Real Weddings – Local Venues

Shelynn & Phillip Curry

2 on the Roof

Shelynn and Phillip were set up by a mutual friend after Phillip’s stint in the Army – and the rest is history. “We hit it off right away,” Shelynn recalls. Their year-long engagement culminated in an extravagant New Year’s Eve wedding on one of the coldest days of the year.

The wedding day began with the couple’s reveal along the same bridge where Phillip proposed. Dressed in an exquisite sleeveless gown adorned with intricate beading and lace, Shelynn was grateful for her accessory: a warm white fur cape. Later that evening, Phillip and Shelynn promised their lives to each other at the bride’s home church, Grace Church of the Nazarene.

The Great Gatsby-inspired reception took place at NorthShore’s 2 on the Roof. “We loved the location and how open and spacious the venue was. We also loved the moveable bar setup, the side kitchen for food prep, and of course the incredible view of the city,” Shelynn shares. In order to highlight the city views, the DJ’s booth was positioned against the main glass wall. “That way, whether you were on the dance floor or just watching, you could enjoy the city lights in the background,” Shelynn says.

Roses paired with winter greens and faux snow, along with gold-sequined runners and elegant candelabras, decorated the tables set for the sit-down dinner. Glittering donuts hung from the donut wall, carefully constructed behind the modern three-tier wedding cake. At midnight, the couple celebrated with a champagne toast among their guests while watching the Times Square ball drop on the venue’s televisions. 

“It is so fun to see a whole year of planning all come together into one perfect day,” Shelynn says. “My heart was bursting with love and blessings, and my face hurt from smiling so much!”

How He Proposed 

“All dressed up to attend a Christmas party, I had no idea what was actually in store. Phillip wanted to take a few pictures on the Walnut Street Bridge before the party, and he asked two young girls on the bridge if they would take the pictures (whispering that he was going to propose). After the first shot, he turned to me and pulled out the ring of my dreams!”

Photos by Randi Vasquez Photography

Renee & Mike Castleberg

Grandview

For Mike and Renee, who met through mutual friends, one dinner was all it took to know they were in it for the long-haul. After a flawless beach proposal, orchestrated by Mike, the couple had seven months to prepare for their walk down the aisle.

“We chose to decorate in champagne and wine, the perfect colors for Grandview, the fall season, and the feeling of elegance I wanted to achieve,” Renee says. It was Grandview’s elegance, as well as the wonderful aesthetics, that made it the obvious choice for the Castlebergs’ venue.

The wedding party spent the day in the main house. “That allowed us to relax and socialize before taking pictures,” Renee recalls. To complement her Morilee ivory gown, Renee wore a blusher veil with classic birdcage netting – her favorite accessory and “the icing on the cake.”

Crimson dahlias, peach and white roses, and white poppies were incorporated in the bouquets, while flowers also lined the aisle and entrance to the courtyard ceremony. The ceremony itself was a traditional affair, as a harpist serenaded guests during the seating and processional. The couple’s puppies, donning a matching bow tie and flower necklace, were the stars of the show.

Long stemmed tealight candles, honey jars made by the bride, and champagne linens set a romantic mood at the reception, which was held on the patio offering picturesque views of the valley below. After an hors d’oeuvres hour, entrées of beef tenderloin, herb roasted chicken, and wild mushroom risotto, all catered by Grandview, were served.

“We danced to music that Mike and I selected, timing it out with dinner, games, and the bouquet toss,” Renee explains. “I had an idea of an evening under the stars with lights and candlelight, and that’s exactly what I got.”

How He Proposed 

“We were on St. George Island, and on an evening walk, Mike told me that he had buried a surprise in the sand. I kept thinking, ‘Lord, help us find whatever this man has buried out here!’ After a few moments of impromptu beach excavation, Mike got down on one knee. I was completely shocked as he asked me to marry him!”

Photos by Innamorata Photography

Elizabeth & Peter Erwin

Hunter Museum of American Art

Elizabeth and Peter were brought together by fate – and a dating app – in 2016. Meeting for the first time at an Irish pub, they discovered a mutual love of running and Australian beer, and less than a year later, the two were engaged. “When you know, you know!” Elizabeth exclaims.

The couple wed on a June evening at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, followed by a reception at the Hunter Museum of American Art. For Elizabeth, who took art classes at the Hunter throughout her childhood, the museum is near and dear to her heart. “Personal sentiments aside, it met our aesthetic wishes; we love the modern architecture juxtaposed with the historic mansion,” she says. “We wanted our guests, especially those from out of town, to be wowed.”

On the big day, the bride wore a gorgeous lace gown with blush underlay and custom-made chartreuse shoes, while the groom sported a navy and black satin tuxedo. Their elegant ceremony was live-streamed so that Peter’s parents, who live in Melbourne, could attend.

Once bused to the Hunter, guests were treated to a cocktail hour on the Riverview Terrace, complete with hors d’oeuvres, string lights, and a jazz trio. The evening proceeded with a seated dinner and dancing in the Grand Atrium, where a dance floor was installed alongside tables swathed in white silk shantung. “What an experience to be dining and dancing in such a striking space with Richard Hunt and Albert Paley sculptures overhead,” Elizabeth recalls.

From the Coopers Sparkling Ale to the Australian blooms featured in the flower arrangements, the reception was full of nods to the Erwins’ tastes and life experiences. The Hunter’s iconic Albert Paley fence was incorporated into the design of their wedding cake, and the outcome, Elizabeth assures, “was more beautiful than we could have dreamed. The entire day was a dream!”

How He Proposed 

“Peter proposed the day after Thanksgiving in Paris. It was truly magical! We celebrated with drinks at Bar Hemingway at the Ritz Paris and dinner at a restaurant overlooking the twinkling Eiffel Tower.”

Photos by Blue Vinyl Creative

Bethany Mollenkof & Gabriel Gooley

The Turnbull

A chance encounter in a parking lot found Gabriel Gooley scrambling to start a conversation with Bethany. “I like your dress,” his opening line, was to be the beginning of their passionate love story. In March of 2017, the two eloped in Joshua Tree, California, and eight months later, a Chattanooga-based evening reception was held as a celebration of the newlyweds among relatives and friends.   

“We wanted this day to be inclusive, relaxed, and fun. We really wanted it to feel like we were throwing a big dinner party for our closest friends and family,” Bethany shares. The couple settled on The Turnbull for their intimate celebration, as they loved the natural light and organic, roomy atmosphere of the venue. 

Bethany chose to keep the décor minimal, using soft colors, tropical plants, and delicate candles to serve as contrasts to The Turnbull’s exposed brick. “I intended to mimic the colors of the desert – where we got engaged. Pinks, golds, and greens were our go-to colors,” she explains. In keeping with the decór, Bethany wore a romantic, floor-length dress with a sweetheart neckline, and her look was complemented by her grandmother’s ring.

The ceremony, assembled on the fourth floor of The Turnbull, was a family affair, with the bride’s sisters acting as bridesmaids. Other family members participated through readings and prayers, including Bethany’s brother, who read one of the couple’s favorite poems by Wendell Berry.

A final prayer was followed by music from the DJ, signaling a smooth transition into the reception, which took place in the same room. Taqueria Jalisco tacos, homemade sweets, and cupcakes were served alongside the evening’s signature cocktail. In lieu of a traditional getaway, Bethany and Gabriel closed out the night singing and dancing with their family and friends. “It was the best way to end the night, and the most wonderful day,” Bethany recalls.

How He Proposed 

“Gabriel suprised me with a weekend trip to Joshua Tree National Park. He proposed on a roof overlooking the desert sunset. I said yes!”

Photos by Adam Perez

Piper & Tyler Stromatt

Stratton Hall, The Peyton, & The Suite on Broad

She was a Sigma Kappa; he was a Lambda Chi. And what began as a first date on the beach, set up by a mutual friend, turned into a four-year romance that led Piper and Tyler straight to the alter.

An interior designer, Piper had a specific vision of timeless elegance for their special day. She chose Stratton Hall as their venue for its “blank canvas,” which she used to carry out a black and white color scheme. Preparing a guest list of 575, the couple knew that plenty of space was a necessity; Stratton Hall, combined with The Peyton and The Suite on Broad, fit the bill. 

The day of the wedding, Piper and her bridesmaids got ready in a local VRBO after a private sunrise barre class. A stunning, custom-made mermaid-style gown, accented by a Swarovski crystal belt and earrings, served as Piper’s bridal look. Meanwhile, the groomsmen took over The Suite: a versatile, luxurious living space with a fireplace, full kitchen, and wide range of amenities.

The bride and groom said their “I dos” that evening – their first time seeing each other that day, other than a brief blindfolded hug and kiss. A wall overflowing with white roses and calla lilies acted as the backdrop, with pristine chandeliers hanging overhead. “The wedding was traditional, but also really fun. Our guests described it as ‘so Piper and Tyler,’” Piper explains.

The outdoor ceremony, tented on the Stratton Hall property, flowed seamlessly into a lavish reception in Stratton Hall and The Peyton, where multiple buffet lines and bars were set up. His and Her drinks, a maple bacon groom’s cake, and the couple’s initials displayed on the dance floor were some of the personal touches incorporated. “I love thinking back to all the special moments, like first dances with both my dad and my grandfather,” Piper adds.

Continuing in the celebrations until midnight, Piper and Tyler left their fairytale wedding under a sea of dazzling sparklers.

How He Proposed 

“I was graduating from interior design school, and after the ceremony, Tyler rushed to my house to decorate the backyard with pictures and special memories of our relationship. There were roses, champagne, and my entire family was there – it was perfect!”

Photos by HMX Photography and Jeanie Andrews

Lauren & Joshua Kaywood

The Walden Club

It was Josh’s gentlemanly nature that won Lauren Sherrell over on their first date – earning him a second date, and eventually her hand in marriage. Their autumn wedding was traditional and minimalistic, with the bride selecting a neutral palette of ivory, creams, and greenery meant to evoke an old-world charm.

Lauren remembers pausing right before the processional, hearing the string quartet usher her in with Canon in D. “That moment was indescribable, completely surreal,” she recalls. Along with her ivory trumpet-style gown, crafted from silk cotton faille, the bride wore a chapel-length veil over her face, which was lifted prior to her father giving her away. “This is such an old-fashioned custom, but I thought it was a very sweet element that fit our theme,” Lauren shares.

For their reception, Lauren and Josh chose The Walden Club, located in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. Boasting sweeping views of the sparkling city and Lookout Mountain, the venue’s ballroom doubled as the dining and dancing area for the Kaywoods’ guests. “The space was just the perfect size; Josh and I had attended multiple events here while we were dating, so The Walden Club held special memories for us,” Lauren says.

Circular tables, displaying arrangements of Lily of the Valley, white garden roses, and white ranunculus accented with ferns and foliage, were positioned throughout the ballroom. A buffet line offering prime rib and seasonal dishes, prepared by the venue, lured guests after a cocktail hour.

Multicolor light-up batons, a parquet dance floor, and a local DJ helped set the party atmosphere after dinner. “Overall, the best part of the day was the reception,” Lauren shares. “There was a great energy, and people were having a blast. We couldn’t believe how much fun it was!”

How He Proposed 

“Josh proposed by the river in Coolidge Park. The park was a special place for us because we spent quite a bit of time in NorthShore while we were dating. In fact, we were lying on a hill in Renaissance Park when I first realized I wanted to marry him!”

Photos by Rich Smith

New in 2018

Baggenstoss Farms

With more than 500 secluded acres, Baggenstoss Farms can set the stage for a whimsical dusk wedding among lighted trees, a white tent affair for an ever-growing guest list, or a private ceremony on the brow. 

Nature takes center stage at the venue, with two ponds, a creek, mountain scenery, and brow views acting as the perfect backdrops for a ceremony or wedding party photos. Bird hunting on a neighboring farm offers a unique addition to the wedding weekend. A two-story cabin features exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, and a stone fireplace, offering a gorgeous space for an intimate reception or a bridal suite. Wrought iron elements and up-to-date appliances can be found throughout the cabin’s three bedrooms, kitchen, and living space.

An air-conditioned, open-air pavilion will accommodate up to 250 guests with scenic views of the creek. The pavilion will be authentic to the atmosphere of the property and constructed from mountain stone located on the grounds, while wooden exposed beams, mirroring that of the cabin, will serve as a defining feature. Multiple lighting options, including elegant chandeliers, will be on-site for brides to use, and additional props may be constructed per the bride’s request.     

Along with its natural beauty and modern amenities, Baggenstoss Farms is located less than 50 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, creating the feel of a destination wedding in Chattanooga’s own backyard. 

Photos by Andrew Kenworthy, Asher and Emily Photography, Victoria and Savannah Photography