“After spending so much time apart from friends and family during the height of the pandemic and feeling like life took on this seriousness, we wanted the wedding to be playful,” say Emma + Eddie of their unforgettably colorful balloon-filled wedding.
We are absolutely in love with the vibrant + magical world that installation artist Ashley Folkner created inside sunny Chattanooga warehouse venue The Turnbull.
Emma + Eddie wanted to bring life and levity to their celebration while making sure it still felt like the special occasion it was. And when it came to budgeting for their big day they were careful to prioritize spending on the things that were most important to them (like music and food) and were eager to make sure all of the money they spent went towards supporting the small business and vendors in their local community that had struggled throughout the worst of the pandemic.
The couple leaned on the people they loved to bring the whole day together, Emma says. “My little brother who plays piano played the song I walked down the aisle to, Eddie’s cousin did the flowers with help from our siblings and cousins, my aunt who is good at giving direction was our ‘day of coordinator’. So it was really a group effort and to us that made it even more special”
Let’s take a look at all of the great shots that OK Crowe Photography snapped throughout Emma + Eddie’s day!!
Over-the-top invites were one of the things that didn’t seem worth the spend for Emma + Eddie, so they went with these sweet and minimalist invitations in shades green. Check out our list of the best minimal wedding invitations to customize and buy online to skip the pricey custom stationery and free up your budget in the paper goods department
“I wanted to look good, but I would spend our money on good food or a good DJ before I spent it on my outfit any day,” says bride Emma of the shopping journey that led her to this killer strapless jumpsuit. “My dress budget was $300. As you can imagine with that budget, I skipped the bridal parlors and never even tried on a wedding dress.”
Emma’s never liked the idea of a big lacy wedding dress. She knew she wanted something that felt more her than a traditional bridal look. “I ordered a few different white jumpsuits online,” Emma says, “and when I tried on this one by Jay Godfrey (I think I got it at Nieman Marcus), it was immediately clear that that was the one. I think I went over my budget by $40.”
Look through our collection of the best wedding jumpsuits for every bridal style to embrace the power of the bridal jumpsuit like Emma did.
Emma’s chic, straight bob and warm neutral makeup look were the work of Shaina Ramsey Beauty from Copy Cat Salon.
The Ceremony
We love when the venue and the vision are perfect for each other! The minimalist loft/warehouse vibe of The Turnbull was the perfect blank slate for all of this joyful color.
“We wanted to strike a balance between playful and formal,” Emma + Eddie say. “Fun but not casual, elegant but not uptight (you get the picture!). For us the balloons helped set that playful mood, and we kept the rest of the décor really simple and modern.”
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding Too many to pick one!
Definitely explore our list of 31 bridal bridal capes and capelets for a dreamy look if you’re loving the way that Emma’s sheer embellished capelet added some chic and subtly bridal energy to her jumpsuit.
Our Musical Choices Processional: "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole + Canon in D by Jochann Pachelbel (played by Emma's brother on the piano)
Recessional: “This Will Be” by Natalie Cole
First Dance: “At Last" by Etta James
This gorgeous greenery-filled bridal bouquet? Eddie’s cousin arranged it using local flowers from Southerly Flower Farm.
The Reception
Ashley Folkner’s balloon installation transitioned perfectly into reception mode!! Emma + Eddie were so smart to spend on a maximalist decor piece that worked throughout their whole wedding day.
The joyful and nostalgic vibe of this balloon-filled reception has us remembering all our fave childhood birthday parties! And it reminds us of this prom-inspired wedding in a restored historic high school!
Emma + Eddie skipped typical wedding traditions that didn’t speak to them and opted for fun alternatives like Clumpies ice cream cones instead of wedding cake!!
Check out our list of 14 wedding desserts to serve besides cake on your big day!
Our Advice To Those Planning Now Figure out your priorities and find some good vendors who will listen to these priorities. The rest will fall into place.
Congratulations, Emma + Eddie! Your brilliant balloon-filled wedding was nonstop colorful joy. Congrats from GWS!
photography: OkCrowe Photography // venue name: The Turnbull, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA // florals: Southerly Flower Farm // wedding dress: Jay Godfrey // hair stylist: Shaina Ramsey with Copycat Salon // makeup artist: Shaina Ramsey with Copycat Salon // catering: Events with Taste // desserts: Clumpies // music: John Moore aka DJMCPRO // installation artist: Ashley Folkner
