A country music singer ties the knot in colorful barn wedding

bright floral arch in clear wedding tent

Giant peonies blend with a rainbow of wildflowers in this outdoor garden wedding that almost got rained out. Thankfully, EL Events was on their game and whipped up a quick "Plan B" that turned out even better than anyone could have imagined. Keep scrolling to see even more of these stunning photos by Hannah Diane Photography and to hear all about this adorable couple and their perfect day.

colorful outdoor wedding inspiration

Two days before the wedding, the forecast took a turn for the worst with a 100% chance of rain. The coordination team pivoted to planning out a ceremony with a clear-top tent. During the ceremony, the sky opened up with a torrential downpour of rain. As the rain poured against the clear top tent, it created almost a rhythmic melody that perfectly complemented the heartfelt vows exchanged. What could've been a nightmare for 150 guests, turned into such a magical moment for the couple.

the vision: vibrant & fun

simple wedding welcome sign with flowers

Kandis and Jake Gabbard tied the knot at Diamond Creek Farms in Nashville, Tennessee on September 14, 2024. The design and overall look for the wedding was clean, classic, vibrant, and fun. The couple wanted their wedding vibe to represent them by showing off their fun personalities while keeping an elevated look. Kandis worked with the team at LL Floral to create a show-stopping blend of bright and colorful toned florals. The colors that they chose were coral, white, and blush–warm, vibrant tones.

bright citrus colored wedding flowers bright flowers and clear ghost chairs for wedding ceremony

bright flowers for a white barn wedding

colorful flowers in bud vases for wedding centerpieces

the proposal

east west princess cut diamond engagement ring and gold band

It was the best weekend ever. Napa Valley is my absolute favorite place on earth and I had told Jake that it would be a dream to get engaged there. October 2023 rolls around and I didn’t know if a proposal was around the corner, but I did know my 30th birthday was, so off to Napa we went to celebrate that! I had some suspicions that it might happen that weekend, but he did a great job of throwing me off the scent (even going as far as to say that the ring he was working on wouldn’t be in for a few more months). I was slightly bummed, but excited to ring in 30 with him and my parents there nevertheless. We did a full day of winery stops on Friday and the thought went to the back of my mind. Saturday rolls around and I still had some hopes, but knew it was still a perfect trip regardless! Well, on the very last day, at the very last winery stop, at the very end of the tasting, Jake walked me to the middle of the vineyard and asked my parents to take a picture of us. I walked over to hand the phone to my mom for the photo and turned back around to see him down on one knee. I’ve never seen him so nervous in my life. It was adorable. He said “I love you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?” And that was the perfect end to the perfect trip and the best start to the rest of our lives together!”

the invitations

peach and white wedding invitations

A bright peach band and liner popped against these timeless white wedding invitations featuring a custom sketch of the venue. Each suite was sealed with a pearlized wax seal sporting the couple's monogram.

getting ready

bride in lace robe and white night gown

In the luxurious bridal suite, Kandis prepped for the day ahead. She lounged in a white lace robe and nightgown set as she admired her gown. Dressed in a chic lavender gown, her mother and MOH helped her put the finishing touches on her look.

chic lavender mother of the bride dress wedding getting ready photo ideas

the flowers

bright wedding flowers

They incorporated the warm-toned florals into the tablescapes with a light coral and blush napkin complete with a gold foil menu card to highlight their crest. The design came together by featuring long reception tables and heavy bud vases.

bright pink wedding bouquets

medium sized floral centerpieces for wedding

colorful floral arch over wedding cake

the fashion

pink and purple wedding party looks

Kandis stunned in a delicate lace gown with a plunging neckline and A-line silhouette. And, between her bouquet, her MOH's pink dress, and her mom's lavender ensemble, the ladies encompassed every color in the wedding design.

pink bridesmaid dress ideas v neck lace a line wedding gown with veil

the escort display

guitar pick wedding escort display

With Jake being a country music artist, he wanted his love for music and Nashville woven into every detail of the celebration. To bring a personal touch to the cocktail hour, they incorporated a guitar guest book that guests could write their names on. The seating chart was a handcrafted wooden sign with each guest’s name written on a custom guitar pick. This made every detail harmonize perfectly.

the entertainment

hanging floral arrangement for barn wedding

When talking to the groom before the wedding day, he said that one of the most important aspects of the day was the band. They hired the 12 South Band to create a lively atmosphere that kept everyone on the dance floor throughout the entire night. This band was fully equipped with saxophone and trumpet players, dancers, and singers. During the reception, the groom surprised everyone by taking the stage and serenading Kandis with a fun and energetic performance of "Friends in Low Places" that had the whole room singing along.

beer burros

beer burros for outdoor cocktail hour

The bride and groom wanted to add a unique touch to cocktail hour that would reflect the farm charm of their venue. They thought what better way than to bring in a pair of adorable beverage-toting mini donkeys to cocktail hour. The unexpected arrival of this sweet pair of burros was met with delight as they trotted into the cocktail area, each carrying a small basket of drinks for the guests. The mini donkeys quickly became the stars of the hour, adding a playful, rustic flair to the celebration and creating an unforgettable moment for their guests.

the menu

wedding reception photo ideas

The menu for the wedding was thoughtfully crafted to match the rustic elegance of their venue. Guests kicked off the evening with refreshing signature drinks—a vibrant strawberry mojito and a classic old-fashioned. Guests were also treated to a selection of hors d'oeuvres. A sesame-seared tuna satay and caprese cones filled with creamy Boursin cheese, oven-roasted tomatoes, and a rich balsamic reduction. Dinner began with a colorful and light harvest salad. For the main course, guests had a choice between a decadent bacon-wrapped bistro chicken or a tender red wine-braised beef short rib. Each entree choice was paired with roasted Brussels sprouts and creamy mashed potatoes. To end the night, the catering staff passed out an unforgettable late bite. It featured Nashville hot chicken sliders and a signature hot dog loaded with toppings. This kept their guests full and dancing all night long. To top off the evening, guests indulged in a variety of decadent desserts. There were several offerings including a savory s'more tart topped with toasted meringue, and a light banana pudding trifle, layered with creamy whipped cream, vanilla wafers, and delicate white chocolate pearls.

the cake

two tier simple buttercream wedding cake

Kandis and Jake wanted their choice of wedding cake to be simple and delicious. The cake was surrounded by a floral arch and paired with a simple iced design. When the couple cut the cake for the evening, it revealed a light and fluffy carrot cake inside.

View All Images