The Drummer From Halestorm Gets Hitched! Inside Arejay Hale’s Moody, Romantic Nashville Wedding

Arejay Hale and Emily Watson wedding photo

Now, this one truly tops the charts.

Arejay Hale, drummer for the Grammy Award-winning rock band Halestorm tied the knot with actress + stunt performer Emily Watson in Nashville, and we cannot wait to give you a peek at the big day.

With the majestic Treemont Mansion as their backdrop, the talented couple collaborated with planners + event designers from W Events to create a day full of dreamy romance, some subtly edgy details, and so much personality.

The first time these two crossed paths was on official band-related business. “We technically met on set,” remembers bride Emily of the very beginning of their meant-to-be music industry love story. “I was hired to act in one of Halestorm’s music videos, but Arejay was in a relationship at the time and was living in LA. Needless to say, Arejay showed no interest but was polite nonetheless. He and his ex broke up soon after that, and a few months later Arejay joined a dating app. We matched on the app but didn’t realize we knew each other! A few months later, Arejay was finally in town and we went on our first date and that was it!”

The wedding’s soft, sweet blush + rose gold color palette was balanced in such a brilliant way by more alternative elements like Arejay’s iconic bright green hair and rock and roll wedding day style. “We wanted the day to be romantic, moody, and timeless but still represent us as a couple,” say Emily + Arejay.

Photos by Jiana Taylor tell the story of the day beautifully: an emotional first look, a flower-filled ceremony, and a laid back yet stylish reception that looks like an unforgettably amazing time. 

Let’s take a peek!

flat lay of wedding details including ring and invitation

We are so into the artsy antique details + gold calligraphy of these soft green invites by White Ink Calligraphy + Co.

black and white photo of bride portrait

Emily went for classically chic yet unique bridal vibes with this beautiful off-the-shoulder corset bodice basque waist wedding gown from Saint Bridal Couture.

bride getting ready

“I looked for dresses at three shops here in Nashville,” remembers Emily of her wedding dress shopping journey. “I brought my mom, best friend, mother in law, and sister in law. I went in with no idea what I really wanted, but the associates at The Dress Theory were so in tune with my tastes. They gave me a dress that they said hadn’t been sold yet and were curious to see if I liked it. I LOVED it.”

bride walking out on her wedding day

“I’d always imagined myself in something simple for my wedding day, and I was between two. My friends and family said I just glowed when I put on the one I ultimately chose. It has a classic vibe with a little bit of uniqueness to it.”

detail of bride in her Saint Bridal wedding gown

Be still our hearts — it has pockets 😍

bride Emily Watson with bridesmaids

Emily’s bridal crew captured the soft romantic energy perfectly with these dreamy rose gold bridesmaid dresses.

Groom Arejay Hale on his wedding day

“Arejay said that he really didn’t want to look like a groomsman at his wedding, so we were looking for a suit for him to stand out but also in a way that matched the wedding,” Emily says. “We had been scouring online to find something for him and came across this Alexander McQueen suit with the crystal harness detail. We loved it, but it was from a previous season so we couldn’t find his size. We had been checking some designer reseller websites and miraculously his size showed up on one of those sites!”

groom and groomsmen

“We ordered it and went ahead and bought some matching suit pants. He tried the outfit on with a white shirt but it took away from the crystal detail, so we kept it all black with a shirt from Eton.”

A Fairytale First Look

wedding day first look
Arejay Hale and Emily Watson wedding first look

Our Favorite Memory

Our first look! We decided to do our vows during our first look, so we could keep it private and between us. We both wrote long and heartfelt vows and it felt good to say it all with no one really watching. It was a good way to get out all of our ugly crying before we went down the aisle as well.

One10 Beauty totally nailed it: Emily’s bridal updo complimented her open neckline beautifully, and that wedding makeup was rosy romantic perfection.

An Indoor-Outdoor Ceremony

Echoes of Eden went with blush tones, deep reds, and warm fall rusts to create this enchanted Fall wedding floral color palette.

chairs at wedding reception

Viva La Strings was on hand creating live music magic for the ceremony.

groom watching bride walk down aisle
bride walking down aisle

Our Musical Choices

Processional
"Dawn & Mrs. Darcy Medley" by Dario Marianelli from the 2005 film "Pride & Prejudice"
Recessional
"Kiss Me" by Sixpence None The Richer
First Dance
"Forever and Ever, Amen" by Randy Travis
close up of bouquet

Officiant Matt Rothert oversaw the couple’s meaningful ceremony.

Arejay Hale and Emily Watson just married wedding photo at ceremony

We simply cannot get enough of Emily’s basque waist wedding gown! Probably because basque waist silhouettes are one of the wedding trends we’re loving right now.

Post-Ceremony Portraits

We love to see bridesmaids letting their individual styles shine with a mismatched bridal party palette.

The pop of neon from Arejay’s hair is such a fun contrast to the day’s dreamy + muted fall tones.

Arejay Hale and Emily Watson wedding photo
kissing under veil

As you can tell, this bride + groom were absolutely crushing the accessory game. Emily + Arejay rounded out their wedding day looks with details by Carrie Elizabeth Jewelry, TAI Jewelry, Elizabeth Stone Jewelry, David Yurman, Local Eclectic, and Consider The Wldflwrs.

Arejay Hale and Emily Watson wedding photo

A Romantic + Casual Reception

romantic wedding reception

Loving those rich green brocade napkins + and burn out velvet table runners from White Door Events. So much rich, antique-inspired texture!

Curated Events filled the reception tablescapes with historic, romantic elements like fairytale castle-worthy brass candleabras.

Emily + Arejay of course made sure the music was out-of-this-world for their reception. “The DJ would play Slipknot, then Justin Bieber, then some early 2000s rap,” they say, “which is exactly us.”

bride and groom sharing speech

“We’re pretty casual, so we wanted our reception to feel that way as well,” the couple remarks. “We had non-stop music, an open bar, and comfy seating so everyone could hang out. It gave more house party vibes, which is what we were going for. We also didn’t force any traditions that didn’t feel authentic to us.”

Guests enjoyed two variations on the martini (classic drity + espresso) as Emily + Arejay’s signature cocktails.

bride in second reception dress for wedding

The rosette! The bow! The basque waist (again!)! Emily’s reception dress from Stone Cold Fox has us head over heels.

Also, how amazing are her almond shaped, metallic gold french tip wedding nails!

Arejay’s sparkly, edgy reception look combined a Phix shirt with a King Baby Studio chain and Scarlett C. Dancer Jewelry charm.

And we love the way Emily’s black ankle strap stiletto wedding heels from Christian Louboutin matched the black bow detail of her mini dress.

How cute is this all-white vintage wedding cake by Baked on 8th!!

“The most important part about the day is that you’re marrying your person,” say Emily + Arejay. “So, don’t worry if anything goes wrong. Also, no one will know anyway!”

Congratulations, Emily + Arejay!! Your moody, romantic Nashville wedding was music to our ears! GWS wishes you all the very best!

Other Vendors in This Wedding

Photography: Jiana Taylor Photography // Venue: Treemont Mansion // Florals: Echoes of Eden // Wedding Dress: SAINT Bridal Couture // Wedding Dress: BHLDN // Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Hair Stylist: One10 Beauty House // Makeup Artist: One10 Beauty House // Groom Attire: Eton // Videography: VibeChaos Productions // Paper Goods: White Ink Calligraphy // Catering: Baked on 8th // Desserts: Baked on 8th // Linen Rentals: White Door Events // Music: Viva la Strings // Officiant: Matt Rothert // Photo Booth: Entertain! // Cocktails: Treemont Mansion

Author

  • : Author

    Emma Garson is the Real Weddings Editor at Green Wedding Shoes, where she specializes in documenting couples' celebration stories and design choices. A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, she brings professional writing experience from enterta...

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