Jennifer and Rich’s wedding was a weekend-long celebration of music, love, and personal history. Held in Nashville in October, their ceremony took place in the cathedral before guests joined them at their home for a reception that blended rock ‘n’ roll with Renaissance Faire influences.
Their shared love of music set the tone for everything. Both musicians, they first met at a Los Angeles venue called The Mint, where Rich’s guitar solo during a cover of The Allman Brothers’ Whipping Post caught Jennifer’s attention. Years later, that same energy fueled their wedding, from the invitations styled after the 1971 German Woodstock movie poster to their reception filled with details that nodded to their favorite artists. “We wanted it to feel like Mick and Marianne had just left The Rolling Stones’ Rock and Roll Circus and gone straight to a RenFaire,” Jennifer said.
The weekend started on Thursday with “Rich’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Bachelor Party,” featuring five live bands, including their own. Friday morning, Rich played a live set with his college band, Avocado Sundae, on a local Nashville radio show before they hosted a rehearsal dinner that evening. After the wedding day itself, the celebration continued with a post-wedding brunch.
The ceremony itself was a traditional service in the cathedral. Rich teared up watching Jennifer walk down the aisle to the Prelude from Te Deum, and as the couple stood together at the altar, the crowd erupted into applause. In memory of Jennifer’s mother, who passed away in 2023, the organist played Widor’s Toccata during the recessional. Guests then waved ribbon wands as they exited the church, “We love these photos!” Jennifer said. “So much joy!”
Back at home, they’d transformed their backyard into a rock ‘n’ roll dreamscape. Tables weren’t numbered but named after legendary musicians. Grateful Dead wine bottles adorned each one. Guests navigated by a hand-painted RenFaire-style sign and found seating arrangements listed on vinyl records. Cocktail hour featured a playlist of Brian Eno, David Bowie, Jethro Tull, Roxy Music, and the Grateful Dead.
Guests had plenty to explore. They could grab a signature drink, play lawn games, or stop by the bonfire for s’mores and a guitar session. “The reception was all rock ‘n’ roll,” Jennifer explained. “A little RenFaire, a little circus, a little festival. It was exactly what we wanted. The bars were made by our neighbour out of old pallets, we decorated them with fabric, and added flowers and candles The ceramic vases on the tables were spray-painted gold, and we had homemade hanging ribbon mobiles. We also hand built and painted all the signs. A parachute, chandeliers and disco balls were hung from our trees, and we moved some of our indoor furniture outside for a living room setting.”
“One of our best DIYS was the Blacklight Forest tent – a tent covered in black light tapestries with black light streamers and supplied glasses. Our friend, Sarah, also made us a ‘dreamscape’, which started with beechwood and ribbons, yarn and every guest was to ‘tie the knot’ and within those pieces of thread were messages of love, support. Some people left money too!”
Jennifer and Rich embraced traditions where they felt meaningful. A Southern superstition says burying a bottle of bourbon upside down at the ceremony site a month before the wedding prevents rain. Though they couldn’t dig into church grounds, they buried a bottle in their backyard. When Rich unearthed it, the sun was shining. The next weekend, it rained.
If they could do anything differently, it would be hiring a videographer. “The whole day goes by in such a blur”, Jennifer explained, “I wish we had a video to go back and relive it again.”
“Enjoy the engaged era,” she concluded. “Create a budget, stick to it, get creative, don’t put anything on credit cards, and make your wedding your own.”
Suppliers
