Tennessee Rustic Woodland Wedding {Ulmer Studios}

Zack and Dani exchanged vows at the beautiful Five Star Retreat in Tennessee. The rustic woodland setting and many handmade details were a perfect reflection of who Zack and Dani are as a couple (read their outdoorsy engagement story below!). The mismatched floral bridesmaid dresses are like a field of wildflowers, and Dani’s BHLDN “Cascading Goddess” dress – well the name says it all! Gorgeous. And these two show that you don’t have to buy everything for your wedding – a little creative thriftiness can go a long way. They borrowed or found secondhand tablecloths, centerpieces, and ceremony seating.

Before the Ring (from the bride):
Zack and I met because one of my dearest high school friends, whom I lost touch with after high school, became one of Zack’s dearest friends in college.  At the Avett Brothers concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in October 2010, I ran into this old high school friend, Nate, and we rekindled a friendship. Spending time with Nate meant spending time around his friends, one of which was Zack. Zack and I both felt a connection immediately, though neither of us revealed our feelings. It wasn’t until the three of us, Nate, Zack and I, took a road trip to Asheville, North Carolina that December to see the Avett Brothers once again. During our first day there, flirtations between Zack and I became a bit more conspicuous until that evening, just before the concert, in front of Scully’s on West Walnut Street in the falling snow, we confessed our unusually strong feelings for one another. That night during the concert, Zack turned to me, asked me to close my eyes, and we had our first kiss. We haven’t been able to be apart since.

The Proposal:
Zack planned a weekend trip for us to Asheville in March of 2012. This being the first time we would return there since that fateful trip that began our romance, I had a feeling he might be planning more than just a trip. Our first night we saw The Givers and Dr. Dog perform at the Orange Peel, which was a phenomenal show that set the tone of the weekend quite perfectly. The next morning we drove up the Blue Ridge Parkway to do some hiking. Zack chose a trail called Craggy Pinnacle, which was a beautiful, winding trail shrouded in the bare twining branches of rhododendron that eventually led us to the topmost point of the mountain. We were the only two people up there, with a panoramic view of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. After reveling in the view for a while, Zack nervously approached me and took my hand, telling me all the reasons that he knew we were made to be together. He got down on one knee and, with the wind whipping around us, gave me his great-grandmother’s diamond ring and asked me to be his wife. Overjoyed, I gave him a quick “yes,” he put the ring on my finger, and we stood on that mountain, trembling, crying, laughing and holding each other for the rest of the morning. 

Photography: Ulmer Studios / Venue: Five Star Retreat / Bride’s Dress: BHLDN “Cascading Goddess” Gown / Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropologie, ModCloth, Francesca’s, Kohl’s, Dillard’s, Forever 21 / Fabric Garlands: The Hip Rose / Reception Tent, Tables, Chairs: Liberty Party Rental / Tablecloths: borrowed and thrifted sheets / Lavender Soap Favors: Lime Hollow Naturals / Catering: Friends of Bride and Groom / Flowers: bought from Import Flowers and Sam’s Club and arranged by friends of bride / Boutonnieres: DIY by bride and friends / Centerpieces: borrowed and collected pieces / Afghans for ceremony seating: borrowed and thrifted / Invitations + Programs: Groom (Zack Green Studio)