Marley and William
Told on:
March 15, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee
Event Summary:
Marley & Will’s Romantic Spring Wedding at Iriswoods | Nashville Wedding Photographer
March 15th will forever stand as one of those wedding days I’ll never forget—sunshine one moment, thunderstorms rolling through the next, and even a few tornado warnings in the distance. But here’s the thing: none of it touched the magic of Marley and Will’s wedding at Iriswoods Wedding and Event Venue in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. If anything, the weather made the day feel even more intimate, like the whole world cocooned around them while they celebrated their love with their closest people.
As a Nashville wedding photographer, Iriswoods has always been one of my favorite places to return. The historic home, the tall trees, the warmth of the property—it already feels like a love story waiting to unfold. And from the moment I arrived, Marley and Will’s day felt tender, calm, and beautifully intentional.
Getting Ready in the Historic House
When I walked into the venue, the guys were downstairs hanging out, laughing, and watching TV—totally relaxed in true “groom on wedding day” fashion. Upstairs, the bridal suite was buzzing with energy. Makeup brushes, happy voices, One Direction playing through someone’s speaker, and champagne flowing as Marley’s closest friends helped her get ready for her forever.
While the room was full of excitement, I spent the first part of the morning capturing their wedding details—the heirloom jewelry, the invitation suite, the soft pink bridesmaid dresses, and the little pieces that make up the story of the day. These are always some of my favorite images to create because they’re the foundations of memory. It’s the small things couples forget until they see them again—how her perfume bottle looked on the window sill, how the lace of her dress fell across the chair, how the rings glimmered in the morning light.
And then it was time for one of the most emotional moments of the day:
Marley getting into her dress with her mom by her side.
There’s something sacred about that moment. A mother fastening her daughter into her wedding gown—quiet hands, full hearts, tears they try to blink back. It’s one of the moments I always slow down for.
A Series of First Looks — Filled With Tears, Laughter, and Love
Once the final button was secured and the dress flowed perfectly, it was time for first looks. One by one, Marley shared a private moment with each person who shaped her life.
First look with her bridesmaids
They wore soft pink dresses they chose themselves, and the second they saw Marley, the room filled with shrieks, tears, and tight hugs.
First look with her father and stepfather
These moments were emotional in a way only family can be. The kind of moment that ends up being framed on mantels for decades.
And finally—her first look with Will
But this first look held a surprise. Along with seeing him for the first time, Marley gifted Will a private set of photos she had taken for him—something just for him, just for today. His reaction? Absolutely priceless. Pure joy, tenderness, and love.
The Ceremony at Iriswoods — Romantic, Emotional, and Surrounded by Family
As guests gathered outside, Marley’s cousin played acoustic guitar—setting the most beautiful tone for the ceremony. The sun peeked through the clouds, the wind softened, and even with the unpredictable Tennessee weather swirling around us, the ceremony felt peaceful.
Friends and family traveled from all over the country to be there, filling the chairs with love and anticipation. The ceremony itself was sweet, romantic, and deeply meaningful—two people promising forever beneath the tall trees of Iriswoods.
Golden Hour Portraits & Tender Moments
After the ceremony, we moved into family photos and then took a quiet moment before the reception to let Marley and Will breathe and soak in the day.
Before heading inside, Marley bustled her dress and changed her shoes—something Will lovingly helped her do. She mentioned he helps her with her shoes all the time, and witnessing such a small but tender love language behind the scenes was so special to capture. These tiny details are often the truest reflection of a couple’s everyday love.
The photos we captured around the venue during this time are some of my favorites—soft, romantic, candid, and full of the warm, editorial feel that Marley envisioned from the beginning.
The Reception — Joyful, Heartfelt, and Full of Dancing
The reception was everything a Southern celebration should be—warm, cheerful, full of laughter and heartfelt toasts.
There were emotional speeches, sweet parent dances, and a beautiful cake cutting that had the whole room cheering for them.
But one of the most memorable parts?
Marley’s grandparents dancing on the dance floor.
They held hands, swayed slowly, and everyone around them melted. These are the moments that feel like legacy.
A Private Last Dance Under the Moonlight
As the night wound down, the guests lined up outside while Marley and Will shared a private last dance inside—just the two of them, surrounded by twinkle lights and the quiet hum of the evening.
Then they exited into the night with cheers ringing in the air and moonlight lighting their path—officially husband and wife.
Dreaming of a Romantic Nashville Wedding?
From the tree-lined ceremony spaces at Iriswoods to golden-hour portraits across Tennessee, your wedding deserves to be documented with artistry, intention, and soul.
Let’s craft imagery that feels like your love — real, cinematic, and unforgettable.
