Carlie & Nathan Rogers' Wedding
Carlie and Nathan are high school sweethearts who didn’t attend the same high school. “My cousin set us up our freshman year of high school, and we became inseparable,” explains Carlie. “We would have to beg our older siblings and parents to drive us around so that we could see each other!”
Photos by Makayla Larae Photography
When beginning the wedding planning process, the Huntsville-based Rogerses were drawn to the idea of a destination wedding, but one not too far from home. “Chattanooga was our first place to start searching,” shares Carlie. “We booked a tour at Grandview, and once we got there, we knew this was where we wanted to get married. It was beautiful and perfect for an intimate wedding.”
The day of the wedding saw its fair share of rain, but that did little to dampen the couple’s spirits. Their 5 p.m. ceremony, held in the courtyard at Grandview, was a romantic affair thanks to a serene setting and the sounds of a solo violin. A dark wooden arch adorned with greenery and pops of flowers served as an eye-catching backdrop as Carlie and Nathan said their “I dos.”
Carlie’s favorite part of the venue was the patio, which was where the reception took place. She says, “Due to the rain, Grandview provided a tent that covered the entire patio, and we were still able to hang bistro lights like we had originally planned. A plus was that the tent didn’t block the beautiful view of the valley below!” Black and white décor, from the table runners to the glass-encased candles, helped to achieve the modern and classy look the couple was hoping for.
The Rogerses worked closely with Grandview to create a personalized menu for their reception, including braised short ribs, green beans, butternut squash, and mashed potatoes. With Bundt cakes for dessert and pretzels with beer cheese for a late-night snack, guests were well-fed and ready to take on the dance floor.
Looking back, Carlie considers her first look with Nathan to be a memory she’ll treasure forever. “That moment made me feel so giddy, which is funny because we’d been dating for seven years!” she laughs.
“I came home from college one weekend for a visit, and Nathan said he wanted to take me on a date in downtown Huntsville. We went to a beautiful rooftop bar, and I thought it was strange that the only person there was a lady with a camera. Then he got down on one knee and proposed!”
