Jewel-toned wedding in Nashville captures our hearts with lovely branded elements including detailed stationery and monogram wall and dance floor designs.
Ashley and Eric’s celebrated their love in an intimate jewel toned wedding at the newly restored Clementine Hall. Originally built in 1889, the revamped church has beautiful details like exposed brick walls and an original organ on stage. And it was ALL about the details for these two! They wanted to have “a branded wedding with dramatic details… [and] a jewel tone colored theme of marine blue, juniper green, sangria, plum and gold.”
Working with an inclusive team of all women and minority owned businesses, their team of vendors gave them exactly that! From “artfully messy” floral arrangements, to the monogram on the wall and dance floor, to the green and blue soft seating – everything they wanted came together beautifully.
At the end of the night, guests sent Eric and Ashley off waving streamers printed with their logo. It truly was a beautiful branded affair.
Keep reading below for more details and photos from their stunning jewel toned wedding!
- Couple: Ashley Northington & Eric Flakes
- Occupations: Ashley works in strategic communications as a vice president and managing director for a national public relations firm focused on education. She leads the firm’s work with HBCUs nationwide. Eric works in commercial real estate as an asset manager for one of the nation’s fastest growing real estate investment trusts.
Quick Facts:
- Wedding date: October 30, 2020
- Wedding location: Clementine Hall Nashville, TN
- Gifts for their wedding party: The bridesmaids were gifted with silk robes, slippers, bags, and thermal cups with their name and title on them. They also received a mask that matched their dress, an engraved clothing hanger, and custom jewelry designed and handmade by one of Ashley’s bridesmaids, Heather Yount. The groomsmen were also gifted with custom Heather Yount bracelets and vegan leather overnight bags with their initials stitched on the outside. They also gifted their mothers with custom jewelry, robes, slippers, and masks that matched their outfits.
- Gifts for one another: Ashley gave Eric a matching bracelet and watch set from MVMT. The set matched his black tungsten and black sapphire wedding band. Since they got engaged on Ashley’s birthday, July 28, her wedding gift was a matching set of ruby earrings and a necklace. She even jokingly told Eric beforehand that once they were married, all her gifts were to be “diamonds, rubies, and pearls.” He understood the assignment – he nailed it!
- Groom’s entrance song: “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran and Beyonce Sung live by Will Davenport and Violin played by Nevaeh Bass.
- Bride’s entrance song: “Blessed” by Daniel Caesar Sung live by Will Davenport and Violin played by Nevaeh Bass.
- First dance song: “A Couple of Forever’s” by Chrisette Michelle
How they met…
Ashley and Eric first knew of each other in middle school. However, it wasn’t until high school that they started saying “hello.”
Since Eric was one year ahead, their brief interactions were cut short when Eric graduated and set off to Sullivan University in Kentucky. They didn’t see each other for two years! Then, in a twist of fate, they both ended up on the campus of Tennessee State University.
Ashley, a sophomore at the time, and Eric, already a graduate of Sullivan, began building a steady friendship at TSU. Eric would walk her to class and chat with her as much as he could. In spite of their chemistry, Ashley had no idea her friend was harboring a crush on her.
One day, on a casual date to Olive garden, Eric intended to tell Ashley how he really felt. But Ashley had other plans. She excitedly told her friend she was headed off to Louisiana to start her career. And Eric never got to express his true feelings.
Time went on – almost eight years to be exact! But fate was on their side. Nearly a decade later, on December 27, 2013, they reunited. And on January 1, 2014, Ashley and Eric went on their official first date!
The proposal…
After officially dating for five years, Eric popped the question at the stroke of midnight on Ashley’s birthday!
After a romantic dinner by the river, they took a moonlit stroll beneath the stars. Eric then asked Ashley to be his wife at the historic Seelbach Bar, located at his favorite hotel, The Seelbach, in Louisville, Kentucky. She said yes in a heartbeat!
The girls…
The bride…
The boys…
The groom…
Wedding style & shopping experience…
For her dress, Ashley knew she wanted one thing: “DRAMA!”
And, that’s exactly what she got.
“I had the most amazing experience at the Black woman owned boutique, Eleven Bridal, in Nashville. The owner, Taneka, had many dresses that were just right for my frame and she made me feel beautiful and like royalty in each one.”
After searching for the perfect dress, she fell in love with an Eleven Bridal gown she saw online. She further commends the owner Taneka, who brought the dress in specifically for Ashley to try, and it was a match!
The dress was a “full gown with a sweetheart neckline… blush (pink!) and was covered in an intricate gold glittery pattern that sparkled” when she moved.
Ashley adds, “I wore a blush veil from David’s Bridal for my first look and switched up my look to remove the veil and don a matching cape to walk down the aisle to meet my groom. It was PERFECT. People are STILL talking about my dress.”
The tux…
Eric wanted a sleek look for his tuxedo. And after searching in boutiques and chain tux shops, he ultimately chose a custom look from the Black owned shop, J. Michael Clothiers.
Ashley says, “He walked into the shop with a picture of what he wanted and walked out with the tux of his dreams!”
Together, they chose the fabric and lining of his three-piece suit. And the shop owner, Jonathan, even suprised them by stitching Eric’s name and their wedding date into the jacket’s lining.
The finished look was a handsome plum colored tux with a green paisley print lining. He accented the look with a green bow-tie and shoes with a slight purple tint.
“It was absolutely perfect for our jewel toned wedding. We loved the look, and so did everyone else!”
Their first look…
The ceremony…
Cultural elements…
The couple incorporated culture into their wedding ceremony by jumping the broom. The broom was actually designed by Ashley’s step-mother, Kimberly Owens, and was wrapped in green velvet fabric.
For Ashley, it was very important for to hire as many Black and women owned businesses as possible for her vendors.
“As the chair of the city’s minority business council,” she expains, “I wanted my wedding to embody the values I fight for in my work. And, as a fellow entrepreneur, I wanted people to experience a level of excellence that I know Black and women business owners could provide.”
She adds, “I’m pleased that every single one of our vendors (from the jewelry worn by the entire bridal party, to the wedding planner, to the photographer, our clothes, food, drink, and even the venue) every one is a minority business and I am especially proud of that.”
Mr. & Mrs….
Reception décor…
Their favorite memory…
Ashley and Eric’s favorite memory was definitely their first look.
“We were both nervous and anxious going in to the wedding, but once we saw each other, all of that went away. We knew we were ready to embark on a fabulous life!”
Wedding fun…
Advice for other engaged couples…
Ashley advises couples to enjoy the wedding experience and not to “get too caught up in the vision you might have in your head.”
“Oftentimes, we get married to perfection or get locked into thinking that things have to be a very specific way, and that robs us of ultimately having the experience of our dreams. Cast your vision, but be flexible enough so that you don’t ruin your planning and design experience along the way.”
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Vendors:
- Photography: Japhet Odigie JAO Photography
- Planning & Design: LeeHenry Events LLC
- Videography & Ceremony Live Stream: 353 Media Group
- Florals: Fresh By Carryann
- Rentals & Sweetheart Table Linen: Please Be Seated Rentals
- Guest table linen: BBJ Linen
- Venue: Clementine Hall
- Catering: UKno Catering
- Wedding Invitation Suite: PaperKuts Studio
- Wedding Branding Graphic Design: Erika Doucette of 5-29 Graphics
- Bride’s Hair: Toya Payne
- Bride’s Makeup: Ziggy Transformations
- Bridal Party Makeup: Winks and Kisses; Beat By Drae
- Bridal Party Hair: Toya Payne
- Bride’s Dress: Eleven Bridal Curvy
- Bride’s rehearsal jumpsuit: @imadeduso_bridal
- Groom’s Tux: John Michael Clothing
- Cake: Nashville Sweets
- Spirits: Murfreesboro Wine and Spirits
- Childcare: Victoria Williams
- Bartender: Taking Care of Business
- Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Singer: William DavenPort
- Violinist: Nevaeh Bass
- DJ: DJ CWiz
- Special jewelry: Heather Yount
- Rehearsal Venue: @thistlefarms
- Rehearsal Dinner & Bridesmaid’s breakfast Venue: Hampton Inn – Green Hills
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