#shabraun | Our Nashville Wedding Reception Video by White Heart Wedding Films (with Dallas Wilson)

Video by White Heart Wedding Films

A mere 23 days after our wedding ceremony on Maui, LeBraun, myself and our families hosted our wedding reception at Nashville’s L.A. Jackson, atop the Thompson in the trendy Gulch neighborhood. And Y'all, we ROCKED that rooftop! Seriously the band was on fire, the drinks were flowing, and there was a charcuterie board the length of a whole wall! We couldn't have asked Nashville for a more perfect evening or for a more perfect venue.

We’ve been blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives and were honored to have so many of them be able to celebrate with us. A HUGE shoutout to Ruby and her team at the Thompson, all the vendors who helped us create an extraordinary evening, and of course White Heart Wedding Films for capturing it so wonderfully.

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VENDORS

Photographer // Teale Photography | @tealephotography

Videographer // White Heart Wedding Films | @whiteheart.weddingfilms

Venue // L.A. Jackson at Thompson Nashville | @lajacksonbar | @thompsonnashville

Planner // Ruby Bevington, Event Sales Manager at Thompson Nashville

Florals // Costco + Kroger; bouquet put together by our dear friend Carolyn Jones

Paper Goods, Calligraphy & Signage // Studioist | @studioist

Entertainment // The Downtown Band | @thedowntownband

Caterer // Executive Chef Nathan Duensing of Marsh House, Thompson Nashville | @nathan_duensing | @marshhouserest

Cakes/Desserts // Chef Lisa Marie White of Thompson Nashville | @pastrygirllisa

Stage // Liberty Party Rental | @libertypartyrental

Photo Booth // Kain and Able Entertainment

Bride's Gown // Watters | @watters

Bride’s jewelry // Engagement ring - Lindell Jewelers in Brentwood, TN; Wedding band - Express Jewelers in Arlington, VA; Bracelet - Sassabella Boutique in Paia, HI; Opal Ring - Coober Pedy, South Australia

Hair & Makeup // Tiana Trotz Studios | @tianatrotz

Bridesmaids’ Dresses // Monique Lhuillierfrom Bella Bridesmaids Nashville | @moniquelhuillier | @bellabridesmaids

Junior Bridesmaids’ Dresses // Tulle & Chantilly | @tulleandchantilly

Groom’s Formalwear // Custom Suit by Johnny Gregory Executive Apparel

Ties & Bowties // DAZI | @daziusa

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Find out more about our back home wedding reception in Nashville by checking out these posts.

#shabraun | Our Nashville Strolling Reception Timeline

When deciding what we wanted from our Nashville reception, we knew that we didn’t want a formal sit-down dinner. Not only did the space not allow for seating for all our guests, we wanted everyone to entertained the entire night. When you’re stuck at a table you find yourself only conversations with those around you. We wanted guests to mix and mingle with everyone all night. Of course you’ll always find comfort and gravitate to those you know, but a more mobile reception options gives you the opportunity to run into others, meet new people and not be confined to one area.

Having never been to a post-destination wedding reception or party we weren't sure what would be expected of us as hosts, but we knew that a good time—ney a GREAT TIME—would definitely fit the bill!

Traditional receptions have guests enjoy cocktail hour, find their seats, watch the first dance, eat dinner, listen to speeches and toasts, then head to the dance floor. That’s all well and good, but it seemed to formal for our reception.

After research on research about reception styles we stumbled across ideas like “east coast,” “strolling,” “cocktail,” and “progressive” receptions. Now we’re talking! In these styles guests are invited to enjoy the receptions in their own way. Throughout the night different food stations are opened so guests can grab food at their own leisure, hit the bar whenever, and get down on the always-open dance floor.

Obviously since we hosted an intimate wedding not everyone was invited and we didn’t want our reception guests—people we love dearly—to feel like they weren’t important to us so a big focus of the reception was our guests!

We had our wonderful videographers (Dallas Wilson Wedding Films) put together a short video of our wedding day, mostly beautiful shots of LeBraun and I together, which we looped on monitors around the room. This way guests may feel like they were apart of the ceremony which typically would have been moments before. A little something to get them in the wedding celebration spirit, ya no!

Since a cocktail hour wasn’t necessary as we weren’t taking wedding party portraits or moving locations, we decided to start the evening with a 30 minute cocktail style reception before our entry so guests could grab a drink (or two), enjoy some appetizers, and mingle a bit to loosen up.

Then we did the traditional wedding party introduction followed by our entrance and first dance. We wanted to keep some of the traditional reception elements so guests felt like it really was a true wedding reception. We did father-daughter/mother-son dances, bouquet/garter tosses, and a speech or two!

We honestly had the best time! And since we had a tough time finding timelines for unconventional style receptions we wanted to share our Nashville progressive, strolling reception timeline in the hope that others will find it helpful in planning their big days no matter how traditional or unconventional they may be. Your wedding day is all about y’all so do whatever works for you!

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11am: Deliver and set up decor pieces at the venue

2pm: Bride’s Hair and Makeup

S+L Note: At this point we were already behind as some signage got damaged on the way to the venue in the morning so I had to re-calligraph a couple which took more time than we hoped.

4pm: Check in to hotel

S+L Note: LeBraun and I were staying at the hotel where our venue was the night of the event so we brought our overnight bag as well as all the things we needed for the reception in a few hours.

4:15pm: Review venue // Set up looping video on monitors

4:45pm: Photographers photo details (dress, invitations, shoes, etc) and venue before guest arrive

Quick Tip #1: If you want photos of the invitations, remember to bring a copy with you.

4:50pm - 5:15pm: Finish getting dressed in our room // Family and wedding party arrived dressed and ready for photographs

5:20pm - 5:50pm: Couple, family, and wedding party portraits at the venue

5:50pm: Couple and wedding party chill in hotel room during cocktail half-hour while guests arrive at the venue

6pm: Eat food delivered to room, brush teeth and final prepping // Doors open for guest arrival // Passed appetizers are served // Bar opens // Background iPod music is played

6:25pm: Couple and wedding party escorted to venue

6:30pm: Grand Entrance // Band emcees wedding party introductions followed by the new Mrs. & Mrs. entrance

6:35pm: First dance // Father-Daughter dance // Mother-Son dance

6:40pm: Passed appetizers end // Small plates & salad stations open

6:45pm: Welcome speech by bride’s father

6:50-7:15pm: Band plays lively background music

8:10pm: Small plates & salad stations close

Post-Event Note: A timeline of the evening was on entry signage, but we wish we would have asked the band to make announcements throughout the night in regards to food changing over, reminders about the photo booth, guestbook, etc.

7:45pm-9:15pm: Band plays first dance set

Quick Tip #2: Appoint someone to help “move” you to and from conversations. I wanted to stay and chat with everyone, but because of I didn’t have anyone helping me there were some people I never got around to see.

8:20pm: Main stations open

Post-Event Note: We should have asked someone to bring us food throughout the evening because the only food LeBraun or I ended up eating was what had been brought to our room before the reception started. Everything smelled so good, but I was doing my hostess duties. In hindsight, as the bride I should have taken advantage of asking people for help.

9:15pm - 9:30pm: Band break // Requested iPod dance songs played

Post-Event Note: It would have been nice to add a time for taking photos in the photo booth to the timeline so we we didn’t miss it. By the time I made it back inside (which was 10:30pm), the photo booth had already been packed up. LeBraun and I never got a fun photo strip from our own reception. :(

9:30pm: Bouquet & garter tosses // Guestbook switched to favor table

9:35pm - 11:30pm: Band plays second dance set

9:50pm: Main stations close

10pm: Dessert stations open

11:25pm: Last dance is played

11:30pm: Dessert stations close // Guests filter out as reception ends // Band packs up

12pm: Intimate After Party // Late-night snacks are served // LeBraun connect Spotify playlist and put on Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince on the monitors

1:30pm: After party ends // Bar closes // Tear down and clean up begins

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Waikiki | The Laylow Autograph Collection

All photography by @studioist.

So in case you missed it—though I’m not sure how you could have as we have been singing from the rooftops since August 3—LeBraun + I got MAUI’D!

After the wedding we broke away from the group and heading to Oahu for what we dubbed “Our Hawaiian Mini-Moon!” It was our chance to actually relax on the vacation.

Don’t get me wrong, a destination wedding can be very relaxing and our’s was, but there is still coordinating people and activities, entertaining guests, and prepping involved. We did our best to plan ahead so we didn’t have a ton to do when we got to Maui, but there is always inevitably more to do.

We love everyone that flew across the country to celebrate with us, and no one was a needy guest (you know exactly the type of people I am talking about), but when we arrived on Oahu we realized we really needed some normal “us” time.

Our first evening we walked along the beach, had a fantastic dinner, took long showers, put on our robes, and watched a couple episodes of the new season of Orange is the New Black. And there was no better place to do nothing and really enjoy Waikiki than the Laylow Hotel.

THE AMBIANCE

LeBraun and I were luckily enough to spend seven blissful, relaxing nights at the Laylow Hotel in Waikiki. This trendy, boutique hotel is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

Every corner of this midcentury modern space is an Instagrammer’s dream!

The colorful, patterned walls, hanging egg chairs, sandy-bottom fire pit corners on the lanai, and shelves of Hawaiian tchotchkes add to the charm.

THE LOCATION

The hotel is tucked away just above Kūhiō Avenue and the hustle of Waikiki, yet the ambiance transports and makes you feel like you’ve found a hidden oasis in the heart of it all.

Ideal for city dwellers like us who want to enjoy everything Waikiki has the offer yet feel like you can escape it all whenever you like.

It’s right next door to the restaurants and shopping at International Marketplace, across the street from Marukame Udon (go there!!), a couple blocks from the beach, and within walking distance of countless eateries, stores, activities, and more.

Just as the name suggests it was the perfect place for us to hideout and lay low at the center of this thriving metropolis.

THE ROOMS

The rooms are streamlined and minimalistic yet still have amenities (like a mini fridge).

The shelves have a variety of books for pursuing, like a book on Hawaiian mythology, another filled with photos of retro surfers, and a book of letters and pictures from sailors on shore leave during the war.

The bed was comfortable, sheets were clean and crisp, and there were conventional three-prong and usb outlets built into the nightstand.

Our room had a small porch overlooking the pool area which was perfect for enjoying drinks in the evening. The curtains were great and kept the room dark enough for us to sleep in every morning. Compared to the plantation-style shutters our Maui rooms had, we were in heaven!

I was particularly obsessed with the vibrant, focal wall. Don’t be surprised if a morning photoshoot breaks out in your room!

THE POOL

We didn’t spend any time in the pool during our stay because access to the beach was only a couple blocks away, but we did spend part of every evening on the pool deck.

The relaxed, lounge chairs were “our place” in the evenings. When the sun disappeared and the weather was still pleasantly warm, we would bring down our computers and get a little work done, play a game, or have a private “outdoor screening” of a movie.

THE FOOD & DRINK

Hideout, the hotel’s sole restaurant, is a stylish, open-air lanai with fresh, Pacific fusion dishes.

With a variety of seating options from traditional tables, lounging clusters, and cushioned corners, Hideout is flexible. Just like some outfits the venue can go from day to night. Meet with colleagues at lunch, friends for happy hour (or pua hana), and besties for late night drinks.

The space hosts live musicians nightly and DJs on Friday and Saturday nights. Despite being only a few floors up, we couldn’t hear the music downstairs when we turned in early.

Plus the sun falls behind the neighboring building in the afternoon so the patio is pleasantly cooler, especially after being in the sun most of the day.

Their funky, retro coffee shop serves up all your morning favorites including Stumptown Coffee, pastries (LeBraun couldn’t function without his morning Cruffin) and acai bowls with granola, bananas, honey, and more.

The lunch and dinner menu are largely the same, though there are a few larger additions available on the later menu. Some may think that eating at your hotel is lazy, but having a bomb-a** restaurant a few steps from your room is just another benefit of staying at the Laylow.

We ordered a variety of dishes from the menu, for different meals and the dishes were always brought out quickly, consistently delicious, and served by a friendly staff member.

For breakfast, I didn’t vary much from my norm—acai bowl + LeBraun, even though, he’s not much of a breakfast person, enjoyed the Breakfast Fried Rice Skillet and a Cruffin. Also usually accompanied by an iced mocha.

For lunch or afternoon apps, the edamame in Korean chili and sweet soy is finger-lickin’ good, and chicken satay is savory and satisfying, and margherita flat bread…well it’s pizza and pizza is delicious!

For dinner, we enjoyed the local veggie rice bowls, Hawaiian BBQ chicken tacos, island greens salad, and catch of the day were all great, but the Huli Huli Chicken (Kiawe smoked, coconut rice, Chinese long bean, sweet soy) is the dish I would order over and over again! I’m going to have to try and recreate this recipe. If anyone has one, PLEASE send it to me!

Drink-wise: The signature cocktails were unique blends of traditional meet Hawaiian. My favorite was the Fancyman (Four Roses Whiskey, Lillet, Yellow Chartreuse, Rose Syrup, Orange Bitters) while LeBraun was partial to the “Purr”fect Timing (Basil-Infused Vodka, Yuzuri, Lilikoi, Lemon Juice).

THE AMENITIES

Besides the standard amenities like towels for the pool or beach, there is daily complimentary shave ice, drink samples, weekly ukulele lessons, and a welcome basket with locally made goodies like taro chips and shortbread cookies, a rubber ducky, and flip flops with the hotel’s tropical wallpaper pattern.

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Laylow Hotel

@hideoutwaikiki | Address: 2299 Kūhiō Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
https://www.hideoutwaikiki.com