Real {Nashville} Wedding: Ambra + Aaron

This wedding was originally featured in the Fall/Winter 2011 Print Edition

It’s truly a gorgeous feast for the eyes…this wedding, that is.  It’s the perfect mixture of slate gray and raspberry pink and ivory…with suspended crystals, centerpieces overflowing with orchids graciously transforming an already gorgeous venue into something quite divine.  And let’s not forget the couple.  They are the ultimate combination of pretty and handsome all tangled together into an adorable bunch.  Can you tell that we simply adore this wedding?   We have to thank Joy of  Joy Marie Photography for documenting their day so brilliantly.  Take a look at these stunning photos, and get ready for some serious inspiration.

The couple opted to see one another before walking down the aisle in order to have that special moment, AND have an intimate photo session before the ceremony.  Here’s what Ambra had to say, “It worked well for us to take our pictures in advance of the ceremony.  I know the old adage about it being bad luck, but when you really assess where this tradition came from, you will see that it was borne from arranged marriages, not reflective of today’s dynamic.  Moreover, it allows you to get some high quality photos and not be rushed trying to fit this in after the ceremony and before the reception.”

A huge thanks to Ambra and Aaron for sharing their love story with us, and much thanks to Joy Marie Photography for sharing these images.  Click any thumbnail below to view the entire gallery.

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[tab title=”LOVE STORY”]There is an art to having an unforgettable wedding that leaves you and your guests filled with everlasting memories and cherished moments. It takes a recipe of style, personality, and love like no other between a man and wife to create the perfect matrimonial masterpiece. Take a look at Ambra Heard and Aaron Duncan, a stunning couple who found love at a college business event. Nevertheless, they both credit their lifetime commitment to each other to their parents who have been fortunate enough to value the sanctity of marriage for over 30 years. Ambra, who presently works in brand management, undertook a dual degree from Fisk University and Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.  Afterwards, she went on to obtain her graduate degree at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.  Aaron currently holds a career in commercial real estate.  At Stanford University in California, he obtained his undergraduate degree, and later earned his graduate degree at The Wharton School o Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Destiny would have it as this dynamic career-oriented couple not only share the same interests in business but also attended the same minority recruitment weekend event at the Ross School of Business in April 2010.  “We didn’t exchange information upon the first meeting,” said Ambra. “But, we did have a mutual friend that provided “convenient” updates on the other person.”  Subsequently, the two met again at an Admitted Students weekend event and their chemistry was instantaneous.  “Though there were several people present, we were so focused on getting to know each other that it felt like just the two of us,” said Ambra. After three years developing their relationship and exchanging words on a daily basis, Aaron would arrange a highly expressive proposal of marriage.  “Early in our relationship, I knew that Ambra was the perfect woman for me,” said Aaron.  Enjoying Easter brunch together at Miss Shirley’s restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland, the topic of Easter egg hunts came up during their conversation.  “I recalled how they used to be one of my favorite memories of Easter as a child,” said Ambra. “Aaron then replied that we should have one, and I responded yeah we should, and then I dismissed the thought with plans to execute it for a future Easter holiday.” As they both arrived home from their eventful Easter morning, Aaron managed to secretly set-up an Easter egg hunt while Ambra was gearing up to finish a presentation for work.  “To my surprise, he had hidden plastic eggs all around the house, each containing a clue leading to the destination of the next egg,” said Ambra. “Needless to say, the final egg had the best present ever!  “I wanted to find a ring that would match Ambra’s elegance and personality, said Aaron. “I researched dozens of styles and jewelers before deciding to have a ring custom designed by Charleston Alexander in Bethesda, MD. “ For their wedding, the couple opted for a setting that would reflect both their personalities as well as distinguish ambience and modern flair.  With the help of Nashville’s top wedding and event planning boutique, A Delightful Day, Ambra and Aaron set out to create their dream wedding of a lifetime.  “The first critical factor for us was to nail down a venue for both the ceremony and the reception – which proved to be more challenging since we were planning a wedding for another location,” said Ambra. “Both of us are very detail oriented so we began doing our own research online which gave us some good leads.” The couple chose to hold their nuptials at the historic Scarritt Bennett Wightman Chapel in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 30th 2010.  Inside the ceremony, close friends and family gathered around as the bride, elegantly dressed in a Romona Keveza gown from B. Hughes, graciously made her way down the 90-foot center aisle decorated with ivory rose petals. The altar, embellished with orchids, tulips and tall white centerpieces filled with boutiques of white Manzanita tree branches, curly willow, and birch lashes adorned with hanging crystals, provided the perfect backdrop for the sophisticated wedding they envisioned. Inspired by the bright warm colors vividly displayed during the spring and summer months, a touch of gray was added to the bridesmaids’ dresses, groomsmen ties, and flower girl’s dress, while pink was incorporated in the bridesmaids’ floral clutches and adorned on the groomsmen and ring bearer buttonholes.  Once the couple said their “I do’s” the celebration moved over to the Hutton Hotel grand ballroom filled with 14 foot high windows overlooking a panoramic view of downtown Nashville.  Transformed into a stylish modern chic wedding, the reception venue was infused with a vibrant blend of raspberry pinks, grays and a tint of ivory. A handful of pink calla lilies wrapped in white and silver accents created Ambra’s bouquet and Aaron’s buttonhole. Even the groomsmen wore pink orchids to coordinate with the color scheme.  “The ballroom featured lounge elements interspersed throughout,” said Ambra. “There was a wood dance floor with a gobo featuring our custom wedding logo shining in the center of the room. We had lounge furniture surrounding the dance floor, tables on the outskirts and two bars. The lighting was low to provide a more formal ambience and we had three different floral arrangements sprinkled amongst the different tables.” As the evening celebration drew near, guests were welcomed by an array of home-style cuisine and later serenaded with music by DJ Spade that had everyone on their feet all night. “We knew that we wanted our guests of all ages to have a good time so we opted for a selection of current and oldies but goodies,” said Ambra. “As the evening phased on and the older crowd said their goodbyes, the music also evolved and it ended up being more of a genuine party.” Planning an out-of-state wedding may have had its challenges, but with the couple’s seamless planning, support of one another and keen sense of style, these newlyweds achieved more than they could ever ask for.  “We were very pleased with the way things turned out. Sure, some little things don’t end up the way that you had planned, but in hindsight these were minor and we were still thrilled with our event and more excited to begin a new chapter together.”[/tab]
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