Weekend Wedding Memphis Style

David Miller does not make decisions quickly nor is he receptive to change. He is a creative soul with a heart of gold and has a knack for putting off the simple or most important things in life. He is my son, and of course, perfect.

Holly Garrison is organized, punctual and makes detailed plans. She has even been known to pencil in movie night. Lucky for David, Holly is also patient, loving and is David’s soul mate.

So, when David kneeled on the porch of their newly purchased home in Nashville, Tenn., last September (more than five years since their first date) and asked Holly to become his wife, there was no question that their storybook romance would have a happy ending.

Since the couple grew up in Memphis, where they attended Cordova High School and worked together at Baskin Robbins, and since Memphis was centrally located to the majority of the expected guest list, the wedding was planned for Memphis.

Thus it became a destination wedding – Holly in Nashville, planning, organizing and researching online, and making numerous trips to Memphis.

The Cadre Building Wedding and Reception

Because Larry and I had just survived a Whirlwind Wedding (see Jewish Scene Jan./Feb. 2011) in April 2010, and because we have made so many wonderful connections through the magazine, Holly began asking for my help. I was honored, as the mother-of-the groom, to be such an integral part of the planning process; and through that, became much closer to Holly and her parents.

Holly’s plan for a downtown Memphis in May wedding weekend quickly turned into a September event – during Holly’s favorite season.

We soon found that planning a year out is essential, especially when dealing with a large wedding party and an ever-growing guest list. With more than 390 invites and a limited budget, there were not a lot of options in downtown Memphis.

After several venue-seeking trips, the couple found The Cadre Building a perfect fit. Not only was their caterer, Heart and Soul, on the preferred list, the facility was central to most of their planned weekend activities.

Catering by Heart and Soul

With the date, venue and caterer set – a process that took more than two months, Holly set out to find the perfect wedding gown. She never realized that it would take only one shopping spree. After a three-hour round-road-trip and three hours of shopping at Brinkley, Arkansas’s, famous Low’s Bridal Boutique, she, her mom and two bridesmaids came home with a gown and a bridesmaid dress that would flatter all eight attendants.

While Holly was busy searching for a photographer, florist, cake maker and centerpieces, David was charged with the entertainment. With help from step-dad Larry, who played with many local musicians back in the day, they found the perfect band at a reasonable price. (Of course it helps when you know the band!)

“The openness of The Cadre ballroom definitely called for a live band to fill it up,” said Holly, who wanted to dance all night.

“And we knew that Almost Famous could get people dancing,” said David. It was a joint effort that resulted in the perfect Memphis wedding weekend.

Almost Famous

The couple honeymooned in Playa Mujeres, Mexico, northeast of Cancun, at La Amada Hotel. “We got a great deal on an all-inclusive stay in an 1,100-square-foot beachfront Casita suite with private plunge pool through Jetsetter.com,” said Holly.

“With each new amenity the bell boy showed us, David’s jaw dropped a little further,” she continued. “It was absolutely perfect, and we’ll be going back soon!”

Photo Captions:
The wedding party and close family members gathered at the Ed and Nancy Garrison’s for a casual dinner on Thursday evening.

The bridesmaids open gifts from Holly.

Rebecca and Holly

Mid-day Friday, the wedding party and parents boarded a Backbeat Tours Bus for a two-hour trip explaining Memphis’ musical history from Beale Street to Sun Studios.

Photo op at Sun Studios

A smooth rehearsal, then it was on to the Rendezvous for dinner at David’s favorite Memphis restaurant.

Rehearsal Dinner at The Rendezvous

Gayle Sams, family friend and owner of A Garden Secret, created vibrant fall bouquets and arrangements using Holly’s favorite flowers – Gerber daisies.

Gayle recommended Ginger Clark of Cakes By Carolyn who made a delicious and affordable cake.

Ginger Clark of Cakes By Carolyn

Holly and David created original wine bottle candlesticks to use as centerpieces with small flower arrangements.

Holly’s Hints:

Use an event planner if you’d rather not deal with the minute details. But if you are a control freak like me, it is nice when looking back, to know that that our day went perfectly – reception beautiful, food delicious, band great – because all of the personal touches and decisions we made ourselves.
Schedule a food tasting with multiple caterers to fully explore your options.
You CAN DIY (do your own) centerpieces. I got a lot of good ideas from Weddingbee.com and saved a lot of money by using glass and candles instead of flowers.
Make a wedding website! It is a helpful way to communicate important information to your guests.
Find a local wedding magazine that offers lists of venues, caterers, photographers, florists, cake makers, etc. to check out in your area.
Find someone you trust and like to coordinate the wedding.
We loved having a “first look” before the ceremony. It gave us lots of time to take beautiful pictures together and with our wedding party without keeping our guests waiting.
Enjoy every second of the day! It (and the year of planning that went into it) is over in a snap!

Memphis Weekend Wedding Vendors

Venue
The Cadre
901.544.9103
sales@cadrebuilding.com

Caterer
Heart and Soul
901.870.3547
info@heartsoulcatering.com

Entertainment
Almost Famous
901.634.1501
scott@scottsudbury.com

Florist/Deco set up:
Gayle Sams
A Garden Secret
901.372.0025
agardensecretllc@aol.com

Cake
Ginger Clark
Cakes By Carolyn
901.755.9222
gclark441@bellsouth.net

Photographer
Christen Jones Photography
901.230.4263
christen@christenjones.com

Wedding Gown and Bridesmaids Dresses
Low’s Bridal and Formal
870.734.3244
lowsbridal.com

Menswear
Mens Wearhouse

Photobooth
Norm Gilbert
901.596.6676
norm@photonorm.com

Hair
Amy Caruso
901.692.4691

Makeup
Tina Skupic at Studio LaRue
901.685.8266