ready. Jesse’s sweet sister Anna, mother to the cutest flower girl ever, assisted her into her sleek formfitting bridal gown and veil. With the halter neckline, delicate cross back and tiny buttons that extended all down the back, she was absolutely stunning. You have to agree…she was a showstopper!

Daniel Suits Up

While Jesse was getting gorgeous, Daniel was donning his suit. We are getting all the James Bond vibes here. Don’t you think? Kind of makes you wonder if that beautifully engraved watch that his bride gifted him can do more that just tell time. Such a beautiful couple! We know that while he certainly won’t be able to take his eyes off of Jesse, the feeling will certainly be mutual!

Love Letters

Prior to the ceremony Daniel and Jesse shared love letters that they had written to one another when they first got engaged. Laughter was heard and tears were shed. It was clear that the feelings they expressed then had only grown in intensity.

Personalized Invitations

Wanting to be as authentic as possible to their ‘Hunter S. Thompson’ vibe they sourced a vintage typewriter from the era and wrote out each and every invitation themselves. Meticulously typed on linen paper were the time, date and details, personalized to each guests. What a beautiful keepsake of their wedding day!

Their First Look

As Jesse waited in the courtyard along an ivy covered wall Daniel made his approach. Seeing the back of her beautiful gown we could hear an audible gasp that caused her to turn around. He truly could not take his eyes off his beautiful bride. They both commented how this was like living in a dream that was slowly coming true. So romantic!

Clementine Hall

Clementine Hall was the perfect backdrop to stage their sultry Havana night club. From the dark hardwood floors to the exposed brick and beams it had a wonderful feel all on it’s own. By adding in tropical pops of flowers and crisp white linens the brass accented brick space took on an entirely different feel transporting guests back to another time entirely.

Cocktails in the Courtyard

As guests began to arrive they were invited to partake in cocktails in the courtyard of Clementine Hall. Mixing, mingling and visiting for an hour prior to the ceremony, the festivities had begun and a party atmosphere was already in place. Daniel and Jesse couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather especially considering that it was July in the south. Light breezes blew and the sun was shining. It truly was a perfect day!

The Wedding Ceremony

With the original 1939 church pipe organ in the background, the restored 1950’s church was the perfect backdrop for Jesse and Daniel’s Havana night club wedding. Their dear friend Carl friend united them in matrimony with a ceremony that brought laughter and happy tears. When they were finally pronounced husband and wife everyone even Frank, their Dog of Honor wanted to celebrate their love!

Sweetest Bridal Party Member

We would be remiss if we didn’t put the spotlight on this adorable little angel. Macy adores her Aunt Jesse, but no one (not even Aunt Jesse) was more excited to welcome Daniel and Frank to the family. She absolutely adores Uncle Daniel and his golden retriever Frank. She was quite focused on doing the very best job as she walked down the aisle (making a bee line to her bestie, Frank, of course). Just the cutest, sweetest little flower girl ever!

The Floral Decor

The gorgeous peaches, dusty pinks, soft oranges, whites, golds and ivories absolutely popped against the lush palm fronds, monstera leaves and fern fronds. Each table had a unique assortment of six to eight bud vases bursting with tropical greenery and florals. Beautiful bouquets were artfully placed in all the corners, nooks and crannies that could be found. However, none could surpass the beauty of the bridal bouquet. When we told Melissa Marie Floral Designs of their Havana night club wedding theme she took it and ran! Tropical flowers such as protea and lilies combined with bright anemone, roses and peonies created such a stunning array of blossoms. Everywhere you looked you felt as if you were just outside of a tropical paradise.

First Dance

Jesse and Daniel are the perfect pair. Free spirited, incredibly creative, caring and fun. They absolutely love embarking on new adventures creating their own style of fun along the way. Doesn’t matter if they are spending the day snowed in eating chili or if they are out taking copious photos playing together with Frank, They are all in! They are just the sweetest couple…and Frank, too, of course.

The Daddy/Daughter Dance

The tradition of the father/daughter dance always gets us tearing up. Jesse and her Dad, Jim were certainly no exception. He is definitely a proud papa, and why shouldn’t he be? Being the father of two daughters, however, he was thrilled to welcome Daniel into the family as his son.

The Mother/Son Dance

Paula’s dance with her son Daniel was a delight! It was clear that dancing is something they enjoy as these two had all the moves. It is quite clear they have cut a rug together before. Everyone took real delight in watching the show they put on with their fancy footwork.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

Offering perfectly blended cocktails throughout the evening for their guests to sip, Concoctions kept the party at the bar going. Their blends were as fun as the food! Chef Penelope’s Catering carefully curated Cuban food stations offering everything from corn and flour tortilla street tacos to arroz y frijoles. Plantains and empanadas in every flavor were on offer as well as. With so many offerings the guests were well fed and glad to enjoy. Fox’s Donut Den supplied the sweet treats craved by all and arranged in a decorative display of delight. Thank goodness it’s easy to dance and eat a donut at the same time. There was no stopping this spectacular Havana night club party!

Time To Dance

DJ Daniel Ian Jones had no problem getting this crowd out onto the dance floor. Everyone was movin’ and groovin’ all night long, having an absolute blast! When a few people would stop to refresh their cocktails or grab another taco or donut from the deletable food stations others were there, ready to their their place on the dance floor. It was quite the party!!

The Send Off

After changing into a gorgeous white silk suit, it was time for the Jesse and Daniel to leave for their honeymoon. Being sent off to loud cheers and celebration they drove to North Carolina with a stop in Gatlinburg along the way. Later on they plan to spend their actual honeymoon at Disneyworld!

Daniel & Jesse’s Vendors

Planning & Design – Weddings & Events by Raina

Venue – Clementine Hall

Photography – Clark Brewer Photography

Videography – Daniel Meigs Videography

Florist – Melissa Marie Floral Designs

Catering – Chef Penelope’s Catering

Desserts – Fox’s Donut Den

Bartending – Concoctions

DJ – Daniel Ian Jones

Rentals – Curated Events

Lounge Area Decor – Spark Vintage Rentals

Hair & Makeup – Indigo Beauty Collective

Frank, Dog of Honor

We would be remiss if we didn’t include a mini album of everyone’s favorite wedding guest, Frank the Dog of Honor. This pup was living his best life out mingling on the dance floor. He also loved being fed tacos and donuts or relaxing in the lounge awaiting snuggles and belly rubs from party goers. We’re fairly certain that he had the best time of all!